Anti-jamming zipper apparatus

Abstract

An anti-jamming zipper apparatus, and systems and methods for using the same, are provided. The apparatus can include a first portion having a first front and back wall and is adjacent to a second portion having a second front and back wall. The front and back walls can be concave and angled away from a central axis of the first and second portion and can facilitate a more effective means of restoring the zipper when debris and clothing material obstructs its range of motion. The apparatus can include a tape separator connected to the first and second portions, a track, and two track branches. A front point can extend from the front walls and a back point can extend from the back walls. The apparatus can include a divider connected to the first portion and a ramp connected between the divider and front point. The apparatus can also include at least one protrusion on at least one wall.

1 . A zipper apparatus, comprising:
 a first portion having a first front wall and a first back wall; and   a second portion adjacent to the first portion, the second portion having a second front wall and a second back wall, each of the first and second front walls and the first and second back walls being angled relative to a central axis common to each the first and second portions.   
     
     
         2 . The zipper apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion is connected to the second portion by a tape separator, and further comprising a track positioned between the first portion and second portion, the track split by the tape separator to form a first track branch and a second track branch. 
     
     
         3 . The zipper apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second front walls and the first and second back walls are at least partially concaved in shape. 
     
     
         4 . The zipper apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a front point extending from the first front wall, the second front wall, and the tape separator. 
     
     
         5 . The zipper apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a back point extending from the first and second back walls. 
     
     
         6 . The zipper apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first opening formed on each of the first and second front walls and extending to the first track branch;   a second opening formed on each of the first and second front walls and extending to the second track branch; and   a third opening formed on the back point and extending to the track.   
     
     
         7 . The zipper apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a divider located on the first portion and connected to the front point by a ramp. 
     
     
         8 . The zipper apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a first protrusion extending from the first front wall and a second protrusion extending from the second front wall. 
     
     
         9 . The zipper apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a third protrusion extending from the first back wall and a fourth protrusion extending from the second back wall. 
     
     
         10 . The zipper apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein an angle defining the angle of the front point is between 45 degrees and 70 degrees. 
     
     
         11 . The zipper apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein an angle defining the angle of the front point is between 45 degrees and 65 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The zipper apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein an angle defining the angle of the front point is between 55 degrees and 65 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The zipper apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second openings are at least partially concave in shape. 
     
     
         14 . The zipper apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a first back opening wall located on the first opening and angled away from the back point; and   a second back opening wall located on the second opening and angled away from the back point.   
     
     
         15 . A zipper apparatus, comprising:
 a first portion having a first front wall and a first back wall;   a second portion adjacent to the first portion and having a second front wall and a second back wall;   a first opening located on the front walls and a second opening located on the front walls;   a back point extending from the back walls; and   a third opening on the back point,   the first front wall and second front wall being configured to push material away from the first and second openings, and the back point, the first back wall, and the second back wall being configured to push material away from the third opening.   
     
     
         16 . The zipper apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a tape separator connected to and between the first portion and the second portion and configured to separate a first tape and a second tape. 
     
     
         17 . The zipper apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a front point integrated with a ramp; and
 the front point and the ramp are configured to push material away from the first and second openings.   
     
     
         18 . The zipper apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a back point configured to push material away from the third opening. 
     
     
         19 . The zipper apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a first opening configured to transfer a tape between an external environment and a track;
 a second opening configured to transfer a tape between an external environment and the track; and   a third opening configured to transfer a tape between an external environment and the track.   
     
     
         20 . The zipper apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a first protrusion on the first front wall and a second protrusion on the second front wall configured to push material away from the first and second openings. 
     
     
         21 . The zipper apparatus of  claim 15 , further comprising a third protrusion on the first back wall and a fourth protrusion on the second back wall and configured to push material away from the third opening.