U.S. patent application number 11/155472 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-21 for water-tight and air-tight zipper.
Invention is credited to Eddy Liou.
Application Number | 20060282995 11/155472 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37571896 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060282995 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liou; Eddy |
December 21, 2006 |
Water-tight and air-tight zipper
Abstract
A water-tight and air-tight zipper includes two elastically
water-tight strips. The water-tight strips have two water-tight
layers. Each water-tight layer is individually provided with a
tooth row which is sewn on the correlative side thereof. The two
tooth rows both pass through a zipper pull and are corresponding to
each other, thereby engaging the two tooth rows with each other and
forcing edges of the two water-tight strips to be sealed by using
the elasticity of water-tight strips and pulling the zipper pull,
and then completely air-tight and water-tight. The tooth rows are
directly sewn on the water-tight strips, and thus a water-tight and
air-tight zipper can be manufactured by a simple manner, thereby
substantially simplifying the manufacturing process.
Inventors: |
Liou; Eddy; (Taipei City,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
37571896 |
Appl. No.: |
11/155472 |
Filed: |
June 20, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/389 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44B 19/32 20130101;
Y10T 24/2514 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/389 |
International
Class: |
A44B 19/32 20060101
A44B019/32 |
Claims
1. A water-tight and air-tight zipper comprising two elastically
water-tight strips, characterized in that: the water-tight strips
have upper and lower water-tight layers, wherein each upper
water-tight layer is individually provided with a zipper mechanism
which is sewn on the correlative side of the upper water-tight
layer, each lower water-tight layer is connected to the upper
water-tight layer for sealing the gap between the mechanisms sewn
on the upper water-tight layer, thereby forcing edges of the two
water-tight strips to be sealed by using the elasticity of
water-tight strips and pulling a zipper pull, and then completely
air-tight and water-tight.
2. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 1,
wherein each upper water-tight layer is individually provided with
a tooth row of the zipper mechanism sewn on the correlative side of
the upper water-tight layer, a core rope is individually disposed
in the tooth rows, the two tooth rows have a plurality of teeth,
there is a proper tooth distance between adjacent teeth, the two
tooth rows both pass through a zipper pull and are corresponding to
each other, a receiving space is formed in each tooth, each tooth
includes a connecting portion disposed at the front end thereof,
and the size of the receiving space is bigger than that of the
corresponding connecting portion of the teeth of the tooth
rows.
3. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 2,
wherein the teeth are continuously oval-shaped teeth or
non-continuously oval-shaped teeth.
4. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 2,
wherein the teeth are continuously rectangular teeth or
non-continuously rectangular teeth.
5. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 2,
wherein the teeth are teeth of non-continuous shape.
6. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 1,
wherein the water-tight layers includes an edge with a
predetermined length, the edge is folded and attached on a side of
the water-tight layer so as to form two water-tight layers, and
tooth rows of the zipper mechanism are sewn above the water-tight
layer.
7. A water-tight and air-tight zipper comprising two water-tight
strips, characterized in that: the water-tight strips have one
water-tight layer, the water-tight layer is folded, and attached
together, and another water-tight layer is disposed between the
folded water-tight layer so as to form three water-tight layers,
each water-tight strip is individually provided with a zipper
mechanism sewn above and under the water-tight strip, and thus the
water-tight layer seals the gap between the water-tight strip,
thereby forcing edges of the two water-tight strips to be sealed by
using the elasticity of water-tight strips and pulling a zipper
pull, and then completely air-tight and water-tight.
8. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 7,
wherein each water-tight strip is individually provided with two
tooth row of the zipper mechanism which are respectively sewn above
and under the water-tight strip, a core rope is individually
disposed in the tooth rows, the two tooth rows have a plurality of
teeth, there is a proper tooth distance between adjacent teeth, the
two tooth rows both pass through a zipper pull and are
corresponding to each other, a receiving space is formed in each
tooth, each tooth includes a connecting portion disposed at the
front end thereof, and the size of the receiving space is bigger
than that of the corresponding connecting portion of the teeth of
the tooth rows.
9. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 8,
wherein the teeth are continuously oval-shaped teeth or
non-continuously oval-shaped teeth.
10. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 8,
wherein the teeth are continuously rectangular teeth or
non-continuously rectangular teeth.
11. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 8,
wherein the teeth are teeth of non-continuous shape.
12. A water-tight and air-tight zipper comprising two water-tight
strips being integrally formed therewith, characterized in that:
the water-tight strips includes a hollow main body, the main body
has an accommodating space and two gaps respectively disposed upper
and lower the accommodating space, a zipper mechanism is
individually sewn in the accommodating spaces of the water-tight
strips, stitches pass through the gaps such that each zipper
mechanism is sewn in each accommodating space, and the gaps are
sealed by heat, thereby preventing from the permeation of water,
forcing edges of the two water-tight strips to be sealed by using
the elasticity of water-tight strips and pulling a zipper pull, and
then completely air-tight and water-tight.
13. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 12,
wherein a tooth row of the zipper mechanism is individually sewn in
the accommodating spaces of the water-tight strips, a core rope is
individually disposed in the tooth rows, the two tooth rows have a
plurality of teeth, there is a proper tooth distance between
adjacent teeth, the two tooth rows both pass through a zipper pull
and are corresponding to each other, a receiving space is formed in
each tooth, each tooth includes a connecting portion disposed at
the front end thereof, and the size of the receiving space is
bigger than that of the corresponding connecting portion of the
teeth of the tooth rows.
14. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 13,
wherein the teeth are continuously oval-shaped teeth or
non-continuously oval-shaped teeth.
15. A water-tight and air-tight zipper comprising two water-tight
strips being integrally formed therewith, characterized in that:
the water-tight strips includes a hollow main body, the main body
has an accommodating space and two grooves respectively disposed
upper and lower the accommodating space, a tooth row of zipper
mechanism is individually sewn in the accommodating spaces of the
water-tight strips, stitches pass through the grooves such that
each tooth row of zipper is sewn in each accommodating space, and
the grooves are filled with water-tight material for sealing a gap
therebetween, thereby forcing edges of the two water-tight strips
to be sealed by using the elasticity of water-tight strips and
pulling a zipper pull, and then completely air-tight and
water-tight.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a water-tight and air-tight
zipper, and more particularly to a water-tight and air-tight zipper
which can be manufactured by a simple manner.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In conventional waterproof and airtight zipper, the fastener
elements are sewn or connected onto conventional tapes (or strips)
which are made by weaving or knitting synthetic resin fiber (such
as polyamide and polyester fiber) or cotton. Since the tapes are
not waterproof and airtight and stretchable, there are variety of
treatments need to be performed on the tapes to result in
waterproof and airtight effects. For example: U.S. Pat. No.
5,437,888 disclosed the dip-coating method by applying polyurethane
resin to cover the tapes and fastener element; U.S. Pat. No.
6,519,826 using injection molding method by applying the
thermoplastic polyurethane to cover the tapes and fastener
elements; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,580,321 and 4,823,446 and 4,888,859 and
6,343,408 using heating-press method applying the plastic
elastomeric resin to cover the tapes; U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,294 using
lamination and heating-press method applying two different melting
point resin films to cover the tapes. The zip fasteners of the
above prior arts are waterproof and airtight but still not
stretchable. U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,416 described the non-stretchable
tapes of zip fastener are susceptible to separation to create a
leakage path along the confronting edges under transverse stresses
or pressure and disclosed a fluid-tight slide fastener having a
stretchable property on the tape and yieldingly takes up the
transverse stresses to prevent the fastener from separation, the
tape is made from the stretchable material threads such as spandex
by weaving or knitting, and the tape are applied additional
waterproof treatments as the above prior arts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is an object of the present invention provides a
water-tight and air-tight zipper which can be manufactured by a
simple manner.
[0004] In order to achieve the foregoing objects, the present
invention provides a water-tight and air-tight zipper comprising
two elastically water-tight strips. The water-tight strips have
upper and lower water-tight layers, wherein each upper water-tight
layer is individually provided with a zipper mechanism which is
sewn on the correlative side of the upper water-tight layer, each
lower water-tight layer is connected to the upper water-tight layer
for sealing the gap between the two tooth row which is sewn on the
upper water-tight layer, thereby forcing edges of the two
water-tight strips to be sealed by using the elasticity of
water-tight strips and pulling a zipper pull, and then completely
air-tight and water-tight. The tooth rows are directly sewn on the
water-tight strips, and thus a water-tight and air-tight zipper can
be manufactured by a simple manner, thereby substantially
simplifying the manufacturing process.
[0005] It is another object of the present invention provides a
water-tight and air-tight zipper including water-tight strips 10
being elastic, whereby the zipper is applied to an flexible,
foldable or continuously flexible object.
