WO2014059224A1

WO2014059224A1 - Method and apparatus for creating a resealable opening

Info

Publication number: WO2014059224A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/064457
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mary G. Mastrosimone-Gese
Original assignee: Mattel, Inc.
Priority date: 2012-10-11
Filing date: 2013-10-11
Publication date: 2014-04-17
Also published as: CN205221430U; US20140102008A1

Abstract

An apparatus for creating a resealable opening is a locket that includes at least an inner ring and a hatch. The hatch includes a door and a mounting portion, the mounting portion including protrusions and the door being pivotably coupled to the mounting portion. For example, the door may be pivotably coupled to the mounting portion via a two-part hinge. The inner ring includes bosses configured to receive the protrusions, such that when the inner ring and hatch are installed on opposite sides of an item, the protrusions may extend therethrough and be secured within the bosses, thereby securing the locket to an item. A method for creating a resealable opening includes installing the inner ring to a first side of an item, installing the hatch to a second, opposite side of the item, and securing the plurality of protrusions within the plurality of bosses.

Description

Method and Apparatus for Creating a Resealable Opening

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to resealable opening that can be installed or coupled to various items. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus for that can be installed or coupled to an item, such as a softgoods item, in order to create a resealable opening that provides interior access to the item. The present invention also relates to a method of installing this apparatus.

Background of the Invention

[0002] Caring for children regularly involves cleaning up after the child. Whether a parent is feeding a child, changing a child, playing outside with a child, among other activities, there is usually a mess that a parent must clean up. As an example, nearly every time that a parent changes a child's diaper, the parent requires wipes in order to clean the child. Since diaper changes are often required unexpectedly, a parent is usually left searching for a wipe when one is needed.

[0003] Although many travel wipe containers have been introduced to the market, wipe containers still must be found within a bag. As a result, some bags began to incorporate openings therein so that a wipe might be exposed exteriorly of the bag. However, many of these solutions require extensive manufacturing and cannot be installed simply onto various apparatuses and softgoods items. In light of this, a simple method and apparatus for creating a resealable opening is desired.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for creating a resealable opening includes an inner ring and a hatch. The hatch includes a door that is rotatably coupled to a mounting portion, the mounting portion including a plurality of protrusions and the inner ring including a plurality of bosses configured to receive the plurality of protrusions, such that the apparatus may be removably installed onto various items by installing the hatch of a first side of an item, installing the inner ring on a second, opposite side of the item and inserting the plurality of protrusions through the item such that the protrusions are removably secured within the plurality of bosses on the second side.

[0005] According to another embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for creating a resealable opening also includes an insert disposed between the inner ring and the hatch, the insert having a resilient inner surface including a slit.

[0006] According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, a method for creating a resealable opening on an item, comprising the steps of: installing an inner ring on a first side of an item; installing a hatch on a second, opposite side of an item, the hatch including a door that is rotatably coupled to a mounting portion, the mounting portion including a plurality of protrusions and the inner ring including a plurality of bosses configured to receive the plurality of protrusions; and securing the plurality of protrusions within the plurality of bosses.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] FIG. 1 shows a front perspective view of a portion of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for creating a resealable opening in accordance with the present invention.

[0008] FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of a second portion of the exemplary embodiment of FIG.1.

[0009] FIG. 3 shows a front perspective view of another portion of the exemplary embodiment of FIG.1.

[0010] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG.1.

[0011] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 installed on a softgoods item.

[0012] FIGS. 6-8 show perspective views of another exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for creating a resealable opening installed on a various softgoods items, in accordance with the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 9 shows a top perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for creating a resealable opening installed on a foldable changing pad, in accordance with the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 10 shows a front perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. l with the foldable changing pad in a travel configuration.

[0015] FIG. 11 shows a front perspective view of a portion of another exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for creating a resealable opening in accordance with the present invention.

[0016] FIG. 12 shows a front perspective view of a second portion of the exemplary embodiment of FIG.11.

[0017] FIG. 13 shows a front perspective view of another portion of the exemplary embodiment of FIG.1. [0018] FIG. 14 shows a front perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for creating a resealable opening in accordance with the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 15 is a rendering of a perspective view of two portions of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 14

[0020] FIGS. 16-17 shows top and bottom perspective views respectively of a portion of the rendering of FIG. 15.

