ACCESSIBLE ZIPPER PULL

BACKGROUND

Slide fasteners (e.g., zippers) are used to releasably fasten two sets of coupling elements (e.g., zipper teeth) and may be incorporated into releasable fastening systems of articles such as, apparel, bags, shoes, purses, wallets, and the like. Such releasable fastening systems may be used in articles to releasably fasten two portions to one another and/or may be utilized in connection with various features and aspects of articles including, but not limited to, pockets, vents, collars, sleeves, openings, donning, removal, comfort, fit, securement, and the like. The slide fasteners typically have pulls that are often provided as tabs that, in order to operate, are grasped or pinched by a user using at least two fingers (i.e., using, for example, at least the user's thumb and one other finger).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates an exemplary zipper assembly having a zipper pull in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 1B illustrates a zipper pull in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 1C illustrates a straightened version of the pull body of the zipper pull in shown in FIG. 1B to illustrate different aspects of the pull body of the zipper pull in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 1D illustrates a zipper pull in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 1E illustrates a straightened version of the pull body of a zipper pull shown in FIG. 1D to illustrate different aspects of the pull body of the zipper pull in FIG. 1D;

FIG. 1F illustrates a zipper pull in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 1G illustrates a straightened version of the pull body of a zipper pull shown in FIG. 1F to illustrate different aspects of the pull body of the zipper pull in FIG. 1F;

FIG. 1H illustrates a user operating a zipper assembly in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 1I illustrates a first configuration of an exemplary zipper assembly having a zipper pull in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 1J illustrates a second configuration of the exemplary zipper assembly shown in FIG. 1D;

FIG. 1K illustrates a user operating a garment with equipped with a zipper assembly in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 2A illustrates a front view (first side) of a zipper pull in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 2B illustrates a back view of (second side) of the zipper pull shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C illustrates exemplary cross-sectional areas for a pull body in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 3A illustrates deformability in a direction along a Z-axis of a pull body in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 3B illustrates deformability along an X-Y plane (i.e. sideways) of a pull body in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 4A illustrates an exemplary pull body having a variable thickness, in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 4B illustrates a first cross-sectional area of the pull body shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C illustrates a second cross-sectional area of the pull body shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 illustrates different exemplary configurations for a pull body in accordance with aspects herein;

FIG. 6 illustrates a different exemplary configuration for a pull body in accordance with aspects herein; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a different exemplary configuration for a pull body in accordance with aspects herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As provided above, slide fasteners (e.g., zippers) are used to releasably fasten two sets of coupling elements (e.g., zipper teeth) and may be incorporated into releasable fastening systems of articles such as, apparel, bags, shoes, purses, wallets, sleeping bags, tents, and the like. In some cases, releasable fastening systems are fully releasable such that, for example, two portions of an article of apparel can be completely separated from one another, which, for instance, can allow for easier donning and doffing of the article of apparel. Additionally, the releasable fastening systems can be utilized in connection with various features of various articles such as pockets, vents, collars, sleeves, comfort, fit, removal, donning, securement, and any other use where slide fasteners can be used. Such releasable fastening systems typically include slide fasteners with a slider or carriage that is permanently slidably coupled to, for example, a first set of coupling elements (e.g., zipper teeth) and is removably coupled (i.e., may be coupled and decoupled) to a second set of coupling elements (e.g., the complementary coupling elements that are configured to engage or otherwise mate with the first set of coupling elements). However, coupling and decoupling the slider or carriage onto the second set of coupling elements often requires manual operations to be performed by a user, which may involve gripping and positioning or aligning the slide fastener and the two sets of coupling elements. These manual operations can, in some instances, be performed by both of a user's hands but may nevertheless be challenging for some users if, for example, they are too young, have a disability, have limited dexterity, or have impaired mobility due to an injury, or otherwise. In addition, some zipper pulls can be prone to snag or catch on other objects, which can damage the zipper, the underlying object, and the other object. Single-handed operation can likewise be challenging for similar reasons.

