Patent Publication Number: US-2019166936-A1

Title: Non-interlocking magnetic zipper

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority from provisional U.S. Application No. 62/373,199, filed Aug. 10, 2016, and PCT Application No. PCT/US17/33423, filed May 18, 2017, both of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention generally relates to a zipper, and more particularly relates to a magnetic non-interlocking zipper. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
     Typical zippers are interlocking fastening mechanisms having metal or plastic teeth which interconnect in response to movement of a slider along a track. They are used today as closures in many personal, industrial, and military applications, including apparel, accessories, and containers. 
     However, interlocking zippers are prone to breakage. Repeated usage can cause wear on the teeth, slider, or other zipper components. Breakage of even a single tooth or other component from wear can render the zipper inoperable. Depending on the result, user embarrassment or irritability can result, valuables may be lost or damaged, and zipper replacement costs may be incurred. 
     Additionally, interlocking zippers can result in injury to the fabric or user. As the slider moves along the track, the zipper teeth or slider may catch on the bias tape or the underlying apparel. As a result, the zipper may pinch and stick to the fabric, which not only wears out the fabric but may cause tears in the fabric if too much force is used to reposition the zipper. Moreover, if the zipper pinches a user&#39;s skin, harm to the user can evidently result. This risk of harm is especially likely in children, who tend to excitedly slide the zipper during use and are therefore more prone to accidentally pinching themselves. Moreover, the colorful coating that is typically applied to these zippers may be composed of harmful chemicals, therefore increasing the risk of harm to children and other users as well as to the environment. 
     Hence, there is a need for a zipper that minimizes the risks of breakage and injury typically caused by interlocking mechanisms. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides for a magnetic non-interlocking zipper which incorporates first and second magnetic strips with opposite-facing magnetic poles that attract and connect together in response to movement of a magnetic slider which is mounted on and receives the second magnetic strip. 
     The first and second magnetic strips include distal and proximal ends. As used herein, the terms “distal” and “proximal” represent locations relative to a user&#39;s head when the zipper is applied to donned clothing and vertically zipped-up. Thus, the slider is positioned at the distal ends of the zipper when the zipper is in an open configuration, and at the proximal ends of the zipper when the zipper is 
     The second magnetic strip includes a flexible, magnetic flap that is configured to repel the first magnetic strip and thus disable the magnetic attraction between the first and second strips based on the position of the magnetic slider. In particular, as the magnetic slider moves proximally along the second magnetic strip, the magnetic flap rotates or revolves away from the first magnetic strip, thereby removing the repulsive force against the first magnetic strip and allowing the first and second magnetic strip to connect and close the zipper. Similarly, as the magnetic slider moves distally along the second magnetic strip, the magnetic flap rotates or revolves back towards the first magnetic strip, thereby renewing the repulsive force against the first magnetic strip and allowing the first and second magnetic strip to disconnect and open the zipper. 
     In this way, the zipper of the present invention does not use teeth or other similar interlocking mechanisms to operate, but instead uses attractive and repulsive magnetic forces to connect the pair of magnetic strips. As a result, the zipper solves the aforementioned problems of breakage and injury associated with traditional interlocking zippers, results in less injuries than traditional zippers, is more child-safe, has improved durability, has lower risk of breakage, and has less risk of becoming stuck during use. 
     Accordingly, a non-interlocking magnetic zipper is provided including a first magnetic strip having proximal and distal ends and including a first tape and a first link, a second magnetic strip having proximal and distal ends and including a second tape and a second link, and a magnetic slider connected between the first strip and the second strip and configured to receive the second magnetic strip. The zipper includes an open configuration in which the first and second link are disconnected from each other when the magnetic slider is positioned at the distal ends of the first and second magnetic strips, and a closed configuration in which the first and second link are magnetically connected together when the magnetic slider is positioned at the proximal ends of the first and second magnetic strips. 
     The second magnetic strip includes a flap flexibly disposed between the second tape and the second link. The flap is magnetically configured to repel the first link. As the magnetic slider moves proximally along the second magnetic strip towards the proximal ends, the second tape is magnetically configured to attract the flap and allow magnetic connection of the first link and second link. Similarly, as the magnetic slider moves distally along the second magnetic strip towards the distal ends, the magnetic slider is magnetically configured to attract the flap and allow disconnection of the first link from the second link. 
