Abstract:
The present invention relates to a closure/sealing mechanism for a door and cabinet, or lid and container combination that uses a plurality of magnets in combination with a sealing member to create an air-tight or near air-tight environment. The sealing mechanism further considers two additional features including the use of a floating-hinge to provide an optimal seal alignment, and an embedded cam-handle mechanism that can be rotated and thereby used to open the container. It is envisioned that the closure/sealing mechanism may be used for containers such as humidors, coolers, refrigerators/freezers, and briefcases.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    Priority is claimed from U.S. Provisional patent application No. 60/273,229 filed Mar. 2, 2001 entitled “Magnetically Sealable Enclosure,” which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    This invention relates to a closure/sealing mechanism for a door and cabinet, or a lid and container combination that uses a plurality of magnets in combination with a sealing member to create an air-tight or near air-tight environment. The sealing mechanism further considers two additional features including the use of a floating type of hinge to provide an optimal seal alignment and an embedded cam-handle mechanism that can be rotated and thereby used to break the seal and open the container. It is envisioned that the closure/sealing mechanism maybe used for containers such as humidors, coolers, refrigerators/freezers, and briefcases.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Magnets and sealing materials have been used in combination for a number of years to create enclosures for a number of different applications, including refrigerators and freezers. The magnets and seals have typically been positioned in a number of different orientations to create releasable seals. In general, it is desirable to a create sufficient magnetic attraction using either magnets alone, or magnets in combination with a magnetic attractive material such as steel, to draw together the container (hereinafter to include cabinet) and container door or lid, such that a seal is created between the container and door. Various flexible materials have also been used to provide the actual seal, including rubber and plastics.  
           [0004]    Unfortunately, the wear associated with the constant operation of opening and closing the door of the container creates friction and thus imperfections in the seal. Depending upon the nature of the container, costs are then incurred in the form of additional energy to heat, cool, or adjust the humidity of the subject container. To remedy this problem, an expensive replacement seal is often required. Thus, there is a significant need in the industry to provide a closure/sealing mechanism that is durable, reliable and inexpensive to manufacture, while providing a superior seal.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    It is therefore an aspect of the present invention to provide an arrangement of a magnet and seal to improve the seal assembly on various types of containers. It is another aspect of this invention to provide an improved seal assembly that has a long life. It is yet another aspect of this invention to provide a floating-hinge assembly that aligns the seal located on the container and the opposing portion of the seal material located on the door, such that the seals are optimally aligned, thereby creating a better seal, and thereby causing less wear and tear on the seals as the door is repeatedly opened and closed to access the contents of the container.  
           [0006]    In a further embodiment of the present invention, a cam-handle mechanism is presented, wherein the cam-handle mechanism is used to break the seal. Such a mechanism is applicable for devices such as luggage or briefcases. Finally, it is a further embodiment of the present invention to provide a floating-hinge assembly that is capable being operated without causing harm to an operator&#39;s hand or fingers, should said operator&#39;s hand or fingers accidently become positioned in between the container and door during closure of the container.  
           [0007]    Although it is generally known in the refrigeration arts to use magnets deployed within a sealing mechanism, arrangements of the a seal and magnets have not been optimized to reduce wear and tear to the sealing gasket. Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a means of separating the two portions of a sealing gasket (located on the container and the container door or lid, where door or lid are herein used interchangeably) to prevent friction to the sealing gasket caused by rubbing of the two portions together as the container door is repeatedly open and closed against the container. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    Several figures have been developed to assist with understanding the invention. Following is a brief description of the figures that illustrate the invention and its various embodiments:  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a top view of a container that incorporates the seal embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 1 a  is a top elevation view of an extruded strip containing magnets and a seal for a container;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 b  is a cross-sectional view of the extruded strip shown in FIG. 1 a ;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 c  is a top elevation view of an extruded strip containing magnets and a seal for a container lid;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 d  is a cross-sectional view of the extruded strip shown in FIG. 1 c ;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a sidewall of the container depicted in FIG. 1;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 a  is a cross-sectional view of a sidewall of the container depicted in FIG. 1, but with the seal projecting above the sidewall rim;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a container lid that mates with the container depicted in FIG. 1;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the container lid depicted in FIG. 3;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 a  is a cross-sectional view of the container lid depicted in FIG. 3, but with the seal recessed below the lid sidewall rim;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through the container and lid sidewalls of a floating-hinge embodiment;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 6 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the floating-hinge embodiment depicted in FIG. 5 in a closed position;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 7 is an expanded cross-sectional view of the floating-hinge embodiment;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8 illustrates an elevation view of the container hinge portion of the floating-hinge embodiment with the enclosure and strike plate components depicted;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the enclosure with the spring portion of the floating-hinge embodiment depicted in FIG. 8;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 10 is a side elevation view of a container having the floating-hinge embodiment, where the container door is in a closed position;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a container having the floating-hinge embodiment, where the container door is in a partially open position;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of a container having the floating-hinge embodiment, where the container door is in a further open position;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 13 is a side elevation view of a container having the floating-hinge embodiment, where the container door is in an open position;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 14 is a side elevation view of a container having the floating-hinge embodiment, where the container door is in a closed position, with an object located between the door and the container;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 15 is a top elevation view of a container possessing a cam-handle embodiment;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a container and lid possessing the cam-handle embodiment;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a container possessing the cam-handle embodiment; and  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a container possessing the cam-handle embodiment. 
