Water-tight and air-tight zipper

Abstract

A water-tight and air-tight zipper includes two elastically water-tight strips. The water-tight strips have two water-tight layers. Each water-tight layer is individually provided with a tooth row which is sewn on the correlative side thereof. The two tooth rows both pass through a zipper pull and are corresponding to each other, thereby engaging the two tooth rows with each other and forcing edges of the two water-tight strips to be sealed by using the elasticity of water-tight strips and pulling the zipper pull, and then completely air-tight and water-tight. The tooth rows are directly sewn on the water-tight strips, and thus a water-tight and air-tight zipper can be manufactured by a simple manner, thereby substantially simplifying the manufacturing process.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a water-tight and air-tight zipper, and more particularly to a water-tight and air-tight zipper which can be manufactured by a simple manner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In conventional waterproof and airtight zipper, the fastener elements are sewn or connected onto conventional tapes (or strips) which are made by weaving or knitting synthetic resin fiber (such as polyamide and polyester fiber) or cotton. Since the tapes are not waterproof and airtight and stretchable, there are variety of treatments need to be performed on the tapes to result in waterproof and airtight effects. For example: U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,888 disclosed the dip-coating method by applying polyurethane resin to cover the tapes and fastener element; U.S. Pat. No. 6,519,826 using injection molding method by applying the thermoplastic polyurethane to cover the tapes and fastener elements; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,580,321 and 4,823,446 and 4,888,859 and 6,343,408 using heating-press method applying the plastic elastomeric resin to cover the tapes; U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,294 using lamination and heating-press method applying two different melting point resin films to cover the tapes. The zip fasteners of the above prior arts are waterproof and airtight but still not stretchable. U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,416 described the non-stretchable tapes of zip fastener are susceptible to separation to create a leakage path along the confronting edges under transverse stresses or pressure and disclosed a fluid-tight slide fastener having a stretchable property on the tape and yieldingly takes up the transverse stresses to prevent the fastener from separation, the tape is made from the stretchable material threads such as spandex by weaving or knitting, and the tape are applied additional waterproof treatments as the above prior arts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention provides a water-tight and air-tight zipper which can be manufactured by a simple manner.

In order to achieve the foregoing objects, the present invention provides a water-tight and air-tight zipper comprising two elastically water-tight strips. The water-tight strips have upper and lower water-tight layers, wherein each upper water-tight layer is individually provided with a zipper mechanism which is sewn on the correlative side of the upper water-tight layer, each lower water-tight layer is connected to the upper water-tight layer for sealing the gap between the two tooth row which is sewn on the upper water-tight layer, thereby forcing edges of the two water-tight strips to be sealed by using the elasticity of water-tight strips and pulling a zipper pull, and then completely air-tight and water-tight. The tooth rows are directly sewn on the water-tight strips, and thus a water-tight and air-tight zipper can be manufactured by a simple manner, thereby substantially simplifying the manufacturing process.

It is another object of the present invention provides a water-tight and air-tight zipper including water-tight strips 10 being elastic, whereby the zipper is applied to an flexible, foldable or continuously flexible object.

