Shaped elastomeric container with integrated leak resistant seal

Abstract

A container made of an elastomer such as silicone with an integrated leak resistant seal. The seal incorporates press-fit elements with sizes and shapes sufficient to provide a strong seal that resists leakage of liquids from inside the container. The seal is integrated into the container and requires no external clips or clasps. Additional features are provided to facilitate opening such as extended flaps for pulling the sides open, and asymmetric cavities for press-fit elements to reduce the initial opening force. The container itself may be of asymmetrical shape, such as trapezoidal, to provide a wide opening along with a strong seal.

What is claimed isWe claim: 
     
       1. A shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal, wherein the shaped elastomeric container comprises:
 an elastomer; 
 a top enclosure and a bottom enclosure comprising said an elastomer, said top enclosure located on or above a center horizontal plane, said bottom enclosure located on or below said center horizontal plane, wherein said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure are configured to provide an inner volume of said shaped elastomeric container, and wherein
 each of said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure comprises:
 a front edge configured to move to provide access to said inner volume, 
 a back edge opposite said front edge, 
 a left edge, and 
 a right edge opposite said left edge; and 
 
 said top enclosure is coupled to said lower bottom enclosure along portions of one or more of said back edge, said left edge, said right edge, and said front edge; 
 
 a leak resistant seal configured to open and close said shaped elastomeric container, comprising:
 a bottom press-fit element proximal to said front edge of said bottom enclosure; 
 a top press-fit element proximal to said front edge of said top enclosure;
 wherein
 an upper surface of said bottom press-fit element corresponds with a lower surface of said top press-fit element, such that said upper surface and said lower surface are in contact at a boundary when said shaped elastomeric container is closed; 
 thean average thickness of said bottom press-fit element across said boundary is at least 0.25 cm; and, 
 thean average thickness of said top press-fit element across said boundary is at least 0.25 cm, 
 
 wherein said leak resistant seal is integrated into said shaped elastomeric container, 
 wherein said bottom press-fit element is located opposite to said top press-fit element, 
 wherein one or both of said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element comprise a vertical protrusion with one or more vertically offset ridges extending horizontally from said vertical protrusion, 
 wherein said one or more vertically offset ridges on one or both of said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element lock into place into corresponding indentations on the opposite of one or more of said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element, and, 
 wherein said top press-fit element and said bottom press-fit element mate together to seal said shaped elastomeric container, and, 
 
 
 wherein the top enclosure, the bottom enclosure, the top press fit element, and the bottom press fit element are entirely comprised of the elastomer. 
 
     
     
       2. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of  claim 1 , wherein said leak resistant seal is configured as a handle configured to hold said shaped elastomeric container. 
     
     
       3. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of  claim 1 , wherein a width of said front edge, measured from said left edge to said right edge, is greater than a width of said back edge, measured from said left edge to said right edge. 
     
     
       4. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of  claim 1 , wherein one or both of said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element further comprise at least one male or at least one female element or wherein said one or more vertically offset ridges comprise a plurality of vertically offset ridges extending horizontally from said vertical protrusion. 
     
     
       5. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of  claim 1 , wherein said elastomer is comprises only silicone. 
     
     
       6. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of  claim 1 , wherein a height of said vertical protrusion is at least 0.2 cm and a width measured back to front of one of said one or more vertically offset ridges is at least 0.1 cm. 
     
     
       7. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of  claim 1 , wherein said upper surface of said bottom press-fit element comprises one or more cavities that extend below said center horizontal plane and one or more protrusions that extend above said center horizontal plane. 
     
     
       8. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of  claim 1 , wherein said top press-fit element and said bottom press-fit element extend to portions of said left edge or said right edge or both said left edge and said right edge. 
     
     
       9. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of  claim 1 , further comprising a top flap extending forward from said top press-fit element, and a bottom flap extending forward from said bottom press-fit element, wherein said top flap or said bottom flap or both said top flap and said bottom flap extend forward of said front edge. 
     
     
       10. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of  claim 9 , wherein said top flap extends further forward than said bottom flap, or said bottom flap extends further forward than said top flap. 
     
