Patent Description:
This application relates to slide fastener sealing systems and related methods that can be used in applications involving liquids or potentially harmful gases.

Zippers and other slide fasteners can be used to fasten components that may be used in applications that may involve liquids and/or potentially harmful gases. As some non-limiting examples, zippers and other slide fasteners may be used in waterproof garments, laboratory suits, boat covers, and other applications as desired. As one non-limiting example, zippers and other slide fasteners can be used to fasten components of a waterproof garment together in a removable fashion, to allow a user to relatively easily put the garment on and take it off. In applications that may involve liquids and/or potentially harmful gases, the slide fastener should ideally not detract from the ability of the article (e.g., the waterproof garment) to resist or minimize passage of fluid and/or gas into or out of the article. While there are some sealing zippers and zipper systems on the market that have been used for this purpose, available options all have disadvantages, and there remains room for improvement.

Document <CIT> discloses a sealing element forced outwardly to seal a sealing zone in a zipper.

This patent describes improved slide fastener sealing systems and related methods.

Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary This summary is a high-level overview of various embodiments of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings, and each claim.

According to certain embodiments, a slide fastener sealing system includes a separating slide fastener that includes a first tape and a second tape, where each tape includes a first end, a second end, and fastening elements positioned along the tape. In some embodiments, the first end of the first tape overlaps and is secured to the second end of the first tape, the first end of the second tape overlaps and is secured to the second end of the second tape, and a sealing zone is located between the overlapping ends of the first and second tapes. The separating slide fastener also includes a slider configured to engage and disengage the fastening elements of the first and second tapes, the first tape being separable from the second tape when the fastening elements are disengaged In some embodiments, the sealing zone includes a passage surrounded on the passage's sides by the first and second tapes. In various embodiments, the slide fastener sealing system includes a sealing member configured to be secured to the slide fastener in a removable fashion such that at least a portion of the sealing member is positioned in the sealing zone to seal the passage. The sealing member includes a sealing body, a connector attached to the sealing body and comprising a resilient hook configured to connect the sealing member to the slide fastener, and a sealing body actuator configured to expand the sealing body.

In some embodiments, the slide fastener includes a first side seal located between the first and second ends of the first tape in the sealing zone, and a second side seal located between the first and second ends of the second tape in the sealing zone. The connector may be configured to connect to the second ends of the first and second tapes. In some aspects, the second end of one of the tapes includes a retaining box, and the connector includes a resilient hook configured to connect to the retaining box in a removable fashion. In various embodiments, the sealing member is configured such that when the connector connects the sealing member to the slide fastener, the sealing body is located adjacent the first and second side seals in the sealing zone. According to the invention, the sealing body actuator extends through the sealing body in a sliding fashion. The sealing body actuator may include a thicker portion configured to expand the sealing body when the thicker portion is slid into the sealing body. In various embodiments, the sealing body actuator includes a pull configured to extend beyond the passageway.

In various embodiments, a material of the sealing body has a Shore hardness in the range of and including <NUM>-<NUM> to Shore D-<NUM>. In some embodiments, a material of the first and second side seals has a Shore A hardness in the range of and including <NUM> to <NUM>. In certain embodiments, when the sealing member is positioned in the sealing zone and the fastening elements of the first tape are engaged with the fastening elements of the second tape, the slide fastener sealing system is configured to prevent fluid at a pressure of at least <NUM> PSI from penetrating through the sealing zone for at least <NUM> seconds.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, a slide fastener sealing system includes a separating slide fastener having a first tape and a second tape where each tape includes a first end, a second end, and fastening elements positioned along the tape. In some embodiments, the first end of the first tape overlaps and is secured to the second end of the first tape, the first end of the second tape overlaps and is secured to the second end of the second tape, and a sealing zone is located between the overlapping ends of the first and second tapes. The slide fastener may include a slider configured to engage and disengage the fastening elements of the first and second tapes, the first tape being separable from the second tape when the fastening elements are disengaged. In certain embodiments, the sealing zone includes a passage surrounded on the passage's sides by the first and second tapes. A first side seal may be located between the first and second ends of the first tape in the sealing zone, and a second side seal may be located between the first and second ends of the second tape in the sealing zone. The slide fastener sealing system also includes a sealing member according to claim <NUM> configured to be secured to the slide fastener in a removable fashion such that at least a portion of the sealing member is positioned in the sealing zone to seal the passage.

