Slide Fastener Sealing Systems and Methods

This application relates to slide fastener sealing systems and related methods that can be used in applications involving liquids or potentially harmful gases.

Zippers and other slide fasteners can be used to fasten components that may be used in applications that may involve liquids and/or potentially harmful gases. As some non-limiting examples, zippers and other slide fasteners may be used in waterproof garments, laboratory suits, boat covers, and other applications as desired. As one non-limiting example, zippers and other slide fasteners can be used to fasten components of a waterproof garment together in a removable fashion, to allow a user to relatively easily put the garment on and take it off. In applications that may involve liquids and/or potentially harmful gases, the slide fastener should ideally not detract from the ability of the article (e.g., the waterproof garment) to resist or minimize passage of fluid and/or gas into or out of the article. While there are some sealing zippers and zipper systems on the market that have been used for this purpose, available options all have disadvantages, and there remains room for improvement. This patent describes improved slide fastener sealing systems and related methods.

The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various embodiments of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim.

According to certain embodiments, a slide fastener sealing system includes (a) a slide fastener comprising: (i) a first slide fastener segment comprising a first tape segment, a second tape segment, and fastening elements positioned along the first and second tape segments; (ii) a second slide fastener segment comprising a third tape segment, a fourth tape segment, and fastening elements positioned along the third and fourth tape segments; (iii) wherein the first slide fastener segment overlaps the second slider fastener segment, and wherein a sealing zone forming a passage is located between the overlap of the first and second slide fastener segments; and (iv) a first side seal extending between the first and third tape segments in the sealing zone, a second side seal extending between the second and fourth tape segments in the sealing zone; (b) a sealing member comprising a sealing body position-able in the passage to resist fluid movement through the passage when the fastening elements engage the first and second tape segments together and engage the third and fourth tape segments together; (c) a plurality of lugs and a plurality of cavities associated with the sealing body and the first and second side seals, the lugs extending into the cavities when the sealing body is positioned in the passage, the lugs and cavities interacting to resist movement of the sealing body relative to the first and second side seals.

In some embodiments, the lugs and cavities interact to resist movement of the sealing body along the passage and resist rotational movement of the sealing body in the passage. Optionally, engagement of the fastening elements compresses the sealing body in the passage. In some embodiments, the lugs and cavities interact to resist longitudinal expansion of the sealing body along the passage when the sealing body is compressed in the passage. In various embodiments, the sealing body comprises the lugs, wherein the first and second side seals comprise the cavities. Optionally, the first and third tape segments are joined together at a first joint, wherein the first side seal covers the first joint in the sealing zone; and wherein the second and fourth tape segments are joined together at a second joint, wherein the second side seal covers the second joint in the sealing zone. In certain embodiments, the sealing body compresses against the first and second side seals and the fastening elements when the sealing body is positioned in the passage and when the fastening elements engage the first and second tape segments together and engage the third and fourth tape segments together. In various embodiments, the sealing body comprises a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a first side surface extending between the top and bottom surfaces, and a second side surface opposite the first side surface and extending between the top and bottom surfaces; wherein the lugs extend from the first and second side surfaces; and wherein, when the lugs extend into the cavities when the sealing body is positioned in the passage, the top and bottom surfaces face the fastening elements. In certain cases, the top and bottom surfaces each comprise a series of ridges oriented transverse to a long axis of the sealing body, wherein the ridges contact the fastening elements when the sealing body is positioned in the passage with the lugs extending into the cavities.

In various embodiments, the first and second side seals each comprise a curved surface, wherein the first and second side seals each comprise at least one of the cavities, wherein the cavities are recessed relative to the curved surfaces of the first and second side seals.

In some embodiments, the sealing body comprises a first curved side wall configured to compress against the first side seal, and further comprises a second curved side wall configured to compress against the second side seal, wherein the lugs protrude outwardly from the first and second curved side walls.

