Slide fastener sealing systems and methods

Abstract

A slide fastener sealing system and related methods. In one example, the slide fastener sealing system includes a separating slide fastener in which a first end overlaps and is secured to a second end such that a sealing zone is located between the overlapping ends of the slide fastener. The sealing system also includes in this example a sealing member that can be secured to the slide fastener in a removable fashion with a portion of the sealing member located in the sealing zone to seal against fluid penetration through the sealing zone.

That which is claimed: 
     
         1 . A slide fastener sealing system comprising:
 (a) a slide fastener comprising:
 (i) a first slide fastener segment comprising a first tape segment, a second tape segment, and fastening elements positioned along the first and second tape segments; 
 (ii) a second slide fastener segment comprising a third tape segment, a fourth tape segment, and fastening elements positioned along the third and fourth tape segments; 
 (iii) wherein the first slide fastener segment overlaps the second slider fastener segment, and wherein a sealing zone forming a passage is located between the overlap of the first and second slide fastener segments; and 
 (iv) a first side seal extending between the first and third tape segments in the sealing zone, a second side seal extending between the second and fourth tape segments in the sealing zone; 
   (b) a sealing member comprising a sealing body position-able in the passage to resist fluid movement through the passage when the fastening elements engage the first and second tape segments together and engage the third and fourth tape segments together;   (c) a plurality of lugs and a plurality of cavities associated with the sealing body and the first and second side seals, the lugs extending into the cavities when the sealing body is positioned in the passage, the lugs and cavities interacting to resist movement of the sealing body relative to the first and second side seals.   
     
     
         2 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 1  wherein the lugs and cavities interact to resist movement of the sealing body along the passage and resist rotational movement of the sealing body in the passage. 
     
     
         3 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 2  wherein engagement of the fastening elements compresses the sealing body in the passage. 
     
     
         4 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 3  wherein the lugs and cavities interact to resist longitudinal expansion of the sealing body along the passage when the sealing body is compressed in the passage. 
     
     
         5 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 2  wherein the sealing body comprises the lugs, wherein the first and second side seals comprise the cavities. 
     
     
         6 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 5  wherein the first and third tape segments are joined together at a first joint, wherein the first side seal covers the first joint in the sealing zone; and
 wherein the second and fourth tape segments are joined together at a second joint, wherein the second side seal covers the second joint in the sealing zone. 
 
     
     
         7 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 5  wherein the sealing body compresses against the first and second side seals and the fastening elements when the sealing body is positioned in the passage and when the fastening elements engage the first and second tape segments together and engage the third and fourth tape segments together. 
     
     
         8 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 5  wherein the sealing body comprises a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, a first side surface extending between the top and bottom surfaces, and a second side surface opposite the first side surface and extending between the top and bottom surfaces; wherein the lugs extend from the first and second side surfaces; and wherein, when the lugs extend into the cavities when the sealing body is positioned in the passage, the top and bottom surfaces face the fastening elements. 
     
     
         9 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 8  wherein the top and bottom surfaces each comprise a series of ridges oriented transverse to a long axis of the sealing body, wherein the ridges contact the fastening elements when the sealing body is positioned in the passage with the lugs extending into the cavities. 
     
     
         10 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 1  wherein the first and second side seals each comprise a curved surface, wherein the first and second side seals each comprise at least one of the cavities, wherein the cavities are recessed relative to the curved surfaces of the first and second side seals. 
     
     
         11 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 1  wherein the sealing body comprises a first curved side wall configured to compress against the first side seal, and further comprises a second curved side wall configured to compress against the second side seal, wherein the lugs protrude outwardly from the first and second curved side walls. 
     
     
         12 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the first and second side seals each comprise a curved surface, wherein the first and second side seals each comprise at least one of the cavities, wherein the cavities are recessed relative to the curved surfaces of the first and second side seals; and 
 (b) the sealing body comprises a first curved side wall configured to compress against the first side seal, and further comprises a second curved side wall configured to compress against the second side seal, wherein the lugs extend from the first and second curved side walls of the sealing body. 
 
     
     
         13 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 12  wherein the first side seal is molded to the first and third tape segments; wherein the second side seal is molded to the second and fourth tape segments. 
     
     
         14 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 12  wherein the curved surfaces of the side seals and the curved side walls of the sealing body are deformable. 
     
     
         15 . A slide fastener sealing system comprising:
 (a) a slide fastener comprising:
 (i) a first slide fastener segment comprising a first tape segment, a second tape segment, fastening elements positioned along the first and second tape segments, a first element fill on the first tape segment between at least some of the fastening elements, and a second element fill on the second tape segment between at least some of the fastening elements; 
 (ii) a second slide fastener segment comprising a third tape segment, a fourth tape segment, fastening elements positioned along the third and fourth tape segments, a third element fill on the third tape segment between at least some of the fastening elements, and a fourth element fill on the second tape segment between at least some of the fastening elements; and 
 (iii) wherein the first slide fastener segment overlaps the second slider fastener segment, and wherein a sealing zone forming a passage is located between the overlap of the first and second slide fastener segments; 
   (b) a sealing member comprising a sealing body position-able in the passage to resist fluid movement through the passage when the fastening elements engage the first and second tape segments together and engage the third and fourth tape segments together;   (c) wherein, when the sealing member is positioned in the passage and the fastening elements engage the first and second tape segments together and engage the third and fourth tape segments together, the first, second, third, and fourth element fills block a fluid flow path along the passage in gaps between the fastening elements.   
     
