ZIPPER

Abstract

In a closed state of a zipper, distance from a tape-facing plane of an upper blade of a slider to a first tape at an end of a first terminal element facing a first row is different from distance from the tape-facing plane of the upper blade of the slider to the first tape at an opposite end of the first terminal element.

Claims

1. A zipper, comprising: a first tape with a first row of engaging elements; a second tape with a second row of engaging elements; a slider having an upper blade and a lower blade; a first terminal element behind the last engaging element on the first tape in a closing direction of the slider; and a second terminal element behind the last engaging element on the second tape in the closing direction of the slider, wherein in a closed state of the zipper, the second terminal element extends beyond an end face of the first tape facing the second tape, and in the closed state of the zipper, distance from a tape-facing plane of the upper blade of the slider to the first tape at an end of the first terminal element facing the first row is different from distance from the tape-facing plane of the upper blade of the slider to the first tape at an opposite end of the first terminal element.

2. The zipper according to claim 1, wherein when the distance from the tape-facing plane of the upper blade of the slider to the first tape at the end of the first terminal element facing the first row in the closed state of the zipper is d, the distance from the tape-facing plane of the upper blade of the slider to the first tape at the opposite end is D, and thickness of the first tape at an edge facing the second terminal element in the closed state of the zipper is T, the following relation applies: 0.5 TDd2 T.

3. The zipper according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a surface of the first terminal element facing the upper blade in the closed state of the zipper and a surface of the first terminal element facing the lower blade in the closed state of the zipper, is at least partially inclined with respect to the first tape, so as to rise or fall in the closing direction.

4. The zipper according to claim 3, wherein the surface of the first terminal element facing the upper blade in the closed state of the zipper is parallel to the surface of the first terminal element facing the lower blade in the closed state of the zipper.

5. The zipper according to claim 3, wherein an inclination angle of the at least one of the surface of the first terminal element facing the upper blade in the closed state of the zipper and the surface of the first terminal element facing the lower blade in the closed state of the zipper, is in a range from 0.10 to 15.

6. The zipper according to claim 5, wherein the inclination angle is in a range from 3 to 10.

7. The zipper according to claim 6, wherein that the inclination angle is in a range from 4 to 6.

8. The zipper according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a surface of the first terminal element facing the upper blade of the slider in the closed state of the zipper and a surface of the first terminal element facing the lower blade of the slider in the closed state of the zipper, is at least partially inclined with respect to the first tape, so as to rise or fall in a direction from the first terminal element to the second terminal element.

9. The zipper according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and the second terminal elements has a stopper against which the slider is to abut in the closed state of the zipper.

10. The zipper according to claim 9, wherein the at least one of the first and second terminal elements is integral with the stopper.

11. The zipper according to claim 1, wherein the first terminal element has at least one recess at least partially overlapping with a part of the second terminal element extending beyond the end face of the first tape facing the second tape in the closed state of the zipper.

12. The zipper according to claim 1, wherein in the closed state of the zipper, the first terminal element and a part of the second terminal element not extending beyond the end face of the first tape together form a V shape.

13. The zipper according to claim 1, wherein the second terminal element has at least one recess at least partially overlapping with a part of the first tape in the closed state of the zipper.

14. The zipper according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second terminal elements has a recess configured to receive a lock pin.

15. The zipper according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and the second terminal elements is provided with an advertising element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the zipper according to the present invention, in a partly opened state.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates the zipper of FIG. 1, in the closed state.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic partial side view of the zipper according to FIG. 2,

[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates terminal elements of the zipper according to FIGS. 1 to 3, in the closed state.

[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates the same as FIG. 4, but viewed from the reverse side,

[0026] FIG. 6 is a side view of a terminal element of the zipper according to FIGS. 1 to 3,

[0027] FIG. 7 illustrates the terminal element of FIG. 6, but in top view,

[0028] FIG. 8 illustrates the same as FIG. 4, but of another embodiment, and

[0029] FIG. 9 illustrates schematic terminal elements of a zipper according to a further embodiment of the present invention, in two different states of the zipper.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0030] The present invention is explained in more detail below with the help of preferred exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0031] The zipper according to the first embodiment shown in the drawings has a first tape 10 with a first row 12 of engaging elements and a second tape 14 with a second row 16 of the engaging elements. Furthermore, the zipper has a first terminal element 18 and a second terminal element 20. A slider 22 serves for opening and closing the zipper by sliding along the first and second rows 12 and 16 of the engaging elements. The last engaging elements in the closing direction of slider 22 of the first and second rows 12, 16 are engaging elements 24 and 26, respectively. Reference signs 28 and 30 refer to edges of the first and second tapes 10, 14, facing each of the other tapes 14, 10, respectively. In the present embodiment, there is a cord at the edges 28, 30.

