Waterproof Curved Zippers, And Articles Of Manufacture With Same

Abstract

An article of manufacture comprising a waterproof zipper with at least one curve, where the zipper includes a first tape and a second tape, and interlocking elements attached to the first tape and the second tape, wherein the first tape and the second tape are curved, and wherein a curve of at least one of the tapes was caused by compaction of that tape. The zipper is coated on at least one side with a fluid impervious coating.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article of manufacture comprising a zipper,
 wherein the zipper was made by a method comprising:   (A) providing a zipper with a left tape and a right tape each connected to a rail of interlocking elements;   (B) with the interlocking elements of the left tape interlocked with the interlocking elements of the right tape, putting TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) between the interlocking elements;   (C) compacting the left tape and the right tape and forming at least one curve in the zipper; and then   (D) coating one or both sides of the zipper with fluid-impervious coating; and then   (E) scoring the fluid-impervious coating along the rail.   
     
     
         2 . The article of manufacture of  claim 1 , wherein the zipper is attached to the article by stitching and/or welding and/or gluing. 
     
     
         3 . The article of manufacture of  claim 2 , wherein the stitching uses a thread that swells when wet. 
     
     
         4 . The article of manufacture of  claim 1 , wherein the zipper is substantially waterproof, and wherein additional structure is added to the article to cover at least a part of the zipper to maintain waterproofing of the article. 
     
     
         5 . The article of manufacture of  claim 1 , wherein the article is selected from: a garment, footwear, including rain boots, work boots, and hiking boots, luggage, sports equipment, boat covers, bags, pencil cases, camping equipment including tents, uniforms, snow gear, athletic wear, wetsuits, dive duffel bags, fishing clothing, backpacks, computer/laptop cases, luggage, zip-up portfolio case, zip-up storage bins for toys, sleeping bags, tents, children make up/toiletry bags, lunch bags, hats with zipper pockets, toys, toy clothing, a handbag. 
     
     
         6 . The article of manufacture of  claim 1 , wherein TPU is put between the interlocking elements in (B) after the compacting in (C). 
     
     
         7 . The article of manufacture of  claim 1 , wherein at least a curved portion of the left tape and a corresponding curved portion of the right tape are asymmetric about the interlocking elements. 
     
     
         8 . The article of manufacture of  claim 1 , wherein, after compacting in (C), the zipper has more than one curve. 
     
     
         9 . The article of manufacture of  claim 1 , wherein, in (A), the zipper is straight. 
     
     
         10 . The article of manufacture of  claim 1 , wherein, in (B), the TPU is blown and/or injected into the interlocking elements under pressure. 
     
     
         11 . The article of manufacture of  claim 1 , wherein, in (D), the coating is applied in the form of an adhesive strip. 
     
     
         12 . An article of manufacture comprising a zipper,
 wherein the zipper was made by a method comprising:   (A) providing (a) a first zipper with a first left tape and a first right tape connected to a first rail of first interlocking elements, and (b) a second zipper with a second left tape and a second right tape connected to a second rail of second interlocking elements;   (B) compacting the first left tape and the first right tape, and compacting the second left tape and the second right tape; and then   (C) forming a third zipper from the left first tape and the right second tape;   (D) with the interlocking elements of the third zipper interlocked, putting TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) between the interlocking elements of the third zipper;   (E) curving the third zipper to form at least one curve in the third zipper; and then   (F) coating one or both sides of the third zipper with fluid-impervious coating; and then   (G) scoring the fluid-impervious coating along the rail of the third zipper.   
     
     
         13 . The article of manufacture of  claim 12 , wherein the zipper is attached to the article by stitching and/or welding and/or gluing. 
     
     
         14 . The article of manufacture of  claim 13 , wherein the stitching uses a thread that swells when wet. 
     
     
         15 . The article of manufacture of  claim 14 , wherein the zipper is substantially waterproof, and wherein additional structure is added to the article to cover at least a part of the zipper to maintain waterproofing of the article. 
     
     
         16 . The article of manufacture of  claim 12  wherein the zipper is curved in (E) before putting TPU between the interlocking elements. 
     
     
         17 . The article of manufacture of  claim 12 , wherein, for the third zipper, at least a curved portion of the left first tape and a corresponding curved portion of the right second tape are asymmetric about the interlocking elements. 
     
     
         18 . The article of manufacture of  claim 12 , wherein the third zipper has more than one curve. 
     
     
         19 . The article of manufacture of  claim 12 , wherein, in (A), the first zipper is straight, and the second zipper is straight. 
     
     
         20 . The article of manufacture of  claim 12 , wherein, in (D), the TPU is blown and/or injected under pressure into the first interlocking elements and into the second interlocking elements. 
     
     
         21 . The article of manufacture of  claim 12 , wherein, in (F), the coating is applied in the form of an adhesive strip. 
     
     
         22 . An article of manufacture comprising a zipper,
 wherein the zipper was made by a method comprising:   (A) providing (a) a first zipper with a first left tape and a first right tape connected to a first rail of first interlocking elements, and (b) a second zipper with a second left tape and a second right tape connected to a second rail of second interlocking elements;   (B) with the first interlocking elements of the first zipper interlocked, putting TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) between the first interlocking elements; and with the second interlocking elements of the second zipper interlocked, putting TPU between the second interlocking elements;   (C) compacting the first left tape and the first right tape, and compacting the second left tape and the second right tape;   (D) forming a third zipper from the left first tape and the right second tape;   (E) curving the third zipper formed in (D) to form at least one curve in the third zipper; and then   (F) coating one or both sides of the third zipper with fluid-impervious coating; and then   (G) scoring the fluid-impervious coating along the rail of the third zipper.   
     
     
         23 . The article of manufacture of  claim 22 , wherein the zipper is attached to the article by stitching and/or welding and/or gluing. 
     
     
         24 . The article of manufacture of  claim 23 , wherein the stitching uses a thread that swells when wet. 
     
     
         25 . The article of manufacture of  claim 22 , wherein the zipper is substantially waterproof, and wherein additional structure is added to the article to cover at least a part of the zipper to maintain waterproofing of the article.