Zip closure system

Abstract

In order to provide a zip closure system that is difficult for a thief to operate, the system comprises a first zip slider ( 40 ), capable of fastening and unfastening the teeth, of a zip closure, and at least one of a second zip slider ( 41 ) and an end of a zip closure, the first zip slider ( 40 ) having a first handle ( 43 ) and the second zip slider ( 41 ) having a second handle ( 45 ), the handles ( 44,45 ) being configured so that when the first slider ( 40 ) is adjacent to the second slider ( 41 ), the first handle ( 43 ) overlies the second slider ( 41 ) and the second handle ( 45 ) overlies the first slider ( 40 ). The first and second handles ( 43, 45 ) can be released by moving right or left. A range of products can be provided which operate according to the same principles, but in which the first movement, for example left or right, varies between different products of the range. The first (and, optionally, second) handle ( 43 ) may comprise at least one magnetic part for holding the handle adjacent a second magnetic part of the zip closure system. The zip closure that can be secured without visible indication that it is locked.

1 ) A zip closure system, comprising a first zip slider, capable of fastening and unfastening the teeth of a zip closure, and at least one of a second zip slider and an end of a zip closure, the first zip slider having a first handle and the second zip slider or end of a zip closure having a second handle, the handles being configured so that when the first slider is adjacent to the second slider or to the end of the zip closure, the first handle overlies the second slider or the end of the zip closure and the second handle overlies the first slider. 
   
   
       2 ) The zip closure system of  claim 1 , wherein holding means are provided for holding the handles so that the first handle overlies the second slider and the second handle overlies the first slider. 
   
   
       3 ) The zip closure system of  claim 2 , wherein the holding means comprise a first holding surface on the first handle and a second holding surface on the second handle, the first and second surfaces abutting one another in the closed position. 
   
   
       4 ) The zip closure system of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second holding surfaces are normal to the line of the closure. 
   
   
       5 ) The zip closure system, of  claims 2 , wherein the holding surfaces are biased into contact, by a resilient structure or by magnets. 
   
   
       6 ) The zip closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the first slider comprises a first projection, projecting in the direction of the zip closure and the second slider or zip closure end comprises a second projection extending in the direction of the zip closure and for lying adjacent the first projection when tire first slider is in position adjacent the second slider or zip closure end. 
   
   
       7 ) The zip closure system of  claim 6 , wherein the first projection comprises a third projection, projecting in a direction at an angle to the direction of the zip closure, into a recess of form corresponding to the third projection. 
   
   
       8 ) The zip closure system of  claim 7 , wherein the first handle is mounted on a pivot which is located on a part corresponding to tire third projection. 
   
   
       9 ) The zip closure system of  claim 8 , wherein the second projection comprises a fourth projection, projecting in a direction at an angle to the direction of die zip closure, into a recess of form corresponding to the fourth projection, and the second handle is mounted on a pivot which is located on a part corresponding to the fourth projection, and the pivots are aligned when the first zip slider is adjacent the second zip slider or zip closure end. 
   
   
       10 ) A range of products, comprising a first design of zip closure system and a second design of zip closure system, the first and second designs of zip closure system each comprising a zip closure comprising a first zip slider, capable of fastening and unfastening the teeth of the zip closure and at least one of a second zip slider and an end of a zip closure, the first slider comprising a first handle and the second slider or end of the zip closure comprising a second handle, the first and second handles being operable, by movement in a direction which is not parallel to the zip closure direction, to lock or unlock the first slider with respect to the second slider or zip closure end, wherein the direction in which the handles are moved to lock or unlock the first slider and the second slider or zip closure end are different for the first design of zip closure and for the second design of zip closure. 
   
   
       11 ) A range of products according to  claim 10 , wherein, in each of the first and second designs of zip closure system, the first and second handles are configured so that when the first slider is adjacent to the second slider or to the end of the zip closure, the first handle overlies the second slider or the end of the zip closure and the second handle overlies the first slider. 
   
   
       12 ) A zip closure system comprising a first zip slider, capable of fastening and unfastening the teeth of the zip closure and at least one of a second zip slider and an end of a zip closure, the zip slider having a handle, the first handle comprising at least one magnetic part for holding the handle adjacent a second magnetic part of the zip closure system. 
   
   
       13 ) The zip closure system of  claim 12 , wherein the magnetic part comprises a magnet which is included within the handle. 
   
   
       14 ) The zip closure system of  claim 12 , wherein, the magnetic part comprises a part of the handle itself, the handle being made at least partly of a magnetic or magnetisable material. 
   