In certain embodiments, the first and second side seals each comprise a curved surface, wherein the first and second side seals each comprise at least one of the cavities, wherein the cavities are recessed relative to the curved surfaces of the first and second side seals. In various cases, the sealing body comprises a first curved side wall configured to compress against the first side seal, and further comprises a second curved side wall configured to compress against the second side seal, wherein the lugs extend from the first and second curved side walls of the sealing body. Optionally, the first side seal is molded to the first and third tape segments; wherein the second side seal is molded to the second and fourth tape segments. Optionally, the curved surfaces of the side seals and the curved side walls of the sealing body are deformable.

According to certain embodiments, a slide fastener sealing system includes: (a) a slide fastener comprising: (i) a first slide fastener segment comprising a first tape segment, a second tape segment, fastening elements positioned along the first and second tape segments, a first element fill on the first tape segment between at least some of the fastening elements, and a second element fill on the second tape segment between at least some of the fastening elements; (ii) a second slide fastener segment comprising a third tape segment, a fourth tape segment, fastening elements positioned along the third and fourth tape segments, a third element fill on the third tape segment between at least some of the fastening elements, and a fourth element fill on the second tape segment between at least some of the fastening elements; and (iii) wherein the first slide fastener segment overlaps the second slider fastener segment, and wherein a sealing zone forming a passage is located between the overlap of the first and second slide fastener segments; (b) a sealing member comprising a sealing body position-able in the passage to resist fluid movement through the passage when the fastening elements engage the first and second tape segments together and engage the third and fourth tape segments together; (c) wherein, when the sealing member is positioned in the passage and the fastening elements engage the first and second tape segments together and engage the third and fourth tape segments together, the first, second, third, and fourth element fills block a fluid flow path along the passage in gaps between the fastening elements.

In some embodiments, (a) when the fastening elements engage the first and second tape segments together, the first element fill compresses against the fastening elements of the second tape segment and the second element fill compresses against the fastening elements of the first tape segment, and (b) when the fastening elements engage the third and fourth tape segments together, the third element fill compresses against the fastening elements of the fourth tape segment and the fourth element fill compresses against the fastening elements of the third tape segment; wherein the compression of the element fill against the fastening elements resists penetration of fluid along the length of the passage.

In various embodiments, (a) when the fastening elements engage the first and second tape segments together, an inner edge of the first tape compresses against an inner edge of the second tape to resist penetration of fluid through the first slide fastener segment; and (b) when the fastening elements engage the third and fourth tape segments together, an inner edge of the third tape compresses against an inner edge of the fourth tape to resist penetration of fluid through the second slide fastener segment. Optionally, an inner edge of the first element fill is coextensive with or inset relative to the inner edge of the first tape. Optionally, a height of the first element fill from the first tape segment is less than a height of the fastening elements from the first tape segment that are positioned along the first tape segment. In certain cases, fastening elements of the second tape segment extend over the first element fill when the fastening elements engage the first and second tape segments together; wherein fastening elements of the first tape segment extend over the second element fill when the fastening elements engage the first and second tape segments together; wherein fastening elements of the fourth tape segment extend over the third element fill when the fastening elements engage the third and fourth tape segments together; and wherein fastening elements of the third tape segment extend over the fourth element fill when the fastening elements engage the third and fourth tape segments together.

In some embodiments, (a) an inner edge of the first element fill is coextensive with or inset relative to the inner edge of the first tape; (b) an inner edge of the second element fill is coextensive with or inset relative to the inner edge of the second tape; (c) an inner edge of the third element fill is coextensive with or inset relative to the inner edge of the third tape; and (d) an inner edge of the fourth element fill is coextensive with or inset relative to the inner edge of the fourth tape.

In various embodiments, when the sealing member is positioned in the passage and the fastening elements engage the first and second tape segments together and engage the third and fourth tape segments together, the first, second, third, and fourth element fills compress against heads of the fastening elements.

In certain embodiments, the first, second, third, and fourth element fills are only located along part of a length of the first and second slide fastener segments.

In some cases, the first, second, third, and fourth element fills are a deformable material molded onto the first, second, third, and fourth tape segments between the fastening elements in the sealing zone.

In various embodiments, the fluid flow path comprises a tortious fluid flow path between opposing fastening elements along the length of the passage.

