The present disclosure relates to a fastener for two items, such as two garments. The application further relates to a pair of socks comprising the fastener and to a visual indicator for a textile surface.

Background of invention

Socks and other garments may be purchased, stored and laundered in pairs. Since different wearers of the socks may have similarly designed and colored socks, it would therefore be beneficial that the garments could be kept in pairs, except when being used, in order to avoid that pairs are mistakenly mixed-up.

Existing fastening solutions are associated with a number of issues and disadvantages. For example a standard circular snap button fastener for garment may be

unpredictable and the construction may be sensitive to variation in the production. A zip fastener is relatively complicated to open and close compared to a snap button fastener and would also not be ideal to use as a fastening means for e.g. a pair of socks.

There are other examples of fasteners involving for example hooks, threads, screws, buttons and hook-and-loop fasteners, none of which are however at the same time lockable, stable, flexible and efficient in terms of size. There is thus a need for an improved and more efficient system for fastening system for items in general, and garments, such as socks, in particular.

Summary of invention

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages of the known systems. The present disclosure relates to a fastener for two items, such as two garments, comprising:

- a first part attachable to a first item, comprising:

o an attachment part for attaching the first part to the first item; and o an engagement element connected to the attachment part

comprising a substantially flat element;

- a second part attachable to a second item:

o an attachment part for attaching the second part to the second item; o a reception element connected to the attachment part for receiving and locking the engagement element of the first part, the reception element comprising an opening for receiving the engagement element;

wherein an opening contour of the opening is smaller than an engagement contour of the flat element of the engagement element in a first dimension, such that a distal side of the flat element can be arranged under a corresponding distal side of the opening of the reception element in a first position and a proximal side of the flat element can subsequently be arranged under a corresponding proximal side of the opening of the reception element in a second and locked position.

The first part and second part of the fastener may thereby be attached to each other in the second and locked position. The engagement element of the first part is a substantially flat element, preferably a relatively thin element, the flat element having a certain contour element. The reception element of the second part has a corresponding opening, which is slightly smaller than the engagement element in the same direction. Preferably the engagement element is configured such that a distal end can be slidingly inserted into the opening of the reception element in a forward direction along the first dimension, such that the distal end is placed under a corresponding distal side of the opening of the reception element. From this position the opposite side of the engagement element, the proximal side, can then be pushed to a position in which it is arranged under a corresponding proximal side of the opening of the reception element in a locked position. The locking mechanisms is particularly useful for garments, such as a pair of socks, but may also be used in other applications.

In one embodiment this functionality is achieved by the flat element being made of a flexible and/or resilient material, preferably yet having some rigidity, wherein the flat element is bendable in an upward direction. An engagement element being slightly longer than the opening of the reception element in the first dimension, and flexible as described, may be pushed, thereby bending the flat element, which eventually "clicks" to a position, wherein the proximal side of the flat element is locked under a corresponding proximal side of the opening of the reception element.

The fastener may be used for a pair of socks, wherein the first part of the fastener is attached to a first sock and the second part of the fastener is attached to a second sock. One aspect of the invention therefore relates to a pair of socks comprising the fastener as described in the present disclosure, wherein the first part is attached to a first sock and the second part is attached to a second sock.

The disclosure further relates to a visual indicator for a textile surface, such as a garment, comprising:

- an attachment layer attachable to the textile surface;

- a cover layer attachable on top of the attachment layer, the cover layer having a plurality of openings, each opening having a removable cover member;

wherein each opening, upon removal of the cover member, exposes an indication such a color and/or a character, such that the removal of a combination of cover members creates a combination of indications serving as visual indicator for the textile surface.

These and other aspects of the invention are set forth in the following detailed description of the invention.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the first part of the fastener.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the second part of the fastener.

Fig. 3A-C shows cross-sectional side-views of one embodiment of the fastener, including the first part and second part, in a fastening process.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the visual indicator for a textile surface.

