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US 12,089,702 B2Granted
Method of sealing a zipper closure and a sealed zipper assembly
AssigneeYKK (U.S.A.) Inc.
InventorsRichard Kerr Myerscough, Ross Davis Harrington
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sealed zipper assembly includes a first zipper segment and a second zipper segment in overlapping relation to create a sealing zone. A sealing element is positioned in the sealing zone to prevent leakage between the first zipper segment and the second zipper segment.
Claims12
A sealable zipper assembly comprising:
- (a) a first zipper segment comprising a plurality of interlocking teeth;
- (b) a second zipper segment comprising a plurality of interlocking teeth, the second zipper segment arrangeable in an overlapping relation to the first zipper segment to create a sealing zone;
- and
- (c) a sealing element positioned in the sealing zone to resist leakage between the first and second zipper segments, the sealing element comprising a channel for receiving at least some of the plurality of teeth of the first zipper segment or at least some of the plurality of teeth of the second zipper segment,
- wherein the sealing zone forms a tunnel,
- wherein the first zipper segment comprises first and second band segments extending along sides of the interlocking teeth of the first zipper segment, wherein the second zipper segment comprises first and second band segments extending along sides of the interlocking teeth of the second zipper segment,
- wherein, when the sealing element is positioned in the tunnel, the teeth of the first zipper segment are interlocked, and the teeth of the second zipper segment are interlocked, portions of the first and second band segments of the first zipper segment and portions of the first and second band segments of the second zipper segment contact portions of the sealing element,
- wherein, when the sealing element is positioned in the tunnel, the teeth of the first zipper segment are interlocked, and the teeth of the second zipper segment are interlocked, the channel receives at least some of the plurality of teeth of the first zipper segment or at least some of the plurality of teeth of the second zipper segment, and
- wherein, when the channel receives at least some of the plurality of teeth of the first zipper segment or at least some of the plurality of teeth of the second zipper segment, a surface of the channel abuts at least some of the plurality of teeth of the first zipper segment or at least some of the plurality of teeth of the second zipper segment.
6 more elements
A sealable zipper assembly comprising:
- (a) a first zipper segment comprising a plurality of interlocking teeth;
- (b) a second zipper segment comprising a plurality of interlocking teeth, the second zipper segment arrangeable in an overlapping relation to the first zipper segment to create a sealing zone, wherein outer edges of the sealing zone comprise sealing material extending between the first and second zipper segments;
- and
- (c) a sealing element positioned in the sealing zone to resist leakage between the first and second zipper segments.
1 more element
A sealable zipper assembly comprising:
- (a) a first zipper segment comprising a plurality of interlocking teeth;
- (b) a second zipper segment comprising a plurality of interlocking teeth, the second zipper segment arrangeable in an overlapping relation to the first zipper segment to create a sealing zone;
- and
- (c) a sealing element positioned in the sealing zone to resist leakage between the first and second zipper segments, wherein the sealing element is expandable from an unexpanded state to an expanded state,
- wherein the sealing element comprises a sealing member body and an actuator extending into the sealing member body, wherein actuation of the actuator expands the sealing element from the unexpanded state to the expanded state, and
- wherein the actuator comprises a clamping assembly that squeezes the sealing member body to cause it to expand.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.