According to some embodiments, the fluid flow path comprises a first tortious fluid flow path between opposing fastening elements of the first and second tape segments and a second tortious fluid flow path between opposing fastening elements of the third and further tape segments. Optionally, the first tortious fluid flow path is bounded by and in between the first and second tape segments and the sealing body; and wherein the second tortious fluid flow path is bounded by and in between the third and fourth tape segments and the sealing body.

According to certain embodiments, a slide fastener sealing system includes (a) a slide fastener comprising a first slide fastener segment and a second slide fastener segment, wherein the first slide fastener segment overlaps the second slider fastener segment, and wherein a sealing zone forming a passage is located between the overlap of the first and second slide fastener segments; and (b) a sealing member comprising a sealing body and a connecting body extending from the sealing body, wherein: (i) the sealing body is position-able in the passage to resist fluid movement through the passage; (ii) the connecting body comprising a first protrusion extending in a first direction and a second protrusion extending in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction, the first and second protrusions configured to engage a portion of the slide fastener when the sealing body is positioned in the passage.

In various embodiments, the first direction is approximately perpendicular to the second direction.

In some embodiments, the connecting body comprises a main body and an arm extending from the main body, wherein the first protrusion extends from a surface of the main body and the second protrusion extends from a surface of the arm.

In some cases, the surface of the main body and the surface of the arm are approximately perpendicular to one another.

According to some examples, the portion of the slide fastener the first and second protrusions are configured to engage is a box end of the slide fastener. In certain embodiments, the first and second protrusions are configured to engage at opposite sides of the box. In various embodiments, when the first and second protrusions engage the box, a top surface of the box is substantially uncovered by the connecting body. Optionally, when the first and second protrusions engage the box, the second protrusion engages a rear surface of the box at either a recess in the rear surface or a top corner of the rear surface.

According to certain embodiments, a slide fastener sealing system includes: (a) a slide fastener comprising a first slide fastener segment comprising fastening elements and a second slide fastener segment comprising fastening elements, wherein the first slide fastener segment overlaps the second slider fastener segment, and wherein a sealing zone forming a passage is located between the overlap of the first and second slide fastener segments; and (b) a sealing member, the sealing member comprising a deformable sealing body position-able in the passage of the slide fastener and an actuator extending through the sealing body, wherein actuation of the actuator deforms the sealing body such that the sealing body expands to resist fluid movement through the passage, wherein the sealing member further comprises at least one rigid member in the sealing body, wherein, when the sealing body is positioned in the passage, the rigid member is located between the actuator and the fastening elements of one of the first and second slide fastener segments.

In some examples, the at least one rigid member comprises a first rigid member embedded in the sealing body and a second rigid member embedded in the rigid member, wherein, when the sealing body is positioned in the passage, the first rigid member is located between and in-line with the actuator and the fastening elements of the first slide fastener segment and the second rigid member is located between and in-line with the actuator and the fastening elements of the second slide fastener segment.

In various embodiments, actuation of the actuator moves the first rigid member towards the fastening elements of the first slide fastener and moves the second rigid member towards the fastening elements of the second slide fastener.

In certain embodiments, actuation of the actuator deflects the first rigid member towards the fastening elements of the first slide fastener and deflects the second rigid member towards the fastening elements of the second slide fastener.

In some embodiments, the sealing member further comprises a connecting body adjacent the sealing body, wherein the at least one rigid member extends from the connecting body into the sealing body. Optionally, actuation of the actuator deflects the at least one rigid member towards the fastening elements of the first or second slide fastener segment.

In certain cases, the sealing member further comprises an end body adjacent the sealing body opposite the connecting body, wherein at least one second rigid member extends from the end body into the sealing body. Optionally, actuation of the actuator deflects the at least one rigid member and the at least one second rigid member towards the fastening elements of the first or second slide fastener segment.

According to various examples, the sealing body comprises a series of raised surface profiles on at least one surface of the sealing body, wherein, when the sealing body is positioned in the passage, the series of raised surface profiles is located between the rigid member and the fastening elements of one of the first and second slide fastener segments.

