US20220281657A1

US20220281657A1 - Child-Resistant Bag with Interlocking Seal and Related Methods

Info

Publication number: US20220281657A1
Application number: US17/497,385
Authority: US
Inventors: Justin Tidwell; William Tidwell
Original assignee: PWS Packaging Services Inc
Current assignee: PWS Packaging Services Inc
Priority date: 2021-03-03
Filing date: 2021-10-08
Publication date: 2022-09-08

Abstract

Disclosed is a child-resistant bag with an interlocking seal, wherein the seal is comprised of corresponding pods with interlocking hooks. The pods and interlocking hooks are attached and configured in manner that requires specific manipulation of the seal to open, which provides a child-resistant seal.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 29/772,729, entitled Reusable Interlocking Seal (filed Mar. 3, 2021).

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of Invention

The disclosed subject matter is in the field of child-resistant bags and interlocking seals.

Background of the Invention

With the increased sale and use of cannabis related products, there is an increased need for child-resistant packaging, bags, containers, and storage units for such products. As medicinal and recreational use of cannabis and cannabis related products increases, there are more requirements that these cannabis products be stored in child-resistant containers and packaging. For example, the state of California requires that all cannabis flower, pre-rolls, and cannabis products sold within California be in child-resistant packaging. The increase in demand of cannabis related products results in an increased demand for child-resistant packaging and bags. Accordingly, the bags and other packaging containing cannabis substances should be sealed with a child-resistant seal. One efficient method of providing child-resistant packaging is to secure the packaging with a child-resistant interlocking seal.
Accordingly, a need exits for child-resistant packaging, namely, bags, that can be secured with a child-resistant interlocking seal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, an object of this specification is to disclose a bag that is child-resistant.
It is another object of this specification to disclose a child-resistant interlocking seal.
It is another object of this specification to disclose a child-resistant interlocking seal that is reusable.
It is another object of this specification to disclose a child-resistant interlocking seal that creates an air-tight and food safe environment.
Other objectives of the disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the invention has been shown and described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The manner in which these objectives and other desirable characteristics can be obtained is explained in the following description and attached figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of a bag with a child-resistant interlocking seal;

FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of the child-resistant interlocking seal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a bag with a child-resistant interlocking seal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a back view of a bag with a child-resistant interlocking seal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an environmental view of a bag with a child-resistant interlocking seal of FIG. 1 with a user opening the seal;

FIG. 6 is an environmental view of a bag with a child-resistant interlocking seal of FIG. 1 with the seal disengaged;

FIG. 7 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of a bag with a child-resistant interlocking seal;

FIG. 8 is a back view of an alternative embodiment of a bag with the child-resistant interlocking seal of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of one embodiment of the child-resistant interlocking seal of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a cross-section view of one embodiment of the child-resistant interlocking seal of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the child-resistant interlocking seal of FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the child-resistant interlocking seal;

It is to be noted, however, that the appended figures illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments that will be appreciated by those reasonably skilled in the relevant arts. Also, figures are not necessarily made to scale but are representative.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFFERED EMBODIMENTS

