Water-repellent zipper

Abstract

The utility model discloses a water-repellent zipper which comprises a first zipper tape and a second zipper tape which are oppositely arranged, and zipper teeth are arranged on the edges of the first zipper tape and the second zipper tape respectively. The zipper head is matched with zipper teeth on the first zipper belt and the second zipper belt and used for controlling opening and closing operation of the zipper. The outer edges of the upper end face and the lower end face of each zipper tooth are respectively provided with a layer of rubber ring, the rubber rings are directly fixed to the surfaces of the outer edges of the zipper teeth through a thermal forming technology, and the rubber rings are firmly connected with the zipper teeth through the material viscosity of the rubber rings. The zipper is suitable for application scenes requiring short-time water-repellent performance, such as backpacks, sportswear, outdoor articles and the like, moisture permeation can be effectively prevented on the premise of low cost, and meanwhile opening and closing smoothness and durability of the zipper are kept.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of zipper technology, specifically to a water-repellent zipper, and more particularly to a zipper structure that achieves water-repellent function through the synergistic effect of a rubber ring and a hydrophobic layer. Background Technology

[0002] In existing zipper technology, waterproof zippers and water-repellent zippers are two functional products targeting different needs. Waterproof zippers typically employ a completely sealed design, such as embedding waterproof strips between the zipper teeth or using special coating processes to achieve a complete water barrier. While this design can meet the waterproof requirements of extreme environments, such as diving suits and outdoor tents, it is expensive to manufacture and has a complex production process. In contrast, the demand for water-repellent zippers is more widespread, such as in everyday backpacks, sportswear, and outdoor leisure products. These applications do not require a completely sealed waterproof performance but only need to prevent water penetration for a short period, such as dealing with rain splashes or brief periods of dampness. However, the current market lacks a low-cost and efficient water-repellent zipper solution, forcing many products to either choose expensive waterproof zippers or use ordinary zippers, which fail to meet water-repellent requirements.

[0003] In existing technologies, the design of water-repellent zippers mainly relies on reducing the gap between the zipper teeth to prevent water penetration. The gap in a zipper is primarily the space between the upper and lower teeth, which are the main channels for water penetration. Theoretically, reducing the tooth gap can effectively reduce water penetration. However, this design has significant shortcomings in practical applications. First, reducing the tooth gap increases friction when the zipper opens and closes, making it prone to jamming and affecting ease of use. For example, when pulling the zipper quickly, a too-small tooth gap can cause the zipper head to have difficulty sliding smoothly, and may even damage the zipper structure. Second, existing zipper materials and technologies struggle to maintain smooth opening and closing while ensuring water repellency. For example, traditional zipper tooth materials (such as nylon or metal) are not inherently hydrophobic, and even adjusting the tooth gap cannot effectively prevent water penetration in a short time.

[0004] The main reason for these shortcomings is the limited hydrophobic properties of existing zipper materials. Traditional zipper materials (such as nylon, polyester, or metal) do not inherently possess hydrophobic characteristics, and even by adjusting the tooth spacing, it is difficult to effectively prevent water penetration in a short period of time. In addition, existing zipper designs prioritize durability and smooth opening and closing, while hydrophobic properties are often neglected, making it difficult to achieve both water-repellent functionality and other benefits.

[0005] Therefore, developing a new type of water-repellent zipper technology is of great significance and value. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of this application is to overcome at least one deficiency of the prior art and provide a water-repellent zipper that is suitable for applications requiring short-term water-repellent performance, such as backpacks, sportswear, and outdoor products. This zipper can effectively prevent water penetration at a low cost while maintaining the smoothness and durability of the zipper's opening and closing.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this application discloses a water-repellent zipper, including a first zipper tape and a second zipper tape, which are arranged opposite each other and have zipper teeth arranged along their edges. The zipper head engages with the zipper teeth on the first and second zipper tapes to control the opening and closing operation of the zipper. A rubber ring is provided on the outer edge of the upper and lower end faces of the zipper teeth. The rubber ring is directly fixed to the outer edge surface of the zipper teeth by a thermoforming process, forming a firm connection with the zipper teeth by utilizing the adhesiveness of the rubber ring itself.

