EP2066191A2

EP2066191A2 - Method and device for manufacturing a magnetic closure system and related system

Info

Publication number: EP2066191A2
Application number: EP07823471A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Eric Sitbon
Original assignee: Systemmag Par Actions Simplifiee Ste
Current assignee: Systemmag Par Actions Simplifiee Ste
Priority date: 2006-09-01
Filing date: 2007-09-03
Publication date: 2009-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 2027-09-03
Also published as: EP2066191B1; WO2008025905A3; FR2905234A1; FR2905234B1; WO2008025905A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and a device (1) for automatically manufacturing a magnetic closure system from a block of positive and negative magnetic members (3, 5) and from one or two flexible strips (2, 4), as well as to such a system. A dual strip (2, 4) is formed by folding the strip in two in the longitudinal direction or by attaching a strip onto another strip, small pockets (8) are formed at regular intervals in the dual strip, the magnetic members (3, 5) extracted from the bloc are inserted one by one or in batches into said pockets by pushing said members into the corresponding pockets, and the pockets can be closed or not.

Description

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MANUFACTURING A MAGNETIC CLOSURE SYSTEM, AND CORRESPONDING SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a method of automatically manufacturing a magnetic closure system from a block of magnetic elements and a strip or two flexible bands.

It also relates to a corresponding manufacturing device, and the system obtained with such a method.

The invention finds a particularly important application although not exclusive, in the field of ready-to-wear, for the quick closure of pants, jackets, shirts, skirts, dresses but also for the quick closure of all types of accessories such as caps , watches, belts or shoes. It is also used in the field of lingerie including sanitary (towels etc.) and table, bras, panties, corsets or garter belts, or that of luggage, handbags, bags, bags of travel, backpacks.

It also finds application in other fields such as furniture, medical for the fixation of orthoses and prostheses, slippers and clothing for the disabled, or in the military field for combat clothing and their accessories or, more generally, the industry for any fastener requiring closure and rapid opening over a certain length. It is thus for example usable to fix between them and end to end training mats or a training mat on a motorized cylinder, or to fix two different parts with each other as well as in the area of closing doors for example fabrics for a tent.

Magnetic or ferromagnetic elements can be divided into two categories: soft materials, which are easily magnetized (high permeability and reversible), and hard materials because of a strong remanent magnetization, which are then used as permanent magnets.

In the continuation, the term magnetic element will be used to denote indifferently the soft materials or the hard materials which thus form permanent magnets.

Note that a permanent magnet can be a natural magnet as well as an artificial magnet.

In this case it can therefore be of very variable constitution.

Subsequently it will also be necessary to mention polarities or poles or magnets constituting the magnetic elements used.

Every magnet has two opposite portions called poles, namely a positive pole or north pole (tendency to move towards the north) and an opposite negative pole or south pole. By its arrangement in the garment, the undergarment, the accessory etc., the magnetic element or elements of a part are brought to cooperate with the magnetic element or elements of the other part by one of its opposite portions. For simplicity, the magnet or the magnetic element, the portion of which is arranged to cooperate with the other part, has the positive pole, a magnet or positive magnetic element, and the one with the negative pole, a magnet or negative magnetic element.

Already known rapid closing devices of certain length, easily fixable on all types of media.

For example, there is a known system known as a "zipper" which is a registered trademark of a zipper.

Self-gripping webbing systems using small hooks are also known, which cooperate with mini loops on the other side, known under the trademark "Velcro".

Such devices have disadvantages.

Indeed, the type of zipper systems are poorly resistant to moisture even when they are plastic and are likely to hang sometimes causing a tearing of the fastener in the case where efforts are made to open the door. closed closure.

The velcro system has the disadvantage of wearing out quickly and making noise when it opens.

The present invention aims to overcome these disadvantages, by proposing a method of manufacturing a magnetic closure system and a device for manufacturing a simple, reliable and automatic closure for fastening or fitting quickly, efficiently and industrially.

Maintenance (washing for example) and easy implementation, the products obtained according to the invention, will be able to be easily used by people with disabilities by their condition or their environment, or those that perform many movements.

