Abstract:
A zipper device for blocking harmful insects: a pair of tapes; a plurality of teeth fixed to the tapes so as to longitudinally face the same; a slide to be inserted into the teeth so as to allow the teeth to be engaged or the engaged teeth to be released; and a blocking unit in which an insertion groove is formed at one end so as to allow one portion of the slide to be inserted, and the blocking unit is placed at one end point of the teeth so as to be fixed to the pair of tapes, wherein if one portion of the slide is inserted into the insertion groove of the blocking unit by moving the slide, the teeth are engaged and a space between the slide and the blocking unit is blocked, thereby preventing foreign material or harmful insects from entering the space between the teeth and between the slide and the blocking unit. Accordingly, the propagation of harmful insects is blocked by preventing the inflow of harmful insects.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a zipper device for preventing invasion of harmful insects into pillows, blankets or cushions, and more particularly, to a unit and a zipper device for blocking harmful insects, which can firmly seal ends of the zipper where teeth of the zipper are interlocked with each other in order to prevent invasion of harmful insects, such as mites, fleas or bedbugs, thereby fundamentally preventing outbreaks of diseases by the harmful insects. 
         [0002]    In general, zipper devices are widely used in pillows, blankets, cushions, and others because it is necessary to open and close one part of the pillows, the blankets, the cushions or others in order to put flarf or cotton to the inside of the pillows, the blankets, the cushions or others. 
         [0003]    In this instance, in order to block harmful insects, conventionally, the outer surfaces of the pillows, the blankets, the cushions or others are wrapped with microfibrous cloth. 
         [0004]    However, as shown in  FIG. 1 , in case of such a conventional zipper, the outermost teeth  2  of the zipper are not interlocked with each other when teeth  2  of the zipper are interlocked together. That is, when a slider  1  passes the teeth  2 , the teeth  2  are interlocked with each other. However, in an aspect of the structure of the zipper, the teeth  2  located at the ends of the zipper are not interlocked together because the slider  1  cannot pass. Therefore, even though the slider of the zipper moves to the end of the zipper in a closing direction, there is a gap  3  between the teeth  2  opposed to each other at the end of the zipper. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, harmful insects, such as mites, fleas or bedbugs, enter the pillows, the blankets, the cushions or others through the gap  3  and are propagated in the pillows, the blankets, the cushions or others, and hence, it causes diseases. In other words, even though the pillows, the blankets, the cushions or others are covered with microfibrous cloth in order to prevent invasion of harmful insects, the harmful insects can invade into the pillows, the blankets, the cushions or others through the gap  3 . Therefore, conventional zipper devices have a problem in that diseases may occur by the harmful insects because the conventional zipper devices cannot perfectly prevent invasion of harmful insects into the pillows, the blankets, the cushions or others. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior arts, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a unit and a zipper device for blocking harmful insects, which can be perfectly closed without any gap between teeth so as to prevent invasion of harmful insects, thereby fundamentally preventing outbreaks of diseases and firmly maintaining a closed state of the zipper device. 
         [0007]    To achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a zipper device for blocking harmful insects including: a pair of tapes; a plurality of teeth fixed to the tapes in such a way as to longitudinally face each other; a slider slidably fit on the teeth so as to interlock the teeth with each other or release the interlocked state of the teeth; and a blocking unit having an insertion groove in which one portion of the slider is inserted, the blocking unit being arranged at ends of the outermost teeth and fixed to the pair of tapes, wherein when the one portion of the slider is inserted into the insertion groove of the blocking unit by movement of the slider, the teeth are interlocked with each other and a space between the slider and the blocking unit is blocked, such that it is prevented that foreign matters or harmful insects enter the space between the teeth and between the slider and the blocking unit. 
         [0008]    In the meantime, in another aspect of the present invention to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a blocking unit for blocking harmful insects which is joined with the zipper device which includes a slider, tapes and teeth, the blocking unit including an insertion groove in which one portion of the slider is inserted and being arranged at ends of the outermost teeth and fixed to the pair of tapes. 
         [0009]    Moreover, a starting portion of the insertion groove of the blocking unit is opened, such that the one portion of the slider is smoothly inserted into the insertion groove. 
