WO2011151433A1

WO2011151433A1 - Tamper-resistant zipper

Info

Publication number: WO2011151433A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/059174
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dirk Santy; Christophe Van Rumst
Original assignee: Samsonite Ip Holdings S.A.R.L
Priority date: 2010-06-02
Filing date: 2011-06-02
Publication date: 2011-12-08

Abstract

A zipper may include first and second elongated sets of teeth (46, 48 ) adapted to be releasably interconnected or disconnected with a slider (58). The first set of teeth (46) may be secured to the underside of a first elongated tape (50), and the second set of teeth (48) may be secured to the top side of a second elongated tape (52). When the teeth (46,48) are connected in an interdigitated state, one tape (50) covers the interconnected teeth (46,48), and the interconnected teeth (46,48) are superimposed on the other tape (52). Such a configuration results in the first and second sets of connected teeth (46,48) confined between the two tapes (50,52).

Description

TAMPER-RESISTANT ZIPPER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), to U.S. provisional application number 61/350,619, entitled "Tamper-Resistant Zipper" and filed on June 2, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The disclosure herein generally relates to zippers.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Zippers, which are used to connect or disconnect adjacent edges of material defining an opening such as found in clothing, luggage, or the like, typically include two strips of fabric tape. The fabric tap strips are typically respectively affixed to one of the two edges of the material to be joined with each fabric tape joined to specially shaped sets of metal or plastic teeth. The sets of teeth are adapted to be connected or disconnected through the use of a slider that selectively moves the teeth into a connected interdigitated state, or separates the teeth into a disconnected state, depending on its direction of sliding movement.

[0004] The sets of teeth are individually joined to one edge of an associated fabric tape to extend laterally away from that edge. As desired, the teeth in each set can be laterally converged into joined engagement with the teeth in the other set or disconnected from each other through use of the slider. The sets of teeth are typically exposed. In this exposed state, they can be easily disconnected through the use of a probe inserted perpendicularly into the juncture between associated ones of the interdigitated teeth. Accordingly, zippers are typically not a very secure way of connecting the opposite sides of an opening in clothing, luggage, or the like, and, accordingly, attempts have been made to render zippers more tamperproof, SUMMARY

[0005] One implementation of a tamper-resistant zipper may include first and second elongated sets of teeth adapted to be reieasably interconnected or disconnected with a slider. The first set of teeth may be secured to the underside of a first elongated tape, and the second set of teeth may be secured to the top side of a second elongated tape. When the teeth are connected in an interdigitated state, the first tape may cover the first and second sets of connected teeth, and the first and second sets of connected teeth may be superimposed on the second tape. In this configuration, the first and second sets of connected teeth are confined between the first and second tapes. In this manner, the teeth are protected by the tapes from a probe or other object that can be used to tamper with the zipper by inserting the probe or other object into the juncture between associated teeth of the two sets of teeth to cause the teeth to be separated.

[0006] The zipper may be of the coil type, an injected teeth over the tape type, or an injected teeth stitched on the tape type. The teeth in each set may connected by positioning the first set of teeth above the second set of teeth and bringing them vertically together at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane containing the joined sets of teeth, interdigitating the teeth at an acute angle from a superimposed relationship permits the tapes to which the sets of teeth are connected to remain on opposite sides of the interconnected sets of teeth so that the tapes do not interfere with the closure of the zipper.

[0007] These and other aspects, features and details of the zipper are set forth herein by reference to the detailed description and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a reduced section taken along line 1-1 of FIG. 4 showing the closure of a conventional prior art zipper by looking downwardly on the zipper which is disposed in a horizontal plane.

[0009] FIG. 2 is partial cross-section view of the zipper of FIG. 1 , taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. [0010] FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial cross-section view of the zipper of F1G.1 , taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial cross-section of the zipper of FIG. 1 , taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a top plan view looking downwardly on a first implementation of a zipper. The teeth and slider of the zipper that are located under a tape of the zipper are shown in dashed lines.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a cross-section view of the first implementation of the zipper shown in Fig. 5, taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5.

[0014] FIG. 6A is a partial cross-section view of the first implementation of the zipper shown in Fig. 5, taken along line 6A-6A of FIG. 6.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a cross-section view of the first implementation of the zipper shown in Fig. 5, taken along line 7-7 line FIG. 5.

