Patent Publication Number: US-7900790-B2

Title: Closure for packaging containers

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to containers for packaging and transporting goods, and more specifically to devices for releasably and securely closing packaging containers. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Virtually every product in today&#39;s industrialized society that is bought, sold, or used has been physically transported (i.e., shipped) at one point in time. Regardless of the type of shipping employed, whether it be freight by ground, air, or water, most goods are packaged in a protective container prior to actual shipping. For example, original equipment manufacturers (OEM) of automobiles ship large quantities of vehicle parts, such as stamped hoods, deck lids, roof panels, quarter panels, and door panels, from manufacturing plants to innumerable locations around the world. Due to the harsh nature of the shipping and handling process, manufacturers of vehicle parts expend a substantial amount of time and effort into the design of specialized containers and equipment for packaging parts as they leave the production line. 
     In standard packaging procedures, a stack of corrugated cardboard cartons, either unfolded or pre-erected, is placed near the discharge end of the manufacturer&#39;s processing line. A finished part is removed from the processing line and placed in the container and, if unfolded, the container is then formed, by folding, to surround the completed part. The outer closure flaps of the corrugated carton are thereafter secured to the inner closure flaps, for example, by a number of lines of adhesive or by a mechanical closure mechanism. In regard to the former, hot melt adhesives or thermoplastic materials are favored because they yield a quicker set and create stronger bonds, requiring less bonding material than many ordinary wet or cold glues. With respect to the latter, prior art practices are to employ metal or plastic straps, commercial-strength tape, or mating hook and loop-type fastening strips to securely seal the closure flaps of the packaging container. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, a closure device for a packaging container is provided. The container itself has a main body with two opposing side walls, an opening for providing access to the container, and first and second flaps each attached to a respective one of the side walls to transition between substantially closed positions, in which the first and second flaps at least partially overlap one another and thereby obstruct the opening, and generally open positions, in which the first and second flaps provide an at least partially unobstructed path through the opening. 
     The closure device includes a first closure member that is configured to attach to the first flap. The first closure member has a male feature protruding from a first interface surface thereof. The closure device also includes a second closure member configured to attach to the second flap. The second closure member has a female feature defined through a second interface surface thereof, which is configured to receive and mate with the male feature. The male feature includes a stem portion attached at a first end to, and extending generally perpendicularly outward from the first interface surface. At least one tab, which extends obliquely outward from a second end of the stem portion, is configured to snap fit with and releasably lock to the female feature and thereby secure the first flap to the second flap in the closed positions. 
     According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the closure device also includes a retaining ring that is configured to mate with and thereby attach the first closure member to the first flap. In this instance, the first closure member preferably includes a plurality of snap fasteners that protrude generally orthogonally outward therefrom. The snap fasteners are configured to snap fit with the retaining ring. Moreover, the retaining ring preferably has a stepped region extending inward from at least a portion of an inner peripheral edge thereof. The stepped region is configured to receive and mate with the plurality of snap fasteners to thereby attach the retaining ring to the first closure member. 
     In another aspect of the present embodiment, the closure device preferably includes first and second flexible tab members each extending acutely outward from the second end of the stem, on opposing sides thereof. Ideally, the male feature further includes at least one pair of risers protruding outward on opposing sides of the stem portion. The risers are configured to limit rotational movement of the second closure member when the male feature mates with and releasably locks to the female feature. 
     According to another aspect of the present embodiment, the first interface surface of the first closure member includes a recessed stratum. The recessed stratum is configured to abut against the second interface surface in a flush fit manner when the male feature mates with and releasably locks to the female feature. 
     According to yet another aspect of the present embodiment, the first closure member includes a first key-indexing feature that is configured to ensure the first closure member is properly oriented when attached to the first flap so that the male feature can accurately mate with and releasably lock to the female feature when the first and second flaps are in respective closed positions. Ideally, the first key-indexing feature includes a blade wall extending generally orthogonally outward from the first closure member. The blade wall is configured to mate with a complimentary hole formed in the first flap. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present embodiment, the second closure member includes a second key-indexing feature that is configured to ensure the second closure member is properly oriented when attached to the second flap so that the female feature can accurately receive and mate with the male feature when the first and second flaps are in respective closed positions. Ideally, the second key-indexing feature includes a plurality of walls each extending generally orthogonally outward from the second flap, which are configured to mate with a complimentary hole formed in the second flap. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the second key-indexing feature may include a protrusion extending outward from the second closure member, and configured to mate with a complimentary aperture formed in the second flap. 
     In another aspect of the present embodiment, the second closure member further includes a cavity defined, at least in part, by the plurality of walls which extend between the first interface surface and a fourth interface surface of the second closure member. The cavity is configured to allow for selective release of the male feature from the female feature. 