         [0010]    Additionally, a starting portion of the blocking unit is retracted in order to prevent separation of the slider from the blocking unit. 
         [0011]    In addition, one side or both sides of the blocking unit is stepped in correspondence with the shape of the slider in order to securely block foreign matters or harmful insects when the blocking unit is joined with the slider. 
         [0012]    Moreover, the blocking unit is formed integrally with the teeth and is sewed to the tapes. 
         [0013]    Furthermore, the blocking unit includes slits respectively formed at both sides for inserting the tapes thereinto and is bonded or thermally bonded to the tapes. 
         [0014]    Additionally, the blocking unit is formed by insert-molding in a state where the tapes and the teeth are joined together. 
         [0015]    The unit and the zipper device for blocking harmful insects according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention can prevent propagation of harmful insects by blocking invasion of the harmful insects into pillows or blankets, and thus, prevent outbreaks of diseases. 
         [0016]    Moreover, the unit and the zipper device for blocking harmful insects according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention can prevent a movement of the slider by an external impact because the blocking unit is made of a soft material such that the slider is fixed to the blocking unit tightly and firmly, and thus, it can prevent separation of the teeth. 
         [0017]    Furthermore, the unit and the zipper device for blocking harmful insects according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention is simple in structure and can minimize malfunction because the zipper device does not need a stopper, and hence, the zipper device can reduce manufacturing costs. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is an enlarged plan view showing a state where a conventional zipper is closed. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a unit for blocking harmful insects according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the bottom surface of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of a zipper device for blocking harmful insects according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are plan views showing an operational state of the zipper device for blocking harmful insects. 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken along the line of VI-VI. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a unit for blocking harmful insects according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    The above-mentioned objects of the present invention are achieved by a zipper device for blocking harmful insects including: a pair of tapes; a plurality of teeth fixed to the tapes in such a way as to longitudinally face each other; a slider slidably fit on the teeth so as to interlock the teeth with each other or release the interlocked state of the teeth; and a blocking unit having an insertion groove in which one portion of the slider is inserted, the blocking unit being arranged at ends of the outermost teeth and fixed to the pair of tapes, wherein when the one portion of the slider is inserted into the insertion groove of the blocking unit by movement of the slider, the teeth are interlocked with each other and a space between the slider and the blocking unit is blocked, such that it is prevented that foreign matters or harmful insects enter the space between the teeth and between the slider and the blocking unit. 
         [0026]    In the meantime, in another aspect of the present invention to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a blocking unit for blocking harmful insects which is joined with the zipper device which includes a slider, tapes and teeth, the blocking unit including an insertion groove in which one portion of the slider is inserted and being arranged at ends of the outermost teeth and fixed to the pair of tapes. 
         [0027]    A zipper device for blocking harmful insects according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in brief. The zipper device for blocking harmful insects includes: a pair of tapes  20 ; a plurality of teeth  30  fixed to the tapes  20  in such a way as to longitudinally face each other; a slider  40  slidably fit on the teeth  30  so as to interlock the teeth  30  with each other or release the interlocked state of the teeth  30 ; and a blocking unit  10  or  10 ′ having an insertion groove  11  in which one portion of the slider  40  is inserted, the blocking unit  10  being arranged at ends of the outermost teeth  30  and fixed to the pair of tapes  20 , wherein when the one portion of the slider  40  is inserted into the insertion groove  11  of the blocking unit  10  or  10 ′ by movement of the slider  40 , the teeth  30  are interlocked with each other and a space between the slider  40  and the blocking unit  10  or  10 ′ is blocked, such that it is prevented that foreign matters or harmful insects enter the space between the teeth  30  and between the slider  40  and the blocking unit  10  or  10 ′. 
         [0028]    In the meantime, the blocking unit  10  or  10 ′ for blocking harmful insects according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in brief. The blocking unit  10  or  10 ′ for blocking harmful insects by being joined with the zipper device including the slider  40 , the tapes  20  and the teeth  30  includes the insertion groove  11  in which one portion of the slider  40  is inserted, and is arranged at ends of the outermost teeth  30  and fixed to the pair of tapes  20 . 
