CN117836472A - Fastener stringer, fastener chain, method for manufacturing fastener, and electroplating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a fastener stringer, a fastener chain, a method for manufacturing a fastener, and an electroplating apparatus. A method for manufacturing a fastener chain (1) or fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) comprises: a step of applying a voltage between one or more cathodes (10) and one or more anodes (20) at least partially immersed in the electrolyte in the plating bath (30); a step of generating an alternating magnetic field in the electrolyte when or during the application of a voltage between one or more cathodes (10) and one or more anodes (20); a step of controlling the position and orientation of the fastener chain (1) or the fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) so that at least the metallic fastener elements (4 a, 4 b) of the fastener chain (1) or the fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) are disposed in a space in which an alternating magnetic field is generated; and a step in which the plurality of magnetic media (9) are moved in accordance with the alternating magnetic field, the metal fastener elements (4 a, 4 b) are electrically connected to the cathode (10) via the plurality of magnetic media (9), and the plurality of magnetic media (9) collide with plating films grown on the metal fastener elements (4 a, 4 b).

Description

Fastener stringer, fastener chain, method for manufacturing fastener, and electroplating apparatus

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a fastener stringer, a fastener chain, a method of manufacturing a fastener, and an electroplating apparatus.

Background

Patent documents 1 and 2 disclose that metal fastener elements of a fastener chain are electroplated. As shown in fig. 3, 4, 5, etc. of patent document 1, a conductive medium 111 is accommodated in an insulating container 110, and a fastener chain 7 is passed through. The metal fastener element 3 of the fastener chain 7 and the plate-like cathode 118 are electrically connected via the conductive medium 111. An opening 116 is provided in the insulating container 110 to ensure contact between the metal fastener element 3 and the plating solution. The anode 119 is disposed to face the fastener chain 7 with the opening 116 of the insulating container 110 interposed therebetween. The metal fastener element 3 is mainly formed with a plating film on the side facing the anode 119. The same technique is also disclosed in patent document 2 (see fig. 2 and 3 of patent document 2).

Patent documents 3 and 4 disclose that a base material such as a button is put into a plating tank to be plated. In particular, it is disclosed that a magnetic medium is caused to flow together with a base material such as a button by using a permanent magnet, and plating is performed while the magnetic medium collides with the base material such as the button, thereby forming a special plating layer (for example, see fig. 20 of patent document 3 and fig. 20 of patent document 4). Patent documents 3 and 4 disclose plating methods for small articles such as buttons and sliders, and do not disclose a long fastener chain in a state where fastener elements are attached to a fastener tape.

Patent document 5 discloses a technique in which a fastener chain is passed between an anode 23 and a cathode 24, the fastener element is made of a first metallic color on the anode 23 side, and the fastener element is made of a second metallic color on the cathode 24 side. In order to obtain the metallic colors of the two colors, fastener elements are disposed apart from a cathode (cathode) (see fig. 1 and paragraph 0012 of patent document 5).

[ Prior Art literature ]

[ patent literature ]

Patent document 1: international publication No. 2018/109983

Patent document 2: international publication No. 2018/109998

Patent document 3: international publication No. 2018/189916

Patent document 4: international publication No. 2018/190202

Patent document 5: international publication No. 2016/075828

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

It is advantageous to form a plating film on the metallic fastener element of the fastener chain by a new method different from the existing method. Further, when the fastener stringers or fastener stringers are put into the plating bath in place of the base material (specifically, the button case) of patent documents 3 and 4, stirring thereof may not be smoothly performed, and electrical connection between the metal fastener elements and the cathode may be blocked by the fastener stringers.

Solution for solving the problem

A method of manufacturing a fastener chain or a fastener stringer in which a plating film is formed on a metallic fastener element according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a step of applying a voltage between one or more cathodes and one or more anodes (anode) at least partially immersed in the electrolyte in the plating tank; a step of generating an alternating magnetic field in the electrolyte when or during the application of a voltage between one or more cathodes and one or more anodes; a step of controlling the position and orientation of the fastener chain or fastener stringer so that at least the metallic fastener element of the fastener chain or fastener stringer is disposed in a space where an alternating magnetic field is generated; and a step of moving the plurality of magnetic media in accordance with the alternating magnetic field, wherein the fastener chain or the metallic fastener element of the fastener chain is electrically connected to the cathode via the plurality of magnetic media, and the plurality of magnetic media collides with the plating film grown on the metallic fastener element. As a result of the fastener chain or fastener stringer traveling continuously or intermittently on a prescribed traveling path, the position and orientation of the fastener chain or fastener stringer may be controlled, but is not necessarily limited thereto. The method of manufacturing the fastener chain can also be understood as a plating method of forming a plating film on a metallic fastener element of the fastener chain.

A method of manufacturing a slide fastener according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes: cutting the fastener chain obtained by the manufacturing method; and a step of attaching a slider to the fastener chain of the short fastener chain obtained by cutting, so that the metal fastener elements of the pair of fastener stringers of the fastener chain of the short fastener chain can be engaged and disengaged.

A further aspect of the present disclosure provides an electroplating apparatus for forming a plating film on a fastener chain or a metallic fastener element of a fastener stringer, comprising: a plating bath for storing an electrolyte in which one or more cathodes and one or more anodes are at least partially immersed; an alternating magnetic field generating unit that generates an alternating magnetic field in the electrolyte of the plating bath; and one or more supports for the fastener chain or fastener stringer, the supports being provided so that at least the metallic fastener element of the fastener chain or fastener stringer is disposed in a space in which an alternating magnetic field is generated. The cathode is provided to allow a plurality of magnetic media to move between the metallic fastener element of the fastener chain or the fastener chain supported by the one or more supports and the cathode according to an alternating magnetic field, and can be electrically connected to the metallic fastener element via the plurality of magnetic media.

In some embodiments, the position and orientation of the fastener chain or fastener stringer are controlled so that the longitudinal direction of the fastener chain or fastener stringer is along a predetermined direction in which different magnetic poles are alternately arranged to generate an alternating magnetic field. For this purpose, more than one support may be provided.

In some embodiments, the position and orientation of the fastener chain or fastener stringer is controlled such that (i) the main surface of the metallic fastener element is substantially orthogonal to the magnetic axis with respect to the magnetic pole, and/or (ii) the fastener chain or fastener stringer faces the magnetic pole in a flat posture in the width direction thereof.

In certain embodiments, the travel path of the zipper chain comprises more than one helical travel path, and/or the more than one cathode comprises more than one helical cathode.

In some embodiments, the step of generating the alternating magnetic field in the electrolyte solution includes rotating one or more magnetic rotating portions alternately arranged with different magnetic poles in a rotation direction.

In some embodiments, the position and orientation of the fastener chain or fastener stringer is controlled as a result of the fastener chain or fastener stringer (e.g., in a spiral) traveling around the magnetic rotation portion.

In some embodiments, the magnetic rotating portion is rotatably accommodated in a sealed magnetically permeable housing.