[0006] The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and
advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the
following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water-tight and air-tight
zipper of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and
air-tight zipper of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and
air-tight zipper according to the first embodiment of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and
air-tight zipper according to the second embodiment of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and
air-tight zipper according to the third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and
air-tight zipper according to the fourth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and
air-tight zipper according to the fifth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and
air-tight zipper according to the sixth embodiment of the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and
air-tight zipper according to the seventh embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view showing the capacity of a
water-tight and air-tight zipper of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and
air-tight zipper according to the eighth embodiment of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, they depict a water-tight and
air-tight zipper 1 according to an embodiment of the prevent
invention. The zipper 1 includes two elastically water-tight strips
10 (such as rubber strip, nylon strip, etc.). The water-tight
strips 10 have two water-tight layers 11 (i.e. upper and lower
water-tight layers 11), wherein each upper water-tight layer 11 is
individually provided with a tooth row 12 of zipper mechanism which
is sewn on the correlative side of the upper water-tight layer 11,
and stitches 111 are adapted for mounting the tooth row 12 to the
upper water-tight layer 11. Each lower water-tight layer 11 is
connected to the upper water-tight layer 11 for sealing the gap
between the two tooth row 12 which is sewn on the upper water-tight
layer 11, thereby having water-tight and air-tight functions. Also,
a core rope 121 is individually disposed in the tooth rows 12. The
two tooth rows 12 have a plurality of teeth 13, and there is a
proper tooth distance between adjacent teeth 13. The two tooth rows
12 both pass through a zipper pull 14 and are corresponding to each
other. A receiving space 15 is formed in each tooth 13, and each
tooth 13 includes a connecting portion 16 disposed at the front end
thereof. The size of the receiving space 15 is bigger than that of
the corresponding connecting portion 16 of the teeth 13 of the two
tooth rows 12.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, they depict the combined and
uncombined structures of the above-mentioned zipper. When the two
tooth rows 12 are engaged with each other by pulling a zipper pull
14, the connecting portions 16 of the two tooth rows 12 can be
engaged with the corresponding tooth distance between teeth 13 of
the two tooth rows 12, whereby the connecting portions 16 is
received in the receiving space 15 so as to generate a cohesive
force. The cohesive force forces edges 112 of the two water-tight
strips 10 to be sealed. There is no gap formed between the edges
112 of the two water-tight strips 10 (shown in FIG. 2) because the
two water-tight strips 10 are elastic, thereby being completely
air-tight and water-tight. For above reason, the tooth rows 12 are
directly sewn on the water-tight strips 10, and thus a water-tight
and air-tight zipper can be manufactured by a simple manner,
thereby substantially simplifying the manufacturing process.
Moreover, the water-tight strips 10 are elastic, whereby the zipper
1 is applied to a flexible, foldable or continuously flexible
object.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the teeth 13 can be continuously
oval-shaped teeth 13 (or non-continuously oval-shaped teeth 13 or
teeth 13 of non-continuous shape) or continuously rectangular teeth
13 (or non-continuously rectangular teeth 13 or teeth 13 of
non-continuous shape) (shown in FIG. 4). The width of upper
water-tight layer 11 is smaller than that of the lower water-tight
layers 11, or the width of lower water-tight layer 11 can be
smaller than that of the upper water-tight layers 11.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 5, the water-tight strips 10 have one
water-tight layer 11. The water-tight layer 11 includes an edge 18
with a predetermined length. The edge 18 is downward folded and
attached on a side of the water-tight layer 11 so as to form two
water-tight layers. The tooth rows 12 of zipper mechanism are sewn
above the water-tight layer 11.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 6, the water-tight strips 10 have one
water-tight layer 1. The water-tight layer 11 includes an edge 18
with a predetermined length. The edge 18 is upward folded and
attached on a side of the water-tight layer 11 so as to form two
water-tight layers. The tooth rows 12 of zipper mechanism are sewn
above the water-tight layer 11.
[0023] Further referring to FIG. 10, each tooth rows 12 of zipper
mechanism is sewn above each water-tight layer 11 and water-tight
layer 11 is elastic, and thus the elastic deformation of the
water-tight layer 11 absorbs a part of pulling force when the
water-tight layer 11 is laterally pulled by the pulling force. The
rest of the pulling force will not directly affect the edge 18, and
thus the stitches 111 of the edge 18 is not broken and then damaged
by the stress formed by the pulling force. Accordingly, the
capacity of the zipper 1 which resists the pulling force is
increased.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 7, it depicts a water-tight and air-tight
zipper 1 according to another embodiment of the prevent invention.
The zipper 1 includes two water-tight strips 10 (such as rubber
strip, nylon strip, etc.). The water-tight strips 10 have one
water-tight layer 11. The water-tight layer 11 is folded and
attached together, and another water-tight layer 19 is disposed
between the folded water-tight layers 11 so as to form three
water-tight layers. Each water-tight strip 10 is individually
provided with two tooth rows 12 of zipper mechanism which are
respectively sewn above and under the water-tight strip 10, whereby
the water-tight layer 19 can seal the gap between the tooth rows 12
of the water-tight strip 10. A core rope 121 is individually
disposed in the tooth rows 12. The tooth rows 12 have a plurality
of continuously oval-shaped teeth 13 (or non-continuously
oval-shaped teeth 13 or teeth 13 of non-continuous shape). There is
a proper tooth distance between adjacent teeth 13. The two tooth
rows 12 both pass through a zipper pull 14 and are corresponding to
each other, shown in FIG. 1. A receiving space 15 is formed in each
tooth 13, and each tooth 13 includes a connecting portion 16
disposed at the front end thereof. The size of the receiving space
15 is bigger than that of the corresponding connecting portion 16
of the teeth 13 of the tooth rows 12. The two tooth rows 12 are
engaged with each other by pulling the zipper pull 14, thereby
forcing edges 112 of the two water-tight strips 10 to be sealed.