[0021] Like reference numerals have been used to identify like elements throughout this disclosure.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0022] Generally referring to the figures, at least one exemplary embodiment of an apparatus for creating a resealable opening is shown. The apparatus includes at least two portions that may be coupled together in order to form a resealable opening. More specifically, the apparatus may be or resemble a locket and include an inner ring and a hatch, the hatch being coupleable to the inner ring. The inner ring may alternatively be referred to as an interior portion or inner portion. In at least some embodiments, the hatch may be coupled to the inner ring through or around a portion of an item, such as a baby bag, so that the locket is removably secured thereto in a manner which creates a resealable opening in the item. While the majority of the embodiments included herein include a mounting portion with protrusions that may be secured in cylindrical bosses included on the inner ring, it is to be understood that any desirable engagement portion may be used to couple the hatch to the interior portion and, as such, the protrusions and bosses may alternatively be referred to as engagement portions.

[0023] Now referring to FIGS. 1-3, collectively, these three figures show a disassembled locket 100. More specifically, a locket 100 includes at least two pieces, an inner ring 110 and a hatch 140, and in some embodiments may also include a third piece, insert 120. FIG. 1 shows an exemplary inner ring 110, FIG. 2 shows an exemplary insert 120, and FIG. 3 shows an exemplary hatch 140. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, according to at least one exemplary embodiment, locket 100 may be substantially oval shaped, but, in other embodiments, locket 100 may be shaped and sized as desired. In order to form locket 100, hatch 140 and inner ring 110 may be coupled together with a portion of an item, such as softgoods 200 (See FIG. 4), enclosed, entrapped, or otherwise disposed at least partially therebetween. However, if it is desirable to include an insert 120 in locket 100, an insert 120 may be installed in or coupled to hatch 140 before hatch 140 is coupled to inner ring 110, as will be discussed in further detail below.

[0024] Referring specifically to FIG. 1, inner ring 110 may be an annular, oval-shaped piece with an outer edge 112 and an inner edge 114. The piece may be flat or slightly rounded, as desired, and may have a bottom surface (not shown) and a top surface 116. The top surface 116 may include a plurality of cylindrical bosses 118 extending outwardly therefrom.

[0025] Now referring to the exemplary insert 120 shown in FIG. 2, insert 120 may be a substantially flat, ovular piece, sized substantially similar to inner ring 110. An insert 120 includes an outer surface 122 and an inner or central surface 126 which may be connected or coupled together at a ridge 130. Inner surface 126 may be formed from a pliable material, such as a soft plastic, while outer surface may be formed from a more rigid material, such as a firmer plastic, such that outer surface may be securely coupled to the other components of locket 100 at outer surface 122 and/or ridge 130 while providing a flexible inner surface 126. In some embodiments, surfaces 122 and 126 may be formed integrally, but in other embodiments, surfaces 122 and 126 may be formed separately and subsequently coupled together. Regardless of how insert 120 is formed, outer surface 122 may include a plurality of indents 124 and inner surface 126 may include a slit 128. In FIG. 2, slit 128 is undulating and substantially vertically bisects inner surface 126. However, it is to be understood that slit 128 may be shaped and sized as desired.

[0026] Now referring to FIG. 3, an exemplary hatch 140 is shown. Hatch 140 may include a door 142 and a mounting portion 152 coupled together via hinge 150. Door 142 may have an annular outer portion 148 which surrounds an ovular inner portion 144. However, in some embodiments, and as discussed in further detail below with respect to FIGS. 6-8, inner portion 144 may, in some embodiments, include an opening. Additionally, and in contrast with insert 120, the inner and outer portions 144, 148 may be formed from the same material. However, similar to insert 120, inner portion 144 and outer portion 148 may be formed integrally or separately and subsequently coupled together.

[0027] Turning now to the mounting portion, mounting portion 152 may be sized and shaped nearly identical to inner ring 110. For example, mounting portion 152 may be an annular, oval-shaped piece with an outer edge 156 and an inner edge 154. However, unlike inner ring 110, mounting portion 152 may be substantially flat and have a plurality of protrusions 160 extending from its lower surface 158 (as opposed to the plurality of bosses 118 extending from its top surface 116). Additionally, mounting portion may include a latch portion 164 which may be disposed opposite of a latch portion 146 included on door 142.