In some embodiments, the step of generating the alternating magnetic field in the electrolyte solution includes rotating different magnetic rotating parts provided as one or more magnetic rotating parts, respectively, and the position and orientation of the fastener chain or fastener stringer are controlled as a result of the fastener chain traveling over the different magnetic rotating parts.

In some embodiments, so-called advancing the fastener chain over the entire different magnetic rotation portion includes advancing the fastener chain in opposite directions on a helical path of travel around the different magnetic rotation portion.

In some embodiments, the position and orientation of the fastener chain or fastener stringer is controlled as a result of the fastener chain traveling in the direction of rotation of the magnetic rotation portion.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a plating film can be formed on a metallic fastener element of a fastener chain by a new method different from the existing method.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a method of electroplating a metallic fastener element of a fastener chain according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an example of a fastener chain.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which a plating film is formed on a base material of a metallic element.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart relating to the electroplating method.

FIG. 5 is another timing diagram associated with the electroplating process.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a plating apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a magnetic rotating part rotatably accommodated in a magnetically permeable casing of a plating apparatus.

Fig. 8 is a schematic side view showing an example of arrangement of the permanent magnets in the magnetic rotating section.

FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of a frame for mounting an anode provided outside a magnetically permeable casing of a plating apparatus.

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the behavior and action of a plurality of magnetic media, where fig. 10 (a) shows a state where the magnetic media are placed in a magnetic field formed by magnetic fluxes directed radially outward from the N pole of the permanent magnet, and fig. 10 (b) shows a state where the magnetic media are placed in a magnetic field formed by magnetic fluxes directed radially inward toward the S pole of the permanent magnet.

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing reverse rotation of the front and back of the fastener chain between spiral travel paths.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a plating apparatus provided with four spiral travel paths.

Fig. 13 is a schematic view showing a plating apparatus provided with another example of four spiral travel paths, in which the rotation direction of the magnetic rotating portion is different from that of fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a schematic view of a plating apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 15 is a schematic view for explaining the behavior and action of a plurality of magnetic media in a plating apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, in which fig. 15 (a) shows a state in which an upper cathode is disposed between an upper surface of a metal fastener element and an N pole, a state in which a lower cathode is disposed between a lower surface of the metal fastener element and an S pole, and fig. 15 (b) shows a state in which an upper cathode is disposed between an upper surface of the metal fastener element and an S pole, and a state in which a lower cathode is disposed between a lower surface of the metal fastener element and an N pole.

Fig. 16 is a schematic view of a plating apparatus according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 17 is a table showing evaluation results concerning washing and dyeing processes.

Detailed Description

Various embodiments and features are described below with reference to the drawings. Those skilled in the art will not require excessive description, and will be able to combine the embodiments and/or features and understand the synergistic effect resulting from the combination. In principle, duplicate descriptions between embodiments are omitted. The invention is described mainly for the purpose of reference to the drawings, and is simplified for convenience of drawing. Each feature is understood to be a general feature that is not effective only for the plating apparatus and the method of manufacturing a fastener chain disclosed in the present application, but also common to other various plating apparatuses and methods of manufacturing a fastener chain not disclosed in the present specification.

The method for manufacturing a fastener chain of the present disclosure includes four steps S1 to S4 schematically shown in fig. 1. In step S1, a voltage is applied between the cathode and the anode, which are at least partially immersed in the electrolyte in the plating tank. In step S2, an alternating magnetic field is generated in the electrolyte when or during the application of a voltage between the cathode and the anode. In step S3, the position and orientation of the fastener chain are controlled so that at least the metallic fastener element of the fastener chain is disposed in the space where the alternating magnetic field is generated. For example, the fastener chain is continuously or intermittently moved on a predetermined movement path to pass the fastener chain through an alternating magnetic field, and as a result, the position and orientation of the fastener chain are controlled. In step S4, the plurality of magnetic media move in accordance with the alternating magnetic field, the metal fastener elements of the fastener chain are electrically connected to the cathode via the plurality of magnetic media, and the plurality of magnetic media collide with the plating film grown on the metal fastener elements. The step S4 can be realized by performing the steps S1 and S2 with the magnetic medium being charged into the plating tank. When the step S3 is performed as a result of the slide fastener chain advancing, it may be performed so as to overlap the steps S1, S2, and S4 on the time axis, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

According to the method, growth of the plating film and collision of the magnetic medium with the plating film occur simultaneously, thereby promoting formation of a plating film of sufficient quality (for example, sufficient workability resistance). The position and orientation of the fastener chain are controlled, and the electrical connection between the metal fastener element and the cathode is prevented from being blocked by the fastener tape.

In order to improve the efficiency of the use of the alternating magnetic field, the position and orientation of the fastener chain 1 may be controlled so that the longitudinal direction of the fastener chain 1 is along a predetermined direction in which different magnetic poles are alternately arranged to generate the alternating magnetic field. Further, the position and orientation of the fastener chain 1 may be controlled so that the main surface of the metallic fastener element and the magnetic axis associated with the magnetic pole are substantially orthogonal, and/or so that the fastener chain 1 faces the magnetic pole in a flat posture in the width direction thereof. Thereby, the formation of a plating film with uniform quality and/or thickness is promoted. The flat posture is a state in which the fastener chain 1 is not greatly bent in the width direction, and does not mean flatness of the extent to which the two fastener tapes of the fastener chain 1 are disposed on the same plane, and includes local bending and waving of each fastener tape. Of course, in the fastener chain 1, the bent state in which the metallic fastener element is covered with the fastener tape is not included in the flat posture. The orientation of the metallic fastener element is substantially orthogonal to each other and is an angle in the range of 80 ° to 100 °.

When the position and orientation of the fastener chain 1 are controlled as a result of the fastener chain 1 traveling continuously or intermittently on the predetermined traveling path 80, electroplating can be efficiently performed. The prescribed travel path 80 may be defined by a plurality of support members 78, but is not necessarily limited thereto. The step of controlling the position and orientation of the fastener chain 1 may be replaced with a step of continuously or intermittently advancing the fastener chain on a predetermined advancing path so as to pass the fastener chain through an alternating magnetic field.

The process may be performed on one or both fastener stringers instead of the fastener chain. In the present specification, only the method of producing the fastener stringers is described, but the present invention is also applicable to the method of producing (one of) fastener stringers, and the repetitive description thereof is omitted.

The magnetic medium moves in accordance with the alternating magnetic field, and has conductivity sufficient to ensure electrical connection (i.e., short circuit) between the cathode 10 and the metallic fastener element 4a, 4 b. Various shapes of magnetic media may be used, and in some cases non-spherical media may be used. For example, a pin medium such as a cylinder or prism may be used. The pin medium may be a stainless steel pin having a diameter of about 0.2mm to 1.0mm or a length of 3mm to 15mm in maximum width. Ferromagnetic materials other than stainless steel may also be used.

