Patent Grant
11969061
The present disclosure relates to slide fastener chains and slide fasteners which are sealable. The disclosure also relates to an article including such a slide fastener.
Conventional slide fasteners (or zips or zippers) comprise a pair of stringers and an opening and closing means commonly referred to as a slider. Each stringer comprises a tape and a plurality of coupling elements. The coupling elements extend along a first edge of each tape and when the slider of the slide fastener has been moved to a closed position, corresponding coupling elements of the stringers interdigitate, couple or interlock. When each tape of the slide fastener is attached to separate portions of an article, the separate portions of the article may be releasably joined by closing the slide fastener by moving the slider to the closed position, and thereby bringing the coupling elements into said interdigitating relationship.
Slide fasteners are therefore both useful and versatile and are employed in a range of applications including garments, furnishings and luggage.
Known slide fasteners are generally constructed as follows. A coupling portion, usually in the form of a plurality of coupling elements (also referred to as teeth) is attached to a first edge of a tape to form a stringer. This first edge may be referred to as the coupling edge of the stringer. The tape can be woven or knitted and may be formed from, for example, polyester. The coupling elements may be attached to the tape by, for example, crimping or molding the coupling elements onto a reinforced edge of the tape. In some cases, the reinforced edge may comprise a cord of greater thickness as compared to the remainder of the tape. The cord may be sewn or woven into the tape.
Alternatively, the coupling elements may be formed as a continuous coil. In this case, the coupling elements are most commonly stitched to a surface of the tape at the edge of the tape or, alternatively, are woven or knitted into the tape.
Two stringers are brought together, such that the coupling elements of each stringer can attach to one another, for example, by interdigitating, to form a chain. The chain is generally planar, and the chain (and the coupling elements which form part of the chain) extends along a longitudinal axis of the chain (also referred to as the fastener axis). A slider is mounted to the chain, onto coupling elements of each respective stringer, such that it can move along the chain between the two stringers.
The slider commonly includes a main body having an upper and lower blade through which the coupling elements of each stringer pass. A pull tab or pull cord is attached to the main body which may be grasped by a user in order to effectively move the slider along the chain. The main body includes a guide post (sometimes referred to as a diamond) which, in part, defines a Y-shaped channel which is configured to carry coupling elements of the first and second stringers. The slider can comprise upper flanges and lower flanges which are disposed on each of the right and left side edge parts of the upper and lower blades, that is, the edges of the slider substantially parallel to a direction of operation of the slider. The flanges which are provided on the upper blade protrude downwards towards the lower blade and flanges which are provided on the lower blade protrude upwards towards the upper blade. The flanges are configured for sliding engagement with the coupling elements.
Movement of the slider along the chain in a first sliding direction along an axis of operation of the slider causes the coupling elements of the first stringer to attach to the coupling elements of the second stringer. When the slider is no longer able to couple elements any further in the first sliding direction i.e. substantially all the coupling elements of the first stringer are attached to substantially all the coupling elements of the second stringer, the slide fastener may be said to be in a fully closed configuration. Movement of the slider along the chain in a second sliding direction, along the axis of operation of the slider, opposite to the first sliding direction, causes the coupling elements of the first stringer to detach from the coupling elements of the second stringer. When the slider is no longer able to uncouple elements any further in the second sliding direction i.e. substantially all the coupling elements of the first stringer are detached from the coupling elements of the second stringer, the slide fastener may be said to be in a fully open configuration.
The chain is cut to a desired length to form a desired length of slide fastener. Stops (often referred to as top stops and bottom stops) may be attached to either or both ends of the chain. The stops limit the extent of movement that the slider can undertake along the chain. It is usually the case that a top stop limits movement of the slider in the first sliding direction and a bottom stop limits movement of the slider in the second sliding direction. Typically, stops may be used in order to limit the movement of the slider along the chain. Typically, the slider is no longer able to couple or uncouple elements, or move, when the slider abuts on a stop of some variety, such as a bottom stop or a top stop. The top stop may be configured to abut on a top portion of the slider, for example a top edge of a flange provided on the slider main body, and limit the movement of the slider in the first sliding direction. The bottom stop may be configured to abut on a bottom portion of the slider, for example a bottom edge of a flange provided on the main body of the slider, and limit the movement of the slider in the second sliding direction. Stops may also be configured to abut on the upper or lower blades of the slider.
Some slide fasteners may have a single bottom stop which is attached to both the first and second stringers. Other slide fasteners, which may be referred to as separating slide fasteners, may have two separate bottom stops each attached to a corresponding each one of the stringers. The two bottom stops may take the respective forms of a retainer box and an insertion pin. The insertion pin can be inserted into the retainer box in order to interlink the first and second stringers with one another. Conversely, the insertion pin can be removed from the retainer box when the slider is located adjacent the retainer box in order to pass through the slider and separate the first and second stringers from one another.
Some slide fasteners may have two separate top stops, each being attached to a corresponding one of the stringers. Other slide fasteners may have a single top stop attached to one or both of the stringers.