   
       15 ) The zip closure system of  claim 12 , wherein the second magnetic part to which the first magnetic part is attracted forms part of the zip closure, the first slider, the second slider or zip closure end or a corresponding part of the second or first handle. 
   
   
       16 ) A zip slider, capable of fastening and unfastening the teeth of a zip closure, comprising a slider body, a handle for sliding the slider body along the zip closure, the handle comprising at least one magnetic part. 
   
   
       17 ) A zip closure system comprising a zip slider, capable of fastening and un-fastening the teeth of a zip closure, and at least one of a second zip slider and an end of a zip closure, the zip slider comprising; a slider body; a handle for sliding the slider body along the zip closure; and a first cooperating means for releasably cooperating with a second cooperating means on the second zip slider or the end of the zip closure; the first and second cooperating means not being visible from the handle side of the closure when the slider and the second slider, or the slider and an end of the zip closure, are substantially adjacent each other such that the first and second cooperating means are operably linked. 
   
   
       18 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 17 , wherein the zip slider cooperates with a second zip slider. 
   
   
       19 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 18 , wherein the second zip slider further comprises securing means for releasably securing the zip slider to the zip closure. 
   
   
       20 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 17 , wherein the zip slider further comprises a securing means for releasably securing the zip slider to the zip closure. 
   
   
       21 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 20 , wherein the securing means releasably secures the zip slider to tire teeth of the zip closure or to material immediately adjacent the teeth of the zip closure. 
   
   
       22 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 19 , wherein the securing means is actuated when the first cooperating means on the zip slider is operably linked to the second cooperating means on the second zip slider, such that when the two zip sliders are adjacent to each other so that the first and second cooperating means are operably linked, the securing means acts to retain both zip sliders in place. 
   
   
       23 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 17 , wherein the zip slider cooperates with an end of the zip closure, such that when the zip slider and the end are substantially adjacent to each other, the first and second cooperating means are operably linked. 
   
   
       24 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 17 , wherein the first and second cooperating means are orientated below the plane of tire zip closure. 
   
   
       25 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 17 , wherein the first and second cooperating means are orientated in the plane of the zip closure, and are not visible from the handle side of the zip closure. 
   
   
       26 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 17 , wherein one of the cooperating means comprises a protruding member, whilst tire other cooperating means comprises a receiving means capable of receiving the protruding member in a releasably cooperating manner. 
   
   
       27 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 26 , wherein tire releasable cooperation of the protruding member and the receiving means is such that the receiving means exerts sufficient force on the protruding member, when in cooperation therewith, that the force required to release the protruding member from the receiving means is greater than the force required, when applied to one of the sliders' handles, to slide the cooperating first and second sliders along the zip closure. 
   
   
       28 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 26 , wherein the releasable cooperation of the protruding member and the receiving means is such that the receiving means exerts sufficient force on the protruding member that, when in cooperation therewith, the force required to release the protruding member from the receiving means is greater than the force required, when applied to the slider handle, to slide the zip slider along the zip closure when the zip slider is free. 
   
   
       29 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 26 , wherein the force required to disengage the protruding member from the receiving means is at least twice that required to move the slider along the zip when the slider is free. 
   
   
       30 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 26 , wherein die releasable cooperation of the protruding member and die receiving means is releasably lockable by a locking means capable of locking the protruding member and the receiving means together. 
   
   
       31 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 17 , wherein the first and second cooperating means comprise male and female parts. 
   
   
       32 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 31 , wherein the first and second cooperating means comprise a ball and socket arrangement. 
   
   
       33 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 26 , wherein the receiving means comprises a sprung clasp suitable for receiving and retaining, under bias, a ball joint on the protruding member. 
   
   
       34 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 26 , wherein the receiving means comprises a socket capable of receiving the protruding member and the protruding member or socket further comprises at least one gripping member. 
   
   
       35 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 34 , wherein the at least one gripping member is movable against a biasing means. 
   
   
       36 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 35 , wherein the at least one gripping member has a component of motion that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the protruding member into and out of the receiving means. 
   
   
       37 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 26 , wherein the receiving means or protruding member comprises at least one recess to cooperate with the at least one gripping member. 
   
   
       38 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 37 , wherein fee at least one structure or recess is a continuous structure or recess. 
   
   
       39 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 34 , wherein the at least one gripping member is positioned on the receiving means. 
   
   
       40 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 39 , wherein the at least one gripping member is movable against biasing means and arranged such that the at least one gripping member is able to exert a force against the protruding member. 
   