     
    
       [0033]    While the following disclosure describes the invention in connection with those embodiments presented, one should understand that the invention is not strictly limited to these embodiments. Furthermore, one should understand that the drawings are not necessarily to scale, and that in certain instances, the disclosure may not include details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention, such as conventional details of fabrication and assembly.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]    The nature of the present invention is best understood by considering the drawings in combination with the following text. In FIG. 1, a container  10  without a top lid is depicted. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a plurality of magnets  12   a ,  12   b  in combination with a seal  14   a ,  14   b . Magnets  12   a  and seal  14   a  maybe installed directly within sidewall  16  of container  10 , or they may be manufactured and installed on an extruded plastic strip. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 a  and  1   b , an extruded strip  19   a  of polyethylene may be manufactured with pre-formed installation points for magnets  12   a , and with a pre-formed installation channel for seal  14   a . Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 1 c  and  1   d , an extruded strip  19   b  with corresponding pre-formed installation points/channel for magnets  12   b  and strip  14   b  may also be manufactured. The extruded strips  19   a ,  19   b  would then be fitted with magnets  12   a ,  12   b  and seals  14   a ,  14   b , and then subsequently interconnected, for example, by adhesive, to sidewall  16  and lid sidewall  36 . Magnets  12   a  may be located radially to the interior of seal  14   a , as shown, or radially to the exterior (not shown) of the seal  14   a .  
         [0035]    Seal  14   a ,  14   b  preferably consists of a closed cell neoprene gasket, although other types of sealing materials may be utilized. Preferably, seal  14   a  is a continuous strip of sealing material and is positioned on the sidewall rim  18  of container sidewall  16  such that it completely encloses container interior  20 . Alternately, seal  14   a  may be a plurality of segments of sealing material that are installed in the sidewall rim  18  of container sidewall  16  such that they effectively form one continuous strip of material upon installation.  
         [0036]    Magnets  12   a ,  12   b  are preferably a neodymium type of magnet; however, various types of magnets can be used. FIG. 1 illustrates four magnets  12   a  with their positive pole up; however, a fewer or greater number of magnets  12   a  may be used. For example, it may be desirable to install more than four magnets  12   a  in a relatively large container  10 . In addition, if a greater sealing force is sought, additional numbers of magnets  12   a  may be used to accomplish this task.  