In certain applications, it is desirable for a slide fastener to be fluid resistant, for example liquid and/or gas tight (i.e. for the slide fastener to substantially prevent the passage of liquid and/or gas through the slide fastener when the slide fastener is in a closed configuration). By further way of example, in some applications, it is desirable for a slide fastener to be watertight, or more specifically, for an article (for example, but not limited to, a garment) of which a watertight slide fastener forms part to be watertight when the slide fastener is in a closed configuration.
Slide fasteners which are not fluid and/or gas tight when the slide fastener is in the closed configuration are not referred to as slide fasteners which are sealable. To the contrary, those slide fasteners which are fluid and/or gas tight when the slide fastener is in the closed configuration are referred to as slide fasteners which are sealable.
It is desirable to provide a watertight slide fastener chain and slide fastener which provides a desired degree of water-tightness while at the same time being relatively easy and cost-effective to manufacture. It is also desirable to provide an alternative watertight slide fastener chain and slide fastener.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a slide fastener chain including: a first fastener stringer including a first fastener tape having a first row of coupling elements mounted on a first longitudinal edge of the first fastener tape; a second fastener stringer including a second fastener tape having a second row of coupling elements mounted on a second longitudinal edge of the second fastener tape. The first row of coupling elements is configured to be interdigitated with the second row of coupling elements along a fastener axis in order to secure the first stringer and a second stringer together. Each of the coupling elements of the first and second rows of coupling elements is shaped so as to include a main body having a shoulder portion, and a head portion extending parallel to a lateral axis, perpendicular the fastener axis, and away from the shoulder portion via a neck portion, the head portion including a groove which extends parallel to the fastener axis. The main body of each of the coupling elements of the first row of coupling elements is mounted to the first fastener tape, and the main body of each of the coupling elements of the second row of coupling elements is mounted to the second fastener tape. When the first row of coupling elements is interdigitated with the second row of coupling elements, the first longitudinal edge and second longitudinal edge remain spaced apart, and a first coupling element of the first row of coupling elements is received between two adjacent coupling elements of the second row of coupling elements such that: i) the groove of the first coupling element receives and contacts, in a first contact region, a portion of the second longitudinal edge of the second fastener tape intermediate the adjacent coupling elements of the second row, ii) the head of the first coupling element is received between and contacts, at second and third contact regions respectively, the neck portions of the adjacent coupling elements of the second row, iii) one of the grooves of the adjacent coupling elements of the second row receives and contacts, in a fourth contact region, a first portion of the first longitudinal edge of the first fastener tape adjacent the first coupling element, and iv) the other of the grooves of the adjacent coupling elements of the second row receives and contacts, in a fifth contact region, a second portion of the first longitudinal edge of the first fastener tape adjacent the first coupling element. The first coupling element is intermediate the first and second portions of the first longitudinal edge of the first fastener tape. Contact in each of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth contact regions forms a seal between the first coupling element and each of the adjacent coupling elements, the seal allying the first and second longitudinal edges.
Using the contact between the grooves of the coupling elements on one fastener stringer and the longitudinal edge of the other fastener stringer both facilitates the creation of a seal between the two stringers, but also increases the ability of the coupled fastener stringers to resist unwanted separation due to burst forces (forces generally perpendicular to both the fastener axis and the lateral axis). This is also achieved without the need for any additional features being present on the coupling elements, making the design and manufacture of the coupling elements more straightforward.
The first, second, third, fourth and fifth contact regions may form a continuum. In the continuum, the contact regions may be in order of the fourth contact region, the second contact region, the first contact region, the third contact region and the fifth contact region.
The first contact region, fourth contact region and fifth contact region may extend along an entire length, in a direction parallel to the fastener axis, of the grooves of the first coupling element, the one of the adjacent coupling elements, and the other of the adjacent coupling elements, respectively.
The seal may be a watertight seal such that water or other liquid is substantially prevented from passing between the first coupling element and each of the adjacent coupling elements, and between the first and second longitudinal edges.
A plurality of coupling elements of the first row of coupling elements may each be received between two respective adjacent coupling elements of the second row of coupling elements such that: i) the groove of each first coupling element of the first row receives and contacts, in a first contact region, a respective portion of the second longitudinal edge of the second fastener tape intermediate the respective adjacent coupling elements of the second row, ii) the head of each first coupling element of the first row is received between and contacts, at second and third contact regions respectively, the neck portions of the respective adjacent coupling elements of the second row, iii) the one of the grooves of the respective adjacent coupling elements of the second row receives and contacts, in a fourth contact region, a respective first portion of the first longitudinal edge of the first fastener tape adjacent the respective first coupling element, and iv) the other of the grooves of the respective adjacent coupling elements of the second row receives and contacts, in a fifth contact region, a respective second portion of the first longitudinal edge of the first fastener tape adjacent respective first coupling element. Each first coupling element is intermediate the respective first and second portions of the first longitudinal edge of the first fastener tape. The contact in each of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth contact regions forms a seal between each first coupling element and the respective adjacent coupling elements, the seal allying the first and second longitudinal edges, such that the seal is formed along the entire length of the fastener chain.