Among the other advantages of the invention, in addition to its ease of use, note the extreme speed of its opening / closing which results in a time saving and its flexibility since the magnetic elements themselves will be able to present soft, elastic and versatile shapes.

For this purpose, the present invention proposes in particular a method for automatically manufacturing a magnetic closure system from a block of positive and negative magnetic elements and a strip or two flexible bands, characterized in that one forms a double band by folding the band in two in the longitudinal direction or fixing a band on the other, is made at regular intervals pouches in said double strip, is inserted into the pockets one by one, or in batches, the magnetic elements extracted from said block, by pushing said elements into the corresponding pockets and whether or not closing said pockets.

In advantageous embodiments, one and / or the other of the following provisions is also used:

- the pockets are at least partially carried out by welding ^continuous or alternative of a line, by heating or by ultrasound;

- the pockets are at least partially carried out by stitching of a thread ^Λ using a sewing machine; the pouches comprise lips turned inwards on the side of the opening allowing their filling; the insertion of the magnetic elements is carried out from a reel containing said magnetic elements;

the magnets are galvanized in a passive zinc bath;

- The tape is covered with a series of ribbons of electrically conductive material, discontinuously opposite the magnetic elements. Such an arrangement will allow, if one performs the same recovery, but shifted, on the strip to be placed opposite, to create a continuous electrical circuit which, if it is broken, can trigger for example an alarm.

The invention also provides a device implementing the manufacturing method as described above.

More precisely, it proposes a device for manufacturing a magnetic closure system from a block of positive and negative magnetic elements and a band or two flexible bands, characterized in that it comprises training means a double band by folding the band in two in the longitudinal direction or fixing a band on the other, means for producing at regular intervals pockets in said double band, insertion means in the pockets a by one or in batches, magnetic elements extracted from said block, by pushing said elements in the corresponding pockets and means for closing said pockets. Advantageously, the means for producing the pouches comprise welding means by heating or ultrasound.

In an advantageous embodiment, the means for producing the pockets also comprise a sewing machine by stitching.

Advantageously, the insertion means in the pockets comprise a reel for being loaded into elements.

Also advantageously they include a keying means to prevent the introduction of magnets on the wrong side.

The invention also provides a system obtained with the manufacturing method described above.

It also proposes a magnetic closure system comprising a first band provided with a first series of magnetic elements and a second band provided with a second series of magnetic elements arranged to cooperate with the elements of the first series, characterized in that that each magnetic element of the first series is flexible and composed of positive and negative magnets articulated with each other, in that said magnetic elements are inserted in pouches made and distributed linearly along said strips and in that the first and second series are arranged to be joined together and to be removed gradually from one another by a continuous traction force of the user perpendicular to the system.

In advantageous embodiments, one and / or the other of the following provisions is also used: each magnetic element of the first and of the second series is composed of a group of positive magnet (s) and a group of negative magnets (s), the groups of the same magnetic element being fixed side by side on the same support and adapted to cooperate with groups of opposite signs of the corresponding magnetic element;

each element comprises at least two magnets per group and the positive magnets of one element are alternately arranged with the negative magnets of the same element;

each second magnetic element is formed of a ferromagnetic part;

each strip comprises a series of sleeves regularly spaced along said strip formed by stitching or heat sealing and in which the respective magnetic elements are inserted and fixed;

the sheath is reinforced and / or of non-rectangular shape;

- The bands are removable and fit to be attached along the edges of a jacket, fly, skirt or shirt;

each magnet is associated with an anti-magnetic protection element; the magnets come from the rare earth family of the Neodyne Fer Bore type; the magnet or magnets are covered with an anti-magnetic sleeve on at least one face.

each strip comprises a series of ribbons of electrically conductive material arranged opposite the magnetic elements in a discontinuous manner, and is arranged to cooperate with the other strip; ribbons covered identically but offset in the discontinuity 'to form a closed electrical circuit when the two strips are in contact, connected to a visual and / or auditory alarm system, triggered by breaking continuity of the circuit, in case partial or total separation between said strips;

- At least one band has at its periphery a longitudinal stop tab;

each strip comprises at least two magnets layers laterally offset.

