Zipper

Abstract

To facilitate closing by improving a known zipper.SOLUTION: A zipper comprising a first tape 10, a second tape, a slider 22 having an upper shield 32 and a lower shield 34, a first end means 18 located behind a last engagement element 24 on the first tape 10 in the closing direction of the slider 22, and a second end means 20, wherein in the zipper closed state said second end means extends beyond the end face of the first tape 10 facing the second tape. In the closed condition of the zipper, the distance from the first tape 10 to the tape-facing surface of the upper shield 32 of the slider 22 at the end of the first terminator 18 opposite the first row of engagement elements is different from the respective distances at the opposite end of the first terminator 18.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a zipper comprising a first tape having a first row of engaging elements, a second tape having a second row of engaging elements, a slider having an upper shield and a lower shield, a first terminal means located on the first tape rearward of the last engaging element in the closing direction of the slider, and a second terminal means located on the second tape rearward of the last engaging element in the closing direction of the slider, wherein, in the closed state of the zipper, the second terminal means extends beyond the end face of the first tape facing the second tape. [Background technology]

[0002] Here, "rearward" means that when moved in the closing direction, the slider reaches the first and second termination means after the last engagement element.

[0003] Zippers of the above kind are well known (see, for example, U.S. Patent No. 5,949,949 and U.S. Patent No. 5,949,949). When closing prior art zippers, there is a risk that the first tape will collide with a portion of the second terminating means that extends beyond the end face of the first tape facing the second tape when the zipper is in the closed state. Such a collision makes it difficult to close the zipper. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Chinese Utility Model No. 208523931 [Patent Document 2] Chinese Utility Model No. 210747617 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The underlying object of the present invention is to improve known zippers to make them easier to close. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, the above object is achieved by a zipper as described above, in which, in the closed state of the zipper, the distance from the first tape to the tape-facing surface of the upper shield of the slider at the end of the first termination means opposite the engaging elements of the first row is different from the respective distance at the opposite end of the first termination means.

[0007] According to the above structure, when the slider is moved in the closing direction and taken into the first termination means, the first tape bends according to the difference in distance, thereby moving in a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the first tape and away from the second termination means, thereby minimizing or eliminating the risk of collision with the second termination means.

[0008] The value of the difference in distance can be freely selected as long as the first tape moves sufficiently away from the path of the second termination means during closure of the zipper. However, it is particularly preferred that, when the distance from the first tape at the end of the first termination means facing the engaging elements of the first row to the tape-facing surface of the upper shield of the slider is d in the closed state of the zipper, the distance from the first tape at the opposite end to the tape-facing surface of the upper shield of the slider is D, and the thickness of the first tape at the edge facing the second termination means in the closed state of the zipper is T, the relationship 0.5T≦Dd≦2T holds. These values ​​have been proven to be adequate.

[0009] Various means can be used to achieve this curvature to move the first tape out of the path of the second termination means, but it is preferred that the surface of the first termination means facing the upper shield in the closed state of the zipper and / or the surface of the first termination means facing the lower shield in the closed state of the zipper be at least partially angled upward or downward in the closing direction relative to the first tape.

[0010] This is a particularly simple way to achieve said curvature.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a surface of the first termination means facing the upper shield in the closed state of the zipper is parallel to a surface of the first termination means facing the lower shield in the closed state of the zipper.

[0012] This facilitates the opening and closing of the slider.

[0013] Preferably, the inclination angle is 0.1° to 15°, more preferably 3° to 10°, and even more preferably 4° to 6°.

[0014] Said value may be positive or negative and defines the direction of the curvature (upwards or downwards). The same applies mutatis mutandis to the above difference (Dd), which may be positive or negative.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surface of the first termination means facing the upper shield in the closed state of the slider and / or the surface of the first termination means facing the lower shield in the closed state of the slider is inclined at least partially upward or downward relative to the tape in the direction from the first to the second termination means.

[0016] This arrangement further reduces the risk of the first tape and / or first termination means colliding with the second termination means.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and / or second terminal means has a stopper against which the slider abuts when the zipper is in the closed state.

[0018] Such stops serve to prevent the slider from sliding beyond the first and second end means.

[0019] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the first and / or second terminating means are integral with the stopper.

[0020] According to this embodiment, each stop is not a separate part but is integral with the first or second termination means.

[0021] Preferably, the first termination means has at least one recess which, in the closed state of the zipper, at least partially overlaps a portion of the second termination means extending beyond said end face of the first tape facing the second tape, in other words, the portion of the second termination means is to some extent recessed into the first termination means, improving the stability of the overall structure in the closed state of the zipper.

[0022] For the same reason of improving stability in the closed state, it is preferred according to the present invention that in the closed state of the zipper the first termination means and the portion of the second termination means that does not extend beyond the end face of the first termination means together form a "V" shape.