The pin medium rotates according to the alternating magnetic field (when the orientation of the magnetic field changes, the pin medium changes from a first posture corresponding to the orientation of the magnetic field before the change to a second posture corresponding to the orientation of the magnetic field after the change). In addition, the pin medium is displaced by the magnetic pole. In addition to such pin medium behavior, the pin mediums collide with each other, and furthermore, the pin medium collides with the fastener chain (particularly, the metallic fastener element). Although the individual behaviors of the pin mediums are disordered, the electrical connection between the cathode and the metallic element is not sporadically maintained but continuously or intermittently due to the collection of these pin mediums. Here, collision refers to a case where, when the magnetic medium is in a state of being away from the metal fastener element (a state where the magnetic medium may not be away from each other), the rotational movement amount and the translational movement amount obtained from the alternating magnetic field are given to the metal fastener element, and unlike the case where the electrode and the plating object are relatively moved in a state where the electrode and the plating object are always in contact in the conventional plating technique described in patent document 1 or patent document 2.

By properly setting the changing speed of the magnetic field, the striking force of the magnetic medium against the plating film can be rationalized. The plating film may be flattened by collision of the magnetic medium, or a part of the surface thereof may be cut, with the result that the growth of the plating film may be delayed. However, due to the collision of the magnetic medium with the plating film, the quality (e.g., the processability resistance, or the adhesion to the substrate) of the plating film can be improved. In the case where the adhesion to the substrate is improved, the collision can also be said to mean a collision having a movement amount to an extent that affects the change in the crystal structure of the plating layer.

As shown in fig. 2, the fastener chain 1 is a long article extending in a predetermined direction with a predetermined width, and has a pair of fastener stringers 2a, 2b. Each of the fastener stringers 2a, 2b has a fastener tape 3a, 3b, and metal fastener elements 4a, 4b attached to side edges of the fastener tape 3a, 3 b. The fastener chain 1 is formed by engaging a pair of fastener stringers 2a, 2b with each other with a metal fastener element 4a, 4b. The metal fastener elements 4a and 4b of the pair of fastener stringers 2a and 2b can be engaged with each other using a slider, not shown, and can be disengaged similarly.

The metal fastener elements 4a are attached to the side edge portions of the fastener tape 3a at predetermined intervals, and therefore are not electrically connected to each other in the fastener tape 3 a. Similarly, since the metal fastener elements 4b are attached to the side edge portions of the fastener tape 3b at predetermined intervals, they are not electrically connected to each other in the fastener tape 3 b. When the metal fastener element 4a and the metal fastener element 4b are engaged, both can be brought into contact with each other, and both can have a common potential. Further, the contact state between the metallic fastener element 4a and the metallic fastener element 4b may be changed by collision of a magnetic medium or the like during the travel of the fastener chain 1.

In the fastener chain 1, after the metal fastener elements 4a and 4b are electroplated, a short fastener chain is formed by a cutting process, a slider is attached to the short fastener chain, and thereafter, a stopper is attached to the fastener chain as necessary. A component in which a slider (or other stopper) is attached to a short fastener chain is generally called a slide fastener. The slider, which is a component of the slide fastener of the final product, is not attached to the fastener chain 1, and can be efficiently and smoothly conveyed downstream.

The fastener tape 3a, 3b is a flexible tape including a fabric, a braid, or a mixture of these. The fastener tapes 3a, 3b have a pair of main surfaces of a surface visible from the front surface side of the fastener chain 1 and a back surface visible from the back surface side of the fastener chain 1, and have thicknesses defined by the pair of main surfaces. The metal fastener elements 4a and 4b are attached to core wires of the fastener tapes 3a and 3b by plastic deformation thereof. The metal fastener elements 4a and 4b have a pair of leg portions attached to side edge portions (typically core wires) of the fastener tape 3a and 3b, and a head portion connecting the pair of leg portions. In some cases, a pair of side surfaces of the head portion intersecting the longitudinal direction of the fastener chain 1 are provided with engaging projections on one side surface and engaging recesses on the other side surface. In other cases, engagement protrusions are provided on the pair of side surfaces, respectively. The metal fastener elements 4a and 4b have a pair of main surfaces, i.e., a surface visible from the front surface side of the fastener chain 1 and a back surface visible from the back surface side of the fastener chain 1, and have a thickness defined by the pair of main surfaces.

After the electroplating step of the present disclosure, as shown in fig. 3, the base material 4g of the metal fastener element 4a or the metal fastener element 4b is covered with the plating film 4 h. Fig. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing a case where the base material 4g of the metal fastener element 4a or the metal fastener element 4b is coated with the plating film 4 h.

The case where the base material 4g of the metallic element includes brass (CuZn) and tin (Sn) is used as the anode will be described as an example. According to the electroplating of the present disclosure, the plating film 4h includes the metal elements (Cu, zn) of the base material 4g in addition to tin (Sn). The ratio of Cu and Zn (referred to as the first plating film metal element) in the plating film 4h continuously decreases as it leaves the base material 4g in the thickness direction of the plating film 4 h. The proportion of Sn (referred to as a second plating film metal element) corresponding to the anode decreases as approaching the base material 4g in the thickness direction of the plating film 4 h. The proportion of the metal element of the second plating film is largest at the upper surface of the plating film 4h, and the proportion of the metal element of the first plating film is smallest or zero at the upper surface of the plating film 4 h. Of course, one or more additional plating films may be formed on the plating film 4 h. Various combinations of the metal element of the base material 4g and the metal element of the anode can be made, and the description herein is to be construed as a non-limiting example only.

The sequence of the steps S1 to S4 will be described in addition. The step S1 and the step S2 are not necessarily performed in full synchronization, and may be performed with a time difference between the start timing and the end timing (see fig. 4). In addition, the steps S1 and S2 (see fig. 5) may be intermittently performed. When the step S3 is performed as a result of the slide fastener chain traveling, it is performed so as to overlap with the steps S1 and S2 along the time axis (see fig. 4), or so as to overlap with the steps S1 and S2 not along the time axis (complementarily) (see fig. 5). The step S4 is performed along the time axis so as to overlap with the steps S1 and S2.

In fig. 4, after time t2, the metal fastener element receives the supply of electrons from the cathode, and metal ions from the anode are continuously deposited on the metal fastener element. In addition, the magnetic medium continuously collides with the plating film grown with precipitation of metal ions. In fig. 5, a plating film is formed on the metallic fastener element of the fastener chain that is stopped during the period between time t1 and time t2, and the magnetic medium continuously collides with the plating film. In the period between time t2 and time t3, the fastener chain travels at a predetermined distance. The above operation is repeated to form a desired plating film on the metal fastener element.

Hereinafter, a method and apparatus for manufacturing (electroplating) a fastener chain of the present disclosure will be described in detail. In addition, various electroplating apparatus may be used in the methods of the present disclosure, and the electroplating apparatus disclosed in the present disclosure is merely one example. As shown in fig. 6, the plating apparatus 100 includes a plating tank 30, a conveying mechanism 40, an alternating magnetic field generating unit 50, and a travel path 80 of the fastener chain 1. The fastener chain 1 enters the plating tank 30 from outside the plating tank 30 via the rollers 41 and 42 of the conveying mechanism 40, and exits the plating tank 30 from inside the plating tank 30 via the rollers 43 and 44 of the conveying mechanism 40. The specific method of carrying the fastener chain 1 is arbitrary, and for example, a winding roller, a jig, or a roller pair (a combination of a driving roller and a pressing roller) may be used for carrying out the above-mentioned carrying. The fastener chain 1 includes an immersed portion that travels in the plating tank 30 along the travel path 80 and is immersed in the electrolyte solution 35 of the plating tank 30, and other portions.

