WO2009118711A2

WO2009118711A2 - Snap fastener and production process thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2009118711A2
Application number: PCT/IB2009/051293
Authority: WO
Inventors: Nicola Vaccariello
Original assignee: Nicola Vaccariello
Priority date: 2008-03-28
Filing date: 2009-03-27
Publication date: 2009-10-01
Also published as: WO2009118711A3; ITBA20080010A1

Abstract

The present invention refers to a process for the production of an exposed portion of a metal snap fastener, bearing on its external visible side a raised decoration. The exposed portion and the related production process subject-matter of the present invention allow to customize by colored raised decoration the snap fastener thus obtained. It, therefore, is such as to have a colored raised decoration, though concomitantly preserving the advantageous features of solidity and efficiency associated to a standard snap fastener made of metal.

Description

SNAP FASTENER AND PRODUCTION PROCESS THEREOF

DESCRIPTION

The present invention refers to a process for the production of a metal snap fastener, and in particular of an exposed portion thereof, bearing on its external visible side a raised decoration.

History of technology

As it is known, to date the application of metal snap fasteners used mainly on garments, but also on fashion accessories in general, finds widespread use. Metal snap fasteners, for instance, are widely used on bags, key holders, purses, travel bags, but also on bracelets or other elements for which quick and safe closure is required.

Description of the prior art

Both for garments and other accessories, one of the strongest needs to be found at a style level lies in providing a decoration at the part of the fastener that is visible when in use. By way of example, the decoration of the visible part of the fastener may advantageously reproduce the manufacturer's logo, with remarkable advantages from the standpoint of the image of the product itself.

Let us consider the techniques adopted to sew a logo on products by using colored cottons through embroidery, or the fabric labels color-printed and sewn on items of clothing.

To date, item customization, e.g. by logo printing, is performed also on metal snap fasteners.

To manufacture a metal fastener customized with the writing of a logo or brand, various techniques have been studied. The most widespread one simply consists in coloring the metal portion of the fastener to be decorated.

Drawbacks of the known art

The above-mentioned classic techniques entail evident and remarkable drawbacks. In fact, they do not allow the use of sturdy metal fasteners since on metal a color tends to peel off and be ruined; moreover, to date such decorations, like e.g. drawings, writings, logos or trade marks, cannot be manufactured raised, 3D and with colors without the metal part being noticed.

Therefore, to date decorated metal snap fasteners can be manufactured, but such a decoration cannot be made with colors, or at least not with raised colors.

Objects of the Invention Object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks mentioned above with reference to the known art, by providing a production process for the production of an exposed portion of a snap fastener as substantially described in claim 1 , as well as by providing an exposed portion of a snap fastener as substantially described in claims 1 and 22, and lastly by providing a snap fastener as substantially described in claims 23 and 34. Secondary features of the present invention are instead defined in the dependent claims thereof. Advantages of the invention

The present invention, by overcoming the mentioned problems of the known art, entails several evident advantages. The process subject-matter of the present invention, allows, as will be detailed hereinafter, to customize by colored raised decoration the snap fasteners, ultimately making the products on which they are affixed (shirts, jackets or swimsuits) more interesting from a commercial standpoint, as offering a more engaging aesthetics with respect to those present today in the current state of the art. Beside the obvious application in the textile industry or in fashion accessories, the present invention is extensible to the shoemaking industry as well. Classic metal snap fasteners are used everywhere in the fashion field, and the option of customizing them by a colored raised decoration gives them added value, also making them more easily saleable. In particular, the production process subject-matter of the present invention allows to:

1. manufacture a metal fastener having a raised decoration colored through a microinjection technique;

2. use colored synthetic resins to bury the metal of the fastener and make it immovable; 3. substantially not modify the manufacturing technique of a common metal fastener, yet concomitantly guaranteeing color, visibility of any type of graphics for customizing simultaneously to fastener manufacturing.

Therefore, the snap fastener subject-matter of the present invention has, on one of its sides, a colored raised decoration, yet concomitantly it preserves the advantageous features of solidity and efficiency associated to a standard snap fastener made of metal.