         [0037]    Referring now to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view of container sidewall  16  is depicted. Preferably, exposed seal surface  22   a  of seal  14   a  is recessed approximately 1 mm below sidewall rim  18 . However, there is a flush fit between the exposed magnet surface  24   a  of magnets  12   a  relative to sidewall rim  18 . Therefore, in a preferred method of manufacture, a seal channel  26   a  is formed, placed within an extruded strip, or otherwise cut into sidewall rim  18  to receive seal  14   a , wherein seal channel  26   a  is about 1 mm deeper than the thickness of seal  14   a . Similarly, a plurality of magnet inlets  28   a , in corresponding number to the number of magnets  12   a , are formed, placed within an extruded strip, or otherwise cut into sidewall rim  18  to receive magnets  12   a . Preferably, seal  14   a  and magnets  12   a  are epoxy set and adhesively bonded within seal channel  26   a  and magnet inlets  28   a , respectively. FIG. 2 depicts seal  14   a  located radially to the exterior of magnets  12   a . However, as noted above, these two positions may be reversed such that magnets  12   a  are located closer than seal  14   a  to exterior sidewall surface  30 , and seal  14   a  is located closer than magnets  12   a  to interior sidewall surface  32 .  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 3 illustrates the back of the container door  34 , or equally, the underside or bottom of the container lid  34 . Magnets  12   b  and seal  14   b  are installed on the underside of container lid  34  such that they align with magnets  12   a  and seal  14   a  placed in container sidewall  16  of container  10 . More particularly, when the container lid  34  is closed, seal  14   a  of container  10  is aligned with and contacts seal  14   b  of container lid  34 . In so doing, an air-tight or near air-tight seal is created between the container  10  and container lid  34 . FIG. 3 further illustrates the location of four magnets  12   b , although a fewer or greater number of magnets  12   b  may be used, as is desired. Preferably, the number of magnets  12   a  in container  10  equals the number of magnets in container lid  34 . As illustrated in FIG. 3, the magnets  12   b  are oriented such that their negative pole is exposed. Thus, when the container lid  34  is closed, the negative pole of the magnets  12   b  located within the container lid  34  are attracted to the positive exposed pole of the magnets  12   a  located within the container sidewall  16 . Obviously, the exposed poles of magnets  12   a ,  12   b  within container  10  and lid  34  may be reversed and still provide an equivalent attractive force.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view lid  34  and container lid sidewall  36 . However, it is to be understood that container lid  34  does not require a container lid sidewall  36 . More particularly, container lid  34  may be a flat or relatively flat structure that closes against container  10  without a lid sidewall  36  present. Similar to container sidewall  16 , container lid sidewall  36  or the edge of container lid  34  (if a lid sidewall  36  is not present) is fitted with seal channel  26   b  that is sized to receive seal  14   b . Preferably, exposed seal surface  22   b  of seal  14   b  is exposed approximately 1.5-2 mm beyond lid sidewall rim  38 . However, there is a flush fit between the exposed magnet surface  24   b  of magnets  12   b  relative to lid sidewall rim  38 . Therefore, in a preferred method of manufacture, a seal channel  26   b  is formed, placed within an extruded strip, or otherwise cut into lid sidewall rim  38  to receive seal  14   b , wherein seal channel  26   b  is about 1.5-2 mm less in depth than the thickness of seal  14   b . Exposed seal surface  22   b  of seal  14   b  contacts and compresses exposed seal surface  22   a of seal  14   a  when container lid  34  is closed against container  10 . In addition, the attractive force of magnets  12   a ,  12   b  tends to aid in compressing seal  14   a  with  14   b , thereby improving the quality of closure created by seal  14   a ,  14   b .  
         [0040]    As with container  10 , a plurality of magnet inlets  28   b , in corresponding number to the number of magnets  12   b , are formed, placed within an extruded strip, or otherwise cut into lid sidewall rim  38  to receive magnets  12   b . As with container  10 , preferably there is a flush fit between the exposed magnet surface  24   b  of magnets  12   b  relative to lid sidewall rim  38 . Likewise as with container  10 , preferably seal  14   b  and magnets  12   b  are epoxy set and adhesively bonded within seal channel  26   b  and magnet inlets  28   b , respectively.  
         [0041]    Referring now to FIGS. 2 a  and  4   a , in an alternate arrangement of seal  14   a  and  14   b , seal  14   a  is disposed within container sidewall  16 , or placed within an extruded strip, such that it projects beyond sidewall rim  18 . If so, seal  14   b  disposed within lid sidewall  36 , or placed within an extruded strip, may be recessed relative to lid sidewall rim  38 . Accordingly, in a preferred embodiment, the exposed seal surface  22   a  or  22   b  of one of either of seal  14   a  or  14   b  is recessed.  
         [0042]    In a separate aspect of the present invention, a floating-hinge assembly is provided. In a preferred embodiment, floating-hinge  40  not only serves the basic purpose of acting like a normal hinge on a container, but also provides about 2 to 3 mm of vertical movement between container  10  and container lid  34 , thereby allowing seal  14   a ,  14   b  to be separated vertically upon opening container lid  34  from container  10 , and thus minimizing frictional wear to seal  14   a ,  14   b .  
