Field of invention

The invention is related to bag or bag cover with flexible zipper, and the production method of said flexible zipper wherein the flexible zipper can be attached to a bag or bag cover for the purposes of carrying and protecting handbag and its strap or handle, as well as other types of articles, from rain, snow, food stain, and other hazardous substances.

Background of the invention

Handbags can be made of various materials, such as leather, woven and non-woven fabrics, or any combinations of these. However, these materials are not made to effectively endure against rain, snow, humidity, food stain, or other hazardous substances. As time goes by, the handbags may start to exhibit diminishments or changes in color, or glowing appearances of spots or stains that are caused by external factors such as rain and food stain, humidity, or other substances. Since the global demand for handbags is growing every year and so does the global market for used or second-hand bags, many owners are looking for ways to protect their products in order to maintain their appearances and to sell them at the highest price point. For such reason, there are now growing numbers of businesses to provide handbag cleaning services to their customers. As well, there are various types of bag covers in the market, usually made with clear waterproof plastics, to simply cover the whole bag while some covers have at least one perforation or hole on one or more part of the cover so that one or more straps or handles can be pulled out, allowing its user to carry the bag by hand. Some major players in the fashion industry have also started selling bag covers with some designs to target customers who are concerned about their images. Nevertheless, these bag covers still do not provide adequate protection against rain, snow, humidity, food stain, and other hazardous substances because these external substances can still damage the exposed handle and leak through the perforated hole or from under the bag cover to cause further damages to the exterior body of a handbag.

To solve the stated problem of conventional bag covers for handbags, one configuration of the flexible zipper for bag and bag cover as described in this invention can be used to connect or attach to at least one part of the bag cover, preferably by initially turning the compatible male and female tracks of the zipper or zip-lock into curved, round, or oval shape and connect the said resealable zipper pair on the top part of the bag cover to completely seal around the inner side of said handle and create a hollow for easy hand carriage. The top end is sealed and is contoured around the outer side of the handle so that user can easily carry the bag cover along with enclosed handbag. On the bottom contains a resealable zipper pair that extends from one part of the bottom to another so that, once opened, the said bag cover can enclose the handbag or similar article and seal it completely when in use. The present invention, thus, identify the novel way to produce a flexible zipper, specifically a curved zipper, and connect it to an ergonomically shaped bag cover that is not presently available in the market and has not been claimed in the any of the prior patent literature.

Summary of the invention

The present invention is directed to a flexible zipper that can be attached to a bag or bag cover wherein one preferred production method consists of the following steps: Creating a female reformed track:

1. Female zipper track is made by placing polymer compounds in a conventional zipper profile extruder to produce straight track of female zipper.

2. Placing female zipper track from step 1 on a round-shaped mold with dual trenches with hook whereby the jaw profile of the said track is suitably attached to the hook of said mold.

3. Creating a round-shaped polymer sheet for said female track through inj ection molding machine and attaching the said sheet to back side (non-profile side) of said female track on mold to provide strength and serve as backing for the said track. High-frequency welding machine is then used to weld the female track to the polymer sheet.

Creating a male reformed track:

4. Male zipper track with polymer backing is collectively made through a non-standard injection molding process whereby a male track mold with cavity and a single trench is used to create round-shaped male zipper track with backing.

Joining male and female reformed tracks to the bag cover: 5. Sealing the profiles of the reformed male track of step 4 and reformed female track of step 3 together to ensure fit.

6. Attaching the reformed tracks to one part of the bag or bag cover, preferably by attaching male reformed track to one side and female reformed track to a corresponding side of the bag or bag cover.

7. Sealing the profiles of the reformed male zipper with female zipper together again to ensure fit, then perforating the inner side of the curved pair to create a hollow shape suitable for hand carrying.

8. Using high-frequency welding machine to weld the said reformed male and female zippers to the bag or bag cover.

Brief description of the drawings

FIG. 1 is a drawing showing perspective view of the first embodiment of a bag cover with a flexible resealable zipper for hand carrying and a resealable zipper located on the bottom of a bag cover; FIG. 2 is a drawing showing perspective view of the second embodiment of a bag cover with a flexible resealable zipper for hand carrying and a resealable zipper located on one side of a bag cover;

FIG. 3 is a drawing showing perspective view of the third embodiment of a bag cover or a bag with a flexible resealable zipper for hand carrying and a resealable zipper located on the top part of a bag cover or a bag;

FIG.4 contains drawings of molds for oval-shaped male zipper track mold and female zipper track;

FIG.5 contains drawings of male reformed zipper track and female reformed zipper track;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are drawings illustrating the respective male and female track profiles of flexible zipper in the open and close states respectively;

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

The present invention is directed to a flexible resealable zipper 1 consisting of male reformed track 37 and female reformed track 41 that can be attached to a bag or bag cover wherein one particular production method consists of the following steps: Creating a female reformed track 41 :

1. Female zipper track is made by placing polymer compounds in a conventional zipper profile extruder to produce straight track of female zipper.

