U.S. patent application number 12/253978 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-23 for textile sealing apparatus.
Invention is credited to Yizhaq Califa, Philip R. Naftalin.
Application Number | 20090100651 12/253978 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40561987 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090100651 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Naftalin; Philip R. ; et
al. |
April 23, 2009 |
TEXTILE SEALING APPARATUS
Abstract
A water impermeable sealing apparatus usable in textile
applications, the apparatus includes a first sealing strip having a
base that includes a first set of fastener elements carried on its
surface in two spaced-apart areas; and extending along the first
surface of the base between the two areas of the first set of
fastener elements, a first sealing element is protruding from said
the base. A complimentary second sealing strip also includes a base
comprising a second set of fastener elements on its surface in two
spaced-apart areas; and extending along the surface of the base
between the two areas of the second set of fastener elements, a
second sealing element is protruding from the base for
non-interlocking engagement of the first sealing element when the
first and second fastener elements are engaged.
Inventors: |
Naftalin; Philip R.; (Shadow
Hills, CA) ; Califa; Yizhaq; (Shadow Hills,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ITALIA IP
3500 WEST OLIVE AVE., SUITE 300
BURBANK
CA
91505
US
|
Family ID: |
40561987 |
Appl. No.: |
12/253978 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11875823 |
Oct 19, 2007 |
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12253978 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
24/452 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44D 2203/00 20130101;
A44B 18/0003 20130101; Y10T 24/2792 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/452 |
International
Class: |
A44B 18/00 20060101
A44B018/00 |
Claims
1. A sealing apparatus usable in textile applications, the
apparatus comprising: a first sealing strip having an embedded
region embedded with at least one magnet or at least one magnet
reactive material; a second sealing strip having an embedded region
embedded with at least one magnet or at least one magnet reactive
material; wherein a magnetic force of attraction is generated
between the first sealing strip and the second sealing strip when
the first and second sealing strips are brought together, thereby
creating a seal.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first and second sealing
strips further comprise flanged portions to each side of the
embedded regions.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first sealing strips are
made of an elastomeric material and the flanged portions are
integral with said embedded regions.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the flanged portions of said
first and second sealing elements further comprise fastener
elements carried on each side of said embedded regions, such that
when the first sealing strip and the second sealing strips are
brought together, the fastener elements engage one another.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the fastener elements comprise
hooks and hook-engageable fibers.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second sealing
strips are made of an elastomeric material.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the embedded region of one of
the first sealing strip and the second sealing strip displays
concavity, and the embedded region of the other one of the first
sealing strip and the second sealing strip displays convexity which
interfits with the concavity.
8. A sealing apparatus usable in textile applications, the
apparatus comprising: an elastomeric first sealing strip having an
embedded region embedded with at least one magnet or at least one
magnet reactive material; flanged portions to each side of the
embedded region and integral with said embedded region; fastener
elements carried on said flanged portions on each side of said
embedded region, an elastomeric second sealing strip having an
embedded region embedded with at least one magnet or at least one
magnet reactive material; flanged portions to each side of the
embedded region and integral with said embedded region; fastener
elements carried on said flanged portions on each side of said
embedded region; wherein a magnetic force of attraction is
generated between the first sealing strip and the second sealing
strip when the first and second sealing strips are brought
together, thereby creating a seal; and, wherein when the first
sealing strip and the second sealing strips are brought together,
the fastener elements engage one another.
9. A sealing apparatus usable in textile applications, the
apparatus comprising: an first elastomeric sealing strip having a
first embedded region embedded with a plurality of first magnets or
with a plurality of first individual pieces of magnetic reactive
material, and a first flanged portion connected to and projecting
from one side of the embedded region and integral with said
embedded region; and a second flanged portion connected to and
projecting from the other side of the embedded region and integral
with said embedded region; a second elastomeric sealing strip
having a second embedded region embedded with a plurality of second
magnets or with a plurality of second individual pieces of magnetic
reactive material, and a third flanged portion connected to and
projecting from one side of the embedded region and integral with
said embedded region, and a fourth flanged portion connected to and
projecting from the other side of the embedded region and integral
with said embedded region; and wherein each one of the first
magnets or first individual pieces of magnetic reactive material is
located along the first sealing strip such that it comes into
mutual magnetic attraction with one of the second magnets or second
individual pieces of magnetic reactive material when the first
elastomeric sealing strip is placed in longitudinal abutment with
the second elastomeric sealing strip, and wherein a magnetic force
of attraction is generated between the first elastomeric sealing
strip and the second elastomeric sealing strip, thereby creating a
seal.
