US3631581A

US3631581A - Methods and apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chain

Info

Publication number: US3631581A
Application number: US33418A
Authority: US
Inventors: George B Moertel
Original assignee: Textron Inc
Current assignee: Talon Inc
Priority date: 1970-04-30
Filing date: 1970-04-30
Publication date: 1972-01-04
Anticipated expiration: 1989-01-04
Also published as: DE2121149A1; BE766471A; FR2086503A1; SE388535B; CH533966A; FR2086503B1; BR7102617D0; JPS5147102B1; NL7105907A; GB1292759A; ES390940A1; CA958881A

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for cleaning severed heel members from both sides of gapped slide fastener chain by reciprocating a plurality of vibrating elements which are disposed in engagement with the severed heel members and are contoured at their distal ends for driving the severed heel members outwardly from the carrier tapes so as to remove the same without cutting, tearing or otherwise damaging the slide fastener chain.

Description

United States Patent Inventor George B. Moertel Conneautville, Pa. Appl. No. 33,418

Filed Apr. 30, 1970 Patented Jan. 4, 1972 Assignee Textron Inc.

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING GAPPED SLIDE FASTENER CHAIN 41 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

11.8. CI 29/408, 29/200 D, 29/207 5 D Int. Cl B21d 53/50, 829d 5/00 Field of Search 29/207.5 D,

408, 200 D, 426, 33.5, DIG. 46

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,129,498 4/1964 Runnels 29/207.5 D X 3,391,441 7/1968 Carlile...... 29/207.5 D X 3,538,582 11/1970 Perlman 29/207.05 D 3,541,666 1 1/1970 Van Amburg 29/408 Primary ExaminerTheron E. Condon Assistant Examiner-Robert L. Spruill Att0rneyMeech & Field ABSTRACT: Methods and apparatus for cleaning severed heel members from both sides of gapped slide fastener chain by reciprocating a plurality of vibrating elements which are disposed in engagement with the severed heel members and are contoured at their distal ends for driving the severed heel members outwardly from the carrier tapes so as to remove the same without cutting, tearing or otherwise damaging the slide fastener chain.

PATENTEB JAN 4 I972 SHEET 1 OF 4 INVENTOR GEORGE B. MOERTEL BY m a ATTORNEYS PATENTEBJAN 41912 3.631.581

sum 2 0F 4 F S & INVENTOR R 5. GEORGE E. MOERTEL ATTORNEYG PATENTED JAN 4 I972 SHEET 3 BF 4 INVENTOR GEORGE B. MOE/2TH ATTORNEYS PATENTED JAN 41972 SHEET M UF 4 INV ENTOR GEORGE B. MOERTE'L ATTORNEYS METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CLEANING GAPPED SLIDE FASTENER CHAIN BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to slide fasteners and more particularly to the removal or cleaning of severed members of filamentary stringers from gapped slide fastener chains.

2. Description of the Prior Art Numerous slide fasteners utilize coupling elements of the type formed from a continuous length of filamentary material which has been deformed into a series of head elements, a first set of heel members and a second set of heel members with each heel member of the first and second sets having a pair of spaced legs extending in a generally U-shaped configuration and lying in a respective one of spaced parallel planes with one leg of adjacent first and second heel members being interconnected by a head element. Such a continuous filamentary stringer is commonly referred to as a ladder-type stringer and may be manufactured from any suitable plastic material which, after being formed, can be conveniently attached to a carrier tape.

Generally, in manufacturing a slide fastener incorporating this type of stringer, the stringer is disposed with the head elements aligned next to a longitudinal edge of a carrier tape with the first and second sets of heel members overlying respective upper and lower surfaces of the tape. The heel members of the filamentary stringer are thereafter attached to the carrier tape by any suitable means such as by stitching or braiding such that the protruding head elements from a pair of filamentary stringers may be easily interengaged for effectively joining a pair of carrier tapes. The resulting interengaged article, which is commonly referred to as continuous slide fastener chain, can then be stored in some convenient form such as rolls.

In order to form individual slide fasteners of a given size or length, the above-described continuous chain is fed through cutting machines such that a predetermined number of head elements are severed from their respective heel members at preselected spaced intervals along the chain. This operation is known as gapping, and the spacing between adjacent gaps primarily determines the length of the individual slide fasteners. The continuous gapped chain, which has the severed heel members still attached to the tapes by the stitching or braiding, is then moved to a subsequent station where the severed heel members are removed or cleaned from the tape.

While a number of techniques have been devised in the prior art for cleaning or removing the severed heel members from the gapped chain, they have not proven entirely satisfactory since they typically cut or tear either the stitching or the carrier tape resulting in an unsatisfactory finished product. One conventional technique, for example, employs an abrasive or grinding step which grinds the severed heel portions from the slide fastener chain with obvious detrimental results. Another exemplary gap cleaning process involves the rather expensive step of manually picking off the filamentary stringer residue in the gapped portions of the slide fastener chain. These and other prior art techniques have not generally proven satisfactory since they are costly, time consuming and often result in slide fastener chains which contain severed or torn threads within the gapped areas. While the problems associated with the cleaning of gapped slide fastener chains have been recognized for a considerable period of time, a simple and effective technique for rapidly and efficiently removing filamentary fastener elements from the carrier tape of a continuous slide fastener chain without disturbing either the tape itself or the stitching employed to bind the filament to the fastener has heretofore been unavailable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to clean or remove severed fastener elements from slide fastener chains employing continuous filamentary stringers.

The present invention is summarized in methods and apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chains, the methods being generally characterized as including the steps of applying a longitudinal tensile force to the slide fastener chain, positioning a first plurality of vibrating elements adjacent the top surface of the chain, positioning a second plurality of vibrating elements adjacent the bottom surface of the chain, reciprocating the plurality of vibrating elements transversely of the slide fastener chain, and moving the slide fastener chain such that severed filamentary stringer members are sequentially contacted by the vibrating elements and are removed thereby.

The present invention has a further object in that cut heel members overlying both sides of a gapped slide fastener chain are removed without tearing or severing the stitching or braiding that retains such members.

A further object of this invention is to clean or remove severed filamentary fastener elements from both sides of a slide fastener chain by a simple and inexpensive method.

The present invention has an additional object in the construction of a simple apparatus for efficiently cleaning or removing severed filamentary fastener elements from both sides of a slide fastener without cutting or tearing the stitching threads employed to bind the filamentary stringers to the carrier tapes.

