EP1029464A1 - Invisible zipper - Google Patents

Invisible zipper Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1029464A1
EP1029464A1 EP99300962A EP99300962A EP1029464A1 EP 1029464 A1 EP1029464 A1 EP 1029464A1 EP 99300962 A EP99300962 A EP 99300962A EP 99300962 A EP99300962 A EP 99300962A EP 1029464 A1 EP1029464 A1 EP 1029464A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
teeth
zipper
interlocking
clamping wall
invisible
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP99300962A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Roger Chun Yen Chung
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP99300962A priority Critical patent/EP1029464A1/en
Publication of EP1029464A1 publication Critical patent/EP1029464A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A44HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
    • A44BBUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE
    • A44B19/00Slide fasteners
    • A44B19/02Slide fasteners with a series of separate interlocking members secured to each stringer tape
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A44HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
    • A44BBUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE
    • A44B19/00Slide fasteners
    • A44B19/24Details
    • A44B19/34Stringer tapes; Flaps secured to stringers for covering the interlocking members
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A44HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
    • A44BBUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE
    • A44B19/00Slide fasteners
    • A44B19/24Details
    • A44B19/40Connection of separate, or one-piece, interlocking members to stringer tapes; Reinforcing such connections, e.g. by stitching
    • A44B19/403Connection of separate interlocking members

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an invisible zipper, and more particularly to such an invisible zipper in which U-shaped interlocking teeth are directly injection molded from plastics on respective side edges of zipper tapes, and the side edges of the zipper tapes are respectively folded up to wrap the interlocking teeth, enabling respective protruding upper faces of the teeth to be exposed to the outside for interlocking.
  • the invisible zipper comprises two zipper tapes, two rows of interlocking teeth respectively fastened to the zipper tapes. and a slide moved to close/open the teeth, wherein the teeth are injection-molded on respective folded side edges of the zipper tapes, each having an upper clamping wall wrapped in the folded side edge of one zipper tape, and a lower clamping wall for interlocking, the lower clamping wall being relatively longer than the upper clamping wall and having a protruding upper face for interlocking.
  • the protruding upper face at the lower clamping wall of each tooth comprises an engagement slot at a front side, two side notches at two opposite lateral sides in communication with the engagement slot, and two tongues respectively suspended in the side notches for interlocking.
  • the protruding upper face at the lower clamping wall of each tooth comprises a protruding portion at one side and a recessed portion at an opposite side for interlocking.
  • Figure 1 is a top plain view of an invisible zipper according to the prior art.
  • Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of an invisible zipper according to the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is an exploded view of a part of the invisible zipper shown in Figure 3.
  • Figure 5 illustrates the teeth respectively injection molded on the respective side edges of the zipper tapes according to the present invention.
  • Figure 6 shows the side edges of the zipper tapes respectively folded up, the upper clamping walls of the teeth respectively wrapped in the folded side edges of the zipper tapes according to the present invention.
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of a tooth for the invisible zipper according to the present invention.
  • Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternate form of the tooth according to the present invention.
  • Figure 9 is a top plain view of the present invention, showing the teeth closed.
  • Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of Figure 9.
  • an invisible zipper in accordance with the present invention is generally comprised of two zipper tapes 1a and 1b , a plurality of teeth 2a and 2b respectively fastened to corresponding side edges of the zipper tapes 1a and 1b , and a slide 3 moved to close/open the teeth 2a and 2b between the zipper tapes 1a and 1b .
  • the teeth 2a and 2b are made of plastics, and directly fastened to the corresponding side edges of the zipper tapes 1a and 1b by injection-molding (see Figures 3 and 5).
  • the tooth 2a ( 2b ), as shown in Figure 7, is a substantially U-shaped member comprising an upper clamping wall 21a ( 21b ), and a lower clamping wall 22a ( 22b ).
  • the lower clamping wall 22a ( 22b ) is relatively longer than the upper clamping wall 21a ( 21b ), having a protruding upper face 23a ( 23b ) for interlocking.
  • the protruding upper face 23a ( 23b ) comprises an engagement slot 24a ( 24b ) at its front side, two side notches 25a ( 25b ) at its two opposite lateral sides in communication with the engagement slot 24a ( 24b ), and two tongues 26a ( 26b ) suspended in the side notches 25a ( 25b ) for interlocking.
  • the slide 3 is disposed at an outer side of the zipper (see Figure 10) and moved to close/open the teeth 2a and 2b , having a pull tab 31 for pulling by hand.
  • the zipper tapes 1a and 1b are respectively longitudinally folded up and set into shape, enabling the upper clamping walls 21a and 21b of the teeth 2a and 2b to be respectively wrapped by the zipper tapes 1a and 1b with the lower clamping walls 22a ( 22b ) of the teeth 2a and 2b exposed to the outside (see Figure 6). Therefore, when the slide 3 is moved to close the teeth 2a and 2b . the interlocked teeth 2a and 2b are kept from sight (see Figure 3).
  • Figure 8 shows an alternate form of the teeth.
  • the teeth 2a' ( 2b' ) comprises an upper clamping wall 21'a ( 21'b ), and a lower clamping wall 22'a ( 22'b ).
  • the lower clamping wall 22'a ( 22'b ) is relatively longer than the upper clamping wall 21'a ( 21'b ), having a protruding portion 221'a ( 221'b ) and a recessed portion 222'a ( 222'b ) bilaterally disposed at its upper protruding face.
  • the protruding portion 221'a ( 221'b ) at one tooth 2'a ( 2'b ) is engaged into the recessed portion 222'a ( 222'b ) at another.
  • the upper clamping wall 21a ( 21b ) or 21'a ( 21'b ) has a sloping front side edge 211a ( 211b ) or 211a' ( 211'b ).
  • the design of the sloping front side edge 211a ( 211b ) or 211a' ( 211'b ) prevents the occurrence of a sharp angle after the upper clamping wall 21a ( 21b ) or 21'a ( 21'b ) has been wrapped in the respective zipper tape 1a or 1b .

