HK1166674B - Waterproof slide fastener and method of applying fluid tight coating to tape - Google Patents

Description

Waterproof slide fastener and method of applying fluid-tight coating to tape

The disclosure of uk patent application No.1012592.0, filed on 27/7/2010, including the description, drawings and claims, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to slide fasteners, more particularly to spiral slide fasteners and essentially to waterproof or fluid tight spiral slide fasteners.

Background

There are many types of fluid-tight slide fasteners in which an elongate strip of tape supports a continuous array of coupling elements along one side of two edges and a sealing member on the opposite side, thereby creating a waterproof or fluid-tight fastening mechanism.

When the fastening or coupling elements are constituted by a continuous spiral, the coupling elements are most commonly knitted or woven onto an elongate tape, or alternatively sewn to the tape surface at the edges of the tape.

There is a continuing need for a zipper that is waterproof and fluid-tight and that can meet the needs of today's world where adults and children are increasingly engaged in extreme sports activities.

When applied to outdoor activity garments, zippers are required to be strong, abrasion resistant and most importantly substantially fluid impervious. However, in the case of fluids in the form of snow, ice or water jets, a waterproof coating applied to the outer surface of the elongate tape is often the weak point of fluid ingress and egress.

The teaching of the prior art has sought to solve this problem and a slide fastener as follows has been disclosed.

In US6343408B1(YKK company), a pair of fluid-tight zipper carrier tapes is described on which rows of coupling members are arranged and covered by a soft, synthetic rubber or similar covering.

The pair of continuous rows of coupling members are sewn to the carrier tapes at positions offset transversely to the longitudinal edges of the carrier tapes so that the crimping edge portions of the soft covering layer are in contact with each other along a longitudinal plane intersecting the slide fastener at its central axis and extending at right angles to the slide fastener plane.

When the coupling member rows are disengaged, the crimping edge portions of the cover layer protrude out of the longitudinal plane. However, when the coupling member rows are engaged, the edge portions of the covering layer are bent away from said tapes carrying the coupling member rows and are caused to extend at substantially right angles to the slide fastener.

When the zipper is closed, the crimped edges of the soft cover are thereby engaged with one another under pressure, creating a fluid-tight zipper, and thereby preventing fluid from passing between the crimped edges of the soft cover.

Unfortunately, there is a problem with this type of zipper arrangement in that when the crimped edges or sealing lips of the cover layers are joined together, they are very prone to interfere with the crimped edges and thereby break the fluid-tight seal.

The seal can also be easily disturbed or damaged during the manufacturing process, for example by bending or creasing the cover layer, thereby deforming the sealing lips and the contact edges.

In addition, since grease is an essential component in the manufacturing process of such slide fasteners, the application of grease to the covering layer may also cause the sealing lips or the contact edges to be easily distorted, as this allows the sealing lips to slide relative to each other. Since one of the sealing lips can slip out with respect to the position of the opposite lip, this also leads to an abutting destruction of the sealing lip, with consequent water intrusion. Since the use of grease to facilitate movement of a zipper, particularly a "heavy duty" zipper, is a fairly common practice, misalignment of the sealing lips is a significant problem in the preparation of fluid tight zippers, which problem is also the one that the present application seeks to address.

In US3668745(Krupp) a sealing closure or zipper with sealing lips for providing a fluid seal to interlocking teeth or coupling elements is also disclosed. In this document, the coupling elements do not project beyond the edges of the elongate tapes carrying them in the closed position. Alternatively, a relatively small sealing lip is provided close to the neutral line (neutralaxis) of the coupling element, and when the coupling element is closed, the edges of the elongate tapes are turned over to bring the sealing lips of elastomeric material together, thereby creating a fluid seal.

However, this type of arrangement, which provides a suitable fluid tight fastening mechanism, is complex in design and therefore also more expensive to manufacture. The need to have coupling elements with specially designed shapes in addition makes the standardized production of zippers more difficult and expensive, especially for larger and "heavy" zippers with more stiff tapes.

In US2923992(Armstrong) a flexible zipper is also described, which is able to provide a suitable seal against the passage of water, air and other fluids. In the slide fastener described herein, a pair of fabric strip tapes are provided in which fastener elements are attached continuously to adjacent edges of the strip tapes and a water-impermeable material layer is attached to one side of the strip tapes.