Some of the advantages of the present invention reside in its simplicity of construction, economy of operation, effectiveness in cleaning, and ability to remove severed fastener elements without damaging the slide fastener chain.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of an apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chain according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a detail of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a detail of a vibrating element of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the vibrating element of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of an apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chain according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a exploded perspective view of a detail of the apparatus of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken on line 99 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of a detail of a vibrating element of the apparatus of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the vibrating element of FIG. l0.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, there is shown a preferred embodiment of an apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chain according to the present invention. As shown in the drawings, the present invention is adapted to operate upon a gapped continuous slide fastener chain 20 of the type including a pair of interengaged continuous

filamentary stringers

22 and 122, each having a plurality of generally U-shaped

upper heel members

24, 124 and a plurality of generally U-shaped

lower heel members

26, 126 interconnected by a plurality of head elements 28,128. The slide fastener chain 20 additionally includes a pair of

continuous carrier tapes

30 and 130 upon which the

filamentary stringers

22 and 122 are attached.

The

filamentary stringers

22 and 122 are disposed with their respective head elements 28, I28 aligned adjacent longitudinal edges of the

carrier tapes

30 and 130 with the upper and lower heel members overlying respective upper and lower surfaces of the tape as illustrated. The heel members of the filamentary stringers are thereafter attached to the carrier tapes by any suitable means such as by stitching or braiding such that the protruding head elements may be easily interengaged for effectively joining the two

carrier tapes

30 and 130. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the stitching may take the form of a pair of continuous stitching threads 32, I32, and 34, 134 for each of the

filamentary stringers

22, 122 such that the fastener elements are securely attached to the carrier tapes.

After the filamentary stringers have been sewn to the carrier tapes, the continuous slide fastener chain is fed through suitable machines such that a predetermined number of head elements are severed from their respective heel members at preselected spaced intervals along the chain to provide a spaced series of gaps, one of which being generally shown at 36 in FIG. 1. Such a gap may be produced by any suitable technique such as by first placing the slide fastener chain upon a die member (not shown) having an elongated groove corresponding in length to the desired length of the gap, firmly holding the carrier tapes in place over the die member, and then moving a suitable punch down through the head elements of the two filamentary stringers and into the elongated groove within the die member so as to cleanly sever the head elements from their respective heel members. The punch is then removed from the die member, and the slide fastener chain is longitudinally displaced by a preselected distance corresponding to the approximate length of a desired finished slide fastener whereupon the above-recited gapping process is repeated. The gapped continuous slide fastener chain thereafter may be stored in bolts or reels or may be collected within a suitable bin from which the slide fastener chain is drawn for the subsequent gap cleaning operation.

With the above background material in mind and referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, there is illustrated an embodiment of an apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chains according to the present invention. The apparatus includes a pair of parallel rollers 38 having their axes horizontally aligned in a vertical plane as shown. Rollers 38 are biased together by any suitable means, such as springs (not shown), such that the continuous slide fastener chain may be inserted and held therebetween. A second set of parallel rollers 40 are disposed in the identical manner as that of rollers 38 and are similarly biased together, as by springs. Rollers 38 and 40 are respec tively positioned in front of and behind a vibrating station, indicated generally at 42, with rollers 38 being partially constrained against rotation and with a driving force being applied through rollers 40 by any conventional means, such as a suitable drive motor (not shown). In this manner, the gapped slide fastener chain 20 is placed in tension between rollers 38 and 40 and is moved through the vibrating station 42 at an approximately constant rate and in a direction away from rollers 38 and toward rollers 40.

Vibrating station 41 includes a generally U-shaped guide block 44 having a pair of vertically aligned

legs

46 and 48 joined at their lower ends by a horizontal member 50. Each of the

vertical legs

46 and 48 is substantially rectangular in configuration, and the upper surface of the horizontal member 50 is slightly peaked so as to form a pair of downwardly directed sloping surfaces 52 and 54 (FIG. 2).

A pair of longitudinal grooves 56 and 58 are centrally disposed in the upper surfaces of

vertical leg members

46 and 48, respectively, of the guide block 44. Longitudinal grooves 56 and 58 are substantially identical and have a width which is sufi'rciently large to accommodate the entire width of the slide fastener chain 20, as can best be visualized in FIG. 1. Additional

longitudinal grooves

60 and 62 are centrally disposed along the bottom of grooves 56 and 58, respectively, such that the

lower heel members

26 and 126 of the interengaged slide fastener chain 20 may be accommodated therein as the slide fastener chain 20 is moved through vibrating station 42. A pair of generally flat

rectangular cover plates

64 and 66 are mounted atop the

vertical legs

46 and 48, respectively, of the guide block 44 and each contain a first centrally disposed longitudinal groove 68, 70 which is substantially identical to and is aligned in superposition with a respective one of longitudinal grooves 56 and 58 of guide block 44.

Cover plates

64 and 66 each contain a second centrally disposed longitudinal groove 72, 74 which is substantially identical to and is in superposition with a respective one of

longitudinal grooves

60 and 62. In this manner, the longitudinal grooves within the

vertical legs

46 and 48 of guide block 44 and those within

cover plates

64 and 66 cooperate to define first and second longitudinal channels so sized that the slide fastener chain 20 may be readily accommodated therein such that longitudinal movement of the chain is unrestricted while lateral movement thereof is prevented. It should be understood, of course, that while the above-described guide assembly is preferred, any suitable technique may be utilized with equal efficacy provided that the slide fastener chain 20 be permitted to freely move through the vibrating station 42 while at the same time it is prevented from being transversely displaced as the severed heel members in the gapped areas of the slide fastener chain are being removed.

The vibrating station 42 further includes a pair of vibrators 76 and 78 positioned one on each side of guide block 44, each being adapted to impart a transverse vibratory motion to a pair of spaced

lower rods

80 and 82, and 84 and 86 respectively, as well as a pair of spaced

upper rods

88 and 90, and 92 and 94, respectively, which extend from vibrators 76 and 78 into the space generally defined by the inner surface of the U shaped guide block 44 as shown in FIG. 1.

