Patent Application
20240065389
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
This invention relates generally to zippers and, more particularly, in some aspects, to waterproof curved zippers.
Zippers (or slide fasteners) are ubiquitous and have long been used to fasten or otherwise secure items such as jackets, luggage, pockets, and other types of items/products.
While conventional zippers are straight, it is desirable to have a curved zipper that can effectively track a curved path of an item. Exemplary curved zippers are shown in PCT/IB2020/061005, titled “Curved Zipper,” published May 27, 2021, as WO/2021/100021, the entire contents of which are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
It is further desirable and an object hereof to provide waterproof zippers, particularly waterproof curved zippers.
The present invention is specified in the claims as well as in the below description. The following summary is exemplary and not limiting. Presently preferred embodiments are particularly specified in the dependent claims and the description of various embodiments.
One general aspect includes a zipper (or slide fastener) having a first tape and a second tape. The zipper also includes interlocking elements attached to the first tape and to the second tape, where at least a portion of the first tape and at least a corresponding portion of the second tape are curved. The zipper also includes where at least curved portions of the first tape and corresponding curved portions of the second tape are asymmetric about the interlocking elements. The zipper also includes where there is TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) between the interlocking elements. The zipper also includes where the first tape, the second tape, and the interlocking elements are coated with a fluid-impervious film or coating. The zipper also includes where a curve of the first tape was caused by compaction of the first tape.
Implementations or embodiments may include one or more of the following features, alone and/or in combination(s):
Another general aspect includes an item or product, including a waterproof zipper. The item or product may be selected from: a garment, footwear (e.g., rain boots, work boots, hiking boots), an item of luggage, an item of sports equipment, boat covers, bags, pencil cases, camping equipment (e.g., tents), uniforms, snow gear, athletic wear, wetsuits, dive duffel bags, fishing clothing, backpacks, computer/laptop cases, luggage, zip-up portfolio case, zip-up storage bins for toys, sleeping bags, tents, children make up/toiletry bags, lunch bags, hats with zipper pockets, toys, toy clothing, a handbag, and others.
Implementations or embodiments may include one or more of the following features, alone and/or in combination(s):
Another general aspect includes a method including providing a zipper with a left tape and a right tape connected to a rail of interlocking elements. The method further includes, with the interlocking elements interlocked, putting TPU or the like between the interlocking elements. The method further includes compacting the left tape and the right tape and forming at least one curve in the zipper. The method further includes coating one or both sides of the zipper with a fluid-impervious film or coating. The method further includes scoring the fluid-impervious film or coating along the rail.
Implementations or embodiments may include one or more of the following features, alone and/or in combination(s):
Another general aspect includes a method including providing (a) a first zipper with a first left tape and a first right tape connected to a first rail of first interlocking elements, and (b) a second zipper with a second left tape and a second right tape connected to a second rail of second interlocking elements. The method further includes compacting the first left tape and the first right tape, and compacting the second left tape and the second right tape. The method further includes forming a third zipper from the left first tape and the right second tape. The method further includes, with the interlocking elements of the third zipper interlocked, putting TPU or the like between the interlocking elements of the third zipper. The method further includes curving the third zipper to form at least one curve in the third zipper; and then coating one or both sides of the third zipper with a fluid-impervious coating or film. The method further includes scoring the fluid-impervious coating or film along the rail of the third zipper.
Implementations or embodiments may include one or more of the following features, alone and/or in combination(s):
Another general aspect includes a method including providing (a) a first zipper with a first left tape and a first right tape connected to a first rail of first interlocking elements, and (b) a second zipper with a second left tape and a second right tape connected to a second rail of second interlocking elements. The method further includes, with the first interlocking elements of the first zipper interlocked, putting TPU between the first interlocking elements; and with the second interlocking elements of the second zipper interlocked, putting TPU between the second interlocking elements. The method further includes compacting the first left tape and the first right tape and compacting the second left tape and the second right tape. The method further includes forming a third zipper from the left first tape and the right second tape. The method further includes curving the third zipper to form at least one curve in the third zipper. The method further includes coating one or both sides of the third zipper with fluid-impervious coating or film; and then scoring the fluid-impervious coating or film along the rail of the third zipper.
Implementations or embodiments may include one or more of the following features, alone and/or in combination(s):
Below is an exemplary list of zipper embodiments. The zipper embodiments will be indicated with a letter “Z”. Whenever such embodiments are referred to, this will be done by referring to “Z” embodiments.