Detailed description of the invention

The present disclosure relates to a fastener for two items, such as two garments, comprising a first part attachable to a first item and a second part attachable to a second item. The first part may comprise an attachment part for attaching the first part to the first item and an engagement element connected to the attachment part comprising a substantially flat element. The attachment part does not necessarily have to be attached directly to the first item but could also have an additional element between the attachment part and the item. The second part may comprise an attachment part for attaching the second part to the second item and a reception element for receiving the engagement element of the first part. Preferably the reception element is configured to receive and lock the engagement element of the first part. The reception element may comprise an opening for receiving the engagement element. Preferably the parts and elements arranged such that an opening contour of the opening is smaller than an engagement contour of the flat element of the engagement element in a first dimension, such that a distal side of the flat element can be arranged under a corresponding distal side of the opening of the reception element in a first position and a proximal side of the flat element can subsequently be arranged under a corresponding proximal side of the opening of the reception element in a second and locked position. The presently disclosed fastener for two items is not limited to a specific size, but can be applied to items spanning from miniature designs to relatively large items, as long as the components of the fastener are properly dimensioned for the specific requirements.

The flat element of the engagement element may have a pointed distal side, or at least a tapered distal side. An opposite proximal side of the flat element may be a straight side. The flat element may further comprise two parallel opposite sides connecting the distal end side and the proximal end opposite side. An example of such a shape is shown in fig. 1 . The two parallel sides, the distal end side and a proximal end side may thereby form a five-sided shape, wherein the distal end side comprises two sides forming a pointed and/or tapered shape. Alternative shapes are possible, such as the two parallel sides, the distal end side and a proximal end side forming a rectangle. The flat element may be a tongue element insertable forwards and slightly downwardly tilting towards the distal end through the reception element. In the second position the proximal side of the flat element may have a hook-like function, ensuring that the element remains in a locked position. Further five-sided shapes are also possible. In principle any positions and arrangement of the corners and sides of such shapes are possible as long as the desired fastening and locking functionality is achieved.

The presently disclosed mechanism allows relatively simple manufacturing of the parts. A mold, which is a hollowed-out block which is filled with a liquid or pliable material, such as a plastic, may be used to manufacture the first and second parts. The elements of the first part may be molded in one piece and the elements of the second part may be molded in one piece. The pieces can be attached to the items while being solidified, thereby using the solidification process to attach the pieces to the items.

Engagement and locking functional details

The first part and second part of the fastener may be attached to each other in the second and locked position. The engagement element of the first part is a substantially flat element, preferably a relatively thin element, said flat element having a certain contour element. The term "substantially flat element" in relation to the presently disclosed fastener shall generally be construed as sufficiently flat for providing the described functionality. The flat element comprises an upper side and a lower side, wherein the lower side is the side facing the second part. The upper side does not necessarily have to be entirely flat. In particular the part of the upper side that is not locked under the reception element of the second part does not necessarily have to be flat. The reception element of the second part has a corresponding opening, which is slightly smaller than the engagement element in the same direction. A distal end of the engagement element may thereby be placed, for example slidingly inserted into the opening of the reception element in a forward direction along the first dimension, such that the distal end is placed under a corresponding distal side of the opening of the reception element. From this position the opposite side of the engagement element, i.e. the proximal side, can then be pushed to a position in which it is arranged under a corresponding proximal side of the opening of the reception element in a locked position. The opening contour of the opening may have approximately the same width as the second contour in a second dimension. The first dimension may be defined as a length direction, for example from the proximal side (4) to the pointed distal end (12) in fig. 1 . The second dimension, which is also defined as the width, may be the direction between the parallel sides (5, 6) of fig. 1 . The locking position provides an arrangement in which the engagement and reception element are arranged to resist strain in all directions.

In one embodiment the flat element of the engagement element comprises a flat pointed distal engagement section. The opening of the reception element may comprise a flat pointed distal reception section corresponding to the flat pointed distal engagement section. This arrangement may allow easier insertion of the engagement element under the reception element and may also participate in stopping the engagement from moving further in the length direction at a predefined point defined by the shapes of the pointed and/or tapered shapes of the engagement element and reception element.

