Patent Grant
11464299
The application claims the benefit of Taiwan application serial No. 110115892, filed on May 3, 2021, and the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a zipper and a container with the zipper and, more particularly, to a zipper with a light-emitting device and a container with the zipper.
The above conventional zipper 9 with the light-emitting device can be used to seal an opening of the handbag 96. Since the two electrical contacts 92 are disposed on zipper tapes of the zipper 9 and are exposed on an outer face of the zipper 9. Thus, the two electrical contacts 92 are apt to contact with an electrically conductive external object outside of the receiving space, resulting in erroneous electrical conduction and erroneous lighting of the light-emitting unit 95. Furthermore, the two electrical contacts 92 could be in poor contact with the conductive slider 93 due to frictional wear by the conductive slider 93 or bending of the zipper 9, leading to an open circuit. As a result, the light-emitting unit 95 will not emit light and, thus, cannot provide illumination for the receiving space of the handbag 96.
In light of this, improvements to the conventional zipper with the light-emitting device and the container with the zipper are required.
To solve the above drawbacks, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a zipper with a light-emitting device which can avoid erroneous electrical conduction due to contact between the two electrical contacts and a conductive external object.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a zipper with a lighting device which can avoid conduction failure due to frictional wear between the two electrical contacts and the slider of the zipper and bending of the zipper.
It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a zipper with a lighting device which can avoid erroneous electrical conduction due to moisture.
It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a zipper with a lighting device which can turn on the light by pulling the slider, providing stable illumination for the receiving space of the container.
As used herein, the terms “inner face” and “outer face” refer to a surface facing an internal space of a receiving device in which the zipper tape is disposed and a surface opposite to the internal space of the receiving device, respectively. These terms are used to assist in explanation and understanding the embodiments of the present invention rather than restriction.
As used herein, the term “a” or “an” for describing the number of the elements and members of the present invention is used for convenience, provides the general meaning of the scope of the present invention, and should be interpreted to include one or at least one. Furthermore, unless explicitly indicated otherwise, the concept of a single component also includes the case of plural components.
As used herein, the term “coupling”, “engagement”, “assembly”, or similar terms is used to include separation of connected members without destroying the members after connection or inseparable connection of the members after connection. A person having ordinary skill in the art would be able to select according to desired demands in the material or assembly of the members to be connected.
A zipper with a light-emitting device according to the present invention includes a tape body and a slider. The tape body includes two zipper tapes each including an inner edge having a row of teeth. A stop is coupled to the two zipper tapes and includes a first end connected to distal ends of the rows of teeth. The stop includes a second end opposite to the first end of the stop. The tape body further includes two first conductive plates received in the stop. Each of the two first conductive plates has a first end exposed outside of the first end of the stop. Each of the two first conductive plates has a second end located outside of a second end of the stop and received in a conduit of a connecting wire. The second end of one of the two first conductive plates is electrically connected to an electrode of at least one light-emitting element. A power connecting portion is electrically connected to the second end of another of the two first conductive plates and another electrode of the at least one light-emitting element. The slider is slidably disposed on the rows of teeth for engaging or disengaging the rows of teeth. The slider includes a second conductive plate configured to simultaneously contact with the two first conductive plates, causing electrical conduction to activate the at least one light-emitting element to emit light.
A container according to the present invention includes a body including a chamber having an opening for receiving and removing an object; and the above-mentioned zipper with the light-emitting device. The zipper is coupled to two edges of the opening. The power connecting portion is configured to be electrically connected to a power device. The at least one light-emitting element provides illumination for the chamber.