         [0029]    Moreover, a starting portion of the insertion groove  11 ′ of the blocking unit  10 ′ is opened, such that the one portion of the slider  40  is smoothly inserted into the insertion groove  11 ′. 
         [0030]    Additionally, a starting portion of the blocking unit  10  is retracted in order to prevent separation of the slider  40  from the blocking unit  10 . 
         [0031]    In addition, one side or both sides of the blocking unit  10  is stepped in correspondence with the shape of the slider  40  in order to securely block foreign matters or harmful insects when the blocking unit  10  is joined with the slider  40 . 
         [0032]    Moreover, the blocking unit  10  is formed integrally with the teeth  30  and is sewed to the tapes  20 . 
         [0033]    Furthermore, the blocking unit  10  includes slits  12  formed at both sides for inserting the tapes  20  thereinto and is bonded or thermally bonded to the tapes  20 . 
         [0034]    Additionally, the blocking unit  10  is formed by insert-molding in a state where the tapes  20  and the teeth  30  are joined together. 
         [0035]      FIG. 1  is an enlarged plan view showing a state where a conventional zipper is closed. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a unit for blocking harmful insects according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the bottom surface of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  is a plan view of a zipper device for blocking harmful insects according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are plan views showing an operational state of the zipper device for blocking harmful insects. 
         [0040]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken along the line of VI-VI. 
         [0041]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a unit for blocking harmful insects according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0042]    Reference will be now made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 to 7 , the zipper device for blocking harmful insects according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the tapes  20 , the teeth  30 , the slider  40 , a grasping part  50 , and the blocking unit  10 . 
         [0044]    A pair of the tapes  20  are made of fabric with a predetermined length, and are respectively sewed to a cut part of an outer cover (not shown) of a pillow, a blanket or a cushion. In this instance, the tapes  20  are not first sewed to the outer cover of the pillow, the blanket or the cushion but is sewed in a state where the tapes  20  are respectively joined to the teeth  30 , the slider  40 , the grasping part  50  and the blocking unit  10  which will be described later. 
         [0045]    A plurality of the teeth  30  are disposed, and are oppositely fixed on the inner face of the tapes  20 . In this instance, the teeth  30  are bonded or sewed to the tapes  20 . 
         [0046]    The slider  40  is one of the generally used sliders  40  for zippers and has a ring  41  formed at one side, and the teeth  30  fixed to the tapes  20  are inserted into the slider  40 . Therefore, when the slider  40  is moved, the teeth  30  are interlocked with each other or the interlocked state of the teeth  30  is released. 
         [0047]    The grasping part  50  is a hand-grip used in a general zipper, and is fit into the ring  41  of the slider  40 . Therefore, a user can easily move the slider  40  while grasping the grasping part  50  with the hand. 
         [0048]    The tapes  20 , the teeth  30 , the slider  40  and the grasping part  50  are well-known and widely used, and hence, their detailed descriptions will be omitted. 
         [0049]    The blocking unit  10  is made of a soft material and is formed in an approximately rectangular plate, and includes the insertion groove  11  formed at the front end thereof such that one portion of an end of the slider  40  is inserted into the insertion groove  11 . Both sides of the blocking unit  10  are formed in correspondence with the internal form of the slider  40  so as to be inserted into the slider  40 , and both ends of the blocking unit  10  are fixed to the tapes  20 . Therefore, the front end of the blocking unit  10  is inserted into the end of the slider  40 , such that the blocking unit  10  and the slider  40  are firmly close to each other and invasion of harmful insects between the blocking unit  10  and the slider  40  can be prevented. 
         [0050]    Moreover, in order to make the blocking unit  10  with the slider  40  closer, the top surface or the bottom surface of the blocking unit  10  is stepped in correspondence with the flat surface form of the end of the slider  40 , such that the blocking unit  10  and the slider  40  get closer to each other and there is no gap between the blocking unit  10  and the slider  40 . Accordingly, the zipper device according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention can prevent invasion of harmful insects between the blocking unit  10  and the slider  40 . 
