Breakaway slide fastener for large-scale applications and methods for using same

Abstract

A breakaway slide fastener having a single slider body can be implemented for use in connection with large-scale applications, such as covers for bedding articles, boat or automobile covers, and the like. In an exemplary embodiment, a cover for a bedding article includes a first cover portion having a first slide fastener tape, a second cover portion having a second slide fastener tape, and a single slider body configured to be maneuverable along the first slide fastener tape and the second slide fastener tape in order to bring a first row of slide fastener teeth into at least substantially interlocked arrangement with a second row of slide fastener teeth, thereby arranging the breakaway slide fastener into a closed configuration and pairing the first cover portion with the second cover portion around the bedding article. When the breakaway slide fastener is in the closed configuration, the single slider body is further configured to be maneuverable past a pliable top stop of the first slide fastener tape to permit the first row of slide fastener teeth to be separable from the second row of slide fastener teeth by a pulling force applied to at least one of the first slide fastener tape or the second slide fastener tape, thereby facilitating detachment of the first cover portion from the second cover portion.

1 . A cover for a bedding article, the cover comprising:
 a first cover portion having a first slide fastener tape of a breakaway slide fastener attached thereto, the first slide fastener tape including a first row of slide fastener teeth and a pliable top stop at an end of the first row of slide fastener teeth;   a second cover portion having a second slide fastener tape of the breakaway slide fastener attached thereto, the second slide fastener tape including a second row of slide fastener teeth and a non-pliable top stop at an end of the second row of slide fastener teeth; and   a single slider body configured to be maneuverable along the first slide fastener tape and the second slide fastener tape in order to bring the first row of slide fastener teeth into at least substantially interlocked arrangement with the second row of slide fastener teeth, thereby arranging the breakaway slide fastener in a closed configuration and pairing the first cover portion with the second cover portion around a bedding article;   wherein, when the breakaway slide fastener is in the closed configuration, the single slider body is further configured to be maneuverable past the pliable top stop of the first slide fastener tape to permit the first row of slide fastener teeth to be separable from the second row of slide fastener teeth by a pulling force applied to at least one of the first slide fastener tape or the second slide fastener tape, thereby facilitating detachment of the first cover portion from the second cover portion.   
     
     
         2 . The cover for a bedding article of  claim 1 , wherein the bedding article is a mattress for a bed. 
     
     
         3 . The cover for a bedding article of  claim 1 , wherein the bedding article is a futon cushion. 
     
     
         4 . The cover for a bedding article of  claim 1 , wherein the bedding article is a pillow. 
     
     
         5 . The cover for a bedding article of  claim 1 , wherein the slide fastener teeth of the first and second rows of slide fastener teeth are coil-type teeth. 
     
     
         6 . The cover for a bedding article of  claim 1 , wherein, when the breakaway slide fastener is arranged in the closed configuration, the pliable top stop is disposed at a position that is offset from that of the non-pliable top stop. 
     
     
         7 . The cover for a bedding article of  claim 1 , wherein the single slider body is further configured so as not to be maneuverable past the non-pliable top stop of the second slide fastener tape. 
     