[0028] Still referring to FIG. 3, hinge 150 may be a thin piece of plastic, a living hinge, or any other piece or portion which allows door 142 to fold, such as in direction A, onto mounting portion 152, such that hatch 140 may be disposed in a folded/closed configuration. When in a folded configuration, door 142 and mounting portion 152 may be disposed atop of one another such that the peripheral edges of door 142 and mounting portion 152 are aligned and in contact with each other. Moreover, when disposed in a folded/closed configuration, the outer portion 148 of door 142 may engage the edges 154, 156 of mounting portion 152 in order to hingedly secure door 142 to mounting portion 152. Additionally or alternatively, door 142 and mounting portion 152 may be secured in a folded/closed configuration by securing the two latch portions 146, 164 together. Latch portions 146, 164 may be a hook- type system, two portions which engage each other via an interference fit, or any other arrangement which may, at least temporarily, secure door 142 and mounting portion 152 in a folded/closed configuration.

[0029] Now referring to FIG. 4, locket 100 is shown in an exploded view. More specifically, locket 100 is shown removed from the softgoods 200 that it was previously installed on and inner ring 110 is shown separated from hatch 140 and insert 120, which remain coupled together. Notably, hatch 140 is shown from a rear view with insert 120 installed in the mounting portion 152, but insert 120 is still shown from a front view. In order to install insert 120 in or on the mounting portion 152, the plurality of protrusions 160 may be inserted into the plurality of indents 124 such that insert 120 is removably secured therein. Additionally or alternatively, ridge 130 may fit within inner edge 154 and may, in some embodiments, form an interference fit which secures insert 120 therein. However, in some embodiments, insert 120 may be manufactured with hatch 140 and, thus, may not need to be installed therein. Additionally, it is to be understood that hatch 140 may function and be installed onto an item, such as a softgoods item, without an insert 120, if desired.

[0030] Still referring to FIG. 4, once insert 120 is installed in hatch 140, the plurality of protrusions 160 of mounting portion 152 may be inserted through an item, such as softgoods 200, and then be received within the plurality of bosses 118 of the inner ring 110 in order to secure locket 100 to the item. Although locket 100 is shown to be installed with softgoods 200 in FIG. 4, it is to be understood that locket 100 may be installed onto a rigid or hard item, such as a plastic container, in the same manner. Regardless of the item that locket 100 is installed onto, the installation may be facilitated by including or forming an opening 210 and a plurality of apertures 220 on or in the item. The plurality of apertures 220 and opening 210 are configured such that when the plurality of protrusions 160 are inserted through the plurality of apertures 220 and into the plurality of bosses 118, the inner surface 126 of insert 120 aligns with opening 210, thereby creating a resealable opening that provides access to the interior of an item.

[0031] For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, softgoods 200 has a first side 202 and a second side 204. The plurality of apertures 220 and opening 210 extend from the first side 202 to the second side 204, such that hatch 140 (and insert 120) may be disposed on the first side 202 while the plurality of protrusions 160 extend through the plurality of apertures 220 to second side 204. The plurality of protrusions 160 may be secured, on second side 204, within the plurality of bosses 118 so that inner ring 110 is secured on second side 204, thereby securing locket 100 in place on the softgoods 200. In some embodiments, inner ring 110 may be installed or secured to the second side 204 of softgoods 200 prior to inserting protrusions therethrough. In such embodiments, inner ring 110 may be sewn onto softgoods 200, mounted thereto with fasteners, or secured in any other desirable manner. Then, protrusions 160 may be inserted through plurality of apertures 220 and secured within the plurality of bosses 118 in order to secure locket 100 thereto. Thus, by simply installing inner ring 110 on various items, locket 100 could be secured to various bags.

[0032] Now referring to FIG. 5, locket 100 is shown installed on a backpack- style diaper bag 300. The diaper bag 300 includes a pocket 304 with a top opening 306 and the pocket is constructed of softgoods 200. As discussed above, an opening 210 can either be formed or included in the softgoods 200 so that locket 100 provides a resealable opening thereon. In this exemplary embodiment, locket 100 provides a resealable opening on pocket 304. However, notably, in this embodiment, no insert 120 is included in locket 100, so when door 140 is opened, as shown in FIG. 5, a user may have direct access to the interior of pocket 304 (via opening 210). Thus, for example, a box of baby wipes may be inserted into pocket 304 (via top opening 306), and a user can remove a single baby wipe from pocket 304 without having to remove the entire box of baby wipes from pocket 304.

