SLIDE FASTENER ASSEMBLY AND IMPLEMENTATION OF SAME IN A MATTRESS COVER

Abstract

A slide fastener assembly includes a first stringer tape and a second stringer tape. The first stringer tape includes a row of interlocking zipper teeth attached along an inner edge thereof. The second stringer tape includes a row of interlocking zipper teeth attached along an inner edge thereof and a hollow tube arranged along a selvedge edge thereof. The slide fastener assembly further includes a separate cord positioned within the hollow tube, thereby forming a beaded cord at the selvedge edge of the second stringer tape.

Claims

1. A slide fastener assembly comprising: a first stringer tape including a row of interlocking zipper teeth attached along an inner edge thereof; a second stringer tape including a row of interlocking zipper teeth attached along an inner edge thereof and further including a hollow tube arranged along a selvedge edge thereof; and a separate cord positioned within the hollow tube, thereby forming a beaded cord at the selvedge edge of the second stringer tape.

2. The slide fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein each row of interlocking zipper teeth includes coil-type teeth.

3. The slide fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the hollow tube has a rounded cross-sectional shape.

4. The slide fastener assembly of claim 3, wherein the rounded cross-sectional shape is a generally circular cross-sectional shape.

5. The slide fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the hollow tube is generally parallel with the row of interlocking zipper teeth at the inner edge of the second stringer tape.

6. The slide fastener assembly of claim 1, wherein the hollow tube is sized to snugly accommodate the separate cord positioned therein.

7. A slide fastener assembly comprising first and second stringer tapes, wherein: each of the first and second stringer tapes includes a row of interlocking zipper teeth attached along an inner edge thereof; and the second stringer tape includes a hollow tube arranged along a selvedge edge thereof, the hollow tube being part of a unitary body that includes the second stringer tape.

8. The slide fastener assembly of claim 7, wherein each row of interlocking zipper teeth includes coil-type teeth.

9. The slide fastener assembly of claim 7, wherein the hollow tube has a rounded cross-sectional shape.

10. The slide fastener assembly of claim 9, wherein the rounded cross-sectional shape is a generally circular cross-sectional shape.

11. The slide fastener assembly of claim 7, wherein the hollow tube is generally parallel with the row of interlocking zipper teeth at the inner edge of the second stringer tape.

12. The slide fastener assembly of claim 7, further comprising a separate cord positioned within the hollow tube, thereby forming a beaded cord at the selvedge edge of the second stringer tape.

13. The slide fastener assembly of claim 12, wherein the cord has a rounded cross-sectional shape.

14. The slide fastener assembly of claim 13, wherein the rounded cross-sectional shape is a generally circular cross-sectional shape.

15. A cover for a bedding article, the cover comprising: a first cover portion having a first stringer tape attached along a perimeter edge thereof, the first stringer tape including a first row of interlocking zipper teeth arranged along an inner edge thereof; a second cover portion having a second stringer tape attached along a perimeter edge thereof, the second stringer tape including a second row of interlocking zipper teeth arranged along an inner edge thereof and a hollow tube arranged along a selvedge edge thereof; and a separate cord positioned within the hollow tube, thereby forming a beaded cord at the selvedge edge of the second stringer tape; wherein, upon arrangement of the first and second cover portions at either side of a bedding article and upon bringing the first row of zipper teeth into interlocking arrangement with the second row of zipper teeth, the beaded cord is arranged at or adjacent to an edge of the bedding article, thereby defining a stiffened edge.

16. The cover of claim 15, wherein each row of interlocking zipper teeth includes coil-type teeth.

17. The cover of claim 15, wherein the hollow tube is generally parallel with the second row of interlocking zipper teeth.

18. The cover of claim 15, wherein the hollow tube is part of a unitary body that includes the second stringer tape.

19. The cover of claim 15, wherein the second cover portion is a top cover portion.

20. The cover of claim 15, wherein the hollow tube has a generally circular cross-sectional shape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same elements are referred to with the same reference numerals, and wherein,

[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a corner of a mattress, shown with a beaded cord sewn to an outside covering of the mattress;

[0031] FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional cutaway view of a mattress similar to that of FIG. 1;

[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional end view of a conventional slide fastener assembly, for use in connection with a mattress cover;

[0033] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional end view of a conventional slide fastener assembly, similar to that of FIG. 3, shown installed on a mattress cover that has a separate beaded cord affixed thereto;