     
       11. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of  claim 1 , wherein one or both of said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element
 further comprise:
 a back vertical cavity located between said vertical protrusion and the a back of said boundary; and 
 a front vertical cavity located between said vertical protrusion and the a front of said boundary; 
 
 wherein a vertical depth of said back vertical cavity is greater than a vertical depth of said front vertical cavity. 
 
     
     
       12. A shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal, wherein the shaped elastomeric container comprises:
 an elastomer; 
 a top enclosure and a bottom enclosure comprising said an elastomer, said top enclosure located on or above a center horizontal plane, said bottom enclosure located on or below said center horizontal plane, wherein said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure are configured to provide an inner volume of said shaped elastomeric container, and wherein
 each of said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure comprises:
 a front edge configured to move to provide access to said inner volume, 
 a back edge opposite said front edge, 
 a left edge, and 
 a right edge opposite said left edge; 
 
 said top enclosure is coupled to said lower bottom enclosure along portions of one or more of said back edge, said left edge, said right edge, and said front edge; 
 
 a leak resistant seal configured to open and close said shaped elastomeric container, comprising:
 a bottom press-fit element proximal to said front edge of said bottom enclosure; 
 a top press-fit element proximal to said front edge of said top enclosure;
 wherein
 an upper surface of said bottom press-fit element corresponds with a lower surface of said top press-fit element, such that said upper surface and said lower surface are in contact at a boundary when said shaped elastomeric container is closed; 
 a cross-sectional profile of said boundary in the a plane perpendicular to said front edge comprises a winding path wherein 
  said winding path comprises four points at which a normal vector to said winding path is respectively in four directions comprising an up direction, a down direction, a front direction, and a back direction; and, 
  a length of said winding path is at least two times a horizontal distance between a start of said winding path and an end of said winding path measured on an axis from back to front, 
 
 wherein said leak resistant seal is integrated into said shaped elastomeric container, 
 wherein said bottom press-fit element is located opposite to said top press-fit element, 
 wherein one or both of said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element comprise a vertical protrusion with one or more vertically offset ridges extending horizontally from said vertical protrusion, 
 wherein said one or more vertically offset ridges on one or both of said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element lock into place into corresponding indentations on the opposite of one or more of said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element, and, 
 wherein said top press-fit element and said bottom press-fit element mate together to seal said shaped elastomeric container, and, 
 
 
 wherein the top enclosure, the bottom enclosure, the top press fit element, and the bottom press fit element are entirely comprised of the elastomer. 
 
     
     
       13. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of  claim 12 , wherein said winding path comprises:
 three or more points on different segments of said winding path at which the normal vector to said winding path is in the up direction; 
 three or more points on different segments of said winding path at which the normal vector to said winding path is in the down direction; 
 three or more points on different segments of said winding path at which the normal vector to said winding path is in the front direction; 
 three or more points on different segments of said winding path at which the normal vector to said winding path is in the back direction. 
 
     
     
       14. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of  claim 12 , wherein said elastomer is comprises only silicone. 
     
     
       15. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of  claim 12 , wherein said upper surface of said bottom press-fit element comprises one or more cavities that extend below said center horizontal plane and one or more protrusions that extend above said center horizontal plane. 
     
     
       16. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of  claim 12 , wherein a width of said front edge, measured from said left edge to said right edge, is greater than a width of said back edge, measured from said left edge to said right edge. 
     
     
       17. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of  claim 12 , wherein said top press-fit element and said bottom press-fit element extend to portions of said left edge or said right edge or both said left edge and said right edge. 
     
     
       18. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of  claim 12 , further comprising a top flap extending forward from said top press-fit element, and a bottom flap extending forward from said bottom press-fit element, wherein said top flap extends further forward than said bottom flap, or said bottom flap extends further forward than said top flap. 
     
     
       19. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of  claim 12 , wherein
 one or both of said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element further comprise:
 a back vertical cavity located between said vertical protrusion and the a back of said boundary; and 
 a front vertical cavity located between said vertical protrusion and the a front of said boundary; and 
 
 wherein a vertical depth of said back vertical cavity is greater than a vertical depth of said front vertical cavity. 
 