     
         16 . The slide fastener system of  claim 15  wherein:
 (a) when the fastening elements engage the first and second tape segments together, the first element fill compresses against the fastening elements of the second tape segment and the second element fill compresses against the fastening elements of the first tape segment; and 
 (b) when the fastening elements engage the third and fourth tape segments together, the third element fill compresses against the fastening elements of the fourth tape segment and the fourth element fill compresses against the fastening elements of the third tape segment; 
 wherein the compression of the element fill against the fastening elements resists penetration of fluid along the length of the passage. 
 
     
     
         17 . The slide fastener system of  claim 16  wherein:
 (a) when the fastening elements engage the first and second tape segments together, an inner edge of the first tape compresses against an inner edge of the second tape to resist penetration of fluid through the first slide fastener segment; and 
 (b) when the fastening elements engage the third and fourth tape segments together, an inner edge of the third tape compresses against an inner edge of the fourth tape to resist penetration of fluid through the second slide fastener segment. 
 
     
     
         18 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 17  wherein an inner edge of the first element fill is coextensive with or inset relative to the inner edge of the first tape. 
     
     
         19 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 17  wherein a height of the first element fill from the first tape segment is less than a height of the fastening elements from the first tape segment that are positioned along the first tape segment. 
     
     
         20 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 19  wherein fastening elements of the second tape segment extend over the first element fill when the fastening elements engage the first and second tape segments together; wherein fastening elements of the first tape segment extend over the second element fill when the fastening elements engage the first and second tape segments together; wherein fastening elements of the fourth tape segment extend over the third element fill when the fastening elements engage the third and fourth tape segments together; and wherein fastening elements of the third tape segment extend over the fourth element fill when the fastening elements engage the third and fourth tape segments together. 
     
     
         21 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 17  wherein: (a) an inner edge of the first element fill is coextensive with or inset relative to the inner edge of the first tape; (b) an inner edge of the second element fill is coextensive with or inset relative to the inner edge of the second tape;
 (c) an inner edge of the third element fill is coextensive with or inset relative to the inner edge of the third tape; and (d) an inner edge of the fourth element fill is coextensive with or inset relative to the inner edge of the fourth tape. 
 
     
     
         22 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 15 , wherein, when the sealing member is positioned in the passage and the fastening elements engage the first and second tape segments together and engage the third and fourth tape segments together, the first, second, third, and fourth element fills compress against heads of the fastening elements. 
     
     
         23 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 15  wherein the first, second, third, and fourth element fills are only located along part of a length of the first and second slide fastener segments. 
     
     
         24 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 15  wherein the first, second, third, and fourth element fills are a deformable material molded onto the first, second, third, and fourth tape segments between the fastening elements in the sealing zone. 
     
     
         25 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 15  wherein the fluid flow path comprises a tortious fluid flow path between opposing fastening elements along the length of the passage. 
     
     
         26 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 15  wherein the fluid flow path comprises a first tortious fluid flow path between opposing fastening elements of the first and second tape segments and a second tortious fluid flow path between opposing fastening elements of the third and further tape segments. 
     
     
         27 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 26  wherein the first tortious fluid flow path is bounded by and in between the first and second tape segments and the sealing body; and
 wherein the second tortious fluid flow path is bounded by and in between the third and fourth tape segments and the sealing body. 
 
     
     
         28 . A slide fastener sealing system comprising:
 (a) a slide fastener comprising a first slide fastener segment and a second slide fastener segment, wherein the first slide fastener segment overlaps the second slider fastener segment, and wherein a sealing zone forming a passage is located between the overlap of the first and second slide fastener segments; and   (b) a sealing member comprising a sealing body and a connecting body extending from the sealing body, wherein:
 (i) the sealing body is position-able in the passage to resist fluid movement through the passage; 
 (ii) the connecting body comprising a first protrusion extending in a first direction and a second protrusion extending in a second direction that is transverse to the first direction, the first and second protrusions configured to engage a portion of the slide fastener when the sealing body is positioned in the passage. 
   
     
     
         29 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 28  wherein the first direction is approximately perpendicular to the second direction. 
     
     
         30 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 29  wherein the connecting body comprises a main body and an arm extending from the main body, wherein the first protrusion extends from a surface of the main body and the second protrusion extends from a surface of the arm. 
     