Rods

80, 82, 84 and 86 are spaced apart from each other and are aligned in parallel such that their distal ends are alternately disposed under the slide fastener chain between the vertically disposed

legs

46 and 48 of the guide block 44. Similarly,

rods

88, 90, 92 and 94 are spaced apart from each other and are aligned in parallel such that their distal ends are alternately disposed above the slide fastener chain between

vertical legs

46 and 48. It is noted that each of the vibrators 76 and 78 may be of any suitable construction and, for example, may include an electric motor linked to the rods by a camming mechanism such that the rods of each vibrator are periodically displaced through a single cycle of transverse movement upon each revolution of the electric motor. Thus, any of various conventional techniques may be employed for imparting the desired vibratory or reciprocal movement to the rods, whereby vibrator 76

moves rods

80, 82 88 and 90 left-to-right, then right-to-left, etc., while vibrator 78 similarly moves

rods

84, 86, 92 and 94 with

rods

80, 82, 88 and 90 moving in the opposite direction from

rods

84, 86, 92 and 94. In this manner, both vertically and horizontally adjacent rods may move in opposite directions so as to maintain proper lateral alignment of the slide fastener chain 20 as it moves between

vertical legs

46 and 48 of the guide block 44 during operation, as will be more fully described below.

It is noted that the length of each of the vibrating rods is substantially greater than its width with the rods rigidly attached to their respective vibrators 76 and 78 in a cantilever like manner. As a result of this construction, the rods, which are preferably made of a somewhat resilient rigid material, are self-biased at their distal ends towards each other such that the upper and lower rods respectively engage the upper and lower heel members of the

filamentary stringers

22 and 122 of the slide fastener chain 20 as the chain passes therebetween.

As seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, the cross section of each of the vibrating rods is generally square throughout most of its length with the height of each rod reduced at its distal end such that a horizontal surface of each rod is offset with the cross section at such end becoming generally rectangular. Formed upon the upper surface of the distal ends of

rods

84, 80, 86, and 82 is a respective one of a plurality of vibrating heads 100, I02, I04, and 106. Similarly formed upon the undersurface of the distal ends of

rods

88, 92, 90, and 94 is a respective one of a plurality of vibrating

heads

108, 110, 112, and 114. As seen in FIG. 2, all of the vibrating heads may be substantially identical in configuration and only vibrating head 106 will be described in detail for the sake of brevity; it is important to note, however, that while the general shape of the various vibrating heads of the present invention may be substantially identical, the width of each vibrating head of the upper and lower vibrating rods, respectively, is different from each other with the vibrating heads being positioned in order of increasing width such that the various vibrating heads of each of the upper and lower sets of vibrating rods cooperate with each other to form a generally wedge-shaped protrusion for removing the severed heel members of the slide fastener chain.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the distal end of vibrating rod 02 is shown in detail illustrating the general configuration of vibrating head 106. Vibrating head 106 has first and second flat

vertical sidewalls

116 and 118 which are contiguous with the sidewalls of rod 82. The vibrating head additionally includes first and second generally

vertical sidewalls

120 and 122 which are obliquely disposed with respect to the center line of travel of the slide fastener chain such that the vibrating head has a generally trapezoidal horizontal cross section, as can be seen in FIG. 4. The obliquely disposed

sidewalls

120 and 122 are substantially vertical however they may be angled slightly as shown in FIG. 5 so as to give the vibrating head a generally trapezoidal cross section in a vertical plane normal to the center line of travel of the slide fastener chain 20. it is reiterated that while the general configuration of each of the vibrating heads may be similar, the width of each vibrating head of each of the lower and upper sets of vibrating rods is different from each other with the widest dimension of one head being substantially equal to the narrowest dimension of its next adjacent head, as seen in FIG. 2. In this manner, the vibrating heads of the lower set of vibrating rods as well as the vibrating heads of the upper set of vibrating rods cooperate to form a contiguous wedgelike operating surface for removing severed heel members from the chain 20. It is noted that the offset surface of the distal ends of each of the vibrating rods in the vicinity of the vibrating heads assures free movement of the slide fastener chain through the vibrating station 412 and prevents the carrier tapes from becoming jammed in between the upper and lower sets of vibrating elements.

In operation, the gapped continuous slide fastener chain 20 is threaded between restraining rollers 38, and thence is fed through the channel formed by grooves 56, 60, 63 and 72 wherein it is maintained in a generally horizontal planar configuration. The slide fastener chain is then fed between the upper and lower sets of vibrating rods which, because of their self-biasing action, must be forced apart to accommodate the slide fastener chain whereby the vibrating heads firmly engage the upper and lower heel members of each of the filamentary stringers. The slide fastener chain 20 is then fed through the channel formed by grooves 56, 62, 70 and 74 and thence is threaded between drive rollers 40. When power is applied to the drive rollers 40, the gapped slide fastener chain is moved against the constraining force of rollers 38 through the vibrating station 42 whereupon the severed heel members in the gapped area are removed by the vibratory motion of the vibrating heads 100-114 imparted thereto through rods 80-34 by vibrators 76 and 78.

Referring more specifically to the operation of the vibrating heads 100-114, as the slide fastener chain is moved between the vertical legs 46 and d8 of guide block 44, the upper and lower heel members of the interengaged

filamentary stringers

22, 122 will be sequentially contacted by the upper vibrating

heads

108, 110, 112, and 114 and the lower vibrating

heads

100, 102, 104 and 106, respectively. As a gapped area of the slide fastener chain 20 passes through the vibrating station 42, the severed heel members therein will first be contacted by upper vibrating head 108 and lower vibrating head 100. Since the distal ends of each of the vibrating rods are movable independently of each other, and since the removed head elements of the filamentary stringers in the gapped areas leave a narrow slot through the chain, the relatively narrow vibrating head 108 and 100 will tend to move into the slot in the gap, as a result of their self-biasing, while the remaining vibrating heads are riding upon the intact heel members which immediately proceed the gap. Thereafter, with the first upper and lower vibrating heads 108 and 100, respectively, reciprocating within the initial portion of the gap, the vibratory motion imparted to the generally wedge-shaped head will begin to drive the severed upper and lower members out form under their respective stitching heads so as to move the severed heel members apart by a sufiicient amount to permit the ingress of the second upper and lower vibrating

heads

110 and 102, respectively, into the gap. The second vibrating heads operate in a similar manner to that described above and serve to drive the severed heel members of the filamentary stringers further apart such that the third and then the fourth vibrating heads ride down into the gap and continue to drive the severed heel members from the chain. As a result, by the time the gapped area of the slide fastener chain has completely passed between the vibrating rods of the vibrating station 42, all of the severed upper heel members will have been removed from the slide fastener chain by the upper vibrating heads 108414 while all of the severed lower heel members will have been similarly removed by the simultaneous action of the lower vibrating heads -106.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper vibrating heads sequentially act upon the severed upper heel members at the same time that the lower vibrating heads are operating upon the severed lower heel members so as to effectively clean the upper and lower portions of the gapped areas of the chain at the same time. It is additionally noted that the sloping

upper surfaces

52 and 54 of the horizontal portion of guide block 44 cause the removed heel members to slide away from the operating area of the vibrating station whereupon the filamentary stringer residue may be collected by any suitable technique at a location remote from the vibrating heads where it will not interfere with the gap cleaning operation.