The plating tank 30 stores an electrolyte 35 impregnated with one or more cathodes 10 and one or more anodes 20. The plating tank 30 is an insulating container having a bottom plate 31 and side plates 32, and can be optionally closed with a lid. The electrolyte 35 of the plating tank 30 is, for example, a cyan-based plating solution, and circulates between the plating solution and an external sub tank. In addition, from the viewpoint of reducing environmental load, it is preferable to use a plating solution that does not contain a specific harmful substance such as cyano, chromium, selenium. The cathode 10 and the anode 20 are connected to a dc power supply E1, and a voltage is applied therebetween. The voltage application state can be controlled by on/off of the switch SW. Anode 20 may be a soluble or insoluble anode. The metal element of the anode 20 is appropriately determined according to the metal element of the target plating film. The cathode 10 is provided in the electrolyte 35 so as to be away from the anode 20, and supplies electrons to the metal fastener elements 4a and 4b of the fastener chain 1 (so that the metal fastener elements 4a and 4b are set to a cathode potential).

The alternating magnetic field generating unit 50 generates an alternating magnetic field in the electrolyte 35 of the plating tank 30. The alternating magnetic field refers to a magnetic field whose magnitude and direction change with time. The travel path 80 of the fastener chain 1 is provided so that the fastener chain 1 is arranged in the alternating magnetic field generated by the alternating magnetic field generating unit 50. When the alternating magnetic field is generated simultaneously with or during the same period as the traveling of the fastener chain 1, the metallic fastener elements 4a and 4b of the fastener chain 1 pass through the alternating magnetic field generated by the alternating magnetic field generating unit 50.

In the present plating apparatus 100, the cathode 10 is provided so as to allow a plurality of magnetic media to move (e.g., rotate) between the metallic fastener element 4a, the metallic fastener element 4b, and the cathode 10 of the fastener chain 1 supported by the support member 78 in accordance with the alternating magnetic field, and is electrically connectable to the metallic fastener element 4a, the metallic fastener element 4b via the plurality of magnetic media. In other words, (i) a space in which a plurality of magnetic mediums move according to an alternating magnetic field is provided between the metal fastener element 4a, the metal fastener element 4b, and the cathode 10 of the fastener chain 1 supported by the support member 78, and (ii) the space is set such that the metal fastener element 4a, the metal fastener element 4b are electrically connected to the cathode 10 via the plurality of magnetic mediums, and the plurality of magnetic mediums can collide with plating films grown on the metal fastener element 4a, the metal fastener element 4b.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to ensure that both the growth of the plating film on the metallic fastener element 4a and the metallic fastener element 4b and the collision of the magnetic medium with the plating film occur simultaneously. Thus, formation of a plating film (e.g., workability resistance) of sufficient quality can be promoted. In addition, when the fastener chain is continuously or intermittently moved on the moving path 80 defined by the support member 78, the plating process can be efficiently performed.

The support member 78 may be configured to: the position and orientation of the fastener chain 1 are controlled so that the longitudinal direction of the fastener chain 1 is along a predetermined direction (for example, the circumferential direction and/or the rotational direction of a magnetic rotating portion 60 described later) in which magnetic poles are alternately arranged to generate an alternating magnetic field, and the fastener chain 1 faces the magnetic poles in a flat posture in the width direction. Thereby, forming a plating film with uniform quality and/or thickness can be facilitated.

The alternating magnetic field generating unit 50 includes a motor 61 and a magnetic rotating unit 60 rotated by the motor 61. The motor 61 is, for example, a direct current motor or an alternating current motor. In the magnetic rotating portion 60, different magnetic poles (i.e., N poles and S poles) are alternately arranged in the rotation direction thereof. As the magnetic pole, a permanent magnet, an electromagnet, or a combination of these may be used. In the case shown in fig. 7, permanent magnets are used for the magnetic poles. The magnetic rotating portion 60 has: a rotating body 63 rotatably fixed to a rotation shaft 62 of the motor 61; and a plurality of permanent magnets 64 provided on the outer surface of the rotating body 63. The rotating body 63 is a hollow cylindrical member made of stainless steel, for example. The permanent magnet 64 may be a rare earth magnet such as a neodymium magnet, but other types may be used. It is not necessary to provide one motor 61 corresponding to one magnetic rotating portion 60. The output of the motor 61 may be supplied to the plurality of magnetic rotating portions 60 via an appropriate power transmission system. Further, the rotation shaft 62 of the motor 61 may be fixed to the opening of the bottom plate 31 of the plating tank 30 via a waterproof bearing.

The plurality of permanent magnets 64 are arranged so that the S-poles and the N-poles alternate in the rotation direction of the magnetic rotating portion 60 (see fig. 8). When the magnetic rotating unit 60 rotates in accordance with the operation of the motor 61, the magnetic rotating unit 60 alternately switches between the S-pole and the N-pole as viewed from a predetermined position on the radially outer side of the magnetic rotating unit 60. The magnetic medium (for example, a pin medium) located at a predetermined position on the radially outer side of the magnetic rotating portion 60 rotates according to the change in the magnetic pole (closest to the magnetic medium) while flowing in the rotation direction of the magnetic rotating portion 60. The rotation speed of the magnetic rotating portion 60 is, for example, 100rpm to 4,000rpm.

As shown in fig. 8, an N-pole arrangement region Z1, an N-pole arrangement region Z3, an N-pole arrangement region Z5, and S-pole arrangement regions Z2, Z4 in which the permanent magnets 64 with the outward S-poles are arranged are alternately arranged on the outer surface of the magnetic rotating portion 60 in the rotation direction of the magnetic rotating portion 60. In fig. 8, the N pole arrangement region Z1, the N pole arrangement region Z3, the N pole arrangement region Z5, the S pole arrangement region Z2, and the S pole arrangement region Z4 extend vertically and straightly parallel to the rotation axis of the magnetic rotation unit 60, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. In some cases, the N-pole arrangement region Z1, the N-pole arrangement region Z3, the N-pole arrangement region Z5, the S-pole arrangement region Z2, and the S-pole arrangement region Z4 extend obliquely upward and downward in non-parallel with the rotation axis of the magnetic rotating unit 60 or extend in zigzag upward and downward in non-parallel with the rotation axis of the magnetic rotating unit 60, taking into account sedimentation due to gravity of the magnetic medium.

