US3631581A - Methods and apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chain - Google Patents

Methods and apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chain Download PDF

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Publication number
US3631581A
US3631581A US33418A US3631581DA US3631581A US 3631581 A US3631581 A US 3631581A US 33418 A US33418 A US 33418A US 3631581D A US3631581D A US 3631581DA US 3631581 A US3631581 A US 3631581A
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vibrating
vibrating elements
slide fastener
fastener chain
heel members
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George B Moertel
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Talon Inc
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Textron Inc
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Assigned to CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, 231 SOUTH LASALLE ST., CHICAGO, IL., 60697 reassignment CONTINENTAL ILLINOIS NATIONAL BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, 231 SOUTH LASALLE ST., CHICAGO, IL., 60697 SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: TALON, INC., A CORP OF DE.
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A44—HABERDASHERY; JEWELLERY
    • A44B—BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE
    • A44B19/00—Slide fasteners
    • A44B19/42—Making by processes not fully provided for in one other class, e.g. B21D53/50, B21F45/18, B22D17/16, B29D5/00
    • A44B19/58—Removing interlocking members to produce gaps
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
    • Y10T29/49782—Method of mechanical manufacture of a slide fastener
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
    • Y10T29/53291—Slide fastener
    • Y10T29/53309—Disassembly means
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T29/00—Metal working
    • Y10T29/53—Means to assemble or disassemble
    • Y10T29/53535—Means to assemble or disassemble including means to vibrate work

Definitions

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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;
  • FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the vibrating element of FIG. l0.
  • FIGS. 1 through 5 there is shown a preferred embodiment of an apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chain according to the present invention.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • the gapped slide fastener chain 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.
  • 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.
  • the severed heel members therein will first be contacted by upper vibrating head 108 and lower vibrating head 100.
  • each of the vibrating rods 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • FIGS. 6 through 11 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.
  • 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.
  • a flat, generally T-shaped guide member 214 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • a plurality of lower vibrating rods 240 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.
  • 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.
  • each of the vibrators 244 and 246 may be of any suitable construction as briefly explained with respect to the abovedescribed embodiment.
  • FIGS. 6 through 11 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.
  • 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.
  • FIG. 8 illustrates a sectional view taken along line 88 of FIG. 6.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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).
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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:
  • 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.
  • 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,
  • 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.
  • 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:
  • said first reciprocating step includes vibrating alternate ones of said upper vibrating elements in opposite directions.
  • said second reciprocating step includes vibrating alternate ones of said lower vibrating elements in opposite directions.
  • said first positioning step includes aligning said upper vibrating elements in superposition with said longitudinally disposed groove.
  • said third positioning step includes aligning said lower vibrating elements such that said serrated guide member is in superposition therewith.
  • 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,
  • 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.
  • each 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • said vibrating means includes first and second reciprocating means, each cooperating with alternate ones of said first and second plurality of vibrating elements.
  • 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,
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • reciprocating means includes first and second vibrating means, each cooperating with alternate ones of said upper and lower vibrating elements.
  • each 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.
  • each 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.
  • each 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.
  • 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.
  • 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
  • said vibrating means includes first and second reciprocating means respectively connected with alternate ones of said first and second plurality of vibrating elements.
  • each of said first plurality of vibrating elements is disposed adjacent each other in a horizontal plane.
  • each of said second plurality of vibrating elements is disposed adjacent each other in another horizontal plane.
  • 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.
  • 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.

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  • Slide Fasteners (AREA)
  • Treatment Of Fiber Materials (AREA)
US33418A 1970-04-30 1970-04-30 Methods and apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chain Expired - Lifetime US3631581A (en)

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US3341870A 1970-04-30 1970-04-30

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ID=21870295

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US33418A Expired - Lifetime US3631581A (en) 1970-04-30 1970-04-30 Methods and apparatus for cleaning gapped slide fastener chain

Country Status (12)

Country Link
US (1) US3631581A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS5147102B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BE (1) BE766471A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
BR (1) BR7102617D0 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CA (1) CA958881A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CH (1) CH533966A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
DE (1) DE2121149A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
ES (1) ES390940A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
FR (1) FR2086503B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
GB (1) GB1292759A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
NL (1) NL7105907A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
SE (1) SE388535B (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3787952A (en) * 1972-06-26 1974-01-29 Textron Inc Gapped and cleaned seam-type slide fastener chains and method and apparatus for making the same
US3852869A (en) * 1972-11-28 1974-12-10 Yoshida Kogyo Kk Method and apparatus for removing interlocking fastener elements from a slide fastener chain
US4188716A (en) * 1977-08-10 1980-02-19 Yoshida Kogyo K.K. Apparatus for gapping a slide fastener chain
US4324034A (en) * 1979-12-27 1982-04-13 Talon, Inc. Method and apparatus for gapping and reinforcing slide fastener stringers
CN109744662A (zh) * 2019-01-15 2019-05-14 池州美利达智能装备科技有限公司 一种穿拉头设备用上模机构

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS59138601A (ja) * 1983-01-27 1984-08-09 新神戸電機株式会社 運搬車の走行路
JPS6242858U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1985-09-03 1987-03-14

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3129498A (en) * 1962-05-09 1964-04-21 Talon Inc Apparatus for gapping slide fastener chain
US3391441A (en) * 1965-10-22 1968-07-09 Talon Inc Method and apparatus for gapping slide fastener chain
US3538582A (en) * 1967-11-30 1970-11-10 Morris Perlman Gapping device for meander slide fasteners
US3541666A (en) * 1968-07-19 1970-11-24 Textron Inc Method and apparatus for gapping slide fastener chain

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3129498A (en) * 1962-05-09 1964-04-21 Talon Inc Apparatus for gapping slide fastener chain
US3391441A (en) * 1965-10-22 1968-07-09 Talon Inc Method and apparatus for gapping slide fastener chain
US3538582A (en) * 1967-11-30 1970-11-10 Morris Perlman Gapping device for meander slide fasteners
US3541666A (en) * 1968-07-19 1970-11-24 Textron Inc Method and apparatus for gapping slide fastener chain

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3787952A (en) * 1972-06-26 1974-01-29 Textron Inc Gapped and cleaned seam-type slide fastener chains and method and apparatus for making the same
US3852869A (en) * 1972-11-28 1974-12-10 Yoshida Kogyo Kk Method and apparatus for removing interlocking fastener elements from a slide fastener chain
US4188716A (en) * 1977-08-10 1980-02-19 Yoshida Kogyo K.K. Apparatus for gapping a slide fastener chain
US4242785A (en) * 1977-08-10 1981-01-06 Yoshida Kogyo Kk Method for gapping a slide fastener chain
US4324034A (en) * 1979-12-27 1982-04-13 Talon, Inc. Method and apparatus for gapping and reinforcing slide fastener stringers
CN109744662A (zh) * 2019-01-15 2019-05-14 池州美利达智能装备科技有限公司 一种穿拉头设备用上模机构
CN109744662B (zh) * 2019-01-15 2023-08-08 池州美利达智能装备科技有限公司 一种穿拉头设备用上模机构

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS5147102B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1976-12-13
CH533966A (de) 1973-02-28
NL7105907A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-11-02
DE2121149A1 (de) 1971-11-11
ES390940A1 (es) 1973-06-01
GB1292759A (en) 1972-10-11
SE388535B (sv) 1976-10-11
FR2086503B1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1976-08-20
CA958881A (en) 1974-12-10
BR7102617D0 (pt) 1973-04-19
FR2086503A1 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1971-12-31
BE766471A (fr) 1971-09-16

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