     To control the attractive and repulsive magnetic forces of the zipper, the second tape has a stronger magnetic flux than that of the second link, and the magnetic slider has a stronger magnetic flux than that of the second tape. Moreover, the magnetic slider has a slider proximal end and a slider distal end, and the magnetic slider has a stronger magnetic flux at the slider proximal end than at the slider distal end. The second tape also may include a raised platform which is magnetically configured to attract the flap. Moreover, the magnetic slider includes a crown such as a semicircular pull tab projecting from the body which is magnetically configured to repel the flap. 
     The magnetic slider includes a body having top and bottom lips defining a cavity between the top and bottom lips. The cavity is configured to receive the second link of the second magnetic strip. The magnetic slider may also include a projection extending from the body within the cavity. This projection is configured to be slidably received into a track disposed within the second link. The zipper additionally may include an extended portion at the proximal and distal ends of the first and second magnetic strips which includes the track as well as one or more recesses configured to receive the magnetic slider. 
     The zipper may include rare earth magnets or programmable magnets which may be inserted or printed into the zipper. Additionally, the zipper may be 3D printed or 4D printed. 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments which, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. 
     This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       One or more embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a magnetic non-interlocking zipper according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, including a first and second magnetic strip, a magnetic slider positioned at the distal ends of the magnetic strips, and a flexible magnetic flap, the zipper being illustrated in an open configuration, in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the second magnetic strip used in the zipper of  FIG. 1  illustrating the flexible magnetic flap in a resting state before magnetic forces are applied, in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the magnetic slider used in the zipper of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a top, plan view of the zipper of  FIG. 1  illustrating movement of the magnetic slider towards the proximal ends of the magnetic strips, resulting in partial movement of the flexible magnetic flap and partial connection of the magnetic strips, in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the zipper of  FIG. 1  in which the magnetic slider has been moved to the proximal ends of the magnetic strips resulting in their complete connection, the zipper being illustrated in a closed configuration, in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the subject matter of the present disclosure. Appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attached hereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are not intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possible embodiments for the claimed invention. 
     As used in the description herein and throughout the claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise: the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” The term “based upon” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, in the subject description, the word “exemplary” is used to mean serving as an example, instance or illustration. Any embodiment or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete manner. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a non-interlocking magnetic zipper  10  is provided including a first magnetic strip  12  (see  FIG. 1 ), a second magnetic strip  14  (see  FIG. 2 ), and a magnetic slider  16  (see  FIG. 3 ) connected between the first and second strips. The zipper  10  may be plastic or metal, or it may be any other monofilament or polyfilament material. The magnetic strips  12 ,  14  and the slider  16  preferably incorporate programmable magnets such as those marketed under the brand Polymagnet®, although general rare-earth magnets such as neodymium or other magnets can alternatively be used. 
     Each magnetic strip includes a distal end  18  and a proximal end  20 . The magnetic slider is positioned at the distal ends  18  of the magnetic strips when the zipper is in an open configuration, as shown in  FIG. 1 , and at the proximal ends  20  of the magnetic strips when the zipper is in a closed configuration, as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     The first magnetic strip  12  includes a tape  22  and a link  24 . Tape  22  may be a fabric material, as in bias tape, or it may be plastic, metal, or any other monofilament or polyfilament material. Link  24  is magnetic and may vary in length relative to tape  22 . 
     The second magnetic strip  14  also includes a tape  26  and a link  28 . Tape  26  may be a fabric material, as in bias tape, or it may be plastic, metal, or any other monofilament or polyfilament material. Tape  26  also includes a raised platform  27 , which may be part of tape  26  or a separate component. Both tape  26  (and/or raised platform  27 ) and link  28  are magnetic and are designed to have opposite poles facing those of link  24  such that the first and second magnetic strips  12  and  14  attract. 
     A magnetic flap  30  is flexibly disposed on the second magnetic strip  14  between tape  26  and link  28 . The flap is magnetically designed to have like poles facing those of link  24  of the first magnetic strip such that the flap repels link  24  (see  FIGS. 1 and 4 ). The flap is also magnetically designed to have opposite poles facing those of the tape  26  such that the flap attracts towards tape  26  (see  FIG. 5 ). 