According to the present invention, a sealing member for a slide fastener sealing system includes a deformable sealing body, a connector attached to the sealing body and having a resilient hook configured to connect the sealing member to a slide fastener, and a sealing body actuator configured to deform and expand the sealing body when actuated. The sealing body actuator extends through the sealing body in a sliding fashion. In some embodiments, the material of the sealing body has a Shore A hardness in the range of and including <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to the present invention, a method of sealing a multi-piece article according to claim <NUM> is provided.

According to some embodiments that are not part of the present invention a slide fastener sealing system includes a slide fastener having a first and second tape, each tape including a first end, a second end, and fastening elements positioned along the tape. In some embodiments, the first end of the first tape overlaps and is secured to the second end of the first tape, the first end of the second tape overlaps and is secured to the second end of the second tape, and a sealing zone is located between the overlapping ends of the first and second tapes. The slide fastener sealing system may include a sealing member configured to be secured to the slide fastener in a removable fashion such that at least a portion of the sealing member is positioned in the sealing zone. In some embodiments, when the sealing member is positioned in the sealing zone and the fastening elements of the first tape are engaged with the fastening elements of the second tape, the slide fastener sealing system is configured to prevent fluid at a pressure of <NUM> PSI from penetrating through the sealing zone for <NUM> seconds.

In various embodiments, when the sealing member is positioned in the sealing zone and the fastening elements of the first tape are engaged with the fastening elements of the second tape, the slide fastener sealing system is configured to prevent fluid at a pressure of <NUM> PSI from penetrating through the sealing zone for <NUM> seconds. In some cases, when the sealing member is positioned in the sealing zone and the fastening elements of the first tape are engaged with the fastening elements of the second tape, the slide fastener sealing system is configured to prevent fluid at a pressure of <NUM> PSI from penetrating through the sealing zone for <NUM> seconds.

In some embodiments that are not part of the present invention, the slide fastener includes a first side seal located between the first and second ends of the first tape in the sealing zone, a second side seal located between the first and second ends of the second tape in the sealing zone, and the first and second side seals each include a material having a Shore A hardness in the range of and including <NUM> to <NUM>. In various embodiments, the material of the first and second side seals has a Shore A hardness in the range of and including <NUM> to <NUM>. In certain embodiments, the sealing member further includes a sealing body having a Shore A hardness in the range of and including <NUM> to <NUM>. In some cases, the material of the sealing body has a Shore A hardness in the range of and including <NUM> to <NUM>.

In various embodiments that are not part of the present invention, the slide fastener includes a first side seal located between the first and second ends of the first tape in the sealing zone, a second side seal located between the first and second ends of the second tape in the sealing zone, and the first and second side seals each include a material having a Shore A hardness in the range of and including <NUM> to <NUM>. In some cases, the sealing member includes a sealing body, and the sealing body includes a material having a Shore A hardness in the range of and including <NUM> to <NUM>. In some embodiments, the slide fastener comprises a separating slide fastener.

Various implementations described in the present disclosure can include additional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which cannot necessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.

Several examples of slide fastener sealing systems and related methods are described below. The example illustrated in <FIG> will be discussed first.

Referring to <FIG>, the sealed zipper assembly of <FIG> includes a first zipper segment <NUM> and a second zipper segment <NUM> in overlapping relation to create a sealing zone <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, sealing zone <NUM> can be viewed as forming a tunnel. Referring to <FIG>, in this regard, sealing zone <NUM> has an exterior opening <NUM> and an interior opening <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, a sealing element <NUM> that is not part of the present invention is positioned in sealing zone <NUM> to prevent leakage between first zipper segment <NUM> and second zipper segment <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, sealing element <NUM> is illustrated. Referring to <FIG>, sealing element <NUM> is resiliently deformable and is compressed within sealing zone <NUM> by first zipper segment <NUM> and second zipper segment <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, it will be noted that with this first example, first zipper segment <NUM> and second zipper segment <NUM> are part of a single interlocking zipper fastener <NUM> and create a single sealing zone, previously identified as sealing zone <NUM>. As will hereinafter be illustrated and described with reference to other examples, there can be more than one interlocking zipper fastener and more than one sealing zone.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>. interlocking zipper fastener <NUM> has a first series of interlocking teeth <NUM> supported on a band <NUM> and a second series of interlocking teeth <NUM> supported on a band <NUM>. At least one slider <NUM> is provided. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, interlocking zipper fastener <NUM> has a first end <NUM> that serves as first zipper segment <NUM> and a second end <NUM> that serves as second zipper segment <NUM> in this embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, a garment body <NUM> made with waterproof fabric consists of a first or upper discrete body component <NUM> and a second or lower discrete body component <NUM> Interlocking zipper fastener <NUM> is in a circular configuration that enables first discrete body component <NUM> to be separated from second discrete body component <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, band <NUM> supporting first series of interlocking teeth <NUM> constituting a first half of interlocking zipper fastener <NUM> is secured to first discrete body component <NUM> in a generally circular configuration to form a first half of first zipper segment <NUM> and a first half of second zipper segment <NUM> in overlapping relation. Similarly, band <NUM> supporting second series of interlocking teeth <NUM> constituting a second half of interlocking zipper fastener <NUM> is secured to second discrete body <NUM> component in a generally circular configuration to form a second half of the first zipper segment <NUM> and a second half of the second zipper segment <NUM> in overlapping relation.