   
       41 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 34 , wherein the at least one gripping member is positioned on the protruding member. 
   
   
       42 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 40 , wherein the at least one gripping member is movable against the biasing means and arranged such the at least one gripping member is able to exert a force against the receiving means. 
   
   
       43 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 34 , wherein the at least one gripping member is a spring-loaded ball bearing. 
   
   
       44 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 40 , wherein the biasing means is a spring or a resiliently-deformable member. 
   
   
       45 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 26 , wherein the receiving means comprises a locking member operable by moving a zip handle from a position substantially parallel to the plane of the zip closure to an inclined position or from an inclined position to a position substantially parallel to the plane of the zip closure. 
   
   
       46 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 45 , wherein the locking member is operated by the user pulling a zip handle upwards, away from the plane of the zip closure. 
   
   
       47 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 45 , wherein the locking member comprises an elastically deformable latch or a latch under bias. 
   
   
       48 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 18 , wherein the second zip slider cooperates releasably lockably with the end of the zip closure, the second zip slider and the end of the zip closure comprising further cooperating means. 
   
   
       49 ) A zip slider, capable of fastening and un-fastening the teeth of a zip closure, comprising; a slider body; a handle for sliding the slider body along the zip closure; and a first cooperating means for releasably cooperating with a second cooperating means on a second zip slider or an end of the zip closure; the first and second cooperating means not being visible from the zip handle side of the closure when the slider and the second slider, or the slider and an end of the zip closure, are substantially adjacent each other such that the first and second cooperating means are operably linked. 
   
   
       50 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 17 , comprising a first slider having a first handle and a second slider having a second handle, the handles being configured so that, when the sliders are substantially adjacent one another, the first handle overlies the second slider and the second handle overlies the first slider. 
   
   
       51 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 50 , wherein the cooperating means comprise stop surfaces formed on the end of the first slider and on the end of a second slider. 
   
   
       52 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 50 , wherein the cooperating means comprise stop surfaces formed on the first handle and on second handle. 
   
   
       53 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 50 , wherein holding means are provided for holding the handles so that the first handle overlies the second slider and the second handle overlies the first slider. 
   
   
       54 ) A zip closure system, according to  claim 53 , wherein the holding means comprises a first holding surface on the first handle and a second holding surface on the second handle, the first and second surfaces abutting one another in the closed position. 
   
   
       55 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 54 , wherein, the first and second holding surfaces are parallel to the line of the closure. 
   
   
       56 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 54 , wherein the first and second handles are configured so that they can be separated from one another by moving in a direction at an angle to the first and second holding surfaces. 
   
   
       57 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 54 , wherein the holding surfaces are biased into contact. 
   
   
       58 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 57 , wherein the holding surfaces are biased into contact by a resilient structure or by magnets. 
   
   
       59 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 17 , wherein the zip closure system comprises a first slider body and a second slider body or a zip closure end, the first slider body comprising a first projection and the second slider body or the zip closure end comprising a second projection, the first and second projections lying adjacent to one another when the first slider body is engaged with the second slider body or with the zip closure end, first cooperating means being provided on the first projection and second cooperating means being provided on the second projection for engaging the first cooperating means. 
   
   
       60 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 59 , wherein the first and second projections each comprise a projection surface which is not at a right angle to the line of the zip closure, the projection surfaces lying adjacent to one another when the first and second cooperating means are engaged. 
   
   
       61 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 60 , wherein the first and second projection surfaces are substantially parallel to the direction of the zip closure. 
   
   
       62 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 61 , wherein the first and second cooperating means are formed in the respective projection surfaces. 
   
   
       63 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 59 , wherein tire first and second cooperating means comprise first and second locking surfaces configured to prevent relative movement in the direction of the zip closure system, the first and second locking surfaces being engageable by moving the first slider body with respect to the second slider body in a direction at an angle to the direction of the zip closure. 
   
   
       64 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 59 , wherein at least the first slider body has a handle, the handle on the first slider body being mounted on a structure which is positioned adjacent the first projection surface. 
   
   
       65 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 59 , wherein the first slider body comprises a hook or groove and the second slider body comprises a corresponding groove or hook. 
   
   
       66 ) A zip closure system according to  claim 65 , wherein each of the first slider body and second slider body comprises a book and a groove for engaging a corresponding groove and hook in the other. 
   
   
       67 ) An item of luggage comprising a zip closure system according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       68 ) An item of luggage comprising a zip closure system according to  claim 50