Waterproof Fastener Tape and Watertight Slide Fastener Including the Same

Abstract

A waterproof fastener tape of a watertight slide fastener includes a fabric tape and a waterproof layer. The fabric tape includes a first surface, a second surface, a first edge, a second edge, a first cord portion, and an extension portion. The first cord portion protrudes from the first surface. The first and second edges are connected between the first and second surfaces. The first cord portion is spaced from the first edge at a smaller distance than from the second edge. The extension portion extends between the first edge and the first cord portion. The second surface is planar. The waterproof layer covers the first surface, the second surface, the first cord portion, the first edge and the second edge.

Claims

1. A waterproof fastener tape of a watertight slide fastener, comprising: a fabric tape including a first surface, a second surface, a first edge, a second edge, a first cord portion protruding from the first surface, and an extension portion, wherein the first and second edges are connected between the first and second surfaces, wherein a spacing between the first cord portion and the first edge is smaller than a spacing between the first cord portion and the second edge, wherein the extension portion extends between the first edge and the first cord portion, and wherein the second surface is planar; and a waterproof layer covering the first surface, the second surface, the first cord portion, the first edge and the second edge.

2. The waterproof fastener tape of the watertight slide fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of through-holes extends through the waterproof fastener tape and a portion of the first cord portion at regular intervals.

3. The waterproof fastener tape of the watertight slide fastener as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of through-holes extends through a half or slightly smaller than a half portion of the first cord portion.

4. The waterproof fastener tape of the watertight slide fastener as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a second cord portion protruding from the second surface of the fabric tape.

5. The waterproof fastener tape of the watertight slide fastener as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first and second cord portions are aligned with each other.

6. The waterproof fastener tape of the watertight slide fastener as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first and second cord portions are partially exposed via the first and second surfaces, respectively.

7. The waterproof fastener tape of the watertight slide fastener as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of through-holes is formed with a scoop by injection molding, and wherein each of the scoops includes an upper portion and a lower portion that are symmetric with each other.

8. The waterproof fastener tape of the watertight slide fastener as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of through-holes is formed with a scoop by injection molding, and wherein each of the scoops includes an upper portion and a lower portion that are symmetric with each other.

9. The waterproof fastener tape of the watertight slide fastener as claimed in claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of through-holes is formed with a scoop by injection molding, and wherein each of the scoops includes an upper portion and a lower portion that are symmetric with each other.

10. The waterproof fastener tape of the watertight slide fastener as claimed in claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of through-holes is formed with a scoop by injection molding, and wherein each of the scoops includes an upper portion and a lower portion that are symmetric with each other.

11. The waterproof fastener tape of the watertight slide fastener as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of through-holes is formed with a scoop by injection molding, and wherein each of the scoops includes an upper portion and a lower portion that are symmetric with each other.

12. The waterproof fastener tape of the watertight slide fastener as claimed in claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of through-holes is formed with a scoop by injection molding, and wherein each of the scoops includes an upper portion and a lower portion that are symmetric with each other.

13. A watertight slide fastener comprising: a first waterproof fastener tape; a second waterproof fastener tape, wherein each of the first and second waterproof fastener tapes includes: a fabric tape including a first surface, a second surface, an inner edge adjacent to another of the first and second waterproof fastener tapes, an outer edge distant to the other of the first and second waterproof fastener tapes, a cord portion protruding from the first surface, and an extension portion, wherein the inner and outer edges are connected between the first and second surfaces, wherein the cord portion is spaced from the inner edge at a smaller distance than from the outer edge, wherein the extension portion extends between the inner edge and the cord portion, and wherein the second surface is planar; a waterproof layer covering the first surface, the second surface, the cord portion, the inner edge and the outer edge; and a row of scoops adjacent to the inner edge; and a slider connected to the first and second waterproof fastener tapes and configured to engage the rows of scoops of the first and second waterproof fastener tapes with each other or to disengage the rows of scoops from each other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinafter and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

[0023] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a first type of conventional waterproof fastener tape whose scoops are engaged with each other.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a second type of conventional waterproof fastener tape whose scoops are engaged with each other.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third type of conventional waterproof fastener tape.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the third type of the conventional waterproof fastener tape where the scoops are engaged with each other.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a partly-cutaway, perspective view of a waterproof fastener tape according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the waterproof fastener tape of the first embodiment of the invention taken in a lateral direction.

[0029] FIG. 7 shows the waterproof fastener tape in FIG. 6 with an inclusion of a plurality of through-holes.

[0030] FIG. 8 shows the waterproof fastener tape in FIG. 7 with an inclusion of a plurality of scoops.

[0031] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a watertight slide fastener including two waterproof fastener tapes of the first embodiment of the invention.

[0032] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the watertight slide fastener in FIG. 9 taken along a line 10-10.

[0033] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a waterproof fastener tape according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0034] In the various figures of the drawings, the same numerals designate the same or similar parts. Furthermore, when the terms first, second, inner, outer, top, bottom and similar terms are used hereinafter, it should be understood that these terms have reference only to the structure shown in the drawings as it would appear to a person viewing the drawings, and are utilized only to facilitate describing the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] FIGS. 5 and 6 show a waterproof fastener tape of a watertight slide fastener according to a first embodiment of the invention. The waterproof fastener tape includes a fabric tape 1 and a waterproof layer 2. The surfaces of the fabric tape 1 are covered by the waterproof layer 2.

[0036] The fabric tape 1 is a tape formed by weaving or knitting fibers. The fabric tape 1 includes a first surface 1a and a second surface 1b. A cord portion 11 protrudes from the first surface 1a of the cord portion 11. The cord portion 11 is relatively adjacent to an inner edge 1c of the fabric tape 1. An extension portion 12 is formed between the cord portion 11 and the inner edge 1c. The second surface 1b is planar.

