Encapsulation device and zipper closure device

Abstract

The present invention relates to an encapsulation device (1) for cooperating with a zipper slider comprising a body having opposing lower and upper faces, with at least one lateral wall connecting them, said lateral wall having translational guide means configured to cooperate with two chains of said zipper, said encapsulation device (1) comprising: a first compartment (5), a second compartment (6), and a fastening member (7), the first compartment (5) cooperating with the second by means of the fastening member (7) so as to define a chamber (9) configured to house said body, said first and second compartments (5; 6) delimiting a passage (10) in said chamber (9) configured to allow the passage of the chains of said zipper. Abstract figure: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Encapsulating device and zipper device Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of zipper devices. In particular, the invention relates to a device for encapsulating a slider of a zipper. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A zipper device is known comprising a slider having a body injected in zamac, to which is fixed by means of a bridge a gripping system in the form of a pull tab. The zamac body cooperates by means of guide means with chains, typically made of aluminum, of the zipper. The pull tab may, for example, be made of aluminum.

[0003] When the object on which a zipper device is installed moves, for example a wheeled luggage item, the movement of the swinging pull tab can generate noise. In addition, the movement of the slider body cooperating with the zipper chains generates vibrations on the pull tab of the device. In addition, the bridge connecting the pull tab to the slider body can easily become deformed. In the case where luggage comprising such a zipper device is locked by means of a padlock for example, passing through the pull tab, the simple deformation of the bridge can allow the luggage to be opened. Thus, the known zipper device has a safety failure in addition to noisy and vibrating use.

[0004] Also known are multi-part zipper devices having a lower plate, an upper plate and a pull tab connected together by a fixing means and forming the body of the slider. Said devices allow the pull tab to be replaced easily.

[0005] However, such devices also generate significant noise and vibrations on the device's pull tab when in use.

[0006] The invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems by proposing an encapsulating device configured to cooperate with a known zipper slider. Said encapsulating device makes it possible to reduce the noise and vibrations generated by the translation along the chains of the zipper of the slider body, while securing the closure of a piece of luggage on which the zipper device is arranged. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] More specifically, the invention relates to an encapsulating device intended to cooperate with a slider of a zipper. Said slider comprises a body having a lower face, an upper face opposite the lower face, at least one side wall connecting the lower face to the upper face. Said at least one side wall of said body comprises translational guide means configured to cooperate with two chains of said zipper. Said encapsulating device comprises a first compartment, a second compartment, and a fixing member. The first compartment cooperates with the second compartment by means of the fixing member so as to define a chamber configured to house said body of the slider. Said first compartment and said second compartment delimit a passage in said chamber, said passage being configured to allow the passage of the chains of said zipper.

[0008] The first compartment and the second compartment held in position opposite each other by means of the fixing member define the chamber which is configured to house the slider. The slider of the zipper is therefore encapsulated in the encapsulating device. When using the slider along the chains of the zipper, the user translates the encapsulating device which causes the slider to translate. Thus, the slider can be in a first material and the encapsulating device in another material. The materials can be chosen independently of each other so as to respond to different problems.

[0009] Thus, a combination of different materials is possible, as is the choice of their color for example. This makes it possible to determine the materials and / or the surface treatments applied to each of the elements and / or the colors, so as to present a wide variety of possible encapsulation devices, able to respond to a plurality of different technical problems and adapting to the specific needs of each user. In particular, the materials chosen for the compartments of the encapsulation device may differ from those used to produce the slider intended to be housed in the chamber formed by the first and second compartments.

[0010] Advantageously, the first compartment and the second compartment each have a rim configured to cooperate with the side walls of said slider body and to block said slider body in translation.

[0011] The rim of each of the compartments allows the body of the slider to be locked inside the chamber, so that when the user uses the zipper, the driving of the encapsulating device along the chains drives the slider.

[0012] Advantageously, the fixing member comprises a gateway projecting from one any of the first compartment or second compartment and cooperating with the other compartment, said gateway being configured to block said slider body in translation, and in which said fixing member further comprises a screw passing through a recess provided in said gateway, the screw being configured to hold the second compartment against the first compartment.