The entire length of the fastener chain may be a length, parallel to the fastener axis. The entire length may be measured between an (outboard) edge of a coupling element of the first row of coupling elements (a coupling element of the first row of coupling elements coupling with a coupling element of the second row of coupling elements as described above) located at a first longitudinal end of the fastener chain and i) an (outboard) edge of a coupling element of the second row of coupling elements (a coupling element of the second row of coupling elements coupling with a coupling element of the first row of coupling elements as described above) located at a second longitudinal end of the fastener chain, opposite the first longitudinal end, or ii) an (outboard) edge of a coupling element of the first row of coupling elements (a coupling element of the first row of coupling elements coupling with a coupling element of the second row of coupling elements as described above) located at a second longitudinal end of the fastener chain, opposite the first longitudinal end. An outboard edge of a coupling element located at a first longitudinal end of the fastener chain may be an edge of the coupling element which is located furthest along the longitudinal axis from the second longitudinal end of the fastener chain. An outboard edge of a coupling element located at a second longitudinal end of the fastener chain may be an edge of the coupling element which is located furthest along the longitudinal axis from the first longitudinal end of the fastener chain.
When a seal is formed along the entire length of the fastener chain, then the entire fastener chain may be sealed such that there is no location (where coupling elements of the first row of coupling elements interdigitate with coupling elements of the second row of coupling elements) between the first and second longitudinal edges at which fluid can pass between the first and second longitudinal edges.
The first longitudinal edge of the first fastener tape and the second longitudinal edge of the second fastener tape each take a form of a cord.
Each cord may have a greater thickness in a direction perpendicular to both the fastener axis and the lateral axis than a thickness of the remainder of the fastener tape, which the cord forms part of the fastener tape.
The cord may help to retain the coupling elements on their respective fastener tape. In addition, the cord may provide a greater surface area for the groove of the coupling elements of the other fastener stringer to contact, thereby improving the strength of the contact.
The first fastener tape and second fastener tape may be formed from woven, nonwoven or knitted material.
The first fastener tape and second fastener tape may be coated with and/or impregnated by a plastics or similar material which is impermeable to water.
The configuration of the coupling elements and their locations on the fastener tapes ensure that substantially no water can pass through the fastener chain between the longitudinal edges of the fastener tapes when the coupling elements are interdigitated. Coating and/or impregnating the fastener tapes with a plastics material which is impermeable to water ensures that substantially no water also can pass through the fastener tapes. This means that when the fastener tapes are attached to an article in a watertight manner, substantially no water will be able to pass, either between the longitudinal edges of the fastener stringers or through the fastener tapes themselves, from a first side of the fastener chain to a second side of the fastener chain. This substantially prevents water from entering the article via the fastener chain.
The cord of each of the first and second fastener tapes may be coated with and/or impregnated by a plastics material which is impermeable to water.
The first row of coupling elements may be mounted on the first longitudinal edge of the first fastener tape such that the first longitudinal edge meets the neck portion of each coupling element of the first row of coupling elements.
The second row of coupling elements may be mounted on the second longitudinal edge of the second fastener tape such that the second longitudinal edge meets the neck portion of each coupling element of the second row of coupling elements.
Each coupling element of the first and second rows of coupling elements may include: a first portion mounted to a first face of the fastener tape of the fastener stringer, which the first portion forms part of the fastener stringer, a second portion mounted to a second face, opposed to the first face, of the fastener tape of the fastener stringer, which the second portion forms part of the fastener stringer, and an intermediate portion joining both the first and second portions, the intermediate portion including at least the head portion of the coupling element. The intermediate portion may include at least a portion of the neck portion of the coupling element.
The first portion may only be joined to the second portion by the intermediate portion. In some known slide fasteners, a hole is cut through the tape for each coupling element and each coupling element is attached to its respective tape by the first portion of the coupling element and the second portion of the coupling element being connected via a further intermediate portion that extends through the respective hole in the tape. This may not be necessary for the embodiments of the invention discussed in this application. The only required joining between the first and second portions of each coupling element is via the intermediate portion. This may make the manufacturing process for the slide fastener more straightforward and no holes in the tapes are required.
This facilitates easy manufacture of the fastener chain by allowing the coupling elements to be molded on to or crimped onto their respective fastener tape.
A thickness of the cord of the first fastener stringer in a direction parallel to the lateral axis may be greater than a separation distance in a direction parallel to the lateral axis between the cord of the first fastener stringer and the cord of the second fastener stringer, when the first row of coupling elements is interdigitated with the second row of coupling elements. The cord may be compressed when fastener stringers are closed (i.e. the slide fastener chain is in the closed configuration in which the first and second coupling elements are interdigitated). For example, the cord of one stringer may be compressed by the coupling elements (and, in particular the groove of the coupling elements) of the other stringer.
This may result in the separation distance between the longitudinal edges of the fastener tapes being as small as possible when the coupling elements are interdigitated. This reduces the area between the longitudinal edges of the fastener tapes which needs to be watertight in order for the fastener chain to be watertight. This may improve the sealing effectiveness of the fastener chain. In addition, reducing the separation distance between the longitudinal edges of the fastener tapes may increase the strength of the fastener chain when exposed to a bending force, which is perpendicular to both the fastener axis and the lateral axis. This may increase the ability of the coupled fastener stringers to resist unwanted separation due to such a bending force.