In certain embodiments, actuation of the actuator deflects the at least one rigid member towards the fastening elements of one of the first or second slide fastener segment such that the raise surface profiles are pressed into the fastening elements.

According to certain embodiments, a slide fastener sealing system includes (a) a slide fastener; and (b) a sealing member, the sealing member comprising a deformable sealing body position-able in a sealing-zone passage associated with the slide fastener, a connecting body adjacent the sealing body, an end body adjacent the sealing body opposite the connecting body, and an actuator extending at least partially through the sealing, connecting, and end bodies, wherein actuation of the actuator deforms the sealing body such that the sealing body expands to resist fluid movement through the passage.

In various embodiments, at least one of the connecting and end bodies comprises an opening configured to receive a capture member, the capture member configured to engage the actuator.

In some cases, rotation of the actuator deforms the sealing body. In certain cases, the capture member engages the actuator such that the actuator can rotate and translate relative to the capture member.

In various embodiments, the capture member engages the actuator such that the capture member resists translation of the capture member relative to the actuator.

In certain embodiments, (a) the connecting body comprises an opening configured to receive a first capture member; (b) the end body comprises an opening configured to receive a second capture member; (c) wherein one of the first and second capture members engages the actuator such that the actuator such that the actuator can rotate and translate relative to the capture member; and (d) wherein the other of the first and second capture members engages the actuator such that the capture member resists translation of the capture member relative to the actuator.

In some embodiments, the first capture member comprises a threaded member and wherein the second capture member comprises a retainer.

Various implementations described in the present disclosure can include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which cannot necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all such systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within the present disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims.

Several examples of slide fastener sealing systems and related methods are described below. The example illustrated inwill be discussed first.

Referring to, the sealed zipper assembly ofincludes a first zipper segmentand a second zipper segmentin overlapping relation to create a sealing zone. Referring toand, sealing zonecan be viewed as forming a tunnel. Referring to, in this regard, sealing zonehas an exterior openingand an interior opening. Referring toand, a sealing elementis positioned in sealing zoneto prevent leakage between first zipper segmentand second zipper segment. Referring to, sealing elementis illustrated. Referring toand, sealing elementis resiliently deformable and is compressed within sealing zoneby first zipper segmentand second zipper segment. Referring to, it will be noted that with this first example, first zipper segmentand second zipper segmentare part of a single interlocking zipper fastenerand create a single sealing zone, previously identified as sealing zone. As will hereinafter be illustrated and described with reference to other examples, there can be more than one interlocking zipper fastener and more than one sealing zone.

Referring tothroughand, interlocking zipper fastenerhas a first series of interlocking teethsupported on a bandand a second series of interlocking teethsupported on a band. At least one slideris provided. Referring toand, interlocking zipper fastenerhas a first endthat serves as first zipper segmentand a second endthat serves as second zipper segmentin this embodiment.

Referring to, a garment bodymade with waterproof fabric consists of a first or upper discrete body componentand a second or lower discrete body component. Interlocking zipper fasteneris in a circular configuration that enables first discrete body componentto be separated from second discrete body component. Referring to, bandsupporting first series of interlocking teethconstituting a first half of interlocking zipper fasteneris secured to first discrete body componentin a generally circular configuration to form a first half of first zipper segmentand a first half of second zipper segmentin overlapping relation. Similarly, bandsupporting second series of interlocking teethconstituting a second half of interlocking zipper fasteneris secured to second discrete bodycomponent in a generally circular configuration to form a second half of the first zipper segmentand a second half of the second zipper segmentin overlapping relation.

Referring to, slideris used to slide along interlocking zipper fastenerin a first direction to bring first series of interlocking teethand second series of interlocking teethinto engagement as illustrated in. Referring to, sliderslides along interlocking zipper fastenerin a second direction to disengage first series of interlocking teethand second series of interlocking teethto disengage interlocking zipper fastener, as illustrated in. Referring to,,and, as sliderinterlocks first series of interlocking teethand second series of interlocking teeth, it completes first zipper segmentand second zipper segment, the overlapping of which creates sealing zone. Sealing zoneis then ready to receive sealing element. Referring to, sealing elementhas ridgesthat assist in sealing. Sealing elementalso has a first channelon a first faceand a second channelon a second face. Referring to, First channelreceives interlocked teethof first zipper segmentand second channelreceives interlocked teethof second zipper segment.