     
         31 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 30  wherein the surface of the main body and the surface of the arm are approximately perpendicular to one another. 
     
     
         32 . The slide fastener of  claim 28  wherein the portion of the slide fastener the first and second protrusions are configured to engage is a box end of the slide fastener. 
     
     
         33 . The slide fastener of  claim 32  wherein the first and second protrusions are configured to engage at opposite sides of the box. 
     
     
         34 . The slide fastener of  claim 32  wherein, when the first and second protrusions engage the box, a top surface of the box is substantially uncovered by the connecting body. 
     
     
         35 . The slide fastener of  claim 32  wherein, when the first and second protrusions engage the box, the second protrusion engages a rear surface of the box at either a recess in the rear surface or a top corner of the rear surface. 
     
     
         36 . A slide fastener sealing system comprising:
 (a) a slide fastener comprising a first slide fastener segment comprising fastening elements and a second slide fastener segment comprising fastening elements, wherein the first slide fastener segment overlaps the second slider fastener segment, and wherein a sealing zone forming a passage is located between the overlap of the first and second slide fastener segments; and   (b) a sealing member, the sealing member comprising a deformable sealing body position-able in the passage of the slide fastener and an actuator extending through the sealing body, wherein actuation of the actuator deforms the sealing body such that the sealing body expands to resist fluid movement through the passage, wherein the sealing member further comprises at least one rigid member in the sealing body, wherein, when the sealing body is positioned in the passage, the rigid member is located between the actuator and the fastening elements of one of the first and second slide fastener segments.   
     
     
         37 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 36  wherein the at least one rigid member comprises a first rigid member embedded in the sealing body and a second rigid member embedded in the rigid member, wherein, when the sealing body is positioned in the passage, the first rigid member is located between and in-line with the actuator and the fastening elements of the first slide fastener segment and the second rigid member is located between and in-line with the actuator and the fastening elements of the second slide fastener segment. 
     
     
         38 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 37  wherein actuation of the actuator moves the first rigid member towards the fastening elements of the first slide fastener and moves the second rigid member towards the fastening elements of the second slide fastener. 
     
     
         39 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 37  wherein actuation of the actuator deflects the first rigid member towards the fastening elements of the first slide fastener and deflects the second rigid member towards the fastening elements of the second slide fastener. 
     
     
         40 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 36  wherein the sealing member further comprises a connecting body adjacent the sealing body, wherein the at least one rigid member extends from the connecting body into the sealing body. 
     
     
         41 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 40  wherein actuation of the actuator deflects the at least one rigid member towards the fastening elements of the first or second slide fastener segment. 
     
     
         42 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 36  wherein the sealing member further comprises an end body adjacent the sealing body opposite the connecting body, wherein at least one second rigid member extends from the end body into the sealing body. 
     
     
         43 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 42  wherein actuation of the actuator deflects the at least one rigid member and the at least one second rigid member towards the fastening elements of the first or second slide fastener segment. 
     
     
         44 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 36  wherein the sealing body comprises a series of raised surface profiles on at least one surface of the sealing body, wherein, when the sealing body is positioned in the passage, the series of raised surface profiles is located between the rigid member and the fastening elements of one of the first and second slide fastener segments. 
     
     
         45 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 44  wherein actuation of the actuator deflects the at least one rigid member towards the fastening elements of one of the first or second slide fastener segment such that the raise surface profiles are pressed into the fastening elements. 
     
     
         46 . A slide fastener sealing system comprising:
 (a) a slide fastener; and   (b) a sealing member, the sealing member comprising a deformable sealing body position-able in a sealing-zone passage associated with the slide fastener, a connecting body adjacent the sealing body, an end body adjacent the sealing body opposite the connecting body, and an actuator extending at least partially through the sealing, connecting, and end bodies, wherein actuation of the actuator deforms the sealing body such that the sealing body expands to resist fluid movement through the passage.   
     
     
         47 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 46  wherein at least one of the connecting and end bodies comprises an opening configured to receive a capture member, the capture member configured to engage the actuator. 
     
     
         48 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 47  wherein rotation of the actuator deforms the sealing body. 
     
     
         49 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 48  wherein the capture member engages the actuator such that the actuator can rotate and translate relative to the capture member. 
     
     
         50 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 48  wherein the capture member engages the actuator such that the capture member resists translation of the capture member relative to the actuator. 
     
     
         51 . The slide fastener sealing system of  claim 48  wherein:
 (a) the connecting body comprises an opening configured to receive a first capture member; 
 (b) the end body comprises an opening configured to receive a second capture member; 
 (c) wherein one of the first and second capture members engages the actuator such that the actuator such that the actuator can rotate and translate relative to the capture member; and 
 (d) wherein the other of the first and second capture members engages the actuator such that the capture member resists translation of the capture member relative to the actuator. 
 
     
     
         52 . The slide fastener of  claim 51  wherein the first capture member comprises a threaded member and wherein the second capture member comprises a retainer.