The plating apparatus 100 further includes a magnetically permeable casing 70, and the magnetic rotating unit 60 is rotatably accommodated in a hermetically sealed manner. The magnetic flux from the N pole toward the S pole of the permanent magnet 64 of the magnetic rotating unit 60 inside the magnetically permeable casing 70 is allowed to pass through the magnetically permeable casing 70, and a magnetic field can be formed outside the magnetically permeable casing 70. The magnetically permeable casing 70 is not rotated together with the magnetic rotating unit 60 by the operation of the motor 61, but is kept stationary at a predetermined position, for example, is coupled to the rotary shaft 62 (at the bottom plate and the upper plate thereof) via a waterproof bearing. The magnetic rotating part 60 may be protected from the electrolyte 35 by providing the magnetically permeable housing 70, and/or the rotational resistance of the magnetic rotating part 60 may be reduced. The magnetically permeable casing 70 comprises, for example, a resin such as polypropylene, acrylic, vinyl chloride, or the like.

A plurality of support members 78 are provided on the outer surface of the magnetically permeable housing 70 as one or more supports for supporting the fastener chain 1. Thereby, the position and posture of the fastener chain 1 can be controlled and the travel path 80 thereof can be defined. Suitably, the fastener chain 1 is supported in a flat posture by a support (e.g., the support member 78). The fastener chain 1 may travel in the circumferential direction around the magnetic rotating portion 60, specifically, at a position radially outside the rotation shaft 62 of the magnetic rotating portion 60. The magnetic flux density decreases as it moves radially outward from the magnetic rotating portion 60, but by providing the support member 78 in the magnetically permeable housing 70, the fastener chain 1 can be made to travel in the vicinity of the magnetic rotating portion 60. The magnetic medium can move greatly between the magnetically permeable housing 70 and the fastener chain 1 according to the alternating magnetic field, and the magnetic medium can collide strongly with the plating film. In some cases, a plurality of support members 78 are mounted to the outer surface of the magnetically permeable housing 70 in a manner that delimits a helical travel path 80 of the fastener chain 1. By forming the travel path 80 in a spiral shape, an increase in size of the plating apparatus 100 can be avoided.

Each support member 78 is an L-shaped member, and specifically includes a first rod portion 78a extending radially outward from the rotation shaft 62 of the magnetic rotating portion 60, and a second rod portion 78b extending upward from the outer surface of the magnetically permeable housing 70 with a predetermined interval. The first rod portion 78a prevents the slide fastener chain 1 in the electrolyte 35 from settling due to gravity. The second rod portion 78b prevents the fastener chain 1 from being tilted away from the outer surface of the magnetically permeable housing 70 by gravity, magnetic medium, water flow, or the like. The support member 78 may be secured to the outer periphery of the magnetically permeable housing 70 by any method such as bolting, bonding, etc.

The cathode 10 may be disposed at an outer surface of the magnetically permeable housing 70. The cathode 10 is provided to extend along the traveling path of the fastener chain 1. Thus, it is expected that the metal fastener element 4a and the metal fastener element 4b are electrically connected to the cathode 10 via the magnetic medium. In some cases, the cathode 10 is disposed in a spiral shape around the magnetically permeable casing 70 corresponding to the spiral-shaped travel path 80 of the fastener chain 1. In addition to or instead of this, the cathode 10 is provided at a position where the metal fastener element 4a and the metal fastener element 4b of the fastener chain 1 face each other with the cathode 10 during the travel on the travel path 80. The permanent magnet 64, the magnetically permeable casing 70, the cathode 10, the magnetic medium, the metallic fastener element 4a, and the metallic fastener element 4b are coaxially arranged in the radial direction with respect to the rotation axis of the magnetic rotation unit 60.

When the cathode 10 is provided on the outer surface of the magnetically permeable casing 70, induced electromotive force is generated in the cathode 10 by the rotation of the magnetic rotating part 60, and induced current flows in the cathode 10. To reduce the influence, the cathode 10 is provided in a linear shape (not cylindrical shape) on the outer surface of the magnetically permeable casing 70. The magnetic flux interlinking with the cathode 10 is reduced, and the induced electromotive force and the induced current can be suppressed. The spiral cathode 10 can be constructed by spirally winding the linear cathode 10 around the outer surface of the magnetically permeable casing 70. The linear cathode 10 may be provided on the outer surface of the magnetically permeable casing 70 in a form other than a spiral. The cathode 10 may be fixed to the outer surface of the magnetic permeable casing 70 by means of screws, adhesives, fitting, etc.

In the case where the cathode 10 is provided in a linear or spiral shape, the length of the cathode 10 becomes longer. In order to stabilize the cathode potential, a plurality of contacts to the dc power supply E1 may be provided in one magnetically permeable case 70 on the cathode 10, or the cathode 10 may be divided and the contacts to the dc power supply E1 may be provided separately.

In order to dispose the anode 20 in the vicinity of the travel path 80 of the fastener chain 1, a frame 72 (see fig. 9) may be used. By attaching a plurality of anodes 20 directly to the frame 72 or indirectly via a cage or the like, the plurality of anodes 20 can be arranged at different positions along the travel path 80 of the fastener chain 1. Thereby, the variation in the metal ion concentration of the fastener chain 1 along the travel path 80 can be reduced. For example, a mesh cage is mounted to the frame 72, and a metal plate (functioning as the anode 20) is mounted in the cage.

The frame 72 is located radially outward of the magnetically permeable housing 70 with respect to the rotation axis 62 of the magnetic rotating portion 60. The frame 72 is a cylindrical net member having transverse members 73 provided at intervals in the up-down direction and vertical members 74 connecting the transverse members 73 to each other in the up-down direction. The frame 72 is constructed so as not to interfere with the travel path 80 of the fastener chain 1. The metal ions eluted from the anode 20 can reach the metal fastener element 4a and the metal fastener element 4b of the fastener chain 1 located in the travel path 80 through the mesh of the frame 72. As will be clear to those skilled in the art, the anode 20 may be disposed in the vicinity of the travel path 80 of the fastener chain 1 without using the frame 72.

The function of the magnetic medium is further described with reference to fig. 10. In fig. 10 (a), the N-pole arrangement region of the magnetic rotating portion 60 is located inside the outer periphery of the magnetically permeable casing 70 at a predetermined position. In fig. 10 (b), the S-pole arrangement region of the magnetic rotating portion 60 is located inside the outer periphery of the magnetically permeable casing 70 at a predetermined position. In either state of fig. 10 (a) and 10 (b), an appropriate amount of the magnetic medium 9 is present between the cathode 10 and the metal fastener element 4a and 4b. In fig. 10 (a) and 10 (b), the magnetic flux is indicated by a dotted line.

In the process of changing the orientation of the magnetic flux from fig. 10 (a) to fig. 10 (b), each magnetic medium 9 rotates and displaces. The metallic element 4a and the metallic element 4b may be electrically connected to the cathode 10 through a plurality of media, regardless of the change in the orientation and displacement of each magnetic medium 9, either before and after or during the entire process thereof. Some of the magnetic medium 9 collides with a plating film during growth on the metallic element 4a, the metallic element 4b when it rotates. In the fastener chain 1, the metal fastener element 4a and the metal fastener element 4b may be electrically connected to the cathode 10 via the other metal fastener element 4a and the metal fastener element 4b, even if the metal fastener element 4a and the metal fastener element 4b are not electrically connected to the cathode 10 via the magnetic medium 9.