     According to yet another aspect, the second closure member further includes an elevated platform which protrudes from a fifth interface surface, which opposes the second interface surface, and surrounds the female feature. The elevated platform is configured to abut against the tabs when the male feature mates with and releasably locks to the female feature. The elevated platform improves the retention characteristics of the closure device. 
     In accordance with yet another aspect of the present embodiment, the second closure member further includes a plurality of spaced retention tangs that are configured to mate with and thereby attach the second closure member to the second flap. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, a container for packaging manufactured goods is described. The container includes a main body having first and second opposing side walls, a bottom wall extending between and attached to respective first ends of the first and second side walls, and a top wall extending between and attached to respective second ends of the first and second side walls. The first and second side walls, in cooperation with the bottom and top walls, define at least one opening that is configured to provide access to the container. First and second flaps are attached to a respective one of the first and second side walls to transition between substantially closed positions, in which the first and second flaps at least partially overlap one another and thereby obstruct the at least one opening, to generally open positions, in which the first and second flaps provide an at least partially unobstructed path through the at least one opening. 
     A first closure member is attached to or integrated with the first flap. The first closure member has a male feature protruding from a first interface surface thereof. A second closure member is attached to or integrated with the second flap. The second closure member has a female feature defined through a second interface surface thereof. The female feature is configured to receive and mate with the male feature. The male feature includes a stem portion attached at a first end to and extending generally perpendicularly outward from the first interface surface. First and second flexible tab members each extend acutely outward from a second end of the stem portion, on opposing sides thereof. The first and second flexible tab members are configured to snap fit into the female feature. The first and second closure members are respectively oriented along the first and second flaps such that the male feature mates with and releasably locks to the female feature securing the first and second flaps in their respective closed positions. 
     Preferably, the container also includes a retaining ring that is configured to mate with and thereby attach the first closure member to the first flap. The retaining ring has a stepped region extending inward from at least a portion of an inner peripheral edge thereof. In this instance, the first closure member also includes a plurality of snap fasteners protruding generally orthogonally outward therefrom that are configured to snap fit with the retaining ring and thereby attach the first closure member to the retaining ring. 
     According to another aspect of the present embodiment, the first closure member also includes a first key-indexing feature having a blade wall extending generally orthogonally outward from the first closure member in a continuous manner about the first interface surface. The first key-indexing feature is configured to mate with a complimentary hole formed in the first flap to thereby ensure the first closure member is properly oriented when attached to the first flap. 
     In accordance with another aspect, the second closure member further includes a second key-indexing feature having a plurality of walls each extending generally orthogonally outward from the second closure member, and spaced about the second interface surface. The plurality of walls are configured to mate with a complimentary hole formed in the second flap to thereby ensure the second closure member is properly oriented when attached to the second flap. 
     The above features and advantages, and other features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and best modes for carrying out the present invention when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a an exploded isometric illustration of a male-female closure device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front-view illustration of an exemplary packaging container with the male-female closure device of  FIG. 1  integrated thereto; and 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional illustration of the packaging container with male-female closure device of  FIG. 2  taken along line  1 - 1 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components throughout the several views,  FIG. 1  is an exploded isometric illustration of a male-female closure device, identified generally as  10 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The closure device  10  is intended for integration into a pre-erected cardboard container for packaging and transporting large sheet metal stampings, such as, but not limited to, stamped vehicle hoods, deck lids, roof panels, quarter panels, and door panels. However, it should be recognized that the present invention may be integrated into other packaging containers having various sizes and configurations, and fabricated from an infinite variety of materials. In addition, the drawings presented herein—i.e.,  FIGS. 1 through 3 , are not to scale and are provided purely for instructional purposes. Thus, the specific and relative dimensions shown in the drawings are not to be considered limiting. 
     The closure device  10  consists of two primary components—a first or inner flap detail, referred to herein as first closure member  12  and a second or outer flap detail, referred to herein as second closure member  14 , each configured to attach to or be integrated with a respective lid or flap of a packaging container (e.g., first and second flaps  52  and  54  of  FIG. 3 ). Both the first and second closure members  12 ,  14  are preformed, single-piece, substantially circular members, each constructed from a material known to have a suitable strength for the intended use of the closure device  10 , such as, but not limited to, high strength plastics (e.g., polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene), metallic materials (e.g., brushed steel or aluminum), etc. It is also within the scope of the present invention that the first and second closure members  12 ,  14  be fabricated from numerous constituent components that are assembled into a single, unitary structure. Moreover, the first and second closure members  12 ,  14  may individually or collectively take on additional functional shapes (e.g., rectangular, elliptical, or pentagonal) without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the first closure member  12  includes a first interface surface, defined herein by a landing portion  20  surrounding or encircling a stepped or recessed stratum  22 . As will be understood from the following description, the first interface surface is configured (i.e., contoured and dimensioned) to mate with a complimentary second interface surface  24  of the second closure member  14  (best seen in  FIG. 3 ). By way of example, the recessed stratum  22 , according to the preferred embodiment of  FIG. 1 , is configured to abut against the second interface surface  24  in a flush fit manner when the first and second closure members  12 ,  14  are in a mating relation. The depth of the recessed stratum  22  may be selectively modified depending upon the particular dimensions of the flap to which the first closure member  12  is to be attached. 