[0033] Now referring to FIGS. 6-8, a locket 100' is shown installed on various softgoods items. Locket 100' is substantially similar to locket 100, except that door 142' of hatch 140' includes an opening 145' formed in the inner portion 144'. Thus, even when door 142' is in a folded/closed configuration, locket 100' may continue to provide access to the interior of the item it is attached to. In order to provide a resealable opening, the insert 120' may have a resilient inner surface 126' such that slit 128' may close when no impediment is present therein (i.e. it may close after a user removes their hand from therein). However, it is to be understood that such an insert 120' may be incorporated into locket 100', or other various embodiments, regardless of the presence or absence of opening 145'.

[0034] Still referring to FIGS. 6-8, three exemplary softgoods items are shown with a locket 100' installed thereon. Specifically, FIG. 6 shows a locket 100' installed on a bottle or stroller bag 400, FIG. 7 shows a locket 100' installed on an outer pocket 504 of a softgoods cooler 500, and FIG. 8 shows locket 100' installed on an outer pocket 604 of a diaper bag 600. Notably, each of the softgoods items 400, 500, and 600 includes two openings, an opening 210 for the locket 100' to be aligned with and another opening which allows the item to act as a bag or container. Bottle bag 400 includes a side opening 402 along the left edge (as viewed in FIG. 6) with a zipper closure, the outer pocket 504 of cooler 500 includes a resealable top opening 502, and the outer pocket 604 of diaper bag 600 includes a top opening 602 with a zipper closure.

[0035] Due to this configuration, a user can insert an item into softgoods items 400, 500, and 600 via openings 402, 502, and 602, respectively, but continue to have quick and easy access to this item via locket 100'. For example, a parent can store a container of baby wipes or a stack of loose baby wipes within a bag or a bag's pocket, such as bag 400 or pockets 504, 604, and be able to retrieve a single baby wipe from the bag without removing the entire container or stack of baby wipes. Furthermore, locket 100' ensures that a parent does not need to search through a bag to find a baby wipe and also allows to a parent to remove a single wipe without removing an entire wipe container or stack.

[0036] In addition to providing easy and convenient access, the exemplary configurations depicted in FIGS. 6-8 may also minimize the amount of exposure that air-sensitive items, such as baby wipes, receive while stored in a bag or container. For example, a stack of baby wipes, without a container, could be placed in pockets 504 or 604 and pockets 504 and 604 could serve to preserve the baby wipes moistness while continuing to provide a parent access to the wipes. Additionally or alternatively, with or without an insert 120, 120', locket 100, 100' reduces the amount of air exposure experienced by an item stored within a bag, pocket or container by minimizing the size of the opening required to access this item, as a user does not need to unzip or open an entire pocket, but, instead, only needs to open door 142, 142'.

[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 9-10, a locket 100 is shown included on a foldable changing pad 700. A locket 100 is installed in a portion of the changing pad 700 so that when a parent is changing a child, wipes, among other items, may be easily available. Thus, a parent will not be required to attempt to find, and then grab, wipes while also trying to clean and hold their child in place on the changing pad. In FIG. 10, the changing pad is shown in a folded or travel configuration, such that opening 702 may be seen. In order to store baby wipes in changing pad 700, wipes may be inserted into opening 702 and then they may be accessed via locket 100 when the changing pad 700 is in use.

[0038] Referring generally to FIGS. 1-10, exemplary uses for a locket 100, 100' are shown. However, it is to be understood that a locket 100, 100' may be included, incorporated into, installed onto, or otherwise added to any number of items, including, but not limited to softgoods items. For example, a locket 100, 100' could be included in a child travel system (including strollers, car seats, and other such devices), travel accessories (such as a diaper changing mat, portable high chair cover, sear protector, stroller tote, or any other such items), a play yard, or feeding accessories (such as a standard high chair, a booster seat, and other such items). Additionally, while some exemplary softgoods items are shown in FIGS. 1-10, it is also to be understood that locket 100, 100' could, for example, be included on any backpack, messenger bag, pocketbook, day bag, bottle bag, feeding bag, mom/family backpacks/bags, luggage, or refill storage bags, among other items. However, it is to be understood that these exemplary uses are non-limiting and are merely representative of possible items which a locket 100, 100' could be installed on.

[0039] Now referring to FIGS. 11-13, a locket 800 is shown. Locket 800 is substantially similar to locket 100, except that locket 800 is substantially circular instead of ovular. Locket 800 still includes an inner ring 810 and a hatch 840 and may also include an insert 820. Furthermore, each of these pieces or portions is substantially similar to the pieces of locket 100, except for its shape.

