CA2011041A1

CA2011041A1 - Container with intermeshable closure members

Info

Publication number: CA2011041A1
Application number: CA002011041A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Shari J. Wilson; Roger H. Appeldorn; Robert N. Hamlin
Original assignee: Shari J. Wilson; Roger H. Appeldorn; Robert N. Hamlin; Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company
Current assignee: 3M Co
Priority date: 1989-03-22
Filing date: 1990-02-27
Publication date: 1990-09-22
Also published as: BR9001322A; DE69018862T2; EP0389130A1; EP0389130B1; ES2071009T3; JPH02280705A; AU626991B2; KR900014224A; US5088164A; AU5007090A; HK1007672A1; DE69018862D1

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A closure for use in joining together container portions to enclose an opening in a container.
The closure includes a pair of intermeshable closure members, each having a structured surface. The structured surfaces adhere to each other when brought into contact to secure the container portions together.

Description

PP.TESNT
~N 43868CAN6A

CONTAINER WITH INTERMESHA~LE CLOSUR~ M~MBERS

I'ECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to contalnars, and more particularly to container6 having mean6 for enclosing an opening in the container.

~ACKGROVND ART
In the past, many closures have be0n developed for encloslng an opening in a container. For the purpose6 of this invention, the term "container"
includes, but is not limited to, flexi~le bags, boxes, cartons, or any like receptacle having a defined opening providing access to the interior of the container. For instance, containers have been provided with a coating of an adhe~ive that adheres one portion of the contalner to another portion of the container to enclo~e the openlng therein.
Adhesive6 that permanently adhere the container portions together require that the container be damaged in order to open the container. FurthQr, the container may not be reclosed once opened. Clofiures having pressure sensitive adhesives have also b~en utilized that enable the container to be opened without damaging the container and also enable the container to be reclosed once opened. Although the pressure sensitive adhesive slosures are useful, they exhibit certain unde~irable characteristics. For instance, debrls or other impedlments may become adhered to an expo~ed surface of the pressure sensitive adhesive and render the adhesive ineffective. This is particularly troublesome ln that the contents of a container may inadvertently adhere to the exposed pressure sensitive adhesive surface while bsins placed within or dl~pensed from the container. Pras~ure sensitive adh~lve6 may also 105e adhesive strength over long periods of ~ime.
Containers have also been con~tructed in the past having fasteners or closure members that are mechanically interlocked together. For inst~nce, bags have been constructed of flexible polymeric film and incorporating a Ziploct m interlocking closure available from Dow Chemical Co. of Midland, Michlgan. Mechanical fasteners ~uch as Ziploctm, although reusable, are dlfficult to align when closing. Further, it i6 difficult to produce thin mechanical int0rlocking closures.

DISCLOSVRE OF INVENTION
The present invention provides a clo~ure for use with a container having an opening providing accQs6 to an interior of the container. The container include~
a first container portion and a second con~ainer portlon that enclo~e the opening when ~oined together. The closure secures the first container portion and the second container portion together and 1nclude~ a first intermeshable closure member mounted on the fir~t container portion and a second interme~hable clo~ure member mounted on th second container portion. The first intermeshable closure member and thc s~cond intermeshable closure member each havs a ~tructursd surface. The structured surfaces are brought into contact with each other when the first and ~econd container portions are joined together. Each of the structured surfaces include a plurality of solid tapered element6. Each of the elements have at least one side inclined relative to a common plane at an anyle ~uficient to form a taper such that each element may mesh with at least one corresponding element of the other of the structured surface when brought into contact with the corresponding element and ~dhore 3~
ther~to at lea6t partially because of the rlction~l force of adher~nce of the contacting sides. The tangent of the half angle of said tapered sldes of said elem~nts is no greater than the coeficient of friction of the material of the contacting sides.