The magnetic medium 9 may be used to assist the conveyance of the fastener chain 1, not necessarily limited thereto. For example, the rotation direction of the magnetic rotation portion 60 is set to be the same direction as the traveling direction of the fastener chain 1 traveling therearound. The magnetic medium 9 is rotated by the alternating magnetic field and is also driven by the permanent magnet 64 of the magnetic rotating unit 60 to flow in the same direction as the magnetic rotating unit 60. The fastener chain 1 is pushed by the flow of the magnetic medium 9, and the fastener chain 1 is easily moved in the same direction.

The metal fastener element 4a and the metal fastener element 4b of the fastener chain 1 have a first surface 5 facing the cathode 10 and a second surface 6 facing the opposite side of the cathode 10 (see fig. 10). If the anode 20 is disposed radially outward of the fastener chain 1 from the magnetically permeable casing 70 and there is an equivalent magnetic medium on the first surface 5 side and the second surface 6 side of the metallic fastener element 4a, the metallic fastener element 4b, the growth rate of the plating film on the second surface 6 side of the metallic fastener element 4a, the metallic fastener element 4b is greater than the growth rate of the plating film on the first surface 5 side of the metallic fastener element 4a, the metallic fastener element 4 b. In order to prevent the thickness of the front and back plating films of the metal fastener elements 4a and 4b from being different, the front and back of the fastener chain 1 may be reversed on the travel path of the fastener chain 1.

In the case shown in fig. 6, two alternating magnetic field generating units 50 are provided in the plating tank 30, an upstream spiral travel path is provided on the outer periphery of the magnetically permeable casing 70 of the upstream alternating magnetic field generating unit 50, a downstream spiral travel path is provided on the outer periphery of the magnetically permeable casing 70 of the downstream alternating magnetic field generating unit 50, and a front-back reversing unit 90 of the fastener chain 1 is provided between these spiral travel paths.

In the case shown in fig. 11, the front/back reversing portion 90 has only two guide rollers 91, 92. The front-back inversion of the fastener chain 1 is achieved by reversing the traveling direction of the fastener chain 1 between the magnetically permeable casing 70 on the upstream side and the magnetically permeable casing 70 on the downstream side. That is, as shown in fig. 11, when the plating tank 30 is viewed from above, the fastener chain 1 travels clockwise on the upstream spiral travel path and travels counterclockwise on the downstream spiral travel path. In this way, the front and back of the fastener chain 1 are reversed, and the thicknesses of the plating films on the front and back of the metal fastener elements 4a and 4b are made uniform. In addition, the reverse rotation of the front and back of the fastener chain 1 may be performed by other various methods.

The operation method of the plating apparatus 100 will be described focusing on a predetermined portion of the fastener chain 1. First, according to the conveyance of the fastener chain 1, a predetermined portion of the fastener chain 1 is guided by the rollers 41 and 42 to reach the travel path 80 in the electrolyte 35. Before a predetermined portion of the fastener chain 1 travels on the travel path 80, the magnetic rotating unit 60 rotates by the operation of the motor 61, and generates an alternating magnetic field around the predetermined portion. The traveling path 80 of the fastener chain 1 is arranged in the alternating magnetic field, and thus the magnetic medium 9 moves. A voltage is applied between the cathode 10 and the anode 20 by the dc power supply E1.

When a predetermined portion of the fastener chain 1 travels along the travel path 80, the metal fastener elements 4a and 4b are electrically connected to the cathode 10 provided on the outer surface of the magnetically permeable casing 70 via the magnetic medium 9. The magnetic medium 9 repeatedly collides with plating films formed on the metal fastener elements 4a and 4 b. During the period in which the predetermined portion of the fastener chain 1 advances from the lower end to the upper end of the spiral advancing path 80, the growth of the plating film and the collision of the magnetic medium 9 with the plating film continuously occur. Thus, the plating apparatus 100 can be prevented from being enlarged, and the formation of a plating film of a sufficient thickness can be promoted.

The predetermined portion of the fastener chain 1 is then reversed in front-back direction, and travels in the opposite direction, i.e., from the upper end toward the lower end thereof, on the next spiral travel path 80. During the travel, as described above, the growth of the plating film and the collision of the magnetic medium 9 with the plating film continuously occur. Thus, plating films are formed on the front and back surfaces of the metallic fastener elements 4a and 4b of the fastener chain 1. After the completion of the travel on the spiral travel path 80, the predetermined portion of the fastener chain 1 is guided by the rollers 43 and 44 and withdrawn from the electrolyte 35.

Further, metal ions are deposited also in the contact portions of the metal fastener element 4a and the metal fastener element 4b, thereby forming a plating film. In the electroplating, the engaging rows of the metal fastener elements 4a and 4b are electrically connected to the cathode 10 continuously along the longitudinal direction of the fastener chain 1 via the magnetic medium 9, and thus, the potential gradient is suppressed from being generated in the engaging rows of the metal fastener elements 4a and 4b along the longitudinal direction of the fastener chain 1. In order to control on/off of each motor 61 and on/off of the switch SW, a sequencer may be used. The sequencer may control the start and stop of the conveyance of the fastener chain.

In the above description, the description has been mainly made of the configuration in which two alternating magnetic field generating units 50, two spiral traveling paths, and one front-back reversing unit 90 are provided with reference to fig. 6, but it is also possible to assume a configuration in which only one alternating magnetic field generating unit 50 and one spiral traveling path are provided. The travel path 80 of the fastener chain 1 is not necessarily limited to a spiral shape, and may be a straight line, a zigzag shape, or the like. The fastener chain 1 may be wound around the plurality of magnetically permeable cases 70, and the fastener chain 1 may be repeated along the rotation axis of the magnetic rotation unit 60.

The following describes the modification (variation) with reference to fig. 12 to 16. Fig. 12 and 13 show a configuration in which four alternating magnetic field generating units 50, four spiral traveling paths, and two front-back reversing units 90 are provided. In fig. 12, the fastener chain 1 travels clockwise upward on the first spiral travel path, counterclockwise downward on the second spiral travel path, counterclockwise upward on the third spiral travel path, and clockwise downward on the fourth spiral travel path. In fig. 13, the fastener chain 1 travels counterclockwise upward on the first spiral travel path, clockwise downward on the second spiral travel path, clockwise upward on the third spiral travel path, and counterclockwise downward on the fourth spiral travel path. By providing four or more alternating magnetic field generating units 50 and 4 spiral traveling paths, a sufficient thickness of the plating film can be ensured even if the traveling speed of the fastener chain 1 is increased.

Fig. 14 and 15 show a configuration in which the position and orientation of the fastener chain 1 are controlled by the rollers 41 and 42 of the conveying mechanism 40 instead of the support members 78 (that is, the rollers 41 and 42 of the conveying mechanism 40 function as supports for the fastener chain 1). Even in this case, the same effects as those described can be obtained within a range not contradictory.