Landscapes

  • Slide Fasteners (AREA)

Abstract

An invisible zipper includes two zipper tapes (1a,1b), two rows of interlocking teeth (2a,2b) respectively fastened to the zipper tapes (1a,1b), and a slide (3) movable to close/open the teeth (2a,2b), wherein the teeth (2a,2b) are injection-moulded on respective folded sides edges of the zipper tapes (1a,1b), each tooth having an upper clamping wall (21a,21b) wrapped in the folded side edge of one zipper tape (1a,1b), and a lower clamping wall (22a,22b) for interlocking, the lower clamping wall (22a,22b) being relatively longer than the upper clamping wall (21a,21b) and having a protruding upper face (23a,23b) for interlocking.
Figure 00000001

Description

  • The present invention relates to an invisible zipper, and more particularly to such an invisible zipper in which U-shaped interlocking teeth are directly injection molded from plastics on respective side edges of zipper tapes, and the side edges of the zipper tapes are respectively folded up to wrap the interlocking teeth, enabling respective protruding upper faces of the teeth to be exposed to the outside for interlocking.
  • Regular zippers are not invisible. When closed, the interlocking elements are visible. Similar visible zippers are seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,653,002; 5,469,605;5,400,482;5.297,319; 5,119,530. There is known an invisible zipper, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, generally comprised of two zipper tapes 30 and 30', interlocking spirals 10 and 10' respectively fastened to folded side edges 301 and 301' of the zipper tapes 30 and 30' by stitches. When the slide (not shown) is moved between the zipper tapes 30 and 30', the interlocking spirals 10 and 10' are closed or opened. The fabrication process of this structure of invisible zipper is complicated. Further, the interlocking teeth used in conventional zippers cannot be used for making an invisible zipper according to conventional zipper fabrication methods. Because these interlocking teeth are individually installed, they cannot be fastened to respective folded side edges of the zipper tapes by stitching.
  • According to the present invention, the invisible zipper comprises two zipper tapes, two rows of interlocking teeth respectively fastened to the zipper tapes. and a slide moved to close/open the teeth, wherein the teeth are injection-molded on respective folded side edges of the zipper tapes, each having an upper clamping wall wrapped in the folded side edge of one zipper tape, and a lower clamping wall for interlocking, the lower clamping wall being relatively longer than the upper clamping wall and having a protruding upper face for interlocking. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the protruding upper face at the lower clamping wall of each tooth comprises an engagement slot at a front side, two side notches at two opposite lateral sides in communication with the engagement slot, and two tongues respectively suspended in the side notches for interlocking. According to another embodiment of the present invention, the protruding upper face at the lower clamping wall of each tooth comprises a protruding portion at one side and a recessed portion at an opposite side for interlocking.
  • Figure 1 is a top plain view of an invisible zipper according to the prior art.
  • Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of Figure 1.
  • Figure 3 is a perspective view of an invisible zipper according to the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is an exploded view of a part of the invisible zipper shown in Figure 3.
  • Figure 5 illustrates the teeth respectively injection molded on the respective side edges of the zipper tapes according to the present invention.