Aspects herein provide a zipper pull that is configured to ease manual operations related to operating a zipper (or other slide fastener), such as by easing one-handed operations for pulling the slider body along the coupling zipper teeth or other coupling elements. For example, aspects herein provide a zipper pull that may be operated without having to pinch the zipper pull by a user, which can ease operations for all users, including children, people with a handicap or disability, and/or users with limited mobility in, for instance their hands or arms. In addition, in at least some examples, the zipper pull includes features that reduce the likelihood of the zipper pull being caught or snagged, and in this respect, the zipper pull can reduce the likelihood of damage to the article and/or injury to the user.

Conventionally, zipper pulls are designed as tabs formed of metal, plastic, or cloth (e.g. strap materials) having different shapes and sizes. In order to engage the zipper pull, a user typically grips or pinches the tab of the zipper pull using the user's thumb and at least one other finger. The pinching/gripping action often required to grip or pinch the tab of the zipper pull may be challenging for certain users because they may be too young, where they are in the process of developing their dexterity, or in the case of older users, their dexterity may have been impaired due to a disability, or deteriorated due to an injury or otherwise. In addition, some zipper pulls can get caught on other objects, which can damage the underlying article and/or can injure the user.

Aspects herein provide zipper pulls that can be more usable, such as by facilitating easier sliding, one-handed operation, and the like. In at least some examples, the zipper pulls are also less likely to catch or snag on other objects.

A zipper pull, in accordance with aspects herein, can include a pull body that forms a discontinuous perimeter around an opening, where the opening is configured to receive at least one finger of a user (or a puller tool configured to operate a zipper), which can allow the zipper to be operated without having to use a pinching action. The pull body may generally define a rounded opening or a geometric opening. For example, the pull body may define a circular opening, an oval opening, a rectangular opening (or other n-side polygon), a geometrical opening, and the like.

In some examples, a zipper pull is formed of a flexible material that comprises the tensile strength to resist deformation during normal operation. In some instances, if the zipper pull accidentally or unintentionally engages with an object, the zipper pull in accordance with aspects herein can be reversibly deformed (e.g., by bending or flexing) enough to disengage or release from the object. As provided briefly above, a zipper pull can include a discontinuous perimeter around the opening, in other words, there is a gap or break between a first end and a second end of the body of the zipper pull(s). The gap or break allows for manipulation of the first end or second end of the body of the zipper pull(s) to aid in deformation (e.g., bend, flex, etc.) and release of the object. Once the object is released, the body of the zipper pull possesses memory so that it returns to its original shape without breaking.

A zipper pull can be formed of one or more various materials, and in some examples can include thermoplastic materials having a tensile strength at break of at least 35 MPa and a Shore D hardness of at least 40. The thermoplastic materials can include for example, silicone based, polyester based, nylon based, urethane based, and others that likewise demonstrate the tensile strength and Shore D hardness described above, or a combination of materials. For example, suitable materials can include thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), such as TPU 95A, TPU 64D, TPU 74D, and the like, having the desired physical properties that allow the zipper pull(s) to be manipulated (i.e. pulled) when opening or closing a zipper, or to release an object that might have been accidentally caught on to the zipper pull(s).

In addition to the inherent properties of the thermoplastic material, the shape of the zipper pull can also influence the physical properties of the zipper pull. For example, the shape, thickness of the body, location of the gap or break, size of the gap or break, size, size of the opening, and the like of the zipper pull can be optimized so that the zipper pull has desired elastic resilience so that it is rigid enough to be able to perform its function, while at the same time, being reversibly deformable if the need to release it from an object arises. In some examples, the body of the zipper pull can be uniform along its length between its first end and its second end, or the body of the zipper pull can have a variable thickness along its length between its first end and its second end. In addition, the thickness of the body may taper toward at least one of the first end or the second end, allowing the body of the zipper pull to be more elastically deformable proximate the first end and/or the second end. The zipper pull may be thinner closer to the midline of the body of the zipper pull to allow it to bend (i.e., elastically deformable) more easily where the body is thinner. In some instances, as provided briefly above, the body may comprise a uniform thickness throughout, the thickness being optimized for pull and release, in accordance with aspects herein.

Additionally, the location of the gap or break in the zipper pull may also be optimized so that the zipper pull can maintain its integrity when pulling, and can be accessible for initiating quick release of the zipper pull when accidentally or unintentionally caught on an object without reducing the integrity of the zipper pull.