However, in US2923992, the abutting edges of the water impermeable material layers are at different angles with respect to each other so that when the zipper is closed, the abutting surfaces or sealing lips are at an acute angle with respect to the closing face of the coupling element, thereby forming an angled abutment. This has the potential to create an uneven abutment between the sealing lips and thus an uneven sealing mechanism resulting in a non-planar arrangement of the sealing lips.

In US4580321(yoshida kogyo k.) a fluid-tight slide fastener is described which consists of a pair of elongate fastener tapes which are joinable along their respective longitudinal edges, a support tape and a continuous row of coupling elements extending longitudinally at the side edges of the tapes. An elastic sealing member overlies one side of the tapes and has a longitudinal contact edge portion projecting transversely beyond a central plane of symmetry defined by the fastener halves in the joined condition, the plane of symmetry being perpendicular to the general plane of the elastic sealing member.

However, in US4580321, the sealing members on each side of the zipper produce an uneven and non-engaging ridge when the zipper is closed, and in addition, the final shape of the sealing members when closed cannot be controlled due to the blunt nature of the elastic sealing members on each side of the tapes. This can therefore lead to inherent problems of slippage of the sealing members on both sides of the tape, creating a potential for fluid ingress.

In US3501816(Helmberger) a fluid tight slide fastener is disclosed, which comprises a pair of interconnectable elastic sealing strips, wherein the elastic material wraps coupling elements on each side of a respective elongate tape. The zipper halves are initially inverted relative to each other and interconnected for extrusion of the elastomeric material therearound.

Further, a slide fastener is disclosed in which a protruding and strongly protruding lip or rib of elastic material is arranged on each side of the strip tape. The lip or rib of elastomeric material extends slightly beyond the edge of the coupling element when the zipper is in the open configuration. While the relatively soft resilient lips or ribs do not affect the operation of the slider on the zipper, the abutment of the lips or ribs is uncontrolled, resulting in a non-uniform abutment, causing fluid ingress.

In US4888859(yoshida kogyo k.), a water-tight slide fastener is also described, comprising a pair of support tapes each coated on one surface with a water-resistant material and comprising a row of coupling elements mounted on each of said tapes along a longitudinal edge.

The spaces or gaps defined by the interdigitation of the rows of coupling elements are completely filled by the filling core which swells when in contact with liquid, thereby preventing liquid from entering the garment to which the zipper is applied.

The filler core is formed of a polymeric fibrous material which is highly water absorbent and capable of swelling upon wetting with water, and which additionally has a high water retention under pressure in normal use.

In addition, in one embodiment of US4888859, the zipper is eliminated and the tapes are coated with a water-tight layer on one surface and include a folded edge further including a waterproof line abutting at the edge of the opposite tape.

No coupling mechanism is mentioned in US4888859, in which the waterproof layer is shaped to ensure in particular that there is no slippage and dislocation of the edge of the sealing lip of the waterproof layer when the edges of the waterproof layer abut. In US4888859, water intrusion into the slide fastener is prevented by providing a waterproof thread which blocks any gap occurring between the tape edge and the watertight layer.

Finally, in US6427294B1(YKK company), a waterproof slide fastener is described in which a laminated synthetic resin film composed of a low-melting-point resin layer and a high-melting-point resin layer is welded to the entire surface of at least one face of a fastening tape of the slide fastener so that the low-melting-point resin layer is in opposed contact with the surface of the fastening tape while fastening elements are attached to side edges of the fastening tape.

Thus, in US6427294B1, a water barrier is provided by means of multiple layers of resin bonding to prevent water ingress. Additionally, in US6427294, a waterproof layer extends around the edges of the tape and a yarn is used to fuse the yarn into place to prevent any ingress of water.

In US6427294 there is no mention of a waterproof layer comprising flaps and shaped so as not to extend past the edges of the coupling elements when the zip fastener is in the open position, and which abuts to form a substantially planar waterproof layer so that the sealing lips cannot move relative to each other and allow the ingress of water.

Disclosure of Invention

Accordingly, the present invention seeks to overcome the problems associated with prior art slide fasteners and to provide an improved waterproof slide fastener which is capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions and treatments and yet retains waterproofness and impermeability to fluids, and wherein the waterproof layer does not interfere with interdigitation (interdigitation) of the coupling elements, and further, which has improved characteristics to prevent manufacturing damage due to the use of grease in standard manufacturing processes.