It should be understood of course that various numbers of vibrating rods and heads may be employed for various different slide fastener chains fed through the cleaning apparatus of the present invention depending upon the particular operational characteristics desired such as the speed at which the chain passes through the vibrating station 42. It is also important to note that as a direct result of the vibratory gap cleaning technique described above, the cleaned gap (shown in the lower right of FIG. 1) is free of severed or frayed edges, and the

stitching threads

34, 134 and 36, 136 are unbroken and unharmed. This is a critical factor in the manufacture of quality slide fasteners since the gapped and cleaned area is at the top of the finished slide fastener and occupies a relatively prominent position when sewn in a garment. Furthermore, any frayed or loose threads may cause undesireable folding of the slider of a completed fastener and may cause fouling of manufacturing apparatus employed subsequent to the gapping and cleaning processes such as that used to place top stops on the fastener. Thus, due to the action of the vibratory heads 100-106 upon the severed lower heel members and the action of vibrating head 108-114 upon the severed upper heel members, the gapped slide fastener chain is efficiently cleaned while the carrier tapes as well as the stitching threads are undamaged and remain intact resulting in a high quality finished product having improved operating and aesthetic characteristics over similar prior art devices.

A second embodiment of an apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chains according to the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 11 and identical numbers are used to identify structure which is identical to that illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5.

As in the above-described embodiment of the present invention, a gapped slide fastener chain 20 is placed in tension between rollers 38 and 40 for movement through a vibrating station 200 at an approximately constant rate and in a direction away from rollers 38 and toward rollers 40. The vibrating station 200 includes a generally U-shaped guide block 202 having a pair of vertical legs 204 and 206 (FIG. 7) joined at their lower ends by a horizontal member 208. Each of the vertical legs 204 and 2% is substantially rectangular in configuration, and the upper surface of the horizontal member 51' is slightly peaked so as to form a pair of downwardly directed sloping surfaces 210 and 121.

Disposed atop vertical leg 2% of guide block 202 is a flat, generally T-shaped guide member 214 with the top of the T overlying the upper surface of vertical leg 2045 and the leg of the T extending in a cantileverlike manner over sloping surfaces 210 and 121 of horizontal member 268 in a direction toward vertical leg 206. The guide member 214 defines a longitudinally oriented groove 216 which is centrally disposed along the leg of the T-shaped guide. A cover member 218 is mounted atop the guide member 124 in superposition with vertical leg 204 and contains a first centrally disposed longitudinal flat groove 220 and a second narrower but deeper centrally aligned groove 222. It is noted that as in the abovedescribed embodiment, guide member 214 cooperates with cover member 218 to define a suitable channel therethrough for supporting the slide fastener chain as it passes through the vibrating station 260. In addition, longitudinal groove 216 in the leg of guide member 214 provides a means of laterally supporting the undersurface of the slide fastener chain while the severed upper heel members within the gapped areas of the chain are being removed,

A set of upper vibrating rods, illustrated generally at 224 is mounted above guide member 214 for removing or cleaning severed upper heel members from the chain 20. The upper vibrating rods 224, which are illustrated as being six in number, are substantially identical in construction with those of the previously described embodiment of the present invention as can be seen by a comparison of FIGS. and 11 and FIGS. 4 and 5. As before, the upper vibrating rods 224 have formed upon the undersurface of their distal ends one of a plurality of vibrating heads, indicated generally at 226, each having a generally trapezoidal horizontal cross section as well as a generally trapezoidal vertical section in a plane normal to the center line' of travel of the slide fastener chain 20. Each of the vibrating heads of the individual vibrating rods have a different width and are aligned in order of increasing width so as to provide a generally wedgeshaped vibrating surface for removing the severed upper heel members of the gapped chain.

A guide plate 228, which is substantially identical in construction with cover plate 218, includes a first centrally aligned longitudinal groove 230 and a second similarly aligned groove 232 and is adapted to be mounted upon the upper surface of vertical leg 2&5 of the guide block 202. A generally flat T-shaped guide member 234, which is generally similar in construction with guide member 214, has the top portion of the T overlying guide plate 228 with its leg member longitudinally aligned with the leg member of guide 214 in a cantileverlike manner. Guide member 234 defines a longitudinally disposed groove 236 running centrally through the top portion of the T so as to provide a mating channel for groove 232 of the guide plate 228 for accommodating the slide fastener chain 20. Furthermore, the undersurface of the leg member of guide 234 is serrated so as to define a plurality of longitudinally aligned parallel grooves indicated generally at 238 which serve to laterally support the upper surface of the slide fastener chain in the gapped areas where the severed upper heel members have already been removed by the upper vibrating heads 226.

Positioned under the serrated leg of guide member 234 is a plurality of lower vibrating rods 240 which are illustrated as being six in number and upon which are formed at their distal ends one of a plurality of vibrating heads 242. The vibrating heads 242 of the lower set of vibrating rods 24th are similar in construction to those of the upper vibrating rods 22 (illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11) and therefore will not be described again for the sake of brevity. Alternate ones of upper and lower vibrating

rods

224 and 240, respectively, are proximally attached to one of a pair of

vibrators

244 and 246 which are adapted to reciprocate the vibrating rods transversely of the slide fastener chain in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5. In other words each adjacent vibrating rod is adapted to be reciprocated in a direction which may be opposite that of its next adjacent vibrating rod so as to assure the maintenance of lateral alignment of the carrier tapes of the slide fastener chain as the chain is passing through the vibrating station 200. It is noted that each of the

vibrators

244 and 246 may be of any suitable construction as briefly explained with respect to the abovedescribed embodiment.

While the operation of the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 11 is substantially similar to that of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 through 5, and thus will not be described in detail for the sake of brevity, the two-stage cleaning action of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 6 through 11 will be briefly outlined below.

As a gapped area of the slide fastener chain 20 passes through vibrating station 200, it is first guided through the channel defined by groove 216 of guide member 214 and

grooves

220 and 222 of cover member 218 whereupon the extended longitudinal groove 216 supports the severed lower heel members so as to preclude lateral separation of the two carrier tapes of the chain while the upper head elements 226 of vibrating rods 224 are driving the severed upper heel members outwardly from under their respective stitching threads to clean the upper surface of the slide fastener chain. Thus, the apparatus of the first stage of the cleaning process laterally supports the lower surface of the slide fastener chain so as to prevent tape separation while the severed upper heel members are being removed by the vibrating action of the wedgeshaped vibrating heads 226. Such action is diagrammatically outlined in FIG. 8 which illustrates a sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 6.

