US20210070540A1

US20210070540A1 - Replaceable Closure System for Flexible Panels

Info

Publication number: US20210070540A1
Application number: US17/012,491
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas R. Pherson
Original assignee: Advanced Composite Structures LLC
Current assignee: Advanced Composite Structures LLC
Priority date: 2019-09-06
Filing date: 2020-09-04
Publication date: 2021-03-11
Also published as: EP4025523A4; WO2021046333A1; EP4025523A1; CN114555489A

Abstract

A zipper closure for a panel includes a holder and a first zipper. The holder includes an attachment tab, a first wing, and a second wing. The attachment tab is configured to attach to a panel. The first wing includes a first securement segment and the second wing includes a second securement segment that opposes the first securement segment. The first zipper includes a chain and a zipper tape. The zipper tape extends in a direction away from the chain and includes a first surface that has a third securement segment attached thereto and includes a second surface that is opposite the first surface and has a fourth securement segment attached thereto. The fourth securement segment is engaged with the first securement segment and the third securement segment is engaged with the second securement segment to releaseably secure the first zipper to the holder.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/896,780, filed Sep. 6, 2019, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of transportation, and, more particularly, to cargo containers for aircraft. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a replaceable closure system for flexible panels of such containers.

2. Discussion of Related Art

Cargo is typically transported in containers such as Unit Load Devices (ULDs), which are stowed in cargo holds either below the deck of passenger aircraft or below and above the deck in transport aircraft. The size and shape of ULDs vary depending upon the type of aircraft in use. Typically, and regardless of the shape or geometry of the container, one end or side of the cargo container is open for loading and unloading cargo. Various door closures have been used for opening and closing the open ends of such containers. One type of closure has been a rigid door closure that covers the opening to reduce tampering, to prevent the loss of small items, and to prevent the cargo from being exposed to dirt, moisture, and ultraviolet light. Another type of closure includes a fabric closure or curtain. In all aircraft, the gross weight of the airplane is a substantial factor, because of the cost of fuel. Even a slight reduction in weight is significant, therefore fabric doors are often preferred.
Curtain closures for air cargo containers serve several purposes. Primarily, closures keep cargo contained inside of an air cargo container and minimize the unwanted intrusion into the air cargo container. Improvements have been made in curtain closures to increase their strength using high tenacity fibers to form the curtains. These curtains have had the effect of lowering maintenance costs because the curtains having high tenacity fibers may resist damage from the rough handing common to air cargo containers. Particularly, sliding cargo within the container is unlikely to puncture the high tenacity curtains. Further, curtains made from high tenacity fibers can resist puncture from cargo handling equipment such as fork lifts.
To further increase performance and reduce wear on the curtains, curtains for air cargo containers have been coated, laminated or impregnated with materials such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) to render the fabric curtains substantially waterproof and more highly resistant to oils, gasoline, and other chemicals that may be present in an airport or other shipping environment. Even still, further advances in performance can be made.
One closure system for fabric doors is a zipper extending along opposing edges of the fabric door. Typically, a tape width of the zipper is sewn along the edge of the fabric door with a chain of the zipper extending from the edge of the fabric door. This configuration allows the chain of the zipper to flex with the fabric door and secure to an opposing chain of the zipper to secure the edge of the fabric door to an opposing edge of the fabric door. In the event that the chain of the zipper is damaged, the tape width of the zipper must be unsewn to be removed from the fabric door and a new zipper installed by sewing a tape width of the new zipper to the edge of the fabric door. The process of unsewing the tape width and sewing a new tape width to the edge of the fabric door is tedious and time consuming.
There is a continuing need for improved systems that allow a zipper along an edge of a flexible door or panel to be replaced.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a zipper closure for a panel includes a holder and a first zipper. The holder includes an attachment tab, a first wing, and a second wing. The attachment tab is configured to attach to a panel. The first wing extends in a direction away from the attachment tab and includes a first securement segment. The second wing extends in a direction away from the attachment tab and includes a second securement segment that opposes the first securement segment. The first zipper includes a chain and a zipper tape. The chain is configured to selectively interlock with an opposing chain of an opposing zipper. The zipper tape extends in a direction away from the chain and includes a first surface that has a third securement segment attached thereto and includes a second surface that is opposite the first surface that has a fourth securement segment attached thereto. The fourth securement segment is engaged with the first securement segment and the third securement segment is engaged with the second securement segment to releaseably secure the first zipper to the holder.
In embodiment, the first and second securement segments include a first part of a two-part fastening system and the third and fourth securement segments include a second part of the two-part fastening system. The first part may be a plurality of hooks and the second part may be a plurality of loops. The first part may be a plurality of mushroom hooks.
In some embodiments, the holder is formed of a continuous fabric element. The holder may include a continuous first securement strip that includes the first and second securement segments. The first securement segment may be attached to the first wing and the second securement may be attached to the second wing. The first securement strip may include a central securement segment between the first and second securement segments. The first securement segment may fold over and end of the zipper tape.