The invention also proposes garments or accessories which are characterized in that they comprise fastening systems fixed in a detachable manner and / or in an irremovable manner, for example by sewing, welding or gluing on two of their peripheries facing each other, to make them attached to each other in a detachable manner by simple pulling, the systems being as described above.

Clothing must be understood in a very general and non-restrictive way as well pants, shirts, dresses, as underwear, such as bras, panties, garter belts, corsets and / or all types of accessories such as caps but also watches, belts, shoes, handbags, saddlebags, travel bags etc.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of embodiments given by way of non-limiting example.

The description refers to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in perspective the two strips of a magnetic closure system according to a first embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows in top view, the assembly and the beginning of disassembly of two strips belonging to a magnetic closure system according to a second embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c show four types of magnetic closure elements more particularly described according to the invention, respectively showing the case where the magnetic element is composed of a unitary element (FIG. 3a), the case where the magnetic element is composed of a block of magnets (Figure 3b) and the case where at least some of the elements can slide and be adjusted in the corresponding sleeves (Figure 3c).

Figures 4a and 4b show two embodiments of pouches usable in the invention, namely a single-layer pouch (Figure 4a) and a multi-layer pouch (Figure 4b).

Figure 5 is a schematic and partial side view of a bag manufacturing device used with the invention from two reel rollers.

FIGS. 6a to βc show three pouch closure embodiments used in a system according to the invention.

Figure 7 is a schematic and partial side view of a device according to one embodiment of the invention showing an alternative welding station. _{χ Q}

Figure 8 shows schematically another embodiment of a device part according to the invention for a continuous weld.

Figure 9 shows another embodiment of a device part according to the invention using the quilting for manufacturing pouches.

Figures 10a and 10b show in top view different embodiments of pouches according to the invention slot, U or I (Figure 10a), and several profiles for U-shaped (Figure 10b).

Figures 11 and 12 show schematically in front view and side view of an embodiment of the main positions of the device for manufacturing by insertion of magnets according to the invention, from a vertical reel loaded magnetic elements.

FIGS. 13a and 13b show two means of closing the pouches according to the invention, namely means by stitching (FIG. 13a) or by continuous or alternative welding of a line for example (FIG. 13b).

FIG. 14 shows a side and schematic view of the end of manufacturing steps of the magnetic system according to the invention.

Figures 15a and 15b respectively show in top view and in section a magnetic closure system according to another embodiment of the invention with alarm.

Figures 16a and lβb show schematically and in section an embodiment of closing system with simple stop. Figure 17 shows in section a closure system with double stop.

Figures 18a to 18d show in section variants of closure system according to the invention with embedding a magnet strip on its two faces, between two strips, with lateral stops and / or end.

- Figures 19a and 19b show in top view and in section, an embodiment of closure system further improved, double thickness.

FIG. 1 shows a magnetic closure system 1 comprising a first band 2 provided with a first series of magnetic elements 3 and a second band 4 provided with a second series of symmetrical magnetic elements 5 arranged to cooperate with the magnetic elements. 3 of the first series.

Each magnetic element of the first series is composed of positive and negative magnets 7 bonded alternately next to each other on a flexible support (not shown), which causes them to be articulated to one another by allowing a folding on one side while allowing a radius of curvature on the other side of said flexible support.

More precisely each magnetic element is here formed of at least one row, for example two or three rows, contiguous with at least two magnets, for example four magnets. Each magnet is for example formed by a small square or rectangular pellet 1 to 2 mm thick and 3 to 4 mm side, the magnets having in pairs alternating N / S orientation in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction. The magnets used in the embodiments more particularly described here are preferably based on Neodyne Fer Bore with a density of 7.3 to 7.5 g / cm ³ compressed, the coating of the magnet being obtained by a nickel-based alloy. and copper, or advantageously galvanized in a zinc bath.

The Neodyne is for its part, for example, the 45-hour Neodyne (containing Samarium-Cobalt).

They are arranged to bond with each other with sufficient force to allow a good fixation while allowing a pulling without difficulty, the joints between magnets allowing a curvature with a center of curvature located towards the outside of the binding during 1 ' uprooting.

