Closure Device For Storage Bag

Abstract

A closure element is used for closing an opening disposed through the flexible sidewall of a storage bag such as those used to store food items. The storage bags provide an internal volume accessible via the opening. The closure element includes a first fastening strip and an interlocking second closure strip. The first and second fastening strips include complementary, engagable first and second closure profiles. To hermetically seal the internal volume, at least a portion of the first or second fastening strip can include a sealant. The sealant can be a displaceable fluid, fluid-like substance, semi-rigid substance, or wax-like substance such as an oil or a gel. When the closure profiles are engaged, the sealant provides an air tight barrier sealing the internal volume.

1 . A closure device comprising:
 a first interlocking fastening strip including a first closure profile extending substantially along the length of the first fastening strip; and   a second interlocking fastening strip including a second closure profile extending substantially along the length of the second fastening strip, the first and second closure profiles engagable to interlock the first and second fastening strips;   wherein at least a portion of the first closure profile includes a sealant selected from the group consisting of mineral oil, monoglycerides, fatty acids, polybutenes, gels, fluorinated oil, fluorinated grease, and thermoplastic elastomers.   
     
     
         2 . The closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening strips comprise U-channel style fastening strips. 
     
     
         3 . The closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening strips comprise arrowhead style fastening strips. 
     
     
         4 . The closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening strips comprise profile style fastening strips. 
     
     
         5 . The closure device of  claim 1 , wherein the closure device further includes a slider movably disposed on the fastening strips. 
     
     
         6 . A closure device comprising:
 a first interlocking fastening strip including a first closure profile extending substantially along the length of the first fastening strip, the first closure profile having a plurality of capillaries disposed therein;   a second interlocking fastening strip including a second closure profile extending substantially along the length of the second fastening strip, the first and second closure profiles engagable to interlock the first and second fastening strips; and   a sealant received into at least a portion of the plurality of the capillaries.   
     
     
         7 . The closure device of  claim 6 , wherein the sealant is selected from the group consisting of silicone oil, mineral oil, monoglycerides, fatty acids, polybutenes, fluorinated oil, fluorinated grease, and petroleum jelly. 
     
     
         8 . A closure device comprising:
 a first interlocking fastening strip including a first closure profile extending substantially along the length of the first fastening strip;   a second interlocking fastening strip including a second closure profile extending substantially along the length of the second fastening strip, the first and second closure profiles engagable to interlock the first and second fastening strips; and   a sealant, the sealant blended into the material of the first closure profile so as to bloom to the surface of the first closure profile.   
     
     
         9 . The closure device of  claim 8 , wherein the sealant is selected from the group consisting of silicone oil, mineral oil, monoglycerides, fatty acids, polybutenes, fluorinated oil, fluorinated grease, and petroleum jelly. 
     
     
         10 . A flexible storage bag comprising:
 a first pliable sidewall;   a second pliable sidewall overlaying and joined to the first sidewall to provide an internal volume, the internal volume accessible via an opening disposed between the first and second sidewalls;   a one-way valve element attached to the first sidewall and communicating with the internal volume;   a first interlocking fastening strip attached to the first sidewall proximate the opening, the first fastening strip including a first closure profile;   a second interlocking fastening strip attached to the second sidewall proximate the opening, the second fastening strip including a second closure profile engagable with the first closure profile; and   wherein at least a portion of the first closure profile includes a sealant selected from the group consisting of mineral oil, monoglycerides, fatty acids, polybutenes, gels, fluorinated oil, fluorinated grease, and thermoplastic elastomers.   
     
     
         11 . The storage bag of  claim 10 , wherein the gel includes a block copolymer bound to a liquid. 
     
     
         12 . The storage bag of  claim 10 , wherein the gel is selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon gel, a gel adhesive, a petrolatum, and a jelly. 
     
     
         13 . The storage bag of  claim 10 , wherein the gel has a hardness value of between about 0 point shore 00 to about 70 points shore 00. 
     
     
         14 . The storage bag of  claim 10 , wherein the sealant is impregnated into at least a portion of a plurality of capillaries disposed into the first closure profile.