[0023] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the second termination means has at least one recess which at least partially overlaps a portion of the first tape in the closed state of the zipper.

[0024] The recesses are intended to embed a portion of each of the first tapes to some extent, thereby contributing to the stability of the overall structure when the zipper is closed, and further contributing to reducing the risk of the first tapes colliding with the second termination means.

[0025] More preferably, the first and / or second termination means have a locking pin receiving recess.

[0026] When the locking pin is received in the recess, the zipper is prevented from opening unintentionally.

[0027] Finally, it is preferred that the first and / or second termination means are provided with advertising means, which is particularly preferred for the second termination means, since it extends beyond the end face of the first tape facing the second tape, thereby making it possible to make its main surface larger.

[0028] The invention will be explained in more detail below by means of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 shows an embodiment of a zipper of the present invention in a partially open position. [Figure 2] 2 shows the zipper of FIG. 1 in a closed state. [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic diagram of a partial side view of the zipper according to FIG. 2; [Figure 4] 4 shows the end element of the zipper according to FIGS. 1 to 3 in the closed state. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but seen from the back. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a side view of the terminating means of the zipper according to FIGS. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a top view of the termination means of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but according to another embodiment. [Figure 9] 5A-5C are schematic diagrams of a terminating element of a zipper according to a further embodiment of the invention, showing two different states of the zipper; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] The zipper according to the first embodiment shown in the figures includes a first tape 10 having engaging elements in a first row 12 and a second tape 14 having engaging elements in a second row 16. The zipper also includes a first terminating means 18 and a second terminating means 20. A slider 22 serves to open and close the zipper by sliding along the engaging elements in rows 12 and 16. The last engaging elements of the slider 22 in the first and second rows 12, 16 in the closing direction are engaging elements 24 and 26, respectively. Reference numerals 28 and 30 designate the edges of the first and second tapes 10, 14, respectively, that face the other tape 14, 10. In this embodiment, the edges 28, 30 have a code.

[0031] As can be seen in Figure 3, slider 22 has an upper shield 32 and a lower shield 34 that include a tape-facing surface P. As can also be seen in Figure 3, in the closed state of the zipper, a distance d from the tape-facing surface of upper shield 32 of slider 22 to first tape 10 at the end of first termination means 18 opposite the last engaging element 24, and therefore the engaging element of first row 12, is less than a distance D from the tape-facing surface of upper shield 32 of slider 22 to the end of first tape 10 opposite first termination means 18, i.e., the left side edge in Figure 3. This difference between distances d and D causes first tape 10 to bow downward in Figure 3 into slider 22.

[0032] 1 to 3 is closed, i.e., when the zipper is changed from the state of Fig. 1 to the state of Fig. 2, the terminal elements 18 and 20 move against each other. When the first tape 10 is taken into the slider 22, it is curved, and as a part of it moves beyond the edge 28 of the first tape 10, it moves downward in Fig. 3 while avoiding collision with the terminal element 20.

[0033] Figure 4 shows a view similar to Figure 2, but omitting the first and second tapes 10, 14 and slider 22. It can be seen from Figures 4 and 5 that the first terminating means 18 and the lower portion of the second terminating means 20 in Figure 4 form a "V" shape, which is a very stable structure that keeps the zipper closed.

[0034] Figure 5 shows the first and second termination means 18, 20 as seen from the opposite side to that shown in Figure 4. On this side, termination means 20 has a surface 36 on the left side of Figure 5 and a recess 38 on the right side. Recess 38 serves to embed a portion of first tape 10 when the zipper is closed. A further recess 41 serves to embed a portion of first termination means 18 in cooperation with recess 40 (Figure 7) of first termination means 18. This allows the zipper to close smoothly, despite the fact that second termination means 20 overlaps first tape 10 and first termination means 18.

[0035] FIG. 6 serves to explain how the differential distances d and D between the first tape 10 and the upper shield 32 of the slider 22 are achieved. This differential distance is achieved by inclining portions of the upper and lower surfaces 42 and 44 of the first termination means 18. The respective inclination angles α relative to the tape plane in this embodiment are 5°. In the illustrated embodiment, the respective surfaces are parallel to each other. When the first termination means 18 having the inclined surfaces 42 and 44 is introduced into the slider 22 and the slider 22 moves in the closing direction, the end of the first termination means that does not face the engaging elements of the first row 12 rotates downward, i.e., counterclockwise in FIGS. 3 and 6 , causing the edge 28 of the first tape 10 to move out of the path of the second termination means 20 during zipper closure. This reduces or even eliminates the risk of collision. A recess 46 in the second termination means 20 serves to receive a zipper locking pin (not shown), which is provided on the slider 22 .

[0036] In this embodiment, the front face 48 of the second termination means 20 may be used to hold or be advertising means such as a logo.