10. The sealing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first elastomeric
sealing strip has a first footprint area, and the second
elastomeric sealing strip has a second footprint area equal in
width to that of the first footprint area.
11. The sealing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first embedded
region has concavity, and the second embedded region has convexity
which interfittingly cooperates with the concavity of the first
embedded region.
12. The sealing apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first embedded
region has flat surfaces at its concavity, and the second embedded
region has flat surfaces at its convexity.
13. The sealing apparatus of claim 11, wherein each one of the
first magnets or the first individual pieces of magnet reactive
material is contained within the first embedded region is centered
within the concavity of the first elastomeric sealing strip, and
wherein each one of the second magnets or the second individual
pieces of magnet reactive material is centered within the convexity
of the second elastomeric sealing strip.
14. The sealing apparatus of claim 9, wherein there is one-to-one
correspondence between each one of the first magnets or first
individual pieces of magnetic reactive material and each one of the
second magnets or second individual pieces of magnetic reactive
material.
15. The sealing apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first flanged
portion is tapered such that its thickness progressively decreases
with increasing distance from the center of the first elastomeric
sealing strip and the second flanged portion is tapered such that
its thickness progressively decreases with increasing distance from
the center of the first elastomeric sealing strip, and the third
flanged portion is tapered such that its thickness progressively
decreases with increasing distance from the center of the second
elastomeric sealing strip and the fourth flanged portion is tapered
such that its thickness progressively decreases with increasing
distance from the center of the second elastomeric sealing strip.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S.
Non-Provisional Application Ser. No. 11/875,823 filed Oct. 19,
2007, and claims the benefit of priority thereto.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] 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.
SUMMARY
[0003] 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 closeable
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.
[0004] 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.
[0005] 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.
[0006] 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.
[0007] This application also discloses a sealing apparatus usable
in textile applications, the apparatus comprising: a first sealing
strip having an embedded region embedded with at least one magnet
or at least one magnet reactive material; a second sealing strip
having an embedded region embedded with at least one magnet or at
least one magnet reactive material; wherein a magnetic force of
attraction is generated between the first sealing strip and the
second sealing strip when the first and second sealing strips are
brought together, thereby creating a seal.
[0008] This application further discloses a sealing apparatus
usable in textile applications, the apparatus comprising: an
elastomeric first sealing strip having an embedded region embedded
with at least one magnet or at least one magnet reactive material;
flanged portions to each side of the embedded region and integral
with said embedded region; fastener elements carried on said
flanged portions on each side of said embedded region, an
elastomeric second sealing strip having an embedded region embedded
with at least one magnet or at least one magnet reactive material;
flanged portions to each side of the embedded region and integral
with said embedded region; fastener elements carried on said
flanged portions on each side of said embedded region; wherein a
magnetic force of attraction is generated between the first sealing
strip and the second sealing strip when the first and second
sealing strips are brought together, thereby creating a seal; and,
wherein when the first sealing strip and the second sealing strips
are brought together, the fastener elements engage one another.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] 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.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the
textile sealing apparatus shown with the sealing strips
separated;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus in FIG. 1
showing the two sealing strips engaged;
[0012] FIGS. 3-5 sequentially illustrate the engagement of the two
sealing strips of the apparatus in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
textile sealing apparatus shown with the sealing strips
separated;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the apparatus in FIG. 6
showing the two sealing strips engaged;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the
textile sealing apparatus shown with the sealing strips
separated;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the apparatus in FIG. 8
showing the two sealing strips engaged;
[0017] FIGS. 10-12 sequentially illustrate the engagement of the
two sealing strips of the apparatus in FIG. 8;
[0018] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the
invention, with two sealing strips partly abutting and connected,
and partly drawn away from one another.
