safari will not download a file

Do you have an app on your iPad that supports zipped files ? Unless you have an app that supports zipped files (and which you can use 'open in' in Safari to copy it to it, or if you can browse to and download the file directly in the app), and can unzip them (I'm assuming that you want to unzip it on your iPad) and supports the type of file(s) in the archive, then you won't be able to save the file.

Have you tried the We Transfer App?

See here:

WeTransfer by WeTransfer B.V.

https://appsto.re/us/ToNNT.i

How would that app help to download a file from safari? What I read about it states transferring items already on a device. Just curious.