BRI EF DESCRI PTI ON OF DRAWI NGS
The present invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawing wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts in the several vlews, and wherein:
Figure 1 is an isometric view of a container according to the present invention including intermeshable closure msmbers.
Figure 2 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the container o Figure 1 with a first embodiment of the intsrmeshable closure memberz.
Figure 3A is an enlarged partial cro~s sectional vlew o~ the interme6hable clo~ure memb~r6 of Figure 2 in a disengaged position.
Figure 3~ is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the lntermeshable closure members of Figure 3A in a partially engaged position.
Figure 3C is an enlarged partial cros6 sectional view of the intermeshable closur~ members o~
Figures 3A and 3B in an engaged position.
Figure 4 is an enlarged isom~tric vlew of the intermeshable closure members of Figure 2.
Figure 5 is an enlarged cros6-fiectional view illustrating a variation of the intermeshable closure members of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view o another alternate embodiment of the intermeshable closure members of the present invention.
Figures 7 and ~ are plan vlews of alternate embodiments of the intermeshable closure members of the present invention.

-4~
Figure 9 i~ an enlarged parti~l cros6 sectional view of the container of F~gure 1 wlth a second embodiment of the intermeshable closure members.
Figure 10 i6 an enlarged partial cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the container of Figure 1 with a third embodiment of the intsrme~hable closure member~ of thi6 invention.
Figure 11 i6 an enlarged partlal cro66 sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the container of Figure 10 with a fourth embodiment o the intermeshable closure members mounted in alternate locations.
Figure 12 is an isometric view of a portion of a box containing a flexible bag with intermeshable closure members according to this invention.
Flgure 13 is an isometric view of a portion o~
a box with interme6hable closure members according to thls invention.

DETAIL~D DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the drawing, there iB ~hown in Figure 1 a container according to the present invention generally designated by the r~ference num~ral 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the container 10 i6 a bag con~tructed of flexlble polymeric film. The bag lnclude~ front panal 12 and back panel 14. The front panel 12 and back panel 14 are ~oined along ~ide edges 16 and 18 and bottom edge 20 to form opening 22 providing access to interior 24 of the bag~ For the purpo~es o~ this invention, the front panel 12 and back panel 14 may also be considered to be joined to each other if mutually ~oined to one or more side panels or gussets, such as is shown in Figure 12 herein.
As is shown in more detall in Figure 2, front panel 12 includes ~ront surface 26 and opposlng back surface 28. Back panel 14 includes front surface 30 and back 6urface 32. First intermeshable closure member 40 -5~
mount~d on back 6urface 23 of fron~ pan~l 12. S~cond intermeshable clo~ure member 42 is mounted on frDnt surf2c2 30 of back panel 14 aligned wlth fir~t intermeshable closure member 40.
In the illustrated embodiment, the f~r~t and second intermeshable clo6ure member~ 40 and 42 are provided in the form of strip6 that extend transver~ely acro~s the full width of the opening 22 and are mounted to the bag generally along respective longitudinal edge6 44 and 46 close6t to the opening 22. Any suitable arrangement may be employed to mount the flrst and second closure members to the bag panels, including, but not limited to, pressure ~ensitive adhe~ive~, heat weldlng or bondlng, Shermoplastlc adhesives, ultra~onic bonding, as well as mechanical asteners.
First intermeshable closure member 40 1nclude~