Other advantages of the zipper pulls in accordance with aspects herein include reduction of carbon footprint because the zipper pulls may be formed from recycled thermoplastic materials. For example, the zipper pulls may comprise at least 10% up to 100% of recycled materials. Further, the zipper pulls themselves may be recyclable.

FIG. 1A illustrates a zipper assembly 100 equipped with a zipper pull 110 in accordance with aspects herein. The zipper assembly 100 comprises a first set of zipper teeth 102 and a second set of zipper teeth 104. In addition, the zipper assembly 100 includes a slider 112 that is configured to interact with (e.g., traverse along) the first set of zipper teeth 102 and the second set of zipper teeth 104 to engage and/or disengage the first set of zipper teeth 102 and the second set of zipper teeth 104. In examples, the zipper pull 110 is coupled to the slider 112, and the zipper pull 110 can be pulled in different directions to cause the slider 112 to traverse the zipper teeth 102 and 104. For example, the zipper pull 110 can include a pull connector 114 (e.g., tab with opening or other similar loop or eyelet for connection), which interlinks with the slider 112, and a pull body 116 for manipulating (e.g., applying force to) the slider in a desired direction. In examples, the pull connector 114 can pivot, rotate, etc. relative to the slider 112 to at least partially control a direction in which the slider 112 moves when a force is applied (e.g., when a force is applied to the pull body 116). In at least some examples, the pull body 116 includes a discontinuous perimeter 120 around an opening 118 (e.g., FIGS. 1B to 1G). For example, the pull body 116 has a first end 122 (e.g., first terminal end) and a second end 124 (e.g., second terminal end) proximate to the first end 122. The first end 122 and the second end 124 can be separated by a break or gap 126. In some examples, the first end 122 and the second end 124 can abut one another (e.g., the respective faces touch one another and there is no perceivable gap) and still be considered discontinuous based on the first end 122 being separable from the second end 124 without damaging the structural integrity of the pull body 116 (e.g., without breaking the pull body 116).

The pull body 116 can be associated with various shapes. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1B-1G, the zipper pulls 110A, 110B, 110C, are respectively shown as having the pull body 116 that can include a generally circularly shaped loop defining a circular opening 118. In some examples, the pull body 116 can include other geometric or organic shapes, such as non-circular shapes for the opening 118 (as shown, for example in FIG. 6). In addition, the opening 118 can include various dimensions (e.g., cross-wise dimensions), such as a width 111, a height 113, and area, etc. In some examples, the width 111 (e.g., at a widest dimension) is in a range between 8 mm and 50 mm (between 9 mm and 49 mm, between 10 mm and 48 mm, between 10 mm and 45 mm, between 10 mm and 40 mm, between 10 mm and 38 mm, between 10 mm and 35 mm, between 10 mm and 32 mm, between 10 mm and 30 mm, between 10 mm and 28 mm, between 10 mm and 25 mm, between 10 mm and 23 mm, between 10 mm and 20 mm, between 10 mm and 18 mm, between 10 mm and 15 mm, and the like), and the height 113 is in a range between 10 mm and 50 mm (between 10 mm and 48 mm, between 10 mm and 45 mm, between 10 mm and 40 mm, between 10 mm and 38 mm, between 10 mm and 35 mm, between 10 mm and 32 mm, between 10 mm and 30 mm, between 10 mm and 28 mm, between 10 mm and 25 mm, between 10 mm and 23 mm, between 10 mm and 20 mm, between 10 mm and 18 mm, between 10 mm and 15 mm, and the like). For clarity, as used throughout this description and in the claims originally presented and as may be presented at any time in this application and in any application claiming priority to this application, when a range of dimensions is presented as being “between” two stated dimension, the range is intended to and should be interpreted to include the stated dimensions. For example, a range presented as ‘between x mm and y mm’ is intended to encompass and include x and y as part of the presented range. The opening 118 can be configured to contribute to the operation of the pull body 116, and in some instances, the opening 118 is configured to fit at least one fingertip (e.g., distal inter-phalangeal joint) of a user such that the pull body 116 can be engaged with the at least one fingertip 150 (e.g., FIG. 1H) of the user to operate the zipper assembly 100. In some examples, the opening 118 may be triangular, oval, rectangular, include other n-side polygons, or another geometric shape, without departing from aspects disclosed herein. Alternatively, a shape of an opening of the zipper pull may be a non-geometric shape, and/or may be asymmetric, as shown, for example, in FIG. 6.