A thickness, in a direction parallel to the lateral axis, of the cord of the first fastener stringer may be greater than a depth, in a direction parallel to the lateral axis, of the groove of the first coupling element. This may ensure better contact between the groove and the cord under compression.
The first coupling element may include a first pressure portion and one of the adjacent coupling elements may include a corresponding second pressure portion. And when the first row of coupling elements is interdigitated with the second row of coupling elements, the first pressure portion may contact the second pressure portion such that the first and second pressure portions undergo compression so as to create a seal therebetween.
The pressure portions help to increase the effectiveness of the seal between the coupling elements.
The first coupling element may include a third pressure portion and the other of the adjacent coupling elements may include a corresponding fourth pressure portion. And when the first row of coupling elements is interdigitated with the second row of coupling elements, the third pressure portion may contact the fourth pressure portion such that the third and fourth pressure portions undergo compression so as to create a seal therebetween.
Again, the pressure portions help to further increase the effectiveness of the seal between the coupling elements.
One or more of the first pressure portion, second pressure portion, third pressure portion and fourth pressure portion may take a form of a protrusion extending in a direction parallel to the fastener axis from the head and/or neck portion of the coupling element, which the relevant pressure portion forms part of the coupling element.
The main body of each of the first coupling elements and the adjacent coupling elements may have a tapered width parallel to the fastener axis, whereby, at a first lateral location, a first width, parallel to the fastener axis, of the main body of the relevant coupling element, adjacent a first face of the fastener tape to which the coupling element is mounted, is greater than, at the first lateral location, a second width, parallel to the fastener axis, of the main body of the relevant coupling element, at a location spaced from and above the first face of the fastener tape to which the coupling element is mounted.
This tapering may help to prevent deformation of the coupling elements when the fastener chain is bent out of plane. This may prevent the watertight seal provided by the fastener chain degrading and/or unwanted separation of interdigitated coupling elements when the fastener chain is bent out of plane.
The first width may be a maximum width of the main body, above the first fastener tape, at the first lateral location and the second width may be a minimum width of the main body, above the first fastener tape, at the first lateral location.
The second width may be between about 40% and 85% of the first width.
The main body of each of the first coupling elements and the adjacent coupling elements may have a tapered width parallel to the fastener axis, whereby, at the first lateral location, a third width, parallel to the fastener axis, of the main body of the relevant coupling element, adjacent a second face of the fastener tape to which the coupling element is mounted, is greater than, at the first lateral location, a fourth width, parallel to the fastener axis, of the main body of the relevant coupling element, at a location spaced from and below the second face of the fastener tape to which the coupling element is mounted.
This tapering may further help to prevent deformation of the coupling elements when the fastener chain is bent out of plane. This may further prevent the watertight seal provided by the fastener chain degrading and/or unwanted separation of interdigitated coupling elements when the fastener chain is bent out of plane.
The third width may be a maximum width of the main body, below the first fastener tape, at the first lateral location and the fourth width may be a minimum width of the main body, below the first fastener tape, at the first lateral location.
The fourth width may be between about 40% and 85% of the third width.
The first coupling element and the adjacent coupling elements may be formed from the plastics material which is impermeable to water.
The first coupling element and the adjacent coupling elements may be formed from a different material from a material which is used to coat/impregnate the first fastener tape, second fastener tape and/or cords.
Forming the coupling elements from the same material that the fastener tapes are coated and/or impregnated with may increase the adhesion strength between the fastener tapes and their respective coupling elements.
Each of the first coupling element and the adjacent coupling elements may be formed from a material whereby Young's Modulus for each of the first coupling element and the adjacent coupling elements is between about 1000 and about 2000.
This may help to improve the effectiveness of the seal between the coupling elements. This may be because, the more it is possible to compress the coupling elements, the more tolerant the fastener chain is to be bent whilst the relevant coupling elements and fastener tapes maintain contact.
The first coupling element of the first row of coupling elements and the two adjacent coupling elements of the second row of coupling elements may be substantially identical in shape. Each of the coupling elements of the first row of coupling elements and the second row of coupling elements may be substantially identical in shape.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a slide fastener including the slide fastener chain according to the first aspect of the invention and a slider movably mounted on the first and second fastener stringers, such that the slider is movable relative to the first and second fastener stringers along the fastener axis. The slider may move in a first direction in order to interdigitate the first row of coupling elements of the first fastener stringer with the second row of coupling elements of the second fastener stringer in order to secure the first fastener stringer and the second fastener stringer together, and may move in a second direction in order to decouple the first row of coupling elements of the first fastener stringer from the second row of coupling elements of the second fastener stringer in order to decouple the first fastener stringer and the second fastener stringer.
Such a slide fastener has all the advantages of a fastener chain according to the first aspect of the invention.
The slide fastener may further include at least one top stop configured to provide a limit of movement of the slider along the fastener axis in the first direction; and/or a bottom stop configured to provide a limit of movement of the slider along the fastener axis in the second direction.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an article including a slide fastener according to the second aspect of the invention.