[0040] More specifically, turning to FIG. 11, inner ring 810 is an annular, circular piece with an outer edge 812 and an inner edge 814 that includes bosses 818 extending from a top surface 816. Similarly, and as shown in FIG. 12, insert 820 is a substantially flat, circular piece with an outer surface 822 that includes indents 824 formed around the periphery and an inner surface 826 that includes a central slit 828, the inner and outer surfaces 826, 822 meeting at a ridge 830. Finally, as shown in FIG. 13, hatch 840 includes a mounting portion 852 and a door 842 coupled together via hinge 850. Mounting portion 842 may be an annular, circular piece with an outer edge 856 and an inner edge 854 that includes protrusions 860 extending from a lower surface 858 while door 842 may have an inner portion 844 and an outer portion 848. Additionally, mounting portion 852 and door 842 may include latch portions 864 and 846, respectively, which may allow mounting portion 852 and door 842 to be removably secured in a folded/closed configuration.

[0041] Now referring to FIGS. 14-17, another exemplary locket, locket 900 is shown. Locket 900 is substantially similar to locket 100, but in contrast with locket 100, locket 900 is only formed from two pieces - a hatch 940 and a mounting ring (not shown). In lieu of including an independent insert (such as insert 120 or 820), an insert 920 is formed integrally with hatch 940. Additionally locket 900 also includes a two-part hinge, which will be addressed in more detail below. Despite these differences, locket 900 may still be manufactured, installed, and used in substantially the same manner as the other lockets described herein.

[0042] Turning now to FIG. 15, the hatch 940 is shown with door 942 decoupled from the mounting portion 952. The mounting portion 952 is an annular, ovular piece with an outer edge 956 and an inner edge 954 and a lower surface 958 extending therebetween, shaped almost identically to the mounting portion 142 of lockets 100, 100'. Also similar to lockets 100, 100', protrusions 960 extend outwardly from the lower surface 958 of the mounting portion. However, as mentioned, one difference between locket 900 and lockets 100, 100' is that the insert 920 is formed integrally with the mounting portion 952, such that the insert 920 spans the opening formed within the inner edge 954 of the annular mounting portion. Although the insert is formed integrally, it still includes an undulating slit 928 which may extend centrally along the major axis of the ovular insert 920. In some embodiments the slit 928 may be different sized or shaped, so long as it provides access through the mounting portion 952.

[0043] Still referring to FIG. 15, similar to door 142, door 942 also includes an inner portion 944 and an outer portion 948, the outer portion being sized to engage the outer edges of the mounting portion 952. Additionally, mounting portion 952 and door 942 may include latch portions 964 and 946, respectively, which may allow mounting portion 952 and door 942 to be removably secured in a folded/closed configuration, as described above.

[0044] Now turning to FIGS. 16-17, with continued reference to FIGS. 14-15, the above- referenced two-part hinge of locket 900 is show in detail. As shown, door 942 and mounting portion 952 may include a hinge section 950 and receivers 966, respectively, which allow the door 942 and/or the mounting portion 952 of the hatch 940 to be removably, hingedly coupled together. By comparison, lockets 100, 100' and 800 are hingedly coupled together, but this coupling is effectuated by a non-removable living hinge. The removable hinge formed by hinge section 950 and receivers 966 renders locket 900 more durable and interchangeable since it allows different mounting portions 952 or doors 942 to be coupled together as desired. For example, if a part or portion of door 942 breaks, it could simply be removed and replaced with a new door 942 without having to remove the entire locket 900 from the bag or item locket 900 is installed onto.

[0045] Still referring to FIGS. 16-17, in this exemplary embodiment, the door 942 includes a hinge section 950 and the mounting portion 952 includes receivers 966. The hinge section 950 includes a pin 951 that extends outwards from opposite ends of the hinge section 950 and each receiver 966 includes a corresponding cavity 968 configured to receive the opposite ends of pin 951. However, in other embodiments, the hinge section 950 and the parts and features included therein could be included on mounting portion 952 while the receivers 966 and the parts and features included therein could be included on door 942.

