Non-interlocking magnetic zipper

Abstract

A non-interlocking magnetic zipper is provided which incorporates a first and second magnetic strip that connect together in response to movement of a magnetic slider which receives the second strip. The second strip includes a flexible, magnetic flap that is configured to repel the first strip and disable the magnetic attraction between the first and second strips based on the position of the slider. In operation, as the slider moves proximally along the second strip, the flap moves away from the first strip, thereby removing the repulsive force against the first strip and allowing the first and second strip to connect and close the zipper. Similarly, as the magnetic slider moves distally along the second strip, the flap moves back towards the first strip, thereby renewing the repulsive force against the first strip and allowing the first and second strips to disconnect and open the zipper.

1 . A non-interlocking magnetic zipper comprising:
 a first magnetic strip having proximal and distal ends and including a first tape and a first link;   a second magnetic strip having proximal and distal ends and including a second tape and a second link; and   a magnetic slider connected between the first strip and the second strip, the magnetic slider being shaped to receive the second magnetic strip;   wherein the first and second link are disconnected from each other in an open configuration when the magnetic slider is positioned at the distal ends of the first and second magnetic strips; and   wherein the first and second link are magnetically connected together in a closed configuration when the magnetic slider is positioned at the proximal ends of the first and second magnetic strips.   
     
     
         2 . The non-interlocking magnetic zipper of  claim 1 , wherein the second magnetic strip includes a flap flexibly disposed between the second tape and the second link, the flap being magnetically configured to repel the first link. 
     
     
         3 . The non-interlocking magnetic zipper of  claim 2 , wherein as the magnetic slider moves proximally along the second magnetic strip towards the proximal ends, the second tape is magnetically configured to attract the flap and allow magnetic connection of the first link and second link. 
     
     
         4 . The non-interlocking magnetic zipper of  claim 3 , wherein the second tape includes a raised platform magnetically configured to attract the flap. 
     
     
         5 . The non-interlocking magnetic zipper of  claim 3 , wherein the second tape has a stronger magnetic flux than that of the second link, and wherein the magnetic slider has a stronger magnetic flux than that of the second tape. 
     
     
         6 . The non-interlocking magnetic zipper of  claim 2 , wherein as the magnetic slider moves distally along the second magnetic strip towards the distal ends, the magnetic slider is magnetically configured to attract the flap and allow disconnection of the first link from the second link. 
     
     
         7 . The non-interlocking magnetic zipper of  claim 6 , wherein the magnetic slider has a slider proximal end and a slider distal end, and the magnetic slider has a stronger magnetic flux at the slider proximal end than at the slider distal end. 
     
     
         8 . The non-interlocking magnetic zipper of  claim 2 , wherein the magnetic slider includes a crown configured to repel the flap. 
     
     
         9 . The non-interlocking magnetic zipper of  claim 8 , wherein the crown is a semicircular pull tab. 
     
     
         10 . The non-interlocking magnetic zipper of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic slider includes a body having top and bottom lips defining a cavity therebetween, wherein the cavity is configured to receive the second link, wherein the second magnetic strip includes a track disposed within the second link, and wherein the magnetic slider includes a projection extending from the body within the cavity, the projection being configured to be slidably received into the track. 
     
     
         11 . The non-interlocking magnetic zipper of  claim 1 , wherein the zipper includes an extended portion at the proximal ends and at the distal ends each including one or more recesses configured to receive the magnetic slider. 
     
     
         12 . The non-interlocking magnetic zipper of  claim 1 , wherein the zipper includes at least one of rare earth magnets or programmable magnets. 
     
     
         13 . The non-interlocking magnetic zipper of  claim 1 , wherein the zipper is one of 3D printed or 4D printed. 
     
     
         14 . The non-interlocking magnetic zipper of  claim 1 , wherein the zipper includes one of inserted magnets or printed magnets. 
     
