Waterproof Zipper Slider With Rotating Blade And Parking Notch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing watertight reclosable zippers face challenges in ease of opening and closing while maintaining a watertight configuration, and lack a convenient parking mechanism for the slider when not in use.
Innovation Solution
A plastic or metal slider that straddles the zipper profiles, engaging both simultaneously with a protruding blade for opening and closing, and features a grasping element and notch for easy handling and enhanced sealing when closed, with a cut-out for the blade in the parked position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the zipper uses a traditional slider design, then the structure is simple, but the ease of opening and closing is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The slider incorporates a rotating mechanism that transitions between locked and unlocked positions. When the user pulls the tab, the slider rotates to unlock the zipper profiles, allowing easy opening. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction by providing simple operation through rotational motion while maintaining a relatively compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider is divided into distinct functional segments: a body portion engaging the zipper profiles, a blade for separating teeth, and a tab for user operation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, improving ease of operation while keeping the overall structure manageable through modular design.
2Reliability
If the zipper maintains a tight seal configuration, then water resistance is improved, but the slider cannot be parked when not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The slider transitions from a one-dimensional linear movement along the zipper to a two-dimensional solution by incorporating a rotating tab that moves in an arc. This allows the slider to park in a specific position perpendicular to the zipper direction, providing a parking function without compromising the linear sealing capability when closed.
Solution Approach 2:
The slider is designed with a predetermined parking position that aligns with the closed zipper configuration. When the zipper is closed and the slider is released, it automatically returns to and parks in this pre-designed position, ensuring the seal remains intact while providing a convenient parked state for when the zipper is not in use.
3Reliability
If the slider engages both zipper profiles simultaneously, then sealing is improved, but the difficulty of operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blade acts as an intermediary element between the user's pulling action and the zipper profiles. When the user pulls the tab, the blade rotates and sequentially engages with the teeth of both profiles, using leverage to separate them. This intermediary mechanism transforms a potentially difficult simultaneous engagement into an easier sequential action through rotational motion.
Data Source
AI summary
The water-resistant or waterproof zipper includes first and second profiles which are interlocked or separated by the movement of a slider. The first sidewall of the slider is generally planar while the second sidewall is generally curved so that the sidewalls are relatively closer together at the closing end and generally further apart at the opening end. A triangular island and separating plow are formed at the opening end to separate the first and second profiles. The slider includes various channels which engage corresponding rails in the profiles in order to properly position the profiles. The slider further includes various protrusions and a flange to properly position the profiles.