Subsequent to the removal of the severed upper heel members by the upper vibrating elements 226, the gapped area of the slide fastener chain longitudinally progresses to the point where the serrated surface 238 of the upper guide member 234 frictionally engages the upper sides of the carrier tapes where the severed upper heel members have been removed. As a result, the carrier tapes are precluded from laterally separating as the severed lower heel members of the chain are sequentially being contacted by the progressively larger wedge-shaped vibrating heads 242 of the plurality of lower vibrating rods 240. Thus, during the second state of cleaning the cleaned upper surfaces of the carrier tapes are frictionally engaged by the serrated lower surface of guide member 234 while the severed lower heel members are being driven outwardly from under their respectively stitching threads (see FIG. 9).

Thus, the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 6-11 operates to first clean or remove the severed upper heel members from the slide fastener chain and then to clean or remove the severed lower heel members therefrom while, at each stage, the two carrier tapes are prevented from undesirably separating apart from each other as the vibrating heads are sequentially engaging the severed members of the filamentary stringers.

As in the previous embodiment of the present invention, the cleaned gap of the slide fastener chain produced by the abovedescribed apparatus is free of severed or frayed edges, and the stitching threads are intact and undamaged. This, slide fastener chains cleaned by the above described apparatus are of a high quality and do not contain frayed or loose threads which may cause undesirable fouling of the slider of a completed fastener.

Many of the advantages of the present invention can be seen in the above-described simple method by which gapped slide fastener chain is cleaned, which method may be summarized as including essentially the steps of applying a longitudinal tensile force to the slide fastener chain, positioning a first set of vibrating elements adjacent the top surfaces of the carrier tapes in engagement with the upper heel members, positioning a second set of vibrating elements adjacent the bottom surfaces of the carrier tapes in engagement with the lower heel members, reciprocating the vibrating elements transversely of the slide fastener chain, and moving the slide fastener chain such that the severed heel members are sequentially contacted by each of the upper and lower vibrating elements.

Thus, the present invention rapidly and efficiently removes severed heel members from both sides of gapped slide fastener chains so as to produce slide fastener chains wherein the gapped areas are flexible, free from severed or frayed threads, and are not prone to unraveling.

Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to many variations, modifications and changes in detail, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

ll. A method of cleaning gapped slide fastener chain of the type having a pair of carrier tapes lying in a common plane and carrying along their respective adjacent longitudinal edges a ladder-type filamentary stringer having a plurality of head elements interconnecting adjacent ones of a plurality of generally U-shaped upper and lower heel members overlying top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the carrier tapes, each filamentary stringer having a plurality of adjacent heel members severed from their respective head elements at spaced intervals to form a plurality of gapped areas, the method comprising the steps of:

applying a longitudinal tensile force to the slide fastener chain;

positioning a first plurality of vibrating elements adjacent the top surfaces of the carrier tapes in engagement with the plurality of upper heel members;

positioning a second plurality of vibrating elements adjacent the bottom surfaces of the carrier tapes in engagement with the plurality of lower heel members; reciprocating said plurality of vibrating elements in a transverse direction relative to the slide fastener chain; and

moving the slide fastener chain such that the severed upper and lower heel members are sequentially contacted by said first and second plurality of vibrating elements, respectively, whereby the severed upper and lower heel members are removed.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said reciprocating step includes reciprocating a first set of said first and second plurality of vibrating elements and reciprocating a second set of said first and second plurality of vibrating elements such that said first and second sets of vibrating elements move in opposite directions.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said reciprocating step includes reciprocating alternate ones of said first and second plurality of vibrating elements in opposite directions.

4. A method of cleaning gapped slide fastener chain of the type having a pair of carrier tapes lying in a common plane and carrying along their respective adjacent longitudinal edges a ladder-type filamentary stringer having a plurality of head elements interconnecting adjacent one of a plurality of generally U-shaped upper and lower heel members overlying top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the carrier tapes, each filamentary stringer having a plurality of adjacent heel members severed from their respective head elements at spaced intervals to form a plurality of gapped areas, the method comprising the steps of: l,

applying a longitudinal tensile force to the slide fastener chain;

positioning a set of lower vibrating elements adjacent the bottom surfaces of the carrier tapes in engagement with the plurality of lower heel members,

positioning a set of upper vibrating elements adjacent the top surfaces of the carrier tapes in supposition with said set of lower vibrating elements and in engagement with the plurality of upper heel members;

reciprocating said upper and lower vibrating elements in a transverse direction relative to the slide fastener chain; and

moving the slide fastener chain between said first and second plurality of vibrating elements such that the severed upper and lower heel members are sequentially contacted by said first and second plurality of vibrating elements, respectively, whereby the severed upper and lower heel members are simultaneously removed from the carrier tapes.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said reciprocating step includes reciprocating a first plurality of said upper and lower vibrating elements and reciprocating a second plurality of said upper and lower vibrating elements such that said first and second plurality of vibrating elements move in opposite directions.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein said reciprocating step includes reciprocating alternate ones of said upper and lower vibrating elements in opposite directions.

7. A method of cleaning gapped slide fastener chain of the type having a pair of carrier tapes lying in a common plane and carrying along their respective adjacent longitudinal edges a ladder-type filamentary stringer having a plurality of head elements interconnecting adjacent ones of a plurality of generally U-shaped upper and lower heel members overlying top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the carrier tapes, each filamentary stringer having a plurality of adjacent heel members severed from their respective head elements at spaced intervals to form a plurality of gapped areas, the method comprising the steps of:

applying a longitudinal tensile force to the slide fastener chain;

supporting the lower heel members of the filamentary stringers in a longitudinally disposed groove such that lateral movement of the carrier tapes is limited;

positioning a set of upper vibrating elements over the top surfaces of the carrier tapes in engagement with the plurality of upper heel members;

reciprocating said set of upper vibrating elements transversely of the slide fastener chain;

positioning a serrated guide member adjacent the top surfaces of the carrier tapes such that lateral movement thereof is limited;

positioning a set of lower vibrating elements under the bottom surfaces of the carrier tapes in engagement with the plurality of lower heel members;

reciprocating said set of lower vibrating elements transversely of the slide fastener chain; and

moving the slide fastener chain longitudinally past said set of upper vibrating elements and then past said set of lower vibrating elements whereby said severed upper and lower heel members are sequentially removed.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein said first reciprocating step includes vibrating alternate ones of said upper vibrating elements in opposite directions.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said second reciprocating step includes vibrating alternate ones of said lower vibrating elements in opposite directions.