  • Figure 6 shows the side edges of the zipper tapes respectively folded up, the upper clamping walls of the teeth respectively wrapped in the folded side edges of the zipper tapes according to the present invention.
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of a tooth for the invisible zipper according to the present invention.
  • Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternate form of the tooth according to the present invention.
  • Figure 9 is a top plain view of the present invention, showing the teeth closed.
  • Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of Figure 9.
  • Referring to Figures from 3 through 6, an invisible zipper in accordance with the present invention is generally comprised of two zipper tapes 1a and 1b, a plurality of teeth 2a and 2b respectively fastened to corresponding side edges of the zipper tapes 1a and 1b, and a slide 3 moved to close/open the teeth 2a and 2b between the zipper tapes 1a and 1b.
  • The teeth 2a and 2b are made of plastics, and directly fastened to the corresponding side edges of the zipper tapes 1a and 1b by injection-molding (see Figures 3 and 5).
  • The tooth 2a(2b), as shown in Figure 7, is a substantially U-shaped member comprising an upper clamping wall 21a(21b), and a lower clamping wall 22a(22b). The lower clamping wall 22a(22b) is relatively longer than the upper clamping wall 21a(21b), having a protruding upper face 23a(23b) for interlocking. The protruding upper face 23a(23b) comprises an engagement slot 24a(24b) at its front side, two side notches 25a(25b) at its two opposite lateral sides in communication with the engagement slot 24a(24b), and two tongues 26a(26b) suspended in the side notches 25a(25b) for interlocking. When the two rows of teeth 2a and 2b are closed, the tongues 26a(26b) of the teeth 2a(2b) at one zipper tape 1a(1b) are respectively engaged into the engagement slot 24b(24a) at the teeth 2b(2a) (see Figures 9 and 10).
  • The slide 3 is disposed at an outer side of the zipper (see Figure 10) and moved to close/open the teeth 2a and 2b, having a pull tab 31 for pulling by hand.
  • After injection molding of the teeth 2a and 2b on the corresponding side edges of the zipper tapes 1a and 1b (see Figure 5), the zipper tapes 1a and 1b are respectively longitudinally folded up and set into shape, enabling the upper clamping walls 21a and 21b of the teeth 2a and 2b to be respectively wrapped by the zipper tapes 1a and 1b with the lower clamping walls 22a(22b) of the teeth 2a and 2b exposed to the outside (see Figure 6). Therefore, when the slide 3 is moved to close the teeth 2a and 2b. the interlocked teeth 2a and 2b are kept from sight (see Figure 3).
  • Figure 8 shows an alternate form of the teeth. According to this alternate form, the teeth 2a'(2b') comprises an upper clamping wall 21'a(21'b), and a lower clamping wall 22'a(22'b). The lower clamping wall 22'a(22'b) is relatively longer than the upper clamping wall 21'a(21'b), having a protruding portion 221'a(221'b) and a recessed portion 222'a(222'b) bilaterally disposed at its upper protruding face. When the teeth 2'a and 2'b are closed, the protruding portion 221'a(221'b) at one tooth 2'a(2'b) is engaged into the recessed portion 222'a(222'b) at another.
  • Referring to Figures 7 and 8 again, the upper clamping wall 21a(21b) or 21'a(21'b) has a sloping front side edge 211a(211b) or 211a'(211'b). The design of the sloping front side edge 211a(211b) or 211a'(211'b) prevents the occurrence of a sharp angle after the upper clamping wall 21a(21b) or 21'a(21'b) has been wrapped in the respective zipper tape 1a or 1b.
  • It is to be understood that the drawings are designed for purposes of illustration only, and are not intended as a definition or limits of the scope of the invention disclosed.

