Pump actuated sealing system
OwnerCharles P. Neunerinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A container with a secured closure is provided with a sealing system having an inflatable seal. A user actuated pneumatic or hydraulic pump supplies a quantity of air to inflate the seal. When the seal is inflated, a surface of the seal acts against surfaces of the container and the closure to effect a hermetic seal. The air may be selectively released from the inflatable seal by the user of the container to facilitate access to the contents of the container. Conversely, the air may be selectively pumped into the inflatable seal by the user to provide a secure, impermeable seal when the container is closed.
Claims20
A package comprising:
- a container portion defining a storage chamber, the container portion having a rim defining an opening providing access to the storage chamber;
- a closure member adapted to substantially close the opening;
- means for securing the closure member to the container portion;
- and
- a sealing system comprising:
- a seal defining an inflation chamber, at least a portion of the seal expandable in response to addition of a quantity of a fluid medium to the inflation chamber, a surface of the seal adapted to contact in impermeable sealing engagement the rim when the at least a portion of the seal is expanded;
- inflation means in fluid communication with the inflation chamber and adapted to supply the quantity of the fluid medium to the inflation chamber;
- and
- valve means positioned between the inflation chamber and the inflation means, the valve means adapted to retain the quantity of fluid medium in the inflation chamber.
A sealing system for a package having a container portion and a closure member, the container portion defining a storage chamber and having a rim defining an opening providing access to the storage chamber, the closure member adapted to substantially close the opening, the sealing system comprising:
- a seal defining an inflation chamber, at least a portion of the seal expandable in response to addition of a quantity of a fluid medium to the inflation chamber, the seal having a surface adapted to contact in impermeable sealing engagement the rim when the at least a portion of the seal is inflated;
- inflation means in fluid communication with the inflation chamber and adapted to supply the quantity of the fluid medium to the inflation chamber;
- and
- valve means adapted to retain the quantity of the fluid medium in the inflation chamber.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.