Reclosable closure

Abstract

A closure includes a first magnetic assembly, a second magnetic assembly and an actuator coupled to the first magnetic assembly and the second magnetic assembly. The actuator is arranged to reconfigure the first and second magnetic assemblies from a closed configuration in which the magnetic assemblies are attracted to one another to an open configuration in which the magnetic assemblies are repelled from one another. Where the magnetic assemblies are coupled to respective sides of an aperture in a flexible substrate, operation of the actuator will tend to open and close the aperture.

1 . A closure comprising:
 a first structural member, said first structural member including an un-magnetized magnetic material, said first structural member being coupled to a first substrate portion;   a second structural member, said second structural member including a permanent magnet, said second structural member being coupled to a second substrate portion;   an actuator, said actuator being coupled to said second structural member, said actuator being adapted to place said second structural member in a first configuration during a first time interval and to place said second structural member in a second configuration during a second time interval, such that when in said first configuration said permanent magnet exerts an attractive magnetic force on said first structural member, said attractive magnetic force being adapted to urge said first substrate portion towards said second substrate portion, and when in said second configuration said permanent magnet is adapted to exert substantially no magnetic force on said first structural member, allowing said first substrate portion to move away from said second substrate portion.   
     
     
         2 . A closure as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first substrate portion is disposed at a first side of an aperture of a substrate and said second substrate portion is disposed at a second side of said aperture of said substrate. 
     
     
         3 . A closure as defined in  claim 1  wherein said second structural member comprises:
 a magnetic shunt, said magnetic shunt being adapted and configured to contain substantially all of an external magnetic flux of said permanent magnet when said second structural member is in said second configuration. 
 
     
     
         4 . A closure as defined in  claim 3  wherein said permanent magnet is disposed substantially in alignment with said magnetic shunt when in said second configuration and disposed substantially out of alignment with said magnetic shunt when in said first configuration. 
     
     
         5 . A closure as defined in  claim 1  wherein said actuator comprises: an actuator adapted to apply a torsional force to a portion of said second structural member. 
     
     
         6 . A closure as defined in  claim 1  wherein said actuator comprises: an actuator adapted to apply a translational force to a portion of said second structural member. 
     
     
         7 . A closure as defined in  claim 1  wherein said actuator is adapted to be activated by depressing a button member. 
     
     
         8 . A closure as defined in  claim 1  wherein said actuator is adapted to be actuated by pressing a lever. 
     
     
         9 . A closure as defined in  claim 1  wherein said actuator is adapted to be actuated by rotating a knob. 
     
     
         10 . A closure as defined in  claim 1  wherein said second structural member is coupled to said second substrate portion with a fastener. 
     
     
         11 . A closure as defined in  claim 10  wherein said fastener includes a grommet. 
     
     
         12 . A closure as defined in  claim 1  wherein said first structural member is coupled to said first substrate portion with a fastener. 
     
     
         13 . A closure as defined in  claim 12  wherein said fastener includes a rivet. 
     
     
         14 . A closure comprising:
 a first structural member, said first structural member including an un-magnetized magnetic material, said first structural member being coupled to a first substrate portion;   a second structural member, said second structural member including a permanent magnet, said second structural member being coupled to a second substrate portion;   an actuator, said actuator including a cam, said actuator being coupled to said second structural member, said actuator being adapted to place said second structural member in a first configuration during a first time interval and to place said second structural member in a second configuration during a second time interval, such that when in said first configuration said permanent magnet exerts an attractive magnetic force on said first structural member, said attractive magnetic force being adapted to urge said first substrate portion towards said second substrate portion, and when in said second configuration said permanent magnet is adapted to exert substantially no magnetic force on said first structural member, allowing said first substrate portion to move away from said second substrate portion, and wherein said cam is disposed in a first orientation when in said first configuration and is disposed in a second orientation, displaced from said first orientation, when in said second configuration.   
     
     
         15 . A closure as defined in  claim 14  wherein said cam is adapted to be received within a cam receiver portion. 
     
     
         16 . A closure as defined in  claim 14  wherein one of said first and second structural members includes a barbed feature. 
     
     
         17 . A closure as defined in  claim 16  wherein said barbed feature is adapted to deflect elastically in response to an applied force. 
     
     
         18 . A closure as defined in  claim 17  wherein said applied force is motivated by said permanent magnet. 
     
     
         19 . A closure as defined in  claim 16  wherein said barbed feature exhibits an elastic resilience such that, when in a relaxed condition, said elastic resilience is adapted to urge said barbed feature into a barbed feature configuration adapted to retain said first and second structural members in proximity to one another. 
     
     
         20 . A closure as defined in  claim 16  wherein said barbed feature is adapted to release said first and second magnetic assemblies from one another during a release operation of said closure.