Vertical-Separating Zipper Slider With Rounded Tooth Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing zippers with vertical openings face challenges in ease of use and efficiency due to complex tooth interactions, particularly in vertical separation and joining, which complicates the opening and closing process.

Innovation Solution

A zipper design with rounded portions on the teeth faces and a slider configuration that allows teeth to separate and join in a perpendicular direction, facilitated by ball joints and staggered ramps, enabling smoother vertical opening and closing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional zipper teeth engagement mechanisms are used, then the connecting strips can be joined, but the opening and closing process becomes complex and difficult to operate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of opening and closingVSAvoidcomplexity of tooth interaction

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by providing rounded portions on the faces of the teeth. These rounded portions facilitate easier engagement and disengagement of the teeth with the slider ramps, reducing the complexity of the opening and closing operation while maintaining secure joining capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the geometric parameters of the tooth structure by adding rounded portions with specific radii (R1, R2, R3, R4). These parameter changes optimize the interaction between teeth and slider ramps, enabling smoother operation and reducing the force required for opening and closing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If vertical opening mechanism is implemented, then the slider can separate connecting strips perpendicularly, but the tooth guidance and separation becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveefficiency of opening and closingVSAvoidsmoothness of vertical separation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The rounded portions on the tooth faces guide the teeth smoothly along the ramps during vertical separation. The curved surfaces reduce friction and prevent binding, enabling efficient and smooth opening operation where the slider separates connecting strips in a direction perpendicular to their plane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different rounded portions at specific locations on each tooth (front face and back face with different radii). This local differentiation optimizes the engagement with the upper and lower ramps respectively, enhancing the efficiency of vertical separation while maintaining control over the opening process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If rounded portions are added to tooth faces, then the opening process is simplified, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconvenience of useVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity of tooth structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The rounded portions can be manufactured using standard molding or machining operations. The curvature radii are designed to be practical for manufacturing, allowing the rounded features to be integrated into the tooth production process without requiring complex multi-step operations or specialized tooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP4302637B1Device for opening and closing, of the type with zip closure, for item, in particular made of leather

Publication Date: 2026.04.08 HERMES SELLIER (SOCIETE PAR ACTIONS SIMPLIFIEE)

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AI summary

The invention relates to a zipper, comprising a slide (4) having a plurality of teeth (12), each tooth having a first fastening member (25) formed on a first face (23) of the tooth and a second fastening member (26) formed on a second face (24) of the tooth, and a slider (7) provided with a first opening (15) and two superimposed second openings (17), an upper ramp (18) extending from the first opening to one of the two second openings, and a lower ramp (19) extending from the first opening to the other of the two second openings, with the slider configured to open/close the zipper, and each tooth is provided with at least one first rounded portion (30) on its first face and distinct from the first fastening member and/or at least one second rounded portion (31) on its second face and distinct from the second fastening member. fastening.