The pull body 116 can be associated with various other dimensions (e.g., in addition to the dimensions of the opening 118). For example, the pull body 116 can include a width 119, a height 121, and a thickness 123 (e.g., a thickness taken at a cross section). In examples, the width 119 and/or the height 121 can be in a range between 10 mm and 52 mm, between 11 mm and 51 mm, between 12 mm and 50 mm, 12 mm and 47 mm, between 12 mm and 42 mm, between 12 mm and 40 mm, between 12 mm and 37 mm, between 12 mm and 34 mm, between 12 mm and 32 mm, between 12 mm and 30 mm, between 12 mm and 27 mm, between 12 mm and 25 mm, between 12 mm and 22 mm, between 12 mm and 20 mm, between 12 mm and 17 mm, between 15 mm and 35 mm, between 17 mm and 33 mm, between 20 mm and 32 mm, between 27 mm and 30 mm, and the like. The thickness 123 can also vary, and in some instances, the thickness 123 can be in a range of 1 mm and 5 mm, between 1.2 mm and 3 mm, between 1.4 mm and 2.8 mm, between 1.6 mm and 2.6 mm, between 1.8 mm and 3 mm, between 2 mm and 3.2 mm, between 2 mm and 4 mm, and the like.

The zipper pulls 110A, 110B, or 110C in accordance with aspects herein can be used with a conventional zipper assembly 100 having a retainer box 142 paired with an insertion pin 144, such as shown in FIG. 1A. The zipper pull 110A, 110B, or 110C can also be used with a zipper assembly without a stop (not shown). In addition, the zipper pull 110A, 110B, or 110C can be used with a magnetic zipper assembly 170 (e.g., FIGS. 1I and 1J) having a first set of zipper teeth 172 and a second set of zipper teeth 174. The difference with zipper assembly 100 shown in FIG. 1A is that instead of having a retainer box 142 and an insertion pin 144, the zipper assembly 170 has a first stop piece 176 and a second stop piece 178 that are configured to magnetically attract each other to releasably mount a slider 180 of the zipper pull 190 with the first set of zipper teeth 172 and the second set of zipper teeth 174, while also aligning the first set of zipper teeth 172 and the second set of zipper teeth 174 to in some instance, operate the zipper assembly 170 single handedly.

In accordance with aspects herein, the first stop piece 176 may house a permanent magnet, while the second stop piece 178 may be formed of or house a ferromagnetic metal (e.g., iron, steel, cobalt, etc.) or vice versa. In accordance with other aspects, the first stop piece 176 may house a permanent magnet having a first polarity, and the second stop piece 178 may house a permanent magnet having a second polarity opposite the first polarity. In other words, the first stop piece 176 is configured to magnetically attract the second stop piece 178 and automatically align the first set of zipper teeth 172 with the second set of zipper teeth 174 and releasably mount the slide body 180 (as shown in FIG. 1J) to modify manual operations related to operating the zipper assembly 170 with the pull body 184 connected to the slide body 180 via the pull connector 182 in a manner that is more easily performed by a user who may include young children, people with a handicap or disability, and/or users with limited mobility in, for instance, their hands or arms.