[0032] As is to be taken from FIG. 3, slider 22 has an upper blade 32 with a tape-facing plane P and a lower blade 34. What is, moreover, to be taken from FIG. 3 is that in the closed state of the zipper, the distance d of the tape facing plane of the upper blade 32 of the slider 22 from the first tape 10 at the end of the first terminal element 18 facing the last engaging element 24 and, thereby, the first row 12 of the engaging elements is smaller than the distance D of the tape facing plane of the upper blade 32 of the slider 22 from the first tape 10 at the opposite end of the first terminal element 18, i.e. the left hand side end in FIG. 3. According to this difference between the distances d and D, the first tape 10 is bent within the slider 22 in the downward direction of FIG. 3.

[0033] Further, when the distance d from the tape-facing plane p of the upper blade 32 of the slider 22 to the first tape 10 at the end of the first terminal element 18 facing the first row 12 in the closed state of the zipper is d, the distance D from the tape-facing plane of the upper blade of the slider to the first tape at the opposite end is D, and thickness of the first tape at an edge 28 facing the second terminal element 20 in the closed state of the zipper is T, it is preferable that the following relation applies: 0.5 TDd2 T. These values have proved to be reasonable.

[0034] When the zipper according to FIGS. 1 to 3 is closed, i.e. transferred from the state of FIG. 1 to the state of FIG. 2, the first and second terminal elements 18 and 20 are moved toward one another. Since the first tape 10 is bent when taken in by the slider 22, it is moved downward in FIG. 3 avoiding collision with the second terminal element 20 when part thereof moves beyond the edge 28 of the first tape 10.

[0035] FIG. 4 shows the same as FIG. 2, but with the first and second tapes 10, 14 as well as the slider 22 omitted. What is to be taken from FIGS. 4 and 5 is that the first terminal element 18 together with the lower part in FIG. 4 of the second terminal element 20 form a V shape and is thus a very stable structure holding the zipper in the closed state.

[0036] FIG. 5 shows a view of the first and second terminal elements 18, 20 seen from the reverse side as compared to FIG. 4. On this side, the second terminal element 20 has a surface 36 on the left hand side of FIG. 5 and a recess 38 on the right hand side. The recess 38 serves for sort of an embedding part of the first tape 10 in the closed state of the zipper. A further recess 41 serves for sort of embedding part for first terminal element 18 in cooperation with a recess 40 (FIG. 7) of the first terminal element 18. Thereby, the zipper can be smoothly closed even with view to the fact that the second terminal element 20 is overlapping with the first tape 10 and with the first terminal element 18.

[0037] FIG. 6 serves for explaining how to achieve the above different distances d and D between the first tape 10 and the upper blade 32 of the slider 22. The difference of the distances results from an inclination of a part of upper and lower surfaces 42 and 44 of the first terminal element 18. An inclination angle is in the range from 0.10 to 15, preferably of from 3 to 10, more preferably 4 to 6. The values may be positive or negative defining the direction of bending (upwardly or downwardly). The same applies, mutatis mutandis, to the above-mentioned difference (Dd), which difference may be positive or negative. The respective inclination angle to the tape plane in the present embodiment has a value of 5. In the shown embodiments, the respective surfaces are parallel to one another. However, it is sufficient that at least one of the upper and lower surfaces 42 and 44 are at least partially inclined with respect to the first tape 10, so as to rise or fall in the closing direction. When the first terminal element 18 with the upper and lower surfaces 42 and 44 is introduced into the slider 22 and the slider 22 is moved in the closing direction, the end of the first terminal element not facing the first row 12 of the engaging elements is rotated downwardly, i.e. counter-clockwise in FIGS. 3 and 6, resulting in that the edge 28 of the first tape 10 is moved out of the trajectory of the second terminal element 20 during closing of the zipper. Thereby, the risk of collision is reduced or even eliminated. A recess 46 of the second terminal element 20 serves for receiving a lock pin (not shown) of the zipper, the lock pin being provided on the slider 22. The recess may be provided at the first terminal element 18.

[0038] In the present embodiment, a front surface 48 of the second terminal element 20 can be used for holding or advertising element, such as a logo. A front surface of the first terminal element 18 may be used for holding or advertising element.

[0039] As is to be taken from FIG. 6, the first terminal element 18 has a stopper 50 realized in the form of a ramp in the present embodiment. It serves for stopping the slider 22 in the closed state because the slider 22 abuts against the stopper 50. It is realized integrally with the first terminal element 18. The second terminal element 20 may have or be integral with the stopper 50.

[0040] FIG. 8 refers to another embodiment of the zipper according to the present invention. It differs from the first embodiment by a front surface 52 of the second terminal element 20, which has the contour of a square, whereas the contour of the surface 48 is round.

[0041] FIG. 9 refers to a further embodiment of the present invention. The upper part of FIG. 9 shows the first and second tapes 10, 14 as well as the first and second terminal elements 18 and 20 in a state prior to closing the zipper.