[0034] FIG. 5A is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional end view of a slide fastener assembly in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;

[0035] FIG. 5B is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional end view of the slide fastener assembly of FIG. 5A, shown with a cord arranged within the hollow tube; and

[0036] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional end view of another slide fastener assembly in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, shown affixed to a mattress cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (Ordinary Artisan) that the invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being preferred is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. Furthermore, an embodiment of the invention may incorporate only one or a plurality of the aspects of the invention disclosed herein; only one or a plurality of the features disclosed herein; or combination thereof. As such, many embodiments are implicitly disclosed herein and fall within the scope of what is regarded as the invention.

[0038] Accordingly, while the invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the invention in any claim of a patent issuing here from, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

[0039] Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the invention is to be defined by the issued claim(s) rather than the description set forth herein.

[0040] Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used hereinas understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such termdiffers in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.

[0041] With regard solely to construction of any claim with respect to the United States, no claim element is to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the explicit phrase means for or step for is actually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory provision is intended to and should apply in the interpretation of such claim element. With regard to any method claim including a condition precedent step, such method requires the condition precedent to be met and the step to be performed at least once during performance of the claimed method.

[0042] Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, a and an each generally denotes at least one, but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to a picnic basket having an apple describes a picnic basket having at least one apple as well as a picnic basket having apples. In contrast, reference to a picnic basket having a single apple describes a picnic basket having only one apple.

[0043] When used herein to join a list of items, or denotes at least one of the items, but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to a picnic basket having cheese or crackers describes a picnic basket having cheese without crackers, a picnic basket having crackers without cheese, and a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers. When used herein to join a list of items, and denotes all of the items of the list. Thus, reference to a picnic basket having cheese and crackers describes a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers, as well as describes a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese.

[0044] Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of the invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses.

[0045] The slide fastener assembly of the present invention can be affixed to a mattress cover using fewer individual components and fewer sewing steps than a slide fastener assembly having a separately-attached beaded cord, such as that which is discussed above in connection with FIG. 4. In this regard, FIG. 5A is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional end view of a slide fastener assembly 300 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. The slide fastener assembly 300 of FIG. 5A includes a pair of stringer tapes 301,302, each having a row of interlocking zipper teeth 311,312. It is contemplated that the stringer tapes may be made from a fabric material, although other materials are likewise contemplated. The zipper teeth 311,312 shown in this illustration are from a coil-type zipper, which is the preferred type of slide fastener assembly for mattress covers and similar applications due to the superior lateral (i.e., pull-apart) strength of coil-type zipper teeth. In a contemplated embodiment of the present invention, a first 301 of the pair of stringer tapes is a conventional stringer tape, while a second 302 of the pair of stringer tapes is woven in a manner so as to include a hollow tube, or bead, 345 formed at or adjacent to the selvedge edge of the stringer tape (i.e., the edge opposite of the row of coil-type zipper teeth 312).

[0046] It is contemplated that the hollow tube, or bead, 345 may be formed during the stringer tape weaving process, with the hollow tube 345 being woven together with the stringer tape 302. In this regard, the hollow tube 345 is fully integrated with the stringer tape 302 and is part of a unitary body therewith. It is further contemplated that the hollow tube 345 can be woven with a generally uniform cross-sectional shape, which, in at least some embodiments, is round or generally circular.

[0047] FIG. 5B is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional end view of the slide fastener assembly 300 of FIG. 5A, shown with a separate cord 344 arranged within the hollow tube 345 to form a beaded cord 340. With a uniform cross-sectional shape, a cord of the proper dimension (which can also have a rounded or generally circular cross-sectional shape) can be snugly pulled through the hollow tube 345 without any manual sewing operations, thereby resulting in a very taut beaded cord 340 at the selvedge edge of the stringer tape 302. It is further contemplated that the hollow tube 345 can be sized to accommodate the desired thickness of the selected cord (so as to reflect a particular aesthetic or rigidity at the top edge of a mattress cover or mattress). In this regard, the cord 344 completely fills the hollow tube 345, thereby forming a stiff beaded cord 340.