         [0043]    Referring now to FIG. 5, a cross-sectional view of floating-hinge  40  is illustrated. Container hinge portion  42  is anchored in the sidewall  16  of the container  10  by any means; for example, it could be fastened, threaded, glued, bonded, or otherwise fixedly attached. Lid hinge portion  44  of floating-hinge  40  attaches to the container lid  34  in a similar fashion. Container hinge portion  42  and lid hinge portion  44  are connected by means of a pin  46 . Floating-hinge  40  utilizes plastic or nylon washers or bearings  48  to reduce wear to the hinge  40 .  
         [0044]    Container hinge portion  42  located within the container sidewall  16  consists of a enclosure  50  with enclosure wall  51  that contains a movable shaft (or plunger)  52  and spring  54 . The shaft  52  moves longitudinally inside enclosure  50 , thereby compressing spring  54  against a stop  56  at the end of the shaft  52  and the top of enclosure  50 . This allows shaft  52  to retract as the magnets  12   a ,  12   b  draw the seal  14   a ,  14   b  tight. As designed, even when lid  34  is in the fully closed position against container  10 , there should be a few millimeters of clearance between the stop  56  at the end of the shaft  52  and the rear portion  58  of enclosure  50 .  
         [0045]    As container lid  34  is pulled open, roller bearings  60  held by roller bearing retainers  62  attached to the lid edge  64  of the container lid  34  move in the direction of container hinge portion  42 , i.e., in the direction of container interior  20 . Roller bearings  60  contact strike plate  66 . Strike plate  66  is preferably formed of metal, such as steel, and is preferably flush mounted. Until roller bearings  60  pass the location of hinge portion  42 , lid  34  will automatically close itself if the lid  34  is released. As the bearings  60  pass the hinge portion  42 , the shaft  52  will retract until it hits the end of the hinge enclosure  50 . At this point, lid  34  will remain open (in a vertical configuration). Container hinge portion  42  rotates about pin  46  at pivot point  68 , and lid hinge portion  44  rotates about pin  46 , also at pivot point  68 . Open space  70  may be provided adjacent pivot point  68  in lid  34  to provide space for shaft  52  to rotate and clear lid sidewall rim  38 . Another characteristic of the floating-hinge  40  is that if an object, such as a person&#39;s finger, is in the way when the container lid  34  closes, spring  54  will allow the lid  34  to move enough so that it should cause less or minimal damage to the object.  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 6 illustrates the components of the floating-hinge  40  assembly when the container lid  34  is closed against the container  10 . FIG. 7 further illustrates the floating-hinge  40  when the hinge  40  is disengaged and container lid  34  is separated from container  10 . This expanded view details the pivot point  68  of the hinge  40  and the direction of movement of shaft  52 . FIG. 8 depicts an elevation view of container hinge portion  42  with enclosure  50  and strike plate  66 . FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of container hinge portion  42  illustrating enclosure  50  with spring  54  positioned therein. The direction of motion of shaft  52  is noted by arrow  72 . Thus, shaft  52  is movable in a longitudinal direction within enclosure  50 .  
         [0047]    FIGS.  10 - 14  illustrate container  10 , container lid  34 , and floating-hinge assembly  40  at various stages of closure. FIG. 10 depicts container lid  34  closed against container  10 . In this position, seal  14   a ,  14   b  is fully compressed together, including at the hinge side, by magnets  12   a ,  12   b . FIG. 11 depicts the container lid  34  partially open. In this position, spring  54  is still gently pulling lid  34  back to the closed position since bearing  60  is still positioned to the exterior of shaft  52 . FIG. 12 depicts the container lid  34  in yet a further partially opened position. As lid  34  is opened, bearing  60  is acting as a fulcrum and spring  54  is being compressed as shaft  52  is extended outwards. FIG. 13 depicts container lid  34  in a fully opened position. In this position, shaft  52  is fully retracted. Furthermore, there is a gap between lid  34  and container  10  when lid  34  is in an open vertical position. FIG. 14 depicts lid  34  in a closed position, but with an object “O” in between lid  34  and container  10 . Here, spring  54  is also in a retracted position, thus allowing lid  34  to move outwards, preventing damage to lid  34  and object “O”.  