It). The method of claim 7 wherein said first positioning step includes aligning said upper vibrating elements in superposition with said longitudinally disposed groove.

M. The method of claim 10 wherein said third positioning step includes aligning said lower vibrating elements such that said serrated guide member is in superposition therewith.

12. Apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chain of the type having a pair of carrier tapes lying in a common plane and carrying along their respective adjacent longitudinal edges a ladder-type filamentary stringer having a plurality of head elements interconnecting adjacent ones of a plurality of generally U-shaped upper and lower heel members overlying top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the carrier tapes, each filamentary stringer having a plurality of adjacent heel members severed from their respective head elements at spaced intervals to form a plurality of gapped areas, comprismg a first plurality of vibrating elements disposed in a plane for engaging the upper heel members of the filamentary stringers,

a second plurality of vibrating elements disposed in a plane for engaging the lower heel members of the filamentary stringers,

means cooperating with said first and second plurality of vibrating elements for applying a longitudinal tensile force to the slide fastener chain and for longitudinally moving the slide fastener chain plast said first and second plurality of vibrating elements, and

vibrating means cooperating with said first and second plurality of vibrating elements for reciprocating the same transversely of the slide fastener chain whereby the severed upper and lower heel members are removed from the carrier tapes.

13. The invention as recited in claim 12 wherein a generally wedge-shaped vibrating head is fonned adjacent an end of each of said first plurality of vibrating elements, each vibrating head having a pair of obliquely disposed substantially vertical sides engaging cut ends of the severed upper heel members for driving the same outwardly from the carrier tapes.

14. The invention as recited in claim 13 wherein each of said wedge-shaped vibrating heads of said first plurality of vibrating elements has a different width and wherein each of said first plurality of vibrating elements is disposed adjacent each other in order of increasing vibrating head width whereby said oblique sides of said vibrating heads form a pair of substantially contiguous oblique surfaces.

15. The invention as recited in claim 12 wherein a generally wedge-shaped vibrating head is formed adjacent an end of each of said second plurality of vibrating elements, each vibrating head having a pair of obliquely disposed substantially vertical sides engaging cut ends of the severed lower heel members for diving the same outwardly from the carrier tapes.

16. The invention as recited in claim 15 wherein each of said wedge-shaped vibrating heads of said second plurality of vibrating elements has a different width and wherein each of said second plurality of vibrating elements is disposed adjacent each other in order of increasing vibrating head width whereby said oblique sides of said vibrating heads form a pair of substantially contiguous oblique surfaces.

17. The invention as recited in claim 12 wherein each of said first plurality of vibrating elements is disposed adjacent each other and wherein each of said second plurality of vibrating elements is disposed adjacent each other.

18. The invention as recited in claim 17 wherein said vibrating means includes first and second reciprocating means, each cooperating with alternate ones of said first and second plurality of vibrating elements.

19. The invention as recited in claim 18 wherein said first and second reciprocating means move in opposite directions.

20. Apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chain of the type having a pair of carrier tapes lying in a common plane and carrying along their respective adjacent longitudinal edges a ladder-type filamentary stringer having a plurality of head elements interconnecting adjacent ones of a plurality of generally U-shaped upper and lower heel members overlying top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the carrier tapes, each filamentary stringer having a plurality of adjacent heel members severed from their respective head elements at spaced intervals to form a plurality of gapped areas, comprismg means for supporting the slide fastener chain in a generally planar configuration,

a set of lower vibrating elements disposed adjacent the bottom surface of the supported slide fastener chain in engagement with the lower heel members,

a set of upper vibrating elements disposed adjacent the top surface of the supported slide fastener chain in superposition with said set of lower vibrating elements and in engagement with the upper heel members,

means cooperating with said supporting means for longitu dinally moving the slide fastener chain between said upper and lower sets of vibrating elements under tension, and

reciprocating means cooperating with said upper and lower sets of vibrating elements for imparting oscillatory movement thereto transversely of the slide fastener chain whereby the severed upper and lower heel member are simultaneously removed from the carrier tapes.

21. The invention as recited in claim 20 wherein said supporting means includes guide means defining a generally rectangular inlet channel and a generally rectangular outlet channel, said inlet and outlet channels being horizontally disposed on either side of said sets of upper and lower vibrating elements and each being adapted to accommodate the slide fastener chain whereby lateral movement of the slide fastener chain in the proximity of said upper and lower vibrating elements is limited.

22. The invention as recited in claim 20 wherein said moving means includes a pair of horizontal drive rollers adapted to pull the slide fastener chain therebetween.

23. The invention as recited in claim 22 wherein said moving means further includes a pair of horizontal constraining rollers adapted to restrain the slide fastener chain against longitudinal movement whereby said constraining rollers cooperate with said drive roller to move the slide fastener chain past said upper and lower vibrating element under tensron.

24. The invention as recited in claim 20 wherein said reciprocating means includes first and second vibrating means, each cooperating with alternate ones of said upper and lower vibrating elements.

25. The invention as recited in claim 24 wherein said first and second vibrating means reciprocate in opposite directions.

26. The invention as recited in claim 25 wherein said alternate ones of said upper and lower vibrating elements are attached at one end to their respective first and second vibrating means.

27. The invention as recited in claim 26 wherein a generally wedge-shaped projection is formed upon an upper surface of each of said lower vibrating elements adjacent distal ends thereof, each wedge-shaped projection having a pair of substantially vertical sides obliquely disposed with respect to the center line of travel of the slide fastener chain for engaging cut ends of the severed lower heel members and dividing the same outwardly from their respective carrier tapes.

28. The invention as recited in claim 27 wherein a generally wedge-shaped projection is formed upon a lower surface of each of said upper vibrating elements adjacent distal ends thereof, each wedge-shaped projection having a pair of substantially vertical sides obliquely disposed with respect to the centerline of travel of the slide fastener chain for engaging cut ends of the severed upper heel members and driving the same outwardly from their respective carrier tapes.

29. The invention as recited in claim 28 wherein said lower vibrating element are disposed adjacent each other with said wedge-shaped projections aligned, and wherein the widest portion of a preceding wedge-shaped projection is substantially equal to the narrowest portion of its next succeeding wedge-shaped projection whereby said projections of said set of lower vibrating elements form a substantially contiguous lower heel removing wedge.