Referring to <FIG>, slider <NUM> is used to slide along interlocking zipper fastener <NUM> in a first direction to bring first series of interlocking teeth <NUM> and second series of interlocking teeth <NUM> into engagement as illustrated in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, slider <NUM> slides along interlocking zipper fastener <NUM> in a second direction to disengage first series of interlocking teeth <NUM> and second series of interlocking teeth <NUM> to disengage interlocking zipper fastener <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, as slider <NUM> interlocks first series of interlocking teeth <NUM> and second series of interlocking teeth <NUM>, it completes first zipper segment <NUM> and second zipper segment <NUM>, the overlapping of which creates sealing zone <NUM>. Sealing zone <NUM> is then ready to receive sealing element <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, sealing element <NUM> has ridges <NUM> that assist in sealing. Sealing element <NUM> also has a first channel <NUM> on a first face <NUM> and a second channel <NUM> on a second face <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, First channel <NUM> receives interlocked teeth <NUM> of first zipper segment <NUM> and second channel <NUM> receives interlocked teeth <NUM> of second zipper segment <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, band <NUM> supporting first series of interlocking teeth <NUM> constituting a first half of interlocking zipper fastener <NUM> is secured to first discrete body component <NUM> in a generally circular configuration to form a first half of first zipper segment <NUM> and a first half of second zipper segment <NUM> in overlapping relation. Band <NUM> supporting second series of interlocking teeth <NUM> constituting a second half of interlocking zipper fastener <NUM> is secured to second discrete body <NUM> component in a generally circular configuration to form a second half of the first zipper segment <NUM> and a second half of the second zipper segment <NUM> in overlapping relation. Referring to <FIG>, slider <NUM> slides along interlocking zipper fastener <NUM> in a first direction to bring first series of interlocking teeth <NUM> and second series of interlocking teeth <NUM> into engagement as illustrated in <FIG>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, as slider <NUM> interlocks first series of interlocking teeth <NUM> and second series of interlocking teeth <NUM>, it completes first zipper segment <NUM> and second zipper segment <NUM> the overlapping of which creates sealing zone <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, sealing element <NUM> is compressed within sealing zone <NUM> by first zipper segment <NUM> and second zipper segment <NUM>.

There will hereinafter be described several variations that may be made to the first example described above.

The first example included a single sealing element <NUM> Referring to <FIG>, there is illustrated an alternative sealing element <NUM> that is not part of the present invention that has a first seal component <NUM> and a second seal component <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, first seal component <NUM> is wedged into and held by friction or otherwise secured to first discrete body component <NUM> Second seal component <NUM> is wedged into and held by friction or otherwise secured to second discrete body component <NUM> Referring to <FIG>, when interlocking zipper fastener <NUM> is closed, first seal component <NUM> and second seal component <NUM> are forced together to form sealing element <NUM> which fills sealing zone <NUM>.

In the first example discussed above, sealing element <NUM> was held in place by friction and was removable. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, alternative sealing element <NUM> that is not part of the present invention has a fabric strip <NUM> moulded into the elastomeric foam. Fabric strip <NUM> is used to secure alternative sealing element <NUM> to first discrete body component <NUM> This is done by stitching through fabric strip <NUM>. Fabric strip <NUM> serves to anchor alternative sealing element <NUM> to first discrete body component <NUM> in a desired position where sealing zone <NUM> is formed by the overlapping of first zipper segment <NUM> and second zipper segment <NUM> of interlocking zipper fastener <NUM>. It will be appreciated that there are other ways to secure alternative sealing element within sealing zone <NUM>.