Further, in the present invention, a zipper is provided in which the new shape of the waterproof layer, the edges of the waterproof layer or the sealing lips and their position with respect to the coupling elements ensure that the grease is more difficult to interfere with the sealing of the sealing lips, thus seeking to prevent the sealing lips from slipping with respect to each other during standard manufacturing processes.

In addition, if slippage of the seal lips of the waterproof layer occurs, the arrangement of the seal lips allows the seal lips to simply move closer together, thereby ensuring the sealability of the waterproof seal portion.

The invention can therefore be applied, but not limited to, to waterproof zippers and even to fluid impermeable zippers.

In addition, it will be appreciated that the slide fastener of the present invention has particular application to waterproof garments and garments for use in outdoor activities including, for example, hiking suits, diving suits and the like, and additionally to waterproof articles such as tents and life rafts and the like, although again the application is not limited thereto.

Thus, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided:

a waterproof zipper, comprising:

a pair of tapes having coupling elements attached thereto, wherein: a coating of polymeric material is provided to at least one surface of the tapes and extends continuously along the surface; the cladding comprises in cross-section an airfoil having a bulbous region; and

the coating cannot extend beyond the coupling elements when the zipper is in an open configuration.

Further, according to the present invention, there is provided a waterproof slide fastener including:

a pair of tapes having coupling elements attached thereto, wherein:

a coating of polymeric material is provided to at least one surface of the tapes and extends continuously along the surface; the cladding comprises, in cross-section, an airfoil having a bulbous region therein; and

the flaps on both sides of the zipper abutting to form a seal comprising a first initiation point and a second termination point; and

the length between the first and second initiation points of the seal is greater than the distance between the first initiation point of the seal and the demarcation point of the tape between the coating and the end edge of the tape on the side of the coupling element when the slide fastener is in the closed configuration.

Preferably, however, a coating of polymeric material is extruded onto the tapes, which may be applied by alternative methods. Alternatively, a coating of polymeric material may be bonded to the tapes. Any suitable binder may be used for this purpose.

The coupling element includes a first upper portion and a second lower portion. The first upper portion of the coupling element is proximate the coating of polymeric material.

Further according to the invention, the flaps of the cladding on both sides of the tape each comprise: a first rising portion extending away from the coupling element with an end edge of the cloth tape as a starting point in a front-rear direction of the cloth tape; a second top portion continuous with the first rising portion; and a third return portion continuous with the second top portion and extending away from the coupling element in a width direction of the tapes. The first rising portion of the tab starts at the starting point where the tape ends.

In the waterproof slide fastener according to the present invention, the coupling element includes a first upper portion and a second lower portion; the first upper portion of the coupling element is closer to the cladding than the second lower portion. Further, a distance between the first upper portion of the coupling element and a starting point of the first rising portion of the tab from a starting point where the tape ends is less than 25% of a distance between the first upper portion and the second lower portion of the coupling element. I.e. less than 25% of the depth of the coupling element. More preferably, the distance between the first upper portion of the coupling element and the starting point of the first rising portion of the tab, which starts at the starting point where the tapes end, is less than 20% of the distance between said first upper portion and said second lower portion of said coupling element.

It is also preferred that the coating of polymeric material forming the flap is provided to and extends continuously along at least one surface of the tape and extends beyond the edge of the fabric tape at the end of the coupling element. The tab-shaped coating of polymeric material may also extend to the second surface of the tapes.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the tab shaped coating of polymeric material comprises: a bulbous region formed in the flap to bulge out on the side of the coupling element; and a neck region having a substantially uniform thickness. The polymeric material can be thermoset, but is preferably comprised of a thermoplastic material, and most preferably comprises a polyurethane or polychloroprene. The polymeric material may also be transparent.

The flaps of the coating on at least one side of the two tapes abut at the centre line of the zipper to form a seal including abutment of the sealing lips of the flaps. In addition, the upper surfaces of the abutment flaps on at least one side of the tapes are aligned with respect to the plane of the zipper. The coating of polymeric material may be thicker on one surface of the tapes than on a second surface of the tapes.