     
         15 . A non-interlocking magnetic zipper comprising:
 a first magnetic strip having proximal and distal ends and including a first tape and a first link;   a second magnetic strip having proximal and distal ends and including a second tape, a second link, and a flap flexibly disposed between the second tape and the second link, the flap being magnetically configured to repel the first link; and   a magnetic slider connected between the first magnetic strip and the second magnetic strip, the magnetic slider being shaped to receive the second magnetic strip;   wherein the first and second link are disconnected from each other in an open configuration when the magnetic slider is positioned at the distal ends of the first and second magnetic strips;   wherein the first and second link are magnetically connected together in a closed configuration when the magnetic slider is positioned at the proximal ends of the first and second magnetic strips;   wherein as the magnetic slider moves proximally along the second magnetic strip towards the proximal ends, the second tape is magnetically configured to attract the flap and allow magnetic connection of the first link and second link; and   wherein as the magnetic slider moves distally along the second magnetic strip towards the distal ends, the magnetic slider is magnetically configured to attract the flap and allow disconnection of the first link from the second link.   
     
     
         16 . The non-interlocking magnetic zipper of  claim 15 , wherein the second tape has a stronger magnetic flux than that of the second link, and wherein the magnetic slider has a stronger magnetic flux than that of the second tape. 
     
     
         17 . The non-interlocking magnetic zipper of  claim 15 , wherein the magnetic slider has a slider proximal end and a slider distal end, and the magnetic slider has a stronger magnetic flux at the slider proximal end than at the slider distal end. 
     
     
         18 . The non-interlocking magnetic zipper of  claim 15 , wherein the magnetic slider includes a crown configured to repel the flap. 
     
     
         19 . The non-interlocking magnetic zipper of  claim 15 , wherein the magnetic slider includes a body having top and bottom lips defining a cavity therebetween, wherein the cavity is configured to receive the second link, wherein the second magnetic strip includes a track disposed within the second link, and wherein the magnetic slider includes a projection extending from the body within the cavity, the projection being configured to be slidably received into the track. 
     
     
         20 . The non-interlocking magnetic zipper of  claim 15 , wherein the zipper includes an extended portion at the proximal ends and at the distal ends each including one or more recesses configured to receive the magnetic slider. 
     
     
         21 . The non-interlocking magnetic zipper of  claim 15 , wherein the zipper includes at least one of rare earth magnets or programmable magnets. 
     
     
         22 . The non-interlocking magnetic zipper of  claim 15 , wherein the zipper is formed by one of a 3D printing or 4D printing technique. 
     
     
         23 . The non-interlocking magnetic zipper of  claim 15 , wherein the zipper includes one of inserted magnets or printed magnets. 
     
     
         24 . A non-interlocking magnetic zipper comprising:
 a first magnetic strip having proximal and distal ends and including a first tape and a first link;   a second magnetic strip having proximal and distal ends and including a second tape, a second link, a flap flexibly disposed between the second tape and the second link, the flap being magnetically configured to repel the first link, and a track disposed within the second link; and   a magnetic slider connected between the first magnetic strip and the second magnetic strip, the magnetic slider including a body having top and bottom lips defining a cavity therebetween, the cavity being configured to receive the second magnetic strip, and a projection extending from the body within the cavity, the projection being configured to be slidably received into the track;   wherein the first and second link are disconnected from each other in an open configuration when the magnetic slider is positioned at the distal ends of the first and second magnetic strips;   wherein the first and second link are magnetically connected together in a closed configuration when the magnetic slider is positioned at the proximal ends of the first and second magnetic strips;   wherein the second tape has a stronger magnetic flux than that of the second link, and wherein the magnetic slider has a stronger magnetic flux than that of the second tape;   wherein the magnetic slider has a slider proximal end and a slider distal end, the magnetic slider having a stronger magnetic flux at the slider proximal end than at the slider distal end;   wherein as the magnetic slider moves proximally along the second magnetic strip towards the proximal ends, the second tape is magnetically configured to attract the flap and allow magnetic connection of the first link and second link; and   wherein as the magnetic slider moves distally along the second magnetic strip towards the distal ends, the body of the magnetic slider is magnetically configured to attract the flap and allow disconnection of the first link from the second link.