outwardly facing structured surface 48 and 6econd intermeshable closure member 42 likewise includes outwardly facing structured surface S0. Structured surfaces 48 and 50 are intermeshable in a manner to be explained in greater detail herein~fter to secure the irst intermeshable closure member to the second member when their respective structured surface~ ar~ brought into contact with each other. The first and ~econd intermeshable closure members thus join the front panel 12 to the back panel 14 of the bag to cnclose opening 22 thereoE.
A portion of structured surfaces 4B and 50 are shown in greater detail in Figure 3A. First structured 6urace 48 of first intermeshable closure member 40 includes base 70 and a plurality of elements 72. Each element 72 includes a ridge 74 and at least one tapered surface 7~ inclined at an angle 80 with respect to a common plane parallel to base 70. ~rhe angle ~0 is the hal angle ~ of the angle ~ included between the oppositely inclined tapered sides o ad~acent element~.
The oppo6ite surface 71 of the first intermeshable -6~
closure member i~ generally planar and i6 mounted on back surface 28 of front panel 12. In a similar fashlon, second structured surface 50 of second intermehable closure member 42 includes base 90 and a plurality of elements 92. Each element 92 includes a ridge 94 ~nd at least one tapered surface ga inclined at an angle 100 with respect to a common plane parallel to ba~e 90.
Groove~ 96 are formed batween each ad~acent palr o~
elements. The opposite surface 91 of the second intermeshable clo~ure member i6 generally planar and is mounted on front surface 30 of back panel 14.
The sides 7B of each element 72 are inclined at the angle 80 relative to a common plane wlth all o the elements 72 sufficient to form a taper ~uch that each element will mesh with the sides 9B inclln~cl at a corre6ponding angle 100 of at least one corre6ponding element g2 of the second structured surface 50 of the ~econd intermeshable closure member 42. Then when they are brought into contact with one another as progres6ively shown in ~igures 3B and 3C, the clement~
72 and 92 will adhere to one another at le~t parti~lly because of the frictional force of adh~rence between contactlng ~urfaces wlthout macro deformation, or mechanical interference or interlocking of the element6 being required. However, it ls believed that deformation of any surface irregularitie6 or random micro asperities does take place, but only on a microscopic scale which contributss to adherence by increasing the amount of actual area contact beSween the surface6. Thus, it i6 preferred that the contactin~
6urfaces 78,98 be physically smooth to decrea6e macro deEormation and to increase adherence for some applications.
The frictional force of adherence between the fir6t and second intermeshable closure member when brought into contact with each other as in Figure 3C, re~ists separation of the intermeshable clo6ure member6 -7~
again~t forces applied in directio~ 112 and 113 ~perpendicular lift off force), as w~ll a6 force6 applied in direc~ions 114 and 115 (shear forc~) tran6ver6e to the direct~ons 108 and 110, and force~
applied in rotat~onal directions 116 ~nd 117 ~p~el force6) if the structured surfaces are constructed of flexible material. The 6hape, size, spacing and angle of the various elements of the ~tructured surface6 may be arranged to enhance one or more of the re~istances to perpendlcular lift off, shear and peel forces to adapt the interme6hable closure member6 for a particular appllcatlon6. It ls one o~ the feature~ of this lnvention that the greater the force applled to fsrce the flr6t and second intermeshable clo6ure member6 together, the greater the re~istance of the intermeshable closure members to separation through perpendicular lift off, shear, and peel mode~.
In any of the applications of thls invention, it has been observed that when the tangent of the half angle ~ is approximately equal to or les~ than the coeff~clent of friction ~ of the materlal o th~
contactlng surfaces, adherence between the flr~t intermeshable closure member and the second intermeshable closure member is substantially increased.
Thus, one can utilize the relation6hip between the coefficient of friction ~ and the total included angle in designing article~ by the following equation6:
L

