Protective barrier for a zipper assembly

摘要

Protective assemblies for zippers described may include a protective barrier for preventing migration of particles and/or organisms between opposite surfaces of the barrier. When a zipper assembly is brought to a closed position, a zipper slider may form a connection with the barrier resulting in an obstruction to block infiltration of small particles or organisms (e.g., bed bugs, allergens, dust mites, small particles, etc.). The barrier may be attached to an article, such as a padded material for use with a bedding/furniture cover. In some embodiments, a cover may be implemented to enclose a portion of the zipper slider. The barrier may include one or more padding materials for preventing migration of small particles or organisms past obstructions formed by the padding material(s).

主权项

1. A barrier comprising:
a base attachable to the surface of an article that includes a zipper with zipper tracks and a zipper slider that cooperates with the zipper tracks to open and close the zipper, the base having a slider connecting region configured to receive the zipper slider; a cover attached to the base and movable from an open position to receive the zipper slider in the slider connecting region, to a closed position to enclose the zipper slider received in the slider connection region; and a slider padding located on the base and extending across the slider connecting region from a first side of the base to a second side of the base, the first side of the base to be located on a first side of the zipper tracks and the second side of the base to be located on a second side of the zipper tracks when the base is attached to the surface of the article, the slider padding to extend across and overlie a portion of the zipper tracks at the slider connecting region, the slider padding constructed and arranged to engage with the zipper slider and to form an obstruction that prevents migration of particles or organisms past a portion of the barrier when the cover is in the open position and the zipper slider is received in the slider connecting region, wherein a material of the slider padding is softer than a material of the base.