Disclosed are several embodiments of a child-resistant interlocking seal.
FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of an alternative embodiment of the child-resistant interlocking seal. Referring to FIG. 1, the bag 1 features a first interlocking member 10 and a second interlocking member 20. Still referring to FIG. 1, the first interlocking member features a first interlocking pod 11 and a sheath 12, with an upper sheath 12 a and a lower sheath 12 b. The first interlocking pod 11 is comprised of a hookless node 13 at the base of the first interlocking pod 11 and at least one hooked tooth 14 above the base and hookless node 13. The first interlocking pod 11 is attached to the sheath 12 at the base of the interlocking pad 11, wherein the remainder of the interlocking pod 11 above the base is not attached to the sheath 12. In a preferred embodiment, the sheath 12 as attached to the interior lining of the bag 1 at a bag attachment point 2 along the upper sheath 12 a above the first interlocking pod 11 and along the lower sheath 12 b below the interlocking pod 11 at a bag attachment point 3. In a preferred embodiment, the hookless node 13 is joined with a hooked tooth 14 in a curved manner to create a cavity and then each subsequent hooked tooth 14 is joined with another hooked tooth 14 in a curved manner to form subsequent cavities. In a preferred embodiment, the first interlocking pod 10 features a hookless node and three hooked teeth 14, which form three cavities.
Still referring to FIG. 1, the second interlocking member 20 features a second interlocking pod 21 and a second sheath 22. The second interlocking pod 21 is comprised of a hookless node 23 at the base of the second interlocking pod 21 and at least one hooked tooth 24 below the hookless node 23. The second interlocking pod 21 is attached to the sheath 22 at the base of the second interlocking pod, wherein the remainder of the second interlocking pod 21 is below the base that is attached to the sheath 22. In a preferred embodiment, the sheath 22 only extends upwards from the base of the second interlocking pod 21 and does not extend downward from the base of the second interlocking pod 21. In a preferred embodiment, the sheath 22 is attached to the interior lining of the bag 1 above the second interlocking pod 21 at bag attachment point 4. In a preferred embodiment, the hookless node 23 is joined with a hooked tooth 24 in a curved manner to create a cavity and then each subsequent hooked tooth 24 is joined with another hooked tooth 24 in a curved manner to form subsequent cavities. In a preferred embodiment, the first interlocking pod 20 features a hookless node and three hooked teeth 24, which form three cavities. The first interlocking member 10 and second interlocking member 20 are attached to the interior of the bag across from each other in a manner wherein the interlocking pods align and allow for the hooked teeth to interact with each other.
FIG. 2 is a zoomed-in cross-section view of the embodiment of the child-resistant interlocking seal of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, to unlock the seal, pressure is applied downward on the interlocking seal on the outsides of the interlocking members, preferably with thumbs, and then the upper sheaths and lips of the bag are simultaneously pulled apart. When this action is applied, the hookless node 23 is designed to rotate up and outward (as demonstrated by the arrow) from the interlocked hooked tooth 14, thereby allowing the interlocked hooked tooth 14 space to also rotate up and outward (as demonstrated by the arrow) from the cavity and unlocking it from a corresponding hooked tooth 24 from the second interlocking pod 20. Each corresponding hooked tooth rotates up and outward, thereby releasing each locked portion until the hookless node 13 is pulled away from the last hooked tooth 24, whereby the seal is completely unlocked and the compartment of the bag is open and accessible. To lock and reuse the seal, the user aligns the first and second interlocking pods 11, 21 and presses them firmly together along the length of the seal.
FIG. 3 is a front view of a bag with the child-resistant interlocking seal. FIG. 4 is a back view of a bag with the child-resistant interlocking seal. Referring to FIG. 3, in a preferred embodiment, there are two attachment points, wherein the first sheath is attached to the interior of the bag, one above the first interlocking pod and one below the first interlocking pod. Referring to FIG. 4, in a preferred embodiment, there is one attachment point, wherein the second sheath is attached to the interior of the bag across from the first sheath at a point above the second interlocking pod.
FIG. 5 is an environmental view of one embodiment of the child-resistant interlocking seal with a user opening the seal. FIG. 6 is an environmental view of one embodiment of the child-resistant interlocking seal disengaged by a user. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a user may open and unseal a bag with a child-resistant interlocking seat by: (i) pulling the lips and upper sheaths at the top of the bag apart; (ii) locating the seal; (iii) pushing fingers down on each interlocking membrane; and (iv) pulling the lips and sheaths apart as the fingers are pushing down in each side of the interlocking membranes. In a preferred embodiment, the fingers the user uses to push down on each side of the seal are the thumbs.
FIG. 7 is a front view of one embodiment of an alternative embodiment of a child-resistant interlocking seal. FIG. 8 is a back view of one embodiment of the child-resistant interlocking seal. Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the child-resistant interlocking seal is intended for use with a bag, wherein the seal is located near the top of the bag.
FIG. 9 is a cross-section view of one embodiment of the child-resistant interlocking seal. Referring to FIG. 9, an alternative embodiment of a first interlocking pod 30 may feature a barbless node 31 at the base of the first interlocking pod 30 and at least one barbed tooth 32, wherein the barb is an arrow-shaped, above the base and barbless node 31. Still referring to FIG. 9, in an alternative embodiment of the second interlocking pod 40, the second interlocking pod 40 may be comprised of a half-barbed node 41 at the base of the second interlocking pod 40 and at least one barbed tooth 42, wherein the barb is arrow-shaped, below the half-barbed tooth, wherein the half-barb is a half shaped arrow, at the base of the second interlocking pod 40 and a lowermost half-barbed node 41. In an alternative embodiment, the barbed teeth 32 and barbless node 31 interact with and interlock with the barbed teeth 42 and half-barbed nodes 41 to form a seal.
FIG. 10 is a cross-section view of one embodiment of the child-resistant interlocking seal. Referring to FIG. 10, an alternative embodiment of a first interlocking pod 30 may feature a barbless node 31 at the base of the first interlocking pod 30 and at least one barbed tooth 32, wherein the barb is an arrow-shaped, below the base and barbless node 31. Still referring to FIG. 10, in an alternative embodiment of the second interlocking pod 40, the second interlocking pod 40 may be comprised of a half-barbed node 41 at the base of the second interlocking pod 40 and at least one barbed tooth 42, wherein the barb is arrow-shaped, above the half-barbed tooth, wherein the half-barb is a half shaped arrow, at the base of the second interlocking pod 40 and an uppermost half-barbed node 41. In an alternative embodiment, the barbed teeth 32 and barbless node 31 interact with and interlock with the barbed teeth 42 and half-barbed nodes 41 to form a seal. The arrow-shaped design of the barbed teeth allows the teeth to slide against each other when pressure is applied from the outside to interlock and form a seal. The arrow-shaped barbs may be disengaged when the user applies downward pressure and then pulls them apart, allowing the barbs to rotate outward and disengage.
FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the child-resistant interlocking seal. FIG. 12 is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the child-resistant interlocking seal.
Although the method and apparatus is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features, aspects and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described, but instead might be applied, alone or in various combinations, to one or more of the other embodiments of the disclosed method and apparatus, whether or not such embodiments are described and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claimed invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments.
Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” should be read as meaning “including, without limitation” or the like, the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, the terms “a” or “an” should be read as meaning “at least one,” “one or more,” or the like, and adjectives such as “conventional,” “traditional,” “normal,” “standard,” “known” and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal, or standard technologies that might be available or known now or at any time in the future. Likewise, where this document refers to technologies that would be apparent or known to one of ordinary skill in the art, such technologies encompass those apparent or known to the skilled artisan now or at any time in the future.
The presence of broadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but not limited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read to mean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances where such broadening phrases might be absent.
Additionally, the various embodiments set forth herein are described in terms of exemplary block diagrams, flow charts and other illustrations. As will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after reading this document, the illustrated embodiments and their various alternatives might be implemented without confinement to the illustrated examples. For example, block diagrams and their accompanying description should not be construed as mandating a particular architecture or configuration.
All original claims submitted with this specification are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.