     
     
       20. A shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal, wherein the shaped elastomeric container comprises:
 an elastomer; 
 a top enclosure and a bottom enclosure comprising said an elastomer, said top enclosure located on or above a center horizontal plane, said bottom enclosure located on or below said center horizontal plane, wherein said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure are configured to provide an inner volume of said shaped elastomeric container, and wherein
 each of said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure comprises:
 a front edge configured to move to provide access to said inner volume, 
 a back edge opposite said front edge, 
 a left edge, and 
 a right edge opposite said left edge; 
 
 said top enclosure is coupled to said lower bottom enclosure along portions of one or more of said back edge, said left edge, said right edge, and said front edge; 
 a width of said front edge, measured from said left edge to said right edge, is greater than a width of said back edge, measured from said left edge to said right edge; 
 
 a leak resistant seal configured to open and close said shaped elastomeric container, comprising:
 a bottom press-fit element proximal to said front edge of said bottom enclosure; 
 a top press-fit element proximal to said front edge of said top enclosure;
 wherein
 an upper surface of said bottom press-fit element corresponds with a lower surface of said top press-fit element, such that said upper surface and said lower surface are in contact at a boundary when said shaped elastomeric container is closed; 
 an average thickness of said bottom press-fit element across said boundary is at least 0.25 cm; 
 an average thickness of said top press-fit element across said boundary is at least 0.25 cm; 
 a cross-sectional profile of said boundary in a plane perpendicular to said front edge comprises a winding path wherein 
  said winding path comprises four points at which a normal vector to said winding path is respectively in four directions comprising an up direction, a down direction, a front direction, and a back direction; and 
  a length of said winding path is at least two times a horizontal distance between a start of said winding path and an end of said winding path measured on an axis from back to front; 
 said upper surface of said bottom press-fit element comprises one or more cavities that extend below said center horizontal plane and one or more protrusions that extend above said center horizontal plane; 
 said leak resistant seal is integrated into said shaped elastomeric container, 
 said bottom press-fit element is located opposite to said top press-fit element, 
 one or both of said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element comprise: 
  a vertical protrusion with a plurality of vertically offset ridges extending horizontally from said vertical protrusion, 
  wherein said plurality of vertically offset ridges on one or both of said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element lock into place into corresponding indentations on the opposite of one or more of said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element; 
  a back vertical cavity located between said vertical protrusion and the a back of said boundary; and 
  a front vertical cavity located between said vertical protrusion and the a front of said boundary; and, 
 wherein a vertical depth of said back vertical cavity is greater than a vertical depth of said front vertical cavity; and, 
 
 
 
 a top flap extending forward from said top press-fit element, and a bottom flap extending forward from said bottom press-fit element, wherein said top flap extends further forward than said bottom flap, or said bottom flap extends further forward than said top flap, 
 wherein the top enclosure, the bottom enclosure, the top press fit element, and the bottom press fit element are entirely comprised of the elastomer. 
 
     
     
       21. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 1 wherein said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure are formed together and coupled to one another within a mold. 
     
     
       22. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 1 wherein said top enclosure is coupled to said bottom enclosure with said elastomer. 
     
     
       23. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 1 wherein said top enclosure is coupled to said bottom enclosure via integrated molding. 
     
     
       24. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 1 wherein said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure are formed together within a mold and wherein said top enclosure is coupled to said bottom enclosure with said elastomer. 
     
     
       25. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 1 wherein said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure are formed together within a mold and wherein said top enclosure is coupled to said bottom enclosure via integrated molding. 
     
     
       26. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 1 wherein said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure are formed together within a mold and wherein said top enclosure is coupled to said bottom enclosure with said elastomer via integrated molding. 
     
     
       27. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 1 wherein said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure are designations of two parts or two portions of said shaped elastomeric container formed as one component wherein said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure are located on or above said center horizontal plane and on or below said center horizontal plane respectively. 
     