[0Θ16] FIG. 8 is a perspective of a first slider for use with the first

implementation of a zipper shown in FIG. 5.

[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective of a second slider for use with a second implementation of the zipper.

[0018] Fig. 10 is a top plan view looking downwardly on the second

implementation of the zipper. In this view, the second slider is shown as used with the second implementation of the zipper. Further, the teeth of the zipper that are located under a tape of the zipper are shown in dashed lines.

[0019] Fig. 11 is a partial cross-section view of the second implementation of the zipper shown in FIG. 10, taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10.

[0020] FIG. 12 is a partial cross-section view of the second implementation of the zipper shown in FIG. 10, taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Before describing the zipper and its method of use, it is deemed prudent to describe a conventional zipper and its method of use by reference to

FIGS. 1-4. 10022] Zippers used to connect or disconnect adjacent edges of material defining an opening, such as found in clothing, luggage, or the like, typically include two strips of fabric tape 20 and 22. The fabric tape strips 20, 22 are respectively affixed to one of the two edges 24 and 26, respectively, of the material to be joined. Each fabric tape strip 20, 22 carries specially shaped sets 28, 30 of metal or plastic teeth . The sets of teeth 28, 30 are adapted to be connected or disconnected through use of a slider 32 that can be used to selectively move the teeth into and out of a connected inferdigitated state depending upon the direction of movement of the slider. The sets of teeth 28, 30 are individually sewn, as with stitching 34 or the like, to one edge of an associated fabric tape strip 20, 22 to extend laterally away from that edge. The teeth in each set can be laterally converged into joined engagement with the teeth in the other set through the use of the slider 32. The zipper teeth may be made of a coil or any other suitable structure that allows for the teeth to be selectively connected and disconnected.

[0023] The conventional zipper will be described by assuming the two main components of the zipper, i.e. the fabric tape strips 20, 22 and the sets of teeth 28, 30 secured thereto, are disposed in a horizontal plane. Accordingly, lateral convergence of the teeth in a conventional zipper, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , is within a horizontal plane where the tapes and sets of teeth are coplanar within that horizontal plane. While the individual teeth of each set of teeth used in a zipper may have various configurations that allow for them to be connected in an interdigitated state, the teeth are illustrated as having a main body 36 with a conical head 38 at one end. When the individual teeth are connected to an associated fabric tape, as with stitching or the like cooperating with a notch 40 in the body of each tooth, a pocket 42 is defined between the conical heads 38 of adjacent teeth in a set of teeth into which a conical head 38 from a tooth in the opposing set of teeth can be inserted and releasably retained until the zipper is opened. By moving the slider 32 in an opposite direction, the teeth 28, 30 can be separated to open the zipper. Such a relationship is illustrated in FIG. 1 where as the slider 32 is moved downwardly, the sets of teeth are converged laterally toward each other in a horizontal plane and at an acute angle until the conical heads 38 of the teeth in one set are positioned within a pocket 42 between associated teeth in the opposite set.

[0024] FIG. 3 shows the teeth 28, 30 of each set separated from each other prior to being pulled into an interdigitated closed relationship, which is illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0025] In sum, a conventional zipper is closed and opened through movement of a slider designed to interconnect and disconnect the teeth of the two sets of teeth 28, 30 and does so by laterally converging the teeth 28, 30 of the two sets at an acute angle relative to each other within a horizontal plane.

[0026] Turning to FIGS. 5-8, a first implementation of a zipper is shown. In this implementation, the teeth in each set of teeth 46, 48 are not laterally converged within a horizontal plane, but are rather vertically converged at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane that contains the sets of teeth 46, 48 when the teeth are connected.

[0027] The first implementation of the zipper is designed to be tamperproof so that when closed, it cannot be easily separated, as with conventional zippers, by a probe (not shown) injected vertically into a joint between teeth of the two sets of teeth! More particularly, the teeth in the zipper are covered from view by at least a portion of one of the tapes, which helps to protect the zipper from the insertion of such a probe so as to make it more difficult to tamper with the zipper.