[0037] The waterproof layer 2 is formed by an elastomeric resin material. The first surface 1a, the second surface 1b, the cord portion 11, and the inner edge 1c and an outer edge 1d that are connected between the first surface 1a and the second surface 1b, are coated with the elastomeric resin material. Thus, the fabric tape 1 has a complete waterproof effect.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 6, since the fabric tape 1 includes the cord portion 11, when the fabric tape 1 is to be coated with the elastomeric resin material, the cord portion 11 can be used to guide the fabric tape 1 into a cavity of an extrusion mold easily. However, in a non-limiting example, the waterproof fastener tape 3 may be formed by extrusion. In other words, the molten elastomeric material can be continuously extruded on the first surface 1a, the second surface 1b, the inner edge 1c and the outer edge 1d of the fabric tape 1.

[0039] Based on the above structure, referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, when a plurality of scoops 4 is to be formed in the waterproof fastener tape 3, a plurality of through-holes 31 can be formed on the waterproof fastener tape 3 at regular intervals. Each of the through-holes 31 extends through the waterproof fastener tape 3 and at least one portion of the cord portion 11. In an example, each of the through-holes 31 extends through a half or slightly smaller than a half portion of the cord portion 11. In this manner, during the formation of the scoops 4, the molten resin material can flow through and completely fill the through-holes 31. As a result, the upper portions of the scoops 4 can be connected to the lower portions of the scoops 4 through the through-holes 31. The upper portions of the scoops 4 and the lower portions of the scoops 4 are symmetric with each other. Thus, each of the through-holes 31 can be accurately located in the center of the corresponding scoop 4 without asymmetry between the upper and lower portions of the scoop 4. Accordingly, a better positioning effect is attained. Moreover, the fabric tape 1 and the cord portion 11 are placed into a lower mold while the cord portion 11 is received in a cord-shaped groove of the mold, thus forming the scoops 4. Furthermore, since each of the through-holes 31 extends through the waterproof fastener tape 3 and at least one portion of the cord portion 11, the portion of the molten resin material that is connected between the upper and lower portions of the scoop 4 is adjacent to the inner side of the scoop 4 than to the outer side of the scoop 4. As a result, the scoops 4 can be more securely coupled with the waterproof fastener tape 3.

[0040] FIG. 9 shows two waterproof fastener tapes 3 that are connected to each other by a plurality of scoops 4 thereof. A slider 32 is connected to the two waterproof fastener tapes 3 to engage the scoops 4 with each other or to disengage the scoops 4 from each other, forming an open or closed watertight slide fastener.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 10, each waterproof layer 2 includes an abutting protrusion 21. Thus, when the scoops 4 are engaged with each other, the abutting protrusions 21 of the two waterproof layers 2 can press against each other to prevent the liquid from passing between the engaged scoops 4. Furthermore, since the fabric tape 1 is completely covered by the waterproof layer 2 and since the upper and lower portions of each scoop 4 are symmetrically positioned with respect to each other, the through-hole 31 is precisely located at the center of the scoop 4 without asymmetry between the upper and lower portions of the scoop 4. In addition, the scoops 4 can securely couple with the waterproof fastener tapes 3 to provide an improved watertight effect. Furthermore, since the through-holes 31 extend through the waterproof fastener tape 3 and at least one portion of the cord portion 11, the portion of the molten resin material that is connected between the upper and lower portions of the scoop 4 is relatively adjacent to the inner side of the scoop 4. As a result, the scoops 4 can be more securely coupled with the waterproof fastener tape 3.

[0042] FIG. 11 shows a waterproof fastener tape of a watertight slide fastener according to a second embodiment of the invention. The first surface 1a is provided with a first cord portion 11, and the second surface 1b may be provided with a second cord portion 11. The first and second cord portions 11 are aligned with each other. One of the first and second cord portions 11 can be placed in a cord-shaped groove of a lower mold that is used to form the scoops 4. Furthermore, since the through-holes 31 also extend through the waterproof fastener tape 3 and at least one portion of the first cord portion 11 and since the upper and lower portions of the scoops 4 are symmetrically positioned with respect to each other, each of the through-holes 31 is precisely located at the center of a corresponding scoop 4 without asymmetry between the upper and lower portions of the corresponding scoop 4. Advantageously, an improved waterproof effect is attained. Furthermore, since each of the through-holes 31 extends through the waterproof fastener tape 3 and at least one portion of the first cord portion 11, the portion of the molten resin material that is connected between the upper and lower portions of each scoop 4 is adjacent to the inner side of the scoop 4 than to the outer side of the scoop 4. As a result, the scoops 4 can be more securely coupled with the waterproof fastener tape 3.

[0043] In conclusion, in the waterproof fastener tape and the watertight slide fastener including the same according to the invention, since the waterproof fastener tape includes the cord portion, the cord portion can be used to guide the fabric tape easily into the cavity of the extrusion mold while placing the fabric tape into the mold. Thus, a waterproof fastener tape can be formed. Moreover, the cord portion of the waterproof fastener tape is placed into the cord-shaped groove of the lower mold for precise positioning. Since the upper and lower portions of the scoops are symmetrically positioned with respect to each other, each of the through-holes can be precisely located at the center of a corresponding scoop to provide an improved waterproof effect. Furthermore, since the through-holes extend through at least one portion of the cord portion, the portion of the molten resin material that is connected between the upper and lower portions of the scoop is relatively adjacent to the inner side of the scoop than to the outer side of the scoop. As a result, the scoops can be more securely coupled with the waterproof fastener tape, significantly improving the product yield rate and utility.

[0044] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to its presently preferable embodiments, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention, as set forth in the appended claims.