[0019] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one of the sealing strips
of FIG. 13.
[0020] FIG. 15 is an end view of two opposed sealing strips
according to a further embodiment of the invention, shown spaced
apart from one another; and
[0021] FIG. 16 is an end view of two opposed sealing strips
according to a still further embodiment of the invention, shown
spaced apart from one another.
[0022] FIG. 17 is an end view of two opposing sealing strips
according to yet another embodiment of the invention, shown spaced
apart from one another.
[0023] FIG. 18 is an end view of two opposing sealing strips
according to still another embodiment of the invention, shown
spaced apart from one another.
[0024] FIG. 19 is an end view of two opposing sealing strips
according to an additional embodiment of the invention, shown
spaced apart from one another.
[0025] FIG. 20 is an end view of two opposing sealing strips
according to yet another additional embodiment of the invention,
shown spaced apart from one another.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of the textile sealing
apparatus 10 of the present invention. The device 10 includes a
first sealing strip 12 and a second sealing strip 14, each
including a base 16 with first 18 and second surfaces 20. The base
portion 16 of the first sealing strip 12 includes a first set of
fastener elements 22 carried on the first surface 18 in two
spaced-apart areas. As shown, the first fastener elements 22 are
comprised of loop 24 structures as is common in hook and loop
fasteners. The base portion 16 of the second sealing strip 14
includes a second set of fastener elements 26 carried on the first
surface 18 in two spaced-apart areas. The second fastener elements
26 are comprised of hook structures 28. It should be appreciated
that the hook and loop structures may be located on the opposite
strips and be equally effective. Further, besides the hook and loop
fastener elements shown in the figures, many other loop or fiber
engaging shapes may be used, such as mushrooms, palm trees, or
canted spikes.
[0027] 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 complementary 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.
[0028] 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 FIGS. 3-5. The elastomeric material can substantially
cover the magnets as shown in FIGS. 1-5, completely cover, or,
alternatively, it may be applied to just the sealing surface as
shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. An additional means to increase the water
impermeable nature of the apparatus 10 is utilize at least one
water impermeable base portion 16. Alternatively, the second
surface 20 of the base portion 16 may be bound to a water
impermeable layer 40. Suitable water impermeable materials for the
base 16 or layer 40 are well known in the art and include synthetic
polymers.
[0029] 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.
[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 8-12, shown therein is an additional
embodiment of the textile sealing apparatus 10. In this embodiment,
the structures described above are the same except of the sealing
elements. In this embodiment, the sealing elements are comprised of
a resilient compressible portion 42 and a wedge portion 44. As
shown, the resilient compressible portion 42 extends along the
first surface 18 of the base portion 16 of the first sealing strip
12, and more specifically, between the two areas of the first
fastener element 22. Likewise, the wedge portion 44 extends along
the first surface 18 of the base portion 16 of the second sealing
strip 14, and more specifically, between the two areas of the
second fastener element 26. In this embodiment, the sealing wedged
portion 44 is protrudes from the base portion 16. Thus, when the
first 12 and second 14 sealing strips are brought together, the
first 22 and second 26 fastening elements engage each other. This
in turn causes the wedged surface 44 of the second sealing surface
to compresses the resilient portion 42 of the first sealing
element, thereby creating a continuous water impermeable seal 36 in
a non-interlocking manner. The compression of the resilient portion
42 and resultant water impermeable seal 36 is maintained due to the
fastener elements holding the first 12 and second 14 sealing strips
together. See FIGS. 10-12. The wedge portion 44 may be made of a
relatively rigid material such as rubber, plastic or other polymer.
The compressible portion 42 should be sufficiently compressible
such that when the wedge portion 44 comes in contact with it during
the engagement of the sealing strips, it deforms the compressible
portion 42 to a degree so at to create the water impermeable seal
36. Examples of compressible materials include urethane foam,
pliable rubber, and silicon. It will therefore be understood that
reference to elastomeric and polymeric materials will encompass
both essentially inorganic substances as well as organic substances
and combinations of the two.
