Vapor resistant closure

Abstract

A vapor resistant closure including a closure mechanism, for example, a zipper having a start end in an inner portion of material and a stop end in an outer portion of material with the outer portion containing the stop end overlapping the inner portion containing the start end. The closure mechanism forming a seal between the outer portion containing the stop end and the inner portion containing the start end when the closure mechanism is closed at the stop end. The seal that is formed is generally impermeable to fluids, gases, vapors, aerosols and particulates. The vapor resistant closure may also include a compressible body between the outer portion of material containing the stop end and the inner portion of material containing the start end. The compressible body is compressed therebetween when the closure mechanism is closed at the stop end.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A vapor resistant closure comprising:
 a closure mechanism having a start end in an inner portion of material and a stop end in an outer portion of material, wherein the stop end overlaps the inner portion of material containing the start end;   wherein a closed stop end of the closure mechanism forms a seal between the outer portion of material containing the stop end and the inner portion of material containing the start end, the seal being generally impermeable to gases; and   
       a compressible body between the outer portion of material containing the stop end and the inner portion of material containing the start end, wherein the zipped stop end compresses the compressible body to form the seal; 
       wherein the closure mechanism and the seal pass the National Fire Protection Association Chem/Bio Option specifications. 
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The vapor resistant closure of  claim 1  wherein the closure mechanism is a zipper. 
     
     
         4 . The vapor resistant closure of  claim 3  wherein the zipper is a watertight zipper that is generally impermeable to gases. 
     
     
         5 . The vapor resistant closure of  claim 1  wherein the closure mechanism extends more than 360° around the material. 
     
     
         6 . The vapor resistant closure of  claim 5  wherein the stop end overlaps the inner portion of material containing the start end by about 5° to about 40°. 
     
     
         7 . A vapor resistant closure comprising:
 a zipper having a start end and a stop end, wherein the stop end is in an overlying portion of material that overlaps an inner portion of material; and   a compressible body positioned between the stop end and the inner portion of material to provide a seal that is generally impermeable to gases when the zipper is zipped;   
       wherein the closure mechanism and the seal pass the National Fire Protection Association Chem/Bio Option specifications. 
     
     
         8 . The vapor resistant closure of  claim 7  wherein the zipper is a watertight zipper that is generally impermeable to gases. 
     
     
         9 . A vapor resistant closure comprising:
 a zipper having a start end and a stop end, wherein the stop end is in an overlying portion of material that overlaps an inner portion of material; and   a compressible body positioned between the stop end and the inner portion of material to provide a seal that is generally impermeable to gases when the zipper is zipped;   
       wherein the closure mechanism and the seal pass the National Fire Protection Association Chem/Bio Option specifications. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The vapor resistant closure of  claim 10  wherein the compressible body includes rubber, plastic, or foam. 
     
     
         12 . The vapor resistant closure of  claim 11  wherein the compressible body is compressed by the zipped stopped end by at least 10% by volume. 
     
     
         13 . The vapor resistant closure of  claim 10  wherein the zipper connects two portions of the garment together. 
     
     
         14 . The vapor resistant closure of  claim 13  the two portions include a sleeve and glove, a pant-leg and foot covering, or a hood and body portion. 
     
     
         15 . The vapor resistant closure of  claim 14  wherein one side of the zipper is attached to a hood and its opposing side is attached to a body portion. 
     
     
         16 . The vapor resistant closure of  claim 15  wherein the body portion is a coat or a one-piece suit. 
     
     
         17 . The vapor resistant closure of  claim 15  further comprising a flap fixedly attached to one of the hood or body portion and releasably coupled to the other one of said hood or body portion, wherein said flap is positionable over the zipper. 
     
     
         18 . A garment including the vapor resistant closure of  claim 8 . 
     
     
         19 . The garment of  claim 18  wherein the garment conforms with the NFPA 1994 Class 2 and NFPA 1992 Standards. 
     
     
         20 . The garment of  claim 18  wherein the garment and the vapor resistant closure are each generally impermeable to fluids, gases, vapors, aerosols and particulates.