The reception element may also, as the engagement element, be a substantially flat element. In one embodiment, in the locked position the flat element of the engagement element and the reception element are configurable in a parallel position in relation to each other, as shown in fig. 3C. In one embodiment the distal side of the flat element is configured such that it can be slid into the opening of the reception element and under the distal side of the reception element in a forward direction along the first dimension as shown in fig. 3A. The flat element by thereby be positioned slightly pitched in relation to the reception element. The flat element may be further configured such that it can subsequently be slid in a backward direction along the first dimension such that the proximal end of the engagement element is slid under the proximal side of the opening to end in a locked position as shown in fig. 3C.

The flat element of the engagement element may be made of a flexible and/or resilient material, wherein the flat element is bendable in an upward direction. In particular a section of the flat element adjacent to the proximal end may be bendable in an upward direction. Fig. 3B shows an example of such an arrangement. The flexibility of the element makes it possible to bend it, preferably by pushing it downwards, such that the proximal end, when it bends sufficiently, moves to the locked position. The positioning to the locked position may cause a clicking and/or snapping sound or impression. The position shown in fig. 3B, wherein the flat element is flexed, may be a predetermined position in relation to the second part. This predetermined position may be defined by for example the position of an attachment part (33) of the second part, which blocks the distal end side (12) of the flat element a predefined position. The attachment part (3) of the first part could also provide this blocking functionality.

In general, the first part may have some freedom to move in the second and locked position. The mechanism allows designing the fastener to allow greater or lesser flexibility of the first part in relation to the second part and still provide a useful fastening/locking mechanism.

In one embodiment the proximal end is bent and positioned on an upper side of the reception element of the second part in a first configuration. The proximal end may thereafter be positioned under the attachment part of the second part in a second configuration corresponding to the second and locked position. In this embodiment, the proximal end can be manually pushed by a user from the first configuration to the second configuration. The proximal end may be clicked or snapped to the second and locked position. Attachment to items/garments

The attachment parts may be attached to the items, such as garments, in a number of ways. In one embodiment the attachment part of the first part is directly attachable, such as glued or sewed, to the first item. Similarly, the attachment part of the second part may be directly attachable, such as glued or sewed, to the second item. The attachment parts do not necessarily have to be attached directly to the first and second items but could also have an additional element connected between the attachment part and the item. The attachment part of the first part may therefore further comprise a secondary attachment part connected to said attachment part and attachable, such as glued or sewed, to the first item. The secondary attachment part may be arranged on the opposite side of a garment, for example in the form of a plate, and may be attached to the attachment part of the first part through the garment by means of for example pins or glue. Similarly, the attachment part of the second part may further comprise a secondary attachment part connected to said attachment part and attachable, such as glued or sewed, to the second item. Also the secondary attachment part of the second part may be arranged on the opposite side of a garment, for example in the form of a plate, and may be attached to the attachment part of the second part through the garment by means of for example pins or glue. Preferably, the engagement is arranged at a certain distance from the first item. The reason is that in the locked position it is located under the reception element.

Therefore, preferably there should be a certain space between the engagement element and the first item corresponding to the thickness of the reception element. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the presently disclosed fastener, the engagement element comprises a first distancing element arranged to hold the engagement element at a minimum distance from a point of attachment to the first item. The first distancing element preferably has a size, more specifically the width of the attachment part (3) in fig. 1 , allowing it to be introduced through the opening of the reception element.

Preferably, also the reception element comprises a distancing element arranged to hold the reception element at a minimum distance from a point of attachment to the second item. The reason is that the engagement element may require a cavity in the locked position. Therefore, in one embodiment of the presently disclosed fastener, minimum distance is at least a height of the flat element of the engagement element. Visual indication - marking of socks The disclosure further relates to a visual indicator, such as a visual indicator textile strip, for a textile surface, such as a garment, comprising:

- an attachment layer attachable to the textile surface;

- a cover layer attachable on top of the attachment layer, the cover layer having a plurality of openings, each opening having a removable cover member;

wherein each opening, upon removal of the cover member, exposes an indication such a color and/or a character, such that the removal of a combination of cover members creates a combination of indications serving as visual indicator for the textile surface.