In certain embodiments, the first zipper includes a continuous second securement strip that includes the third and fourth securement segments. The second securement strip may include a central securement segment between the third and fourth securement segments. The second securement strip may fold over and end of the zipper tape.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a cargo container includes a plurality of panels, a curtain, and a zipper closure. The plurality of panels define a cargo opening and the curtain has a closed configuration in which the curtain closes the cargo opening and an open configuration in which an interior of the cargo contain can be accessed through the cargo opening. The zipper closure has a closed configuration that corresponds to the closed configuration of the curtain and includes a holder and a first zipper. The holder includes an attachment tab that is attached to a first edge of the curtain. The first wing extends in a direction away from the first edge of the curtain and includes a first securement segment. The second wing extends in the direction away from the first edge of the curtain and includes a second securement segment that opposes the first securement segment. The first zipper includes a first chain and a first zipper tape. The first chain is configured to selectively interlock with a second chain of a second zipper. The first zipper tape extends in a direction away from the first chain and has a first surface that includes a third segment attached thereto and has a second surface opposite the first surface that includes a fourth securement segment attached thereto. The fourth securement segment is engaged with the first securement segment and the third securement segment is engaged with the second engagement segment to releaseably secure the first zipper to the first edge of the curtain.
In embodiments, the curtain includes a flexible panel and a side strip. The first edge may extend along the flexible panel in opposition to a second edge of the side strip. The zipper closure may include a second zipper having a second chain and a second zipper tape. The second chain may be configured to selective interlock with the first chain of the first zipper. The second zipper tape may extend in a direction away from the second chain and toward the second edge of the side strip. The second zipper tape may be secured to the second edge of the side strip.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a zipper closure for a flexible panel includes a holder and a zipper. The holder is configured to attached to a flexible panel and includes a first wing and a second wing. The first wing includes a first securement surface that opposes a second securement surface of the second wing. The zipper includes a chain and a zipper tape. The chain is configured to selectively interlock with an opposing chain of an opposing zipper. The zipper tape extends in a direction away from the chain and includes a third securement surface and a fourth securement surface opposite the third securement surface. The zipper tap is disposed between the first wing and the second wing of the holder such that the third securement surface is releaseably engaged with the first engagement surface and the fourth securement surface is releaseably engaged with the second engagement surface. The first and second wings may be folded over the zipper tape such that the zipper tape may be tacoed within the holder.
In embodiments, the first and second securement surfaces include a first part of a two-part fastening system and the third and fourth securement surfaces include a second part of the two-part fastening system. The first part may be a plurality of hooks and the second part may be a plurality of loops. Alternatively, the first part may be a plurality of mushroom hooks and the second part may be a plurality of loops. The zipper may be removable from the holder when the holder is attached to the flexible panel.
In another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of replacing a zipper of a cargo container includes removing a first zipper from a holder and securing a second zipper within the holder. Removing the first zipper from the holder may include peeling a first wing of the holder from a first side of a zipper tape of the first zipper to disengage a first part of a two-part fastener that is attached to the first wing from a second part of the two-part fastener that is attached to the first side of the zipper tape. Removing the first zipper also includes peeling a second wing of the holder from a second side of the zipper tape of the first zipper that is opposite the first side to disengage a first part of the two-part fastener that is attached to the second wing from a second part of the two-part fastener attached to the second side of the zipper tape. Securing the second zipper includes engaging a second part of the two-part fastener that is attached to a third side of a zipper tape of the second zipper with the first part of the two-part fastener that is attached to the second wing and engaging a second part of the two-part fastener that is attached to a fourth side of the zipper tape of the second zipper with the first part of the two-part fastener that is attached to the first wing of the holder. The fourth side of the zipper tape of the second zipper opposes the third side of the zipper tape of the second zipper.
In embodiments, the method includes removing the first zipper from the holder and securing the second zipper within the holder includes the holder being attached to a flexible panel that is configured to close a cargo opening of the cargo container. Removing may further include separating a first chain of the first zipper from an opposing chain of an opposing zipper and securing may include interlocking a second chain of the second zipper with the opposing chain of the opposing zipper.
Further, to the extent consistent, any of the aspects described herein may be used in conjunction with any or all of the other aspects described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cargo container including an embodiment of a zipper closure provided in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the cargo container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the zipper closure of FIG. 1 with a zipper of the zipper closure secured within a holder of the zipper closure;