[0028] FIGS. 5-7 show first and second sets of teeth 46, 48, which are connected to first and second tapes 50, 52, respectively. The first and second tapes 50, 52 may be formed from fabric or any other suitable material. The first set of teeth 46 may be connected along one edge of the first tape 50 so as to underlie that tape 50, and the second set of teeth 48 may be connected to the second tape 52 along an edge thereof so as overlay the second tape 52. The teeth can be conventional in design, such as any of the type described previously in connection with the conventional zipper and can be secured to an associated tape by stitching or any other suitable connection mechanism. [0029] The opposite edge of each tape may be stitched to the free edges 54 and 56, respectively, of the material to be joined with the zipper. The free edges of material may be, for example, the edges of material in clothing, luggage, or the like, which define therebetween an opening in the clothing, luggage, or the like, which it is desired to selectively close.

[0030J FIG. 7 shows the first implementation of the zipper in accordance in a closed condition. In this configuration, the teeth 46, 48 of the first and second sets of teeth are ihterdigitated and thereby releasably connected to each other.

Further, the first and second tapes 50, 52, respectively, overlay and underlie the joined teeth so as to cover and protect the joined interdigitated teeth not only from view but from access by, for example, a probe. Such a configuration of the first and second tapes 50, 52 relative to the interdigitated teeth 46, 48 helps to prevent undesired opening or separation of the zipper.

[0031] To obtain the closed interdigitated relationship of the two sets of teeth 46, 48, a slider 58 as illustrated in FIGS. 6, 6A and 8 may be utilized. The slider 58 may include a top wall 60, a bottom wall 62, and an intermediate wall 64. The top and bottom walls 60, 62 may be shorter than the intermediate wall 64. All three walls 60, 62, 64 may be substantially horizontally disposed with the top and bottom walls 60, 62 converging towards a common horizontal plane for a purpose to be made clear hereafter. The top surface of the top wall 60 may include a catch 66 on which a conventional pull tab (not shown) for the slider 58 may be connected so that the slider 58 can be manually advanced in either direction along the zipper by pulling on the pull tab.

[0032] The intermediate wall 64 may be generally wedge-shaped in cross- section as shown, for example, in FIG. 6A. To form such a wedge-shaped structure, the upper and lower surfaces of the intermediate wall 64 may be spaced apart a predetermined distance at the front end 84 of the slider 58. As the intermediate wall 64 extends from the front end 84 towards the rear end 86 of the slider 58, the upper and lower surfaces may converge towards each. In some embodiments, the upper and lower surfaces may end slightly apart at the end of the intermediate wall 64 distal from the front end 84 of the slider 58. in other embodiments, the upper and lower surfaces may merge at this distal end of the intermediate wafl 64. Thus, the convergence of the upper and lower surfaces of the intermediate wall 64 as this wall extends from the front end 84 of the slider 58 towards the slider's rear end 86 causes the intermediate wall 64 to take the form of a wedge-shaped structure.

[0033] The top wall 60 may be connected to the intermediate wafl 64 along its right edge by a right vertical side wall 68. The right vertical side wall 68 may define a first outer surface of the slider 58. A longitudinally extending rib 70 may project upwardly from the top surface of the intermediate wall 64. Collectively, the top wall 60, the intermediate wall 64, the right vertical side wall 68, and the rib 70 may define an upper longitudinally extending channel 72 within the slider 58. The upper channel 72 may extend from the front end 84 towards the rear end 86 of the slider 58.

[0034] The bottom wall 62 may be connected to the intermediate wall 64 along its left edge with a left side wall 74. The left side wall 74 may define a second outer surface of the slider 58 and may be spaced apart a select distance from the right side wall 68. A downwardly extending longitudinal rib 76 may project

downwardly from the bottom surface of the intermediate wall 64. Collectively, the bottom wall 62, the intermediate wall 62, the left side wall 74, and the downward extending rib 76 may define a lower longitudinally extending channel 78. Similar to the upper channel 72, the lower channel 78 may extend from the front end 84 towards the rear end 86 of the slider 58.

[0035] At least a portion of the lower channel 78 may be positioned beneath the upper channel 72, and the remaining portion may be offset laterally relative thereto. Further, proximate the rear end 86 of the slider 58, the upper and lower channels 72, 78 may merge to form a single channel. This single channel may begin near the end of the intermediate wall 64 proximate the rear end 86 of the slider 58 and extend to the rear end 86 of the slider 58. The top wall 60, the bottom wall 62, and the right and left sidewalis 68, 74 may define the sjngle channel, and the single channel may be disposed within a horizontal plane that contains the joined teeth of the first and second sets of teeth 46, 48. Gaps 80 and 82 may be defined between each longitudinal rib 70, 76 and its respective top or bottom wall 60, 62 for a purpose to be described hereafter.

