JP4975312B2 - fastener - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermoforming method in which a thermoplastic substrate is deformed into a fastener using heat and pressure.

  Fasteners are usually used to connect the ends of two pieces of fabric. They can also be used to provide an elongated cut that can be closed to something, or can be used to connect two separate fabrics. They are widely used in other industries as well as the garment industry and are used in almost any kind of material.

  Conventional fasteners consist of two support tapes, two rows of coupling elements, each row being attached to a respective support tape, and a slider element that includes a handle portion used to open and close the fastener. It has become.

  Generally, when conventional fasteners are closed, there are elongated cuts between the individual connecting elements. In addition, there will always be a small opening at the distal end of the fastener where the width of the slider prevents the distal end connecting elements from being locked together. When conventional fasteners are exposed to water, the water tends to collect around the fasteners, leading to water leaking through the connecting element or the opening at the distal end of the fastener.

  Furthermore, in the conventional fastener, when the connecting elements are combined by the slider, the upper part of the handle and the slider body are clearly visible. If the fastener is not designed as a decoration for the item, the fastener will tend to ruin the smoothness of the surface of the item and will not look good.

  A tunnel, often referred to as a garage, is formed to cover the opening at the distal end of the fastener while concealing the puller and slider body. However, creating a tunnel or garage is often time consuming and / or undesirable, and the problem of water leaking through the connecting element cannot be effectively mitigated. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved fastener that further mitigates the above problems and the disadvantages of conventional fasteners.

  The object of the present invention is to provide an improved feature that can alleviate the problem of water leaking through the connecting element as well as the problem of water leaking through the opening located at the distal end of the fastener. It is to provide a fastener.

  Another object of the invention is that once attached to an item, it does not significantly reduce the smoothness of the item and hides the visible puller and slider body so that it is not visible without the use of a tunnel or garage. It is to provide a fastener.

  In an embodiment in which the connecting element of the present invention for achieving the above-described object is located higher than the first and second support tapes such as a U-shape and a widened V-shape, the fastener is temporarily attached to the product. Even if it is subsequently exposed to water, it is less likely that water will leak through the connecting element. In an embodiment in which the first and second support tapes are lifted in a U-shape, an expanded V-shape, and a curved shape, the connecting element is between the raised portions of the first and second support tapes. It is in. Once the slider body is mounted to form a fastener, the slider body is housed inside the portion where the first and second support tapes are lifted. Since the slider body and the handle are hidden so as not to be noticed, the surface of the article can be seen smoothly. In addition, when it is desired to make the surface of the product look smooth, it is possible to hide the entire fastener and, as a result, make the surface of the product look smooth.

  Therefore, the present invention as described above has the advantage that it is possible to alleviate the problem of water leaking through the connecting element as well as the problem of water leaking through the opening located at the distal end of the fastener. .

  Furthermore, the present invention provides a fastener that does not significantly impair the smoothness of the item once attached to the item and hides the visible puller and slider body so that it is not visible without using a tunnel or garage. It has the advantage that it can be provided.

  It should be understood that the present disclosure of fasteners described herein is merely an example of the principles of the present invention and is not limited to the invention described in the examples.

  The fastener (30) in the present invention comprises a first and second support tape (35) each having a row of connecting elements (40) each row being attached to each support tape (35), and a handle (50). And a slider body (45). The support tape (35), connecting element (40), slider body (45) and handle (50) may be of any standard shape and structure.

  However, the novelty of the fastener (30) according to the present invention lies in the shape and structure of the two support tapes (35).

  The support tape (35) is thermoplasticized. The first and second support tapes (35) may be formed into a U-shape, a V-shape, an inverted U-shape, an expanded V-shape by using a mold (55) or thermoforming, or It is formed in a curved shape. By forming the support tape (35) by shape, the connecting element (40) is located between the formed support tapes (35) or higher than the indicator tape (35). It will be.

  According to the present invention, the thermoplasticized first and second support tapes (35) having connecting elements (40) mating with opposite rows are formed by the slider body (45) and the puller (50). Is not yet attached and is located between two halved molds (55) having the desired profile, as shown by the U-shaped mold in FIG. The piece of thermoplastic support tape (35) having the connecting element (40) attached to the inside of the mold (55) has the outer shape corresponding to the mold (55). Heated at a temperature of 80 to 180 ° C. to shape or deform. Meanwhile, the support tape (35) piece is left inside the mold (55) in order to cool the mold (55) while maintaining a desired pressure. Once cooled, the formed support tape (35) is removed from the mold (55).

  FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the fastener (30) according to the present invention in which the first and second support tapes (35) are formed in an inverted U shape. As shown in the figure, the connecting element (40) is located at the inverted U-shaped top (60), which is one end (60) of the first and second support tapes (35). Then, on the same surface as the end (60) to which the connecting element (40) is attached, the intermediate portion (65) of the support tape (35) is directed downward and the free end portion of the support tape (35). (Free end portion) (70) is bent outward. As a result, the intermediate portion (65) and the free end portion (70) of the support tape (35) support the connecting element (40) so that it is positioned at the top of the inverted U shape, and the connecting element (40 ) On the support tape (35) so that it has a higher value than a normal flat fastener.

  FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the fastener (30) according to the present invention in which the first and second support tapes (35) are formed in a U-shape. In the present embodiment, the connecting element (40) is used as a reference point, and the ends (60) of the first and second support tapes (35) to which the connecting element (40) is attached serve as a base. Fulfill. The intermediate part (65) of the support tape (35) is lifted vertically and the free end part (70) of the first and second support tapes (35) is the end to which the connecting element (40) is attached. Bent horizontally to the same plane as (60). As a result, a U-shaped fastener (30) having the connecting element (40) inside the U-shape is obtained.