FIG. 4 is a cross-section taken along the section line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the zipper closure of FIG. 3 with a wing of the holder disengaged from the zipper;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the zipper of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross-section taken along the section line 7-7 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the holder of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a method of replacing a zipper in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to example embodiments thereof with reference to the drawings in which like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements in each of the several views. These example embodiments are described so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Features from one embodiment or aspect can be combined with features from any other embodiment or aspect in any appropriate combination. For example, any individual or collective features of method aspects or embodiments can be applied to apparatus, product, or component aspects or embodiments and vice versa. The disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the,” and the like include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, while reference may be made herein to quantitative measures, values, geometric relationships or the like, unless otherwise stated, any one or more if not all of these may be absolute or approximate to account for acceptable variations that may occur, such as those due to manufacturing or engineering tolerances or the like.
As used in the description and the appended claims, the phrase “unit load devices (ULDs)” also known as “air cargo containers,” is defined as containers used to load luggage, freight, mail, and the like on wide-body aircraft and some specific narrow-body aircraft.
Referring now to FIG. 1, an air cargo container or ULD or simply container 100 includes a zipper closure system 10 provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The container 100 may include a frame 102 presenting a generally rectangular shape with an offset designed to more closely follow the outline of the lower half of an aircraft. The container 100 may further include a cargo opening defined by a portion of the frame 102. The frame 102 may be formed from any substantially rigid material, such as aluminum, steel, composites, temperature resistant plastics, and other metals and non-metals.
The frame 102 may support a plurality of panels 104 forming the walls, and optionally the roof and floor of the container 100. In some embodiments, the panels 104 may be constructed together such that a separate frame may be eliminated. The panels 104 may be a composite panel for at least their lightweight, thermal insulating, and high strength characteristics. Alternatively, the panels 104 may also include aluminum, aluminum/Lexan composite, webs, fabrics, or some other lightweight material. The cargo opening may be substantially sealed, and selectively closed, by a door, referred to herein as a curtain 106, to reflect the flexible nature of doors according to the present disclosure. The curtain 106 includes a center panel 107 and a side strip 108 with the zipper closure system 10 in between. The zipper closure system 10 is configured to selectively secure the center panel 107 and the side strip 108 together to secure the curtain 106 in a closed configuration as shown in FIG. 1. For additional detail of exemplary cargo containers and curtains that do not include the zipper closure system 10 that is the subject of this disclosure, reference may be made to U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,755,232; 7,311,216; 7,828,029; 9,174,796; and 9,834,374 and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017/0096295, with the entire contents of each of these disclosures hereby incorporated by reference.
With reference to FIG. 2, the zipper closure system 10 includes a first zipper 20, a second zipper 30, and a slider 40. The first zipper 20 is secured to an edge of the center panel 107 of the curtain 106 and the second zipper 30 is secured to the side strip 108 of the curtain 106. The slider 40 is configured to translate between the first and second zippers 20, 30 to interlock or separate a first chain 24 of the first zipper 20 with a second chain 34 of the second zipper 30. When the first chain 24 is interlocked with the second chain 34, the zipper closure system 10 is in a closed configuration in which the edge of the center panel 107 is secured to the side strip 108 along substantially the entire length thereof. When the first chain 24 is separated from the second chain 34, the zipper closure system 10 is in an open configuration in which the edge of the center panel 107 is free from the side strip 108 allowing access to an interior of the cargo container 100 through the cargo opening thereof.