[0013] The bridge coupled to the screw allows the first compartment to be held in position against the second compartment, while leaving the passage for the chains of the zipper. The bridge also helps to block the body of the slider in translation in the chamber.

[0014] Advantageously, the encapsulating device comprises a gripping means connected and crimped to the first compartment or to the second compartment. Such a gripping means is for example a pull tab.

[0015] The gripping means allows the user to drive the encapsulating device and therefore the slider along the chains of the zipper. In addition, the crimping increases the security of the device.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the encapsulating device comprises a gripping means connected and crimped to the first compartment or to the second compartment by means of a pivot connection or a ball joint connection.

[0017] According to an alternative embodiment, the first compartment or the second compartment comprises a portion projecting from one of its walls and comprises a passage forming a bridge, said encapsulating device comprising a gripping means comprising a pivot connection axis, engaged in the passage and cooperating with the latter so that the axis of the pivot connection is adapted to translate in the passage in sliding connection. In particular, said portion projects from an upper wall of the first compartment, allowing the gripping means to be grasped.

[0018] Such a configuration allows the user to drive the encapsulating device and therefore the slider along the chains of the zipper while further limiting the noise generated by the movement of each of the parts, but also allows the encapsulating device to have better fatigue resistance.

[0019] For example, said encapsulating device is made of aluminum.

[0020] Aluminum has the advantage of being light and strong. Aluminum is also malleable and can be anodized.

[0021] Advantageously, said encapsulating device is thus anodized.

[0022] Anodizing protects the encapsulation device against corrosion and scratches, for example, while allowing its appearance to be adapted according to the user's needs.

[0023] The invention also relates to a zipper device. Said device comprises an encapsulating device as described above and a slider. Said slider comprises a body having a lower face, an upper face opposite the lower face, at least one side wall connecting the lower face to the upper face. Said at least one side wall of said body comprises translational guide means configured to cooperate with two chains of said zipper. The encapsulating device houses said slider body in said chamber, the lower face cooperating with the second compartment or the first compartment, the upper face cooperating respectively with the first compartment or the second compartment. Said passage opens onto the translational guide means of said slider body.

[0024] Advantageously, the encapsulating device is made of aluminum and / or the slider is made of zamac.

[0025] Advantageously, the fixing member comprises a gateway projecting from either of the first compartment or second compartment and cooperating with the other compartment, said gateway being configured to block said body of the slider in translation, said gateway cooperating with said at least one side wall of the body of said slider. PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

[0026] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and referring to the appended drawings given by way of non-limiting examples, in which identical references are given to similar objects and in which:

[0027] [Fig.l] is a schematic perspective representation taken from below and from behind of the encapsulation device according to the invention showing the first and second compartments defining a chamber and delimiting a passage;

[0028] [Fig. 2] is a schematic perspective representation taken from above and from the front of the slide fastener device of the invention comprising the encapsulating device of [Fig. 1] and a slider;

[0029] [Fig. 3] is an exploded view of the zipper device of [Fig. 2]; and

[0030] [Fig.4] represents an alternative embodiment relating to the gripping means, which is arranged differently with respect to the encapsulating device according to the invention. The implementation of a gripping means such as shown in [Fig.4] is carried out without difficulty on a device according to the invention conforming, except with regard to said gripping means, to that shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0031] It should be noted that the figures set out the invention in detail to enable the invention to be implemented; although not limiting, said figures serve in particular to better define the invention where appropriate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] The invention relates to a zipper device 3 comprising an encapsulating device 1 cooperating with a zipper slider 2.

[0033] The slider 2 as shown in Figures 2 and 3 comprises a body 4, having a lower face 40, an upper face 41 and at least one side wall 42.

[0034] The lower face 40 is opposite the upper face 41, as seen in [Fig. 3]. Here, the body 4 comprises a plurality of side walls 42 connecting the lower face 40 to the upper face 4L

[0035] In particular, the body 4 may have a mainly parallelepiped shape. Thus, the body 4 may here comprise four side walls 42 connected to each other and connecting the upper face 41 to the lower face 40.