  An example of a further embodiment of the fastener according to the present invention is one in which the fastener (30) is formed into an expanded V shape and an inverted V shape, as shown in FIGS. . FIG. 12 and FIG. 14 show an example of still another embodiment of the fastener (30) in the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, the first and second support tapes (35) including an end (60) and an intermediate portion (65) to which the coupling element (40) is attached. The part is merged to form a curved shape. The connecting element (40) may be at the top of the curve or inside the curve as in the U-shape.

  Still another embodiment of the fastener (30) according to the present invention is such that, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 18, the support tape (35) is flat, and one of the support tapes (35) is provided. Or both ends are bent downward. This is also obtained by thermoforming using the mold (55) under controlled heat and pressure. When the slider (45) and the handle (50) are combined with the piece of support tape (35) to which the connecting element (40) is attached, the curved portion (75) of the support tape (35) The slider body (45) becomes a place where the fastener (30) is closed. After being attached to an item, the curved portion (75) will be hidden under the surface of the item. As a result, the slider body (45) is not noticeable at the same time as the handle (50), and the surface of the product is made smoother. Since the slider body (45) is hidden under the surface of the article, the opening caused by the width of the slider body (45) when preventing the connecting elements (40) from fitting together at the distal end is also described above. It will be protected by the surface of the item. This eliminates the need for tunnels or garages and effectively reduces the risk of water leaking from the openings.

  In the embodiment of the fastener (30) according to the present invention, particularly in the embodiment in which the connecting element (40) is located higher than the first and second support tapes (35) such as the U-shape and the expanded V shape, Even if it is attached to and then exposed to water, the possibility of water leaking through the connecting element (40) is less. This is because water tends to flow from the region of the connecting element (40) to the surface in the vicinity of the fastener (30) without collecting water as in the conventional fastener. This is particularly suitable for use on waterproof / water-resistant items. In embodiments where the first and second support tapes (35) are raised in the U-shape, the expanded V-shape, and the curvilinear shape, the connecting element (40) is connected to the first and second support tapes (35). ) Between the raised parts. Once the slider body (45) is mounted to form a fastener (30), the slider body (45) is received inside the raised portion of the first and second support tapes (35). Is done. Since the slider body (45) and the handle (50) are hidden so as not to be noticed, the surface of the article can be seen smoothly. If it is desired to make the surface of the product look smooth, it is possible to hide the entire fastener (30) and, as a result, make the surface of the product look smooth.

  As described by the various embodiments, the fastener (30) in the present invention may be formed in any desired profile for various applications, including various types of clothing, canvas, and the like. Can be used for materials.

  Still other arrangements, modifications, and embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the above disclosure and teachings and do not imply unsuitable limitations therefrom.

  The fastener in the present invention may be formed in any desired outer shape according to various applications, and can be used for various types of materials including clothing, canvas and the like.

The invention will be better understood with reference to the detailed description and drawings.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of a fastener according to the present invention inside a mold. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the fastener of FIG. 1 inside the mold. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the fastener formed in an inverted U shape. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the fastener of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the fastener formed in a U-shape. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the fastener of FIG. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the fastener formed into an expanded V-shape. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the fastener of FIG. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the fastener formed into a widened inverted V-shape. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the fastener of FIG. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the fastener formed in a curved shape. 12 is a perspective view showing the fastener of FIG. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing one embodiment of the fastener formed in an inversely curved shape. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the fastener of FIG. FIG. 15 is a side view of one embodiment of the fastener having one end bent downward and the bent portion containing one slider body. 16 is a plan view showing the fastener of FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the fastener of FIG. FIG. 18 is a side view of one embodiment of the fastener with one end bent downward and the bent portion containing two slider bodies. FIG. 19 is a plan view showing the fastener of FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing the fastener of FIG. FIG. 21 is a side view showing one embodiment of the fastener wherein both ends are bent downward and the bent portion accommodates one slider body. FIG. 22 is a plan view showing the fastener of FIG. FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing the fastener of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

30 Fastener 35 First and second support tape 40 Connecting element 45 Slider body 50 Handle 55 Mold 60 End portion 65 Intermediate portion 70 Free end portion 75 Curve portion

Claims (6)

Two support tapes (35) ;
Two rows of coupling elements (40) , each row being attached to an individual said support tape;
A fastener comprising at least one slider body having a handle (50) attached to the slider body (45) ,
The two support tapes are attached to the connection elements (40) of the two support tapes so that the two rows of connection elements (40) are on the inner end portions (60) of the two support tapes. A side inner end portion (60), an intermediate portion (65) bending upward or downward from the inner end portion (60) to create a step, and a freedom bending outward from the intermediate portion (65) A fastener characterized by having an end portion (70) .   The intermediate portion (65) is bent upward from the inner end portion (60) so that the two rows of connecting elements are accommodated between the intermediate portions (65) of two support tapes. The fastener according to claim 1.   The intermediate portion (65) and the inner end (60) of the two support tapes are formed in a shape selected from the group consisting of a U-shape, a curved shape, and an expanded V-shape. Item 3. A fastener according to item 2.   The intermediate portion (65) is bent downward from the inner end portion (60) so that the two rows of connecting elements are higher than the intermediate portion (65) of the two support tapes. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the fastener is characterized in that   The intermediate portion (65) and the inner end portion (60) of the two support tapes are formed in a shape selected from the group consisting of an inverted U shape, an inverted curve shape, and a widened inverted V shape. The fastener according to claim 4.   At least one end of the two support tapes on the closed position side, which is the side that the slider body reaches when the fastener is closed, is bent downward, and the bent portion (75) 6. Fastener according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it houses at least one slider body in a closed position).

Images