     The first closure member  12  has a male feature  18 , which is also referred to herein as a “barb”, protruding from the first interface surface. Specifically, the male feature  18  includes a stem portion  26  attached at a first end  25  to, and extending generally perpendicularly outward from the recessed stratum  22 . At least one, but preferably two flexible and elastic tab members  28 A and  28 B each extend obliquely outward, preferably in an acute manner, from a second end  27  of the stem portion  26 , on opposing sides thereof. The male feature  18 , namely first and second flexible tab members  28 A,  28 B, is configured to snap fit with and releasably lock to a female feature  30 , as more clearly seen in  FIG. 3 . The female feature  30  (also referred to as a “slot” or “slotting feature”), which is formed in or defined through the second interface surface  24  of the second closure member  14 , is configured (i.e., dimensioned and contoured) to receive and mate with the male feature  18 . 
     Preferably, the closure device  10  also includes a retaining ring  16 , which is configured to mate with and thereby attach the first closure member to the first flap  52  of container  50  ( FIG. 3 ). Similar to the first and second closure members  12 ,  14 , the retaining ring  16  of  FIG. 1  is a preformed, single-piece, substantially circular and toroidal member, fabricated from a material of suitable strength for the intended use of the closure device  10 , such as, but not limited to, high strength plastics (e.g., polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene), metallic materials (e.g., brushed steel or aluminum), etc. According to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the first closure member  12  employs a plurality of snap fasteners  32 , which protrude generally orthogonally outward from the landing portion  20 , that are configured to snap fit with the retaining ring  16 . To this regard, the retaining ring  16  has a stepped region, indicated generally at  34  in  FIG. 1 , which extends inward from at least a portion of an inner peripheral edge  35  thereof. In accordance with preferred practices, the step region  34  extends continuously about the inner peripheral edge  35 , and is configured (e.g., contoured) to receive and mate with the plurality of snap fasteners  32 , thereby attaching the retaining ring  16  to the first closure member  12 . When the retaining ring  16  attaches to (i.e., snap fits into locking engagement with) the first closure member  12 , as seen in  FIG. 3 , an inner surface  36  of the retaining ring  16  presses and abuts against an outer surface  53  of the first flap  52 , while a third interface surface  38  of the first closure member  12  presses and abuts against an opposing inner surface  55  of the first flap  52 , mechanically locking the first closure member  12  to the first flap  52 . 
     The male feature  18  also includes at least one, but preferably two pairs of risers  40  protruding outward from opposing sides of the stem portion  26  (only one of each pair of risers  40  is shown in  FIG. 1 ). The risers  40  are configured (e.g., dimensioned and positioned) to limit rotational movement of the second closure member  14  when the male feature  18  mates with and releasably locks to the female feature  30 . By way of example, when the first and second flexible tab members  28 A,  28 B are received by and snap fit into the female feature  30 , each pair of risers  40  presses or abuts against a different, rotationally opposing section of an inner peripheral edge of the female feature  30 , limiting or eliminating any rotational movement of the second closure member  14 . 
     With continuing reference to  FIG. 1 , the first closure member  12  also includes a first key-indexing feature, identified generally by reference numeral  42 . According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first key-indexing feature  42  consists essentially of a blade wall  43  which protrudes generally orthogonally outward from the first closure member  12 , between the first interface surface (i.e., landing  20 ) and the third interface surface  38 , extending in a continuous manner about the recessed stratum  22 . The first key-indexing feature  42  is configured to ensure that the first closure member  12  is properly oriented when attached to the first flap  52  so that the male feature  18  can accurately mate with and releasably lock to the female feature  30  when the first and second flaps  52 ,  54  are closed. For example, the blade wall  43  is designed to be geometrically coextensive with a complimentary hole or keyway  56  ( FIG. 3 ) that is pre-formed at a predetermined location in the first flap  52 . 
