GB2033469A

GB2033469A - A separable slide fastener chain

Info

Publication number: GB2033469A
Application number: GB7934593A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Yoshida Kogyo KK
Current assignee: YKK Corp
Priority date: 1978-10-09
Filing date: 1979-10-05
Publication date: 1980-05-21
Also published as: HK34187A; GB2032998B; GB2033469B; SG46685G; GB2032998A; MY8600480A; MY8600206A; HK56187A

Abstract

A separable sliding clasp fastener chain F comprises a pair of oppositely disposed stringers 11, 12 of continuous length each having a support tape 13, 14 and a fastener element 15, 16 formed from a plastic monofilament into a continuous structure secured by sewn seams 19 to a longitudinal inner edge of the respective tape. The fastener element is fused together over a predetermined length of the two coupled stringers at predetermined intervals. A composite pin-forming structure 28 is located centrally of the fused length of the fastener element and cut out to produce a multi-form aperture 29 having a pair of bay portions 29a, 29a extending transversely of the fastener chain and oppositely disposed in point-symmetry relation and a pair of elongated canal portions 29b, 29b extending longitudinally closely along the sewn seams. The composite structure 29 is subdivisable across the bay portions into two identical pairs of slider- lock pin members 20 and inserting pin members 21. <IMAGE>

Description

1 GB2033469A 1

SPECIFICATION

A separable slide fastener chain and a method of producing the same This invention relates to slide fastener stringers having a continuous length (commonly known as---fastener chains---) and a method of making the same for use as a separable type of slide fastener.

There are known two typical forms of the so-called separable slide fastener, one of which has a pin member on one stringer releasably engageable with a socket or box member on the other stringer at one end of the fastener, and the other has two sliders oppositely oriented so as to permit the fastener to be opened reversibly from both ends of the fastener.

Such conventional separable fasteners are usually provided at the upper ends thereof with end steps and at the lower ends thereof with pin members, socket members or slider lock members depending upon the particular purpose for which the fastener is used. The various members attached at the lower end of the separable fastener would necessarily re strict the form and application to which the fastener can adapt itself. It has been difficult according to the prior art teachings to provide for example a---loop---fastener using a single fastener stringer.

According to a first aspect of this invention there is provided a slide fastener chain of continuous length which can be readily ap plied to either a separable slide fastener or a loop fastener.

According to a second aspect of the inven tion there is provided a method of making a slide fastener chain of the aforesaid character which is very simple and efficient.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a pair of continuous length fastener stringers having a slider-lock pin member and an inserting pin member formed simultaneously in point-symmetry relation at predetermined intervals.

According to a fourth aspect of the inven tion, there is provided a separable slide fas tener chain comprising a coupled pair of op positely disposed stringers of continuous length each having a respective support tape and a respective fastener element formed from a plastic monofilament into a continuous row of coupling elements having coupling head portions and secured by sewn seams to longi tudinal inner edge of the respective tape, said coupling elements being fused together over a predetermined length of the two coupled stringers at predetermined intervals, and a composite pin-forming structure located cen trally of the fused length of the fastener element and cut out to produce a multi-form aperture having a pair of bay portions extend ing transversely of the fastener chain and 130 oppositely disposed in point-symmetry relation and a pair of elongated canal portions extending longitudinally closely along the sewn seams, said composite structure being subdi- visible across said bay portions into two identical pairs of slider-lock pin members and inserting pin members.

The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:- Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a fastener chain provided in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view, on enlarged scale, of a pair of slide fastener stringers according to the invention with two oppositely directed sliders mounted thereon; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 111-111 of Fig. 1; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on part of the line IV-IV of Fig. 1; Figures 5a-5e, inclusive, are views utilized to explain the manner of mounting a slider on one of the fastener stringers; Figure 6 is a plan view of a loop fastener provided in accordance with the invention; Figure 7 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing another embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line VIII-Vill of Fig. 7; and Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on part of the line IX-W of Fig. 7.

Referring now to the drawings and Fig. 2 in particular, there is shown for purposes of illustration a portion of a separable slide fastener 10 provided in accordance with the invention. The fastener 10 comprises a pair of oppositely disposed stringers 11, 12 each having a support tape 13, (14) and a fastener element 15 (16) formed from a plastics monofilament into a row of interlocking coupling elements 17 (18) mounted on and along a longitudinal inner edge of the respective tape.

The fastener element 15, (16) is formed from the plastics monofilament into a continuous coil or alternatively a meandering structure, the element 15, (16) being shown in the illustrated embodiment to be a helically coiled structure consisting of a row of coupling elements in the form or a succession of elongated convolutions of loops 17, (18) each having a coupling head portion 17 a, (18 a) at one end thereof, an upper leg 17 b, (18 b), a lower leg portion 17 c, (18 c) extending from the head 17 a, (18 a) in common direction and a connecting heel or turn portion 17 d, (18 o) at the opposite end remote from the head 17 a, (18 a) connected to a next adjacent one of the successive loops 17, (18).