Referring to FIG. 1K, a user 1000 is illustrated wearing an open front upper body garment 1008 having zipper assembly 1010 configured to reversibly fasten a first portion 1012 of the upper body garment 1008 to a second portion 1014 of the body garment 1008. The zipper assembly 1010 may be configured as, for example, the magnetic zipper assembly 170 discussed above with respect to FIG. 1I and FIG. 1J. In use, as shown in a first position 1002, the wearer may engage one of his fingers with the pull body 1016 by inserting it through the opening (not shown in this figure) of the pull body 1016 (in the figure, the user is shown as engaging his left thumb with the pull body 1016, however it is contemplated that any finger on either hand may be used). Once the user has engaged his finger with the pull body 1016, the user may manipulate the zipper assembly 1010 by pushing the first stop piece 1018 of the zipper assembly 1010 associated with the pull body 1016 toward the second stop piece 1020 of the zipper assembly 1010 so that the first stop piece 1018 and the second stop piece 1020 of the zipper assembly 1010 are magnetically attracted and aligned with each other, allowing the slider body (not shown) to be mounted on the second set of coupling elements 1024 so that they can be coupled to the first set of coupling elements 1022 as the zipper pull (hidden by the user's hand) is pulled in a first direction (upward from the wearer's waist toward the wearer's head) to close the upper body garment 1008, as shown in the second position 1004 and the third position 1006 to ultimately completely close the upper body garment 1008 if desired (not shown). Although the zipper assembly 1010 is shown on an upper body garment, it is contemplated that the zipper assembly disclosed in accordance with aspects herein can be used on any types of wearable articles (jackets, shoes, pullovers, shirts, backpacks, cross-body bags, bandoleer style pouches, and the like) and non-wearable articles such as (duffel bags, travel bags, purses, and the like).

In some examples, parts of the zipper assembly 110 (e.g. pull connector, pull body, etc.) can the same as, or similar to, the parts of the zipper assembly 170. Portions of this disclosure might describe the zipper assembly 110 without also describing the zipper assembly 170, and the same description can also apply to the zipper assembly 170. In accordance with some aspects, the pull connector 114 and the pull body 116 may be formed as a unitary body (i.e., one continuous piece) by processes such as 3D printing, molding, laser sintering, fused deposition modeling, and the like. In accordance to other aspects, the pull connector 114 and the pull body 116 may be formed as separate components where the pull connector 114 may be formed of a more rigid material such as a metal or metal alloy, wood, or a non-elastic or a material having a lower elastic deformability than the pull body 116. The higher modulus of elasticity of the connector 114 may serve to increase stability of the zipper pull 110 as it is being manipulated to open or close the zipper assembly 100.

Going back to the pull connector 114 and pull body 116 shown in FIGS. 1B-1G, a relationship between the pull body 116 and pull connector 114 can be defined in terms of the location of the break or gap 126 with respect to the pull connector 114. For example, as shown in FIG. 1C, where a straightened version of the pull body 116 of zipper pull 110A is shown (for simplicity and easier reference the relationship between the pull body 116 and the pull connector 114 will be described with reference to pull body 116, however, the principles are applicable to all zipper pulls disclosed herein, including pull bodies that are circular or include other shapes). With reference to FIGS. 1C, 1E, and 1G specifically, the pull connector 114 may be connected to the pull body 116 such that relative to a bisecting axis 130 associated with the zipper pulls 110A, 110B, and 110C, respectively, a first length 132 of the pull body 116 measured from the bisecting axis 130 to the first end 122 in a first direction 138 is less than a second length 134 of the pull body 116 measured from the bisecting axis 130 to the second end 124 in an opposite second direction 140. In examples, the first length 132 and the second length 134 can represent arc lengths, such as in association with, for example, pull bodies 110A, 110B, or 110C having a curvilinear shape. In some aspects, the first length 132 may amount to ⅓ of a total length 136 and the second length 134 may amount to ⅔ of a total length 136 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1C). Without departing from aspects herein it is contemplated that the first length 132 may amount to ⅙ of the total length 136 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1E), the first length 132 may amount to 1/9 of the total length 136 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1G), or may be as small as, for example 1/25 of the total length 136 of the pull body 116, having the first end 122 of the pull body 116 coincide with an edge of the pull connector 114;

or as large as ½ of the total length 136 (e.g., as shown in some exemplary embodiments in FIG. 5). In other words, the respective first length 132 changes the location of the break or gap 126 with respect to the pull connector 114.

In accordance with aspects herein, the pull body 116 and the pull connector 114 may be double sided (i.e., the same on the front and the back). In other instances, the pull connector 114 and the pull body 116 may be single sided (as shown, for example, in FIG. 1B-FIG. 1J). For a single sided embodiment, localizing the break or gap 126 on a first side of the bisecting axis 130 versus a second side of the bisecting axis 130 may be as simple as flipping the zipper pull 110, except for when the first length 132 and the second length 134 are equally distanced from the bisecting axis 130, which would result in the same configuration even after flipping. For a double-sided embodiment on the other hand, and a shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B, if the break or gap 126 is desired to be localized on a first side of the bisecting axis 130, the first length 132 should be smaller than the second length 134. However, if the break or gap 126 is desired to be localized on the opposite side of the bisecting axis, the second length 134 should be smaller than the first length 132.