H

~2) ~ ~ tan -(3) ~ 2 arctan ~

o~ L
where ~ - - and the ~lope of th~ taper - - .

In Figure 4, an embodiment of the int~rmeshable closure members i6 shown wherein the elem~nt6 extend l~ngitudinally in a parallel row BO a~
to ~orm grooves 73 between adjacent element~.
In the preferred embodimcnt, as lllu6trated in Flgure~ 3A, 3B, 3C and 4C, each groove bztw~n ad~ac~nt elements is provided with a trough 76,96 which ~paratc6 the ad~acent elements. Also, each elsment 72,92 i6 sized such that when the element6 are brought into contact with one another to mesh, they will contact each other only along the sides 78,98 of the alements. This provides a cavity 106, as illustrated in Figure 3C, ~nd facllitates ~dherence, the degree of which m~y vary d~pendlng upon the angle of the ~aper and/or the ~rictlonal forces associated with the sides of the intermeshing elements. The cavity 106 insure6 side contact. Each ridge 74,94 and trough 76,96 can touch (not ~hown) as long as the force associated therewith 16 not greater than the orce associated with the ~ides 78,98. That iB, the intermeshable closure members o~ the pre~ent invention may be constructed ~o that thelr respective ridges and troughs are in contact with each other when the elements of each structured sur~ace are interme6hed. ~owever, the force of contact betwsen the ridge6 and troughs can not be so great as to dimini~h or eliminate the frictional force of adherence between the contacting sides.
It is one of the features of thls ~nvention that alignment of the first interme6hable closure member 40 with re~pect to the second intermeshable clo~ure member 42 may be easily accomplished in multlple po6itions by aligning any of th~ ~lement~ of the ~tructured ~urfaces so that the elements interme~h when the ~tructured surfaces are brought together. In the case of Ziploct~ or other similar mechanieal fastener6, the closure ~trips must be precisely aligned in a single relative po~ition. To further facilltate ~llgnment of the element6 72,92, each ridge 74,94 may include a portion which may be curved or inclined to form, ~or example, a chamfered portion llB a~ illu6trated in Figure 5.
In addition, as illustrated in Flgure 6, the elemsnts 72' of either 6tructured ~ur~ace may be canted with respect to the perpendicular ax~6 o~ each element relative to a common plane to provlde directionability of adherence and repositionability.
It should be appreciated that the pre6ent invenSion should not be limited to row~ of two 6ided elements arranged side by ~ide, but may i~clude a number of configured elements such as circular or polygonal a~
long a~ each has at least one side a6, for example, illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 which may be u6ed for adherence. In Flgure 7, rows of four sided element~
72'' are arranged ~o that they may me6h with correfiponding elements when brou~ht into contact therewith. Also, a~ illustrated in Figure 8, a plurality of six sided elements 72''' may ~e arranged ad~acent one another. Alternatively, the ~lements of one intermeshable closure member may be posltive element~ and the elements of the othar lntermeshable clo6ure member may be negative elements so that the po6itive elements may mesh with the negative elements to adhere thereto.
The particular material used for the first and seconcl interme6hable closure members 40 and 42 may vary and is not essential to the pre6~nt inventlon. ~olymeric materials, such as commercially available acrylic6, vinyl~, polyethylenes, ethyl vinyl acetate~, paly vinyl chlorides, polypropylene~, kraton rubber6, polycarbonate6, and blends thereof h~ve been found to be useful. Normally, the manufacturers of thi~ product will select the best commercially available material ba6ed upon price, application and manufacturing process. In addition, for specialty applications, materials which are biodegradable, conductive or magnetic may also be useful.
There are ~veral way6 to ma~ produce the intermeshable closure members of the pre6ent lnvention which are well known to those skilled in the art, or example, as illustrated in U.S. P~tent No~. 3,6B9,346 ~Rowland), 4,244,6~3 ~Rowland), 4,576,850 (Martens) and U.X. Patent ~pplication No. GB 2,127,344 A (Pricone et al.), the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by re~erence. Alternatively, the structured 6urEaces of this invention may be extruded or embo6sed. More particularly, the structured surfaces, ~uch as shown in figure 4, may be extruded as an integral portion of the container itself, or embossed directly on ~urfaces of the container, rather than constructed a~ separate members that are mounted on the container. The partlcular manufacturing process ls not essential to the prezent invention, and i6 a matter of choice based upon economics and availability. Presently, prototypas have been made by compression molding sheet6 of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene, polypropylene, and kraton rubbor6 and by extrusion embossing.
The thickness of the first and second interme6hable closure members 40 and 42 may vary depending upon the particular applicatlon. Thus, the first and second intermeshable closure members 40 and 42 may be ormed of a thin, flexible sheet or film so that ik can be flexed to allow separation and repositioning of the first and second intermeshable closure members.