The coupling head 1 7a of the loop 17 on one stringer 11 is dimensioned to releasably couple with the corresponding head 1 8a of the loop 18 on the mating stringer 12 to open and close the fastener 10 in the well- 2 GB 2 033 469A 2 known manner. The upper and lower legs 17b, 1 7cand 18b, 18care spaced apart in substantially superimposed relation to each other as shown in Fig. 1 and define there- between a longitudinally extending---tunnelor hollow conduit through which a reinforcing string, cord or core 33 is inserted. Designated at 19 is a sewn seam or stitching securing the row of coupling elements or loops 17, (18) to the respective tape 13, (14).

In accordance with the invention, some of the successive coupling elements or loops 17, (18) that have been- coupled or meshed with each other are fused together over a predeter- mined length of the row of coupling elements or loops at one end of the fastener 10, as by means of a supersonic process, and are cut closely along a longitudinal inner edge of each of the sewn seams 19 to provide a pair of integrated pin members 20 and 21 on opposed stringers 11 and 12, respectively. Fusing the plastic monofilament fastener element 15, (16) causes its stock to melt and penetrate into the interstices of the fabric forming the sewn seam 19, reinforcing core 33 and support tapes 13, 14, with the results that all of these parts of the fastener 10 are intimately united. The pin members 20 and 21 that result from cutting or removing portions of the fused region of the stringers 11, 12, of which portions a first portion 22 extends longitudinally closely along and substantially parallel to the inner edges of the respective sewn seams 19, with the coupling head portions 17 a, (18 a) of the fastener element 15, (16) completely removed. A second portion 23 of the fused and cut region is tapered off with a plurality of coupling heads 17 a of the successive loops 17 on the stringer 11 transferred to and anchored between adjacent ones of the successive coupling elements or loops 18 on the opposite companion stringer 12, or vice versa, as shown in Fig. 2. The cutting takes place of the second portion 23 in such a manner that the first meshing pr terminal coupling elements or loops 1 P, 18' remain undeformed. The coupling head 18 a' in particular which has been transferred, in the cutting of the second portion 23 of the fused region from one stringer 12 to the other stringer 11 is fused integerally with the first meshing or terminal coupling element or loop 17' on the stringer 11 so as to mechanically strengthen this element 1P, which would otherwise be unstable, and further hold the same in the proper meshing position with respect to the mating first meshing or terminal coupling elerient 18' on the stringer 12, so as to prevenl ---over-running- of one stringer 12 relative t) the other stringer 11 when the second pin i iember 21 is inserted into a slider S as snown in Fig. 2. The correct intermeshing of the two opposed first coupling elements 17' and 18' thus provided ensures smooth coupling of the respective stringers 11, 12 without rupture or separation of the element chains.

The pin member 20 is a slider-lock pin member 20 and includes a locking lug 24 which is formed integrally therewith at the lower-most end of the stringer 11 for locking engagement with the slider S. The locking lug 24 has a straight marginal edge 24a coextensive with the edge of the first cut-out portion 22 on the stringer 11, a curved peripheral portion 24 b and a locking surface 24 c extending transversely of the stringer 11 for abutting engagement with the end of one of the flanges 25, of the slider S. To provide effec- tive locking of the locking lug 24 with the slider S, the width or transverse length el of the lug 24 is calculated to be substantially equal to or slightly greater than the distance or spacing e2 between one of the flanges 25, 25 and a diamond 26 of the slider S; more specifically between a flared flange portion 25' and an inclined diamond surface 26, defining therebetween one of the branched guide channels S' of the slider S, the arrange- ment being that when threading the stringer 11 through the slider S progressively from the position of Fig. 5a, through the position of Fig. 5bto the position of Fig. 5c, the locking lug 24 undergoes slight elastic deformation in frictional contact with the flange 25 and diamond 26 of the slider S as the lug 24 is moved into the the slider S through rotation only in the plane of the fastener 10. The stringer 11 may be further threaded through another slider S in the manner shown in Figs. 5 d and 5 e in the case where the fastener 10 is desired to be reversibly opened and closed with use of two sliders S as is well known in the art.

Each of the pin members 20, 21 is provided with a linear reinforcing guide portion 201, (21 ') formed by deformation of the heel or turn portions 17 d (18 0 simultaneously with the fusing of the element 15, (16), which guide portion 20', (21') faciltates the insertion of the stringer 11, (12) with least frictional resistance through the slider S.

The other pin member 21 is an inserting pin member and has a rounded inner peripheral surface 21 a engageable with the diamond 26 of the slider when the stringer 12 is threaded through the latter, in which position the first meshing loop 18' on the stringer 12 is brought into engagement with the first meshing loop 17' on the mating stringer 11 in the space between the loops 17' and the next adjacent one of the successive loops 17.