Claims (4)

  1. An invisible zipper comprising two zipper tapes (1a,1b), two rows of interlocking teeth (2a,2b) respectively fastened to said zipper tapes (1a,1b) and a slide (3) movable to close/open said teeth (2a,2b), characterised in that said teeth (2a,2b) are injection-moulded on respective folded side edges of said zipper tapes (1a,1b), each tooth (2a,2b) comprising an upper clamping wall (21a,21b) wrapped in the folded side edge of one zipper tape (1a,1b), and a lower clamping wall (22a,22b) for interlocking, said lower clamping wall (22a,22b) being relatively longer than said upper clamping wall (21a,21b) and having a protruding upper face (23a,23b) for interlocking,
  2. The invisible zipper of claim 1 wherein the protruding upper face (23a,23b) of each of said teeth (2a,2b) comprises an engagement slot (24a,24b) at a front side, two side notches (25a,25b) at two opposite lateral sides in communication with said engagement slot (24a,24b) and two tongues (26a,26b) respectively suspended in said side notches (25a,25b) for interlocking.
  3. The invisible zipper of claim 1 wherein the protruding upper face of each of said teeth (21a,21b) comprises a protruding portion (2211a,2211b) at one side and a recessed portion (2221a,2221b) at an opposite side for interlocking.
  4. The invisible zipper of claim 1 wherein the upper clamping wall (21a,21b) of each of said teeth (2a,2b) comprises a sloping front side edge (211a,211b).
EP99300962A 1999-02-10 1999-02-10 Invisible zipper Withdrawn EP1029464A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP99300962A EP1029464A1 (en) 1999-02-10 1999-02-10 Invisible zipper

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP99300962A EP1029464A1 (en) 1999-02-10 1999-02-10 Invisible zipper

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1029464A1 true EP1029464A1 (en) 2000-08-23

Family

ID=8241216

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP99300962A Withdrawn EP1029464A1 (en) 1999-02-10 1999-02-10 Invisible zipper

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1029464A1 (en)

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3568266A (en) * 1968-05-27 1971-03-09 Supla Ets Fastener elements
US4426066A (en) * 1976-04-05 1984-01-17 Talon, Inc. Method of making slide fastener
US4718150A (en) * 1980-10-02 1988-01-12 Talon, Inc. Projection cooling of molded slide fastener elements and product
EP0608770A1 (en) * 1993-01-29 1994-08-03 Ykk Corporation Slide-fastener coupling element and method of making the same
US5678285A (en) * 1996-02-05 1997-10-21 Terry G. Spragg Zipper for heavy loads

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3568266A (en) * 1968-05-27 1971-03-09 Supla Ets Fastener elements
US4426066A (en) * 1976-04-05 1984-01-17 Talon, Inc. Method of making slide fastener
US4718150A (en) * 1980-10-02 1988-01-12 Talon, Inc. Projection cooling of molded slide fastener elements and product
EP0608770A1 (en) * 1993-01-29 1994-08-03 Ykk Corporation Slide-fastener coupling element and method of making the same
US5678285A (en) * 1996-02-05 1997-10-21 Terry G. Spragg Zipper for heavy loads

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP1800557B1 (en) Waterproof slide fastener
EP1614364B1 (en) Concealed type slide fastener
CN1883329B (en) Slide fastener
KR920002010Y1 (en) Apparatus for blocking the release of a slide fastener
CN102365038B (en) Slide fastener with separable bottom end stop
EP1938706B1 (en) Slide fastener with top end stop
EP1714575A1 (en) Top end stops for slide fastener
CN102469860B (en) Slide fastener
ES2234494T3 (en) ZIPPER CLOSURE PROVIDED WITH A SEPARABLE LOWER TERMINAL BUMPER ASSEMBLY.
CN103153121A (en) Slide fastener
ES2219828T3 (en) SEPARABLE LOWER TERMINAL BUMPER ASSEMBLY FOR HIDDEN ZIPPER CLOSURE.
JPH0228324B2 (en)
US6704975B2 (en) Separable bottom end stop for concealed slide fastener
WO2011039868A1 (en) Slide fastener
EP2604138A1 (en) Slide fastener
US5632070A (en) Lock slider for slide fastener
US6243927B1 (en) Slide fastener
US4054972A (en) Brassiere fastener
EP1029464A1 (en) Invisible zipper
GB2289917A (en) Lock slider for slide fastener
AU606545B2 (en) Bottom end stop for slide fasteners
US7000293B2 (en) Concealable zipper slider structure
EP1074196B1 (en) Invisible zip fastener
EP0062878A1 (en) A slide fastener assembly
GB2168425A (en) Slide fastener with a pair of intermeshable top end stops

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE

AX Request for extension of the european patent

Free format text: AL;LT;LV;MK;RO;SI

AKX Designation fees paid
STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 20010224

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8566