It is also preferable that the waterproof slide fastener according to the present invention is applied to a spiral type slide fastener. The spiral zipper preferably comprises nylon. The zipper may also include a hydrophobic treatment or, alternatively, the tapes may be constructed of a hydrophobic material. Each tape is preferably constructed of a fabric.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of applying a fluid tight coating to a fastener tape according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the method comprises the steps of: feeding the tapes with coupling elements mounted thereon through an extrusion die, and extruding a layer of polymeric material onto at least one side of the tapes to form a fluid-tight zipper, wherein the flaps of the layer of polymeric material are extruded to prevent ingress of fluid.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the fluid tight zipper associated with the first or second aspect of the invention is used in clothing, tents, life rafts and luggage.

Other aspects of preferred features of the invention will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

According to the invention, it is possible to withstand extreme weather conditions and treatments and still maintain water-and fluid-tightness, to prevent the water-proof layer from interfering with the interdigitation of the coupling elements, to improve protection against manufacturing damage due to the use of grease, to ensure that the grease is more difficult to interfere with the sealing of the sealing lips, and to prevent the sealing lips from slipping relative to each other during standard manufacturing processes.

Drawings

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art zipper in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one half of a prior art zipper;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of one half of a zipper according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the zipper in a closed position in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 shows another view of the zipper in the closed position as shown in FIG. 4 in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed Description

The invention will now be further explained by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In fig. 1, a sectional view of a related art spiral type (coiltype) slide fastener 10 is disclosed, in which waterproof layers 22a and 22b are formed at one side of a pair of tapes 24a and 24b, and spiral type coupling elements 20a and 20b are mounted at the other side of the pair of tapes 24a and 24 b.

Each of the screw-type coupling members 20a and 20b is formed by winding a synthetic resin monofilament. Each of the coupling elements is composed of an engaging portion that engages with the opposing coupling element, an upper leg portion, a lower leg portion, and a turn-over portion (turn over). The screw-type coupling elements 20a and 20b are sewn to the tapes 24a and 24b by sewing threads, or are knitted or woven to the tapes 24a and 24b when the tapes 24a and 24b are knitted or woven.

In FIG. 1, coupling elements 20a and 20b engage one another, thereby closing zipper 10. In the following description, a direction parallel to the horizontal plane of the tapes 24a and 24b and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tapes 24a and 24b is referred to as a tape width direction and a direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane is referred to as a front-rear direction.

Coupling elements 20a and 20b are attached to opposite edges of a pair of tapes 24a and 24b, respectively, and waterproof layers 22a and 22b are applied to the tops of the tapes 24a and 24 b.

The waterproof layers 22a and 22b extend along the length of the slide fastener 10, and the waterproof layers 22a and 22b have substantially uniform length profiles or neck regions 23a and 23b on the outer sides (the directions away from the ends in the tape width direction) of the fin-shaped ends 41a and 41b of each side of the tapes 24a and 24b as viewed in cross section to form the fin-shaped projections 40a and 40 b. When the slide fastener 10 is in the closed position as shown in fig. 1, sealing lips 30a and 30b (abutment lips) on opposite sides of the tapes 24a and 24b to which the coupling elements 20a and 20b are applied are formed on the flaps 40a and 40b, and the sealing lips 30a and 30b are in contact with each other.

However, as shown in FIG. 1, the shape of the waterproof layers 22a and 22b presents a problem in that when the zipper 10 is closed with the coupling elements 20a and 20b in an interdigitating relationship, the sealing lips 30a and 30b are not perfectly aligned so that the first flap 40a is observed to be raised relative to the second flap 40 b.

As a result, the waterproof layers 22a and 22b of the slide fastener 10 do not form a plane when viewed in cross section, and the waterproof property cannot be effectively exerted. This misalignment of the sealing lips 30a and 30b or the flaps 40a and 40b causes problems in opening and closing the slide fastener 10. In addition, the non-uniform joining (meeting) of the sealing lips 30a and 30b on the flaps 40a and 40b allows the intrusion of water so that the slide fastener 10 can no longer exert the waterproof property. This uneven surface of the waterproof layers 22a and 22b can also cause problems in opening and closing of the slide fastener 10 because it is difficult to pass a slider (not shown) through the uneven surface of the waterproof layers 22a and 22b to thereby close or open the slide fastener 10.

