Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Henry L Swain

Lawrence Share

Valoris L Forsyth

Lynnette Dehnke

Stanley Piotrowski

Joseph Cowin

Edward Gayowski

Glenn J Gray

Lynnette Colby

A burst zipper system includes a flexible zipper, a close-only slider and a set of handles. The burst zipper system is configured to be closed by operation of the close-only slider and opened by pulling on the set of handles in opposite directions. The burst zipper system can be used in sports bags, such as duffle bags, and backpacks, in tents, and the like.

Burst zipper

The water-resistant zipper includes first and second profiles which are interlocked or separated by the movement of a slider. A triangular island and separating plow are formed at the opening end to separate the first and second profiles. The slider includes various channels which engage corresponding rails in the profiles in order to properly position the profiles.

Slider for water-resistant zippers

The water-resistant or waterproof zipper includes first and second profiles which are interlocked or separated by the movement of a slider. The first sidewall of the slider is generally planar while the second sidewall is generally curved so that the sidewalls are relatively closer together at the closing end and generally further apart at the opening end. A triangular island and separating plow are formed at the opening end to separate the first and second profiles. The slider includes various channels which engage corresponding rails in the profiles in order to properly position the profiles. The slider further includes various protrusions and a flange to properly position the profiles.

The disclosure relates to a slider and a reclosable zipper, particularly a zipper with first and second profiles for watertight vessels, packages or similar devices. The slider is generally C-shaped with an upper arm, a lower arm, and a support wall in between. The support wall includes a groove which captures a rail formed on the first profile so that the slider can slidably move along the rail, riding the first profile. The lower arm includes separator blades which separate the first and second profiles when the slider is moved in the opening direction so as to urge the second profile between the upper and lower arms. When the slider is moved in the closing direction, the second profile travels between the upper and lower arms and is urged into engagement with the first profile by the upper arm. At the final closing position, the slider is stabilized or parked within a cut-out portion of the second profile.

One-sided rail slider for reclosable zipper

An extruded zipper for use in closing out vehicle seat backs has a first and a second flexible closure strip, each of which includes a web and a flange extending parallel to one another from an interlocking portion. The web and flange on each flexible closure strip are separated from one another by a groove, which is used to dispose the interlocking portions in a stacked relationship to one another, so that they may be joined with a hammer-like blow delivered in a direction perpendicular to the webs. The webs are attached to opposite sides of the opening in a seat back cover, which is provided in a premanufactured sack-like configuration. In a method for closing out vehicle seat backs using the extruded zipper, the grooves enable the interlocking portions of the flexible closures strips to be positioned in the required stacked relationship prior to the delivery of the interlocking blow.

Extruded zippers for upholstery applications

A zipper intended for use in auto seat covers and the like includes a male half and a female half. The male half has a male interlocking member and a web and a tab extending substantially parallel to one another in a direction opposite to that of the male interlocking member. The web and the tab define a first channel behind the male interlocking member. In like manner, the female half has a female interlocking member and a web and a tab extending substantially parallel to one another in a direction opposite to that in which the female interlocking member faces. The web and the tab define a second channel behind the female interlocking member. The male and female halves may be joined to and interlocked with one another through compression applied in a direction substantially parallel to the webs and directed through the first and second channels. In use, a sheet material, such as fabric, leather or vinyl, is attached to the web on at least one of the male and female halves, and is joined therewith to the other of the two halves.

Invisible zipper

A room air conditioning unit may be mounted in a window opening using a device, on each side of the unit in the opening, having a straightforward two-piece construction. The first piece is a molded C-shaped frame which straddles the unit from above and below in the opening. A side member of the frame is abutted against the side of the window opening. A lower portion of the frame rests upon the bottom of the window opening, while the window sash is lowered down onto an upper portion of the frame to participate in securing the unit within the opening. The other piece of the device is a panel having a Z-fold central portion. One side of the panel may be attached, for example by screws, to the case or housing of the room air conditioning unit. The other side of the panel self-locks within the side member of the frame, using a locking mechanism provided therewithin, to close the space on either side of the room air conditioning unit within the window opening with the Z-fold central portion of the panel.

Self-locking room air conditioning panels

A moisture-resistant fastener, which may be incorporated as part of a bag, pouch, wrapper, or liner, or which may be used as a protective garment closure, includes a pair of flexible closure strips. The strips include interlocking ribs and channels of complementary cross-sectional shape which lock together in an interference fit. The ribs have enlarged heads, and, complementarily, the channels have enlarged bottoms. At least one of the enlarged heads and enlarged bottoms has an integrally formed longitudinal gasket of a polymeric material softer than that used to extrude the flexible closure strips. When the flexible closure strips are locked together by forcing the ribs of one into the channels of the other to establish the interference fit, the longitudinal gasket is compressed and forms a moisture-resistant seal having an effectiveness heretofore not available or achievable.

Moisture-resistant fastener

For use with a sponge mop, a pad, a frame adapted to be removably attached to the sponge mop, the frame being provided with integral structure forming one part of a two-part interlocking assembly adapted to removably attach the pad to the frame, and a locking member forming the other part of said assembly and being adapted to interlock with said one part of said assembly. In certain embodiments including a preferred embodiment, in which the pad is a compressible pad, a portion of the pad is compressed between the interlocked parts of said assembly. In other embodiments, in which the pad may but does not have to be compressible, the locking member is affixed to the pad. In each embodiment, said assembly is one of a pair of similar assemblies.

Sponge mop attachment

A container system includes an elongate, open-ended tubular container member defining an axis and a releasable stop device for at least one open end thereof. The releasable stop device comprises a one-piece integrally formed member having first and second legs joined along a common edge to define an acute angle. The two legs are resiliently compressible about the joined edge, and a further abutment surface extends integrally from the first leg. The second leg is formed for attachment in a generally flat, surface-to-surface condition with an outer sidewall surface of the tubular container member at an open end portion thereof, such that the first leg and the abutment surface extend retractably into the tubular container member. The invention also extends to the stop device itself.

Releasable stop gate device

A stop device for electronic components housed within a tube comprises an elongate, resilient bow-shaped member having similar, oppositely extending legs defining abutment surfaces thereon for exerting a positive pressure on the electronic components and for absorbing additional pressure applied to the components during handling. A mounting structure is provided for mounting the stop device interiorly of the tube for pivotal movement relative thereto.

Growing community of inventors

Whitehouse Station, NJ, United States of America

Henry L Swain