[0036] The left vertical side wall 68 and the right vertical side wail 74 may be substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other a select distance. With reference to FIG. 6, this distance may be greater than the distance that the top wall 60 extends towards the left vertical side wall 74 from the right vertical side wall 68 and also greater than the distance that the bottom wall 62 extends towards the right vertical side wall 68 from the left vertical side wail 74. Further, the catch 66 may be positioned on the top wall 74 between the right vertical side wall 68 and a centerline defined at approximately at one-haif of the select distance between the right and left vertical side walls 68, 74. In other words, a centerline of the catch 66 may be offset from a centerline of the slider 58 as defined by the right and left vertical side wails 68, 74 _r When the centerline of the catch 66 is offset from the centerline of the slider 58, a substantial portion of the catch 66 may be positioned between the centerline of the slider 58 and one of the vertical side walls 68, 75. For example, with reference to FIGS. 5 and 8, a substantial portion of the catch 66 is positioned between the centerline of the slider 58 and the right vertical side wall 68. The foregoing example is merely illustrative and is not intended to be limiting.

[0037] In some embodiments, the top wall 60 and/or the bottom wall 62 may extend from the right and left side walls 68, 74, respectively, towards the opposite side wall at a distance that is approximately the same as the selected distance between the right and left side walls 68, 74. In such embodiments, where the top wall 60 extends from the right side wall 68 towards the left side wall 74 at a distance that is approximately the same as the pre-selected distance, the catch 66 may be positioned on the top wall 60 so that it is centered on the centerline of the slider 58 as defined by the right and left vertical side walls 68, 74. However, in other embodiments where the top wall 60 extends towards the left side wall 74 at a distance that is approximately the same as the pre-selected distance, the centerline of the catch 66 may be offset from the centerline of the slider 58.

[0038] As with conventional zippers, the first set of teeth 46 and its associated fabric tape 50 may include a stop (not shown) at one or both ends thereof so that once the slider 58 is mounted on that tape and set of teeth, it cannot slide off the end of the tape. In some embodiments, the second set of teeth 48 and its associated fabric tape 52 may include a stop (not shown) at one or both ends thereof. The slider 58 may be connected to the first and second sets of teeth 46, 48 and their associated tapes 50, 52 for sliding movement therealong. For purposes of convenience, one tape will be referred to as the upper tape 50, and the other tape will be referred to as the lower tape 52.

[0039] The first set of teeth 46 and a portion of the upper tape 50 may be selectively positioned within the upper channel 72 of the slider 58. The upper tape 50 may project out of the slot 80 to the left of the slider 58, as viewed from the rear of the slider 58, where it may be connected to an edge 54 of the material to be closed. A portion of the lower tape 52 and its associated teeth 48 may be selectively positioned into the lower channel 78 of the slider 58. The lower tape 52 may project out of the gap 82 from the lower channel to the right, as viewed from the rear of the slider 58, where it is connected to the opposite edge 56 of the material to be joined.

[0040] With reference to FIG. 6A, the upper and lower channels 72, 78 converge towards a single channel disposed within a horizontal plane that contains the joined teeth for the first and second sets of teeth 46, 48. As the slider 58 is advanced along the zipper with the front end 84 of the slider 58 leading its rear end 86, the tapes 50, 52 vertically converge toward each other so that their respective teeth 46, 48 mesh at an acute angle relative to the common horizontal plane and interdigitate at the rear end portion of the slider 58 within the common horizontal plane. In doing so, the tapes 50 and 52, which overlie and underlie the teeth of the first and second sets of teeth 46, 48, respectively, do not hinder the closure of the zipper. The lateral or horizontal overlap of the upper and lower channels 72, 78 through the slider is predetermined so that the conical heads 38 of the teeth 46, 48 are desirably aligned for ihterdigitation within the single channel when the first and second sets of teeth 46, 48 are vertically converged at an acute angle relative to the common horizontal plane.

[0041] In the closed position (i.e., when the teeth 46, 48 are connected), a portion of the upper tape 50 covers the joined teeth of the sets of teeth 46, 48. The joined teeth, in turn, are superimposed on a portion of the lower tape 52. Thus, the joined teeth of the sets of teeth 46, 48 are positioned between portions of the upper - and lower tapes 50, 52. Further, the joined teeth are covered by the upper taper 50, and thus not visible. To expose the zipper to tampering, the upper and lower tapes 50, 52 would have to be pulled laterally apart, which would effectively rotate the zipper. Given the small dimensions involved, this may be difficult to do. Also, either or both of the upper arid tower tapes 50, 52 may be made of material other than cloth, or may be reinforced cloth, to resist attempts to puncture or cut through the tapes 50, 52.