It should be recognized that features discussed above in relation to one aspect of the invention may, where appropriate, be applied in relation to any other aspect of the invention.
Equivalent features shown within the figures have been labelled with the same reference numbers.
The two stringers 12a, 12b when brought together (as shown in the bottom portion of
Each of the coupling elements 14a, 14b includes head and neck portions. When the coupling elements 14a and 14b are brought together such that they interdigitate, the head and neck portions of the coupling elements 14a of the first stringer 12a cooperate with the head and neck portions of the coupling elements 14b of the second stringer 12b to prevent lateral separation in a direction generally parallel to a lateral axis T of the coupling elements 14a, 14b.
The slider 11 is mounted to the chain 18 such that it can move along the chain 18 between the two stringers 12a, 12b. Movement of the slider 11 along the chain 18 in a first sliding direction E causes the coupling elements 14a of the first stringer 12a to attach to the coupling elements 14b of the second stringer 12b. Whereas movement of the slider along the chain in a second sliding direction D, opposite to the first sliding direction E, causes the coupling elements 14a of the first stringer 12a to detach from the coupling elements 14b of the second stringer 12b.
The chain 18 is commonly cut to a desired length to form a desired length of slide fastener 10. Stops (often referred to as top stops and bottom stops) are attached to either end of the chain 18. The stops limit the extent of movement that the slider 11 can undertake along the chain 18.
In the slide fastener shown in
The slide fastener has a single bottom stop 22 which is attached to the tapes 16a, 16b of both the first and second stringers 12a, 12b and which secures the tapes 16a and 16b together.
As shown in
In more detail, the main body 24 of the slider 11 includes an upper portion 30 connected to a lower portion 32 by a connection post (not shown) extending in a direction perpendicular to both the fastener axis L and lateral axis T. The upper portion 30 may be referred to as an upper wing or an upper blade. Likewise, the lower portion may be referred to as a lower wing or lower blade. The connection post may be referred to as the diamond.
The upper portion 30, lower portion 32 and connection post co-operate to define a Y-shaped channel within the slider. The Y-shaped channel is also defined by lateral flanges 42 and 44 on either side of the slider 11 which extend towards each other from the upper portion 30 and lower portion 32 respectively. In
The slider 11 extends in direction D, when mounted to the chain, from a head end 38 of the slider to a tail end 40 of the slider 11. The Y-shaped channel also includes a third arm which adjoins the first and second arms in the vicinity of a tail end of the connection post.
The first arm and second arm have respective first and second openings (not shown) at the head end 38 of the slider 11. The third arm has a third opening 46c at the tail end 40 of the slider 11.
The first fastener stringer 12a includes a first fastener tape 16a having a first row of coupling elements 14a mounted on a first longitudinal edge 15a of the first fastener tape 16a.
The second fastener stringer 12b includes a second fastener tape 16b having a second row of coupling elements 14b mounted on a second longitudinal edge 15b of the second fastener tape 16b.
As previously discussed, the first row of coupling elements 14a may be interdigitated with the second row of coupling elements 14b along a fastener axis L in order to secure the first stringer 12a and a second stringer 12b together.
The slider 11 is movably mounted on the first and second fastener stringers 12a, 12b, such that the slider 11 is movable relative to the first and second fastener stringers 12a, 12b along the fastener axis L.
The slider is movable in a first direction E in order to interdigitate the first row of coupling elements 14a of the first fastener stringer 12a with the second row of coupling elements 14b of the second fastener stringer 12b in order to secure the first fastener stringer 12a and the second fastener stringer together 12b.
The slider 11 is also movable in a second direction D in order to decouple the first row of coupling elements 14a of the first fastener stringer 12a from the second row of coupling elements 14b of the second fastener stringer 12b in order to decouple the first fastener stringer 12a and the second fastener stringer 12b.
Although not shown in
In the present embodiment, all the coupling elements 14a of the first stringer 12a are identical to each other and to the coupling elements 14b of the second stringer 12b. This need not always be the case.
The front view of
As can be seen best in
The head portion 54 includes a groove 58 which extends parallel to the fastener axis L. The groove 58 is located at the center of the height of the coupling element, the height being measured along axis H, which is perpendicular to both the fastener axis L and the lateral axis T. The groove 58 is located at the same height as the edge 15b of the fastener tape 16b upon which the coupling element 14b is mounted. In particular, a central axis GC of the groove 58 is located at the same height as the edge 15b of the fastener tape 16b upon which the coupling element 14b is mounted. Put another way, the groove 58 is located in the plane of the fastener tape 16b upon which the coupling element 14b is mounted. The groove 58 has a generally semi-circular or c-shaped profile when viewed along the fastener axis, as in
The main body 50 of each of the coupling elements 14a of the first row of coupling elements 14a is mounted to the first fastener tape 16a, and the main body 50 of each of the coupling elements 14b of the second row of coupling elements 14b is mounted to the second fastener tape 16b.