2. Placing female zipper track from step 1 on a round-shaped mold 33 , preferably oval- shaped, comprising of dual trenches 34 and hook 35 whereby inner surface 14 of the jaw 13 of the said female track profile 11 is suitably attached to the hook 35 of said mold 33.

3. Creating a round-shaped polymer sheet 42 for said female track from step 2 through injection molding machine and attaching the said sheet 42 to back side (non-profile side) of said female track on mold 33 to provide strength and serve as backing for the said track. High-frequency welding machine is then used to weld the female track to the polymer sheet to create a reformed female track 41.

Creating a male reformed track 37:

4. Male zipper track with polymer backing, so-called male reformed track 37 is collectively made through an injection molding process whereby a male track mold 30 with single trench 31 is used and heated polymers are injected to said mold 30 to create round-shaped, preferably oval, male reformed track 37.

Joining male and female reformed tracks 37, 41 to the bag cover:

5. Sealing the hook 12 of reformed male track profile 10 from step 4 to inner surface 14 of jaw 13 reformed female track profile 11 from step 3 together to ensure fit in accordance to FIG.7

6. Attaching the reformed tracks 37, 41 to one part of the bag or bag cover, preferably by attaching male reformed track 37 to one side and female reformed track 41 to a corresponding side of the bag or bag cover.

7. Sealing the profiles 10, 11 together again to ensure fit, then perforating the inner side of the pair to create a hollow shape 40 suitable for hand carrying.

8. Using high-frequency welding machine to weld the said reformed male and female zipper tracks 37, 41, together so-called flexible resealable zipper 1, to the bag or bag cover. In particular, the polymer compounds used in the said production method are plastic compounds, preferably polyvinyl chloride (PVC) compounds.

Now, embodiments of a bag cover and a bag of the present invention can be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is perspective view of the first embodiment of bag cover with completely sealed top and vertical sides, a flexible resealable zipper 1, and an exposable bottom with lateral cut running across one part of width of a bag cover wherein a lateral resealable zipper 2, including a male track that is attached to the rim of one side and an engageable parallel female track that is attached to rim of another side on the bottom of a bag cover. Once a flexible zipper 1 and a lateral resealable zipper 2 are unsealed, the handbag or similar article can be covered with the said bag cover. Complete protection against rain, snow, humidity, and other potential hazardous substances can be done by ensuring that handle or strip is placed around the outer edge of the flexible zipper 1 before sealing the flexible zipper 1 and the bottom lateral resealable zipper 2. The sealing components of both the flexible zipper 1 and bottom lateral relsealable zipper 2 are composed of female and male profiles as indicated in open and engaged forms as in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 2 is perspective view of the second embodiment of bag cover with completely sealed top and bottom, a flexible resealable zipper 1, and an exposable side with vertical cut running across one part of length of a bag cover wherein a vertical resealable zipper 3, including a male track that is attached to the rim of one side and an engageable parallel female track that is attached to rim of another side on the side of a bag cover. Once a flexible zipper 1 and a vertical resealable zipper 3 are unsealed, the handbag or similar article can be covered with the said bag cover. Complete protection against rain, snow, humidity, and other potential hazardous substances can be done by ensuring that handle or strip is placed around the outer edge of the flexible zipper 1 before sealing the flexible zipper 1 and side vertical resealable zipper 3. The sealing components of both the flexible zipper 1 and vertical resealable zipper 3 are composed of female and male profiles as indicated in open and engaged forms as in FIGS. 6 and 7.

FIG. 3 is drawing showing perspective view of the third embodiment of a bag cover or a bag with a flexible resealable zipper 1 and a top lateral resealable zipper 4 located on one part of the top of a bag cover or a bag and has a completely sealed bottom and vertical sides. Top lateral resealable zipper 4 includes a male track that is attached to the rim on one side and a parallel female track that is attached to rim on another side on the top of a bag cover. Once a flexible zipper 1 and top lateral resealable zipper 4 is unsealed, the handbag or similar article can be placed into the said bag or bag cover. Complete protection against rain, snow, humidity, and other potential hazardous substances can be done by ensuring that handle or strip is placed around the outer edge of the flexible zipper 1 before sealing the flexible zipper 1 and top lateral resealable zipper 4. The sealing components of both the flexible zipper 1 and top lateral resealable zipper 4 are composed of female and male profiles as indicated in open and engaged forms as in FIGS. 6 and 7.