[0046] As seen best in FIG. 16, in this embodiment, hinge pin 951 has a circular cross section and extends through hinge section 950, slightly protruding from either end of hinge section 950. In this embodiment, the pin 951 may be rotationally mounted within hinge section 950, such that hinge section 950 (and mounting portion 952) may rotate with respect to or about pin 951. However, in other embodiments, pin 951 may be shaped and sized as desired and may be coupled to or mounted within hinge section 950 in any desirable manner. For example, pin 951 may be fixed within hinge section 950 with zero degrees of freedom, such that any movement of mounting portion 952 occurs about the fixed pin 951.

[0047] In contrast, and as seen in both FIGS. 16 and 17, the receivers 966 are fixedly coupled to mounting portion 952. The receivers 966 each include a cavity 968 formed in their interior wall (i.e. the wall disposed closest to the other receiver 966) that is bounded around its periphery by a wall 967 that is substantially hexagonal. Furthermore, in this embodiment, one receiver 966 also includes a slot 969 formed in the receiver 966 such that the interior cavity 968 is not a completely closed cavity. In other embodiments, the cavities 968 and protrusions 951 may be shaped as desired, so long as the cavities 968 and pin 951 are configured to securely couple a door 942 to a mounting portion 952.

[0048] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 16-17, the cavities 968 and pin 951 allow the door 942 to be securely coupled to the mounting portion 952 through a two step process. First, one end of pin 951 is inserted into the receiver 966 that does not include a slot 969 (i.e., the lowermost receiver 966 included in FIG. 16 and the uppermost receiver 966 included in FIG. 17). Then, while the inserted end of pin 951 is maintained within the receiver 966, the other end of pin 951 may be laterally frictionally pressed and inserted into the receiver 966 that includes the slot 969. Once both ends of pin 951 are disposed within the receivers 966, the door 942 is securely hinged to the mounting portion 952. More specifically, the cross- sectional shape of pin 951 and the shape of walls 967 may freeze or secure the pin 951 within the slot 969, resulting in the mounting portion 952 being rotatably mounted to the door 942 (since mounting portion 952 is rotatably mounted to the pin 951 in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 14-17). The same steps may be performed in reverse in order to remove the door 942. [0049] In some embodiments, at least one of pin 951 and the receiver 966 including slot 969 may be slightly deformable in order to allow the ends of pin 951 to slip through slot 969 while still providing a tight, interference fit between the cavity 968 and the pin 951. However, in other embodiments, the shape of the protrusion 951 and cavity 966 may allow the pin 951 to slip through the slot 969 and also be securely maintained within the receivers 966. Regardless, this simple two-step process described above allows the door 942 to be easily installed onto mounting portion 952 to supply a removable hinge for locket 900. Additionally, as mentioned above, in still other embodiments, the door 942 may be fixedly coupled to the pin 951. In these embodiments, the pin 951 may also be installed in the same manner, but the pin 951 may remain free to rotate within the receivers 966 in order to allow the door 942 and mounting portion 952 to be rotatably coupled together.

[0050] It is to be understood that locket 100, 100', 800, and 900, as well as any other embodiments of an apparatus for creating a resealable opening may be fabricated from any suitable material, or combination of materials, such as plastic, foamed plastic, wood, cardboard, pressed paper, metal, supple natural or synthetic materials including, but not limited to, cotton, elastomers, polyester, plastic, rubber, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof. Suitable plastics may include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), or the like. Suitable foamed plastics may include expanded or extruded polystyrene, expanded or extruded polypropylene, EVA foam, derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof.

[0051] It is also to be understood that terms such as "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "front," "rear," "side," "height," "length," "width," "upper," "lower," "interior," "exterior," "inner," "outer" and the like as may be used herein, merely describe points or portions of reference and do not limit the present invention to any particular orientation or configuration. Further, the term "exemplary" is used herein to describe an example or illustration. Any embodiment described herein as exemplary is not to be construed as a preferred or advantageous embodiment, but rather as one example or illustration of a possible embodiment of the invention.

[0052] Although the disclosed inventions are illustrated and described herein as embodied in one or more specific examples, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. In addition, various features from one of the embodiments may be incorporated into another of the embodiments. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for creating a resealable opening, comprising:

an interior portion; and

a hatch, the hatch including a door that is rotatably coupled to a mounting portion, the mounting portion including a first engagement portion and the and the interior portion including a second engagement portion, wherein the first and second engagement portions are configured to engage each other such that the apparatus may be removably installed onto various items by installing the hatch on a first side of an item, installing the interior portion on a second, opposite side of the item, and coupling the two engagement portions together through the item such that the apparatus is secured to the item with the hatch secured on the first side and the interior portion secured on the second side.