In addition, when manufacturing the slide fastener 10 having the waterproof layers 22a and 22b as shown in fig. 1, oil and/or grease is generally used to make the slider easy to slide. However, the use of oil and/or grease may often cause the fins 40a and 40b and the seal lips 30a and 30b to break, fold, or become misaligned in use, which may allow fluid to enter the seal. Without being bound to any particular theory, it can be guessed that the shape and thickness of the long neck regions 23a and 23b and flaps 40a and 40b cause misalignment of the neck regions 23a and 23b and flaps 40a and 40b during manufacture of the slide fastener 10 and misalignment of the sealing lips. The long neck regions 23a and 23b of the flaps 40a and 40b, having substantially the same thickness up to the ends 41a and 41b, provide sufficient flexibility in the neck regions 23a and 23b for the waterproof layers 22a and 22b to allow the layers to flex and bend towards the coupling elements 20a and 20 b.

In fig. 2, there is shown an enlarged sectional view of one side (left side in fig. 1) of the slide fastener 10 as viewed from fig. 1, in which a tab-shaped waterproof layer 140 is bonded to the top of the tapes 124a, and the coupling elements 120a are attached to the tapes 124 a.

The flap (waterproof layer) 140 includes a rising portion 142 extending from the edge of the cloth strap 124a away from the coupling element 120a in the front-rear direction (i.e., forward direction), a dome portion 144 continuous with the rising portion 142, and a return portion 146 continuous with the dome portion 144 and extending away from the coupling element 120a in the horizontal direction. As shown in fig. 2, the waterproof layer 140 includes a long neck region 123a that terminates at an end 141a of the flap 140. However, the fin 140 has a substantially uniform cross-sectional profile before the fin 140 terminates at the sealing lip 130 a. It can be observed from fig. 2 that although in the sectional view the end 141a of the flap 140 ends in line with the coupling element 120a, if the flap 140 is pressed in the downward direction towards the coupling element 120a, the area of the sealing lip 130a will extend beyond the end of the coupling element 120 a.

The ascending portion 142 of tab 140, starting from where tape 124a terminates, is located a set distance above the top edge 150 of coupling element 120a, so that there is a distance labeled "x" between the top of coupling element 120a (top edge 150) and the starting point of ascending portion 142 of tab 140 at where tape 124a terminates. The distance "x" between the top of the coupling element 120a (top edge 150) and the starting point of the rising portion 142 of the tab 140 is close to half the height "h" of the coupling element 120a measured between the top edge 150 of the coupling element 120a (first upper portion) and the bottom 151 of the coupling element 120a (second lower portion). The top edge 150 in cross section is the peak portion of the coupling element 120a on the side of the tape 124a, while the bottom 151 in cross section is the peak portion of the coupling element 120a on the opposite side of the tape 124 a.

The distance "x" ensures that when the coupling elements 20a and 20b cross each other as shown in fig. 1, a gap 50 is created by the joining (engagement) of the waterproof layers 22a and 22b and the coupling elements 20a and 20 b. The gap 50 has a significant dimension (dimension in the sectional view in fig. 1) with respect to the dimension (dimension in the sectional view in fig. 1) of the slide fastener 10. Thus, if the misaligned tabs 40a and 40b slide further due to the presence of additional oil and/or grease on the edges of the sealing lips 30a and 30b, there is sufficient space in the zipper 10 due to the gap 50, providing for additional movement of the tabs 40a and 40b relative to each other, and thus further misalignment of the tabs 40a and 40b relative to each other can occur. This ultimately results in zipper 10 having a more pronounced non-uniform water barrier layer 22a and 22 b. In addition, the substantially uniform thickness of the neck regions 23a and 23b of the waterproof layers 22a and 22b has the following effects: there is sufficient flexibility in waterproof layers 22a and 22b to allow flaps 40a and 40b to move relative to each other and into the void (space) 50 formed when zipper 10 is closed.

In fig. 3, a cross-sectional view of one side of a zipper having coupling elements 220 and a flap-like waterproof layer 242 according to the present invention is shown. It can be observed that while the flap 230 has a neck region 23 of substantially uniform thickness, the neck region 231 is for a portion of the flap 230, in fig. 3, the neck region 231 extends outwardly toward the coupling element 220 at the lower surface 247 of the flap 230 on the side of the coupling element 220 and outwardly away from the coupling element 220 at the upper surface 249 of the flap 230 to form a bulbous end portion (bulboused) 241 that terminates at the sealing lip of the flap 230. In cross section, the bulbous end portion (bulbous region) 241 is formed such that its thickness gradually increases from the thickness of the neck region 231 toward the coupling element 220, whereby it can be observed that the bulbous end portion 241 is spherical. The first upper portion 250 is also referred to as the top edge and the second lower portion 252 is also referred to as the lower portion.