The elements 3 and 5 are inserted into pockets 8 made and distributed linearly along the strips. The pouches are for example formed by U-shaped welding (whose branches 9 are perpendicular to the corresponding strip 3 or 4) of two superimposed strips or fabric strips 10 and 11 fixed to one another to respectively form the lower and upper faces of the strips 2 and 4 according to one embodiment of the invention.

The first and second series of magnets are arranged to be joined together and to be removed gradually from one another by a continuous traction force of the user perpendicular to the system.

The power which is characteristic of the magnetic closure as it is achieved by the joining of these two bands provided with elements ^

magnetic, depends essentially on the spacing or interval d between two magnetic elements of the same series and therefore pockets in which they will be slipped, the total length 1. of the closure, which extends linearly along the bands, the magnetic element itself, its size and the number of magnets, their magnetization, the type of magnets it contains and finally the thickness and the grip of the tape ' in other words, the choice of materials.

Such a type of magnetic closure also hereinafter called "magnetic zip" is an innovative alternative to the traditional closure system by zipper or buttonhole or the type as described above with reference to velcro or zipper.

Figure 2 shows the three steps ^r a joint between two pouches fitted with complementary magnetic elements namely a strip 12, for example attached to a support 13 and a belt 14 which will thus be approximated from the strip 12 (arrow 15), by placing the magnetic elements 16 of the band 14 opposite the magnetic elements 17 of the band 12.

In the next step (diagram 18) the two strips 12 and 14 and their respective magnetic elements 16 and 17 are placed opposite, which causes the closing contact.

By cons in 19, there is shown the opening of the system showing tearing of the strip 14 relative to the strip 12 (arrow 20) by perpendicular traction. ^

Figures 3a to 3c show the different types of "magnetic zips" more particularly manufactured with the invention.

FIG. 3a shows a first system 21 provided with magnetic elements constituted by unitary rectangular magnets 22.

These unitary magnets are themselves inserted in slightly larger rectangular pockets, formed by two tongues sewn together by means of a central seam (broken line 23). The seam 23 forms regularly, and throughout the strip, said pouches through perpendicular lines forming the two lateral sides 24. These lines are formed for example by heat-welding to thus constitute U-pockets 25 in which are therefore the single magnets 22 are inserted one by one via the opening which is located on the side 26. This can be closed later for example again by thermo-welding, or not.

FIG. 3b shows a system 27 according to another embodiment of the invention, this time comprising blocks of magnets 28 formed as in FIG. 1 of positive and negative elements contiguous to one another and mounted for example by hinged to each other to give the closure greater flexibility.

In this embodiment the pouches are constituted identically to those described with reference to Figure 3a but with a larger width.

FIG. 3c shows a third system 30 according to the invention, comprising here again blocks of magnets 31 substantially square formed of small positive / negative / positive unit magnets for example articulated by a flexible link of the sticky elastomeric type.

The pouches in which the magnetic elements are inserted are for example here formed, for one of the strips 32, by U-shaped impressions 33 of substantially the same dimension as the magnetic element in which it can not slide.

For the second band 34, the magnetic elements 31 are instead arranged to slide in larger cavities 35, substantially longer to allow adjustment of the binding which will thus allow more flexibility in the transverse direction.

This allows adjustment, for example, to the shapes of the person in a different way along the closure.

The method and the device for automatic manufacture of the magnetic closure system of the type described above will now be described with reference to the following figures.

We first start by preparing pouches 40 from sections 41 or patties of fabrics or other flexible materials whose width depends on that of the closure to achieve.

Depending on the configuration of this closure, we will use a single section, or single-layer pouch 41 with reference to Figure 4a or more sections, to achieve this time a multi-layer pouch having a first layer 43 and a second layer 44 internal to the first. According to the invention the magnetic elements 45 will themselves be placed inside these pockets as will be described below.

The sections 43 and 44 for forming the pouches 46 are (see Figure 5), arranged on one or more reels 47 and 48 for unwinding.

Where the strips forming the sections, for example fabrics, are then introduced into a guide 49 which guides the fabric at the exit of the reel to the step of producing the imprint described below.