In fig. 14 and 15, alternating magnetic field generating sections 50' are provided above and below the horizontal travel path of the fastener chain 1. As in the above description, the alternating magnetic field generating unit 50' includes a magnetic rotating unit 60' (the magnetic rotating unit is schematically shown in fig. 15) and a magnetically permeable casing 70'. As described above, the magnetic rotating portion 60 'is rotatably hermetically housed in the magnetically permeable casing 70' and rotates in accordance with the operation of the motor. The magnetic rotating portion 6 'may be provided in plural in the magnetically permeable housing 70'. Here, the rotation shaft of the motor is horizontally disposed. A travel path 80 of the fastener chain 1 is provided between the upper and lower magnetically permeable housings 70'. The cathode 10 is disposed above and below the fastener elements 4a and 4b of the fastener chain 1 traveling on the traveling path 80 with a predetermined gap therebetween. Further, anodes 20 are disposed on both upper and lower sides of the fastener tape of the fastener chain 1. The magnetic medium 9 rotates in accordance with the rotation of the magnetic rotation portion 60, and ensures the electrical connection between the cathode 10 and the metal fastener elements 4a and 4b, and a plating film grows on the metal fastener elements 4a and 4 b. During the growth of the plating film, the magnetic medium 9 repeatedly collides with the plating film. Thus, a plating film of the same good quality as described above was formed. In fig. 14, the fastener chain 1 passes between the pair of alternating magnetic field generating units 50 'only once, but a plurality of pairs of alternating magnetic field generating units 50' may be provided in the plating tank 30 so that the fastener chain 1 passes a plurality of times.

Fig. 16 shows that the fastener stringer 1 is supplied to the electrolytic solution in the plating tank 30 at a predetermined position and orientation, and a plating film is formed on the metallic fastener element by electroplating. One end of the fastener chain 1 is supported by one or more supporting members 120 in the longitudinal direction, and the other end is supported by the other one or more supporting members 120. The position and orientation of the fastener chain 1 can also be controlled by this method. The specific structure of the supporting member 120 is various, and the number thereof is also various. In the example of the figure, four supports 120 in total are provided, two of which are assigned to one end of the fastener chain 1 and the other two of which are assigned to the other end of the fastener chain 1.

Each support 120 includes a fixing member 121, a fixing member 124, a spring 122, and a pressing ball 123. The fixing members 121 and 124 are fixed to predetermined positions in the plating tank 30. One end of the spring 122 is fixed to the fixing member 121, and the pressing ball 123 is fixed to the other end of the spring 122. The fastener tape of the fastener chain 1 is sandwiched and positioned between the pressing ball 123 and the support surface of the fixing member 124. As is clear from fig. 16, it is not necessary to advance the fastener chain. If described with care, the fastener stringers may be supported at predetermined positions and orientations by the support 120 in fig. 16.

Examples

A plating film was formed on a metallic fastener element of a fastener chain using the plating apparatus shown in fig. 13 of the present application. Further, the rotation speed of the magnetic rotating portion was 400rpm. The travel speed of the fastener chain was 3.5 m/min. The power supply voltage was 1V, and a current of 10A was supplied to each cathode. The plating time was 7 minutes. And sewing the zipper chain on jean cloth, and washing. As the washing process, a deep color process in which the denim fabric maintains a deep color and a light color process in which the denim fabric changes to a light color are performed.

In the washing process, the jean cloth with the zipper chain is subjected to pretreatment, stone washing, biological washing and ecological bleaching in sequence. In light-colored processing, ecological bleaching is followed by further strong bleaching. The pretreatment is a hot water washing process for desizing, and is washed with hot water at 90 ℃ for 20 minutes, hot water at 60 ℃ for 5 minutes, and warm water at 30 ℃ for 5 minutes. Stone washing is a process of co-washing with pumice, and washing is performed for 30 minutes. The bio-washing is a process of softening denim fabric by dissolving fibers using enzymes and removing fluff, and washing with cellulase in hot water at 55 ℃ for 20 minutes. The ecological bleaching is a step of removing the color of the denim fabric using glucose to give whiteness, and washing with glucose (20 g/L) and NaOH (15 g/L) added to hot water at 90℃for 20 minutes. Bleaching is a process of removing the color of denim fabric with a bleaching agent to exhibit whiteness, and washing with 50 ° hot water for 15 minutes while adding sodium hypochlorite.

In addition to the washing process, a dyeing process was also performed. As the dyeing process, a dyeing process using a sulfur dye and a dyeing process using a reactive dye are performed. In the dyeing process using a sulfur dye, an alkali material, a dye, a dyeing accelerator, and a reducing agent (mercapto compound (thiogen)) were added to 50 ° hot water, and the denim fabric with a fastener chain was immersed at 85 ° for 20 minutes. In the dyeing process using a reactive dye, the reactive dye is put into hot water at a predetermined temperature, and the denim fabric with the fastener chain is immersed for a predetermined time. In addition to the washing and dyeing process, a 24 hour salt spray test was performed.

Comparative example 1, comparative example 2

In comparative example 1, a cathode electrode (for example, a conductive medium of patent document 1 or patent document 2) was directly brought into contact with a metallic fastener element to perform electroplating. In comparative example 2, a plating film was formed on a metallic element by an electroless plating method. The travel speed of the fastener chain was 30 m/min. Then, washing treatment, dyeing treatment, and salt spray test were performed in the same manner as in examples.

As shown in fig. 17, it was confirmed that plating films having the same quality as or higher than that of comparative examples 1 and 2 were formed in examples. It was confirmed that some peeling was found in each of comparative examples 1, 2 and 2, but more slight peeling was found in each of examples before and after the washing process. In the dyeing process using the reactive dye, peeling of the plating film was not observed before and after the dyeing process in examples, as in comparative examples 1 and 2. In the dyeing process using the sulfur dye, discoloration was observed in the same manner as in comparative examples 1 and 2, but the areas where discoloration occurred were small in examples compared to comparative examples 1 and 2. Further, it was also confirmed that the test of spraying brine was continued for 24 hours, and as a result, no surface discoloration was observed in the examples in the same manner as in comparative examples 1 and 2.

From the above results, it was confirmed that the plating film of the metallic fastener element of the fastener chain manufactured by the manufacturing method (electroplating method) of the present disclosure had a workability resistance comparable to that of the metal fastener element of the fastener chain manufactured by the conventional manufacturing method (electroplating method or electroless plating method).

Specifically, in the case of the light-colored washing process, the surface uniformity of the plating layer of the metallic fastener element was higher in the examples than in the comparative examples 1 and 2. Regarding the dyeing process using the reactive dye, the plating layer of the metallic element in the example maintains a higher gloss level than those in comparative examples 1 and 2. Thus, the examples showed improvement in uniformity and glossiness of the surface of the plating layer as compared with comparative examples 1 and 2.