Thus in cross section, the rises 240 of the tabs 230 are formed at the end edges of the tapes 224 where the tapes 224 of the tapes 224 terminate, and the distance "y" between the rise 240 at the side of the tape end edge and the top edge 250 of the coupling element 220 is significantly shorter than the distance labeled "z" between the top edge 250 and the bottom 252 of the coupling element 220. The flap 230 of the waterproof layer 242 is still composed of a rising portion (first rising portion) 240 extending away from the coupling element 220 in the front-rear direction (i.e., forward direction) with the position where the cloth tapes 224 terminate (end edge of the cloth tapes 224) as a starting point, a dome portion (second top portion) 244 continuous to the rising portion 240, and a return portion 246 continuous to the dome portion 244 and extending away from the coupling element 220 in the horizontal direction, and the coupling element 220 is still fixed to the cloth tapes 224, but it can be observed in fig. 3 that the flap 230 does not protrude beyond the end edge 251 of the coupling element 220 in the fastener open state. In addition, even if the tab 230 is pressed toward the coupling member 220, the tab 230 cannot be forcibly extended beyond the end (side edge 251) of the coupling member 220. It can be observed from fig. 3 that there is a distance "d" between the sealing lip of the flap 230 and the side edge 251 of the coupling element 220. When the coupling elements 220 of each tape 224 are engaged with each other and the slide fastener is closed, the flaps 230 of each side abut and deform to protrude away from the coupling elements 220 by a distance "d" in the front-rear direction by an amount smaller than that of the prior art slide fastener shown in fig. 1. That is, according to the present invention, the height variation of the seal lip of the fin 230 in the front-rear direction before and after joining can be reduced as compared with the related art, whereby the slippage of the seal lip can be prevented.

Additionally, in comparison to the prior art configuration shown in fig. 2, the distance "y" between the riser 240 of tab 230 and the top edge 250 of coupling member 220 is reduced by about 50%, such that distance "y" is less than 25% of the height "z" of coupling member 220, where height "z" is measured between the upper edge 250 and the lower portion 252 of coupling member 220. More preferably, the distance "y" is less than 20% of the height "z" of the coupling element 220, because the size of the gap can be reduced with respect to the size of the slide fastener in the state in which the coupling element 220 is engaged, as compared with the prior art.

The polymer material coating forming the flap 230 extends continuously along one surface 223 of the tape 224 and may also extend beyond the edge of the fabric tape 224 away from the coupling element 220. Thus, the polymer material coating forming the flaps 230 may also extend along the second surface, i.e. the back surface 225, of the tapes 224.

In fig. 4, a cross-sectional view of a zipper in a closed condition according to the present invention is shown with coupling elements 320a, 320b in an interdigitating relationship. In fig. 4, the zipper includes coupling elements 320a, 320b attached to opposite edges of tapes 324a and 324b, respectively. On top of the cloth tapes 324a and 324b, waterproof layers 322a and 322b are disposed, respectively.

However, in fig. 4, it can be observed that the flaps 342a, 342b have rising portions (first rising portions) 340a and 340b starting from the point where the tapes 324a and 324b terminate, top portions (second top portions) 344a and 344b continuing to the rising portions 340a and 340b, and returning portions 346a and 346b continuing to the top portions 344a and 344b and extending away from the top portions 344a and 344b in the horizontal direction, and the uppermost portions of the flaps 342a, 342b at the top portions 344a and 344b are aligned without mutual slippage. In addition, seal lip edges 330a and 330b are also aligned. Most importantly, however, the volume of the void 400 created between the top edge 350 of the coupling elements 320a, 320b and the rises 340a and 340b of the tabs 342a, 342b is reduced. This is because the length of the distance "y" between the top edge 350 of the coupling elements 320a, 320b and the rises 340a and 340b of the flaps 342a, 342b is reduced as compared to the prior art zippers.