[0036] The cursor 2 further comprises translational guidance means 43.

[0037] In particular, two opposite walls of the four side walls 42 of the body 4 of the cursor 2 comprises the translational guidance means 43.

[0038] The translational guide means 43 are configured to cooperate with two complementary chains (not shown) of the zipper 3.

[0039] In the example illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the translational guide means 43 may comprise at least two slots. Each of the slots is configured to cooperate with a chain of the zipper.

[0040] The invention also relates to the encapsulating device 1 as shown in [Fig.l].

[0041] The encapsulating device 1 comprises a first compartment 5, a second compartment 6 and a fixing member 7.

[0042] The first compartment 5 cooperates with the second compartment 6 by means of the fixing member 7 so as to define a chamber 9.

[0043] The chamber 9 is configured to house the body 4 of the slider 2, as shown in [Fig.2].

[0044] The first compartment 5 and the second compartment 6 also delimit a passage 10 in the chamber 9.

[0045] The passage 10 is configured to allow the passage of the chains of the zipper so that the chains engage with the slider 2.

[0046] In particular, and as shown in the figures, the first compartment 5 comprises an upper wall 50 from which a rim 11 projects and the second compartment 6 comprises a bottom wall 60 from which another rim 11 projects.

[0047] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the upper wall 50 of the first compartment 5 and the bottom wall 60 of the second compartment 6 are mainly parallelepipedal and each of the rims 11 extends around the periphery of the upper wall 50 and the bottom wall 60 so as to define the chamber 9.

[0048] The passage 10 in the chamber 9 is then delimited by each of the edges 11 of the first compartment 5 and second compartment 6. Passage 10 is configured to guide the zipper chains that engage with slider 2.

[0049] Each rim 11 is thus configured to cooperate with the side walls 42 of the body 4 of the slider 2.

[0050] Each rim 11 is further configured to block the body 4 of the slider 2 in translation.

[0051] The rim 11 of each of the compartments 5, 6 makes it possible to block the body 4 of the slider 2 inside the chamber 9, so that when the user uses the zipper, the driving of the encapsulating device 1 along the chains also drives the slider 2.

[0052] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the fixing member 7 comprises a bridge 70 projecting from either of the first compartment 5 or the second compartment 6, towards the other compartment, respectively the second compartment 6 or the first compartment 5.

[0053] Here, the walkway 70 projects from the first compartment 5 towards the second compartment 6, opposite the first compartment 5. In particular, the walkway 70 projects from the edge 11 of the first compartment 5 towards the edge 11 of the second compartment 6.

[0054] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a groove 71 is provided in the rim 11 of the second compartment 6. The groove 71 is configured to cooperate with the free end of the gangway 70. The groove 71 therefore makes it possible to position the first compartment 5 against the second compartment 6.

[0055] The gateway 70 is configured to block the body 4 of the cursor 2 in translation.

[0056] The fixing member 7 further comprises a screw 72 passing through a threaded recess provided in the gateway 70.

[0057] In particular, a through recess is provided in the second compartment 6, at the level of the groove 71. The screw 72 therefore passes through the through recess then the recess of the gangway 70, so as to hold the gangway 70 in position in the groove 71 and therefore the first compartment 5 against the second compartment 6.

[0058] The screw 72 holds the second compartment 6 against the first compartment 5.

[0059] The encapsulating device 1 further comprises a gripping means 8.

[0060] The gripping means 8 is connected to any one of the first compartment 5 or second compartment 6. The gripping means 8 can for example be designated “pull tab”.

[0061] Here, the gripping means 8 is connected to the first compartment 5.

[0062] In particular, the gripping means 8 can be crimped onto the first compartment. 5.

[0063] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the gripping means 8 can be connected to the first compartment 5 by means of a pivot connection.

[0064] The pivot connection comprises an axis 80 cooperating with at least one orifice of the gripping means 8 and with at least one orifice of the first compartment 5. The axis 80 is for example a rod.

[0065] As shown in [Fig. 3], the axis 80 cooperates with an orifice provided in a portion 81 of the first compartment 5 projecting from the upper wall 50 of the first compartment 5. In particular, the portion 81 projects from the upper wall 50 in a direction opposite to that of the rim 11. The axis 80 also cooperates with two orifices provided at one end of the gripping means 8.