The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water-tight and air-tight zipper of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and air-tight zipper of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and air-tight zipper according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and air-tight zipper according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and air-tight zipper according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and air-tight zipper according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and air-tight zipper according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and air-tight zipper according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and air-tight zipper according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view showing the capacity of a water-tight and air-tight zipper of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of a water-tight and air-tight zipper according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, they depict a water-tight and air-tight zipper 1 according to an embodiment of the prevent invention. The zipper 1 includes two elastically water-tight strips 10 (such as rubber strip, nylon strip, etc.). The water-tight strips 10 have two water-tight layers 11 (i.e. upper and lower water-tight layers 11), wherein each upper water-tight layer 11 is individually provided with a tooth row 12 of zipper mechanism which is sewn on the correlative side of the upper water-tight layer 11, and stitches 111 are adapted for mounting the tooth row 12 to the upper water-tight layer 11. Each lower water-tight layer 11 is connected to the upper water-tight layer 11 for sealing the gap between the two tooth row 12 which is sewn on the upper water-tight layer 11, thereby having water-tight and air-tight functions. Also, a core rope 121 is individually disposed in the tooth rows 12. The two tooth rows 12 have a plurality of teeth 13, and there is a proper tooth distance between adjacent teeth 13. The two tooth rows 12 both pass through a zipper pull 14 and are corresponding to each other. A receiving space 15 is formed in each tooth 13, and each tooth 13 includes a connecting portion 16 disposed at the front end thereof. The size of the receiving space 15 is bigger than that of the corresponding connecting portion 16 of the teeth 13 of the two tooth rows 12.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, they depict the combined and uncombined structures of the above-mentioned zipper. When the two tooth rows 12 are engaged with each other by pulling a zipper pull 14, the connecting portions 16 of the two tooth rows 12 can be engaged with the corresponding tooth distance between teeth 13 of the two tooth rows 12, whereby the connecting portions 16 is received in the receiving space 15 so as to generate a cohesive force. The cohesive force forces edges 112 of the two water-tight strips 10 to be sealed. There is no gap formed between the edges 112 of the two water-tight strips 10 (shown in FIG. 2) because the two water-tight strips 10 are elastic, thereby being completely air-tight and water-tight. For above reason, the tooth rows 12 are directly sewn on the water-tight strips 10, and thus a water-tight and air-tight zipper can be manufactured by a simple manner, thereby substantially simplifying the manufacturing process. Moreover, the water-tight strips 10 are elastic, whereby the zipper 1 is applied to a flexible, foldable or continuously flexible object.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the teeth 13 can be continuously oval-shaped teeth 13 (or non-continuously oval-shaped teeth 13 or teeth 13 of non-continuous shape) or continuously rectangular teeth 13 (or non-continuously rectangular teeth 13 or teeth 13 of non-continuous shape) (shown in FIG. 4). The width of upper water-tight layer 11 is smaller than that of the lower water-tight layers 11, or the width of lower water-tight layer 11 can be smaller than that of the upper water-tight layers 11.

Referring to FIG. 5, the water-tight strips 10 have one water-tight layer 11. The water-tight layer 11 includes an edge 18 with a predetermined length. The edge 18 is downward folded and attached on a side of the water-tight layer 11 so as to form two water-tight layers. The tooth rows 12 of zipper mechanism are sewn above the water-tight layer 11.

Referring to FIG. 6, the water-tight strips 10 have one water-tight layer 1. The water-tight layer 11 includes an edge 18 with a predetermined length. The edge 18 is upward folded and attached on a side of the water-tight layer 11 so as to form two water-tight layers. The tooth rows 12 of zipper mechanism are sewn above the water-tight layer 11.

Further referring to FIG. 10, each tooth rows 12 of zipper mechanism is sewn above each water-tight layer 11 and water-tight layer 11 is elastic, and thus the elastic deformation of the water-tight layer 11 absorbs a part of pulling force when the water-tight layer 11 is laterally pulled by the pulling force. The rest of the pulling force will not directly affect the edge 18, and thus the stitches 111 of the edge 18 is not broken and then damaged by the stress formed by the pulling force. Accordingly, the capacity of the zipper 1 which resists the pulling force is increased.

Referring to FIG. 7, it depicts a water-tight and air-tight zipper 1 according to another embodiment of the prevent invention. The zipper 1 includes two water-tight strips 10 (such as rubber strip, nylon strip, etc.). The water-tight strips 10 have one water-tight layer 11. The water-tight layer 11 is folded and attached together, and another water-tight layer 19 is disposed between the folded water-tight layers 11 so as to form three water-tight layers. Each water-tight strip 10 is individually provided with two tooth rows 12 of zipper mechanism which are respectively sewn above and under the water-tight strip 10, whereby the water-tight layer 19 can seal the gap between the tooth rows 12 of the water-tight strip 10. A core rope 121 is individually disposed in the tooth rows 12. The tooth rows 12 have a plurality of continuously oval-shaped teeth 13 (or non-continuously oval-shaped teeth 13 or teeth 13 of non-continuous shape). There is a proper tooth distance between adjacent teeth 13. The two tooth rows 12 both pass through a zipper pull 14 and are corresponding to each other, shown in FIG. 1. A receiving space 15 is formed in each tooth 13, and each tooth 13 includes a connecting portion 16 disposed at the front end thereof. The size of the receiving space 15 is bigger than that of the corresponding connecting portion 16 of the teeth 13 of the tooth rows 12. The two tooth rows 12 are engaged with each other by pulling the zipper pull 14, thereby forcing edges 112 of the two water-tight strips 10 to be sealed. There is no gap formed between the edges of the two water-tight strips 10 because the two water-tight strips 10 are elastic, thereby being completely air-tight and water-tight.