While the zipper closure system 10 is shown between the center panel 107 and the side strip 108, the zipper closure system 10 may be positioned anywhere along a flexible panel. For example, the zipper closure system 10 may extend from a top center to a bottom center of a flexible panel with open edges of the flexible panel forming a T-shape. Such a T-shaped opening is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,479,801 and 9,174,797, with the entire contents of each of these disclosures hereby incorporated by reference.
Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, the zipper closure system 10 includes a holder 50 that is secured to the center panel 107 and that is configured to releaseably secure the first zipper 20 therein. The holder 50 includes the attachment tab 52, a first or outside wing 54, a second or inside wing 56, and a first securement strip 58. The terms “inside” and “outside” as used herein are relative terms referring to an inside or outside of the cargo container 100 (FIG. 1) when the curtain 106 (FIG. 1) is in the closed configuration.
The attachment tab 52 extends away from the first zipper 20 in a direction towards the edge of the center panel 107 and is attached to the edge of the center panel 107 that is adjacent the side strip 108 (FIG. 2). The attachment tab 52 maybe sewn to the edge of the center panel 107 to attach the holder 50 to the center panel 107. In some embodiments, the holder 50 can be replaced by unsewing the attachment tab 52 and sewing a new holder to the edge of the center panel 107. In certain embodiments, the attachment tab 52 may be welded to the edge of the center panel 107. In particular embodiments, the holder 50 may be integrally formed with the center panel 107.
The attachment tab 52, outside wing 54, and inside wing 56 may be formed from a single piece of material that is folded over and sewn along the attachment tab 52 to form the holder 50. In some embodiments, the holder 50 is formed from two pieces of material that are sewn together along the attachment tab 52 to attach the two pieces together to form the holder 50. In particular embodiments when the holder 50 is formed from two pieces, the two pieces are sewn together with an edge of the center panel 107 disposed between the two pieces such that the center panel 107 is sandwiched between the two pieces of fabric forming the attachment tab 52. In some embodiments, the attachment tab 52 may be formed of one or two pieces of fabric and the each of the wings 54, 56 may be formed of a single piece of fabric or each be formed of a piece of fabric with the attachment tab 52 sewn to the wings 54, 56 to attach the attachment tab 52 to the wings 54, 56 to form the holder 50.
The outside wing 54 and the inside wing 56 each extend away from the attachment tab 52 in a direction away from the center panel 107 and towards the side strip 108 with an inside surface 54 a of the outside wing 54 opposing an outside surface 56 b of the inside wing 56. The inside surface 54 a of the outside wing 54 includes a first segment 58 a of the first securement strip 58 and the outside surface 56 b of the inside wing 56 includes a second segment 58 b of the securement strip 58. The first and second segments 58 a, 58 b may be attached to the respective surface, e.g., inside surface 54 a or outside surface 56 b, by mechanical means such as sewing or using fasteners or by adhesion such as chemical adhesives or welding, e.g., ultrasonic welding. The first and second segments 58 a, 58 b may each be one part of a hook and loop fastening system with each of the first and second segments 58 a, 58 b being the same part, e.g., hooks or loops, such that the first and second segments 58 a, 58 b do not securely engage one another. As shown, the first and second segments 58 a, 58 b are both part of the continuous first securement strip 58 that is folded adjacent the attachment tab 52 and attached to the inside surface 54 a and the outside surface 56 b. A central segment of the first securement strip 58 between the first and second segments 58 a, 58 b may not be attached to either of the first or second wings 54, 56. In some embodiments, the first and second segments 58 a, 58 b may be separate securement strips that are each attached to a respective surface, e.g., inside surface 54 a or outside surface 56 b.
