Coating processes – With stretching or tensioning – Running lengths
Patent
1994-03-03
1995-08-01
Ball, Michael W.
Coating processes
With stretching or tensioning
Running lengths
24389, 4274121, 427413, B05D 312, A44B 1932
Patent
active
054378885
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a waterproof zip closure and a method for manufacturing it and, more particularly, to a waterproof zip closure consisting of two rows of teeth, each joined by means of a zip closure tape. The rows of teeth are locked into each other or separated from each other by a slide. The zip closure is sealed when the zip closure is in a closed position.
Conventional zip closures consist of two rows of teeth that can be joined by zip closure tapes. It is also known to employ slide means for locking and separating rows of teeth from each other, and to form seals, as in European Patent EP 0 210 632 B1. However, conventional techniques, such as that disclosed in EP 0 210 632 B1, are cannot be changed to adapt to changes in elasticity, tightness, and handling ease.
German Patent DE 37 15 068 discloses a waterproof zip closure where the zip closure is led around a set of small teeth, abutting the tapes of both sides when placed in a closed position. Inexpensive and conventionally known types of zip closures (plastic spirals, for example) are not adapted for use with known sealing means because of their respective methods of manufacture. Thus, designs such as DE 37 15 068 are disadvantageous because of the manufacturing costs involved.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a waterproof zip closure and a method of manufacturing which overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a waterproof zip closure easily fashioned from inexpensive and common types of zip closures, and to disclose a technique for manufacturing the zip closures.
It is still a further object of the invention to provide a method of manufacturing a waterproof zip closure with a plurality of potential values for elasticity, tightness, and slideablity (slide resistance) depending on the mode of application.
The method according to the present invention, overcomes the longstanding problems of the prior art by utilizing prestressing means which allow for sealing the zip closure with rubber or plastic that remains homogeneously conjoined.
The present invention uses a plastic material over the tapes to provide sealing. The plastic material is preferably a thermoplastic elastomer. Polyurethane is preferred due to its strong adhesive qualities, high elasticity and high abrasion resistance.
Preferred materials such as polyurethane permit further processing such as, for example, spraying with an additional material or welding additional end pieces. Zip closures manufactured in this way are readily attachable to items of clothing, or other substrates means including bags, and especially those made from, or coated with, PVC or polyurethane.
The present invention solves problems of waterproofing conventional zip closures using bulk quantities of inexpensive starting materials, inter alia. All known zip closures may be waterproofed according to the teachings of the present invention. It is particularly advantageous to employ simple plastic spiral zip closures, due to the ease of their combination with elastic, thermoplastic material and polyurethane as taught by the present invention. The inherent elasticity of elastic, thermoplastic material and polyurethane enables the present invention to lower manufacturing costs according to the methods taught.
According to a preferred embodiment, the method of manufacturing a waterproof zip closure according to the present invention includes the following steps: first a zip closure, with zip closure tapes, is soaked and coated with a first thermoplastic material while the zip closure is in a closed state; next the zip closure is cooled, while the zip closure tapes are being pulled apart laterally by a force pressing matching ends of the teeth together in a predetermined manner, short of separation. This disposes the plastifying material on the tooth tips between the teeth and the prestressed zip closure. During this time the thermoplastic material between, an
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Ball Michael W.
Gluck Peter Jon
Morrison Thomas R.
Reed David W.
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