This guide 49 also makes it possible to position the different strips of fabric relative to each other in the case of a multilayer pouch or on the contrary to perform the folding of the strip in the case of a single-layer pouch.

In other words, the band for forming the pouches is made either from two strips contiguous to each other using the reels 47 and 48, or from a single reel, in which case the double strip used is formed by folding the web in two in the longitudinal direction through a folding guide (not shown).

The guide 49 is also arranged in a manner known per se to make the closure lips of the pouch, as will now be described with reference to Figures 6 to 6c.

Figure 6a shows a first finishing mode 50, in which the lips 51 are formed by additional folding 52 of the strip. Such a configuration allows both to facilitate the subsequent assembly of the closure on the product and to avoid fraying the material.

But according to the needs, it is also possible to provide a different finish (see FIG. 6b) with single lips 53 not folded back or (FIG. 6c) a cut / welded edge 54.

In the case of using a multi-layer assembly, it is also necessary to achieve a finish on both sides of the assembly, which can for example be made on one side with lips and on the other side cut welded.

In the case of a single-layer pouch, the finish instead corresponds to the folding described with reference to Figures 6a, 6b or 6c.

The welded cut finish can be achieved by a continuous ultrasonic welding system (circular knife), a hot blade or any other device for cutting and welding a fabric material or a thermoplastic material.

To then constitute pouches themselves, it is a question of making an impression repeatedly at regular intervals, so as to form a housing in which we can insert the magnetic element.

To perform this operation several solutions according to the invention are possible.

In a nonlimiting manner and for example an alternative welding can be carried out, as shown schematically in FIG. 7, for example by ultrasound thanks to the ultrasound emitting machine 57 of known type and using an imprint 58 and a planar anvil 59 called sonotrode. XO

The welding is then obtained thanks to the heat and pressure generated at the interface between the impression 58 and the anvil 59.

It is thus possible to have a fixed impression and an anvil movable according to the arrow 60 or vice versa. The two parts can also be mobile and come jam the web of cloth between them.

The regular advance of the fabric is also obtained by pulling or pushing the fabric between each weld in a known manner via motorized pressure roller 61 disposed downstream of the fingerprinting station. But other means are obviously possible, such as a clamp or pusher system with movement back and forth.

Another embodiment of the impression forming station is represented in FIG. 8 by means of a continuous weld. It is indeed here to achieve pouches continuously through the use of a wheel 62 having on its periphery 63 regularly distributed fingerprints 64.

The angle at the center α between each fingerprint thus determines the desired interval between fingerprints.

The weld is obtained at the interface between the wheel and an anvil 65 where heat and pressure are created in a manner known per se, in particular by ultrasound. The anvil may itself be flat or circular tissue advancing in the direction 66 at the same time as the rotation of the wheel.

But in the embodiment more particularly described here, the anvil is actuated vertically, and programmed in time to weld the strips at specified intervals.

Such a device allows a great flexibility of forming closures with a programmable controller.

Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 9, of manufacture of pouches by stitching a thread.

In this case a sewing machine head 67 is coupled to a tissue feed system 68, for example using rollers as described with reference to FIG. 7.

The sewing machine head 67 can perform a transverse movement whose amplitude will determine the housing depth that is to say the pocket.

The housings can thus be obtained as with reference to FIG. 10a, by making a continuous line in crenellations 69, or else in U 69 'or in I 69 ".

FIG. 10b shows, for its part, several U-shaped fingerprints, for example made by heat-sealing the fabrics between them, namely long-legged U-profiles 70, with short legs 71, profiles 72 with a central bar 73 rounded inward or 74 with a thick, oblong central bar 75 having a central recess 76.

Note that the shape and size of the imprints depend on the dimensions of the magnetic element that one wishes to insert, the range of adjustment that is desired in the case of a closure with adjustable magnets and of course of the final aesthetic sought. The next step of the method according to the embodiment of the invention more particularly described here, is that of insertion of the magnetic elements into the pockets.