With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the first zipper 20 includes a first zipper tape 22, a first zipper chain 24, and a second securement strip 28. The first zipper tape 22 is a flexible fabric that extends from the first zipper chain 24 in a direction towards the center panel 107 (FIG. 2). The first zipper chain 28 opposes the second zipper 30 (FIG. 2) and is configured to selectively interlock with a second zipper chain 38 of the second zipper 30 to selectively close the zipper closure system 10. The second securement strip 28 has a third or inside segment 28 a and a fourth or outside segment 28 b. The second securement strip 28 is folded over or tacos an end of the first zipper tape 22 opposite the zipper chain 24 with the third segment 28 a attached to an inside surface 22 a of the first zipper tape 22 and the fourth segment 28 b attached to an outside surface 22 b of the first zipper tape 22. The third and fourth segments 28 a, 28 b may be attached to the respective surface, e.g., inside surface 22 a or outside surface 22 b, by mechanical means such as sewing or using fasteners or by adhesion such as chemical adhesives or welding, e.g., ultrasonic welding. The third and fourth segments 28 a, 28 b may each be one part of a hook and loop fastening system with each of the third and fourth segments 28 a, 28 b being the same part, e.g., hooks or loops, and opposite the part of the first and second segments 58 a, 58 b such that the third and fourth segments 28 a, 28 b each securely engage one of the first or second segments 58 a, 58 b. As shown, the third and fourth segments 28 a, 28 b are both part of the continuous second securement strip 28 that is folded over the first zipper tape 22 and is attached to the inside surface 22 a and the outside surface 22 b thereof. A central segment of the second securement strip 28 between the third and fourth segments 28 a, 28 b may not be attached to the first zipper tab 22. In some embodiments, the third and fourth segments 28 a, 28 b may be separate securement strips that are each attached to a respective surface of the first zipper tape 22, e.g., inside surface 22 a or outside surface 22 b.
The first and second securement strips 58, 28 form a two-part fastening system. For example, the first securement strip 58 may include a plurality of hooks and the second securement strip 28 may include a plurality of loops such that when a segment of the first securement strip 58, e.g., first or second segment 58 a, 58 b, engages a segment of the second securement strip 28, e.g., third or fourth segment 28 a, 28 b, the segments of the first and second securement strips 58, 28 are secured to one another. The two-part fastening system formed by the first and second securement strips 58, 28 may an industrial strength fastening system that is configured to provide significant resistance to separating segments once the segments are engaged with one another. The plurality of hooks may be a high-shear, semi-permanent hook configuration. The plurality of hooks may be required to carry high loads put on the curtain 106 as a result of shifting loads within the container 100. The semi-permanent hook configuration may minimize separation during use and may discourage unauthorized removal, e.g., in response to theft or vandalism. For example, the plurality of hooks may be a plurality of mushroom hooks that provide a high peel strength and a high sheer strength. In embodiments, the plurality of hooks may be Velcro® 87S supplied by Velcro® or Mushroom Hook supplied by Paiho North America and the plurality of loops may be Velcro® 1000.
As shown, the first securement strip 58 is folded or tacos the second securement strip 28 such that the first securement strip 58 engages both the inside, third segment 28 a and the outside, fourth segment 28 b of the second securement strip 28. By engaging both the third and fourth segments 28 a, 28 b, a strength of the engagement between the first and second securement strips 58, 28 is greater than a strength of engagement between a single segment of each of the first and second securement strips 58, 28 for the same length. For example, a peel strength of the first and second securement strips 58, 28 may be greater than 2 lb./linear inch or greater than 3 lb./linear inch and a shear strength of the first and second securement strips 58, 28 may be greater than 20 or greater than 40 lb./in'. In addition, by engaging both inside, the third segment 28 a and the outside, fourth segment 28 b of the second securement strip 28 reduces the likelihood of unintended separation between the first and second securement strips 58, 28, e.g., by pulling the center panel 107 outward when the zipper closure system 10 is in a closed configuration as shown in FIG. 2.