         [0048]    In summary, floating-hinge  40  utilizes a spring  54  and shaft  52  within an enclosure  50 . When opened, the shaft  52  compresses the spring  54 , giving the lid  34  and the container  10  the ability to be vertically separated by a set distance, typically 2 to 3 mm, thus providing for optimal alignment of the magnets  12   a ,  12   b  and seal  14   a ,  14   b . This embodiment also includes the use of a roller bearing  60  and strike plate  66  mechanism mounted in the vicinity of the hinge  40  to allow the container lid  34  to slide against the container  10  when lid  34  is rotated while the lid  34  is in close proximity to the container  10 .  
         [0049]    A further embodiment of the present invention includes the use of a cam-handle assembly  74 , as illustrated in FIGS.  15 - 18 . Cam-handle assembly  74  may be used to break the bond created by seal  14   a ,  14   b  and magnets  12   a ,  12   b . Upon rotation of the handle portion  76 , the connected cam shaft  77 , as well as cam  78  that is inset within the container sidewall  16 , is moved against a cam strike plate  80 , whereby the force exerted by the cam  78  breaks the bond created by the magnets  12   a ,  12   b  and seal  14   a ,  14   b , thus allowing the container interior  20  to be accessed. As illustrated in FIG. 15, it is anticipated that the cam-handle assembly  74  would be utilized with a plurality of magnets  12   a  located within the container sidewall  16  and corresponding magnets  12   b  located within container lid  34 . The number of magnets  12   a ,  12   b  used would depend upon the type and strength of magnets  12   a ,  12   b  desired for the particular application sought. For example, it is anticipated that for a briefcase or piece of luggage, a plurality of magnets  12   a ,  12   b  would be used to create a significant attraction between the container  10  and the container lid  34 , thereby creating a significant deterrent to opening the container  10  without use of the cam-handle assembly  74  assembly. Consistent with this embodiment, it is anticipated that a locking mechanism  82  may be utilized to secure the cam-handle assembly  74  from rotation, or to secure the container lid  34  to container  10 , or a combination thereof.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 16 further illustrates the cam-handle assembly  74  in a cross section view. This FIG. depicts the container lid  34  in a closed position, and illustrates the position of the camhandle assembly  74  and its components relative to the container sidewall  16  and the seal  14   a . This FIG. further illustrates handle portion  76  and cam shaft  77  that runs from the handle portion  76  through the container sidewall  16 , and which ends at the cam  78 . Bearings  84  may be utilized to isolate shaft  77  within the container sidewall  16  and allow it to rotate smoothly. An additional feature of this embodiment includes the use of a lip  86  as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 to prevent unauthorized persons from easily accessing the joint created between the container lid  34  and container sidewall  16  of container  10  by prying the two portions apart. FIG. 17 depicts lip  86  connected to the container sidewall  16 . However, lip  86  may be located on the container lid  34 . Furthermore, cam-handle assembly  74  may be situated within the container lid  34  itself, rather than within the container  10 , as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of cam-handle assembly  74  as viewed perpendicular through the container sidewall  16 . This view illustrates the position of the cam  78  relative to the handle  76  and the shaft  77  through the sidewall  16 . FIG. 18 is a cross sectional view of cam  78  from the view point of facing container sidewall  16 . This further illustrates the position of the cam  78  relative to the strike plate  80  located on the lid  34 . In operation, when handle  76  is rotated, shaft  77  rotates cam  78  situated within cam opening  88 . Cam  78  moves toward strike plate  80 . Upon contacting strike plate  80 , force is transferred to strike plate  80 , causing container lid  34  to separate from the container  10 . Accordingly, depending upon the number of magnets  12   a ,  12   b  used, and the dimensions of the various components of the cam handle assembly  74 , this feature offers a significant security option.  
         [0052]    While the above description and the drawings disclose and illustrate numerous alternative embodiments, one should understand, of course, that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains may make other modifications and other embodiments employing the principles of this invention, particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings. Therefore, by the appended claims, the applicant intends to cover any modifications and other embodiments as incorporate those features which constitute the essential features of this invention.