As shown in FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C, the pull body 116 may comprise a uniform thickness 202 through and between the first end 122 and the second end 124. Alternatively, as will become more apparent based on FIG. 4, the pull body 116 may comprise a variable thickness 202 between the first end 122 and the second end 124. FIG. 2C illustrates potential cross-sectional areas or shapes for the pull body 116. For example, the pull body 116 can have a circular cross-sectional area 210 having a thickness/diameter 202A/203A (measured to be equal along a bisecting X-axis and a bisecting Y-axis) that is between 2 mm and 5 mm, or the pull body 116 can have a rounded non-circular cross-sectional area 212 having a thickness/width 202B (measured along a bisecting X-axis and thickness/width 203B measured along a bisecting Y-axis) where thickness/width 202B and thickness/width 203B are different and can range between 1.5 mm and 5 mm. The circular cross-sectional area 210 and the rounded non-circular cross-sectional area 212 can contribute to a comfort feel by eliminating edges on the pull body 116. Further, in some aspects, as shown in FIG. 2B, the pull body 116 may be provided with a textured surface 208 to provide sensory feedback. For example, the textured surface 208 may be comprised of a plurality of protrusions 214 evenly distributed through at least a portion of the pull body 116. For example, as shown in FIG. 2A, in some instances, the front side 206 of the pull body may be provided with a smooth surface 209 and the back side 207 may be provided with the textured surface 208. In other instances, the front side 206 and the back side 207 may be provided with the textured surface 208, and in yet other instances, the front side 206 and the back side 207 may be provided with the smooth surface 209. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2A, it is also contemplated that the pull body 116 may be amenable to branding 216 for display of an image and/or alphanumeric characters on the front side 206 and/or the back side 207 of the pull body 116. The branding 216 may be provided as a relief or counter-relief, or printing.

As shown in at least FIG. 2A, the loop formed by the pull body 116 is almost a closed loop, where the first end 122 is spaced apart from the second end 124 by a distance 204 to form the break or gap 126 in the loop formed by the pull body 116. The distance 204 may range between 0.1 mm to 10 mm in its rest state. Depending on the properties of the material forming the pull body 116, the break or gap 126 may be widened by at least 50% when needed to release an object that might have unintentionally gotten caught on the pull body 116 via the opening 118. For example, as shown in FIG. 3A, depicting a first deformed state 300 of the pull body 116, the first end 122 and/or the second end 124 may be deflected in a z-direction, thereby temporarily deforming the pull body 116 to enlarge the break or gap 126 between the first end 122 and the second end 124 by a distance 304. The enlarged break or gap 126 will then allow any object that may have been accidentally caught in the opening 118 and the pull body 116 to exit the opening 118, thereby releasing the object. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 3B, depicting a second deformed state 302 of the pull body 116, the first end 122 and/or the second end 124 may be deflected along an X-Y plane (i.e., sideways), thereby temporarily deforming the pull body 116 to enlarge the break or gap 126 by a distance 306. Furthermore, the pull body 116 can, in some instances, deflect in both the z-direction and the x-y plane. The pull body 116 in accordance with aspects herein comprises enough elastic resilience to allow the pull body 116 to return to its rest state (shown in FIG. 2A) after external forces are applied either in the z-direction (shown in FIG. 3A) and/or along the X-Y plane (shown in FIG. 3B).

In accordance with aspects herein, the pull body 116 is resistant to deformation when exposed to a pulling force of 3 N/mm or less, which closely corresponds to a pulling force exerted by a user when attempting to open/close slide fastening assemblies such as zippers. In other words, the pull body 116 is mostly capable of retaining its shape as in a rest state (shown in FIG. 2A) when pulling forces applied to the pull body 116 are less than or equal to 3 N/mm. On the other side of the spectrum, the pull body 116 should be able to return to its original shape in its rest state and not be easily broken. For example, a tensile strength at break of the pull body 116 may be at least 35 MPa and/or a shore D hardness in a range between 35 and 55. Suitable materials in accordance with aspects herein may include thermoplastic materials such as, for example, silicone, rubber, urethane, polyurethane, and mixtures thereof that exhibit the desired physical properties. Exemplary materials may include, for example, TPU 95A, TPU 64D, TPU 70A, and the like. Further, the suitable materials may be virgin, recycled, or a mixture of recycled and virgin materials. Preferably, at least 10% of the material of the pull body is recycled and recyclable.