In the first example discussed above, sealing element <NUM> was elastomeric foam. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG> an alternative sealing element <NUM> that is not part of the present invention is illustrated. Referring to <FIG>, sealing element <NUM> is a plug <NUM> that is suspended by a tether <NUM> from slider <NUM> when not in use. Referring to <FIG>, plug <NUM> is intended to be inserted into exterior opening <NUM> of sealing zone <NUM> to seal sealing zone <NUM>. It is preferred that plug <NUM> have a surface profile, such as ribs or ridges, to enhance both the sealing capacity and the holding capacity of plug <NUM>. It will be appreciated that there are other raised surface profiles that would similarly serve this purpose.

In the first example discussed above, first zipper segment <NUM> and second zipper segment <NUM> are positioned substantially parallel to interlocking zipper fastener <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, first zipper segment <NUM> and second zipper segment <NUM> which form sealing zone <NUM>, can be configured so that they project outwardly or radially from interlocking zipper fastener <NUM>.

In the first example discussed above, there was only one interlocking zipper fastener <NUM> and only one sealing zone <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, there is shown a configuration that has more than one interlocking zipper fastener <NUM> and more than one sealing zone <NUM>. With this configuration, first end <NUM> of one interlocking zipper fastener <NUM> serves as first zipper segment <NUM> and second end <NUM> of another interlocking zipper fastener <NUM> serves as second zipper segment <NUM> to create a first sealing zone <NUM>. In addition, first end <NUM> of interlocking zipper fastener <NUM> serves as first zipper segment <NUM> and second end <NUM> of interlocking zipper fastener <NUM> serves as second zipper segment <NUM> to create a second sealing zone <NUM>. It will be appreciated that although two interlocking zipper fasteners <NUM> and <NUM> have been illustrated in a circular configuration more than two interlocking zipper fastener could also be arranged in a circular configuration in a like manner.

It is not unusual for a garment intended for use in water, such as garment body <NUM> to have air transfer valves, to provide for air movement. Referring to <FIG>, alternative sealing element <NUM> that is not part of the present invention is shown with an air transfer tube <NUM> extending through the body of alternative sealing element <NUM>. Air transfer tube <NUM> allows for movement of air in and out of garment body <NUM>. When garment body <NUM> is to be submerged in water or another liquid, a closure valve <NUM> can be used to close air transfer tube <NUM>.

In the first example discussed above, sealing element <NUM> was compressed. Referring to <FIG>, a bladder like alternative sealing element <NUM> is shown which is expandable like a balloon. Alternative sealing element <NUM> that is not part of the present invention has a tube <NUM> into which a user may blow to inflate alternative sealing element <NUM> and a closure valve <NUM> that is to maintain air pressure within alternative sealing element <NUM>. When expanded, alternative sealing element <NUM> expands to occupy sealing zone <NUM>.

Another alternative sealing element that is not part of the present invention is positioned between two clamping elements with at least one of the clamping elements being movable toward and away from another of the clamping elements As the clamping elements are moving closer together, the sealing element is forced outwardly to seal the sealing zone. Referring to <FIG>, one such clamping configuration is illustrated. Alternative sealing element <NUM> has a bolt <NUM> that runs through it lengthwise. There is a nut <NUM> on one end of the bolt <NUM> and a twist knob <NUM> on the other end of bolt <NUM>. Nut <NUM> serves as one clamping element and twist knob <NUM> serves as another clamping element. Turing twist knob <NUM> causes axial movement that compresses alternative sealing element <NUM> between twist knob <NUM> and nut <NUM>. When compressed, alternative sealing element <NUM> expands outwardly increasing the circumference of alternative sealing element <NUM> until alternative sealing element <NUM> seals the sealing zone.

It will be appreciated that not all zippers can function in a liquid environment. In order to avoid leakage, one may wish to use a waterproof zipper. It will also be appreciated that there are a number of different styles of waterproof zippers.

In order for the sealing elements described above to be effective, one may wish to take extra precautions to address potential leakage points along stitches and seams.