[0066] According to a variant, the gripping means 8 is connected to the first compartment 5 by means of a ball joint.

[0067] According to an embodiment shown in [Fig.4], the gripping means 8 can be connected to the first compartment 5 by means of a sliding pivot connection.

[0068] In particular, the gripping means 8 comprises an axis 80, similar to the axis of the previous embodiments described.

[0069] A portion 81, similar to the portion of the embodiment shown in [Fig.l] to 3, projects from the upper wall 50 of the first compartment 5. In particular, the portion 81 projects from the upper wall 50 in a direction opposite to that from which the rim 11 projects.

[0070] In addition, a passage 12, for example an oblong passage as shown, is provided in the portion 81. The passage 12 is a through passage. In other words, the portion 81 projecting from the first or second compartment forms a bridge.

[0071] The axis 80 of the gripping means 8 cooperates with the passage 12, so as to be able, on the one hand, to allow the pivoting of the gripping means 8 around the axis 80 and, on the other hand, to allow the translation of the axis 80 of the gripping means 8 along the passage 12. The axis 80 is then engaged in the passage 12 forming a bridge and can translate in sliding connection in this passage 12.

[0072] This embodiment further allows a reduction in noise when using the zipper device 3 but also better fatigue resistance.

[0073] The encapsulating device 1 may be made of aluminum.

[0074] The encapsulating device 1 may be anodized.

[0075] In another embodiment, the encapsulating device 1 may be made of galvanized brass, stainless steel, or stainless steel coated with physical vapor deposition (known by the English acronym PVD).

[0076] As shown in [Fig.2], in the zipper device 3, the encapsulating device 1 houses the body 4 of the slider 2 in the chamber 9.

[0077] The shape of the first compartment 5 and the second compartment 6 corresponds mainly to the shape of the body 4 of the slider 2. The shape of each of the com- compartments is adaptable according to the shape of the body 4.

[0078] In particular, the lower face 40 of the body 4 of the slider 2 cooperates with the second compartment 6. The upper face 41 of the body 4 of the slider 2 cooperates with the first compartment 5.

[0079] The upper face 41 of the body 4 bears against the upper wall 50 of the first compartment 5 and the lower face 40 of the body 4 bears against the bottom wall 60 of the second compartment 6.

[0080] The passage 10 allowing the passage of the chains of the zipper and delimited between the first compartment 5 and the second compartment 6 gives access to the guide means 43 of the body 4 of the slider 2.

[0081] According to another embodiment, the shape of the first compartment 5 and of the second compartment 6 does not correspond to the shape of the body 4 of the slider 2. In such an embodiment, it is the chamber 9 defined between the two compartments which mainly corresponds to the shape of the body 4 of the slider 2.

[0082] Furthermore, in the zipper device 3, the bridge 70 is configured to block the body 4 of the slider 2 in translation and cooperates with at least one of the side walls 42 of the body 4.

[0083] When using the slider 2 along the chains of the zipper, the user translates the encapsulating device 1 which at the same time causes the slider 2 to translate. Thus, the slider 2 can be in a first material and the encapsulating device 1 in another material. The materials can be chosen independently of each other so as to respond to different problems.

[0084] In addition, a combination of different materials is possible, as is the choice of their color for example. This makes it possible to determine the materials and / or surface treatments applied to each of the elements and / or the colors, so as to present a wide variety of possible encapsulation devices.

[0085] For example, it is possible to have a first compartment 5 in a first material and the second compartment 6 in a second material different from the first, or on the contrary a first compartment 5 in the same material as the second compartment 6. The surface treatments of each of the compartments may also be identical or on the contrary different, as may their color. In particular, the materials used for the first and second compartments 5, 6 may be different from the material constituting the slider intended to be housed in the chamber formed by said first and second compartments 5, 6. Conventionally, such a slider is made of zamak. The first and second compartments 5, 6 may, for their part, be made of aluminum, gold or any other suitable material. Preferably, a malleable, durable and noble material will be chosen, minimizing the noise of the pull tab, in particular when it comes into contact with the chain.

