Slide Fastener Sealing Member for Waterproof Overlap Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide fasteners fail to effectively prevent the passage of liquids and gases in applications where waterproofing is crucial, such as in garments and laboratory suits, due to inherent design limitations.
Innovation Solution
A slide fastener sealing system with a sealing member positioned between overlapping tape segments, featuring lugs and cavities that resist movement and compression, and optionally enhanced by element fills and deformable seals, to create tortious fluid paths and resist fluid penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing member is added to the slide fastener to prevent fluid passage, then waterproofing performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is positioned within the passage formed by the overlapping tape segments of the slide fastener. The sealing member includes a sealing body that fits inside the passage, with lugs extending into cavities of the side seals. This nested arrangement allows the sealing components to be contained within the existing slide fastener structure without requiring a completely separate sealing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member acts as an intermediary element between the first and second slide fastener segments. It includes side seals that interface with the tape segments and a sealing body that blocks the passage. The lugs and cavities mechanism provides an intermediary means of securing the sealing body in place without requiring additional fastening operations.
2Reliability
If the sealing body is compressed to resist fluid movement, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the sealing body may deform or fail
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing body is made from a deformable material that can change its physical state in response to compression forces. When the slide fastener segments are engaged, the sealing body deforms to conform to the passage geometry and create a tight seal. The material properties allow temporary deformation under load while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformable material of the sealing body serves as a cushioning element that absorbs and distributes compression forces. This beforehand cushioning capability allows the sealing body to withstand the forces generated during fastener engagement without failing, while still maintaining effective sealing contact.
3Stability of the object's composition
If lugs and cavities are added to secure the sealing body, then sealing stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lugs and cavities are integrated as a single securing mechanism rather than separate components. The lugs extend from the sealing body and fit into corresponding cavities in the side seals, creating a unified positioning system. This merging reduces the number of separate manufacturing steps compared to using multiple independent fastening elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The lugs and cavities mechanism provides self-aligning and self-securing functionality. When the sealing body is positioned in the passage, the lugs automatically engage with the cavities to prevent movement, without requiring additional fastening operations or complex assembly procedures. The geometry of the lugs and cavities ensures proper positioning through their interaction alone.
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 system effectively seals against fluid movement by compressing and expanding to resist fluid penetration, maintaining waterproof integrity in slide fasteners.
Implementation Method 1
engagement of the fastening elements compresses the sealing body in the passage
Implementation Method 2
The lugs and cavities interact to resist movement of the sealing body relative to the first and second side seals
Implementation Method 3
the sealing body comprises a deformable material
Data Source
AI summary
A slide fastener sealing system and related methods. In one example, the slide fastener sealing system includes a separating slide fastener in which a first end overlaps and is secured to a second end such that a sealing zone is located between the overlapping ends of the slide fastener. The sealing system also includes in this example a sealing member that can be secured to the slide fastener in a removable fashion with a portion of the sealing member located in the sealing zone to seal against fluid penetration through the sealing zone.