Textile sealing apparatus

Abstract

A water impermeable sealing apparatus usable in textile applications, the apparatus includes a first sealing strip having a base that includes a first set of fastener elements carried on its surface in two spaced-apart areas; and extending along the first surface of the base between the two areas of the first set of fastener elements, a first sealing element is protruding from said the base. A complimentary second sealing strip also includes a base comprising a second set of fastener elements on its surface in two spaced-apart areas; and extending along the surface of the base between the two areas of the second set of fastener elements, a second sealing element is protruding from the base for non-interlocking engagement of the first sealing element when the first and second fastener elements are engaged.

1 . A water impermeable sealing apparatus usable in textile applications, the apparatus comprising:
 a first sealing strip having
 a base comprising a first and second surface wherein the base portion includes a first set of fastener elements carried on said first surface of said base in two spaced-apart areas; 
 extending along the first surface of the base between the two areas of the first set of fastener elements, a first sealing element protruding from said first surface of said base; 
   a second sealing strip having
 a base comprising a first and second surface wherein the base portion includes a second set of fastener elements carried on said first surface of said base in two spaced-apart areas; and, 
 extending along the first surface of the base between the two areas of the second set of fastener elements, a second sealing element protruding from said first surface of said base for non-interlocking engagement of said first sealing element when the first and second fastener elements are engaged. 
   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first and second sealing elements are magnetic such that a force of attraction is generated when the first and second sealing strips are brought together. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the first and second sealing elements are covered by an elastomeric material. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 3  wherein the first and second sealing elements are covered by an elastomeric material is silicon. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first sealing element is magnetic and the second sealing element is a magnetic attractant such that a force of attraction is generated when the first and second sealing strips are brought together. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the first and second sealing elements are covered by an elastomeric material. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 6  wherein the first and second sealing elements are covered by an elastomeric material is silicon. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the base portion of said first sealing strip is made of a water impermeable material. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the base portion of said first and second sealing strips are made of a water impermeable material. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a water impermeable layer integral with the second surface of said base portion of said first sealing strip. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a water impermeable layer integral with the second surface of said base portion of said first sealing strip. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a water impermeable layer integral with the second surface of said base portion of said first and second sealing strips. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first sealing element is made of a compressible material and the second sealing surface is wedge shaped such that when the first and second sealing strips are engaged, the wedged surface of the second sealing surface compresses the material of the first sealing element thereby creating a water impermeable seal between the first and second sealing elements. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the base portion of said first sealing strip is made of a water impermeable material. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the base portion of said first and second sealing strips are made of a water impermeable material. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising a water impermeable layer integral with the second surface of said base portion of said first sealing strip. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 13  further comprising a water impermeable layer integral with the second surface of said base portion of said first and second sealing strips. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein the first and second sets of fastener elements together comprise hooks and hook-engageable fibers. 
   
   
       19 . A water impermeable sealing apparatus usable in textile applications, the apparatus comprising:
 a first sealing strip having
 a base comprising a first and second surface wherein the base portion includes a first set of fastener elements carried on said first surface of said base in two spaced-apart areas; 
 extending along the first surface of the base between the two areas of the first set of fastener elements, a first sealing element protruding from said first surface of said base; 
   a second sealing strip having
 a base comprising a first and second surface wherein the base portion includes a second set of fastener elements carried on said first surface of said base in two spaced-apart areas; 
 extending along the first surface of the base between the two areas of the second set of fastener elements, a second sealing element protruding from said first surface of said base for non-interlocking engagement of said first sealing element when the first and second fastener elements are engaged; 
 wherein at least one of the first and second sealing elements are magnetic such that a force of attraction is generated when the first and second sealing strips are brought together; and, 
 wherein the base portion of at least one of the sealing strips is water impermeable. 
   
   
   
       20 . A water impermeable sealing apparatus usable in textile applications, the apparatus comprising:
 a first sealing strip having
 a base comprising a first and second surface wherein the base portion includes a first set of fastener elements carried on said first surface of said base in two spaced-apart areas; 
 extending along the first surface of the base between the two areas of the first set of fastener elements, a first sealing element protruding from said first surface of said base; 
   a second sealing strip having
 a base comprising a first and second surface wherein the base portion includes a second set of fastener elements carried on said first surface of said base in two spaced-apart areas; 
 extending along the first surface of the base between the two areas of the second set of fastener elements, a second sealing element protruding from said first surface of said base for non-interlocking engagement of said first sealing element when the first and second fastener elements are engaged; 
 wherein the first sealing element is made of a compressible material and the second sealing surface is wedge shaped such that when the first and second sealing strips are engaged, the wedged surface of the second sealing surface compresses the material of the first sealing element thereby creating a water impermeable seal between the first and second sealing elements; and, 
 wherein the base portion of at least one of the sealing strips is water impermeable.