[0086] Thus, the encapsulating device 1 according to the invention has the advantage of adapting to a plurality of different technical or aesthetic problems and of adapting to the specific needs of each user.

[0087] The encapsulating device 1 of the zipper device 3 may be made of aluminum and the slider 2 may be made of zamac.

[0088] It will also be noted that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. It will indeed appear to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiment described above, in light of the teaching which has just been disclosed to them.

[0089] In the detailed presentation of the invention which is made above, the terms used must not be interpreted as limiting the invention to the embodiment set out in the present description, but must be interpreted to include all equivalents whose prediction is within the reach of a person skilled in the art by applying his general knowledge to the implementation of the teaching which has just been disclosed to him.

Claims

Claims

1. Encapsulating device (1) intended to cooperate with a slider (2) of a zipper, said slider (2) comprising a body (4) having a lower face (40), an upper face (41) opposite the lower face (40), at least one side wall (42) connecting the lower face (40) to the upper face (41), said at least one side wall (42) of said body (4) comprising translational guiding means (43) configured to cooperate with two chains of said zipper, said encapsulating device (1) comprising: • a first compartment (5), • a second compartment (6), and • a fixing member (7), the first compartment (5) cooperating with the second compartment (6) by means of the fixing member (7) so as to define a chamber (9) configured to house said body (4) of the slider (2),said first compartment (5) and said second compartment (6) delimiting a passage (10) in said chamber (9), said passage (10) being configured to allow the passage of the chains of said zipper.,

2. Encapsulating device (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the first compartment (5) and the second compartment (6) each have a rim (11) configured to cooperate with the side walls (42) of said body (4) of the slider (2) and to block said body (4) of the slider (2) in translation.

3. Encapsulating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing member (7) comprises a bridge (70) projecting from either of the first compartment (5) or second compartment (6) and cooperating with the other compartment, said bridge (70) being configured to block in translation said body (4) of the slider (2), and wherein said fixing member (7) further comprises a screw (72) passing through a recess provided in said bridge (70), the screw (72) being configured to hold the second compartment (6) against the first compartment (5).

4. Encapsulating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a gripping means (8) connected and crimped to the first compartment (5) or second compartment (6).

5. Encapsulating device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a gripping means (8) connected to the first compartment (5) or to the second compartment (6) by means of a pivot connection or a ball joint connection.

6. Encapsulating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, in which the first compartment (5) or the second compartment (6) comprises a portion (81) projecting from one of its walls and comprising a passage forming a bridge, said encapsulating device (1) comprising a gripping means (8) comprising a pivot connection axis (80), engaged in the passage (12) and cooperating with the latter so that the axis (80) of the pivot connection is adapted to translate in the passage (12) in sliding connection.

7. An encapsulating device (1) according to any preceding claim, wherein said device (1) is made of aluminum.

8. Encapsulating device (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein said device (1) is anodized.

9. A zipper device (3) comprising an encapsulating device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8 and a slider (2), said slider (2) comprising a body (4) having a lower face (40), an upper face (41) opposite the lower face (40), at least one side wall (42) connecting the lower face (40) to the upper face (41), said at least one side wall (42) of said body (4) comprising translational guiding means (43) configured to cooperate with two chains of said zipper, the encapsulating device (1) housing said body (4) of the slider (2) in said chamber (9), the lower face (40) cooperating with the second compartment (6) or the first compartment (5), the upper face (41) cooperating respectively with the first compartment (5) or the second compartment (6), said passage (10) opening onto the translational guiding means (43) of said slider body (4) (2).

10. Zipper device (3) according to the preceding claim, wherein the encapsulating device (1) is made of aluminum and / or the slider (2) is made of zamac.

11. A zipper device (3) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the fastening member (7) comprises a bridge (70) projecting from either of the first compartment (5) or second compartment (6) and cooperating with the other compartment, said bridge (70) being configured to block in translation said body (4) of the slider (2), said gateway (70) cooperating with said at least one side wall (42) of the body (4) of said slider (2).

Images