Referring now again to the embodiment of the lnvention shown in Figure 2, the firzt and sccond intermeshable closure members 40 and 42 are mounted w~th the edges and troughs extending generally parallel to the edges 44,46. The first and second lntermeshable closure members may be secured to each other when brought into contact, such as when the front panel 12 and the back panel 14 of the bag are pres6ed together ln directions 52 and 54. When it is desired to open the bag, the front panel and the back panel of the bag are grasped and pulled apart in directions 56 and 59. The first and second interme6hable clo6ure members are peeled apart, starting at their respective longitudlnal edges 44 and 46 close6t to opening 22 and proceeding transver~ely across the intermeshable clo~ure members toward6 the opposlte longitudlnal edges.
In Figure 9, an alternate embodiment of tha invention is shown in which first intermeshable closure member 40 i6 mounted on the back surface 28 of the front panel 12, generally at the transverse midpoint (as at 120) of the intermeshable closure member. Similarly, second interme6hable closure member 42 i6 mounted generally along ~ts transverse midpoint 121 to front sur~ace 30 of back panel 14. This arrangement enabla~
the flrst and second intermeshable closure members to ad~ust their position~ with respect to the front and back panel~ in directions 122 and 124.
During use, the fir6t and second interme6hable closure members may be pressed together in directions 126 and 128 and ~ecured together as herein described to ~oin the ~ront panel 12 to the back panel 14 and enclose the openlng 22. When it is desired to open the bag, the front panel and the back panel may be grasped and pulled apart in directions 130 and 132. As the first intermeshable closure member and the second intermeshable closure members are pulled apart, they shi~t portions about mounted portions 120 and 121 so that the ir~t and second closure m~mbers mu~t ba separated ln opposing dir0ctions~ In other words~ the first and 6econd intermeshable clo~ure member~ are separated in a peependicular lift o~ mode, as oppo~ed to a peel mode as in the embodiment shown ln Figure 2.
Figure 10 illu~trates yet anoth0r alternate embodlment 10~ of the lnvention in which tho ~irst intermeshable closure member 40 is mounted on the back surface 28 of the front panel 12 and the ~econd interm2shable closure member 42 ls mounted on the back surface 32 of the back panel 14. The first and second closure members 40 and 42 may be mounted to the front and back bag panels as shown in either Figure6 2 or 9, or may be mounted to the bag panels across the full ~urfaces 71 and 91 o~ the closure member6 or in any other desired pattern or arrangement. The back panel 14 extends beyond the front panel 12 to form flap 138. The front panel and the back panel are joinéd together by foldlng over the flap and inserting it into the opening 22 of the bag 60 that ths first interme6hable closure member (40) and the second intermeshable clo6ure memb~r (42) are placed in contact with each otherO When the flrst and the second intermeshable closure memb~r are pressed together in directions 140 and 142 the ront panel is joined to the back panel and the opening 22 i8 enclo6ed. The bag may be opened by grasping the front panel and the back panel and pulling them apart in directions 144 and 146. In this configuration, the contents (not shown) of the bag are recelved withln the pockst created by the flap 138 and exert a force against the flrst intermeshable closure member and the second intermeshable closure member in direction 148 (i.e. in a shear mode).
Figure 11 illustrates an alternate embodiment 10' of the bag of Figure 10 in which first intermeshablR
closure member 40 is mounted on the front surface 26 of the front panel 12 and the second intermeshable clo~ure member 42 i~ mounted on the front suriace 30 of the back panel 14. As in the embodiment ~hown in Figure 10, the first and second closure members may be mounted to the front and back bag panel6 as shown ln elther Figure~ 2 or 9, or may be mounted to the bag panel6 acros~ the full surfaces 71 and 91 of the closure members or any other desired pattern or arrangement. The back panel 14 extends beyond the front panel 12 to form flap 13B, a~
in figure 10. The ~irst and second intermeshable clo~ure strips may be brought into contact with each other by folding over the flap as shown in Flgure 11 and separated as hereinabove described.
Figure 12 illu~trates a partlcular embodiment o~ the invention in conjunctlon with generally rectangular box 160 having opening 170. End flaps 162 and 164 and side flaps 166 and 16B may be folded over to enclose the opening 170 in a manner known in the art.
Bag 172 is contained within the box and includes front panel 174, back panel 176, and a pair of slde panels 178 (only one of which is shown in Figure 12). Th~ ~ront, back and side panels ars joined along ad~acent edges to ~orm the bag. In addltion, a portion of the upper 6eam 180 is joined, with the rema~ning portion of the upper seam forming opening 182. Alternatively, opening 182 may be formed at an intermediate location on upper seam 180, with joined portions on either side thereof. ~irst intermeshable closure member lB4 i6 mounted on the inner sur~ace o~ the front panel 174 and second intermeshable closure member 186 is mounted on an inner surface of the back panel 176. Preferably, the first intermeshAble closure member 184 and the second intermeshable closure member la6 are mounted in the manner shown in Figure 2 and previously discussed herein. The opening 182 may be enclosed by joininy the front panel to the back panel and securing the ~irst intermeshable clo~ure member to the second intermeshable closure member by pressing the front panel and the back panel together in directlons 190 and 192. The bag 174 may be reopened by separating the first intermeshable closure member from the second lnterme6hable closure member as previously de6cribed.
The embodiment ~hown ln Flgure 12 i6 5 partlcularly adapted for a package designed to contaln a quantity of a flowable article in the bag and requiring the box 160 for support during storage and whlle dispensing the contents of the bag through the openlng 182. Specifically, such a configuration i8 particularly adapted for use as a package for breakfast cereal6 or the like as is commonly marketed in supermarket6, grocery stores etc. In existing cereal packages, the flaps of th~ box portion of the package are ~ealed by a permanent adhesive and must be forced apart to open the box. A bag is located in the box with an upper ~eam that is yermanently bonded along the full length of the upper seam. Thus, the bag must be torn or severed to open the bag and provide access to the contents of the bag. The irregular openlng in the bag portion does not consistently provide an effectlve pouring spout, nor may the opening be reclosed, adver~ely affect~ng the storage life of the contents of the package once the opening is made. A mechanical fastener, such as ths Ziploct~ closure, may be employed, but is subject to the limltations previously discussed.
In the present invention, opening 182 iB
conveniently preformed and con~tructed to serve as a pouring spout for dispensing the flowable contents of the bag. The bag may be repeatedly reclosed to protect the freshness of the contents of the bag. The performance of the first and second intermeshable clo~ure members is not adversely afected by extremes in temperatures or long storage periods. Further, the first and second intermeshable closure members are not adversely affected by particulates frequently generated by cereals or the like.