Referring to Figures 11 and 12, the supply of magnetic elements 77 is made from a reel 78 comprising a guide rail 79 formed by a vertical groove a little wider (slight clearance) than the width of the magnetic elements, and in which are stacked and guided the magnetic elements on for example three sides, and several centimeters in height, for example eighty centimeters.

The reels are made of non-magnetic material.

The magnetic elements 77 descend by their own weight and are pushed laterally one by one, in the pockets, which allows one hand their separation from each other, and secondly their maintenance so as to avoid any reversal and / or gluing an element or magnet on the other.

Advantageously, another means, magnet of the opposite sign or polarizing magnet 80, is placed opposite and at the bottom of the column to avoid any error in the positioning direction (at the place or returned) of the magnets of the column. .

The placing in position of the magnetic element then prepared, as well as the setting in position and the holding of the pocket 81 facing each other, are then carried out as more particularly appearing in FIG. 12.

This is to guide the pocket 81 and clamp it through known means, including a system of push cylinders 82, knowing that it is also necessary to prepare the opening of the lips 83 by means of a spacing device 84 for example consisting of two small parallel blades 85 between which will be pushed by by means of a jack 86 the magnet 87 previously placed facing the lip opening 83 of the pocket 81.

Then, the advance of the pouch at the desired pitch can be achieved by pushing or pulling the tape by a feed system 84 (see Fig. 11), as described above in connection with forming the tapes.

One of the difficulties encountered and which distracted the person skilled in the art from making such a device automatically was related to the problem of handling positive and / or negative magnetic elements tending to stick to each other once they were approached them too much.

Thus with the invention and thanks to the reel described above comprising the guide rail 79 allowing the magnets 77 to be brought one by one without the possibility of displacement of one relative to the other in a vertical direction, it It is possible to avoid this risk of reattaching the magnets on top of one another.

Finally, reference is made to FIGS. 13a, 13b and 14, the last steps of the method and therefore of the manufacturing device according to the embodiment of the invention more particularly described here.

The next step is closing the cover. After inserting the magnetic element it is in fact generally necessary to close the pouch to enclose the magnetic element in the latter.

This prevents the magnetic element to move or out of the housing of its pocket during subsequent manipulations, before the magnetic closure system is integrated with the product or clothing to be equipped.

Remember that, as the strip is a conventional zipper band, it will be sewn, for example to a garment, which will then cause the closure of all the pockets due to the fixing of the strip on the product himself.

Magnets will not be able to get out of their wallet any more. But before this production can be done it will of course have to handle this system and that is the reason why it is indeed useful to close the cover to lock the magnetic element in the latter to prevent him from falling or inadvertently turning around.

Of course, the utility of this operation also depends essentially on the shape of the imprint and the positioning of the magnetic element during manufacture.

In some cases, in fact, this operation will not be necessary.

This step of closing the pouches can be performed by stitching a wire 90 by means of a sewing machine 91 comprising a stitching head 92, the magnets 93 having thus been inserted in their sleeve 94, and being led guided by a guide 95, for example formed of two nonmagnetic parallel blades spaced a distance slightly greater than the thickness of the magnets and a drive roller 96 placed in front of said head stitching, acting on the underside of the fabric band with magnets.

Closing can also be carried out (see FIG. 13b) using a continuous or alternating weld via a welding head 97 arranged opposite a pressure and entrainment roller 98.

In both cases the functions provided are those of guiding the bag equipped with input to position it and the magnetic element, to close the bag thus equipped and to ensure the regular advance of the latter.

Finally, it is advantageous to assemble two strips of the closure system before packaging them, to propose a complete closure system to the user.

The magnetic closure system according to the invention is in fact formed of two strips 100 and 101 each provided with pockets with magnet 102 and 103 complementary, each pouch having been manufactured separately as described above.

To assemble them, making sure to position each magnetic element in front of the corresponding positive and / or negative magnetic element, a device is mounted with reference to FIG.

Guiding means known in themselves 104, for example constituted by small horizontal long ramps 105 arranged opposite with an intermediate ramp 106 are firstly provided in non-magnetized plastic material and for guiding the opposite strips of a closure between them in pairs.

The system is then taken up by means of pressure and drive rollers 107 after being assembled at 108 at the outlet of the means 104.