[0008] When the zipper teeth on the first zipper tape and the second zipper tape engage, the outer rubber rings press against each other, thereby reducing or eliminating the gap between the teeth and effectively preventing moisture from penetrating through the gap. Furthermore, the outer surface of the zipper teeth has a hydrophobic layer, which is formed through a coating or surface treatment process, and can significantly reduce the adhesion and penetration of moisture, ensuring that the water-repellent function is achieved in a short time.

[0009] Specifically, the material of the rubber ring is preferably a thermoplastic elastomer or silicone, and its shape is annular or semi-annular. The cross-sectional shape can be circular, elliptical, or other geometric shapes suitable for tight fit with the outer edge of the zipper teeth.

[0010] The thickness of the rubber ring ranges from 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm, preferably from 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm, and the width ranges from 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm, preferably from 1.0 mm to 1.5 mm.

[0011] The rubber ring is directly fixed to the outer edge surface of the zipper teeth through a thermoforming process. The inner surface of the rubber ring fits tightly against the outer edge surface of the zipper teeth, forming a gapless connection structure. The outer edge surface of the rubber ring protrudes slightly from the outer edge of the zipper teeth to ensure effective compression sealing when the zipper teeth engage.

[0012] Furthermore, the material of the hydrophobic layer is preferably a hydrophobic material with low surface energy, such as fluorocarbon compounds, like polytetrafluoroethylene, or silicon-based materials, such as polydimethylsiloxane.

[0013] The thickness of the hydrophobic layer ranges from 0.1 micrometers to 10 micrometers, preferably from 1 micrometer to 1 micrometer, to ensure that the hydrophobic properties are maintained without affecting the mechanical strength and smooth opening and closing of the zipper teeth. The hydrophobic layer covers the entire outer surface of the zipper teeth, including the tooth tip, tooth side, and tooth bottom, to ensure that moisture is difficult to penetrate at any contact angle.

[0014] Furthermore, the zipper teeth can be made of metal (such as zinc alloy or aluminum alloy), nylon, or polyester, with the specific material chosen based on the application scenario and cost requirements. The shape and size of the zipper teeth are optimized to work in conjunction with the rubber ring and hydrophobic layer to achieve water-repellent functionality. The tooth tip width ranges from 0.8 mm to 2.0 mm, preferably from 1.2 mm to 1.5 mm, and the tooth height ranges from 1 mm to 3.0 mm, preferably from 2.0 mm to 2.0 mm. The tooth side surfaces are designed to be smooth or slightly curved to reduce frictional resistance with the rubber ring and ensure smooth zipper opening and closing. The connection between the tooth base and the zipper tape is fixed using hot pressing or ultrasonic welding processes to ensure mechanical strength and durability.

[0015] Furthermore, the internal structure of the zipper head and the mating surface of the zipper teeth are optimized to ensure smooth engagement and disengagement of the zipper teeth during opening and closing. The width of the internal guide groove of the zipper head is slightly larger than the width of the zipper tooth tip to ensure smooth passage of the zipper teeth while preventing water penetration due to excessive gaps. The zipper head is preferably made of metal or high-strength plastic to ensure its durability and wear resistance.

[0016] Through the above structural design, the water-repellent zipper of this application achieves high water-repellent performance at a low cost, while maintaining smooth opening and closing and durability. The rubber ring is directly fixed to the zipper teeth through a thermoforming process, and the tooth gap is reduced through compression. The hydrophobic layer further enhances the water-repellent performance of the zipper. The optimized design of the zipper teeth and zipper head ensures the mechanical performance and ease of operation of the zipper, making it suitable for various scenarios such as backpacks, sportswear, and outdoor products, and has broad application prospects and market value.

[0017] The beneficial effects listed above are not exhaustive of all advantages. Other potential beneficial effects and detailed technical implementation methods will be further disclosed in the embodiments or other descriptive sections of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0018] A better understanding of various aspects of this disclosure will be achieved by reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The positions, dimensions, and extents of the structures shown in the drawings, etc., do not always represent actual positions, dimensions, and extents. In the drawings:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of one embodiment disclosed in this application.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a zipper tooth in one embodiment of the present application.

[0021] The labels in the diagram are as follows:

[0022] 1-First zipper tape, 2-Second zipper tape, 3-Zipper teeth, 4-Rubber ring, 5-Zipper head. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate several embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure can be presented in many different ways and is not limited to the embodiments described below; in fact, the embodiments described below are intended to make the disclosure more complete and to fully illustrate the scope of protection of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. It should also be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in various ways to provide further additional embodiments.