     Similar to the first closure member  12 , the second closure member  14  includes a second key-indexing feature, identified generally at  44  in  FIG. 1 . The second key-indexing feature  44  is configured to ensure that the second closure member  14  is properly oriented when attached to the second flap  54  ( FIG. 3 ) such that the female feature  30  can accurately receive and mate with the male feature  18  when the first and second flaps  52 ,  54  are closed. According to the preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the second key-indexing feature  44  includes a plurality of walls  46  each extending generally orthogonally outward from the second flap  14 , between the second interface surface  24  and a fourth interface surface  48 . The plurality of walls  46  are configured to mate with (i.e., designed to be geometrically coextensive with) a complimentary hole  58  pre-formed at a predetermined location in the second flap  54 , as best seen in  FIG. 3 . Alternatively, or in addition to the plurality of walls  46 , the second key-indexing feature  44  includes a protrusion  49 , which extends outward from the second closure member  14  (i.e., protruding from a portion of the fourth interface surface  48 ), configured to mate with a complimentary aperture formed in the second flap  54 . It should be readily understood that the first and second key-indexing features  42 ,  44  may be individually or collectively modified to suit the particular application to which the present invention is to be integrated. Moreover, the first and second key-indexing features  42 ,  44  may be wholly eliminated from the first and second closure members  12 ,  14 , respectively, in an instance where the first closure member  12  and first flap  52  and second closure member  14  and second flap  54  are preformed as single-piece, unitary structures. 
     A closure device according to the present invention simultaneously addresses three primary design concerns: ergonomics, tact time to close, and shipping performance. The male-female closure device  10  eliminates ergonomic stressors created while closing the packaging container  50 . In addition, the tact time to close and properly seal the container  50  is shorter than any other current method being employed. Finally, the present design utilizes a mechanical bond to attach the closure device  10  to the container  50 , eliminating adhesives that may delaminate while the container  50  is in use. 
     The second closure member  14  also includes a cavity, indicated generally at  60  in  FIG. 1 , which is defined, at least in part, by the plurality of walls  46  that extend between the second and fourth interface surfaces  24 ,  48  of the second closure member  14 . The cavity  60  is configured to allow for selective release of the male feature  18  from the female feature  30 . Specifically, a user of the packaging container  50  may insert, for example, a thumb and index finger into the cavity  60 , compress the flexible tab members  28 A,  28 B, and selectively release male feature  18  from the female feature  30 . 
     The second closure member  14  also includes a plurality of retention tangs  62  spaced about and extending from a fifth interface surface  66  opposing the second interface surface  24 , and interspersed between the plurality of walls  46 . The retention tangs  62  are configured to mate with and thereby attach the second closure member  14  to the second flap  54 . For example, when the second closure member  14  is inserted into the complimentary hole  58  formed in the second flap  54 , as seen in  FIG. 3 , an upper lip  64  of each retention tang  62  presses and abuts against an inner surface  57  of the second flap  54 , while the fourth interface surface  48  of the second closure member  14  presses and abuts against an opposing outer surface  59  of the second flap  54 , mechanically locking the second closure member  14  to the second flap  54 . 
     According to preferred practices, the second flap  14  detail also includes an elevated platform  68 , which protrudes from the fifth interface surface  66 , and surrounds the female feature  30 . The elevated platform  68  is configured to abut against the flexible tab members  28 A,  28 B when the male feature  18  mates with and releasably locks to said female feature  30 . In so doing, the elevated platform  68  improves the retention characteristics of the closure device  10 . 
     An exemplary packaging container  50  with the male-female closure device  10  of  FIG. 1  integrated thereto is illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The container  50  includes a main body  51  having a first side wall (shown hidden in  FIG. 2  and indicated as  70 ) opposing a second side wall (shown hidden in  FIG. 2  and indicated as  72 ). A bottom wall (shown hidden in  FIG. 2  at  74 ) extends between, and is attached, adhered, or formed to respective first ends  71  and  73  of the first and second side walls  70 ,  72 . In addition, a top wall (shown hidden in  FIG. 2  at  76 ) extends between, and is attached, adhered, or formed to respective second ends  75  and  77  of the first and second side walls  70 ,  72 . The first and second side walls  70 ,  72 , in cooperation with the bottom and top walls  74 ,  76 , define at least one opening  78  ( FIG. 3 ) to provide access to the container  50 . The first and second flaps  52 ,  54  are attached to a respective one of the first and second side walls  70 ,  72  to transition between substantially closed positions, in which the flaps  52 ,  54  at least partially overlap one another and thereby obstruct the opening  78  (as seen in  FIG. 2 ), to generally open positions, in which the flaps  52 ,  54  provide an at least partially unobstructed path through the opening (not shown). The first and second closure members  12 ,  14  are respectively oriented along the first and second flaps  52 ,  54  such that the male feature properly mates  18  with and releasably locks to the female feature  30  when the flaps  52 ,  54  are closed. 
     While the best modes for carrying out the present invention have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention within the scope of the appended claims.