Referring to <FIG>. stitches <NUM> are used to secure interlocking zipper fastener <NUM> in place. Referring to <FIG>, waterproof tape <NUM> is heat sealed or secured by adhesive to reverse side of stitches <NUM> to prevent liquids weeping through stitches <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, sealing zone <NUM> has edge seams <NUM> that are subject to leakage. Referring to <FIG>, leakage can be addressed by sealing edge seams <NUM> with pliable edge moulding <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, leakage can also be addressed by sealing edge seams <NUM> by using a bead <NUM> of polymer caulking compound.

<FIG> show an example of a slide fastener sealing system <NUM> according to the invention, featuring improvements, modifications, and alternatives to the slide fastener sealing systems described above. The system <NUM> shown in <FIG> includes a slide fastener <NUM> and a sealing member <NUM>. The slide fastener sealing system <NUM> may be incorporated into multi-piece waterproof garments or other multi-piece sealed systems to allow the pieces of those systems to be fastened together in a removable fashion while still providing for sealing of those systems against fluid leakage through the slide fastener sealing system.

<FIG> and <FIG> show the slide fastener <NUM> of <FIG> in more detail, with <FIG> showing a cross-section of the slide fastener The slide fastener <NUM> includes two tapes <NUM>, with each tape having a series of fastening elements <NUM> positioned along the tape. Although not shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the slide fastener <NUM> may include a slider (similar to, for example, the slider <NUM> shown in <FIG>), which is configured to engage and disengage the fastening elements <NUM> of the two tapes <NUM> when slid along the slide fastener <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, one end of the two tapes <NUM> overlaps the other end of the two tapes <NUM> (only the overlapping and adjacent length of the slide fastener is shown in these Figures). The slide fastener <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> may be formed in a loop, similar to the loop shown in <FIG>. Although <FIG> shows a slide fastener formed in a circular loop, other looped shapes and configurations are also possible As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the overlapping ends of each tape <NUM> are secured together along their edges <NUM>. This may be done by heat sealing the edges of the ends of the tape together or in other manners As shown in <FIG>, the slide fastener <NUM> includes side seals <NUM> (discussed later below) in the interior where the overlapping ends of the tapes <NUM> are joined together.

The slide fastener shown in this example is a separating slide fastener, in which the two tapes <NUM> may be completely detached from one another and reattached in normal use. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the separating slide fastener includes a retaining box <NUM> at the end of the series of fastening elements <NUM> of one of the tapes <NUM>, and an insert pin <NUM> at the end of the series of fastening elements <NUM> of the other tape <NUM>. The insert pin <NUM> may be inserted into retaining box <NUM> and the slider slid along the fastening elements <NUM> to fasten the two tapes <NUM> together. The slider may be slid in an opposite direction and the insert pin <NUM> removed from the retaining box <NUM> to separate the two tapes <NUM> from one another.

As shown in <FIG>, with the slide fastener <NUM> looped with one end of the tapes <NUM> overlapping the other end and the edges <NUM> of the tapes <NUM> secured together, a passage <NUM> is formed between the overlapping ends. When the slide fastener <NUM> is incorporated into a waterproof garment or other sealed system, the passage <NUM> is a place in which water, another liquid, or a gas could penetrate into or out of the system via open ends of the passage <NUM> where the tapes <NUM> are no longer overlapping. As discussed further below, the passage <NUM> defines a sealing zone for receiving sealing member <NUM> in order to resist fluid penetration through the passage <NUM>.

<FIG> show an example of a sealing member according to the invention <NUM> that may be inserted into the passage <NUM> of slide fastener <NUM> to resist fluid penetration through the passage <NUM> In this particular example, the sealing member <NUM> includes three components: a connector <NUM>, a sealing body <NUM>, and a sealing body actuator <NUM>.

The connector component <NUM> is shown disassociated from the rest of the sealing member assembly <NUM> in <FIG> and <FIG>. The connector <NUM> is configured to connect the sealing member <NUM> to the slide fastener <NUM>. According to the invention as shown in <FIG>, the connector <NUM> includes a resilient hook <NUM> that hooks around an end of the tapes <NUM> of the slide fastener <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the resilient hook <NUM> includes a ramped surface <NUM>, a recess <NUM>, and a protrusion <NUM> that engage and receive the retaining box <NUM> and insert pin <NUM> of the slide fastener <NUM> to secure the sealing member <NUM> in place on an end of the slide fattener tapes <NUM>. The connector <NUM> also includes an aperture <NUM> for receiving sealing body actuator <NUM> in a sliding fashion, as discussed in further detail below.

