A Matter of Cohesion

A metal hinge latch on an airtight glass storage jar stood unclamped, its curved wire bail vibrating slightly against the glass ridge. Moving soundlessly across the polished granite counter, I sized up the clearance beneath the stainless steel clamp. Planting both boots against the textured rim, I gripped the cool steel bail with both gloved hands. With measured, deliberate leverage, I pulled the wire collar upward over the glass lip, shifting my center of mass down to press the flat lever home. It locked with a solid, muted snap, compressing the orange rubber gasket into a flawless, airtight seal. A slow tilt of my visor confirmed the seal was absolute.