Z1. A zipper comprising:
Below are process embodiments indicated with the letter “P”.
Below are item/product embodiments indicated with the letter “I”.
Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
Zippers according to exemplary embodiments hereof are described here.
The following detailed description is not intended to limit the current invention. Alternate embodiments and variations of the subject matter described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
As shown in
The left and right side channels 102, 106 may combine below piece 110 within the body cavity of slider 100 (generally hidden from view and depicted with dashed lines in
As is also well known, the slider 100 may be moved from one end of the zipper to the other. As the slider is moved in one direction, the rows of teeth (the left row of teeth 14 and right row of teeth 18) may continue to be interlocked as they pass through slider 100 to form the length of the combined zipper chain 12. As slider 100 is moved in the other direction, it may contact the joined zipper chain 12 at a junction between the left row of teeth 14 and the right row of teeth 18 to force them apart, separate them from one another, and generally unlock the two rows of teeth 14, 18. This separation and unlocking may result in two separate and individual rows of teeth 14, 18. This allows zipper chain 12 to be combined to fasten the left and right sides together and separated to unfasten them. In this way, the zipper 10 may be used as a fastener for jackets, pockets, luggage, and other products.
The interlocking elements may be connected directly to the left and right tapes (e.g., in the case where they are metal teeth or the like), or they may be attached to a separate chain which is then attached to the left and right tapes.
Curved zippers (i.e., zippers having at least one curved portion) may be formed, e.g., as described in PCT/IB2020/061005, titled “Curved Zipper,” published as WO/2021/100021 on May 27, 2021, the entire contents of which are fully incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
In order to make zippers that curve according to exemplary embodiments hereof, the zipper tapes may be curved with or without the teeth elements attached to the tapes.
In some cases, e.g., as shown in
The self-edge 72 has a width Ws, and the rest of the tape has a width Wr, where Wt=Ws+Wr is the width of the tape. Those of skill in the art will know and understand, upon reading this description, how to select the ratio of Ws to Wr (or of Ws to Wt) to achieve a desired curvature for the zipper. For example, the width Wr will affect the amount of compaction of that portion of the tape.
The widths Ws and Wr and Wt (of the tape) could be the same or different on the left and right tapes. In some cases, Wt is the same on both the left and right tapes, but the widths Ws and Wr differ. In other cases, Wt is different on the left and right tapes. As shown in the example in
The tape 70 may be compacted using a heated compactor. Since the self-edge has a tighter weave than the rest of the tape, when compacted, the self-edge 72 will compact less than the rest of tape 74. Thus, after compaction, the rest of the tape 74 will open up more than the self-edge 72. This will cause the tape 70 to curve, e.g., as shown in
As shown, e.g., in
The curved portion of tape 70-L shown in
As used herein, the term “radius of curvature” for a curve at a point may be the radius of a circular arc that best approximates the curve at that point. Thus, for a curved portion of a tape, the radius of curvature at a point on that curved portion may be the radius of the circular arc which best approximates the curve at that point on the tape. For two tapes (a first tape and a second tape (e.g., a left tape and a right tape)), a first point or location of the first tape corresponds to a second point or location of the second tape if an interlocking element (e.g., a tooth) at the first point or location on the first tape connects to a corresponding interlocking element (e.g., a tooth) at the second point or location on the second tape. As used herein, a first portion of a first tape corresponds to a second portion of a second tape if the interlocking elements (e.g., teeth) in the first portion of the first tape connect to corresponding teeth in the second portion of the second tape.
The left and right tapes 70-L and 70-R may have different degrees of compaction. In general, the left tape 70-L may have CL percent compaction, while the right tape 70-R may have CR percent compaction, where, in some cases, CL≠CR. For example, without limitation, the left tape 70-L may have 5 percent compaction while the right tape 70-R may have 15 percent compaction.
The two curved tapes 70-L, 70-R, joined with/by their interlocking elements (e.g., teeth), as shown in
As should be appreciated, for curved portions of a curved zipper, corresponding curved portions of the tapes (left and right tapes) are asymmetric about the interlocking elements, whereas for straight portions of a zipper, the tapes are symmetric about the interlocking elements.
If the tapes 70-L, 70-R are compacted with a drum, the tapes may be processed on opposite sides of the drum before being joined with the teeth.
The zipper may be formed with pre-compacted or un-compacted tapes, and then the fully formed zipper may be compacted.