The connector <NUM> shown in <FIG> and <FIG> includes arms <NUM> that connect and anchor the connector <NUM> to the sealing body <NUM>, which may be molded onto the connector <NUM> during manufacture. The sealing body <NUM> may be formed from a soft, deformable material. The sealing body <NUM> may have a base shape in which the sealing body <NUM> is not deformed. As discussed in greater detail below, the sealing body <NUM> may be selectively deformed and expanded from the base shape using the sealing body actuator <NUM>. The sealing body <NUM> is shown disassociated from the rest of sealing member assembly <NUM> in <FIG>. The sealing body <NUM> has outer sidewalls <NUM> that are shaped and otherwise configured to conform to the shape of side seals <NUM> of the slide fastener <NUM> (see, for example, <FIG> discussed further below). The sealing body includes grooved top and bottom surfaces <NUM> configured to receive and conform to the fastening elements <NUM> of the slide fastener <NUM>, and also to provide clearance through which the slider can move. As with the connector <NUM>, the sealing body <NUM> includes an aperture <NUM> for receiving sealing body actuator <NUM> in a sliding fashion.

The sealing body actuator <NUM> is shown disassociated from the rest of the sealing member <NUM> in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the sealing body actuator <NUM> tapers between a thicker end <NUM> and a narrower end <NUM>. When the thicker end <NUM> is moved further into the sealing body <NUM>, the deformable sealing body <NUM> will expand from its base shape to accommodate the thicker end <NUM> Conversely, when the narrower end <NUM> is moved further into the sealing body <NUM>, the deformable sealing body <NUM> will contract back towards its base shape. It will be appreciated that the deformable sealing body <NUM> may not return completely to its base shape when the narrower end <NUM> is in the sealing body <NUM>. The sealing body actuator <NUM> shown in <FIG> can be connected towards the narrower end <NUM> to a pull, such as the tether <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The pull may be used to draw the thicker end <NUM> of the sealing body actuator <NUM> into the sealing body <NUM>, to deform the sealing body <NUM> and cause it to expand. As shown in <FIG>. the sealing body actuator <NUM> includes an aperture <NUM> to which the pull may be connected. As also shown in <FIG>, the sealing body actuator <NUM> includes a grip <NUM> at its thicker end <NUM>, which may be used to draw the thicker end <NUM> of the sealing body actuator <NUM> from the sealing body <NUM>. causing the sealing body <NUM> to contract. The narrower end of actuator <NUM> may also extend beyond the end of the sealing body <NUM>, allowing the actuator <NUM> to be pushed to move the narrower end <NUM> of the actuator <NUM> into the sealing body <NUM> to contract the sealing body <NUM>.

Although not specifically shown in the Figures, the sealing body actuator <NUM> and/or the pull connected to the actuator <NUM> may be sufficiently long such that it extends beyond the end of the passage <NUM> formed by the overlapping ends of the slide fastener <NUM> and/or is otherwise accessible from the outside of the garment or other waterproof construct in which the slide fastener sealing system <NUM> is being used.

The slide fastener sealing system <NUM> of <FIG> may be used by connecting the sealing member <NUM> to an end of the slide fastener <NUM>, sliding the slide fasteners slider to engage the fastening elements <NUM> and close the slide fastener <NUM> over the top of the sealing member <NUM>, and actuating the sealing body actuator <NUM> to deform sealing body <NUM> such that it expands Actuating the sealing body actuator <NUM> may conform the sealing body <NUM> to the side seals <NUM> and interiors of the tapes <NUM>, thereby sealing the passage <NUM> to resist fluid penetration therethrough. Actuating the sealing body actuator <NUM> may also conform the sealing body <NUM> to the elements of the slide fastener, which may form a seal with the elements of the slide fastener to resist fluid penetration therethrough.