In use of cargo containers, e.g., cargo container 100, zipper closure systems, e.g., zipper closure system 10, can be used to close and/or seal the open end of the cargo containers by securing panels, e.g., center panel 100, in a closed configuration. However, during loading and unloading of the cargo container into a vehicle and during loading and unloading of the cargo container itself, the cargo container or components thereof may become damaged. For example, a forklift may hit a cargo container or a cargo container may be dropped. When a cargo container is damaged, parts of the cargo container may require replacement before the cargo container is returned to service. Previously, when a zipper of a zipper closure system was damaged, the zipper would need to be unsewn and resewn to replace the zipper. The process of un-sewing and sewing a zipper to a panel is time consuming and costly. Further, the downtime of the cargo container can also be costly, cause a delay to flight if a replacement cargo container is not readily available, or cause a shipment to miss a flight.
Referring now to FIG. 9, a method of replacing a zipper of a cargo container 700 is disclosed in accordance with the present disclosure with reference to the cargo container 100 and the zipper closure system 10 of FIGS. 1-8. The method 700 allows for quick replacement of a zipper of a cargo container without requiring unsewing and resewing of a new zipper. The zipper closure system 10 may allow for at least five replacements of a zipper over the life of a container or curtain without replacing the first securement strip 58. In addition, the method 700 can be accomplished without additional equipment, e.g., a sewing machine. For these reasons, the method 700 may reduce costs associated with replacing a zipper of a cargo container and/or reduce repair time required to replace a zipper of a cargo container.
Initially, a center panel 107 of the cargo container 100 with a damage zipper, e.g., first zipper 20, is in the closed configuration with slide 40 of the zipper closure system 10 adjacent a bottom edge of the cargo container 100. The slide 40 may be slid along the first zipper 20 to an upper edge of the cargo container 100 to separate the first zipper 20 from the second zipper 30 or the slide 40 may remain in adjacent the bottom edge of the cargo container 100 while the first zipper 20 is released from the center panel 107.
The first zipper 20 is released from the center panel 107 by removing the first zipper 20 from the holder 50. To remove the first zipper 20 from the holder 50, the first wing 54 is separated from the zipper tape 22 by peeling the first segment 58 a of the first securement strip 58 from the fourth segment 28 b of the second securement strip 28 as shown in FIG. 5 (Step 710). To remove the first zipper 20 from the holder 50, the second wing 56 must also be separated from the zipper tape 22 by peeling the second segment 58 b of the first securement strip 58 from the third segment 28 a of the second securement strip 28 to separate the second wing 56 from the zipper tape 22 (Step 720). Peeling the first segment 58 a from the fourth segment 28 b (Step 710) and peeling the second segment 58 b from the third segment 28 a (Step 720) can occur in any order or simultaneously. However, the engagement strength between the first and second securement strips 58, 28 and/or the tacoed geometry of the first and second securement strips 58, 28 may make sequentially peeling the segments more practical than simultaneously peeling the segments. In addition, a tool (not shown) can be used to assist in peeling the segments from one another. For example, the tool may be a thin, flat piece of rigid plastic that is slid between the engage segments, e.g., between the first segment 58 a and the fourth segment 28 b, to separate the segments from one another and prevent the segments from re-engaging one another.
With the first and second securement strips 58, 28 are separated from one another, the zipper tape 22 is separated from the holder 50 and the center panel 107 of the curtain 106. With the zipper tape 22 separated from the holder 50, the first zipper 20 can be removed from the curtain 106 (Step 730). If the zipper tape 22 is separated from the holder 50 and the first chain 24 of the first zipper 20 is interlocked with the second chain 34 of the second zipper 30, the slider 40 is slid to the top edge of the cargo container 100 until the first chain 24 is separated from the second chain 34.