[0042] To open the zipper from its closed interdigitated state, the slider 58 is moved in an opposite direction (i.e., the rear end 86 of the slider 58 leads its front end 84). As the slider 58 is moved in this opposite direction, the intermediate wall 64 moves sequentially against the connected sets of teeth 46, 48 to separate them in a vertical direction so that when the teeth exit from the front end 84 of the slider 58, portions of the upper tape 50 overlie portions of the lower tape 52 and its associated teeth 48 while the remaining portions of the upper tape 52 are laterally offset from the lower tape 52 and its associated teeth 48. Similarly, portions of the lower tape 52 are laterally offset from the upper tape 50 and its associated teeth 46.

[0043] A second embodiment of a slider 90 for the second implementation of the zipper is shown in FIG. 9. In the figures and the following description for the second embodiment of the slider 90 and the second zipper, like reference numbers may be used for elements of the second slider 90 and the second zipper that are similar to elements of the first slider 58 and the first zipper, respectively.

[0044] The second slider 90 is designed differently than the first slider 58. However, the second slider 90 operates in a manner similar to the first slider 58. In particular, the second slider 90 joins the sets of teeth 46 and 48 by bringing them together at an acute angle relative to a common horizontal plane.

[0045] The second slider 90 may include a body 92 with a catch 94 on the top for connection to a manual pull tab (not shown). The second slider 90 may include upper and lower longitudinally extending channels 96, 98 therethrough which converge towards a single channel contained within a horizontal plane that contains the joined teeth of the first and second sets of teeth 46, 48 as the channels 96, 98 extend from a front end 100 to a rear end 102 of the slider 90. This convergence allows for the first and second sets of teeth 46, 48 to interdigitate within the single channel as the slider 90 is moved along the first and second sets of teeth 46, 48 in a direction where the front end 100 of the slider 90 leads its rear end 102.

[0046] With reference to Figs. 11 and 12, the second slider body may define an upper elongated lateral slot 104 that allows for the upper tape 50 to pass through the second slider body for receipt in the upper channel 96. The second slider body may also define an elongated lower lateral slot 06 that allows for the lower tape 52 to pass through the second slider body for receipt in the lower channel 98. Each channel 96, 98 may be sized to contain teeth to be joined or disconnected using the second slider 90 from the upper and lower sets of teeth 46 and 48, respectively. The channels 96, 98 may further be sized to also receive portions of the upper and iower tapes 50, 52, respectively, that are joined to the teeth positioned within the channels 96, 98.

[0047] Similar to the first slider 58, the second slider 90 may include a top wall 120, a bottom wall 122, and an intermediate wall 124. All three walls 120, 122, 124 may be substantially horizontally disposed with the top and bottom walls 120, 122 converging towards a common horizontal plane for a purpose to be made clear hereafter. Also similar to the first slider 58, the intermediate wall 124 of the second slider 90 may take the form of a wedge-shaped structure. The top surface of the top wall 120 may Include a catch 94 on which a conventional pull tab (not shown) for the slider 90 may be connected so that the slider 90 can be manually advanced in either direction along the zipper by pulling on the pull tab. [0048] The top wail 120 may be connected to the intermediate wall 124 along its right edge by a right vertical side wall 126, and the bottom wall 22 may be connected along its left edge by a left vertical side wall 128. The right side wall 126 may define a first outer surface of the second slider 90, and the left side wall 128 may define a second outer surface of the second slider 90. The right side wall 126 may be spaced a select distance away from the left side wall 128.

[0049] Collectively, the top wall 120, the intermediate wall 124, the right vertical side wall 126, and the left vertical side wall 1 8 may define the upper longitudinally extending channel 96 within the second slider 90. The upper channel 96 may extend from the front end 00 towards the rear end 102 of the second slider 90. Collectively, the bottom wall 122, the intermediate wail 124, the right side wall 126, and the left side wall 128 may define the lower longitudinally extending channel 98. Similar to the upper channel 96, the lower channel 98 may extend from the front end 100 towards the rear end 102 of the second slider 90.