There is no gap formed between the edges of the two water-tight
strips 10 because the two water-tight strips 10 are elastic,
thereby being completely air-tight and water-tight.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 8, it depicts a water-tight and air-tight
zipper 1 according to an alternative embodiment of the prevent
invention. The two water-tight strips 10 are constituted by three
water-tight layer (such as inner water-tight layer 101,
intermediate water-tight layer 103 and outer water-tight layer 102,
wherein the inner and outer water-tight layers 101, 102 are
disposed above and under the intermediate water-tight layer 103,
the widths of the inner and outer water-tight layers 101, 102 are
smaller than that of the intermediate water-tight layer 103. A
tooth row 12 of zipper mechanism is individually sewn in the inner
and outer water-tight layers 101, 102.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 9, it depicts a water-tight and air-tight
zipper 1 according to a further embodiment of the prevent
invention. The zipper 1 includes two water-tight strips 10 (such as
rubber strip, etc.) being integrally formed therewith. The
water-tight strips 10 include a hollow main body 17. The main body
17 has an accommodating space and two gaps 171 respectively
disposed upper and lower the accommodating space. A tooth row 12 of
zipper mechanism is individually sewn in the accommodating spaces
of the water-tight strips 10. Stitches 111 pass through the gaps
171, such that each tooth row 12 of zipper mechanism is sewn in
each accommodating space. Then, the gaps 171 are sealed by heat,
thereby preventing from the permeation of water. A core rope 121 is
individually disposed in the tooth rows 12. The tooth rows 12 have
a plurality of continuously oval-shaped teeth 13 (or
non-continuously oval-shaped teeth 13 or teeth 13 of non-continuous
shape). There is a proper distance between adjacent teeth 13. The
two tooth rows 12 both pass through a zipper pull 14 and are
corresponding to each other, shown in FIG. 1. A receiving space 15
is formed in each tooth 13, and each tooth 13 includes a connecting
portion 16 disposed at the front end thereof. The size of the
receiving space 15 is bigger than that of the corresponding
connecting portion 16 of the teeth 13 of the tooth rows 12. The two
tooth rows 12 are engaged with each other by pulling the zipper
pull 14, thereby forcing edges of the two water-tight strips 10 to
be sealed. There is no gap formed between the edges of the two
water-tight strips 10 because the two water-tight strips 10 are
elastic, thereby being completely air-tight and water-tight.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 11, it depicts a water-tight and air-tight
zipper 1 according to a still further embodiment of the prevent
invention. The zipper 1 includes two water-tight strips 10 (such as
rubber strip, etc.) being integrally formed therewith. The
water-tight strips 10 include a hollow main body 17. The main body
17 has an accommodating space and two grooves respectively disposed
upper and lower the accommodating space. A tooth row 12 of zipper
mechanism is individually sewn in the accommodating spaces of the
water-tight strips 10. Stitches 111 pass through the grooves, such
that each tooth row 12 of zipper is sewn in each accommodating
space. Further, the grooves are filled with water-tight material
172 for sealing the gap therebetween.
[0028] A core rope 121 is individually disposed in the tooth rows
12. The tooth rows 12 have a plurality of continuously oval-shaped
teeth 13 (or non-continuously oval-shaped teeth 13 or teeth 13 of
non-continuous shape). There is a proper distance between adjacent
teeth 13. The two tooth rows 12 both pass through a zipper pull 14
and are corresponding to each other, shown in FIG. 1. A receiving
space 15 is formed in each tooth 13, and each tooth 13 includes a
connecting portion 16 disposed at the front end thereof. The size
of the receiving space 15 is bigger than that of the corresponding
connecting portion 16 of the teeth 13 of the tooth rows 12. The two
tooth rows 12 are engaged with each other by pulling the zipper
pull 14, thereby forcing edges of the two water-tight strips 10 to
be sealed. There is no gap formed between the edges of the two
water-tight strips 10 because the two water-tight strips 10 are
elastic, thereby being completely air-tight and water-tight.
[0029] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its
preferred embodiment, it is not used to restrain the invention. It
is to be understood that many other possible modifications and
variations can be made by those skilled in the art without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter
claimed.
* * * * *