[0048] To complete the assembly, zipper teeth 311 are sewn to the inboard edge of stringer tape 301 by means of one or more rows of stitching 313, and zipper teeth 312 are sewn to the inboard edge of stringer tape 302 by means of one or more rows of stitching 314. A slider body (not shown) and a pin-and-box assembly (not shown) may likewise be installed on the stringer tapes 301,302. One stringer tape 301 may then be affixed to an article (such as a bottom half of a mattress cover) by means of stitching 315,316, and the other stringer tape 302 may be affixed to an article (such as a top half of a mattress cover) by means of stitching 317,318. It is contemplated that the cord 344 can be pulled through the hollow tube 345 during manufacture of the stringer tapes 301,302 (such as prior to dyeing the tape and before attachment of the coil-type teeth), but it is also contemplated that the cord 344 can be installed as late as the final step in the manufacture of a mattress cover or other article. Regardless of when the cord 344 is installed within the hollow tube 345, combining the cord 344 with the stringer tape 302 in this manner provides the stringer tape 302 with a built-in beaded cord 340 and eliminates one or more sewing steps, which can facilitate lower manufacturing costs.

[0049] FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of a cross-sectional end view of another slide fastener assembly 400 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention, shown affixed to a mattress cover 25. The zipper teeth 411,412 shown in this illustration are from a coil-type zipper, which is the preferred zipper for mattress covers and similar applications due to the superior lateral (i.e., pull-apart) strength of coil-type zipper teeth. The slide fastener assembly 400 is similar to the assembly 300 depicted in FIGS. 5A & 5B, but is shown turned over so that the zipper teeth 411,412 are facing the mattress 20.

[0050] The mattress cover 25 comprises a bottom half 27 and a top half 28. A first stringer tape 401 is shown affixed to the bottom half 27 of the mattress 25 cover by means of two rows of stitching 415,416, and a second stringer tape 402 is shown affixed to the top half 28 of the mattress cover 25 by means of two rows of stitching 417,418. Generally, there is no significance to the number of rows of stitching used to affix the stinger tapes 401,402 to the two halves 27,28 of the mattress cover 25, and as many rows can be used as might be required to achieve a particular aesthetic. As with the slide fastener assembly 300 of FIGS. 5A & 5B, the second stringer tape 402 includes a hollow tube, or bead, 445 woven to the selvedge edge of the stringer tape (i.e., the edge opposite of the row of coil-type zipper teeth 412). As illustrated in FIG. 6, a cord 444 has been inserted into the hollow tube 445, thereby forming a beaded cord 440 on the mattress cover 25 that can be disposed along the juncture of the side and the top of the mattress 20. By positioning one of the rows of stitching 418 (used to secure the stringer tape 402 to the top half 28 of the mattress cover 25) very close to the inner edge of the hollow tube 445, the tube can be held in a taut position along the mattress cover top half 28. This results in an aesthetically pleasing appearance, with the beaded cord 440 providing a stiffened edge on the mattress cover 25 that is arranged along the juncture of the side and the top of the of the mattress 20 (when the mattress cover 25 is secured around a mattress 20).

[0051] In further embodiments of the present invention, it is contemplated that multiple hollow tubes may be woven into the stringer tapes as specific applications may require. In this regard, the scope of the invention is not limited to stringer tapes having a single hollow tube along the selvedge edge. Depending on the desired finished width of the stringer tapes, it is possible to weave, or otherwise integrate, one or more additional tubes anywhere along the stringer tapes, whether for functional or aesthetic purposes.

[0052] It should be readily apparent that the number of manufacturing steps required to prepare and install the slide fastener assembly 300,400 of the present invention is fewer than the number of steps required to install a conventional slide fastener assembly that incorporates a separate beaded cord. The slide fastener assembly 300,400 of the present invention includes a hollow tube at the selvedge edge of at least one of the stringer tapes so that, once a cord is installed within the hollow tube, the beaded edge effectively eliminates the need for a separate cord and the related sewing operations required to install the cord. This can be particularly important for manufacture of mattresses, which are commonly manufactured with a form-fitting mattress cover for aesthetic and functional purposes. The form-fitting mattress cover generally comprises a bottom half and a top half, and the two halves are fastened with a very long zipper around the side (i.e., the perimeter) of the mattress. A zipper with one stringer tape that has a tube formed on the selvedge edge of at least one of the stringer tapes, in accordance with the present invention, allows a mattress manufacturer to add a beaded cord to the mattress cover with fewer manufacturing steps, and particularly, with fewer manufacturing steps that require sewing operations.

[0053] Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.