<FIG> show the sealing member <NUM> installed in the passage <NUM> of the slide fastener <NUM>, such that the sealing body <NUM> of the sealing member <NUM> is adjacent the side seals <NUM> of the slide fastener <NUM> in a sealing zone of the passage <NUM>. Both the sealing body <NUM> and the side seals <NUM> are made of relatively soft, compliant material to facilitate the formation of a fluid-tight seal that plugs the interior of the passage <NUM>. In one example the sealing body <NUM> includes a material having a Shore hardness in the range of and including OO-<NUM> to Shore D-<NUM>, such as a hardness in the range of Shore A-<NUM> to Shore-A <NUM>, such as hardness in the range of and including Shore-A <NUM> to Shore-A <NUM>. In one non-limiting example, the sealing body <NUM> may include a Shore-A <NUM> elastomeric material. In one example, the side seals <NUM> include material having a Shore hardness in the range of and including OO-<NUM> to Shore D-<NUM>, such as a hardness in the range of and including Shore-A <NUM> to Shore-A <NUM>, or in some instances in the range of and including Shore-A <NUM> to Shore-A <NUM>. The side seals may include a Shore-A <NUM> urethane material. Shore hardness may be measured, for example, using a durometer and by following the testing procedures set out in ASTM D2240.

The slide fastener sealing system <NUM> of <FIG> may be relatively impermeable to penetration by fluids, including liquids and/or gasses. The slide fastener <NUM> itself may be a waterproof zipper such as, for example, the YKK® AQUASEAL® zipper. As described above, the sealing member <NUM> may be used to resist penetration by fluids through a passage <NUM> between overlapping ends of the slide fastener <NUM> that are secured together to form a passage.

For example, the slide fastener sealing system <NUM> may resist fluid penetration at a pressure of at least <NUM> PSI for <NUM> seconds. In another example, the slide fastener sealing system <NUM> may resist fluid penetration at a pressure of at least <NUM> PSI for <NUM> seconds. In another example, the slide fastener sealing system <NUM> may resist fluid penetration at a pressure of at least <NUM> PSI for <NUM> seconds. In another example, the slide fastener sealing system <NUM> may resist fluid penetration at a pressure between <NUM> PSI and <NUM> PSI for <NUM> seconds In these examples, the slide fastener sealing system <NUM> is resistant to fluid penetration through the slide fastener <NUM> itself and through the passage <NUM> in which the sealing member <NUM> is positioned.

Hydrostatic pressure testing methods may be used to measure resistance to fluid penetration, for instance the hydrostatic pressure testing method set out in Section <NUM> of A-A-55634C Commercial Item Description for Zippers (Fasteners, Slide Interlocking) authorized by the General Services Administration of the United States Federal government (Oct. <NUM>, <NUM> version).

<FIG> schematically illustrates an example of a hydrostatic pressure testing method. It should be noted that <FIG> shows a generic zipper sample, and does not specifically show a slide fastener sealing system including a slide fastener and a sealing member. To test a slide fastener sealing system including a slide fastener and a sealing member, such as the slide fastener sealing system shown in <FIG>, a length of sample such as what is shown in <FIG> may be installed in the testing apparatus of <FIG>, with the slide fastener in a closed configuration, the sealing member positioned in the passage formed by the overlapping ends of the slide fastener, and the sealing body in an expanded configuration inside the passage. To perform the test, the sample is installed in the testing apparatus such that it is sealed at all of its edges by gaskets, is then immersed in water (e.g. the entire sample is covered to a depth of approximately <NUM> inch), and is then subjected to air pressure for a certain length of time while the top of the sample is observed for air leaks (e.g. bubbles).

The sealing elements described herein may be constructed from various materials suitable for selectively forming a seal with another component, and the sealing elements are not limited to elastomeric foam. As some non-limiting examples, in other embodiments the sealing elements may be various elastomeric deformable materials, a thermoplastic elastomer, combinations thereof, or other various materials as desired.

While the slide fastener sealing systems described herein are discussed in the context of a waterproof garment, they are by no means so limited Instead, the slide fastener sealing systems may be used in other applications that may involve liquid and/or potentially harmful gases, including but not limited to boat covers, laboratory suits, bags, cases, and other applications as desired. Moreover, the slide fastener sealing systems may be used in other applications that do not necessarily involve liquid and/or potentially harmful gases.

Claim 1:
A sealing member (<NUM>) for a slide fastener (<NUM>) sealing system (<NUM>), the sealing member (<NUM>) comprising:
(a) a deformable sealing body (<NUM>);
(b) a connector (<NUM>) attached to the sealing body (<NUM>), the connector (<NUM>) comprising a resilient hook (<NUM>) configured to connect the sealing member (<NUM>) to a slide fastener (<NUM>), and
(c) a sealing body actuator (<NUM>) configured to deform and expand the sealing body (<NUM>) when actuated, wherein the sealing body actuator (<NUM>) extends through the sealing body (<NUM>) in a sliding fashion.