2. The apparatus for creating a resealable opening of claim 1, further comprising:

an insert disposed between the interior portion and the hatch, the insert having a resilient inner surface including a slit.

3. The apparatus for creating a resealable opening of claim 2, wherein the insert is formed integrally with the mounting portion.

4. The apparatus for creating a resealable opening of claim 2, wherein the door includes an opening, the opening being aligned with the slit.

5. The apparatus for creating a resealable opening of claim 1, wherein the hatch includes a latch which is configured to releasably secure the door in a closed position to the mounting portion.

6. The apparatus for creating a resealable opening of claim 5, wherein the latch comprises:

a first latch portion included on the door; and

a second latch portion included on the mounting portion, wherein the first latch portion is configured to be frictionally secured within the second latch portion.

7. The apparatus for creating a resealable opening of claim 1, wherein the door is removably, rotatably coupled to the mounting portion.

8. The apparatus for creating a resealable opening of claim 7, wherein the door is removably, rotatably coupled to the mounting portion via a two-part hinge, the two part hinge comprising:

a hinge section; and

at least one receiver, wherein the hinge section is removably, rotatably secureable within the at least one receiver.

9. The apparatus for creating a resealable opening of claim 1, wherein:

the first engagement portion comprises a plurality of protrusions; and

the second engagement portion comprises a plurality of receiving portions configured to receive the plurality of protrusions; such that the apparatus may be removably installed onto various items by inserting the plurality of protrusions through the item and securing the protrusions within the plurality of receiving portions of the second engagement portion.

10. A method for creating a resealable opening on an item, comprising the steps of:

installing an inner portion on a first side of an item;

installing a hatch on a second, opposite side of an item, the hatch including a door that is rotatably coupled to a mounting portion, the mounting portion including a plurality of protrusions and the inner portion g including a plurality of receiving portions configured to receive the plurality of protrusions;

securing the plurality of protrusions within the plurality of receiving portions; and securing the door in a closed position to the mounting portion.

11. The method for creating a resealable opening on an item of claim 10 further comprising the step of:

installing an insert between the inner portion and the hatch, the insert having a resilient inner surface including a slit.

12. The method for creating a resealable opening on an item of claim 11, wherein the insert is formed integrally with the mounting portion.

13. The method for creating a resealable opening on an item of claim 11, wherein the door includes an opening, the opening being aligned with the slit.

14. The method for creating a resealable opening on an item of claim 10, wherein the hatch includes a latch, the latch comprising:

a first latch portion included on the door; and a second latch portion included on the mounting portion, wherein the first latch portion is configured to be releasably secured to the second latch portion.

15. The method for creating a resealable opening on an item of claim 14, wherein the step of securing the door in a closed position to the mounting portion further comprises:

folding the door onto the mounting portion; and

securing the first latch portion within the second latch portion.

16. The method for creating a resealable opening on an item of claim 10, wherein the step of securing the door in a closed position to the mounting portion further comprises:

rotatably coupling the door to the mounting portion with a hinge, the hinge including a hinge pin section and at least one receiver, the hinge pin section being removably, rotatably secureable within the at least one receiver.

17. The method for creating a resealable opening on an item of claim 16, further comprising the steps of:

inserting a first end of the hinge pin section into a cavity of a first of the at least one receivers; and

sliding a second end of the hinge pin section into a cavity of a second of the at least one receivers, the second end of the hinge portion being slid through a slot included in the second of the at least one receivers.

18. An apparatus for creating a resealable opening, comprising:

an inner portion; and

a hatch, the hatch including a door that is rotatably coupled to a mounting portion, the mounting portion including a plurality of protrusions and the inner portion including a plurality of receiving portions configured to receive the plurality of protrusions, such that the apparatus may be removably installed onto various items by installing the hatch on a first side of an item, installing the inner portion on a second, opposite side of the item and inserting the plurality of protrusions through the item such that the protrusions are secured within the plurality of receiving portions on the second side of the item.

19. The apparatus for creating a resealable opening of claim 18, wherein the door is rotatably coupled to the mounting portion via a hinge, the hinge comprising:

a hinge pin section; and

at least one receiver, wherein the hinge pin section is removably, rotatably secureable within the at least one receiver.

20. The apparatus for creating a resealable opening of claim 19, wherein each of the at least one receiver includes a cavity that includes a slot configured to allow the hinge pin section to slidably engaged one of the at least one receivers.