The garment may be sold in a configuration, wherein all openings are originally covered. Each cover may be removable, preferably permanently removable. By removing a combination of cover members, a combination of colors can be created by the user. The color combination may then serve as the user's chosen visual indication for garments. In a household, each person may have his/her own color combination. Accordingly, in one embodiment of the visual indicator, the exposed indications are different colors. Preferably, the cover members are made of a non-transparent material. In one embodiment the cover members have perforations for pulling off the cover members along a contour. The cover members may also comprise a pull-tab.

There are several possible arrangements of layers and indications. In one embodiment, the indications are placed directly on the attachment layer, which is exposed through the openings for those openings where the removable covers are removed. For example the exposed indications may be stained, painted or colored areas of the attachment layer. Another solution is to have an additional indication layer arranged between the attachment layer and the cover layer at least in the openings. The number of openings and associated visual indications may be configured to differentiate a suitable number of garments or group of garments. In one embodiment of the visual indicator the cover layer of the visual indication has at least three openings, preferably at least four openings, even more preferably at least five openings. Moreover the indications are not necessarily colors but may also be patterns, characters, signs or other indications. Detailed description of drawings

The invention will in the following be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are exemplary and are intended to illustrate some of the features of the presently disclosed fastening mechanism for garments, and are not to be construed as limiting to the presently disclosed invention.

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the first part (1 ) of the fastener. The first part (1 ) has an attachment part (3) which can be directly attached to an item/garment or attached to a further part. The first part (1 ) has an engagement element (2) in the form of a flat element (2). The flat element (2) has a straight proximal side (4) and a tapered, pointed distal side (7) and two parallel opposite sides (5, 6) connecting the distal end side (12) and the proximal end opposite side (4). This embodiment can be considered to be a five-sided shape wherein the distal end side (7) comprises two sides forming a pointed shape. The five-sided shape accordingly has five corner points (8, 9, 10, 1 1 , 12).

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of the second part (20) of the fastener, the second part (20) configured to receive and lock the first part. The second part (20) has an opening (22) having a shape corresponding to the first part but having an opening contour slightly smaller than an engagement contour (32) of the flat element of the engagement element in a first dimension (length direction). An imagined engagement contour (32) of the flat element of the engagement element is indicated by a dotted line (32). The second part comprises a flat reception element (21 ) which defines an inner opening (22) for receiving the engagement element. The opening (22) has a straight proximal side (23) and a tapered, pointed distal side (26) and two parallel opposite sides (24, 25) connecting the distal end side (26) and the proximal end opposite side (23). This embodiment can be considered to be a five-sided shape wherein the distal end side (26) comprises two sides forming a pointed shape. The five-sided shape accordingly has five corner points (27, 28, 29, 30, 31 ). A space under the reception element (21 ), i.e. between the reception element (21 ) and second item (not shown) defines a chamber for receiving and holding the engagement element of the first part.

Fig. 3A-C shows cross-sectional side-views of one embodiment of the fastener, including the first part (1 ) and second part (20), in a fastening process. The first part has a flat engagement element (2) and an attachment element (3). Fig. 3A shows the engagement element (2) being inserted into the opening of the reception element in a forward direction along the first dimension, such that the distal end side is placed under a corresponding distal end side of the reception element (21 ). In fig. 3B it can be seen how the engagement element (2) is pushed downwardly, optionally also forwardly, in order to snap the proximal end side (4) under a corresponding proximal end side of the reception element (21 ). The locked position is shown in fig. 3C, in which the

engagement element (2) is held in a chamber defined by a space between the reception element (21 ) and the second item (not shown). The second part has an attachment part (33), which also maintains the reception element (21 ) at a distance from the second item (not shown).

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the visual indicator (40), in the form a visual indicator strip, for a textile surface. The visual indicators have four openings (43), of which three are covered by cover members (42). The fourth opening (43) is opened (cover member (42) removed) and exposes an indication, such as a color. A cover layer (41 ) is attached on top of an attachment layer (not visible). The cover members (42) have perforations (44) for pulling off the cover members (42) along a contour.