The reduction in volume of the void 400 is also due to the fins 342a, 342b including bulbous ends (bulbous regions) 341a and 341b forward of the sealing portions (edges 330a and 330b of the sealing lips) that extend into the region in which the void 400 is formed (in the distance from the upper portions 344a and 344b toward the return portions 346a and 346 b). The bulbous end portions 341a and 341b are formed such that the thickness thereof in cross section gradually increases from the thickness of the neck region toward the coupling elements 320a, 320b, the front surfaces of the flaps 342a, 342b are distant from the coupling elements 320a, 320b, and the surfaces on the strap 324a and 324b sides expand toward the coupling elements 320a, 320b to form an expanded shape. The tabs 342a, 342b are formed with areas of bulbous regions 341a and 341b at the bulge portions, as compared to neck regions of uniform thickness. The bulbous ends 341a and 341b provide a greater abutment area between the sealing lips of the fins 342a, 342 b. In addition, the v-character of waterproof layers 322a and 322b creates bulbous regions 341a and has the effect that waterproof layers 322a and 322b thicken and are thereby strengthened in bulbous bulges 341a and 341 b. Thus, the bulbous flaps 342a, 342b are not easily slid over each other and are easily aligned.

FIG. 5 shows another view of the zipper in the closed position as shown in FIG. 4, wherein like elements are numbered identically. It can be observed that an additional feature of the zipper of the present invention is the shape of the flaps 342a, 342 b. The tabs 342a, 342b are designed such that when the return portions 346a and 346b are pressed, the edges 330a and 330b of the sealing lips contact each other to form a seal. In comparison with the prior art shown in fig. 1, the contact length of the edges 330a and 330b of the sealing lip, which is defined by the distance "b" between a first starting point 343 and a second ending point 345, is increased, wherein the first starting point 343 is the contact point between the edges 330a and 330b on the side of the coupling elements 320a, 320b, and the second ending point 345 is the contact point between the edges 330a and 330b on the side remote from the coupling elements 320a, 320b with respect to the first starting point 343.

In addition, according to the present invention, a distance "a" between a contact point of the upper surface of the fabric tapes 324a and 324b, which is closest to the edges 330a and 330b of the sealing lips of the flaps 342a and 342b and the ascenders 340a and 340b of the flaps 342a and 342b (a boundary point between the tape end edge of the side where the tapes 324a and 324b of the coupling elements 320a, 320b terminate and the waterproof layer 322a and 322 b) and a first start point 343 at which the sealing lips form a seal is smaller than a length of the seal between the sealing lips. The length of the seal is indicated as distance "b" and is measured between a first start point 343 and a second end point 345. That is, the sealing portion is the length of the contact portion of the seal lip. According to the present invention, the length "b" of the seal formed by the sealing lip is always greater than the distance "a" formed between the uppermost surface (contact points 347a and 347b) of the cloth tapes 324a and 324b, which is closest to the waterproof layers 322a and 322b, and the first start point 343 of the sealing part, whereby the fins 342a and 342b are formed in a bulbous shape.

It will also be appreciated that while the tabs 342a and 342b shown in fig. 4 and 5 illustrate angled return portions 346a and 346b, the shape of the return portions 346a and 346b of the tabs 342a and 342b may be modified to accommodate any logo or design. For example, the returns 346a and 346b of fins 342a and 342b may produce less rounded corners and tend to be more pointed configurations.

The aligned configuration of the upper portions 344a and 344b of the flaps 342a and 342b and the sealing lips or abutting edges 330a and 330b produce the advantages of the zipper of the present invention over prior art zippers and does not cause problems with the passage of the slider through the waterproof layers 322a and 322b and coupling elements 320a, 320 b. For example, when using oil and grease needed to enable easier handling of zippers with water barriers, the aligned coupling elements 320a, 320b and tab edges 330a and 330b ensure that the edge 330a of the first tab 342a on one side of the zipper does not slide relative to the edge 330b of the second tab 342b on the opposite side of the zipper, and that the tab edges 330a and 330b are not folded. This creates an improved abutment between the flap edges 330a and 330b, thereby preventing the ingress of water.