An exemplary approach to compacting the zippers is shown in
As shown in
One or both of the drums 42, 44 may be grooved and/or coated, at least in the regions that will come into contact with the tapes.
The compactor 38 may include a suitable guide mechanism 46 to position the zippers correctly and accurately 36 as the pass between the drums 42, 44.
In order to achieve compaction of the zippers 36, one or both of the drums may be heated. Those of skill in the art will understand, upon reading this description, that the amount of compaction of the tape by the compactor 38 will depend on the type and/or cut of material used for the tape, and the temperature, speed, and pressure of the compactor 38. The compressed zipper 48 will be able to stretch the amount compacted.
An exemplary approach to providing stretch and recovery is shown in
In order to allow zippers to stretch and recover, the tapes may be compacted to remove their shrinkage. Then a fusible (e.g., a 2-way fusible substrate) may be applied to the back of the tapes to provide memory to the tapes.
For example, as shown in
The speed, temperature, and pressure of the heating press 58 depend on the type of fabric used for the tapes and on the type of fusible substrate 56 being used.
The speed, temperature, and pressure of the heating press 58 need not be the same as those of the compactor 38, as the compactor 38 is used to compact the tape fabric, whereas the heating press 58 is used to fuse the fusible substrate 56 to the compacted tape fabric.
As shown in
The fusible substrate is preferably a 2-way stretchable fusible.
As an alternative, before the zipper is assembled, the tapes may be compacted (to remove shrinkage) and then fused with a fusible to provide memory to the tapes (so that they may recover after being stretched). Then the teeth may be applied to the compacted tapes that have already been fused with a fusible substrate. In this way, the zipper will be able to stretch the amount compacted and recover an amount depending on the fusible used.
An exemplary process of making a waterproof curved zipper is described with reference to the flowchart in
Start with a zipper 600 (at 502), where the zipper has a left tape 650-L and right tape 650-R connected to the rail or chain of interlocking elements 652. The rail or interlocking elements 652 is made up of left interlocking elements 652-L connected to the left tape 650-L and right interlocking elements 652-R connected to the right tape 650-R. The left interlocking elements 652-L and right interlocking elements 652-R, when interlocked, form the combined zipper chain 652. The interlocking elements 652 may be teeth or the like. To begin (at 502), the zipper 600 is preferably straight.
With the interlocking elements 652-L, 652-R interlocked (i.e., with the zipper closed), TPU or the like is put between the interlocking elements (at 504) and shown in
The tapes are then compacted (at 506), and then the zipper 602 with the TPU in the teeth is then curved (at 508), e.g., a described above. As noted, the curved zipper may have more than one curved portion or section.
The curved zipper is may then be coated (at 510) across one or both sides with a fluid-impervious coating (e.g., formed with TPU film or the like). The coating (TPU film or the like) may be applied in the form of an adhesive strip.
The fluid-impervious coating(s) 662 (and 664, if present) are cut or scored (at 510) along the rail 652 (preferably along the center of the rail 652), as shown in
In some embodiments the TPU may be put between the teeth (interlocking elements) after the zipper is curved.
In other exemplary embodiments hereof, the tapes of distinct zippers (e.g., having distinct compaction properties) may be combined to form a combined zipper. With reference to the flowchart in
The first zipper 700 has a left tape 750-L and right tape 750-R connected to the rail or chain of interlocking elements 752. The rail or interlocking elements 752 is made up of left interlocking elements 752-L connected to the left tape 750-L and right interlocking elements 752-R connected to the right tape 750-R. The left interlocking elements 752-L and right interlocking elements 752-R, when interlocked, form the combined zipper chain 752.
The second zipper 702 has a left tape 750-L′ and right tape 750-R′ connected to the rail or chain of interlocking elements 752′. The rail or interlocking elements 752′ is made up of left interlocking elements 752-L′ connected to the left tape 750-L′ and right interlocking elements 752-R′ connected to the right tape 750-R′. The left interlocking elements 752-L′ and right interlocking elements 752-R′, when interlocked, form the combined zipper chain 752′.
To begin, the two zippers 700, 702 are preferably straight.
With the two zippers, each closed, TPU or the like is put between the interlocking elements of each zipper (at 514) and depicted in
The two zippers 700, 702 are then compacted, e.g., with different degrees of compaction (at 516). For example, the first zipper 700 may be compacted X percent, while the second zipper 702 may be compacted Y percent, with X Y. For example, X may be in the range 5-10, with Y being in the range 10-20. Exemplary compaction rates are 5% and 15%.
