EP4686428A1

EP4686428A1 - Zipper

Info

Publication number: EP4686428A1
Application number: EP24192239.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christian Melarancio; Jun SHITAKA
Original assignee: YKK Corp
Current assignee: YKK Corp
Priority date: 2024-08-01
Filing date: 2024-08-01
Publication date: 2026-02-04
Also published as: JP2026025962A; US20260033601A1; CN121445159A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a zipper, comprising a first tape with a first row of engaging elements, a second tape with a second row of engaging elements, a slider having an upper shield and a lower shield, a first terminal means behind the last engaging element on the first tape in a closing direction of the slider, and a second terminal means behind the last engaging element on the second tape in the closing direction of the slider, wherein in the closed state of the zipper, said second terminal means extends beyond the end face of the first tape facing the second tape.According to the invention, in the closed state of the zipper, the distance of the tape-facing plane of the upper shield of the slider from the first tape at the end of the first terminal means facing the first row of engaging elements is different from the respective distance at the opposite end of the first terminal means.

Description

The present invention relates to a zipper, comprising a first tape with a first row of engaging elements, a second tape with a second of row of engaging elements, a slider having an upper shield and a lower shield, a first terminal means behind the last engaging element on the first tape in a closing direction of the slider, and a second terminal means behind the last engaging element on the second tape in the closing direction of the slider, wherein, in the closed state of the zipper, said second terminal means extends beyond the end face of the first tape facing the second tape.
What is meant by "behind" is that the slider reaches the first and second terminal means after the last engaging elements when moved in the closing direction.
Zippers of the kind described above are known, e.g. from CN 208523931 U and CN 210747617 U . When closing a zipper of the prior art, there is a risk that the first tape collides with the part of the second terminal means which, in the closed state of the zipper, extends beyond the end face of the first tape facing the second tape. Such a collision makes it difficult to close the zipper.
The object underlying the present invention is to enhance the known zipper so that closing thereof is facilitated.
According to the invention, the above object is achieved with a zipper as described above, wherein, in the closed state of the zipper, the distance of the tape facing plane of the upper shield of the slider from the first tape at the end of the first terminal means facing the first row of engaging elements is different from the respective distance at the opposite end of the first terminal means.
According to the above structure, when the slider is moved in the closing direction and takes in the first terminal means, the first tape is bent according to said difference of distances and, thereby, moved away from the second terminal means in a direction perpendicular to the main plane of the first tape, so that the risk of collision with the second terminal means is reduced to a minimum or eliminated.
The value of said difference of distances can be freely chosen as long as the first tape is sufficiently moved out of the trajectory of the second terminal means during the closing of the zipper. It is, however, particularly preferred that, when the distance of the tape facing plane of the upper shield of the slider from the first tape at the end of the first terminal means facing the first row of engaging elements in the closed state of the zipper is d, and the distance of the tape facing plane of the upper shield of the slider from the first tape at the opposite end is D, and the thickness of the first tape at the edge facing the second terminal means in the closed state of the zipper is T, the following relation applies: 0.5 T ≤ D - d ≤ 2 T. These values have proved to be reasonable.
To achieve the above bending in order to move the first tape out of the trajectory of the second terminal means, various measures can be taken. It is, however, preferred that a surface of the first terminal means facing the upper shield in the closed state of the zipper and/or a surface of the first terminal means facing the lower shield in the closed state of the zipper is/are at least partially inclined relative to the first tape, rising or falling in the closing direction.
This is a particularly easy way of achieving said bending.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the surface of the first terminal means facing the upper shield in the closed state of the zipper is parallel to the surface of the first terminal means facing the lower shield in the closed state of the zipper.
This facilitates the closing and opening movements of the slider.
Preferably, the inclination angle is in the range of from 0.1 ° to 15°, more preferably of from 3° to 10°, even more preferably 4° to 6°.
Said values may be positive or negative defining the direction of bending (upwardly or downwardly). The same applies, mutatis mutandis, to the above-mentioned difference (D - d), which difference may be positive or negative.
In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, a surface of the first terminal means facing the upper shield in the closed state of the slider and/or a surface of the first terminal means facing the lower shield in the closed state of the slider is/are at least partially inclined relative to the tape, rising or falling in the direction from the first to the second terminal means.
According to this structure, the risk of collision of the first tape and/or the first terminal means with the second terminal means is further reduced.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and/or the second terminal means has/have a stopper against which the slider abuts in the closed state of the zipper.
Such a stopper serves for preventing the slider from sliding beyond the first and second terminal means.
According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and/or second terminal means is/are integral with the stopper.
According to this embodiment, the respective stopper is not a separated part, but in one piece with the first or second terminal means.
Preferably, the first terminal means has at least one recess at least partially overlapping with the part of the second terminal means extending beyond said end face of the first tape facing the second tape in the closed state of the zipper. In other words, part of the second terminal means is sort of embedded in the first terminal means enhancing the stability of the overall structure in the closed state of the zipper.
For the same reason of enhancing stability in the closed state, it is preferred according to the invention that, in the closed state of the zipper, the first terminal means and the part of the second terminal means not extending beyond the end face of the first terminal means together make up a "V" shape.
According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the second terminal means has at least one recess at least partially overlapping with a part of the first tape in the closed state of the zipper.
This recess is meant for sort of embedding the respective part of the first tape and, thereby, contributes to the stability of the overall structure in the closed state of the zipper. Moreover, this recess contributes to reducing the risk of collision of the first tape with the second terminal means.
What is moreover preferred is that the first and/or the second terminal means has a lock pin receiving recess.
If a lock pin is received in said recess, the zipper is prevented from opening arbitrarily.
Finally, it is preferred that the first and/or the second terminal means is/are provided with advertising means. This is particularly preferred for the second terminal means, because the main surface of which may be made larger resulting from the fact that the second terminal means extends beyond the end face of the first tape facing the second tape.
The invention is explained in more detail below with the help of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing. The following embodiments are shown:

Fig. 1: an embodiment of the zipper according to the invention, in a partly opened state,
Fig. 2: the zipper of Fig. 1, in the closed state,
Fig. 3: a schematic partial side view of the zipper according to Fig. 2,
Fig. 4: terminal elements of the zipper according to Figs. 1 to 3, in the closed state,
Fig. 5: the same as Fig. 4, but viewed from the reverse side,
Fig. 6: a side view of a terminal means of the zipper according to Figs. 1 to 3,
Fig. 7: the terminal means of Fig. 6, but in top view,
Fig. 8: the same as Fig. 4, but of another embodiment, and
Fig. 9: schematic terminal elements of a zipper according to a further embodiment of the invention, in two different states of the zipper.

The zipper according to the first embodiment shown in the drawings has a first tape 10 with a first row 12 of engaging elements and a second tape 14 with a second row 16 of engaging elements. Furthermore, the zipper has a first terminal means 18 and a second terminal means 20. A slider 22 serves for opening and closing the zipper by sliding along the rows 12 and 16 of engaging elements. The last engaging elements in the closing direction of slider 22 of first and second rows 12, 16 are engaging elements 24 and 26, respectively. Reference numerals 28 and 30 refer to edges of the first, respectively second tapes 10, 14, facing the other tape 14, 10. In the present embodiment, there is a cord at said edges 28, 30.
As is to be taken from Fig. 3, slider 22 has an upper shield 32 with a tape-facing plane P and a lower shield 34. What is, moreover, to be taken from Fig. 3 is that in the closed state of the zipper, distance d of the tape facing plane of the upper shield 32 of slider 22 from first tape 10 at the end of first terminal means 18 facing last engaging element 24 and, thereby, first row 12 of engaging elements is smaller than distance D of the tape facing plane of the upper shield 32 of slider 22 from first tape 10 at the opposite end of first terminal means 18, i.e. the left hand side end in Fig. 3. According to this difference between the distances d and D, first tape 10 is bent within slider 22 in the downward direction of Fig. 3.
When the zipper according to Figs. 1 to 3 is closed, i.e. transferred from the state of Fig. 1 to the state of Fig. 2, terminal elements 18 and 20 are moved against one another. Since first tape 10 is bent when taken in by slider 22, it is moved downward in Fig. 3 avoiding collision with terminal element 20 when part thereof moves beyond edge 28 of first tape 10.
Fig. 4 shows the same as Fig. 2, but with first and second tapes 10, 14 as well as slider 22 omitted. What is to be taken from Figs. 4 and 5 is that first terminal means 18 together with the lower part in Fig. 4 of second terminal means 20 make up a "V" shape and is thus a very stable structure holding the zipper in the closed state.
Fig. 5 shows a view of first and second terminal means 18, 20 seen from the reverse side as compared to Fig. 4. On this side, terminal means 20 has a surface 36 on the left hand side of Fig. 5 and a recess 38 on the right hand side. Recess 38 serves for sort of embedding part of first tape 10 in the closed state of the zipper. A further recess 41 serves for sort of embedding part of first terminal means 18 in cooperation with recess 40 (Fig. 7) of first terminal means 18. Thereby, the zipper can be smoothly closed even with view to the fact that second terminal means 20 is overlapping with first tape 10 and with first terminal means 18.
Fig. 6 serves for explaining how to achieve the above different distances d and D between first tape 10 and upper shield 32 of slider 22. Said difference of distances results from an inclination of a part of upper and lower surfaces 42 and 44 of first terminal means 10. The respective inclination angle α to the tape plane in the present embodiment has a value of 5°. In the shown embodiments, respective surfaces are parallel to one another. If first terminal means 18 with said inclined surfaces 42 and 44 is introduced into slider 22 and slider 22 is moved in the closing direction, the end of first terminal means not facing first row 12 of engaging elements is rotated downwardly, i.e. counter-clockwise in Figs. 3 and 6, resulting in that edge 28 of first tape 10 is moved out of the trajectory of the second terminal means 20 during closing of the zipper. Thereby, the risk of collision is reduced or even eliminated. A recess 46 of second terminal means 20 serves for receiving a lock pin (not shown) of the zipper, said lock pin being provided on slider 22.
in the present embodiment, front surface 48 of second terminal means 20 can be used for holding or being advertising means, such as a logo.
As is to be taken from Fig. 6, first terminal means 18 has a stopper 50 realized in the form of a ramp in the present embodiment. It serves for stopping slider 22 in the closed state. It is realized integrally with first terminal means 18.
Fig. 8 refers to another embodiment of the zipper according to the present invention. It differs from the first embodiment by front surface 52 of second terminal means 20, which has the contour of a square, whereas the contour of surface 48 is round.
Fig. 9 refers to a further embodiment of the invention. The upper part of Fig. 9 shows first and second tapes 10, 14 as well as first and second terminal means 18 and 20 in a state prior to closing the zipper.
According to the lower part of Fig. 9, as soon as the slider (not shown) reaches first terminal means 18, due to an inclination of the upper surface rising in the direction from first terminal means 18 to second terminal means 20, first terminal means 18 is rotated out of the trajectory of second terminal means 20, so that the further closing of the zipper by further moving first and second terminal means 18, 20 against one another can be smoothly performed without any risk of collision.
The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, claims and drawing may, both individually and in any combination, be essential to the realization of the invention in its various embodiments.