     The magnetic slider  16  includes a body  32  having top and bottom lips  34 ,  36  defining a cavity  38  (see  FIG. 3 ) which receives the link  28  of the second magnetic strip  14 . To facilitate movement of the slider along the second magnetic strip, a track  40  is disposed within link  28  (see  FIG. 2 ), and the slider includes a projection  42  extending from the body  32  within cavity  38  which is slidably received into the track. 
     The magnetic slider  16  is magnetically designed to have opposite poles facing those of the link  24  of the first magnetic strip such that slider  16  and link  24  attract and connect as shown in  FIG. 1 . Consequently, the slider  16  will have like poles facing those of the link  28  of the second magnetic strip such that slider  16  and link  28  repel. However, due to the attractive force of the link  24  on the slider  16  as well as the opposing repulsive forces exerted by link  28  on the top and bottom lips  34 ,  36  of the body, the net magnetic force applied on the slider allows the slider to maintain its position relative to the second magnetic strip  14  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     A crown  44  also projects from the body  32  of the magnetic slider  16  which may be semi-circularly shaped to act as a pull tab. The crown  44  is magnetically designed to have like poles facing those of the flap  30  such that the crown  44  repels the flap  30 . 
     In order to allow the above-described components to interoperate as a zipper, the magnetic strips  12 ,  14  and magnetic slider  16  (the part on the cranium that touches/kisses on the strip on  24 ) are designed to have different strengths of magnetic field or flux. In particular, the raised platform  27  is designed to have a stronger magnetic flux than link  28 , and the body  32  and lips  34 ,  36  of the slider are designed in combination to have an even stronger magnetic flux than the raised platform  27  and crown  44  individually. This difference in magnetic field strengths may accomplished by sizing the link  24 , the tape  26 , and the body  32  of slider to have increased respective material densities or thicknesses, as represented in the illustrated embodiment, for example, by incorporation of the raised platform  27  onto the tape  26 . The raised platform  27  may be an extension of tape  26 , thereby providing increased magnetic field strength to tape  26 , or alternatively may be a separate magnetic component with its own magnetic flux. Consequently, due to the variation in magnetic field strengths, the flap  30  will attract towards the tape  26  when the magnetic slider  16  is distant, but attract towards the magnetic slider  16  when the slider is nearby, subject of course to repulsive forces by the crown  44 . In addition, for industrial manufacturing purposes the magnetic fluxes do not have to be different in order to function and operate. In one embodiment, a magnetic flux of the slider  16 , the link  24 , the raised platform  27 , the link  28 , the flap  30 , the body  32 , the track  40 , the projection  42 , and the crown  44  is the same. 
     In one embodiment, moreover, the body  32  and crown  44  of the magnetic slider  16  are designed to have different strengths of magnetic field or flux. In particular, the body  32  and crown  44  are magnetically designed such that their magnetic field strengths or flux at the slider&#39;s proximal end  46  are stronger than at the slider&#39;s distal end  47 . In this way, body  32  attracts the portion of the flap proximal to the slider up to the proximal ends  20  of the magnetic strips  12 ,  14 , while crown  44  repels that portion into an arc-shaped configuration as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . In contrast, tape  26  or platform  27  attracts the portion of the flap distal to the slider as shown in  FIG. 5  and described above. 
     The operation of zipper  10  is hereafter described with reference to  FIGS. 1, 4, and 5 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the flap  30  is initially attracted to the body  32  of the magnetic slider  16  due to the slider&#39;s superior magnetic field strength or flux compared to that of tape  26  or platform  27 . Simultaneously, the crown  44  of the slider repels the flap  30 , thus resulting in the flap&#39;s illustrated arc-shaped configuration. Additionally, the flap repels the link  24  of the first magnetic strip  12 , thereby preventing link  24  from connecting to the link  28  of the second magnetic strip  14 . The magnetic forces thus result in the zipper  10  being in an open configuration. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 4 , as the magnetic slider  16  is moved proximally along the track  40  of the second magnetic strip  14  towards proximal ends  20 , the net magnetic force applied to the flap  30  in the direction of tape  26  or platform  27  increases. This force consequently draws the flap  30  onto raised platform  27 , the drawn portion of the flap being represented herein by distal portion  48 . In response to this movement, the repulsive magnetic force previously applied by the distal portion  48  of the flap to the link  24  is removed, thereby allowing the corresponding portion of link  24  of the first magnetic strip  12  to attract to and connect with opposite portion of link  28  of the second magnetic strip  14 . Connection of the first and second magnetic strips  12 ,  14  thus continues as the slider  16  moves proximally along the track  40  until the slider reaches the proximal ends  20  of the strips as shown in  FIG. 5 , resulting in the closed configuration of the zipper  10 . 