-15~
Figure 13 illustrate6 another embodimen~ of the invention in which the container i~ ln the form of generally rectangular box 200 including end panels 204 and side panels 202 (only one of ~ach ~s ~hown in Fisure 13) forming opening 206 in the top thereof. End flaps 208 and 210 are each attached to one of the end panel 204 of the box and side flaps 212 and 214 are each attached to one of the side panels 202. The end flaps 208 and 210 may be folded over in the manner shown in Flgure 13. The slde 1aps 212 and 214 may likewise be folded over ln the dlrectlons of ~he arrow~ ln Flgure 13 to enclose openlng 206. First lntermeshable closure member 218 ls mounted on the inner surface of slde ~lap 212. Second intermeshable closure member 220 is mounted on the outer surface of side flap 214 and i6 sltuated so as to contact first intermeshable closure member 21B
when the side flaps are folded to enclose the opening 206. The first and second intermeshable closure members secure the side flaps 212 and 214 together, yet anable th~ flaps to be unfolded and the box opcned and subsequently reclosed.
In each of the embodiments shown herein, the first and second intermeshable closure members may be particularly adapted for the configuration of the container. For instance, the size, shape, angle, spacing and orlentatlon of the elements of the structured surface6 may be varied a6 is found e~fectlve in a a particular application. The following are exampleG of particular construction6 according to the pres~nt inVQIltion . .
A container was constructed in the form of a bag as shown in Figure 1 from 0.002 inch (0.05 mm) thick polyethylene film. First and second closure members were constructed in the Eorm of strips 0.50 inch (1.27 cm) wide having structured surfaces as shown in Figure 4 and mounted to th~ bag aa ~hown ln Flgure 2. ~h~ ~lements war~ constructed with ~ldes tapered a~ 10 and ha~ng a height of 0.020 inches (0.51 mm).

A container in the form of a bag a~ shown ln Figure 1 was constructed from 0.0015 inches (0.38 mm) poly vlnyl chloride film. Flr~t and second clo~ure member~ were conatructed ln the ~orm of 6trips 0.50 lnch 10 t127 cm) w~de havlng 6tructured 6urface6 a6 shown in Figure 4 and mounted to the bag a6 shown in Figure 9.
~he elements were constructed with sides tapered at 14 and having a height of 0.013 inches (0.33 mm).