     
         8 . The cover for a bedding article of  claim 1 , wherein the pulling force is a force that is applied at an angle relative to an axis defined by a direction that the single slider body is maneuverable along the first slide fastener tape and the second slide fastener tape when the breakaway slide fastener is in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         9 . A method of removing at least a portion of a cover for a bedding article, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a bedding article at least substantially entirely enveloped by a cover comprised of a first cover portion disposed at a top of the bedding article and a second cover portion disposed at a bottom of the bedding article, wherein:
 (i) the first cover portion includes a first slide fastener tape of a breakaway slide fastener attached thereto, the first slide fastener tape including a first row of slide fastener teeth and a pliable top stop at an end of the first row of slide fastener teeth; 
 (ii) the second cover portion includes a second slide fastener tape of the breakaway slide fastener attached thereto, the second slide fastener tape including a second row of slide fastener teeth and a non-pliable top stop at an end of the second row of slide fastener teeth; and 
 (iii) the first row of slide fastener teeth is in an at least substantially interlocked arrangement with the second row of slide fastener teeth, thereby pairing the first cover portion with the second cover portion; 
   (b) maneuvering a single slider body of the breakaway slide fastener along the first slide fastener tape and the second slide fastener tape to position the single slider body at the pliable top stop of the first slide fastener tape;   (c) pulling the single slider body past the pliable top stop of the first slide fastener tape so that the single slider body is no longer engaged with the first slide fastener tape; and   (d) applying a pulling force to at least one of the first slide fastener tape and the second slide fastener tape to separate the first row of slide fastener teeth from the second row of slide fastener teeth, thereby detaching the first cover portion from the second cover portion.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the bedding article is a mattress for a bed. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the bedding article is a futon cushion. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the bedding article is a pillow. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the slide fastener teeth of the first and second rows of slide fastener teeth are coil-type teeth. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the single slider body is configured so as not to be maneuverable past the non-pliable top stop of the second slide fastener tape. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein, when the first cover portion is detached from the second cover portion, the single slider body remains engaged with the second slide fastener tape. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein applying a pulling force includes applying a pulling force at an angle relative to an axis defined by a direction that the single slider body is maneuverable along the first slide fastener tape and the second slide fastener tape when the breakaway slide fastener is in a closed configuration. 
     
     
         17 . A method of replacing a portion of a cover for a bedding article, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a bedding article at least substantially entirely enveloped by a cover comprised of a first cover portion disposed at a top of the bedding article and a second cover portion disposed at a bottom of the bedding article, wherein:
 (i) the first cover portion includes a first slide fastener tape of a breakaway slide fastener attached thereto, the first slide fastener tape including a first row of slide fastener teeth and a pliable top stop at an end of the first row of slide fastener teeth; 
 (ii) the second cover portion includes a second slide fastener tape of the breakaway slide fastener attached thereto, the second slide fastener tape including a second row of slide fastener teeth and a non-pliable top stop at an end of the second row of slide fastener teeth; and 
 (iii) the first row of slide fastener teeth is in an at least substantially interlocked arrangement with the second row of slide fastener teeth, thereby pairing the first cover portion with the second cover portion; 
   (b) maneuvering a single slider body of the breakaway slide fastener along the first slide fastener tape and the second slide fastener tape to position the single slider body at the pliable top stop of the first slide fastener tape;   (c) pulling the single slider body past the pliable top stop of the first slide fastener tape so that the single slider body is no longer engaged with the first slide fastener tape;   (d) applying a pulling force to at least one of the first slide fastener tape and the second slide fastener tape to separate the first row of slide fastener teeth from the second row of slide fastener teeth, thereby detaching the first cover portion from the second cover portion; and   (e) replacing the detached first cover portion with a replacement first cover portion, the replacement first cover portion being configured to have a row of slide fastener teeth with a tooth pitch that matches a tooth pitch of the second row of slide fastener teeth of the second cover portion.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the bedding article is a mattress for a bed. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein applying a pulling force includes applying a pulling force at an angle relative to an axis defined by a direction that the single slider body is maneuverable along the first slide fastener tape and the second slide fastener tape when the breakaway slide fastener is in a closed configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 seating a pin disposed on a slide fastener tape of the replacement first cover portion with a box disposed on the second slide fastener tape of the second cover portion;   and   maneuvering the single slider body along the slide fastener tape of the replacement first cover portion and the second slide fastener tape to bring the row of slide fastener teeth of the replacement first cover portion into at least substantially interlocked arrangement with the second row of slide fastener teeth of the second cover portion, thereby pairing the replacement first cover portion with the second cover portion around the bedding article.   
     
     
         21 .- 36 . (canceled)