Magnetic Closures Co-Molded in Elastomeric Seams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional zippers mounted on fabric tape can be unsightly, cause wrinkles, snag on materials, and are cumbersome to use, particularly when integrated into flexible materials like fabric or leather.
Innovation Solution
Magnetic zipper elements co-molded with elastomeric material, where unmagnetized particles are magnetized and aligned within the material to form robust, interlocking clusters, creating a flexible and seamless closure that requires minimal effort to open and close.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional zippers are mounted on fabric tape, then closure function is achieved, but the zipper becomes unsightly and causes wrinkles in the flexible material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical zipper system (teeth, slider, fabric tape) with a magnetic closure system. Magnetic elements are embedded directly into the flexible material layers, eliminating the need for separate fabric tape and mechanical zipper components. This substitution resolves the contradiction by providing closure function through magnetic attraction while maintaining the smooth appearance and flexibility of the material without causing wrinkles or visual disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the closure function directly into the flexible material layers by embedding magnetic elements within the material itself. Instead of attaching a separate zipper mechanism to the fabric, the magnetic components are integrated into the layers, combining the structural material with the closure functionality. This integration eliminates the visual and physical disruption caused by separate zipper components while maintaining effective closure.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional zippers are mounted on fabric tape, then closure function is achieved, but the zipper snags on portions of the tape or flexible material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical zipper system with a magnetic closure system that eliminates interlocking teeth and sliders. The magnetic elements embedded in the flexible material layers create closure through magnetic attraction without any protruding mechanical components. This substitution eliminates the snagging problem entirely, as there are no zipper teeth or tape edges to catch on fabric or skin during operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional zippers are mounted on fabric tape, then closure function is achieved, but more than one hand is required to open and close the zipper
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical zipper system requiring manual manipulation of sliders and interlocking teeth with a magnetic closure system. The magnetic elements automatically attract and hold the flexible material layers together, and can be separated with minimal effort. This substitution dramatically reduces the operational complexity from requiring multiple hands to manipulate mechanical components to simply needing minimal force to overcome magnetic attraction, making it easily operable with one hand.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The magnetic zipper solution provides a robust, flexible, and aesthetically pleasing closure that minimizes disruption to the fabric and reduces the effort required to operate, offering a seamless integration with flexible materials.
Implementation Method 1
A magnetic field may be applied while the material is in the mold to magnetize the magnetic particles. The magnetized particles may then be aligned and bonded together to form magnetized clusters by adjusting the applied magnetic field.
Implementation Method 2
Magnetic zipper elements may be co-molded with an elastomeric material to form a flexible, robust seam. One side of the seam may have a first set of magnetic zipper teeth that attracts a second set of magnetic zipper teeth on an opposing side of the seam.
Implementation Method 3
Following magnetization and alignment, the elastomeric material may be cured. During the curing process, the clusters of magnetic particles may bond with surrounding elastomeric material to form a robust mechanical connection without airgaps.
Data Source
AI summary
An item may be provided with a body that forms an enclosure. The body may have a body portion that opens and closes along a seam. An elongated magnetic fastener may run along the seam. The magnetic fastener may have first and second strips of elastomeric material on opposing sides of the seam. Magnetic interlocking elements may be partially embedded in the first and second elastomeric strips. The fastener may be formed by injecting uncured elastomeric material having unmagnetized magnetic particles into a mold. While in the mold, a magnetic field may be applied to magnetize the magnetic particles and to align the magnetic particles into magnetized structures. After forming the magnetized structures within the elastomeric material, the elastomeric material may be cured. Once removed from the mold, portions of the elastomeric material may be removed to expose the magnetized structures, which may subsequently be shaped into interlocking fastener elements.