Closure Device

Abstract

A continuous, progressive, flexible closure formed with rows of opposed keys whose engagement and disengagement is normal to the plane of closure. The closure may include a plurality of first keys, a plurality of second keys, and a slider configured to engage and disengage opposed keys, e.g., by joining and separating protrusions on one set of keys with openings on the second set of keys. Engagement of opposed pairs may be independent of engagement of neighboring pairs, which may increase useful life of the closure. Additionally, first and second keys may have variable relative geometries which, when considered with alignment of skirts in the plane of closure, may allow closure to follow a bend or curve without generally changing the peripheral distance of the opposed rows.

1 . A closure system, comprising:
 a plurality of first keys coupled to a skirt, each of said first keys comprising a base, a finger and a flange, a top and an underside; and   a plurality of second keys coupled to a second skirt, each of said second keys comprising a base, a finger and a flange, a top and an underside;   wherein, when coupled, said underside of a first key is proximate said top of an opposing second key.   
     
     
         2 . A closure system according to  claim 1 , wherein, when coupled, said underside of a first key and said top of an opposing second key are generally in a plane of closure. 
     
     
         3 . A closure system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a slider having a first foot configured to translate proximate said top of said first keys, a second foot configured to translate proximate said underside of said second keys, and an interior portion configured to press said first keys and said second keys together when said slider is moved in one direction and to separate said first keys from said second keys when said slider is moved in an opposite direction.   
     
     
         4 . A closure system according to  claim 1 , each of said first keys further comprising a protrusion extending away from said underside and each of said second keys further comprising an opening extending inward from said top. 
     
     
         5 . A closure system according to  claim 4 , wherein said opening extends completely through said second key. 
     
     
         6 . A closure system according to  claim 1 , wherein said flanges of said first keys and said flanges of said second keys each comprise a narrow portion extending from a respective base and a wider portion extending from said narrow portion. 
     
     
         7 . A closure system according to  claim 1 , wherein said fingers of second keys include a first side extending away from said base, between said top and said underside, and a second side extending away from said base, between said top and said underside; wherein said first side and said second side taper inward from a proximal end proximate said base to a distal end spaced from said base. 
     
     
         8 . A closure system according to  claim 7 , wherein portions of said first side and said second side proximate said distal end taper at a greater angle than portions of said first side and said second side proximate said proximal end. 
     
     
         9 . A closure system, comprising:
 a plurality of first keys having a base, a finger with an underside, and a flange, wherein said base has a thickness larger than a thickness of said finger;   a plurality of second keys having a second base, a second finger with a top, and a second flange, wherein said second base has a thickness larger than a thickness of said second finger;   wherein, when coupled, said underside of a first key is proximate said top of an opposing second key, generally in a plane of closure;   and wherein, when coupled, said flange and said second flange are generally in said plane of closure.   
     
     
         10 . A closure system according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a slider configured to engage and disengage said plurality of first keys and said plurality of second keys, said slider comprising an outer foot proximate said first keys and an inner foot proximate said second keys;   said outer foot including a compressor and a plurality of guides, wherein said guides are configured to receive portions of said base and said second base;   said inner foot including a compressor and a plurality of second guides, wherein said second guides are configured to receive second portions of said base and said second base.   
     
     
         11 . A closure system according to  claim 10 , said slider further comprising:
 a splitter between said outer foot and said inner foot, said splitter including a plurality of wedge segments separated by a channel extending at least partially through said splitter.   
     
     
         12 . A closure system according to  claim 10 , said slider further comprising:
 a splitter between said outer foot and said inner foot, said splitter including an upper surface and a lower surface, said surfaces intersecting at both a leading edge and a trailing edge, wherein said splitter is configured to separate engaged first keys and second keys.   
     
     
         13 . A closure system according to  claim 9 , each of said plurality of first keys comprising a protrusion extending outward from said underside and each of said plurality of second keys comprising an opening extending inward from said top. 
     
     
         14 . A closure system according to  claim 13 , wherein said protrusion comprises at least one narrow portion extending from said underside and at least one thicker portion extending from said at least one narrow portion. 
     
     
         15 . A closure system according to  claim 13 , wherein said opening comprises at least one sidewall tapered inwardly from said top. 
     
     
         16 . A closure system, comprising:
 a plurality of first keys separately coupled to a skirt;   a plurality of second keys separately coupled to a second skirt;   a slider having an outer foot, an inner foot, and a splitter therebetween, said slider configured to translate along said plurality of first keys and said plurality of second keys;   wherein, when coupled, said underside of a first key is proximate said top of an opposing second key, generally in a plane of closure;   and further wherein engagement of an opposed first key and second key is generally independent of engagement of a neighboring opposed first key and second key.   
     
     
         17 . A closure according to  claim 16 ,
 said first keys comprising a protrusion extending away from an underside;   said second keys comprising an opening extending inward from a top.   
     
     
         18 . A closure according to  claim 16 , each of said first keys having a height and comprising a base and a flange extending rearward from said base, wherein said flange is off-centered along said height. 
     
     
         19 . A closure according to  claim 16 , each of said second keys comprising a finger
 having a top, an underside, a proximal end proximate a base, a distal end spaced from said proximal end, and a plurality of sides extending between said top and said underside from said proximal end to said distal end;   wherein each of said plurality of sides tapers inwardly from said proximal end to said distal end.   
     
     
         20 . A closure according to  claim 16 , further comprising a sealing strip configured to cover said first keys.