GB2089424A - Covered sliding fastener - Google Patents

Abstract

A sliding clasp fastener is located in an opening in a survival garment adjacent a flap of flexible material 4, so that the flap may cover the fastener, the surface 5 of the flap or the region 2 or both being provided with an adhesive coating. In modifications, the slider carries a tube of adhesive or two flaps meet over the fastener. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Disposable waterproof fastener This invention relates to disposable waterproof fasteners particularly but not exclusively for garments used to protect a wearer during immersion in cold water such as the sea during an emergency.

Crews of oil rigs, for example, need to be provided with survival suits for use in the event that a rig has to be hastily abandoned. Important features of such garments are that they can be rapidly put on in an emergency and that they keep the wearer dry and thereby prevent hypothermia.

For these purposes a waterproof fastener for the garment is essential. It may not be essential for the purposes of this invention for the fastener to be completely impervious to liquids and the term "waterproof" should be construed accordingly.

According to this invention a fastener for an opening in a laminar material is a disposable waterproof fastener located in said opening.

According to a first preferred embodiment of this invention a disposable waterpfoof fastener comprises a sliding clasp fastener located in said opening, a flap of flexible material secured adjacent said sliding clasp fastener so that the flap may be brought into contact with a cooperating region of said laminar material when sliding clasp fastener is closed, to cover the sliding clasp fastener, and either the surface of the flap which cooperates with said region or said region itself or both are provided with an adhesive coating.

Preferably said adhesive coating is removably covered with a non-stick material. This prevents the flap from becoming stuck down accidentally, for example when a garment incorporating a fastener in accordance with this embodiment of the invention is being put on.

The non-stick material may be secured to the slidable member of the sliding clasp fastener. Thus the non-stick material is automatically removed when the sliding clasp fastener is closed.

Preferably the non-stick material comprises silicone paper.

According to a second embodiment of the invention a disposable waterproof fastener comprises a sliding clasp fastener incorporating a container secured to the slidable member of said sliding clasp fastener, said container containing adhesive and being arranged to deposit said adhesive onto the clasps of the fastener as the slidable member is caused to slide to close the fastener.

Preferably said container incorporates a seal secured remote from the slidable member, said seal being arranged to rupture and release adhesive when the slidable member is caused to slide to close the fastener.

According to a third embodiment of this invention a disposable waterproof fastener comprises a sliding clasp fastener the clasps of which are provided with containers containing adhesive, said containers being arranged to rupture when the slidable member is caused to slide to close the fastener.

Preferably each clasp is provided with an individual container containing adhesive.

According to a fourth embodiment of this invention a disposable waterpfoof fastener comprises a sliding clasp fastener located in said opening. A plurality of flaps of flexible material each extending over the length of the sliding clasp fastener and secured to said opening and arranged to come into mutual contact when the sliding clasp fastener is closed, one or both flaps being provided with adhesive to seal the flaps together on mutual contact.

The invention also includes a garment sealed by a disposable waterproof fastener in accordance with the invention. Such a garment is preferably provided with a single fastener extending from a shoulder to the opposite hip of a garment capable of enclosing the whole body of a wearer.

The invention will now be further described by way of examples with reference to Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings of which: Fig. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate in section two views of the fourth mentioned embodiment of the invention.

Referring initially to Fig. 1, the disposable waterproof fastener comprises a sliding clasp fastener 1 located in garment 2 and incorporating a slidable member 3. A flap 4 secured to the garment is provided with an adhesive coating on its inner surface 5. When the sliding clasp fastener is closed, as shown, the flap may be pressed against the surface of the fabric of the garment 2 causing it to adhere to the latter and covering the sliding clasp fastener. The cooperating surface of the fabric may alternatively or in addition be provided with a coating of adhesive. The coating or coatings of adhesive are preferably provided with a layer or layers of silicone paper (not shown) which is or are removable before use.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 2 comprises a sliding clasp fastener incorporating clasps 6 and a slidable member 7 with a pull tab 8 secured to a pivot 9. A container 10 of adhesive is secured to the pull tab 8. A snap-off cap 11 closes the container 10 but when the pull tab 8 is urged in the direction shown by the arrow, to slide the member 7 over the clasps 6, the pull tab is ruptured allowing adhesive to flow from the container 10 and onto the clasps 6 as or immediately after their mutual engagement. By this means a waterproof seal is obtained.

Figs. 3 and 4 show lateral sectional views of a sliding clasp fastener with clasps 1 2 secured to the fabric 1 3 of a garment. The fabric bears, on each side of the clasps 12, a flap 14. The inner surfaces 1 5 of the flaps are provided with coatings of adhesive which stick to each other when the clasps 16 are engaged as shown in Fig. 4 at 17, thereby forming a waterproof seal. Alternatively only one surface 1 5 need be provided with adhesive.

The invention incorporates garments or other articles incorporating fasteners as hereinbefore described.

Claims (14)

1. An opening in a laminar material comprising a disposable waterproof fastener located in said opening.

2. An opening as claimed in claim 1, wherein said disposable fastener comprises a sliding clasp fastener located in said opening, a flap of flexible material secured adjacent said sliding clasp fastener and arranged so that the flap may be brought into contact with a cooperating region of said laminar material when the sliding clasp fastener is closed, to cover the sliding clasp fastener, and either the surface of the flap which cooperates with said region or said region or both are provided with an adhesive coating.

3. An opening as claimed in claim 2, wherein said adhesive coating is removably covered with a non-stick material.

4. An opening as claimed in claim 3, wherein said non-stick material is secured to a slidable member of the sliding clasp fastener.

5. An opening as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein said non-stick material comprises silicone paper.

6. An opening as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said disposable fastener comprises a sliding clasp fastener incorporating a container secured to a slidable member of said sliding clasp fastener, said container containing adhesive and being arranged to deposit said adhesive onto the clasps of the fastener as the slidable member is caused to slide to close the fastener.

7. An opening as claimed in claim 6, wherein said container incorporates a seal secured remote from the slidable member, said seal being arranged to rupture and release adhesive when the slidable member is caused to slide to close the fastener.

8. An opening as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the disposable fastener comprises a sliding clasp fastener the clasps of which are provided with containers containing adhesive, said containers being arranged to rupture when the slidable member is caused to slide to close the fastener.

9. An opening as claimed in claim 8, wherein each clasp is provided with an individual container containing adhesive.

10. An opening as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the disposable fastener comprises a sliding clasp fastener located in said opening, a plurality of flaps of flexible material each extending over the length of the sliding clasp fastener and secured to said opening and arranged to come into mutual contact when the sliding clasp fastener is closed, at least one flap being provided with adhesive to seal the flaps together on mutual contact.

11. An opening substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

12. An opening substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings.

13. An opening substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 of the accompanying drawings.

14. A garment incorporating an opening as claimed in any of the preceding claims.

.15. A garment substantially as hereinbefore described.