30. The invention as recited in claim 29 wherein aid upper vibrating elements are disposed adjacent each other with said wedge-shaped projections aligned, and wherein the widest portion of a preceeding wedged-shaped projection is substantially equal to the narrowest portion of its next succeeding wedge-shaped projection whereby said projection of said set of upper vibrating elements form a substantially contiguous upper heel removing wedge.

31. The invention as recited in claim 26 wherein a vibrating head is formed upon an upper surface of each of said lower vibrating elements and upon a lower surface of each of said upper vibrating elements adjacent distal ends thereof, each vibrating head having a generally trapezoidal horizontal cross section.

32. The invention as recited in claim 31 wherein each of said vibrating heads has a generally trapezoidal cross section in a vertical plane normal to the centerline of travel of the slide fastener chain.

33. Apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chain of the type having a pair of carrier tapes lying in a common plane and carrying along their respective adjacent longitudinal edges a ladder-type filamentary stringer having a plurality of had elements interconnecting adjacent ones of a plurality of generally U-shaped upper and lower heel members overlying top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the carrier tapes, each filamentary stringer having a plurality of adjacent heel members severed from their respective head elements at spaced intervals to form a plurality of gapped areas, comprising first guide means having a longitudinal groove therein adapted to accommodate the lower heel members of the filamentary stringers whereby lateral movement of the carrier tapes is limited,

a first plurality of vibrating elements disposed above said first guide means for engaging the upper heel members of the filamentary stringers second guide means mounted adjacent said first guide means and having a serrated surface defining a plurality of longitudinally oriented parallel grooves and adapted to engage the top surfaces of the carrier tapes whereby lateral movement thereof is limited,

a second plurality of vibrating elements disposed under said second guide means for engaging the lower heel members of the filamentary stringers,

means cooperating with said first and second guide means for moving the slide fastener chain through said first and second guide means and past said first and second plurality of vibrating elements under tension, and

vibrating means connected with said first and second plurality of vibrating elements for reciprocating the same in a direction transverse to the slide fastener chain whereby the severed upper and lower heel members are removed from the carrier tapes.

34. The invention as recited in claim 33 wherein said vibrating means includes first and second reciprocating means respectively connected with alternate ones of said first and second plurality of vibrating elements.

35. The invention as recited in claim 34 wherein said first and second reciprocating means vibrate din opposite directions.

36. The invention as recited in claim 33 wherein each of said first plurality of vibrating elements is disposed adjacent each other in a horizontal plane.

37. The invention as recited in claim 36 wherein said second guide means is disposed in said horizontal plane adjacent said first plurality of vibrating elements.

38. The invention as recited in claim 37 wherein each of said second plurality of vibrating elements is disposed adjacent each other in another horizontal plane.

39. The invention as recited in claim 38 wherein said first guide means is disposed in said other horizontal plane adjacent said second plurality of vibrating elements.

40. The invention as recited in claim 39 wherein each of said first plurality of vibrating elements includes a downwardly directed projection formed upon a lower surface thereon in supposition with said groove in said first guide means, said projections cooperating to provide a substantially contiguous wedge-shaped vibratory camming member for removing severed upper heel members.

41. The intention as recited in claim 40 wherein each of said second plurality of vibrating elements includes an upwardly directed projection fonned upon an upper surface thereof directly under said second guide means, said projections cooperating to provide a substantial? contiguous wedgeshaped vibratory camming member or removing severed lower heel members.

Claims

1. A method of cleaning gapped slide fastener chain of the type having a pair of carrier tapes lying in a common plane and carrying along their respective adjacent longitudinal edges a ladder-type filamentary Stringer having a plurality of head elements interconnecting adjacent ones of a plurality of generally U-shaped upper and lower heel members overlying top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the carrier tapes, each filamentary stringer having a plurality of adjacent heel members severed from their respective head elements at spaced intervals to form a plurality of gapped areas, the method comprising the steps of: applying a longitudinal tensile force to the slide fastener chain; positioning a first plurality of vibrating elements adjacent the top surfaces of the carrier tapes in engagement with the plurality of upper heel members; positioning a second plurality of vibrating elements adjacent the bottom surfaces of the carrier tapes in engagement with the plurality of lower heel members; reciprocating said plurality of vibrating elements in a transverse direction relative to the slide fastener chain; and moving the slide fastener chain such that the severed upper and lower heel members are sequentially contacted by said first and second plurality of vibrating elements, respectively, whereby the severed upper and lower heel members are removed.

4. A method of cleaning gapped slide fastener chain of the type having a pair of carrier tapes lying in a common plane and carrying along their respective adjacent longitudinal edges a ladder-type filamentary stringer having a plurality of head elements interconnecting adjacent ones of a plurality of generally U-shaped upper and lower heel members overlying top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the carrier tapes, each filamentary stringer having a plurality of adjacent heel members severed from their respective head elements at spaced intervals to form a plurality of gapped areas, the method comprising the steps of: applying a longitudinal tensile force to the slide fastener chain; positioning a set of lower vibrating elements adjacent the bottom surfaces of the carrier tapes in engagement with the plurality of lower heel members, positioning a set of upper vibrating elements adjacent the top surfaces of the carrier tapes in superposition with said set of lower vibrating elements and in engagement with the plurality of upper heel members; reciprocating said upper and lower vibrating elements in a transverse direction relative to the slide fastener chain; and moving the slide fastener chain between said first and second plurality of vibrating elements such that the severed upper and lower heel members are sequentially contacted by said first and second plurality of vibrating elements, respectively, whereby the severed upper and lower heel members are simultaneously removed from the carrier tapes.

7. A method of cleaning gapped slide fastener chain of the type having a pair of carrier tapes lying in a common plane and carrying along their respective adjacent longitudinal edges a ladder-type filamentary stringer having a plurality of head elements interconnecting adjacent ones of a plurality of generally U-shaped upper and lower heel members overlying top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the carrier tapes, each filamentary stringer having a plurality of adjacent heel members severed from their respective head elements at spaced intervals to form a plurality of gapped areas, the method comprising the steps of: applying a longitudinal tensile force to the slide fastener chain; supporting the lower heel members of the filamentary stringers in a longitudinally disposed groove such that lateral movement of the carrier tapes is limited; positioning a set of upper vibrating elements over the top surfaces of the carrier tapes in engagement with the plurality of upper heel members; reciprocating said set of upper vibrating elements transversely of the slide fastener chain; positioning a serrated guide member adjacent the top surfaces of the carrier tapes such that lateral movement thereof is limited; positioning a set of lower vibrating elements under the bottom surfaces of the carrier tapes in engagement with the plurality of lower heel members; reciprocating said set of lower vibrating elements transversely of the slide fastener chain; and moving the slide fastener chain longitudinally past said set of upper vibrating elements and then past said set of lower vibrating elements whereby said severed upper and lower heel members are sequentially removed.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein said first positioning step includes aligning said upper vibrating elements in superposition with said longitudinally disposed groove.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said third positioning step includes aligning said lower vibrating elements such that said serrated guide member is in superposition therewith.

12. Apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chain of the type having a pair of carrier tapes lying in a common plane and carrying along their respective adjacent longitudinal edges a ladder-type filamentary stringer having a plurality of head elements interconnecting adjacent ones of a plurality of generally U-shaped upper and lower heel members overlying top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the carrier tapes, each filamentary stringer having a plurality of adjacent heel members severed from their respective head elements at spaced intervals to form a plurality of gapped areas, comprising a first plurality of vibrating elements disposed in a plane for engaging the upper heel members of the filamentary stringers, a second plurality of vibrating elements disposed in a plane for engaging the lower heel members of the filamentary stringers, means cooperating with said first and second plurality of vibrating elements for applying a longitudinal tensile force to the slide fastener chain and for longitudinally moving the slide fastener chain past said first and second plurality of vibrating elements, and vibrating means cooperating with said first and second plurality of vibrating elements for reciprocating the same transversely of the slide fastener chain whereby the severed upper and lower heel members are removed from the carrier tapes.

13. The invention as recited in claim 12 wherein a generally wedge-shaped vibrating head is formed adjacent an end of each of said first plurality of vibrating elements, each vibrating head having a pair of obliquely disposed substantially vertical sides engaging cut ends of the severed upper heel members for driving the same outwardly from the carrier tapes.

15. The invention as recited in claim 12 wherein a generally wedge-shaped vibrating head is formed adjacent an end of each of said second plurality of vibrating elements, each vibrating head having a pair of obliquely disposed substantially vertical sides engaging cut ends of the severed lower heel members for driving the same outwardly from the carrier tapes.

20. Apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chain of the type having a pair of carrier tapes lying in a common plane and carrying along their respective adjacent longitudinal edges a ladder-type filamentary stringer having a plurality of head elements interconnecting adjacent ones of a plurality of generally U-shaped upper and lower heel members overlying top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the carrier tapes, each filamentary stringer having a plurality of adjacent heel members severed from their respective head elements at spaced intervals to form a plurality of gapped areas, comprising means for supporting the slide fastener chain in a generally planar configuration, a set of lower vibrating elements disposed adjacent the bottom surface of the supported slide fastener chain in engagement with the lower heel members, a set of upper vibrating elements disposed adjacent the top surface of the supported slide fastener chain in superposition with said set of lower vibrating elements and in engagement with the upper heel members, means cooperating with said supporting means for longitudinally moving the slide fastener chain between said upper and lower sets of vibrating elements under tension, and reciprocating means cooperating with said upper and lower sets of vibrating elements for imparting oscillatory movement thereto transversely of the slide fastener chain whereby the severed upper and lower heel members are simultaneously removed from the carrier tapes.

23. The invention as recited in claim 22 wherein said moving means further includes a pair of horizontal constraining rollers adapted to restrain the slide fastener chain against longitudinal movement whereby said constraining rollers cooperate with said drive rollers to move the slide fastener chain past Said upper and lower vibrating elements under tension.

27. The invention as recited in claim 26 wherein a generally wedge-shaped projection is formed upon an upper surface of each of said lower vibrating elements adjacent distal ends thereof, each wedge-shaped projection having a pair of substantially vertical sides obliquely disposed with respect to the center line of travel of the slide fastener chain for engaging cut ends of the severed lower heel members and driving the same outwardly from their respective carrier tapes.

29. The invention as recited in claim 28 wherein said lower vibrating elements are disposed adjacent each other with said wedge-shaped projections aligned, and wherein the widest portion of a preceding wedge-shaped projection is substantially equal to the narrowest portion of its next succeeding wedge-shaped projection whereby said projections of said set of lower vibrating elements form a substantially contiguous lower heel removing wedge.

30. The invention as recited in claim 29 wherein aid upper vibrating elements are disposed adjacent each other with said wedge-shaped projections aligned, and wherein the widest portion of a preceeding wedged-shaped projection is substantially equal to the narrowest portion of its next succeeding wedge-shaped projection whereby said projections of said set of upper vibrating elements form a substantially contiguous upper heel removing wedge.

32. The invention as recited in claim 31 wherein each of said vibrating heads has a generally trapezoidal cross section in a vertical plane normal to the center line of travel of the slide fastener chain.

33. Apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chain of the type having a pair of carrier tapes lying in a common plane and carrying along their respective adjacent longitudinal edges a ladder-type filamentary stringer having a plurality of head elements interconnecting adjacent ones of a plurality of generally U-shaped upper and lower heel members overlying top and bottom surfaces, respectively, of the carrier tapes, each filamentary stringer having a plurality of adjacent heel members severed from their respective head elements at spaced intervals to form a plurality of gapped areas, comprising first guide means having a longitudinal groove therein adapted to accommodate the lower heel members of the filamentary stringers whereby lateral movement of the carrier tapes is limited, a first plurality of vibrating elements disposed above said first guide means for engaging the upper heel members of the filamentary stringers, second guide means mounted adjacent said first guide means and having a serrated surface defining a plurality of longitudinally oriented parAllel grooves and adapted to engage the top surfaces of the carrier tapes whereby lateral movement thereof is limited, a second plurality of vibrating elements disposed under said second guide means for engaging the lower heel members of the filamentary stringers, means cooperating with said first and second guide means for moving the slide fastener chain through said first and second guide means and past said first and second plurality of vibrating elements under tension, and vibrating means connected with said first and second plurality of vibrating elements for reciprocating the same in a direction transverse to the slide fastener chain whereby the severed upper and lower heel members are removed from the carrier tapes.

35. The invention as recited in claim 34 wherein said first and second reciprocating means vibrate in opposite directions.

40. The invention as recited in claim 39 wherein each of said first plurality of vibrating elements includes a downwardly directed projection formed upon a lower surface thereof in superposition with said groove in said first guide means, said projections cooperating to provide a substantially contiguous wedge-shaped vibratory camming member for removing severed upper heel members.

41. The intention as recited in claim 40 wherein each of said second plurality of vibrating elements includes an upwardly directed projection formed upon an upper surface thereof directly under said second guide means, said projections cooperating to provide a substantially contiguous wedge-shaped vibratory camming member for removing severed lower heel members.