     
       28. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 1 wherein one or more of said back edge, said left edge, said right edge are continuous between said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure and are designations of portions of said shaped elastomeric container where said center horizontal plane intersects said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure. 
     
     
       29. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 1 wherein said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure are formed separately. 
     
     
       30. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 1 wherein said top enclosure is coupled to said bottom enclosure via bonding. 
     
     
       31. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 1 wherein said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure are formed separately and wherein said top enclosure is coupled to said bottom enclosure via bonding. 
     
     
       32. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 1 wherein said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure are designations of two separate parts or two separate portions of said shaped elastomeric container that are formed before bonding said two separate parts or two separate portions together. 
     
     
       33. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 1 wherein said top enclosure is coupled to said bottom enclosure via said front edge when said shaped elastomeric container is closed and wherein said top enclosure is not coupled to said bottom enclosure via said front edge when said shaped elastomeric container is open to provide said access to said inner volume. 
     
     
       34. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of boundaries of contact between said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element and at least one gap between said plurality of boundaries of contact wherein said boundary comprises a horizontal distance between a first point of contact of a first boundary of contact and last point of contact of a last boundary of contact over which said average thickness of said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element are calculated, which includes a horizontal distance where any of said at least one gap occurs. 
     
     
       35. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of boundaries of contact between said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element and at least one gap between said plurality of boundaries of contact wherein said boundary comprises a horizontal distance between a first point of contact and last point of contact in any of said plurality of boundaries of contact over which said average thickness of said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element are calculated. 
     
     
       36. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 1 wherein said boundary further comprises a plurality of boundaries of contact between said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element and at least one gap between said plurality of boundaries wherein said boundary further comprises a length of a surface of said bottom press-fit element or a length of a surface of said top press-fit element in said at least one gap. 
     
     
       37. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 1 wherein said corresponding indentations comprise recesses configured to engage said one or more vertically offset ridges wherein said lower surface of said top press-fit element and said upper surface of said bottom press-fit element comprise a first shape. 
     
     
       38. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 1 wherein said corresponding indentations comprise recesses configured to engage said one or more vertically offset ridges wherein said lower surface of said top press-fit element and said upper surface of said bottom press-fit element comprise a first shape and second shape respectively that differ from one another. 
     
     
       39. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 1 wherein said leak resistant seal resists leakage of liquids and solids from the shaped elastomeric container during storage and transport without aid of an external structure to maintain or open or close the leak resistant seal. 
     
     
       40. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 1 wherein said one or more vertically offset ridges extending horizontally from said vertical protrusion comprise linear or non-linear surfaces or both linear and non-linear surfaces. 
     
     
       41. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of claim 1 wherein one or both of said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element further comprise a plurality of the vertically offset ridges extending horizontally from said vertical protrusion on both sides of said vertical protrusion. 
     
     
       42. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of claim 1 wherein one or both of said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element further comprise a plurality of the vertically offset ridges extending horizontally from said vertical protrusion on both sides of said vertical protrusion wherein a first vertically offset ridge of said plurality of vertically offset ridges is wider than a second vertically offset ridge of said plurality of vertically offset ridges. 
     
     
       43. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 12 wherein said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure are formed together and coupled to one another within a mold. 
     
     
       44. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 12 wherein said top enclosure is coupled to said bottom enclosure with said elastomer. 
     
     
       45. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 12 wherein said top enclosure is coupled to said bottom enclosure via integrated molding. 
     
     
       46. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 12 wherein said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure are formed together within a mold and wherein said top enclosure is coupled to said bottom enclosure with said elastomer. 
     
     
       47. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 12 wherein said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure are formed together within a mold and wherein said top enclosure is coupled to said bottom enclosure via integrated molding. 
     
     
       48. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 12 wherein said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure are formed together within a mold and wherein said top enclosure is coupled to said bottom enclosure with said elastomer via integrated molding. 
     
     
       49. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 12 wherein said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure are designations of two parts or two portions of said shaped elastomeric container formed as one component wherein said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure are located on or above said center horizontal plane and on or below said center horizontal plane respectively. 
     