By producing a zipper in which the flaps 342a and 342b are more bulbous and closer to the top edges of the coupling elements 320a, 320b in accordance with the present invention, it has been found that the zipper still has the required product flexibility and the flaps are less prone to deformation than conventional arrangements. While not being limited to any particular embodiment, it is assumed that the ability of the tabs 324a and 324b to slide over each other is additionally reduced due to the reduction of the gap 400 between the top edge of the coupling elements 320a, 320b and the raised portions 340a and 340b of the tabs 342a and 342b starting at the end edges of the tapes 324a and 324b, and the increase in the effective strength of the tabs 342a and 342b due to the thickness of the neck regions of the tabs 342a and 342b as one moves along the tabs 342a and 342b toward the coupling elements 320a, 320b to form bulbous ends 341a and 341 b.

Thus, the tab-like polymeric material coating according to the present invention solves all the problems associated with the prior art waterproof zippers.

As typical examples of the polymer material, thermoplastic elastomers such as polychloroprene, polyurethane elastomers, and polyester elastomers can be used. The polymeric material may be rubber. The polymeric material is formed as a layer on the tape surface. Depending on the polymer material, the position where the polymer material is formed can be set to be impermeable to water and air. Thus, by applying a polymeric material coating to the tapes, the tapes can be made fluid tight. In addition, since the polymer material on each side has a flap shape, the polymer material forms a seal when the zipper is closed, thereby forming a liquid-tight state using the mating surfaces of the polymer material. The polymeric material may be transparent. However, it is preferred that the polymeric material is extruded onto the tapes, which may be formed by alternative methods. In addition, the polymer material can be adhered to the cloth belt. Any suitable binder may be used for this purpose. The fabric strip may include a water repellent or hydrophobic treatment or, alternatively, the stitching thread used to sew or knit the strip may be made of a hydrophobic material. As an example of the water repellent or hydrophobic treatment, a water repellent may be applied. The polymeric material may be subjected to a hydrophobic treatment.

Claims (8)

1. A waterproof zipper, comprising:

a pair of tapes having coupling elements attached thereto, wherein:

a coating of polymeric material is provided to at least one surface of the tapes and extends continuously along the surface;

the coating comprises a flap having a bulbous region in a cross section taken along the width direction of the tapes when the zipper is in an open configuration;

the coating cannot extend beyond the coupling elements when the zipper is in an open configuration;

the flaps on both sides of the tape each comprise: a first rising portion extending away from the coupling element with an end edge of the cloth tape as a starting point in a front-rear direction of the cloth tape; a second dome portion continuous with the first raised portion; and a third return portion continuous with the second domed portion and extending away from the coupling element in a width direction of the tape;

when the zipper is in an open configuration, in a cross-section taken along the width direction of the tapes, the flap does not protrude beyond the end edges of the coupling elements and there is a distance between the sealing lip of the flap and the end edges of the coupling elements;

when the zipper is in an open configuration, in a cross-section taken along the width direction of the tapes, the cladding comprises a neck region having a substantially uniform thickness, and the thickness of the bulbous region gradually increases from the neck region towards the coupling elements;

when the slide fastener is in an open configuration, in a cross section taken along a width direction of the tapes, a coating of each tape extends beyond an edge of a corresponding tape on which the coating is provided along the width direction of the tape;

the coating is provided on one side of the tapes and the coupling elements are provided on the other side of the tapes.

2. The waterproof zipper of claim 1, wherein the coating is bonded to the tape.

3. The waterproof slide fastener according to claim 1,

the coupling element comprises a first upper portion and a second lower portion;

the first upper portion of the coupling element is closer to the cladding than the second lower portion; and

a distance between the first upper portion of the coupling element and a start point of the first rising portion of the tab from a start point where the tape ends is less than 25% of a distance between the first upper portion and the second lower portion of the coupling element.

4. The waterproof zipper of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the bulbous region is greater than the thickness of the neck region.

5. The waterproof zipper of claim 1, wherein when the zipper is in a closed configuration, flaps of the coatings on both sides of the tapes abut at a centerline of the zipper to form a seal comprising a sealing lip of the flap.

6. A waterproof zipper according to claim 5, wherein the upper surfaces of the abutting flaps of both sides of the tapes are aligned with respect to the plane of the zipper.

7. The waterproof zipper of claim 1, wherein said zipper is a spiral zipper in which said coupling elements are spiral coupling elements.

8. The waterproof zipper of claim 1, wherein said tapes further comprise a hydrophobic treatment.