[0024] It should be understood that the same reference numerals denote the same elements in all the accompanying drawings. For clarity, the dimensions of certain features may be modified in the drawings.

[0025] It should be understood that the terminology used in this specification is for describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to limit this disclosure. All terms used in this specification (including technical and scientific terms) have the meanings commonly understood by those skilled in the art, unless otherwise defined. For the sake of brevity and / or clarity, techniques, methods, and apparatus known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail; however, where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and apparatus should be considered part of this specification.

[0026] Unless otherwise specified, the singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in this specification include the plural forms. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “containing” used in this specification indicate the presence of the claimed feature but do not exclude the presence of one or more other features. The term “and / or” used in this specification includes any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items.

[0027] See attached document Figure 1 This embodiment discloses an exemplary structure of a water-repellent zipper, which includes a first zipper tape 1, a second zipper tape 2, zipper teeth 3, a rubber ring 4, a hydrophobic layer, and a zipper head 5. The first zipper tape 1 and the second zipper tape 2 are arranged opposite to each other, and zipper teeth 3 are arranged on their edges respectively. The zipper head 5 cooperates with the zipper teeth 3 on the first zipper tape 1 and the second zipper tape 2 to control the opening and closing operation of the zipper.

[0028] See attached document Figure 2A rubber ring 4 is provided on the outer edge of the upper and lower end faces of the zipper tooth 3. The rubber ring 4 is directly fixed to the outer edge surface of the zipper tooth 3, and a firm connection is formed with the zipper tooth 3 by the adhesiveness of the rubber ring 4 itself. When the zipper teeth 3 on the first zipper tape 1 and the second zipper tape 2 are engaged, the rubber rings 4 on the outer edge are squeezed against each other, thereby reducing or eliminating the gap between the teeth. The outer surface of the zipper tooth 3 has a hydrophobic layer, which is formed by coating or surface treatment process, and can significantly reduce the adhesion and penetration of water.

[0029] Specifically, the materials of the first zipper tape 1 and the second zipper tape 2 can be nylon, polyester, or metal, with the specific material selected based on the application scenario and cost requirements. The width of the zipper tape ranges from millimeters to 20 millimeters, preferably from 10 millimeters to 15 millimeters, to ensure its mechanical strength and durability. Zipper teeth 3 are fixed to the edges of the zipper tape using a hot-pressing or ultrasonic welding process. The material of the zipper teeth 3 can be metal (such as zinc alloy or aluminum alloy), nylon, or polyester. The shape and size of the zipper teeth 3 are optimized to work in conjunction with the rubber ring 4 and the hydrophobic layer to achieve water-repellent functionality. The tooth tip width of the zipper teeth 3 ranges from 0.8 millimeters to 2.0 millimeters, preferably from 1.2 millimeters to 1.6 millimeters, and the tooth height ranges from 1.0 millimeters to 3.0 millimeters, preferably from 2.0 millimeters to 2.5 millimeters. The tooth side surface of the zipper teeth 3 is designed to be smooth or slightly curved to reduce frictional resistance with the rubber ring 4, ensuring smooth zipper opening and closing.

[0030] Furthermore, the material of the rubber ring 4 is preferably thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or silicone, and its shape is annular or semi-annular, with a cross-sectional shape that can be circular, elliptical, or other geometric shapes suitable for tight fit with the outer edge of the zipper tooth 3. The thickness of the rubber ring 4 ranges from 0.2 mm to 1 mm, preferably from 0.0 mm to 1.0 mm, and the width ranges from 0.0 mm to 2.0 mm, preferably from 1.0 mm to 1.0 mm. The inner surface of the rubber ring 4 is tightly fitted with the outer edge surface of the zipper tooth 3, forming a gapless connection structure. The outer edge surface of the rubber ring 4 slightly protrudes from the outer edge of the zipper tooth 3 to ensure effective compression sealing when the zipper tooth 3 is engaged. The rubber ring 4 is directly fixed to the outer edge surface of the zipper tooth 3 through a thermoforming process, utilizing the adhesiveness of the rubber ring 4 itself to form a firm connection with the zipper tooth 3. The design of the rubber ring 4 not only reduces tooth gaps but also reduces friction when the zipper is opened and closed, preventing jamming.