Various modifications to the embodiments and features will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure. Reference signs included in the claims are for reference, and shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Description of the reference numerals

1: a slide fastener chain; 2a: a fastener stringer; 2b: a fastener stringer; 4a: a metal fastener element; 4b: a metal fastener element; 7: a slide fastener chain; 10: a cathode; 20: an anode; 30: a plating bath; 35: an electrolyte; 50: an alternating magnetic field generation unit; 60: a magnetic rotating part; 70: magnetic permeable shell

Claims (25)

1. A method for producing a fastener chain (1) or fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) in which a plating film is formed on metal fastener elements (4 a, 4 b), comprising:

a step of applying a voltage between one or more cathodes (10) and one or more anodes (20) at least partially immersed in the electrolyte in the plating bath (30);

a step of generating an alternating magnetic field in the electrolyte when or during the application of a voltage between the one or more cathodes (10) and the one or more anodes (20);

a step of controlling the position and orientation of the fastener chain (1) or the fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) so that at least the metallic fastener elements (4 a, 4 b) of the fastener chain (1) or the fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) are disposed in a space in which the alternating magnetic field is generated; and

and a step in which a plurality of magnetic media (9) are moved in accordance with the alternating magnetic field, the metal fastener elements (4 a, 4 b) of the fastener chain (1) or the fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) are electrically connected to the cathode (10) via the plurality of magnetic media (9), and the plurality of magnetic media (9) collide with plating films grown on the metal fastener elements (4 a, 4 b).

2. The manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the position and orientation of the fastener chain (1) or the fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) are controlled so that the longitudinal direction of the fastener chain (1) or the fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) is along a predetermined direction in which different magnetic poles are alternately arranged for generating the alternating magnetic field.

3. The manufacturing method according to claim 2, characterized in that the position and orientation of the fastener chain (1) or the fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) are controlled so that the main surfaces of the metallic fastener elements (4 a, 4 b) are substantially orthogonal to the magnetic axis with respect to the magnetic poles, and/or so that the fastener chain (1) or the fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) face the magnetic poles in a flat posture in the width direction thereof.

4. A manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the position and orientation of the fastener chain (1) or the fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) are controlled as a result of the fastener chain (1) or the fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) running continuously or intermittently on a prescribed running path (80).

5. The method of manufacturing according to claim 4, wherein the prescribed travel path (80) is defined by a plurality of support members (78).

6. The manufacturing method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the cathode (10) extends along a travel path (80) of the fastener chain (1).

7. The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the one or more anodes (20) include a plurality of anodes (20) arranged at different positions along a travel path (80) of the fastener chain (1).

8. The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the travel path (80) of the zipper chain (1) comprises one or more helical travel paths (80) and/or the one or more cathodes (10) comprises one or more helical cathodes (10).

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the step of generating an alternating magnetic field in the electrolyte solution includes rotating one or more magnetic rotating parts (60) in which different magnetic poles are alternately arranged in a rotation direction.

10. The manufacturing method according to claim 9, characterized in that the position and orientation of the fastener chain (1) or the fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) are controlled as a result of the fastener chain (1) or the fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) being caused to travel around the magnetic rotation part (60).

11. The manufacturing method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the position and orientation of the fastener chain (1) or the fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) are controlled as a result of the fastener chain (1) or the fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) being caused to travel in a spiral around the magnetic rotation part (60).

12. The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the magnetic rotating portion (60) is housed in a sealed magnetically permeable case (70) in a rotatable manner.

13. The manufacturing method according to claim 12, characterized in that a plurality of support members (78) for supporting the fastener chain (1) are provided on the outer surface of the magnetically permeable housing (70).

14. The manufacturing method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the cathode (10) comprises a wire-shaped or spiral-shaped cathode (10) provided on an outer surface of the magnetically permeable casing (70).

15. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the step of generating an alternating magnetic field in the electrolyte solution includes rotating different magnetic rotating parts (60) provided as the one or more magnetic rotating parts (60) respectively,

as a result of the zipper chain (1) travelling over the entire different magnetic rotation sections (60), the position and orientation of the zipper chain (1) or the zipper teeth strips (2 a, 2 b) are controlled.

16. The method of manufacturing according to claim 15, characterized in that so-called running the fastener chain (1) over the whole of the different magnetic rotating parts (60) comprises running the fastener chain (1) in opposite directions on a helical running path (80) around the different magnetic rotating parts (60).

17. The manufacturing method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the fastener chain (1) is reverse-backed between the different magnetic rotating parts (60).

18. The manufacturing method according to any one of claims 9 to 17, characterized in that the position and orientation of the fastener chain (1) or the fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) are controlled as a result of the fastener chain (1) travelling in the rotational direction of the magnetic rotating portion (60).

19. A method of manufacturing a zipper, comprising: a process of cutting the fastener chain (1) obtained by the manufacturing method according to any one of claims 1 to 18; and

and a step of attaching a slider to the short fastener chain (1) obtained by cutting, and enabling engagement and disengagement of the metallic fastener elements (4 a, 4 b) of the pair of fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) of the short fastener chain (1).

20. An electroplating apparatus (100) for forming a plating film on metallic fastener elements (4 a, 4 b) of a fastener chain (1) or fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b), comprising:

a plating tank (30) for storing an electrolyte in which one or more cathodes (10) and one or more anodes (20) are at least partially immersed;

An alternating magnetic field generating unit (50) that generates an alternating magnetic field in the electrolyte of the plating tank (30); and

more than one support (78, 42, 43, 120) of the fastener chain (1) or the fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) is provided so that at least the metallic fastener elements (4 a, 4 b) of the fastener chain (1) or the fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) are disposed in a space where the alternating magnetic field is generated,

the cathode (10) is provided so as to allow a plurality of magnetic mediums (9) to move between the metallic fastener elements (4 a, 4 b) of the fastener chain (1) or the fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) supported by the one or more supports (78, 42, 43, 120) and the cathode (10) according to the alternating magnetic field, and can be electrically connected to the metallic fastener elements (4 a, 4 b) via the plurality of magnetic mediums (9).

21. The plating apparatus according to claim 20, wherein the one or more supports (78, 42, 43, 120) are provided so as to control the position and orientation of the fastener chain (1) or the fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) such that the longitudinal direction of the fastener chain (1) or the fastener stringers (2 a, 2 b) is along a predetermined direction in which different magnetic poles are alternately arranged for generating the alternating magnetic field.

22. The plating device according to claim 20 or 21, wherein the alternating magnetic field generating portion (50) includes one or more magnetic rotating portions (60) alternately arranged with different magnetic poles in a rotation direction.

23. The plating device according to claim 22, wherein the magnetic rotating portion (60) is rotatable and accommodated in a hermetically sealed magnetically permeable housing (70).

24. The electroplating device of claim 23, wherein the one or more supports (78, 42, 43, 120) comprise one or more support members (78) disposed on an outer surface of the magnetically permeable housing (70).

25. Electroplating device according to one of claims 20 to 24, characterized in that the cathode (10) extends along a travel path (80) of the fastener chain (1) or fastener stringer (2 a, 2 b) supported by the one or more supports (78, 42, 43, 120).