The first row of coupling elements 14a are mounted on the first longitudinal edge 15a of the first fastener tape 16a such that the first longitudinal edge 15a meets the neck portion 56 of each coupling element 14a of the first row of coupling elements. Likewise, as seen best in
The above examples differ from many known slide fastener chains in which the first row of coupling elements 14a are mounted on the first longitudinal edge 15a of the first fastener tape 16a such that the first longitudinal edge 15a (or, if present, entire thickness of the cord) is enclosed within the main body of each coupling element 14a of the first row of coupling elements, and the second row of coupling elements 14b are mounted on the second longitudinal edge 15b of the second fastener tape 16b such that the second longitudinal edge 15b (or, if present, entire thickness of the cord) is enclosed within the main body of each coupling element 14b of the second row of coupling elements.
As shown best in
As can be seen most clearly in
Again, as can be seen most clearly in
First, the groove 58 of the first coupling element 14a receives and contacts, in a first contact region, a portion of the second longitudinal edge 15b of the second fastener tape 16b intermediate the adjacent coupling elements 14b.
Secondly, the head portion 54 of the first coupling element 14a is received between and contacts, at second and third contact regions respectively, the neck portion 56 of each of the adjacent coupling elements 14b.
Thirdly, one of the grooves 58 of the adjacent coupling elements (e.g. the upper of the two coupling elements labelled 14b in
Fourthly, the other of the grooves 58 of the adjacent coupling elements (e.g. the lower of the two coupling elements labelled 14b in
The contact in each of the first, second, third, fourth and fifth contact regions forms a seal such that water is substantially prevented from passing (for example in a direction along axis H) between the first coupling element 14a and each of the adjacent coupling elements 14b, and hence between the spaced apart first and second longitudinal edges 15a, 15b.
It will be understood that, for ease of explanation, the above description makes reference to the seal formed between one of the coupling elements of the first stringer and the respective two adjacent coupling elements of the second stringer which receive the coupling element of the first stringer when the coupling elements interdigitate. In practice, the same seal will be formed between each coupling element of the first stringer and the respective two adjacent coupling elements of the second stringer which receive said coupling element of the first stringer when the coupling elements interdigitate. In this way, a seal is created between all of the coupling elements of the first and second stringers along the entire length (parallel to the fastener axis) of the interdigitated coupling elements.
The contact between the grooves of the coupling elements on one fastener stringer and the longitudinal edge of the other fastener stringer, when the coupling elements are interdigitated, facilitates the creation of a seal between the two stringers, and also increases the ability of the coupled fastener stringers to resist unwanted separation due to lateral forces (in direction H, generally perpendicular to both the fastener axis and the lateral axis). This is also achieved without the need for any additional features being present on the coupling elements (such as the presence of retaining flanges on the shoulders of known coupling elements), making the design and manufacture of coupling elements, and hence a fastener chain according to the present invention more straightforward.
In a seal as discussed above, it will be understood that the seal may be fluid tight, e.g. watertight.
As is best visible in
As best seen in
The core 16c of each tape 16a, 16b is coated with and/or impregnated by a plastics material which is impermeable to water. The coating may be applied in any appropriate manner, for example, but not limited to, extruding the coating onto the core. Any appropriate water impermeable material may be used. In one example the coating material is polyurethane.
As shown in
In other embodiments, the second coating layer may be formed from a different material as compared to the first coating layer, the second coating layer may be the same thickness as or thicker than the first coating layer, or the second coating layer may not be present at all.
It can be seen that the cord 15a, 15b of each of the first and second fastener tapes 16a, 16b is coated with and/or impregnated by a plastics material which is impermeable to water. In the present embodiment, the first coating layer 16d extends around the cord 15a, 15b to adjoin the second coating layer 16e. Coating and/or impregnating the cords 15a, 15b with a plastics material not only makes the cords 15a, 15b water impermeable, but may also increase the resilience of the cords 15a, 15b.
Increasing the resilience of the cords 15a, 15b may increase the sealing force exerted by the cords 15a, 15b on the grooves of the coupling elements where they contact when the coupling elements interdigitate. This may increase the sealing effectiveness of the seal created between the cords 15a, 15b and the coupling elements 14b, 14a.
As best shown in
This may result in the separation distance S between the longitudinal edges 15a, 15b of the fastener tapes 16a, 16b being as small as possible when the coupling elements 14a, 14b are interdigitated. This reduces the area between the longitudinal edges 15a, 15b of the fastener tapes 16a, 16b which needs to be watertight in order for the fastener chain 13 to be watertight. This may improve the sealing effectiveness of fastener chain 13. In addition, reducing the separation distance S between the longitudinal edges 15a, 15b of the fastener tapes 16a, 16b may increase the strength of the fastener chain when exposed to a bending force, which is perpendicular to both the fastener axis and the lateral axis (e.g. a force exerted in direction H). This may increase the ability of the coupled fastener stringers 12a, 12b to resist unwanted separation due to such a bending force.
The thickness F (shown in
Referring now to
Furthermore, the first coupling element 14a includes a third pressure portion 60b and the other of the adjacent coupling elements (e.g. the lower of the two coupling elements labelled 14b in
In the embodiment shown in
The pressure portions help to increase the effectiveness of the seal between the coupling elements. This is achieved by the pressure portions being compressed in order for the coupling elements to interdigitate. The compression of the pressure portions means that, at the points where they contact other corresponding coupling elements, they exert a restoring force on the contacted coupling elements, resulting in an increase in the effectiveness of the seal.