A container ln the form of a bag as shown ln Figure 10 wa6 constructed from 0.002 lnche6 (0.05 mm) polypropylene film. Flrst and second closu~s membsrs were constructed in the form of ~trips 0.50 ~nch ~1.27 cm) wlde havlng structured surfaces as ~hown ln Figure 4 and mounted to the bag as shown ln Figure 10. The elements were constructed with sides tapered at 6 and having a height of 0.020 inches (0.51 mm).
Table 1 presents ths result6 of te~t on sample6 of the lntermeshable clo~ure of thi~ lnv~ntion constructed of various materials and havlng various configuratlons designed to enhance the frlctlonal force of adherence of the intermeshable closure member~ in peel, 6hear and perpendicular lift-off mode.

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The test procedures for mea~urlng the peel force in Table 1 included providing a flrst sample 1.0 inch x 3.0 inrhes ~2.5 x 7.6 cm) with the ridge6 and grooves extending longitudinally and a second sample 1 inch by 1 inch ~2.5 x 2.5 cm). The first and second sample were pressed together by hand and then mechanically rolled down by a 4.5 pound (9.9 kg) mass.
tab of No. 369 brand tape available from Mlnnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co. of St. Paul, Minne~ota was attached to each o the samples. The samples were then peeled apart at a Gpeed of 12 inches (30.5 cm)/minute and the peak force of resistance recorded. The test was conducted with the samples separated parallel to the ridges and grooves, as well as transverse thereto.
The test prooedure6 for measuring the shear force in Table 1 lncluded providing a first sample loO
inch x 1.5 inch (2.5 x 3.B cm) with the ridges and grooves extending longitudinally and a Gecond sample .t inch by 1.5 inch (2.5 x 3.8 cm~. The first and second samples were aligned with a 0.50 inch (1.27 cm) overlap and pressed together by hand and then mechanically rolled down by a 4.5 pound (9.9 kg) mass. A tab of No.
36g brand tape available frsm Minns60ta Minlng and Manufacturing Co. of St. Paul, Minnesota was attached to each of the samples. The samples were then separated in a shear mode in both a longitudinal and tr~nsverse orientation and the peak force of re6istance recorded.
The test procedures for measuring perpendicular liEt-off force included providing a first sample 1.0 inch x 1.0 inch (2.5 x 2.5 cm) with the ridges and grooves extending longitudinally and a second sample 1.0 inch by 1.0 inch (2.5 x 2.5 cm). The first and Gecond samples were each mounted on an aluminum block by using No. 411 double coated pressure sensitive ad, aligned and compressed with a pressure of 100 p.s.i.

~7031 g/cm2) in a compression cage. The sample~ were then separated in a perpendicular lift o mode and the peak force of resistance recorded.
The present invention has now been described with reference to several embodiments thereof~ It will be apparent to those 6kllled ln the art that many changes can be made in the embodiments de6crlbed without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Thus, the scope of the present invention should not be limited to the structures described in this application, but only by structures described by the language of the claims and the equivalents of tho~e structure6.

Claims

1. For use with a container having an opening providing access to an interior of the container and including a first container portion and a second container portion that enclose the opening when joined together, a closure for securing the first container portion and the second container portion together, comprising:
(a) a first intermeshable closure member adapted for mounting on the first container portion;

(b) a second intermeshable closure member adapted for mounting on the second container portion;

(c) said first intermeshable closure member and said second intermeshable closure member each having a structured surface, with said structured surfaces being brought into contact with each other when the first and said second container portions are brought together; and (d) each of said structured surfaces including a plurality of solid tapered elements, each of said elements having at least one side inclined relative to a common plane of each of said structured surfaces at an angle sufficient to form a taper such that each element may mesh with at least one corresponding element of the other of said structured surfaces when brought into contact with said corresponding element and adhere thereto at least partially because of the frictional force of adherence of said contacting tapered sides and wherein the tangent of the half angle of said tapered sides of said elements is no greater than the coefficient of friction of the material of the contacting tapered sides.