Next, form a combined hybrid zipper 704 (at 518) with one tape from one zipper and the other tape from the other zipper (e.g., as shown in
One or both sides (i.e., front/outside and/or back/inside) of the combined hybrid zipper 704 are then coated (at 522) with a fluid impervious coating/film (e.g., coating 762 on the bottom (back/inside) of the zipper, shown in
In other exemplary embodiments hereof, the tapes of distinct zippers (e.g., having distinct compaction properties and/or different widths) may be combined to form a combined zipper as described with reference to the flowchart in
Thus, the process of
Next, a combined hybrid zipper is formed (at 518′) with one tape from one zipper and the other tape from the other zipper (zipper 804,
TPU is put between the teeth of the combined hybrid zipper (at 519) (
The combined hybrid zipper is curved (at 520).
One or both sides (i.e., front/outside and/or back/inside) of the combined hybrid zipper are then coated (at 522′) with a fluid impervious coating/film (e.g., on the bottom (back/inside) of the zipper, or coatings and on both sides of the zipper) (
The zippers described herein are preferably waterproof. When connected to an item (e.g., garment, luggage, etc.), it is desirable for the connection also to be waterproof.
In some cases, a zipper may be stitched to an item by stitching along the tapes. The stitching creates holes in the tapes that may cause some leakage. The leakage may be minimal and may be tolerable for a particular application (e.g., a suitcase). Alternatively, the stitching may use a thread that swells when wet, thereby blocking the holes when the item gets wet.
Instead or in addition, a sealing tape may be applied to the item after the zipper is attached, covering the holes caused by the stitching.
In some cases, the tapes may be attached by welding or glue or the like, with or without stitching.
In addition to leakage caused by stitching, as described above, there may be some leakage at the slider. Again, such leakage may be minimal and tolerable.
Additional structure may be added to at least some of the items to further cover the zipper to maintain the waterproofing of the items.
Thus are described various waterproof zippers, items using the waterproof zippers, and methods of making the waterproof zippers and the items.
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “at least some” means “one or more” and includes the case of only one. Thus, e.g., the phrase “at least some ABCs” means “one or more ABCs” and includes the case of only one ABC.
As used in this description, the term “portion” means some or all. So, for example, “A portion of X” may include some of “X” or all of “X”. In the context of a conversation, the term “portion” means some or all of the conversation.
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “using” means “using at least” and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase “using X” means “using at least X.” Unless specifically stated by use of the word “only”, the phrase “using X” does not mean “using only X.”
In general, as used herein, including in the claims, unless the word “only” is specifically used in a phrase, it should not be read into that phrase.
As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “distinct” means “at least partially distinct.” Unless specifically stated, distinct does not mean fully distinct. Thus, e.g., the phrase, “X is distinct from Y” means that “X is at least partially distinct from Y,” and does not mean that “X is fully distinct from Y.” Thus, as used herein, including in the claims, the phrase “X is distinct from Y” means that X differs from Y in at least some way.
It should be appreciated that the words “first,” “second,” and “third,” in the description and claims are used to distinguish or identify and not to show a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, the use of letter or numerical labels (such as “(a),” “(b),” “(c),” and so on, or “(A),” “(B),” “(C),” and so on, or “(i),” “(ii),” and so on, and the like) are used to help distinguish and/or identify, and are not intended to be otherwise limiting or to impose or imply any serial or numerical limitations or orderings.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 17/828,628, filed May 31, 2022, U.S. Pat. No. 11,589,656, which is a divisional of Ser. No. 17/539,570, filed Dec. 1, 2021, U.S. Pat. No. 11,363,860, which is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of PCT/IB2020/061005, filed Nov. 23, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/939,590, filed Nov. 23, 2019, the entire contents of each of which are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. application Ser. No. 17/539,570 claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/246,641, filed Sep. 21, 2021. Application Ser. No. 17/828,628 claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/246,641, filed Sep. 21, 2021, the entire contents of which are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63246641 | Sep 2021 | US | |
| 62939590 | Nov 2019 | US | |
| 63246641 | Sep 2021 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17539570 | Dec 2021 | US |
| Child | 17828628 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 17828628 | May 2022 | US |
| Child | 18114942 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/IB2020/061005 | Nov 2020 | US |
| Child | 17539570 | US |