[0031] Further, the hydrophobic layer is preferably made of a hydrophobic material with low surface energy, such as a fluorocarbon compound (e.g., polytetrafluoroethylene) or a silicon-based material (e.g., polydimethylsiloxane). The thickness of the hydrophobic layer ranges from 0.1 micrometers to 10 micrometers, preferably from 1 micrometer to 1 micrometer, to ensure that the mechanical strength and smooth opening and closing of the zipper teeth 3 are not affected while maintaining hydrophobic performance. The hydrophobic layer covers the entire outer surface of the zipper teeth 3, including the tooth tip, tooth side, and tooth bottom, to ensure that water is difficult to penetrate at any contact angle. The surface roughness of the hydrophobic layer is optimized to further enhance its hydrophobic performance, for example, by using micro / nano-structure surface treatment technology to form a surface with superhydrophobic properties.

[0032] Furthermore, the internal structure of the zipper head 5 and the mating surface of the zipper teeth 3 are optimized to ensure smooth engagement and disengagement of the zipper teeth 3 during opening and closing. The width of the internal guide groove of the zipper head 5 is slightly larger than the tooth tip width of the zipper teeth 3 to ensure smooth passage of the zipper teeth 3 while preventing moisture penetration due to excessive gaps. The zipper head 5 is preferably made of metal or high-strength plastic to ensure its durability and wear resistance. The design of the zipper head 5 not only ensures smooth opening and closing of the zipper but also maintains stable performance during long-term use.

[0033] In practical applications, the water-repellent zipper of this embodiment is suitable for various scenarios, such as backpacks, sportswear, and outdoor products. In backpack applications, the water-repellent zipper effectively prevents moisture penetration in rainy or humid environments, protecting the contents of the bag from moisture. In sportswear, the water-repellent zipper prevents sweat or rainwater penetration during exercise, improving wearing comfort. In outdoor products, the water-repellent zipper provides reliable water-repellent protection in harsh weather conditions, extending the product's lifespan. Through the synergistic effect of the rubber ring 4 and the hydrophobic layer, the water-repellent zipper of this invention achieves high-efficiency water-repellent performance at a low cost, while maintaining smooth opening and closing and durability.

[0034] In summary, the water-repellent zipper of this embodiment achieves highly efficient water-repellent functionality through optimized design of the zipper teeth 3, the rubber ring 4, and the hydrophobic layer. The design of the rubber ring 4 reduces the tooth gap, the hydrophobic layer further enhances the water-repellent performance, while the optimized design of the zipper head 5 and the zipper teeth 3 ensures the zipper's mechanical performance and ease of operation. This technical solution is applicable to various application scenarios and has broad market prospects and application value.

[0035] While exemplary embodiments of this disclosure have been described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes and modifications can be made to the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Therefore, all changes and modifications are included within the scope of protection of this disclosure as defined by the claims. This disclosure is defined by the appended claims, and equivalents of those claims are also included.

Claims

1. A water-repellent zipper, comprising a first zipper tape (1) and a second zipper tape (2), which are arranged opposite to each other and have zipper teeth (3) arranged on their edges respectively; a zipper head (5) cooperates with the zipper teeth (3) on the first zipper tape (1) and the second zipper tape (2) to control the opening and closing operation of the zipper; characterized in that, A rubber ring (4) is provided on the outer edge of the upper and lower end faces of the zipper tooth (3). The rubber ring (4) is directly fixed to the outer edge surface of the zipper tooth (3). The inner surface of the rubber ring (4) is closely fitted with the outer edge surface of the zipper tooth (3) to form a gapless connection structure. The outer edge surface of the rubber ring (4) protrudes from the outer edge of the zipper tooth (3). When the zipper tooth (3) on the first zipper belt (1) and the second zipper belt (2) are engaged, the rubber ring (4) on the outer edge is squeezed against each other, thereby reducing or eliminating the tooth gap. The outer surface of the zipper tooth (3) has a hydrophobic layer.

2. The water-repellent zipper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The shape of the rubber ring (4) is annular or semi-annular, and its cross-sectional shape is circular or elliptical.

3. The water-repellent zipper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the rubber ring (4) ranges from 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm, and the width ranges from 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm.

4. A water-repellent zipper according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hydrophobic coating covers the entire outer surface of the zipper tooth (3), including the tooth tip, tooth side and tooth bottom.

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