This application relates generally to a sealing apparatus usable in textile applications. More specifically, this application relates to a sealing apparatus that can be applied to clothing, hand bags, golf bags, coolers, etc. The sealing apparatus utilizes a combination of hook and loop type separable fastener elements and sealing elements such that when the apparatus is engaged, a water impermeable seal is created.
Hook and loop style separable fasteners are well known and are used to join two members detachably to each other. Described herein is a textile sealing apparatus that combines the functionality of said fasteners with a sealing mechanism such that the apparatus is water impermeable. Application of the disclosed sealing apparatus to textile goods provides a simple waterproof seal, which can be utilized for various items with closable openings such as pockets, bags, coolers, etc. The apparatus is of simple construction and can be used anywhere it is it is desirable to have a simple mechanism of creating a separable water impermeable seal.
In particular, this application discloses a water impermeable sealing apparatus usable in textile applications, the apparatus comprising: a first sealing strip having a base comprising a first and second surface wherein the base portion includes a first set of fastener elements carried on said first surface of said base in two spaced-apart areas; extending along the first surface of the base between the two areas of the first set of fastener elements, a first sealing element protruding from said first side of said base; a second sealing strip having a base comprising a first and second surface wherein the base portion includes a second set of fastener elements carried on said first surface of said base in two spaced-apart areas; and, extending along the first surface of the base between the two areas of the second set of fastener elements, a second sealing element protruding from said first side of said base for non-interlocking engagement of said first sealing element when the first and second fastener elements are engaged.
This application also discloses a water impermeable sealing apparatus usable in textile applications, the apparatus comprising: a first sealing strip having a base comprising a first and second surface wherein the base portion includes a first set of fastener elements carried on said first surface of said base in two spaced-apart areas; extending along the first surface of the base between the two areas of the first set of fastener elements, a first sealing element protruding from said first side of said base; a second sealing strip having a base comprising a first and second surface wherein the base portion includes a second set of fastener elements carried on said first surface of said base in two spaced-apart areas; extending along the first surface of the base between the two areas of the second set of fastener elements, a second sealing element protruding from said first side of said base for non-interlocking engagement of said first sealing element when the first and second fastener elements are engaged; wherein at least one of the first and second sealing elements are magnetic such that a force of attraction is generated when the first and second sealing strips are brought together; and, wherein the base portion of at least one of the sealing strips is water impermeable.
This application further discloses a water impermeable sealing apparatus usable in textile applications, the apparatus comprising: a first sealing strip having a base comprising a first and second surface wherein the base portion includes a first set of fastener elements carried on said first surface of said base in two spaced-apart areas; extending along the first surface of the base between the two areas of the first set of fastener elements, a first sealing element protruding from said first side of said base; a second sealing strip having a base comprising a first and second surface wherein the base portion includes a second set of fastener elements carried on said first surface of said base in two spaced-apart areas; extending along the first surface of the base between the two areas of the second set of fastener elements, a second sealing element protruding from said first side of said base for non-interlocking engagement of said first sealing element when the first and second fastener elements are engaged; wherein the first sealing element is made of a compressible material and the second sealing surface is wedge shaped such that when the first and second sealing strips are engaged, the wedged surface of the second sealing surface compresses the material of the first sealing element thereby creating a continuous water impermeable seal between the first and second sealing elements; and, wherein the base portion of at least one of the sealing strips is water impermeable.
The drawings, when considered in connection with the following description, are presented for the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected.
Extending along the first surface 18 of the base portions 16, between the two areas of the first 22 and second 26 sets of fastener elements, are first 30 and second 32 sealing elements. The sealing elements are fixably attached and protrude from the base portions 16. And in the first embodiment, are comprised of planer magnets 34. The magnets 34 are oriented such that the opposite poles face each other and a force of attraction is generated when the first 12 and second 14 sealing strips are brought together. Thus, when the first 12 and second 14 sealing strips are brought together, the first 22 and second 26 fastening elements, and more specifically the loop 24 and hook 28 portions, engage each other and the magnets 34 of the first 30 and second 32 sealing elements engage one another in a non-interlocking manner, such that a water impermeable seal 36 is created. As used herein, the term “non-interlocking” refers to a seal that is distinguishable from a seal that relies on the complimentary pairing of male and female components such as with a “ZIPLOC” or similar interlocking devices. It should be appreciated that the apparatus may also utilize just one magnet on one of the sealing strips that may engage with a magnet attractive surface on the opposite sealing strip and still be effective in creating a seal.
To assist in the water impermeable nature of the apparatus 10, the sealing surface of the magnets are preferably covered with an elastomeric material 38 such as rubber, latex, silicon, or like material that is resiliently compressible under a given amount of pressure. The elastomeric material 38 on the surface of the magnets 38 is at least partially compressed when the sealing strips are pressed together during the initial sealing of the apparatus 10. The compression is maintained due to the fastener elements and sealing elements acting in cooperation when the sealing strips are engaged. See
Regarding the magnets 34 used in the sealing elements, it is contemplated by the inventors that they could be of various shapes and sizes. For example, cylindrical magnets if covered or encapsulated in an elastomeric material that is molded to create a surface that is substantially planer, would be effective as a sealing element.
Referring now to
While the present disclosure has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. For example, it is further contemplated by the inventors that the addition of multiple fastener elements and sealing elements to a given sealing apparatus would only increase the water impermeability of the apparatus. Thus, a sealing apparatus that increase the number of sealing elements and/or fastener elements should be treated as an equivalent to the apparatus described above and, therefore; would fall under the broadest interpretation of the following claims.