Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Zipper or required component thereof – Interlocking surface constructed from plural elements in series
Reexamination Certificate
2002-08-13
2004-01-27
Sandy, Robert J. (Department: 3677)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Zipper or required component thereof
Interlocking surface constructed from plural elements in series
C024S403000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06681456
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to sliding fasteners, and more particularly to zippers having interlocking coupling elements alternately attached to separate stringers, wherein the coupling elements present a varying visual effect along the length of at least one stringer. The zipper may carry coded information or a trademarked sequence to discourage counterfeiting.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
While the major function of a zipper assembly is mechanical—to reversibly couple two generally flexible panels or strips, aesthetic considerations also arise which may dictate when and how a zipper may be used in a given application. The aesthetic considerations may be aural, tactile and/or visual. The present invention alters the visual aspect of the zipper assembly to provide a less mechanical appearance, and may also alter the sound and feel of the zipper when it is opened and closed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides for a zipper stringer or zipper assembly comprising two stringers. At least one stringer has a row of coupling elements presenting a variable visual appearance along the coupled length of the zipper. The variable visual effect may be achieved by varying E* for a plurality of pairs of adjacent coupling elements, i.e., a plurality of at least ten adjacent coupling elements along a stringer have a delta E* of at least one, more preferably five, and most preferably ten, wherein E* represents the total color measurement of the color of a coupling element, combining the color coordinates L*, a*, and b*; wherein L* is a measure of the lightness and darkness of the color; a* is a measure of the redness or greenness of the color; and b* is a measure of the yellowness or blueness of the color. Coupling elements may also be distinguished by providing variable coupling element areas, or by providing adjacent coupling elements having varying reflective properties. When coupling areas are varied, the coupling element projected areas should vary by at least 1%, and preferably by at least 5%. Variations in color, reflectivity and area may be used in any combination as desired, along with variable pitch, for enhanced or distinctive aesthetics, to code information, and/or to provide for trademark, copyright or trade dress protection for the garment or other article incorporating the zipper, thereby providing greater protection against copying and counterfeiting. As with paper currency, combinations of one or more different variations such as pitch, color, reflectivity, and coupling element face area are synergistic for security as, when used together, they greatly increase the difficulty in the manufacturing of imitations and counterfeits.
The following terms are defined as follows:
“Color” is taken to mean any color, including black, white and gray, and the phrase “distinguishable colors” means any two colors that are distinguishable by the human eye, and preferably exhibit a delta E* of at least one, more preferably five, and most preferably ten. Colors include those produced by any pigment or dye, and those that may be accentuated by UV light, such as fluorescent or phosphorescent pigments or dyes.
“Coupling element” means a substantially rigid projection (tooth), independently arrayed along a tape in a spaced fashion with other substantially rigid projections to form a stringer, the rigid projection having surface geometry for reversible mechanical interlocking with mating surface geometry of two adjacent projections on a mating stringer.
“Coupling element projected area” means the total area bounded by the outline of the face of a coupling element when projected perpendicularly upon the zipper plane when the zipper stringer is parallel to the zipper plane.
Delta E* is the absolute difference in E* between two overall colors of two coupling elements, where E*=((L*)
2
+(a*)
2
+(b*)
2
)
1/2
.
“Height” for a coupling element means, relative to the coupling element head (the portion of the coupling element with interlocking geometry), the distance from the proximal edge of the stringer tape to the distal edge of the coupling element. The height is measured in a direction perpendicular to the pitch line. “Face height” is the height of the coupling element above the stringer tape (generally towards the outside of a garment, bag, or other item), while “back height” is the height of the coupling element below the stringer tape.
“Information sequence” means the consecutive listing of one or more properties (such as pitch, color, reflectivity, or projected coupling area) that vary along the stringer or closed zipper.
“Pitch width”, and also “coupling element spacing”, means the distance along the pitch line and between the centerline of a coupling element to the centerline of the next adjacent coupling element on the same stringer.
“Pitch line” means the line that bisects the coupling elements of a closed zipper.
“Pitch sequence” means the consecutive listing of the coupling element widths of a stringer or zipper when closed.
“Reversible” means that the zipper or a segment thereof may be repeatedly closed and opened without damage to the coupling elements, except for normal wear.
“Self-interlocked” means that single coupling elements on one stringer are geometrically locked to two adjacent coupling elements on a mating stringer without the use of pins or other additional elements.
“Slider” means a moveable element for reversibly joining two stringers. Generally, a slider comprises a pair of converging channels for reversibly directing the two arrays of non-interlocked coupling elements of the stringers through a curved coupling path and into a parallel self-interlocked relationship. The use and construction of sliders is well known to those versed in the art.
“Stringer” means a flexible zipper half comprising a linear array of coupling elements independently and flexibly mounted to a tape, capable of coupling to a second stringer (e.g., by means of a slider, whereby the coupling elements on the stringers are temporarily rotated to allow them to be interleaved, then straightened to geometrically interlock them with adjacent mating coupling elements).
“Tape” means the cord and/or strip to which coupling elements are flexibly arrayed to form a stringer.
“Width” of a coupling element is measured along the pitch line of the zipper, and is herein equal to one half of the coupling element spacing of a closed zipper having identical coupling elements.
“Zipper” means two mating stringers, coupled or aligned for coupling.
“Zipper assembly” means a zipper comprising a slider.
“Zipper plane” means the plane that is parallel to the zipper when the zipper is closed and flat (planar).
In a preferred embodiment, a stringer comprises a first plurality of coupling elements having a first color, and a second plurality of coupling elements having a second color distinguishable from the first. The first and second plurality of coupling elements are preferably interspersed along at least 50% of the coupled length of the stringer. This means that they alternate from time to time over this distance—preferably at least ten times. Although any number of different colors may be used, two are preferred. In combination with distinguishable colors, the visible surfaces of the coupling elements of the zipper may be varied to produce varying reflectivities. As may be appreciated, reflectivity may be used to alter or enhance the color effects, and may be used alone. Reflectivity may be altered by varying the surface characteristics of adjacent coupling elements. For instance, matt and specular surfaces may be used in a sequence, with or without actual color differences. Prismatic or other textured surfaces may be molded into the coupling elements to enhance or diminish reflective effects at particular angles. Also, different holographic patterns may be molded into the coupling element surfaces. As it is easier to alter mold surfaces that it is to provide individualized colors, each of the coupling elements could be provided with an individualized reflectivity different from
Delphi Oracle Corp.
Rodriguez Ruth C.
Sandy Robert J.
LandOfFree
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