[0031] FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the invention wherein
magnetic attraction is employed to releasably connect a first
elastomeric sealing strip 50 to a second elastomeric sealing strip
52. The first elastomeric sealing strip 50 and the second
elastomeric sealing strip 52 collectively form a sealing apparatus
54 which, like the previously described sealing apparatuses such as
the sealing apparatus 10, may be usable in for example textile
applications.
[0032] The nature of the first and second elastomeric sealing
strips 50, 52 will be made using the sealing strip 50 for
illustration. The second elastomeric sealing strip 52 may be a
mirror image of the first elastomeric sealing strip 50. The first
elastomeric sealing strip 50 may comprise a first embedded region
56 embedded with a plurality of first magnets 58, 60 or
alternatively with a plurality of first individual pieces of
magnetic reactive material. It will be appreciated that if magnets
are provided in one of the first elastomeric sealing strip 50 and
the second elastomeric sealing strip 52, then the other need have
only a magnet reactive material to assure operable magnetic
attraction. It does not matter which of the first and second
elastomeric sealing strips 50, 52 has magnets.
[0033] The first elastomeric sealing strip 50 comprises a first
flanged portion 62 connected to and projecting from one side of the
embedded region 56 and integral therewith, and a second flanged
portion 64 connected to and projecting from the other side of the
embedded region 56 and integral therewith. As depicted herein,
projection of the first and second flanged portions 62, 64 is such
that these first and second flanged portions may be (but are not
necessarily) coplanar and in mirror image arrangement. Because of
this mirror image relationship, it may be said that the first
elastomeric sealing strip 50 has a first footprint area which would
correspond to the plan view that would be observed for example from
above in FIG. 13 if the first elastomeric sealing strip 50 were
laid out flat and viewed in plan, and the second elastomeric
sealing strip 52 has a corresponding and similar second footprint
area equal in width to that of the first footprint area.
[0034] The first elastomeric sealing strip 50 releasably connects
to the second elastomeric sealing strip 52 when the respective
magnetic members, which may be magnets or magnetic reactive
materials, come into sufficient proximity such that magnetic
attraction ensues. The embedded region 56 and its counterpart
embedded region 66 of the second elastomeric sealing strip 52 have
respective contact surfaces 68, 70, which due to the resilient or
compressible nature of their constituent material, form sealing
surfaces when the first and second elastomeric sealing strips 50,
52 are magnetically adhered to one another.
[0035] To this end, each one of the first magnets 58, 60 (or first
individual pieces of magnetic reactive material) is located along
the first elastomeric sealing strip 50 such that it comes into
mutual magnetic attraction with one of the second magnets 72, 74
(or second individual pieces of magnetic reactive material) when
the first elastomeric sealing strip 50 is placed in longitudinal
abutment with the second elastomeric sealing strip 52, and wherein
a magnetic force of attraction is generated between the first
elastomeric sealing strip 50 and the second elastomeric sealing
strip 52, thereby creating the seal.
[0036] FIG. 14 shows an elastomeric sealing strip, such as the
elastomeric sealing strip 52 isolated from its opposed counterpart.
It will be seen that a flanged portion 76 of the elastomeric
sealing strip 52 is tapered such that its thickness (represented by
the arrow 78 at one illustrative point along the flanged portion
76) progressively decreases with increasing distance from the
center of the elastomeric sealing strip 52. The center, for
purposes of determining increasing distance from the center, is
represented by the projection line 80. Increasing distances to the
right and to the left of the projection line are indicated by the
arrows 82 and 84. The other flanged portion 86 displays similar
characteristics albeit in mirror image. Again, recalling that the
corresponding mating elastomeric sealing strip, such as the
elastomeric sealing strip 50, may be a mirror image, the same
characteristics may be present.
[0037] It should be mentioned at this point that in FIGS. 13 and
14, magnets or the like, such as the magnets 58, 60, 72, 74 in FIG.
13, which are shown in broken lines, are so shown merely to
emphasize that they are embedded within their associated sealing
strips, such as the sealing strips 50, 52. Because the constituent
material of the sealing strips may be opaque, translucent, or
transparent, the broken line rendering of these magnets or the like
should not be taken to support a conclusion that they are literally
concealed from view in their respective sealing strips.