Thus, in the zipper with the light-emitting device according to the present invention and the container with the zipper, when the slider is pulled to the stop, the at least one light-emitting element emits light to illuminate the chamber of the container. When the slider is pulled to cause mutual engagement between the rows of teeth of the two zipper tapes, the light of the at least one light-emitting element is put out. Furthermore, the two first conductive plates are received in the stop. Thus, erroneous conduction of the two first conductive plates resulting from contact with conductive external objects can be avoided. Moreover, by the configuration that the first ends of the two first conductive plates are exposed outside of the first end of the stop, the first ends of the two first conductive plates provide electrical connection to achieve an effect of a switch. Furthermore, wear to the two first conductive plates resulting from frictional contact with the slider can be avoided. Further, unreliable conduction resulting from bending of the two zipper tapes is also avoided. Moreover, by the connection between the connection wire and the two first plates, a current loop is formed.
In an example, each of the two zipper tapes includes a waterproof material. Thus, the two zipper tapes provide liquid-tight and airtight effect.
In an example, the tape body further includes a reinforced portion connected to the second end of the stop. Thus, the reinforced portion can be used to fix the distal ends of the two zipper tapes to prevent disengagement of the distal ends of the two zipper tapes. Accordingly, the two zipper tapes can reliably seal an opening of a chamber.
In an example, the reinforced portion is in the form of a sheet having a plurality of holes. Thus, when the reinforced portion is bent, the plurality of holes provides extension spaces while the reinforced portion deforms, providing the reinforced portion with improved flexibility. Furthermore, the reinforced portion will not peel from the faces of the two zipper tapes during bending.
In an example, each of the two first conductive plates received in the stop has a bend. Thus, the bends provide the two first conductive plates with a height difference. As a result, the engaging area and the frictional force between each of the two first conductive plates and the stop can be increased, providing reliable engagement therebetween.
In an example, the first end of each of the two first conductive plates is at an inner face side of the two zipper tapes. Thus, the first ends of the two first conductive plates can be isolated to avoid contact with water or conductive external objects on the outer faces of the two zipper tapes, avoiding erroneous conduction between the first ends of the two first conductive plates.
In an example, the slider includes a groove receiving the second conductive plate, and the first end of the stop extends into the groove to provide press-fit therebetween. Thus, the second conductive plate in the groove and the first ends of the two first conductive plates can have reliable contact to assure stability of the current loop.
In an example, the groove includes an opening having a radial size which gradually increases outwards. Thus, the opening of the groove can form a guiding portion, such that the first end of the stop can extend into the groove along the guiding portion, providing easy alignment between the groove and the stop.
In an example, the groove includes a pressing block extending towards the opening of the groove and is associated with the first end of each of the two first conductive plates, and wherein the second conductive plate is coupled to an outer face of the pressing block. Thus, the second conductive plate can be securely positioned in the groove.
In an example, each of two ends of the second conductive plate includes a hook. The slider includes two lateral sides each having a lateral hole intercommunicating with the groove. Each hook extends through an associated one of the lateral holes and is hooked to a wall of the associated one of the lateral holes. Thus, the second conductive plate can be secured in the groove, avoiding disengagement of the second conductive plate.
In an example, the first end of the stop includes two recessed portions recessed from a face thereof. The first end of each of the two first conductive plates is exposed on a face of an associated one of the two recessed portions. The second conductive plate includes two protrusions extending into the two recessed portions, respectively. Thus, damage to the first end of each of the two first conductive plates resulting from frictional contact with an external object is avoided.
In an example, the container further includes an upper cover for covering the opening of the body. The at least one light-emitting element is disposed on the upper cover to emit light towards the chamber. Thus, the at least one light-emitting element can illuminate the chamber while avoiding occupation of space in the chamber.
In an example, the connecting wire is embedded in an interlayer of the upper cover and is electrically connected to the at least one light-emitting element. The power connecting portion is embedded in an interlayer of the body. Thus, the connecting wire and the power connecting portion can be received in the interlayers of the upper cover and the box body, avoiding exposure of the wire.
In an example, the body includes a side bag. The power connecting portion and the power device are received in the side bag. Thus, when the power device runs out of power, a user can easily remove the power device from the side bag for charging or replacement, providing enhanced use convenience.
In an example, the power connecting portion includes a coupler. Thus, the power device can be easily connected.
