Directionally peelable suction sealing apparatus

2:

• The suction sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seal member suction release feature comprises a pull member on the seal member second side that attaches to the cover member, the pull member substantially overlying a peel initiation region on the seal member first side, and wherein the manipulation of the cover member in the predetermined manipulation direction comprises moving the cover while leveraging its operable engagement with the seal member to draw the pull member away from the reference surface and initiate directional peeling of the seal member from the reference surface, the directional peeling starting from the seal member peel initiation region and propagating away therefrom across a remaining portion of the seal member first side.

3:

• The suction sealing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the peel initiation region comprises a localized pocket formation that creates a gap between the seal member peripheral edge and the reference surface that disrupts the seal member's suction sealing engagement where the gap is situated.

4:

• The suction sealing apparatus of claim 3 wherein the localized pocket formation is created as a result of the seal member being distorted by the attachment between the pull member and the cover member.

5:

• The suction sealing apparatus of claim 3, wherein the localized pocket formation is present when no weight or external force is applied to the seal member in the direction of the reference surface, but wherein the localized pocket formation flattens when a weight or external force of sufficient magnitude is applied to the seal member in the direction of the reference surface.

6:

• The suction sealing apparatus of claim 2, wherein the peel initiation region lies flat on the reference surface except when the pull member is pulled by the cover member.

7:

• The suction sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seal member suction release feature comprises a localized pocket formation of the seal member that defines an inherent gap between the seal member peripheral edge and the reference surface to prevent the seal member's suction sealing engagement where the gap is situated, the localized pocket formation defining a peel initiation region on the first side of the seal member, and wherein the manipulation of the cover member in the predetermined manipulation direction comprises moving the cover member while leveraging its operable engagement with the seal member to draw the localized pocket formation away from the reference surface and initiate directional peeling of the seal member from the reference surface, the directional peeling starting from the seal member peel initiation region and propagating away therefrom across a remaining portion of the seal member first side.

8:

• The suction sealing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the localized pocket formation is permanently formed as a manufactured surface relief feature of the seal member.

9:

• The suction sealing apparatus of claim 7, wherein the localized pocket formation is present when no weight or external force is applied to the seal member in the direction of the reference surface, but wherein the localized pocket formation flattens when a weight or external force of sufficient magnitude is applied to the seal member in the direction of the reference surface.

10:

• The suction sealing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the localized pocket formation is flattened as a result of direct contact pressure by the cover member pressing on the seal member second side at a location that is proximate to the suction release feature.

11:

• The suction sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover member operably engages the seal member first side at one or more locations on the seal member second side.

12:

• The suction sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover member comprises a central projection that operably engages a central cavity on the seal member first side.

13:

• The suction sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the suction release feature is visually marked on the cover member to indicate the location of the suction release feature and the manipulation direction of the cover member.

14:

• The suction sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the seal member comprises more than one instance of the suction release feature.

15:

• The suction sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover member is configured and arranged for pressing engagement onto the seal member second side proximate to the seal member peripheral edge.

16:

• The suction sealing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the suction release feature is configured for delayed suction release operation in which suction release is delayed until the cover member is directionally manipulated a predetermined distance in the predetermined manipulation direction.

19:

• The method of claim 18, wherein the manipulation of the cover member in the predetermined manipulation direction comprises tilting the cover member.

20:

• The method of claim 18, wherein the manipulation of the cover member in the predetermined manipulation direction comprises lifting the cover member.