Patent ID: 11858693
Assignee: ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC.
Field: Handling (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B  A | IPC A  B

Claim 7:
8. A method comprising:
forming first and second zipper members, each of the first and second zipper members formed with an elongated body having a facing side, an opposite side, an upper edge, and an opposite lower edge, each of the first and second zipper members formed to have a profile protrusion that extends from the facing sides and are located between the upper and lower edges, the profile protrusions of the first and second zipper members shaped to mesh with each other to interlock the first and second zipper members with each other; and
forming a living hinge in one or more of the first zipper member or the second zipper member between the lower edge and the profile protrusion of the one or more of the first zipper member or the second zipper member, the living hinge formed by a slit extending inwardly from the facing side toward the corresponding opposite side, the living hinge including interior surfaces opposing each other across the slit, the interior surfaces moving relative to each other to open and close the living hinge as the living hinge is opened and closed, the interior surfaces contacting each other while the living hinge is closed, the interior surfaces spaced apart from each other while the living hinge is open,
wherein the first and second zipper members are formed with flanges that extend from the lower edges, the flanges configured to be affixed to panels of an enclosure that is closed by meshing of the profile protrusions of the first and second zipper members with each other,
wherein in response to the profile protrusions of the first and second zipper members being meshed with each other, the living hinge is configured to be closed, and
wherein in response to an opening force being applied to pull the flanges apart when the profile protrusions of the first and second zipper members are meshed with each other, the living hinge is configured to be open while the profile protrusions of the first and second zipper members remain meshed with each other.