In an example, the coupler is a USB connector. Thus, the use convenience is enhanced.
In an example, the power device is a portable charger. Thus, the power device can be easily used or replaced, providing power storage and better power endurance.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinafter and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
In the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms “front”, “rear”, “left”, “right”, “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, “inner”, “outer”, “side” and similar terms are used hereinafter, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings, and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention, rather than restricting the invention.
With reference to
As shown in
The tape body 1 includes a stop 12. The stop 12 is preferably connected to distal ends of the rows of teeth 11 for stopping the slider 2. The outline of the stop 12 is not limited in the present invention. In this embodiment, the stop 12 is a parallelepiped. The stop 12 includes a first end 12a and a second end 12b opposite to the first end 12a. The stop 12 is connected to the distal ends of the rows of teeth 11 by the first end 12a. The stop 12 can be made of an elastomer. Preferably, the stop 12 is preferably formed by injection molding of a thermoplastic elastomer, such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or nylon, or synthetic rubber.
Preferably, the tape body 1 further includes a reinforced portion 13 formed on the distal ends of the two zipper tapes 1a and 1b by injection molding of a thermoplastic elastomer, such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or nylon, or synthetic rubber. The reinforced portion 13 can be connected to the second end 12b of the stop 12. The reinforced portion 13 is used to fix the distal ends of the two zipper tapes 1a and 1b to prevent disengagement of the distal ends of the two zipper tapes 1a and 1b. In this embodiment, the reinforced portion 13 is in the form of a sheet having a plurality of holes H. When the reinforced portion 13 is bent, the plurality of holes H provide extension spaces for deformation of the reinforced portion 13.
With reference to
Furthermore, each of the two first conductive plates 16 (16a, 16b) has the first end 162 exposed outside of the first end 12a of the stop 12. In this embodiment, the first end 162 of each of the two first conductive plates 16 (16a, 16b) is flatly flush with a face of the first end 12a of the stop 12 by bending. Thus, the first ends 162 of the two first conductive plates 16 (16a, 16b) form two contacts for electrical connection. Preferably, the first end 162 of each of the two first conductive plates 16 (16a, 16b) is at an inner face side of the two zipper tapes 1a and 1b. Thus, by isolation of the two zipper tapes 1a and 1b, the first end 162 of each of the two first conductive plates 16 (16a, 16b) can be prevented from contacting with water or conductive external objects on the outer face of each of the two zipper tapes 1a, 1b.
The tape body 1 further includes a power connecting portion 17 which can be any conventional electrical connector (not shown). The present invention is not limited to the form of the electrical connector. The power connecting portion 17 can be connected to a power source. Furthermore, the power connecting portion 17 is electrically connected to another of the two first conductive plates 16b and another electrode of the at least one light-emitting element 15.
Still referring to
With reference to
The groove 23 includes a pressing block 25 extending towards the opening of the groove 23. A side of the pressing block 25 facing the opening of the groove 23 preferably forms a planar face. The pressing block 25 is associated with the first end 162 of each of the two first conductive plates 16 (16a, 16b). The second conductive plate 22 can be coupled to an outer face of the pressing block 25. Preferably, each of two ends of the second conductive plate 22 includes a hook 221 formed by bending. The lower body 2a includes two lateral sides each having a lateral hole 26 intercommunicating with the groove 23. Each hook 221 extends through an associated one of the lateral holes 26 and is hooked to a wall of the associated one of the lateral holes 26. Thus, the second conductive plate 22 can be fixed in the groove 23. A tool can extend through each lateral hole 26 to press against the associated hook 221 to thereby disengage the associated hook 221 from the wall of the associated lateral hole 26. This permits easy replacement of the second conductive plate 22. The slider 2 can further include a tab 27 for pulling the slider 2.