     Similar principles apply when opening the zipper  10  from the closed configuration. As the magnetic slider  16  moves back distally along the track  40  of the second magnetic strip  14  towards distal ends  18 , the net magnetic force applied to the flap  30  in the direction of the body  32  of the slider increases. This force consequently draws the flap towards the body  32  of slider  16 , the drawn portion of the flap being represented herein by proximal portion  54  in  FIG. 4 . Additionally, the crown  44  of the slider  16  repels the proximal portion  54  of the flap  30 , thus resulting in the flap&#39;s arc-shaped configuration over the slider. As a result, the repulsive magnetic force previously applied by proximal portion  54  to the link  24  is renewed, thereby repelling and disconnecting the links of the first and second magnetic strips  12 ,  14 . Disconnection of the first and second magnetic strips  12 ,  14  thus continues as the slider  16  moves distally along the track  40  until the slider reaches the distal ends  18  of the strips as shown in  FIG. 1 , resulting again in the open configuration of the zipper  10 . 
     Additionally, the zipper  10  may include an extended portion  56  (see  FIG. 4 ) at the distal ends  18  of the first and second magnetic strips  12 ,  14  through which the track  40  extends to prevent further distal movement of the slider  16 . The extended portion  56  includes one or more recesses  58  which can receive the slider  16  as it distally moves along the track, thereby allowing the entire flap  30  to be attracted towards the slider and resulting in a completely open configuration. 
     Similarly, the zipper may include an extended portion  60  at the proximal ends  20  of the first and second magnetic strips  12 ,  14  through which the track  40  extends to prevent further proximal movement of the slider  16 . The extended portion  60  also includes one or more recesses  62  which can receive the slider  16  as it proximally moves along the track, thereby allowing the entire flap  30  to be attracted towards the tape  26  or platform  27  and resulting in a completely closed configuration. 
     Various advantages of the zipper of the present invention are contemplated. The zipper does not interlock, therefore reducing the risk of breakage and injury inherent in traditional interlocking zippers. The zipper can be applied for common and industrial use such as infant, toddler and children&#39;s wear in replacement of traditional zippers. The zipper can improve the safety and durability of personal apparel and children&#39;s wear, military gear, and other applications, and it can be easier to fix and require less materials to create than typical zippers. The zipper can also be easily dyed without the harmful effects of paint or finish coating, and can be machine washable. The components of the zipper may also be covered or concealed with fabric for aesthetic purposes without affecting the zipper&#39;s magnetic functionality. 
     The various components of the zipper can be molded and manufactured according to various principles known to those of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the first and second magnetic strips and magnetic slider may be manufactured by injecting monofilament or polyfilament material into molds of the individual components, and by inserting magnets into the structures as they are being manufactured. Alternatively, the strips and slider may be manufactured by directly injecting magnetic material into the molds. The manufactured zipper can thereafter be inserted into a manufactured good. 
     The zipper components can alternatively be 3D or 4D printed to simplify the manufacturing process. For example, monofilament or polyfilament material can be printed to form the zipper of the present invention. The magnetic slider can be easily replaced if it detaches from a printed zipper by purchasing or printing a replacement component. Programmable magnets such as those marketed under the brand Polymagnet® can also be manufacturer-printed into the strips and slider with a predetermined magnetic flux depending on the zipper&#39;s application. The zipper can be easily printed and replicable for use in various personal, industrial, or military applications. In space, where manufactured replacement zipper components may be in short supply and where gear, clothing, containers, or other goods need to be immediately repaired, this printing capability can be especially useful. 
     While the foregoing disclosure discusses illustrative embodiments, it should be noted that various changes and modifications could be made herein without departing from the scope of the described embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Accordingly, the described embodiments are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, although elements of the described embodiments may be described or claimed in the singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. Additionally, all or a portion of any embodiment may be utilized with all or a portion of any other embodiments, unless stated otherwise.