Claims

Zipper, comprising
a first tape (10) with a first row (12) of engaging elements,

a second tape (14) with a second row (16) of engaging elements,

a slider (22) having an upper shield (32) and a lower shield (34),

a first terminal means (18) behind the last engaging element (24) on the first tape in a closing direction of the slider, and

a second terminal means (20) behind the last engaging element (26) on the second tape in the closing direction of the slider, wherein

in the closed state of the zipper, said second terminal means extends beyond the end face of the first tape facing the second tape,
characterized in that

in the closed state of the zipper, the distance of the tape-facing plane (p) of the upper shield of the slider (22) from the first tape (10) at the end of the first terminal means (18) facing the first row (12) of engaging elements is different from the respective distance (D) at the opposite end of the first terminal means.
The zipper according to claim 1, characterized in that
when the distance (d) of the tape-facing plane (p) of the upper shield (32) of the slider (22) from the first tape (10) at the end of the first terminal means (18) facing the first row (12) of engaging elements in the closed state of the zipper is d, and

the distance (D) of the tape-facing plane of the upper shield of the slider from the first tape at the opposite end is D, and

the thickness of the first tape at the edge (28) facing the second terminal means (20) in the closed state of the zipper is T,

the following relation applies: 0.5 T ≤ D - d ≤ 2 T.
The zipper according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that
a surface (42) of the first terminal means (18) facing the upper shield (32) in the closed state of the zipper and/or

a surface (44) of the first terminal means facing the lower shield (34) in the closed state of the zipper
is/are at least partially inclined relative to the first tape (10), rising or falling in the closing direction.
The zipper according to claim 3, characterized in that
the surface (42) of the first terminal means (18) facing the upper shield (32) in the closed state of the zipper is parallel to the surface (44) of the first terminal means facing the lower shield (34) in the closed state of the zipper.
The zipper according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the inclination angle (α) is in the range of from 0.1° to 15°, preferably of from 3° to 10°, more preferably 4° to 6°.
The zipper according to any preceding claim, characterized in that
a surface of the first terminal means (18) facing the upper shield (32) of the slider (22) in the closed state of the zipper and/or

a surface of the first terminal means facing the lower shield (34) of the slider in the closed state of the zipper

is/are at least partially inclined relative to the first tape (10), rising or falling in the direction from the first to the second terminating means (20).
The zipper according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the first and/or the second terminal means (18, 20) has/have a stopper (50) against which the slider (22) abuts in the closed state of the zipper.
The zipper according to claim 7, characterized in that the first and/or second terminal means (18, 20) is/are integral with the stopper (50).
The zipper according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the first terminal means (18) has at least one recess (40) at least partially overlapping with the part of the second terminal means (20) extending beyond said end face of the first tape (10) facing the second tape (14) in the closed state of the zipper.
The zipper according to any preceding claim, characterized in that in the closed state of the zipper, the first terminal means (18) and the part of the second terminal means (20) not extending beyond the end face of the first terminal means together make up a "V" shape.
The zipper according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the second terminal means (20) has at least one recess (38) at least partially overlapping with a part of the first tape (10) in the closed state of the zipper.
The zipper according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the first and/or the second terminal means (18, 20) has/have a lock pin receiving recess (46).
The zipper according to any preceding claim, characterized in that the first and/or the second terminal means (18, 20) is/are provided with advertising means.