The system obtained can then be packaged either in rolls of several meters continuously, or be pre-cut by cutting means 109 with blade 110 and against blade 111 disposed opposite.

Beforehand measurements of the length to be cut allowed the positioning of the system.

The evacuation is finally carried out (arrow 112) for the unit or batch packaging of each system. ^' _η

Figures 15a and 15b show a system 112 incorporating a control device 113 of good closure and alarm in case of full or partial opening of part of the system.

It can operate with one or more indicators 114 closing control and / or opening control, the latter can be coupled with an alarm (not shown) in a manner known per se.

It finds many applications, especially for protective clothing type in the field of nuclear, bacteriology, or in the chemical field, in contaminated areas or controlled environment, for which the user must be notified: either before enter a contaminated area, or in case of opening of his protective clothing to avoid the risk of contamination.

In one embodiment, there is magnet control magnet (with a separate power supply for each magnet), which allows to know precisely the opening point, in case of partial opening.

The device is for example composed of two strips 115 and 116 equipped with complementary magnetic elements 117.

Each strip is covered with a series of ribbons 118 of conductive material of copper type (or other flexible conductive material) for example 2 cm long and 3 mm wide, depending on the arrangement, the spacing and the magnet size 117, which connects the magnetic elements two by two without necessarily being in contact with them.

On each band, there are alternately two magnets connected and two magnets not connected.

The assembly between the two strips must put face to face the connected elements of a band and those unrelated of the complementary band.

This makes it possible to obtain an electrical continuity of the copper ribbon, the magnetic force of the magnets ensuring the good contact between each pair.

It is then sufficient to circulate a weak current along this ribbon through a low voltage power supply circuit 119 known in itself. This system can be improved to achieve a more watertight closure, and this by adding a foam (not shown) between the magnets.

The magnets pressing the 2 foams, thus obtaining a greater sealing of the closure.

16a to 18d show variants of magnetic closure systems in profile, showing (FIG 16a) a first band 120 fixed on a fabric 121, comprising an elongate support portion 122 provided with the magnetic elements 123 fixed in the pockets 124, a wall is provided by an outer web 125, and a tongue or abutment lip 126 fixed for example by gluing at the end and along the closure a few millimeters thick.

The system (FIG. 16b) comprises two symmetrical bands, which makes it possible, in the event of closure, to have the bands bond better with each other due to the abutment symmetry 126.

FIG. 17 shows a system in which one of the strips 127, comprises the protruding magnets 128, and the other band 129, the complementary magnetic elements 130 embedded between two tabs 131 of abutment integral with said strip.

Figures 18a to 18d show a third variant, comprising two strips 129 mounted facing an intermediate strip 132 comprising on either side of a fabric or central support 133, sets of magnets 134 able to s' fit between the two tabs of stops 131 and to cooperate with the magnets in opposite 130.

FIGS. 18c and 18d show embodiments of central strips 135 with End stop 136 in the form of a strip of enlarged section relative to the thickness of the central strip fixed to the end of the support 133 to lock even better the attachment in the transverse direction.

Finally, FIGS. 19a and 19b show in top view and in section an example of a strip 140 with two layers 141 and 142 of magnets 143, 144 arranged in a laterally offset manner, to cooperate with a complementary strip 145 screwed to screw, which allows to further increase the seal: the magnets 143 and 144 may have different lengths.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments more particularly described. On the contrary, it encompasses all the variants and in particular those where the blank can be made separately on each bag, the one or the assembly being made later, the two complementary pockets of a magnetic system are packaged separately, or rolls are made. of pre-separated continuous magnetic systems.

All the devices and means used are non-magnetic, such as aluminum, or plastics, that is to say that they are unlikely to attract magnetic elements.

Claims

oREVENDICATIONS

1. Automatic method for manufacturing a magnetic closure system from a block of positive and negative magnetic elements (3, 5; 16, 17; 22; 28; 31) and a strip or two strips flexible (2, 4; 12, 14; 32, 34), characterized in that a double strip is formed by folding the strip in two in the longitudinal direction or fastening a strip (10) to the other (11). ), pouches (8; 40) are made at regular intervals in said double strip, the magnetic elements extracted from said block are inserted into the pockets one by one or in batches by embossing said elements in the corresponding pockets and we close or not the said pockets.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the pouches are at least partly made by continuous or alternating welding of a line, by heating or by ultrasound.

3. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pockets are at least partially carried out by stitching of a thread ^Λ using a sewing machine.

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pouches (41, 46) comprise lips (51) returned to the inside of the side of the opening for filling.

5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insertion of the magnetic elements is carried out at from a reel (78) containing said magnetic elements.

6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the insertion of the magnetic elements is carried out from a conveyor loaded with magnetic elements.

Device for manufacturing a magnetic closure system (1; 21; 27; 30) from a block of positive and negative magnetic elements and a strip or two flexible bands, characterized in that it comprises means (47, 48, 49) for forming a double strip by folding the strip in two in the longitudinal direction or fastening one strip on the other, means (57) for producing at regular intervals pouches in said double strip, means for insertion into the pouches one by one, or in batches, magnetic elements extracted from said block, by embossing said elements in the corresponding pockets and means for closing said pockets.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the means (57, 58, 59) for producing pouches comprise welding means by heating or ultrasound.

9. Device according to any one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the means for producing the pockets comprise a machine (67) sewing by stitching.

10. Device according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the insertion means in the pouch comprise a reel arranged to be loaded into elements.

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insertion means in the pockets comprise a foolproof magnet.

12. System (1; 21; 27; 30) for magnetic closure, comprising a first band (2) provided with a first series of magnetic elements (3) and a second band (4) provided with a second series magnetic elements (5) arranged to cooperate with the elements (3) of the first series, characterized in that each magnetic element of the first series is flexible and composed of positive (6) and negative (7) magnets articulated between they, in that said magnetic elements are inserted in pouches (8) made and distributed linearly along said strips and in that the first and second series are arranged to be joined together and to be removed progressively one of the other by a continuous traction force of the user perpendicular to the system.

13. System according to claim 12, characterized in that each magnetic element (3, 5) of the first and second series is composed of a group of positive magnet (s) (6) and of a group of negative magnets (7), the groups of the same magnetic element being fixed side by side on the same support and able to cooperate with the groups of opposite signs of the corresponding magnetic element.

14. System according to any one of claims 12 and 13, characterized in that each element comprises at least two magnets per group and in that the positive magnets of an element are arranged alternately with the negative magnets of the same element.

15. System according to claim 12, characterized in that each second magnetic element is formed of a ferromagnetic part.

16. System according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that each strip comprises a series of sleeves evenly spaced along said strip formed by sewing or thermo welding and in which are inserted and fixed the magnetic elements respective.

17. System according to claim 16, characterized in that the sleeve is reinforced and / or non-rectangular shape.

18. System according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that the strips are removable and fit to be fixed along the edges of a jacket, a fly, a skirt or a shirt .

19. System according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that each magnet is associated with an antimagnetic protection element.

20. System according to any one of claims 12 to 19, characterized in that the magnets are from the rare earth family of the type Neodyne Iron Bore.

21. System according to any one of claims 12 to 20, characterized in that the magnet or magnets are covered with an antimagnetic sheath on at least one face.

22. System according to any one of claims 12 to 21, characterized in that each strip (115, 116) comprises a series of ribbons (118) of electrically conductive material disposed opposite the magnetic elements (117) in a discontinuous manner and is arranged to cooperate with the other band covered with ribbons identically but offset in the discontinuity to form a closed electrical circuit when the two strips are in contact, connected to a system (113, 114, 119) of visual and / or auditory alarm, triggered by breaking continuity of the circuit , in case of partial or total separation between said bands.

23. System according to any one of claims 12 to 22, characterized in that at least one strip (120) has at its periphery a tongue (126, 131) longitudinal abutment.

24. System according to any one of claims 12 to 23, characterized in that each band ^• 140, 145) comprises at least two layers (141, 142) of magnets (143, 144) offset laterally.

25. Garment or accessory, characterized in that it comprises a closure system according to any one of claims 12 to 24.