[0037] As can be seen in Figure 6, the first terminal means 18 has a stopper 50, which in this embodiment is realized in the form of a slope. This serves to stop the slider 22 in the closed state. This is realized integrally with the first terminal means 18.

[0038] 8 shows another embodiment of a zipper according to the invention, in which the front face 52 of the second termination means 20 has a square outline, as opposed to the first embodiment in which the front face 48 has a circular outline.

[0039] A further embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 9. The upper portion of Figure 9 shows the first and second tapes 10, 14 and the first and second terminating means 18 and 20 prior to zipper closure.

[0040] According to the lower part of Figure 9, as soon as the slider (not shown) reaches the first terminal means 18, the inclination of the upper surface rising from the first terminal means 18 towards the second terminal means 20 causes the first terminal means 18 to rotate out of the orbit of the second terminal means 20, so that the first and second terminal means 18, 20 can be further moved against each other to facilitate further closure of the zipper without the risk of any collision.

[0041] The features of the invention disclosed in the above description, in the claims and in the drawings may, both individually and in any combination, be essential for realizing respective embodiments of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 10 The First Tape 12 First Column 14 The Second Tape 16 Second Column 18 First termination means (termination element) 20 Second termination means (termination element) 22 Slider 24 Engagement element 28,30 Edge 32 Upper shield 34 Lower shield 36 Surface 38, 40, 41, 46 Recesses 42 Top surface 42 Slope 44 Bottom surface 48 Front 50 Stopper 52 Front

Claims

1. a first tape (10) having a first row (12) of engaging elements; a second tape (14) having a second row (16) of engaging elements; a slider (22) having an upper shield (32) and a lower shield (34); a first terminating means (18) located on the first tape behind the last engaging element (24) in the closing direction of the slider; a second terminating means (20) located on the second tape behind the last engaging element (26) in the closing direction of the slider; A zipper comprising: When the zipper is in a closed state, the second terminating means extends beyond an end face of the first tape opposite the second tape; In the closed state of the zipper, the distance from the first tape (10) to the tape-facing surface (p) of the upper shield of the slider (22) at the end of the first termination means (18) opposite the engaging elements of the first row (12) is different from the respective distance (D) at the opposite end of the first termination means. Characterized by a zipper.

2. When the zipper is in the closed state, the distance (d) from the end of the first tape (10) of the first termination means (18) facing the engaging elements of the first row (12) to the tape-facing surface (p) of the upper shield (32) of the slider (22) is d. the distance (D) from the first tape at the opposite end to the tape-facing surface of the upper shield of the slider is D; the thickness of the first tape at the edge (28) facing the second termination means (20) in the closed state of the zipper is T; The relationship 0.5T≦D−d≦2T holds true 2. The zipper of claim 1, wherein:

3. a surface (42) of said first termination means (18) facing said upper shield (32) in said closed state of said zipper; and / or The surface (44) of the first termination means facing the lower shield (34) in the closed state of the zipper is at least partially inclined upward or downward in the closing direction relative to the first tape (10); 2. The zipper of claim 1, wherein:

4. The surface (42) of the first termination means (18) facing the upper shield (32) in the closed state of the zipper is parallel to the surface (44) of the first termination means facing the lower shield (34) in the closed state of the zipper.

4. The zipper according to claim 3, characterized in that

5. 4. The zipper according to claim 3, characterized in that the inclination angle (α) is in the range of 0.1° to 15°, preferably 3° to 10°, and more preferably 4° to 6°.

6. a surface of the first termination means (18) facing the upper shield (32) of the slider (22) in the closed state of the zipper; and / or The surface of the first termination means facing the lower shield (34) of the slider in the closed state of the zipper is at least partially inclined relative to said first tape (10) in a direction from said first to said second termination means (20) so as to rise or fall; 2. The zipper of claim 1, wherein:

7. 2. The zipper according to claim 1, wherein the first and / or second terminal means (18, 20) comprises a stopper (50) against which the slider (22) abuts in the closed state of the zipper.

8. A zipper according to claim 7, characterized in that said first and / or second terminal means (18, 20) are integral with said stopper (50).

9. 2. The zipper of claim 1, wherein said first termination means (18) has at least one recess (40) that at least partially overlaps a portion of said second termination means (20) that extends beyond the end face of said first tape (10) opposite said second tape (14) in said closed state of said zipper.

10. 2. The zipper of claim 1, wherein in the closed state of the zipper, the first terminal means (18) and a portion of the second terminal means (20) that does not extend beyond the end face of the first terminal means together form a "V" shape.

11. 2. The zipper of claim 1, wherein said second termination means (20) has at least one recess (38) which at least partially overlaps a portion of said first tape (10) in said closed state of said zipper.

12. 2. The zipper of claim 1, wherein said first and / or said second terminal means (18, 20) have a locking pin receiving recess (46).

13. Zipper according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and / or the second terminal means (18, 20) are provided with advertising means.

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