In other embodiments, the pressure portions may take a different form.
As a further benefit to that discussed above, given that the pressure portions compress when the coupling elements are interdigitated, if the chain is bent or otherwise deformed when the coupling elements are interdigitated, the pressure portions will be able to expand slightly to maintain contact between contacting coupling elements to thereby maintain the seal. If the pressure portions were not present, then it is possible that contact between otherwise contacting coupling elements would be broken, thereby breaking the seal.
The first coupling element 14a and adjacent coupling elements 14b (indeed, all the coupling elements 14a and coupling elements 14b) are formed from the same plastics material which is impermeable to water as the material which is used to coat and/or impregnate the fastener tapes. It has been found that forming the coupling elements from the same material that the fastener tapes are coated and/or impregnated with may increase the adhesion strength between the fastener tapes and their respective coupling elements.
The first coupling element 14a and adjacent coupling elements 14b (indeed, all the coupling elements 14a and coupling elements 14b) are formed from a material (such as polyurethane) whereby Young's Modulus for each of the coupling elements is between about 1000 and about 2000. This may help to improve the effectiveness of the seal between the coupling elements. This may be because, the more it is possible to compress the coupling elements, the more tolerant the fastener chain is to be bent whilst the relevant coupling elements and fastener tapes maintain contact. Furthermore as discussed above, in relation to the pressure portions, the more the coupling elements are compressed, the more they can exert a restoring force on each other, thereby increasing the sealing effectiveness of the chain.
As best seen in
In the present example, the first width FW is a maximum width of the main body 50, above the first fastener tape 16a, at the first lateral location and the second width SW is a minimum width of the main body 50, above the first fastener tape 16a, at the first lateral location. However, in other embodiments, the first width and second width may be any appropriate widths.
In the present example, the second width is approximately 65% of the first width. However, in other embodiments, the second width may be between about 40% and about 85% of the first width. In the present example, the tapered sides 62 are inclined by an acute angle I of about 27 degrees relative to the axis H (i.e. the axis perpendicular to both the fastener axis L and lateral axis T). In other embodiments, the angle I may be any appropriate angle between about 15 degrees and about 45 degrees. It has been found that, if the angle I is too small, deformation of the coupling elements (as will be discussed in more detail below) occurs when the chain is bent, whereas if the angle I is too large, then the chain can burst when bent.
The tapering of sides of the main body of the coupling elements above the fastener tape has already been discussed. In addition, tapering of the sides of the main body below the fastener tape also occurs. In more detail, the main body 50 of each of the first coupling elements 14a and adjacent coupling elements 14b has a tapered width parallel to the fastener axis L, whereby, at a first lateral location (indicated by the cross-section line B in
In a similar manner to the tapered sides above the fastener tape, in the present embodiment, the third width FW is a maximum width of the main body 50, below the first fastener tape 16a, at the first lateral location and the fourth width SW is a minimum width of the main body 50, below the first fastener tape 16a, at the first lateral location. However, in other embodiments, the third width and fourth width may be any appropriate widths.
In the present example, the fourth width is approximately 65% of the third width. However, in other embodiments, the fourth width may be between about 40% and about 85% of the third width. In the present example, the tapered sides 64 are inclined by an acute angle I2 of about 27 degrees relative to the axis H (i.e. the axis perpendicular to both the fastener axis L and lateral axis T). In other embodiments, the angle I2 may be any appropriate angle between about 15 degrees and about 45 degrees. As before, it has been found that, if the angle I2 is too small, deformation of the coupling elements (as will be discussed in more detail below) occurs when the chain is bent, whereas if the angle I2 is too large, then the chain can burst when bent.
In the present example, the tapering of each of the tapered sides above the fastener tape is the same. Likewise, the tapering of each of the tapered sides below the fastener tape is the same. Furthermore, the tapering of the tapered sides above the fastener tape and below the fastener tape is the same. In other embodiments, one or more of these things may not be in the case.
The reason for the coupling elements 14a, 14b having tapered sides is as follows. As previously discussed, the coupling elements may be formed from a relatively compressible material. This helps, when the coupling elements are interdigitated, to improve the sealing between i) adjacent coupling elements, and ii) the coupling elements and the longitudinal edge (or cord) of the fastener tape that each coupling element contacts when the coupling elements interdigitate. However, forming the coupling elements from relatively compressible material means that the coupling elements may be compressed in situations which are undesirable.
One such situation is that shown in
It will be understood that, because the sides 64 of the main body 50 of the coupling element 14a are tapered, the extent to which the fastener chain can be bent until the main body of the coupling element contacts the main bodies of the coupling elements either side of it, is greater than that in the absence of tapered sides. As such, the tapered sides of the coupling elements enable greater bending of the slide fastener chain to occur before any contact between the main bodies of adjacent coupling elements of the same stringer occurs, which may lead to deformation of the coupling elements. The tapering therefore reduces the fastener chain's risk of failure due to bending of the fastener chain.