As shown in FIG. 4A, in some exemplary embodiments, the pull body 416 may comprise a variable thickness 402 between its first end 410 and its second end 412. For example, as shown, the variable thickness 402 of the pull body 416 may be tapered proximate the first end 410 having a first thickness 404 and a first cross-sectional area 420 (as shown in FIG. 4B), and the variable thickness 402 of the pull body 416 may be thicker proximate the second end 412 having a second thickness 406 and a second cross-sectional area 422 (as shown in FIG. 4C).

FIG. 5 shows different exemplary configurations for the zipper pulls in accordance with aspects herein. This is not a limiting list, as it is contemplated that many more configurations are possible with varying the size of the break/gap (i.e. separation between a first end and a second end of the pull body), varying the thickness of the pull body (in examples where the pull body has a uniform thickness and in examples where the pull body has varying thickness between its first end and its second end), varying the tapering where the pull body has a variable thickness, the location of the thinnest portion of the pull body in embodiments where the pull body comprises different thicknesses, the location of the break/gap with respect to the pull connector, and the like, without departing from aspects herein. Further, although not shown, in accordance with some aspects, it is contemplated that instead of the pull connector and the pull body being fixed with respect to each other, fixing the locations of the break/gap, the pull body may be movably affixed with respect to each other. For example, the pull body may be configured to move (i.e. rotate) within a tunnel or sleeve of the pull connector so that the relative location of the break/gap is not fixed with respect to the pull connector.

FIG. 6 shows yet another exemplary configuration for the zipper pull 600 in accordance with aspects herein, where the zipper pull 600 can have a pull connector 614 coupled to a pull body 616 having an organic shape or a character shape.

Further as shown in FIG. 7, the zipper pull 700 can have a pull connector 714 that rather than rigidly connecting the pull body 716 to the slider 712 at a fixed distance from each other, may connect the pull body 716 and the slider 712 a predetermined distance away via, for example, a strap 718 that can be less rigid than the pull connector 714. The separation provided by the strap 718 between the slider 712 and the pull body 716 may be customizable according to a respective need. The strap may be formed of a woven or knit web, or may be formed of a non-woven polymer material.

The following clauses represent example aspects of concepts contemplated herein. Any one of the following clauses may be combined in a multiple dependent manner to depend from one or more other clauses. Further, any combination of dependent clauses (clauses that explicitly depend from a previous clause) may be combined while staying within the scope of aspects contemplated herein. The following clauses are examples and are not limiting.

Clause 1. A zipper comprising: a slide body; and a pull having a pull connector and a pull body, wherein the pull connector is moveably secured to the slide body, the pull body forming a discontinuous perimeter around an opening of the pull body; wherein the pull body comprises a tensile strength at break of at least 35 MPa and a shore D hardness of at least 40.

Clause 2. The zipper of clause 1, wherein the opening defined by the discontinuous perimeter is a circular opening.

Clause 3. The zipper any one of clauses 1 and 2, wherein the pull body and the pull connector are fixed with respect to each other.

Clause 4. The zipper of any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the pull body comprises a first end, a second end, and a length extending from the first end to the second end, wherein a cross-sectional area of the pull body is uniform throughout the length of the pull body.

Clause 5. The zipper of clause 4, wherein the cross-sectional area comprises a rounded shape.

Clause 6. The zipper of any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the pull body comprises a first end, a second end, and a length extending from the first end to the second end, wherein a thickness of the pull body has a variable thickness between the first end and the second end.

Clause 7. The zipper of clause 6, wherein the pull body comprises a first cross-sectional area proximate the first end and a second cross-sectional area proximate the second end, wherein the first cross-sectional area is different from the second cross-sectional area.