2. The closure of claim 1, wherein said elements of said structured surfaces of said first intermeshable closure member and said second intermeshable closure member each have two sides, and said plurality of elements on each of said structured surfaces are arranged side by side to form a plurality of linear ridges and grooves, whereby the sides of adjacent elements forms the sides of each groove and the sides of each element meet at each ridge.

3. The closure of claim 2, wherein each groove further compresses a trough between adjacent elements separating the sides of each groove to provide a cavity when said elements are brought into contact with one another.

4. The closure of claim 1, wherein the force associated with the sides of said meshing elements is greater than the force associated with the ridges and troughs.

5. The closure of claim 1, wherein said elements of each structured surface are non-symetric and canted with respect to said common plane.

6. The closure of claim 1, wherein said elements are chamfered.

7. A bag, comprising:

(a) a front panel;

(b) a back panel joined to said front panel along side and bottom edges to form an opening providing access to an interior of the bag;

(c) a first intermeshable closure member mounted on said front panel;

(d) a second intermeshable closure member mounted on said back panel so that said first intermeshable closure member and said second intermeshable closure member may be brought together to join said front panel to said back panel and enclose said opening;

(e) said first intermeshable closure member and said second intermeshable closure member each having a structured surface, with said structured surfaces being brought into contact with each other when said front panel and said back panel are joined together; and (f) each of said structured surfaces including a plurality of solid tapered elements, each of said elements having at least one side inclined relative to a common plane at an angle sufficient to form a taper such that each element may mesh with at least one corresponding element of the other of said structured surfaces when brought into contact with said corresponding element and adhere thereto at least partially because of the frictional force of adherence of said contacting sides and wherein the tangent of the half angle of said tapered contacting sides of said elements is no greater than the coefficient of friction of the material of the contacting sides.

8. The bag of claim 7, wherein said elements of said structured surfaces of said first intermeshable closure member and said second intermeshable closure member each have two sides, and said plurality of elements of each of said structured surfaces are arranged side by side to form a plurality of linear ridges and grooves, whereby the sides of adjacent elements form the sides of each groove and the sides of each elements meet at each ridge.

9. The bag of claim 7, wherein each groove further comprises a trough between adjacent elements separating the sides of each groove to provide a cavity when said elements are brought into contact with one another.

10. The bag of claim 7, wherein the force associated with the sides of said meshing elements is greater than the force associated with the ridges and troughs.

11. The bag of claim 7, wherein each of said elements is nonsymetric and canted with respect to said common plane.

12. The bag of claim 7, wherein said elements are chamfered.

13. The bag of claim 7, wherein wherein said elements of said structured surfaces of said first intermeshable closure member and said second intermeshable closure member form ridges and grooves, said ridges and grooves extending generally parallel to said opening of the bag and said first intermeshable closure member is mounted to said front panel and said second intermeshable closure member is mounted on said back panel along longitudinal edges closest to said opening of the bag so that the bag may be opened by peeling said first intermeshable closure member from said second intermeshable closure.

14. The bag of claim 7, wherein said elements of said structured surfaces of said first intermeshable closure member and said second intermeshable closure member form ridges and grooves, said ridges and grooves extending generally parallel to said opening of the bag and wherein said first intermeshable closure member is mounted on said front panel and said second intermeshable closure member is mounted on said back panel along a strip extending generally parallel to said elements and generally midway between upper and lower longitudinal edges of said first and said second intermeshable closure members whereby said first and said second intermeshable closure members may shift about said strips and wherein said first intermeshable closure member are separated from said second intermeshable closure member by pulling said first intermeshable closure member away from said second intermeshable closure member.

15. The bag of claim 7, wherein said first intermeshable closure member is mounted on said back surface of said front panel and said second intermeshable closure member is mounted on said back surface of said back panel, and wherein said back panel extends beyond said front panel enabling said back panel to be folded over and inserted into said opening of the bag to enclose said opening and bring said first intermeshable closure member into contact with said second intermeshable closure member.

16. The bag of claim 7, wherein said first intermeshable closure member is mounted on said front surface of said front panel and said second intermeshable closure member is mounted on said front surface of said back panel, and wherein said back panel extends beyond said front panel to enable said back panel to be folded over to enclose said opening and bring said first intermeshable closure member into contact with said second intermeshable closure member.