Claims

We claim:

1. An a child-resistant bag comprising:

a first interlocking member with a first sheath and a first interlocking pod;

wherein, the first interlocking pod is further comprised of a hookless node at the base of the first interlocking pod and at least one hooked tooth above the base and hookless node;

wherein, the first interlocking pod is attached to the sheath at the base of the interlocking pad, wherein the remainder of the interlocking pod above the base;

a second interlocking member with a second sheath and a second interlocking pod;

wherein, second interlocking pod is comprised of a hookless node at the base of the second interlocking pod and at least one hooked tooth below the hookless node,

wherein, the second interlocking pod is attached to the second sheath at the base of the second interlocking pod, wherein the remainder of the second interlocking pod is below the base that is attached to the second sheath;

wherein, the first and second interlocking members are disposed across from each other;

wherein, the first and second interlocking pods are aligned to interlock with which other when sealed.

2. The bag of claim 1, wherein the first interlocking member is attached to the interior of the front of a bag along the first sheath above and below the first interlocking pod.

3. The bag of claim 1, wherein the second interlocking member is attached to the interior of the back of a bag along the second sheath above the second interlocking pod.

4. A method opening a child-resistant bag comprising the steps of:

obtaining a bag with lips at the top opening of the bag and comprising a first interlocking member with a first sheath and a first interlocking pod; wherein, the first interlocking pod is further comprised of a hookless node at the base of the first interlocking pod and at least one hooked tooth above the base and hookless node; wherein, the first interlocking pod is attached to the sheath at the base of the interlocking pad, wherein the remainder of the interlocking pod above the base; a second interlocking member with a second sheath and a second interlocking pod; wherein, second interlocking pod is comprised of a hookless node at the base of the second interlocking pod and at least one hooked tooth below the hookless node, wherein, the second interlocking pod is attached to the second sheath at the base of the second interlocking pod, wherein the remainder of the second interlocking pod is below the base that is attached to the second sheath; wherein, the first and second interlocking members are disposed across from each other; wherein, the first and second interlocking pods are aligned to interlock with which other when sealed;

pulling the lips and upper sheaths at the top of the bag apart;

locating the seal;

pushing fingers down on each interlocking membrane; and

pulling the lips and sheaths apart as the fingers are pushing down in each side of the interlocking membranes.