[0050] Similar to the first slider 58, at least a portion of the lower channel 98 may be positioned beneath the upper channel 96, and the remaining portion may be offset laterally relative thereto. Further, proximate the rear end 102 of the slider 90, the upper and lower channels 96, 98 may merge to form a single channel. This single channel may begin near the end of the intermediate wall 124 proximate the rear end 102 of the second slider 90 and extend to the rear end 102 of the second slider 90. The top wall 120, the bottom wall 122, and the right and left side walls 126, 28 may define the single channel, and the single channel may be disposed within a horizontal plane that contains the joined teeth of the first and second sets of teeth 46, 48.

[0051] With reference to FIGS. 10-12, the teeth of the upper and lower sets of teeth 46, 48 may be substantially vertically aligned as they enter the front end 100 of the slider. As the tapes 50, 52 and the teeth for the sets of teeth 46, 48 are advanced through the second slider 90 through movement of the second slider 90 along the length of the tapes 50, 52, they converge towards each other so that when they exit the rear end 102 of the second slider 90, conical heads 38 of one set of teeth are positioned with the pockets defined by the conical heads 38 of the other set of teeth. Such positioning results in the sets of teeth 46, 48 being interdigitated to close the zipper. Like the first implementation of the zipper that utilizes the first slider 58, the second implementation of the zipper that utilizes the second slider 90 results in concealment of the sets of teeth 46, 48 between the upper and lower tapes 50, 52. As described above, such concealment helps to protect the zipper from tampering by use of a probe or the like.

[0052] To open the zipper or separate the teeth from their interdigitated relationship, the second slider 90 is slid along the upper and lower tapes 50, 52 in a direction where the rear end 102 of the second slider 90 leads its front end 100. As the second slider 90 is slid in this direction, the intermediate wail 24 within the second slider 90 that defines portions of the boundaries for the upper and lower channels 96, 98 separates teeth of the first and second sets of teeth 46, 48 to thereby free the interconnection of the opposing edges of the material in which the opening in the clothing, luggage, or the like, is defined.

[0053] AH directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are on|y used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the implementations of the present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention unless specifically set forth in the claims. Connection references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, joined, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, connection references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other.

[0054] In some instances, components are described with reference to "ends" having a particular characteristic and/or being connected with another part.

However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention is not limited to components which terminate immediately beyond their points of connection with other parts. Thus, the term "end" should be interpreted broadly, in a manner that includes areas adjacent, rearward, forward of, or otherwise near the terminus of a particular element, link, component, part, member or the like. In methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged, replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made that fall within the scope of the cfaims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A zipper comprising:

first and second sets of teeth configured to be interdigitated in a connected state and released from each other in a disconnected state,

the first set of teeth secured to a first tape;

the second set of teeth secured to a second tape; and

when the first and second sets of teeth are in the connected state, a portion of the first tape covers the first and second sets of teeth, and the first and second sets of teeth are superimposed on a portion of the second tape.

2. The zipper of claim 1 , wherein the first tape is secured to a free end of a first material, and the second tape is secured to a free end of a second material.

3. The zipper of claims 1 or 2, wherein at least some teeth of the first set of teeth include conical heads configured to be received within pockets defined by at feast some teeth of the second set of teeth.

4. The zipper of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a slider including a first channel sized to receive teeth from the first set of teeth and a second channel sized to receive teeth from the second set of teeth.

5. The zipper of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the first channel is positioned above at least a portion of the second channel.

6. The zipper of claim 5, wherein the slider includes a first end and a second end distal the first end, the first and second channels extend from the first end of the slider towards the second end of the slider, and the first and second channels converge towards a common horizontal plane as they approach the second end of the slider.

7. The zipper of claim 6, wherein the first and second channels merge proximate the second end of the slider to form a single channel.

8. The zipper of any of claims 4-7, wherein the slider further includes a first slot in communication with the first channel, the first slot sized to allow at least a portion of the first tape to pass therethrough.

9. The zipper of claim 8, wherein the slider further includes a second slot in communication with the second channel, the second slot sized to allow at least a portion of the second tape to pass therethrough.

