Reclosable ring and method of manufacturing thereof

A method of making a recloseable ring having a latch with a reduced displacement distance necessary to open the recloseable ring without increasing the overall thickness of the recloseable ring, as measured in a radial direction, comprising:

• providing a first shank portion having a latch end comprising a base and opposing sidewalls which combine to define a cavity configured to receive a head of a latch when the recloseable ring is secured in a closed position, wherein the cavity being configured such that a radial cross section has a generally U-shape comprising two radiused corners each generally located between a separate one of the opposing walls and the base, the radiused corners adding strength to the base that allows the base to be thinner and the cavity to be deeper, relative to conventional recloseable rings, to allow for the head to be larger, relative to conventional recloseable rings, without increasing the overall radial thickness of the recloseable ring;
• providing a second shank portion having a latch end;
• providing the latch with the larger head, the latch being pivotably mounted on the second shank portion for movement between an open position, in which the latch is detached from the first shank, and a closed position, in which the head is engaged with the first shank, wherein the larger head provides a more secure connection, the latch being configured for release from the first shank portion when a latch end opposite from the latch undergoes a reduced displacement distance, relative to a conventional recloseable ring.

A method of forming a recloseable ring, comprising:

• providing a first shank portion having a latch end and a hinge end, the latch end comprising a base and opposing sidewalls which combine to define a cavity configured to receive a head of a latch when the recloseable ring is secured in a closed position, wherein the cavity being configured such that a radial cross section thereof has a generally U-shape comprising two radiused corners each generally located between a separate one of the opposing walls and the base, the radiused corners adding strength to the base that allows the base to be thinner and the cavity to be deeper, relative to conventional recloseable rings, to allow for the head to be larger, relative to conventional recloseable rings, without increasing the overall radial thickness of the recloseable ring;
• providing a second shank portion having a hinge end and a latch end, wherein the first and second shank portions are formed with a taper proximate the hinge end, without the taper being substantially formed by a manual adjustment process, wherein the taper reduces the instances of pinching by the first and second shank portions during the closing of the ring;
• aligning the hinge end of the first and second shank portions so that the first and second shank portions combine to form a bore adapted to receive a hinge pin, one of the first and second shank portions defining an opening to the bore, wherein the opening includes a countersink that provides an increased area for receiving a weld;
• selecting a hinge pin of a sufficient length such that when the hinge pin is initially fully inserted into the bore, an end of the hinge pin protrudes therefrom;
• inserting the hinge pin into the bore;
• and
• laser welding the pin generally to the increased area provided by the countersink such that pin is securely welded to the one of the first and second shank portions defining the opening so that the first and second shank portions are pivotably connected about the hinge pin.

A method of forming a recloseable ring, comprising:

• providing a shank portion having a latch end comprising opposing sidewalls, one of the opposing sidewalls defining an aperture for receiving a latch pin;
• providing a latch for detachably securing the recloseable ring in a closed position;
• inserting the latch pin into the aperture and through the latch;
• and
• laser welding the latch pin to a portion of the aperture such that the latch is pivotably mounted on the latch pin.

A method of forming a recloseable ring, comprising:

• providing a first shank portion having a latch end and a hinge end, the latch end comprising a base and first opposing sidewalls which combine to define a cavity configured to receive a head of a latch when the recloseable ring is secured in a closed position, wherein the cavity being configured such that a radial cross section has a generally U-shape comprising two radiused corners each generally located between a separate one of the first opposing walls and the base, the radiused corners adding strength to the base that allows the base to be thinner and the cavity to be deeper, relative to conventional recloseable rings, to allow for the head to be larger, relative to conventional recloseable rings, without increasing the overall radial thickness of the recloseable ring;
• providing a second shank portion having a hinge end and a latch end, wherein the first and second shank portions are formed with a taper proximate the hinge end, without the taper being substantially formed by a manual adjustment process, wherein the taper reduces the instances of pinching by the first and second shank portions during the closing of the ring, wherein the latch end of the second shank portion comprises second opposing sidewalls, one of the second opposing sidewalls defining an aperture for receiving a latch pin;
• providing a latch for detachably securing the recloseable ring in a closed position;
• inserting the latch pin into the aperture and through the latch;
• laser welding the latch pin to a portion of the aperture such that the latch is pivotably connected about the latch pin;
• aligning the hinge end of the first and second shank portions so that the first and second shank portions combine to form a bore adapted to receive a hinge pin, one of the first and second shank portions defining an opening to the bore, wherein the opening includes a countersink that provides an increased area for receiving a weld;
• inserting the hinge pin into the bore;
• and
• laser welding the pin generally to the increased area provided by the countersink such that pin is securely welded to the one of the first and second shank portions defining the opening so that the first and second shank portions are pivotably connected by the hinge pin.