With the first zipper 20 removed from the curtain 106, a new zipper can be secured to the holder 50 to replace the first zipper 20. The new zipper (referred to for the remainder of the description of the method 700 as the first zipper 20 for consistency with the figures) is secured to the holder 50 by engaging the first and second securement strips 58, 28 with one another. Specifically, the zipper tape 22 of the first zipper 20 is positioned adjacent the holder 50. The zipper tape 22 may be trimmed to shorten the first zipper 20 to a length of the holder 50. By having replacement zippers that are trimmable, may allow for a reduced number of inventory parts at a repair facility to accommodate a wide range of cargo containers. The reduced inventory parts may reduce an overall number of parts in inventory and repair costs.
With the zipper tape 22 trimmed to a desired length and the zipper tape 22 positioned adjacent the holder 50, the third segment 28 a of the zipper tape 22 is engaged with the second segment 58 b of the second wing 56 (Step 740). With the third segment 28 a engaged with the second segment 58 b, the first wing 54 is folded over the zipper tape 22 to engage the first segment 58 a of the first wing 54 with the fourth segment 28 b of the zipper tape 22 (Step 750). The outer surface 54 b of the first wing 54 and the inner surface 56 a of the second wing 56 may be pushed together to with the zipper tape 22 therebetween to ensure the first securement strip 58 is engaged with the second securement strip 28. When the first and second securement strips 58, 28 are engaged with one another, the first zipper 20 is secured to the edge of the center panel 107.
With the first zipper 20 secured to the edge of the center panel 107, the first chain 24 of the first zipper 20 is interlocked with the second chain 34 of the second zipper 30 (Step 760). The slide 40 may be used to interlock the first and second chains 24, 34 with one another. In some embodiments, the first zipper 20 includes an insertion pin (not shown) and the second zipper 30 includes a pin box (not shown) adjacent the top edge of the container 100 to align the first and second sippers 20, 30 with one another. In some embodiments, the first and second zippers 20, 30 are interlocked with one another (Step 760) before the zipper tape 22 is secured within the holder 50 (Steps 740 & 750). Interlocking the first and second zippers 20, 30 with one another before securing the zipper tape 22 within the holder 50 may assist in alignment of the zipper tape 22 with the holder 50.
In the event the second zipper 30 is damaged, the second zipper 30 may be replaced as detailed below. While not discussed in detail herein, the second zipper 30 may be secured to an edge of the side strip 108 of the curtain 106 in a similar manner to the securement of the first zipper 20 to the edge of the center panel 107. This may be preferred when the side strip 108 has a width and is substantially flexible. In such embodiments, the method 700 detailed above may be used to replace the second zipper 30.
In certain embodiments similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the side strip 108 is narrow and does not require substantial flexibility, e.g., the side strip 108 is not required to fold or roll to provide access to the interior of the cargo container 100. In such embodiments, the second zipper 30 may be releaseably secured to the side strip 108 by a substantially rigid rod sewn into or received within a second zipper tape 32 of the second zipper 30. The rigid rod is received within a channel of the side strip 108 to secure the second zipper tape 32 to the edge of the side strip 108. The channel 108 may be a substantially rigid channel that is secured to the edge of the side strip 108 with a slot to allow the second zipper tape 32 to extend from within the channel. The substantially rigid rod and the substantially rigid channel may be formed of plastic or metal. In some embodiments, the rigid channel may be part of the frame 102 of the cargo container 100. This arrangement may allow for a damaged second zipper 30 to slide out of the channel and a new zipper to slide into the channel to replace the damaged second zipper 30.
While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Any combination of the above embodiments is also envisioned and is within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A zipper closure for a panel, the zipper closure comprising:

a holder comprising:

an attachment tab configured to attach to a panel;

a first wing extending in a direction away from the attachment tab, the first wing including a first securement segment; and

a second wing extending in the direction away from the attachment tab, the second wing including a second securement segment opposing the first securement segment; and

a zipper comprising:

a chain configured to selectively interlock with an opposing chain of an opposing zipper;

a zipper tape extending in a direction away from the chain, the zipper tape having a first surface including a third securement segment attached thereto and having a second surface opposite the first surface including a fourth securement segment attached thereto,

wherein the fourth securement segment is engaged with the first securement segment and the third securement segment is engaged with the second engagement segment to releaseably secure the zipper to the holder.

2. The zipper closure according to claim 1, wherein the first and second securement segments include a first part of a two-part fastening system and the third and fourth securement segments include a second part of the two-part fastening system.

3. The zipper closure according to claim 2, wherein the first part is a plurality of hooks and the second part is a plurality of loops.

4. The zipper closure according to claim 2, wherein the first part is a plurality of mushroom hooks and the second part is a plurality of loops.

5. The zipper closure according to claim 1, wherein the holder is formed of a continuous fabric element.

6. The zipper closure according to claim 1, wherein the holder includes a continuous first securement strip, the first securement strip comprising the first and second securement segments.

7. The zipper closure according to claim 6, wherein the first securement segment is attached to the first wing and the second securement segment is attached to the second wing, the first securement strip including a central securement segment between the first and second securement segments.

8. The zipper closure according to claim 6, wherein the first securement segment folds over an end of the zipper tape.

9. The zipper closure according to claim 1, wherein the zipper includes a continuous second securement strip, the second securement strip comprising the third and fourth securement segments.

10. The zipper closure according to claim 9, wherein the second securement strip includes a central securement segment between the third and fourth securement segments.

11. The zipper closure according to claim 9, wherein the second securement strip folds over an end of the zipper tape.

12. A cargo container comprising:

a plurality of panels defining a cargo opening:

a curtain having a closed configuration in which the curtain closes the cargo opening and an open configuration in which an interior of the cargo container can be accessed through the cargo opening; and

a zipper closure having a closed configuration corresponding to the closed configuration of the curtain, the zipper closure comprising:

a holder comprising:

an attachment tab attached to a first edge of the curtain;

a first wing extending in a direction away from the first edge of the curtain, the first wing including a first securement segment; and

a second wing extending in the direction away from the first edge of the curtain, the second wing including a second securement segment opposing the first securement segment; and

a first zipper comprising:

a first chain configured to selectively interlock with a second chain of a second zipper;

a first zipper tape extending in a direction away from the first chain, the first zipper tape having a first surface including a third securement segment attached thereto and having a second surface opposite the first surface including a fourth securement segment attached thereto,

wherein the fourth securement segment is engaged with the first securement segment and the third securement segment is engaged with the second engagement segment to releaseably secure the first zipper to the first edge of the curtain.

13. The cargo container according to claim 12, wherein the curtain includes a flexible panel and a side strip, the first edge extending along the flexible panel and in opposition to a second edge of the side strip.

14. The cargo container according to claim 13, wherein the zipper closure comprises a second zipper including a second chain and a second zipper tape, the second chain configured to selectively interlock with the first chain of the first zipper, the second zipper tape extending in a direction away from the second chain towards the second edge of the side strip.

15. The cargo container according to claim 14, wherein the second zipper tape is secured to the second edge of the side strip.

16. A zipper closure for a flexible panel, the zipper closure comprising:

a holder configured to attach to a flexible panel, the holder including a first wing and a second wing, the first wing including a first securement surface and the second wing including a second securement surface in opposition to the first securement surface; and

a zipper comprising:

a chain configured to selectively interlock with an opposing chain of an opposing zipper; and

a zipper tape extending in a direction away from the chain, the zipper tape having a third securement surface and a fourth securement surface opposite the third securement surface,

the zipper tape disposed between the first wing and the second wing of the holder such that the third securement surface is releaseably engaged with the first engagement surface and the fourth securement surface is releaseably engaged with the second engagement surface.

17. The zipper closure according to claim 16, wherein the first and second securement surfaces include a first part of a two-part fastening system and the third and fourth securement surfaces include a second part of the two-part fastening system.

18. The zipper closure according to claim 17, wherein the first part is a plurality of hooks and the second part is a plurality of loops.

19. The zipper closure according to claim 17, wherein the first part is a plurality of mushroom hooks and the second part is a plurality of loops.

20. The zipper closure according to claim 16, wherein the first and second wings fold over the zipper tape such that the zipper tape is tacoed within the holder.

21.-23. (canceled)