10. The zipper of claims 4 or 5, wherein:

the slider further comprises:

a catch;

a first end;

a second end distal the first end;

a first side wall that defines a first outer surface of the slider;

a second side wall that defines a second outer surface of the slider; the first side wall is spaced apart from the second side wall; and the first and second side walls each extend from the first end to the second end of the slider;

the slider includes a centeriine that extends from the first end to the second end of the slider and is located approximately halfway between the first and second side walls; and

the catch is positioned on the slider such that a substantial portion of the catch is located between the centeriine and one of the first and second side walls.

11. The zipper of claims 4 or 5, wherein the slider further comprises:

a first end;

a second end distal the first end;

a first side wall that defines a first outer surface of the slider;

a second side wall that defines a second outer surface of the slider;

the first side wall is spaced apart from the second side wall;

the first and second side walls each extend from the first end towards the second end of the slider; and

a wall that extends between the first and second side walls and defines a portion of the first and second channels.

12. The zipper of claim 11 , wherein the slider further comprises a rib that extends away from the wall and also extends along the wall from the first end of the slider towards the second end of the slider, and the rib defines at least portion of either the first channel or the second channel.

13. The zipper of claim 11 , wherein the first side wall defines a portion of the first and second channels, and the second side wall defines a portion of the first and second channels.

14. The zipper of claim 11 , wherein the slider further comprises a first fib that extends away from the wall and also extends along the wall from the first end of the slider towards the second end of the slider, a second rib that extends away from the wall and also extends along the wall from the first end of the slider towards the second end of the slider, the first rib defines at least portion of the first channel, and the second rib defines at least a portion of the second channel.

15. The zipper of any of claims 10-14, wherein the slider further comprises an upper wall that extends generally transversely from the first side wall towards the second side wall, a lower wall that that extends generally transversely from the second side wall towards the first side wall, the upper wall defines at least a portion of the first channel, and the lower wall defines at least a portion of the second channel.

16. A slider for a zipper, the slider comprising:

a first channel sized to receive teeth from a first set of teeth for the zipper and a second channel sized to receive teeth from a second set of teeth for the zipper; and

at least a portion of the first channel is positioned above at least a portion of the second channel.

17. The slider of claim 16, wherein the slider includes a first end and a second end distal the first end, the first and second channels extend between the first and second ends, and the first and second channels converge towards a common horizontal plane as they approach the second end of the slider.

18. The slider of claim 17, wherein the first and second channels merge proximate the second end of the slider to form a single channel.

19. The slider of any of claims 16-18, wherein the slider further includes a first slot in communication with the first channel, the first slot sized to allow at least a portion of a first tape Of the zipper to pass therethrough.

20. The slider of claim 19, wherein the first set of teeth are joined to the first tape.

21. The slider of claims 9 or 20, wherein the slider further includes a second slot in communication with the second channel, the second slot sized to allow at least a portion of a second tape of the zipper to pass therethrough.

22. The slider of claim 2 , wherein the second set of teeth are joined to the second tape.

23. The slider of claim 6, wherein:

the slider further comprises:

a catch;

a first end;

a second end distal the first end;

a first side wait that defines a first outer surface of the slider;

a second side wall that defines a second outer surface of the slider; the first sidewall is spaced apart from the second side wall; and the first and second side waifs each extend from the first end to the second end of the slider;

the slider includes a centeriine that extends from the first end to the second end of the slider and is iocated approximately halfway between the first and second side walls; and

24. The slider of claim 16, wherein the slider further comprises:

a first end;

a second end distal the first end;

a first side wall that defines a first outer surface of the slider;

a second side wall that defines a second outer surface of the slider;

the first side wad is spaced apart from the second side wall;

25. The slider of claim 24, wherein the slider further comprises a rib that extends away from the wall and also extends along the wall from the first end of the slider towards the second end, and the rib defines at least portion of either the first channel or the second channel.

26. The slider of claim 24, wherein the first side wall defines a portion of the first and second channels, and the second side wail defines a portion of the first and second channels.

27. The slider of claim 24, wherein the slider further comprises a first rib that extends away from the wall and also extends along the wali from the first end of the slider towards the second end of the slider, a second rib that extends away from the wall and also extends along the wall from the first end of the slider towards the second end of the slider, the first rib defines at least portion of the first channel, and the second rib defines at least a portion of the second channel.

28. The slider of any of claims 23-27, wherein the slider further comprises an upper wall that extends generally transversely from the first side wall towards the second side wali, a lower wall that that extends generally transversely from the second side wall towards the first side wall, the upper wall defines at least a portion of the first channel, and the lower wall defines at least a portion of the second channel.