[0042] According to the lower part of FIG. 9, as soon as the slider (not shown) reaches first terminal element 18, due to an inclination of the upper surface rising in the direction from the first terminal element 18 to the second terminal element 20, the first terminal element 18 is rotated out of the trajectory of the second terminal element 20, so that the further closing of the zipper by further moving the first and second terminal elements 18, 20 toward one another can be smoothly performed without any risk of collision. However, it is sufficient that at least one of the upper and lower surfaces is at least partially inclined with respect to the first tape 10, so as to rise or fall in a the direction from the first terminal element 18 to the second terminal element 20.

[0043] As described above, according to the present invention, in the closed state of the zipper, distance from a tape facing plane of the upper blade of the slider to the first tape at an end of the first terminal element facing the first row is different from distance from the tape facing plane of the upper blade of the slider to the first tape at an opposite end of the first terminal element. According to the above structure, when the slider is moved in the closing direction and takes in the first terminal element, the first tape is bent according to the difference of distances and, thereby, moved away from the second terminal element in a direction perpendicular to the main plane of the first tape, so that the risk of collision with the second terminal element is reduced to a minimum or eliminated.

[0044] The value of the difference of distances can be freely chosen as long as the first tape is sufficiently moved out of the trajectory of the second terminal element during the closing of the zipper. It is, however, particularly preferred that, when the distance from the tape facing plane of the upper blade of the slider to the first tape at the end of the first terminal element facing the first row in the closed state of the zipper is d, the distance from the tape-facing plane of the upper blade of the slider to the first tape at the opposite end is D, and thickness of the first tape at an edge facing the second terminal element in the closed state of the zipper is T, the following relation applies. 0.5 TDd2 T. These values have proved to be reasonable.

[0045] To achieve the above bending in order to move the first tape out of the trajectory of the second terminal element, various measures can be taken. It is, however, preferred that at least one of a surface of the first terminal element facing the upper blade in the closed state of the zipper and a surface of the first terminal element facing the lower blade in the closed state of the zipper, is at least partially inclined with respect to the first tape, so as to rise or fall in the closing direction. This is a particularly easy way of achieving the above bending.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the surface of the first terminal element facing the upper blade in the closed state of the zipper is parallel to the surface of the first terminal element facing the lower blade in the closed state of the zipper. This facilitates the closing and opening movements of the slider.

[0047] Preferably, an inclination angle of the at least one of the surface of the first terminal element facing the upper blade in the closed state of the zipper and the surface of the first terminal element facing the lower blade in the closed state of the zipper, is in a range from 0.10 to 15, more preferably from 3 to 10, even more preferably from 4 to 6.

[0048] These values may be positive or negative defining the direction of bending (upwardly or downwardly). The same applies, mutatis mutandis, to the above-mentioned difference (Dd), which difference may be positive or negative.

[0049] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of a surface of the first terminal element facing the upper blade in the closed state of the slider and a surface of the first terminal element facing the lower blade in the closed state of the slider, is at least partially inclined with respect to the first tape, so as to rise or fall in a direction from the first terminal element to the second terminal element. According to this structure, the risk of collision of the first tape and/or the first terminal element with the second terminal element is further reduced.

[0050] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of the first and second terminal elements has a stopper against which the slider is to abut in the closed state of the zipper. Such a stopper serves for preventing the slider from sliding beyond the first and second terminal element.

[0051] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of the first and second terminal elements is integral with the stopper. According to this embodiment, the respective stopper is not a separated part, but in one piece with the first or second terminal element.

[0052] Preferably, the first terminal element has at least one recess at least partially overlapping with a part of the second terminal element extending beyond the end face of the first tape facing the second tape in the closed state of the zipper. In other words, a part of the second terminal element is sort of an embedded part in the first terminal element enhancing the stability of the overall structure in the closed state of the zipper.

[0053] For the same reason of enhancing stability in the closed state, it is preferred according to the present invention that, in the closed state of the zipper, the first terminal element and a part of the second terminal element not extending beyond the end face of the first terminal element together form a V shape.

[0054] According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second terminal element has at least one recess at least partially overlapping with a part of the first tape in the closed state of the zipper. This recess is meant for sort of embedding the respective part of the first tape and, thereby, contributes to the stability of the overall structure in the closed state of the zipper. Moreover, this recess contributes to reducing the risk of collision of the first tape with the second terminal element.

[0055] What is moreover preferred is that at least one of the first and second terminal elements has a recess configured to receive a lock pin. When a lock pin is received in the recess, the zipper is prevented from opening arbitrarily.

[0056] Finally, it is preferred that at least one of the first and second terminal elements is provided with an advertising element. This is particularly preferred for the second terminal element, because the main surface of which may be made larger resulting from the fact that the second terminal element extends beyond the end face of the first tape facing the second tape.

[0057] The features of the invention are not limited to those disclosed in the above description, claims and drawings. These features may be implemented both individually and in any combination.