[0038] FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of the invention wherein
flanged portions 88, 90, 92, 94 of two corresponding, mutually
mating elastomeric sealing strips 96, 98 are not tapered. Magnets
100, 102 (or corresponding magnetic reactive materials) are seen in
this end view of the elastomeric sealing strips 96 and 98
[0039] FIG. 16 shows a further embodiment of the invention wherein
two corresponding, mutually mating elastomeric sealing strips 110,
112 have respective embedded regions 114, 116 which are adapted to
interfit. Each embedded region 114 or 116 has a plurality of
magnets 118 or 120 (or corresponding magnetic reactive materials).
The embedded region 114 has a downwardly facing surface 122 (as
seen in FIG. 16) which displays concavity. The embedded region 116
has a corresponding upwardly facing surface 124 (as seen in FIG.
16) which displays convexity which interfittingly cooperates with
the concavity of the embedded region 114. The individual faces of
the downwardly facing surface 122 and of the upwardly facing
surface 124 are flat or planar, although this may be modified as
desired. As is clearly shown in FIG. 16, each one of the magnets
118 and 120, and of those which are concealed behind the magnets
118 and 120, is contained within its respective embedded region 114
or 116. Each one of the magnets 118 is centered within the
concavity of the elastomeric sealing strip 110, and each one of the
magnets 120 and those magnets (or magnetic reactive materials)
concealed therebehind in the view of FIG. 16 is centered within the
convexity of the elastomeric sealing strip 112. A centerline 126 is
shown for purposes of determining these centered relationships.
[0040] It may be observed at this point that in the embodiments of
FIGS. 13-16, there may be a one-to-one correspondence between each
one of the magnets or individual pieces of magnetic reactive
material of one sealing strip, such as the magnets 58 and 60 of the
sealing strip 50 of FIG. 13, and each one of the magnets or second
individual pieces of magnetic reactive material of the opposed
sealing strip, such as the magnets or magnetic reactive materials
72, 74 of the sealing strip 52 in FIG. 13. It will be appreciated
that one-to-one correspondence maximizes magnetic attraction while
minimizing the number of embedded magnets or magnetic reactive
materials. However, it would be possible to deviate from this
concept. For example, a series of magnets may be provided in one
sealing strip, while providing a continuous strip of magnetic
reactive material in the corresponding sealing strip.
[0041] FIG. 17 shows that the characteristics of a sealing strip,
such as the sealing strip 132, may display the characteristics for
example of a sealing strip of the embodiments of FIGS. 13-15, while
also having supplementary fastening elements such as the fastening
elements 134 and 136 which may for example, have the
characteristics of the fastening elements 22 and 26 of the
embodiment of FIG. 1, as well as magnets (or magnetic reactive
materials) 138, 140.
[0042] FIG. 18 shows that the characteristics of a sealing strip,
such as the sealing strips 150 and 152, may display the
characteristics for example of a sealing strip of the embodiment of
FIG. 16, while also having supplementary fastening elements such as
the fastening elements 154 and 156 which may for example have the
characteristics of the fastening elements 22 and 26 of the
embodiment of FIG. 1, as well as magnets (or magnetic reactive
materials) 158, 160. In the embodiment of FIG. 18, the sealing
strips 150 and 152 may display the respective concavity and
convexity of the sealing strips 110, 112 of FIG. 16.
[0043] FIG. 19 shows that two complementing sealing strips may have
characteristics of previously described embodiments, while lacking
flanged portions. For example, first and second elastomeric sealing
strips 170, 172 may have respective embedded regions 174, 176
containing magnets 178, 180, as seen in the embodiment of FIG. 15,
but which first and second elastomeric sealing strips 170, 172 lack
flanged portions such as the flanged portions 88, 90, 92, 94 of
FIG. 15.
[0044] In a similar vein, and referring to FIG. 20, two
complementing sealing strips 190, 192 may display concavity and
convexity in the manner of the embodiment of FIG. 16, and may
essentially duplicate the structure disclosed for the embodiment of
FIG. 16, while lacking flanged portions.
[0045] 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.
* * * * *