Referring to FIG. 8, it depicts a water-tight and air-tight zipper 1 according to an alternative embodiment of the prevent invention. The two water-tight strips 10 are constituted by three water-tight layer (such as inner water-tight layer 101, intermediate water-tight layer 103 and outer water-tight layer 102, wherein the inner and outer water-tight layers 101, 102 are disposed above and under the intermediate water-tight layer 103, the widths of the inner and outer water-tight layers 101, 102 are smaller than that of the intermediate water-tight layer 103. A tooth row 12 of zipper mechanism is individually sewn in the inner and outer water-tight layers 101, 102.

Referring to FIG. 9, it depicts a water-tight and air-tight zipper 1 according to a further embodiment of the prevent invention. The zipper 1 includes two water-tight strips 10 (such as rubber strip, etc.) being integrally formed therewith. The water-tight strips 10 include a hollow main body 17. The main body 17 has an accommodating space and two gaps 171 respectively disposed upper and lower the accommodating space. A tooth row 12 of zipper mechanism is individually sewn in the accommodating spaces of the water-tight strips 10. Stitches 111 pass through the gaps 171, such that each tooth row 12 of zipper mechanism is sewn in each accommodating space. Then, the gaps 171 are sealed by heat, thereby preventing from the permeation of water. A core rope 121 is individually disposed in the tooth rows 12. The tooth rows 12 have a plurality of continuously oval-shaped teeth 13 (or non-continuously oval-shaped teeth 13 or teeth 13 of non-continuous shape). There is a proper distance between adjacent teeth 13. The two tooth rows 12 both pass through a zipper pull 14 and are corresponding to each other, shown in FIG. 1. A receiving space 15 is formed in each tooth 13, and each tooth 13 includes a connecting portion 16 disposed at the front end thereof. The size of the receiving space 15 is bigger than that of the corresponding connecting portion 16 of the teeth 13 of the tooth rows 12. The two tooth rows 12 are engaged with each other by pulling the zipper pull 14, thereby forcing edges of the two water-tight strips 10 to be sealed. There is no gap formed between the edges of the two water-tight strips 10 because the two water-tight strips 10 are elastic, thereby being completely air-tight and water-tight.

Referring to FIG. 11, it depicts a water-tight and air-tight zipper 1 according to a still further embodiment of the prevent invention. The zipper 1 includes two water-tight strips 10 (such as rubber strip, etc.) being integrally formed therewith. The water-tight strips 10 include a hollow main body 17. The main body 17 has an accommodating space and two grooves respectively disposed upper and lower the accommodating space. A tooth row 12 of zipper mechanism is individually sewn in the accommodating spaces of the water-tight strips 10. Stitches 111 pass through the grooves, such that each tooth row 12 of zipper is sewn in each accommodating space. Further, the grooves are filled with water-tight material 172 for sealing the gap therebetween.

A core rope 121 is individually disposed in the tooth rows 12. The tooth rows 12 have a plurality of continuously oval-shaped teeth 13 (or non-continuously oval-shaped teeth 13 or teeth 13 of non-continuous shape). There is a proper distance between adjacent teeth 13. The two tooth rows 12 both pass through a zipper pull 14 and are corresponding to each other, shown in FIG. 1. A receiving space 15 is formed in each tooth 13, and each tooth 13 includes a connecting portion 16 disposed at the front end thereof. The size of the receiving space 15 is bigger than that of the corresponding connecting portion 16 of the teeth 13 of the tooth rows 12. The two tooth rows 12 are engaged with each other by pulling the zipper pull 14, thereby forcing edges of the two water-tight strips 10 to be sealed. There is no gap formed between the edges of the two water-tight strips 10 because the two water-tight strips 10 are elastic, thereby being completely air-tight and water-tight.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is not used to restrain the invention. It is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A water-tight and air-tight zipper comprising two elastically water-tight strips, characterized in that:

the water-tight strips have upper and lower water-tight layers, wherein each upper water-tight layer is individually provided with a zipper mechanism which is sewn on the correlative side of the upper water-tight layer, each lower water-tight layer is connected to the upper water-tight layer for sealing the gap between the mechanisms sewn on the upper water-tight layer, thereby forcing edges of the two water-tight strips to be sealed by using the elasticity of water-tight strips and pulling a zipper pull, and then completely air-tight and water-tight.

2. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 1, wherein each upper water-tight layer is individually provided with a tooth row of the zipper mechanism sewn on the correlative side of the upper water-tight layer, a core rope is individually disposed in the tooth rows, the two tooth rows have a plurality of teeth, there is a proper tooth distance between adjacent teeth, the two tooth rows both pass through a zipper pull and are corresponding to each other, a receiving space is formed in each tooth, each tooth includes a connecting portion disposed at the front end thereof, and the size of the receiving space is bigger than that of the corresponding connecting portion of the teeth of the tooth rows.

3. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 2, wherein the teeth are continuously oval-shaped teeth or non-continuously oval-shaped teeth.

4. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 2, wherein the teeth are continuously rectangular teeth or non-continuously rectangular teeth.

5. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 2, wherein the teeth are teeth of non-continuous shape.

6. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 1, wherein the water-tight layers includes an edge with a predetermined length, the edge is folded and attached on a side of the water-tight layer so as to form two water-tight layers, and tooth rows of the zipper mechanism are sewn above the water-tight layer.

7. A water-tight and air-tight zipper comprising two water-tight strips, characterized in that:

the water-tight strips have one water-tight layer, the water-tight layer is folded, and attached together, and another water-tight layer is disposed between the folded water-tight layer so as to form three water-tight layers, each water-tight strip is individually provided with a zipper mechanism sewn above and under the water-tight strip, and thus the water-tight layer seals the gap between the water-tight strip, thereby forcing edges of the two water-tight strips to be sealed by using the elasticity of water-tight strips and pulling a zipper pull, and then completely air-tight and water-tight.

8. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 7, wherein each water-tight strip is individually provided with two tooth row of the zipper mechanism which are respectively sewn above and under the water-tight strip, a core rope is individually disposed in the tooth rows, the two tooth rows have a plurality of teeth, there is a proper tooth distance between adjacent teeth, the two tooth rows both pass through a zipper pull and are corresponding to each other, a receiving space is formed in each tooth, each tooth includes a connecting portion disposed at the front end thereof, and the size of the receiving space is bigger than that of the corresponding connecting portion of the teeth of the tooth rows.

9. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 8, wherein the teeth are continuously oval-shaped teeth or non-continuously oval-shaped teeth.

10. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 8, wherein the teeth are continuously rectangular teeth or non-continuously rectangular teeth.

11. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 8, wherein the teeth are teeth of non-continuous shape.

12. A water-tight and air-tight zipper comprising two water-tight strips being integrally formed therewith, characterized in that:

the water-tight strips includes a hollow main body, the main body has an accommodating space and two gaps respectively disposed upper and lower the accommodating space, a zipper mechanism is individually sewn in the accommodating spaces of the water-tight strips, stitches pass through the gaps such that each zipper mechanism is sewn in each accommodating space, and the gaps are sealed by heat, thereby preventing from the permeation of water, forcing edges of the two water-tight strips to be sealed by using the elasticity of water-tight strips and pulling a zipper pull, and then completely air-tight and water-tight.

13. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 12, wherein a tooth row of the zipper mechanism is individually sewn in the accommodating spaces of the water-tight strips, a core rope is individually disposed in the tooth rows, the two tooth rows have a plurality of teeth, there is a proper tooth distance between adjacent teeth, the two tooth rows both pass through a zipper pull and are corresponding to each other, a receiving space is formed in each tooth, each tooth includes a connecting portion disposed at the front end thereof, and the size of the receiving space is bigger than that of the corresponding connecting portion of the teeth of the tooth rows.

14. The water-tight and air-tight zipper according to claim 13, wherein the teeth are continuously oval-shaped teeth or non-continuously oval-shaped teeth.

15. A water-tight and air-tight zipper comprising two water-tight strips being integrally formed therewith, characterized in that:

the water-tight strips includes a hollow main body, the main body has an accommodating space and two grooves respectively disposed upper and lower the accommodating space, a tooth row of zipper mechanism is individually sewn in the accommodating spaces of the water-tight strips, stitches pass through the grooves such that each tooth row of zipper is sewn in each accommodating space, and the grooves are filled with water-tight material for sealing a gap therebetween, thereby forcing edges of the two water-tight strips to be sealed by using the elasticity of water-tight strips and pulling a zipper pull, and then completely air-tight and water-tight.