         [0051]    The blocking unit  10 ′ may be formed in such a way that the insertion groove  11 ′ becomes wider toward the front part such that the slider  40  can be easily inserted into the blocking unit  10 ′ (See  FIG. 8 ). In this instance, the slider  40  may include a stopper (not shown) therein. That is, when the slider  40  is easily inserted into the insertion groove  11 ′ of the blocking unit  10 ′, the stopper is caught to the teeth  30  inside the slider  40  so as to prevent the slider  40  from being separated from the blocking unit  10 . Here, the stopper has been well known, and hence, its detailed description will be omitted. 
         [0052]    In the meantime, the blocking unit  10  may be retracted forwardly such that the slider  40  is tightly inserted into the insertion groove  11  of the blocking unit  10  (See  FIG. 2 ). In other words, when the slider  40  is inserted into the insertion groove  11  of the blocking unit  10 , the slider  40  is tightly fit while the insertion groove  11  is widened to a predetermined degree. In this instance, the stopper disposed inside the slider  40  may be omitted. The reason is that the slider  40  is not separated from the blocking unit  10  even though the slider  40  does not have the stopper because the insertion groove  11  of the blocking unit  10  tightens and firmly grasps the slider  40 . 
         [0053]    Here, because the blocking unit  10  is arranged at the end of the teeth  30  and may be sewed or adhered on the upper surface of the tapes  20 , the blocking unit  10  can be easily mounted to the tapes  20 . 
         [0054]    Moreover, the blocking unit  10  may have slits  12  formed in both sides thereof. Accordingly, the tapes  20  are inserted into the slits  12  of the blocking unit  10 , and then, the blocking unit  10  is thermally bonded to the tapes  20  by heating or is adhered to the tapes  20  by adhesives. Therefore, the blocking unit  10  can be easily and firmly bonded to the tapes  20 . 
         [0055]    Additionally, the blocking unit  10  may be formed by injection-molding using melts after the tapes  20  and the teeth  30  are put in an injection mold (not shown) in a state where the tapes  20  and the teeth  30  are joined together. Therefore, the blocking unit  10  can be fixed to the tapes  20  more firmly. 
         [0056]    Hereinafter, referring to  FIGS. 5 to 7 , the zipper device for blocking harmful insects according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. 
         [0057]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , when the slider  40  is inserted into the insertion groove  11  of the blocking unit  10 , the insertion groove  11  is widened to some degree ambilaterally. 
         [0058]    In this instance, when the slider  40  is moved more backwards, the slider  40  is perfectly inserted into the insertion groove  11  of the blocking unit  10  (See  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). 
         [0059]    That is, the slider  40  is tightly fit into the insertion groove  11 , and the edges of the slider  40  are in close contact with the stepped portions of the blocking unit  40 . 
         [0060]    Therefore, the blocking unit  10  and the slider  40  get in close contact with each other such that there is no gap between the blocking unit  10  and the slider  40 . Accordingly, the zipper device for blocking harmful insects according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention can prevent invasion of harmful insects because the teeth  30  are firmly interlocked with each other, and more securely prevent invasion of harmful insects because the slider  40  is firmly fit into the insertion groove  11  of the blocking unit  10  at the end portion of the teeth  30 . 
         [0061]    In the drawings, the same components have the same reference numerals even though they are illustrated in different figures, and if necessary, detailed description of the components may be omitted. 
         [0062]    As described above, while the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the example embodiments thereof, it will be understood that the above embodiments of the present invention are all exemplified and the present invention is not limited to the example embodiments. Therefore, it would be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes, modifications and equivalents may be made therein through the descriptions of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope and category of the present invention. 
         [0063]    The unit and the zipper device for blocking harmful insects according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention can prevent propagation of harmful insects by blocking invasion of the harmful insects into pillows or blankets, and thus, prevent outbreaks of diseases. 
         [0064]    Moreover, the unit and the zipper device for blocking harmful insects according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention can prevent a movement of the slider by an external impact because the blocking unit is made of a soft material such that the slider is fixed to the blocking unit tightly and firmly, and thus, it can prevent separation of the teeth. 
         [0065]    Furthermore, the unit and the zipper device for blocking harmful insects according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention is simple in structure and can minimize malfunction because the zipper device does not need a stopper, and hence, the zipper device can reduce manufacturing costs.