Improved zipper slider system

Abstract

A zipper system (10), comprising a U-shaped core (18), comprising at least one zipper strip (12) characterized by a tape (14a,14b) and profile (11) and including a core (18) comprised of generally U-shaped bodies (16), and may or may not be comprised of a section of webbing (17) attached to the generally U-shaped bodies (16) or formed with the generally U-shaped bodies, and a core covering (24). A zipper slide means is used for opening and closing the strips (12) so that the first and second interconnection portions (11) of the strips may be both forced into engagement with one another and forced to disengage from each another.

1 - 38 . (canceled) 
     
     
         39 . A core ( 18 ) for unfastenably joining portions of material, the core comprising:
 one of:
 a generally U-shaped body ( 16 ) having two side walls ( 16   a ,  16   b ), and a connecting bottom side wall ( 16   c ); and 
   a plurality of generally U-shaped bodies ( 16 ) having two side walls ( 16   a ,  16   b ), and a connecting bottom side wall ( 16   c ) and which are oriented open side to open side with each other in a row.   
     
     
         40 . The core ( 18 ) of  claim 39 , wherein
 any generally U-shaped body ( 16 ) interconnects.   
     
     
         41 . The core ( 18 ) of  claim 40 , further characterized by the generally U-shaped bodies ( 16 ) having protruding connectors ( 18   a , 18   b ), adapted to be linked to protruding connectors of an adjacent generally U-shaped body. 
     
     
         42 . The core ( 18 ) of  claim 39 , wherein any generally U-shaped body ( 16 ) is separate. 
     
     
         43 . A first zipper strip ( 12 ) comprising the core ( 18 ) of  claim 39  adapted to be interlocked with a second zipper strip ( 12 ). 
     
     
         44 . The zipper strip ( 12 ) of  claim 43 , wherein the strips ( 12 ) are configured to interlock in a force component different from which they are stressed. 
     
     
         45 . The zipper strip ( 12 ) of  claim 43 , further comprising: ribs ( 27   a - 27   d ) that prevent separation of the zipper strips ( 12 ). 
     
     
         46 . The zipper strip ( 12 ) of  claim 43  is further characterized by:
 an interconnection portion ( 11 ); and 
 a tape ( 14   a ,  14   b ). 
 
     
     
         47 . The zipper strip ( 12 ) of  claim 46 , wherein the zipper strip ( 12 ) is further characterized by:
 the first and second zipper strips ( 12 ) being disposed with respect to each other so that when the zipper slide means traverses the first and second strips ( 12 ) in one direction, the first and second interconnection portions ( 11 ) of the first and second strips ( 12 ) are forced into engagement with one another and when the zipper slide means traverses the first and second strips ( 12 ) in a second opposite direction, the first and second interconnection portions ( 11 ) of the first and second strips ( 12 ), respectively, are forced to disengage from each another.   
     
     
         48 . The zipper strip ( 12 ) of  claim 46 , wherein the core ( 18 ) is further characterized by a section of webbing ( 17 ) attached to generally U-shaped bodies ( 16 ) that act to reinforce at least one of:
 the profile ( 11 ) and tape ( 14   a , 14   b ).   
     
     
         49 . The core ( 18 ) of  claim 48  further characterized by a core covering ( 24 ) being one of:
 a core covering ( 24 ) formed such that the material is disposed over the core ( 18 ) and generally conforms to the shape of the core ( 18 ); and 
 a core covering ( 24 ) formed such that the material is disposed over the core ( 18 ) and webbing ( 17 ) and generally conforms to the shape of the core ( 18 ) and webbing ( 17 ). 
 
     
     
         50 . The core covering ( 24 ) of  claim 49  comprising a material selected from the group consisting of polymer, metal, ceramic, and composite material. 
     
     
         51 . The core covering ( 24 ) of  claim 49  being coated with a material comprising polymer. 
     
     
         52 . The core ( 18 ) of  claim 49  is composed of a material different and separate from the material of which the core covering ( 24 ) is composed. 
     
     
         53 . The core ( 18 ) of  claim 49  wherein the webbing portion ( 17 ) and the core covering ( 24 ) attach to material by at least one of:
 a mechanical attachment method, a heat attachment method, and a chemical attachment method. 
 
     
     
         54 . The core ( 18 ) of  claim 49  wherein the section of webbing ( 17 ) is formed with the generally U-shaped bodies ( 16 ). 
     
     
         55 . The core ( 18 ) of  claim 49  wherein the section of webbing ( 17 ) is formed separate from the generally U-shaped bodies ( 16 ). 
     
     
         56 . The core ( 18 ) of  claim 55 , wherein the U-shaped body ( 16 ) is disposed within one of the unconnected grooves ( 22 ) in the section of webbing ( 17 ). 
     
     
         57 . A zipper system ( 10 ), comprising a U-shaped core ( 18 ), characterized by:
 at least a first androgynous zipper strip ( 12 ) comprising more than one material selected from the group comprising materials that are rigid, semi-rigid, flexible, and semi-flexible.   
     
     
         58 . The method for creating a zipper system:
 constructing the first androgynous strip ( 12 ) from more than one material selected from the group comprising materials that are rigid, semi-rigid, flexible, and semi-flexible;   assembling the first strip ( 12 ) from a generally U-shaped core ( 18 ) and a core covering ( 24 ); and   orienting the core so that the zipper strip can be used in a desired zipper system.