Clause 8. The zipper of clause 7, wherein the first cross-sectional area and the second cross-sectional area comprise a rounded shape.

Clause 9. The zipper of any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein a first end of the pull body is separated from a second end of the pull body by a separation distance forming a gap between the first end and the second end, wherein the separation distance is capable of being enlarged by at least 50%.

Clause 10. The zipper of any one of clauses 1 to 9, wherein the pull body is resistant to deformation to a pulling force of 3 N/mm or less.

Clause 11. The zipper of any one of clauses 1 to 10, wherein the opening of the pull body is at least 10 mm wide.

Clause 12. The zipper of any one of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the pull body is elastically deformable.

Clause 13. A zipper assembly comprising: a first set of coupling elements; a second set of coupling elements; a slide body configured to engage with the first set of coupling elements and the second set of coupling elements; and a pull having a pull connector and pull body, wherein the pull connector is moveably secured to the slide body, the pull body forming a discontinuous perimeter around an opening of the pull body; wherein the pull body is resistant to deformation to a pulling force of 3 N/mm or less.

Clause 14. The zipper assembly of clause 13, wherein the pull body comprises a tensile strength at break of at least 35 MPa.

Clause 15. The zipper assembly of any one of clauses 13 and 14, wherein the opening is circular.

Clause 16. The zipper assembly of any one of clauses 13 and 14, wherein the opening is non-circular.

Clause 17. The zipper assembly of any one of clauses 13 to 16, wherein the pull body comprises a uniform thickness between a first end and a second end.

Clause 18. The zipper assembly of any one of clauses 13 to 16, wherein the pull body comprises a non-uniform thickness between a first end and a second end.

Clause 19. The zipper assembly of clause 18, wherein a first thickness proximate the first end is different from a second thickness proximate the second end.

Clause 20. The zipper assembly of any one of clauses 13 to 19, wherein the pull body and the pull connector are fixed with respect to each other.

Clause 21. The zipper assembly of any one of clauses 13 to 20, wherein the pull body and the pull connector are movably affixed to each other.

Clause 22. The zipper assembly of clause 13, wherein the pull body comprises a first end, a second end, and a length extending from the first end to the second end, wherein a cross-sectional area of the pull body is uniform throughout the length of the pull body.

Clause 23. The zipper assembly of clause 22, wherein the cross-sectional area comprises a rounded shape.

Clause 24. The zipper assembly of clause 23, wherein the cross-sectional area comprises a diameter that is at least 2 mm.

Clause 25. The zipper assembly of any one of clauses 13 to 24, wherein the pull body comprises a width from 12 mm and 37 mm.

Clause 26. The zipper assembly of any one of clauses 13 to 25, wherein the pull body comprises a height from 12 mm to 37 mm.

Clause 27. The zipper assembly of any one of clauses 13 to 26, wherein the opening of the pull body is at least 10 mm wide.

Clause 28. The zipper of any one of clauses 13 to 27, wherein the pull body is elastically deformable.

Clause 29. An upper-body garment comprising: a zipper assembly comprising: a first set of coupling elements affixed to a first panel of the upper-body garment; a second set of coupling elements affixed to a second panel of the upper-body garment; a slide body configured to engage with the first set of coupling elements and the second set of coupling elements; and a pull having a pull connector and pull body, wherein the pull connector is moveably secured to the slide body, the pull body forming a discontinuous perimeter around an opening of the pull body; wherein the pull body is resistant to deformation to a pulling force of 3 N/mm.

Clause 30. The upper-body garment of clause 29, wherein the pull body is elastically deformable.

Clause 31. The upper-body garment of clause 29, wherein a first end of the pull body is separated from a second end of the pull body by a separation distance forming a gap between the first end and the second end, wherein the separation distance is capable of being enlarged by at least 50%.

This detailed description is provided in order to meet statutory requirements. However, this description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention described herein. Rather, the claimed subject matter may be embodied in different ways, to include different steps, different combinations of steps, different elements, and/or different combinations of elements, similar or equivalent to those described in this disclosure, and in conjunction with other present or future technologies. The examples herein are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. In this sense, alternative examples or implementations can become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present subject matter pertains without departing from the scope hereof.

ACCESSIBLE ZIPPER PULL

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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Provisional Applications (1)