Designated at 27 is a reinforcing plastics film, enveloping the lower end portions of the respective stringers 11, 12 and serving to prevent fraying of the threads of sewn seams 19, support tapes 13, 14 and reinforcing core and at the same time to facilitate finger- gripping of the stringers 11, 12 when thread- 3 GB2033469A 3 ing the latter through the slider S.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the description proceeds with the method of manufacture of the above-described separable slide fastener, in which a continuous length of coupled stringers or a fastener chain F is subjected to a supersonic process whereby the fastener chain F is fused, shaped and cut out over a predetermined length W of successive fas- tener elements 15, 16. Upon thermal fusion of the rows of successive coupling elements or loops 17, 18 while in intermeshed condition, the thermoplastics material constituting the elements 17, 18 is molten and united inte- grally with the fabric material constituting the longitudinal edge portion of each of the support tapes 13, 14 to which the loops 17, 18 are secured. The fused length or region W of the fastener chain F is shaped by means of a suitable die (not shown) so that the heel or turn portions 17 d, 18 d of the successive loops 17, 18 are merged together and shaped into the linear reinforcing guide portions 201, 21 1. At the same time, there is formed a composite pin-forming structure 28 located centrally of the fused region W and contiguous to the shaped guide portions 20', 21 1. The structure 28 is then cut out to produce a multi-form aperture 29 having a center point 30 across which the slider-lock pin member 20 and the inserting pin member 21 on one stringer 11 are situated in point-symmetry relation to similar slider-lock and inserting pin members on the other stringer 12. The multi- form aperture 29 has a pair of horizontally extending (transversly of the fastener) bay portions 29 a, 29 a disposed oppositely across the center point 30 and a pair of vertically extending (longitudinally of the fastener) elon- gated canal portions 29b, 29b defined by substantially parallel marginal edge lines 31, 32 extending closely along the sewn seams 19 of the respective stringers 11, 12. The ends of the paired canal portions 29b, 29b opposite to the center point 30 are tapered off 110 and biased in opposite directions as at 291Y, 29Y.

The fastener chain F is then severed along a line extending transversely of each of the support tapes 13, 14 in registry with the bay portions 29a, 29a thereby subdividing the composite structure 28 into two identical pairs of slider- lock pin members 20 and inserting pin members 21 at the respective severed ends of the stringers 11, 12, each of the pin members 20 and 21 having the form and function which has been already described in connection with Figs. 2 through 4.

Fig. 6 is illustrative of one way in which the invention may be readily applied to a so-called loop fastener.

Figs. 7 to 9 inclusive are illustrative of another embodiment of the invention which is the same except that the fastener element 15, (16) is in the form of a meandering or zig-zag structure.

Reference is directed to our co-pending Patent Application No. (230 P 38872).

Claims

1. A separable slide fastener chain comprising a coupled pair of oppositely disposed stringers of continuous length each having a respective support tape and a respective fas- tener element from a plastics monofilament into a continuous row of coupling elements having coupling head portions and secured by sewn seams to a longitudinal inner edge of the respective tape, some of said coupling elements being fused together over a predetermined length of the two coupled stringers at predetermined intervals, and a composite pinforming structure located centrally of the fused length of the fastener element and cut out to produce a multi-form aperture having a pair of bay portions extending transversely of the fastener chain and oppositely disposed in point-symmetry relation and a pair of elongated canal portions extending longitudinally closely along the sewn seams, said composite structure being subdivisible across said bay portions into two identical pairs of slider-lock pin members and inserting pin members.

2. A separable slide fastener chain as claimed in claim 1 wherein said canal portions are tapered off and biased in opposite directions with coupling head portions of the fastener element transferred from one stringer to the other stringer.

3. A method of producing a separable slide fastener chain comprising a pair of oppositely disposed stringers of continuous length each having a support tape and a fastener element formed from a plastic monofilament into a continuous row of coupling elements having coupling head portions and secured by sewn seams to a longitudinal inner edge of the respective tape, which method comprises fusing a predetermined length of said fastener element integrally with said tape edge, shaping a composite pinforming structure and cutting out a multi-form aperture having a pair of bay portions extending transversely of the fastener chain and oppositely disposed in point-symmetry relation and a pair of elongated canal portions extending longitudinally along the sewn seams and having tapered end portions adapted to transfer the coupling heads from one stringer to the other stringer, said composite structure being subdivisible into two identical pairs of slider-lock pin members and inserting pin members by a line of cut extending transversely across the tapes in registry with said bay portions.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 further comprising biasing said tapered end portions in opposite directions such that a terminal meshing element coupling element on each stringer remains underformed.

4 GB2033469A 4 Printed for Her Majesty's Stationery Office by Burgess & Son (Abingdon) Ltd-1 980. Published at The Patent Office, 25 Southampton Buildings. London, WC2A 'I AY, from which copies may be obtained.

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