     
       50. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 12 wherein one or more of said back edge, said left edge, said right edge are continuous between said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure and are designations of portions of said shaped elastomeric container where said center horizontal plane intersects said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure. 
     
     
       51. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 12 wherein said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure are formed separately. 
     
     
       52. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 12 wherein said top enclosure is coupled to said bottom enclosure via bonding. 
     
     
       53. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 12 wherein said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure are formed separately and wherein said top enclosure is coupled to said bottom enclosure via bonding. 
     
     
       54. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 12 wherein said top enclosure and said bottom enclosure are designations of two separate parts or two separate portions of said shaped elastomeric container that are formed before bonding said two separate parts or two separate portions together. 
     
     
       55. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 12 wherein said top enclosure is coupled to said bottom enclosure via said front edge when said shaped elastomeric container is closed and wherein said top enclosure is not coupled to said bottom enclosure via said front edge when said shaped elastomeric container is open to provide said access to said inner volume. 
     
     
       56. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 12 further comprising a plurality of boundaries of contact between said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element and at least one gap between said plurality of boundaries of contact wherein said boundary comprises a horizontal distance between a first point of contact of a first boundary of contact and last point of contact of a last boundary of contact over which said average thickness of said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element are calculated, which includes a horizontal distance where any of said at least one gap occurs. 
     
     
       57. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 12 further comprising a plurality of boundaries of contact between said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element and at least one gap between said plurality of boundaries of contact wherein said boundary comprises a horizontal distance between a first point of contact and last point of contact in any of said plurality of boundaries of contact over which said average thickness of said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element are calculated. 
     
     
       58. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 12 wherein said boundary further comprises a plurality of boundaries of contact between said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element and at least one gap between said plurality of boundaries wherein said boundary further comprises a length of a surface of said bottom press-fit element or a length of a surface of said top press-fit element in said at least one gap. 
     
     
       59. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 12 wherein said corresponding indentations comprise recesses configured to engage said one or more vertically offset ridges wherein said lower surface of said top press-fit element and said upper surface of said bottom press-fit element comprise a first shape. 
     
     
       60. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 12 wherein said corresponding indentations comprise recesses configured to engage said one or more vertically offset ridges wherein said lower surface of said top press-fit element and said upper surface of said bottom press-fit element comprise a first shape and second shape respectively that differ from one another. 
     
     
       61. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 12 wherein said leak resistant seal resists leakage of liquids and solids from the shaped elastomeric container during storage and transport without aid of an external structure to maintain or open or close the leak resistant seal. 
     
     
       62. The shaped elastomeric container of claim 12 wherein said one or more vertically offset ridges extending horizontally from said vertical protrusion comprise linear or non-linear surfaces or both linear and non-linear surfaces. 
     
     
       63. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of claim 12 wherein one or both of said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element further comprise a plurality of the vertically offset ridges extending horizontally from said vertical protrusion on both sides of said vertical protrusion. 
     
     
       64. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of claim 12 wherein one or both of said bottom press-fit element and said top press-fit element further comprise a plurality of the vertically offset ridges extending horizontally from said vertical protrusion on both sides of said vertical protrusion wherein a first vertically offset ridge of said plurality of vertically offset ridges is wider than a second vertically offset ridge of said plurality of vertically offset ridges. 
     
     
       65. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of claim 12 wherein a height of said vertical protrusion is at least 0.2 cm and a width measured back to front of one of said one or more vertically offset ridges is at least 0.1 cm. 
     
     
       66. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of claim 12 wherein the length of said winding path is at least 2.5 times the horizontal distance between the start of said winding path and the end of said winding path measured on the axis from back to front. 
     
     
       67. The shaped elastomeric container with an integrated leak resistant seal of claim 12 wherein said leak resistant seal further comprises
 an upper surface of said bottom press-fit element that corresponds with a lower surface of said top press-fit element, such that said upper surface and said lower surface are in contact at a boundary when said shaped elastomeric container is closed;   an average thickness of said bottom press-fit element across said boundary is at least 0.25 cm; and,   an average thickness of said top press-fit element across said boundary is at least 0.25 cm.