It will be understood that, whilst the above discussion focusses on tapered sides 64 below the fastener tapes in conjunction with bending of the fastener chain which results in a portion of the lower face of the fastener tape being moved so that it faces another portion of the lower face of the fastener tape, the discussion is equally relevant to tapered sides 62 above the fastener tapes in conjunction with bending of the fastener chain which results in a portion of the upper face of the fastener tape being moved so that it faces another portion of the upper face of the fastener tape (i.e. a bend of the fastener chain in the opposite direction to that shown in
The discussion above in relation to
The main body of each of the coupling elements 14a, 14b has a tapered rear. The rear of each coupling element 14a, 14b is the portion of the main body which is located furthest away from the head portion of the coupling element. The tapered rear consists of a first tapered side 66 located above the fastener tape 16a, 16b; and a second tapered side 68 located below the fastener tape 16a, 16b. Each of the tapered sides 66, 68 can be said to be tapered along the lateral axis T, such that the height (measured parallel to axis H) of the coupling element decreases as the lateral distance (measured parallel to axis T) from the head portion of the coupling element increases.
In the present embodiment, each of the tapered sides 66, 68 on each coupling element are the same. This need not be in the case of other embodiments, and the tapered sides on each coupling element may be different and/or the tapered side 66 above the fastener tape may be different from the tapered side 68 below the fastener tape.
In the present embodiment, the tapered sides 66, 68 are generally planar and are inclined such that the acute angle 69 between the tapered side 66, 68 and the axis H is approximately 50 degrees. In other embodiments, the acute angle may be between about 10 degrees and about 75 degrees.
The tapered sides 66 are provided between an upper surface of the main body of the relevant coupling element and a rear of the main body of the relevant coupling element. Tapered sides 68 are provided between a lower surface of the main body of the relevant coupling element and a rear of the main body of the relevant coupling element. The rear of the main body of the coupling elements runs generally parallel to the axis H.
The tapered sides 66, 68 mean that there is a gap between the upper and lower flanges 42, 44 of the slider respectively and the upper and rear sides of the coupling elements. This gap may help to reduce contact, and therefore friction, between the coupling elements 14a, 14b and the internal surfaces of the slider 11. This may be particularly important if the coupling elements are formed from a compressible material which is soft and therefore susceptible to wear due to friction. As such, the gaps defined by the tapered sides 66, 68 help to avoid wear and therefore possible degradation of the coupling elements due to use of the slider on the slide fastener.
In addition, because the gaps reduce the friction between the slider and the coupling elements, it will also make it easier for the slider to be moved along the fastener chain, and therefore easier to open and close the slide fastener.
The tapered sides 66, 68 do not run all the way from the upper surface and lower surface, respectively, of the main body of the coupling element to the fastener tape 16a, 16b on which the relevant coupling element is mounted. In fact, the tapered sides 66, 68 run from the upper surface and lower surface, respectively, of the main body, to a location which is spaced along the axis H from the upper surface and the lower surface, respectively, of the relevant fastener tape to which the coupling element is mounted.
It is also the case that the tapered sides 66 do not extend as close to the upper surface of the fastener tapes 16a, 16b as the upper flanges 42 of the slider 11. Likewise, the tapered sides 68 do not extend as close to the lower face of the fastener tapes 16a, 16b as the lower flanges 44 of the slider 11. In this manner, the separation distance H2 (measured parallel to axis H) between the upper and lower flanges 42, 44 of the slider is less than the separation distance H1 (measured parallel to axis H) between the portion of the tapered surface 66 closest to the upper surface of the fastener tape to which the coupling element is mounted, and the portion of the tapered surface 68 closest to the lower surface of the fastener tape to which the coupling element is mounted. In the present embodiment H1 is 1.5 mm and H2 is 1 mm. Of course, in other embodiments, these distances may be different.
It is thought that, by the tapered surfaces not extending as close to the fastener tape as the tips of the relevant upper or lower flanges of the slider, the tapered surfaces can still provide gaps between the coupling elements and the internal surfaces of the slider, thereby reducing wear, but also a rear side of the coupling element can still contact the upper and lower flanges of the slider to help guide the slider along the fastener chain.
It should be understood that the examples provided herein are merely exemplary of the present disclosure and that various modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope defined by the claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013417 | Aug 2020 | GB | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB2021/052205 | 8/25/2021 | WO |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2022/043684 | 3/3/2022 | WO | A |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9474341 | Chou | Oct 2016 | B2 |
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| 20210007447 | Kayahara | Jan 2021 | A1 |
| 20220079302 | Kim | Mar 2022 | A1 |
| 20230309663 | Annaka | Oct 2023 | A1 |
| 20230397700 | Sakagami | Dec 2023 | A1 |
| 20230397701 | Mizushima | Dec 2023 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 108158140 | Jun 2018 | CN |
| 108402607 | Aug 2018 | CN |
| 110946375 | Apr 2020 | CN |
| 1388302 | Feb 2004 | EP |
| 3165120 | May 2017 | EP |
| 3626099 | Mar 2020 | EP |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20230309663 A1 | Oct 2023 | US |