With reference to
In this embodiment, the container 3 includes a box body 31 and an upper cover 32. The box body 31 has a chamber S. The upper cover 32 can open or close the chamber S. Thus, an object can be placed into or removed from the chamber S via an opening 33. The power device 4 is embedded in the box body 31 and can be a power supply device, such as a dry battery, a solar battery, or a portable charger. The present invention is not limited in this regard. The zipper with the light-emitting device can be coupled to two edges of the opening 33. More specifically, the zipper tape 1a can be coupled to an edge of the opening 33 at the box body 31, and the other zipper tape 1b is coupled to an edge of the upper cover 32. The at least one light-emitting element 15 can be an LED lamp strip and can be disposed on the upper cover 32 to emit light towards the chamber S. The connecting wire 14 can be embedded in an interlayer of the upper cover 32 and is electrically connected to the at least one light-emitting element 15. Preferably, the power connecting portion 17 is embedded in an interlayer of the box body 31 and is electrically connected to the power device 4. Thus, the connecting wire 14 and the power connecting portion 17 are both received in the box body 31 to avoid exposure.
When the slider 2 is pulled to the stop 12, the rows of teeth 11 of the two zipper tapes 1a, 1b do not engage with each other, such that the upper cover 32 can be opened. Furthermore, the second conductive plate 22 simultaneously contacts with the first ends 162 of the two first conductive plates 16 (16a, 16b) to cause electrical conduction therebetween, as shown in
In view of the foregoing, in the zipper with the light-emitting device according to the present invention and the container with the zipper, when the slider is pulled to the stop, the at least one light-emitting element emits light to illuminate the chamber of the container. When the slider is pulled to cause mutual engagement between the rows of teeth of the two zipper tapes, the light of the at least one light-emitting element is put out. Furthermore, the slider can have a groove. The first end of the stop can extend into the groove to provide press-fit therebetween, assuring a stable circuit loop. Moreover, the two first conductive plates are received in the stop and are located on the inner face side of the two zipper tapes, and each of the two zipper tapes can have a waterproof material. Thus, erroneous conduction of the two first conductive plates resulting from contact with conductive external objects or moisture can be avoided. In addition, wear to the two first conductive plates 16 resulting from frictional contact with the slider can be avoided. Further, unreliable conduction resulting from bending of the two zipper tapes is also avoided.
In view of the foregoing, in the zipper with the light-emitting device according to the present invention and the container with the zipper, when the slider is pulled to the stop, the at least one light-emitting element emits light to illuminate the chamber of the container. When the slider is pulled to cause mutual engagement between the rows of teeth of the two zipper tapes, the light of the at least one light-emitting element is put out. Furthermore, the slider can have a groove. The first end of the stop can extend into the groove to provide press-fit therebetween, assuring a stable circuit loop. Moreover, the two first conductive plates are received in the stop and are located on the inner face side of the two zipper tapes, and each of the two zipper tapes can have a waterproof layer. Thus, erroneous conduction of the two first conductive plates resulting from contact with conductive external objects or moisture can be avoided. In addition, wear to the two first conductive plates 16 resulting from frictional contact with the slider can be avoided. Further, unreliable conduction resulting from bending of the two zipper tapes is also avoided.
Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to its presently preferable embodiments, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 110115892 | May 2021 | TW | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2565895 | Wadland | Aug 1951 | A |
| 9614371 | Farkas | Apr 2017 | B1 |
| 10076163 | Umekawa | Sep 2018 | B2 |
| 10477928 | Erdal | Nov 2019 | B1 |
| 20070226966 | Tominaga | Oct 2007 | A1 |
| 20080201918 | Takazawa | Aug 2008 | A1 |
| 20100038276 | Chen | Feb 2010 | A1 |
| 20160153645 | Leuty | Jun 2016 | A1 |
| 20160183654 | Leuty | Jun 2016 | A1 |
| 20160345702 | Zamora | Dec 2016 | A1 |
| 20200292141 | Marroncelli | Sep 2020 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 105188456 | Dec 2015 | CN |
| 101653507 | Sep 2016 | KR |
| M425243 | Mar 2012 | TW |