Referring to, bandsupporting first series of interlocking teethconstituting a first half of interlocking zipper fasteneris secured to first discrete body componentin a generally circular configuration to form a first half of first zipper segmentand a first half of second zipper segmentin overlapping relation. Bandsupporting second series of interlocking teethconstituting a second half of interlocking zipper fasteneris secured to second discrete bodycomponent in a generally circular configuration to form a second half of the first zipper segmentand a second half of the second zipper segmentin overlapping relation. Referring to, sliderslides along interlocking zipper fastenerin a first direction to bring first series of interlocking teethand second series of interlocking teethinto engagement as illustrated in. Referring toand, as sliderinterlocks first series of interlocking teethand second series of interlocking teeth, it completes first zipper segmentand second zipper segmentthe overlapping of which creates sealing zone. Referring toand, sealing elementis compressed within sealing zoneby first zipper segmentand second zipper segment.

There will hereinafter be described several variations that may be made to the first example described above.

The first example included a single sealing element. Referring to, there is illustrated an alternative sealing elementthat has a first seal componentand a second seal component. Referring to, first seal componentis wedged into and held by friction or otherwise secured to first discrete body component. Second seal componentis wedged into and held by friction or otherwise secured to second discrete body component. Referring toand, when interlocking zipper fasteneris closed, first seal componentand second seal componentare forced together to form sealing elementwhich fills sealing zone.

In the first example discussed above, sealing elementwas held in place by friction and was removable. Referring toand, alternative sealing elementhas a fabric stripmoulded into the elastomeric foam. Fabric stripis used to secure alternative sealing elementto first discrete body component. This is done by stitching through fabric strip. Fabric stripserves to anchor alternative sealing elementto first discrete body componentin a desired position where sealing zoneis formed by the overlapping of first zipper segmentand second zipper segmentof interlocking zipper fastener. It will be appreciated that there are other ways to secure alternative sealing element within sealing zone.

In the first example discussed above, sealing elementwas elastomeric foam. Referring toandan alternative sealing elementis illustrated. Referring to, sealing elementis a plugthat is suspended by a tetherfrom sliderwhen not in use. Referring to, plugis intended to be inserted into exterior openingof sealing zoneto seal sealing zone. It is preferred that plughave a surface profile, such as ribs or ridges, to enhance both the sealing capacity and the holding capacity of plug. It will be appreciated that there are other raised surface profiles that would similarly serve this purpose.

In the first example discussed above, first zipper segmentand second zipper segmentare positioned substantially parallel to interlocking zipper fastener. Referring to, first zipper segmentand second zipper segmentwhich form sealing zone, can be configured so that they project outwardly or radially from interlocking zipper fastener.

In the first example discussed above, there was only one interlocking zipper fastenerand only one sealing zone. Referring to, there is shown a configuration that has more than one interlocking zipper fastenerand more than one sealing zone. With this configuration, first endof one interlocking zipper fastenerserves as first zipper segmentand second endof another interlocking zipper fastenerserves as second zipper segmentto create a first sealing zone. In addition, first endof interlocking zipper fastenerserves as first zipper segmentand second endof interlocking zipper fastenerserves as second zipper segmentto create a second sealing zone. It will be appreciated that although two interlocking zipper fastenersandhave been illustrated in a circular configuration more than two interlocking zipper fastener could also be arranged in a circular configuration in a like manner.

It is not unusual for a garment intended for use in water, such as garment bodyto have air transfer valves, to provide for air movement. Referring to, alternative sealing elementis shown with an air transfer tubeextending through the body of alternative sealing element. Air transfer tubeallows for movement of air in and out of garment body. When garment bodyis to be submerged in water or another liquid, a closure valvecan be used to close air transfer tube.