In the preferred embodiment disclosed herein by way of example and not for limitative purposes, as synthetic resin it is selected in particular a material classified as "plastisol". It substantially consists of an ink whose formulation is a balanced equilibrium of solid ingredients (polyvinyl chloride resins) in a plastifying liquid. This balanced mixture of solids and liquids creates a ready-for-use end product. The above-highlighted features ultimately guarantee productive advantages, as in the same fastener production stage graphics are made which are then visible in the exposed portion of the fastener that is visible when in use. Brief description of the drawings Still further advantages, as well as the features and operation modes of the present invention, will be made apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example and not for limitative purposes. Reference will be made to the figures of the annexed drawings, wherein:

Figures 1-6 schematically depict the steps of the production process subject- matter of the present invention for the manufacturing of an exposed portion of a snap fastener; and

Figure 7 depicts an exposed portion of a snap fastener subject-matter of the present invention. Detailed description of the drawings The production process of an exposed portion of a snap fastener, subject- matter of the present invention, comprises a first step of obtaining a body (not depicted in figure) by casting. Referring to Figure 1 , the step of obtaining said body comprises a step of providing a mold, depicted in figure in a perspective view and denoted by reference number 100. The mold 100 has, at a base 111 thereof, incisions 112. The incisions 112 are made on the base 111 in order to obtain raised decorations on the exposed portion of the fastener, as it will be made evident hereinafter. Therefore, the incisions reproduce the specific raised decoration with which the fastener is to be generally provided.

Referring to Figure 2, the mold 100 is depicted along a section line A-A shown in Figure 1. In particular, in said view the incisions 112 obtained on the base of the mold 111 are visible.

Referring now to Figure 3A, the step of obtaining said body comprises a step of performing a first casting of a first material 10 inside the incisions 112. Preferably, the first material 10 is a synthetic resin, and in particular "plastisol". Preferably, plastisol is cast inside the incisions 112 by means of a microinjection process. Such a process is well known in the state of the art; hence, it will not be further described hereinafter. Therefore, plastisol is cast inside gaps of the incisions 112, to form graphics or writings that will then be visible on the snap fastener. Depending on the type of decoration desired, the plastisol 10 could be of colored type (or have a color selected for each incision to be filled).

Then, the plastisol 10 cast thereinside is subsequently solidified by a baking process, whose modes are well-known to a person skilled in the art.

Referring to Figure 3B, the process subject-matter of the present invention comprises a subsequent step of performing a second casting of a second material 20, always preferably by a microinjection process, in this case as well, the material preferably selected is plastisol, which could be colored or not colored depending on the desired customizing to be given to the fastener. Preferably, in the embodiment shown herein by way of example and not for limitative purposes, such step of performing the second casting comprises a step of casting a base layer 201 on the base 111 of the mold 100. In this case as well, the base layer 201 is subsequently solidified by a second baking in a furnace.

Referring to next Figure 3C, the process subject-matter of the present invention comprises a step of inserting a component 50 inside said mold 100. In particular, in the preferred embodiment disclosed herein, the step of inserting the component 50 provides the positioning of such component on the base layer 201. The component 50, preferably made of metal, has a small base or strip 56, preferably metallic, and a grip element 51, comprising in the example shown a ring of teeth 51, it also preferably metallic. Other typologies of grip elements could be provided: Alternatively, the grip element could have a substantially cylindrical hollow shape (such an embodiment is denoted in figure by reference number 51'). As it may be appreciated from the figure, the component 50 is inserted inside the mold 100 in a manner such that the teeth of the metal ring, and therefore in general the grip element, be at least partially external to the mold 100.

Referring now to Figure 3D, the step of performing the second casting comprises a step of casting a top layer 301 , always preferably by a plastisol microinjection process, so as to fill the mold 100.

Referring to Figure 3E, by the above-described second casting it is obtained said body, now visible in figure and denoted by reference number 60. Therefore, it will be appreciated that by the insertion of the component inside the mold 100 prior to performing said second casting, the body 60 is made integral to the grip element 51, which, as highlighted above, protrudes therefrom at least partially.

Therefore, the teeth of the metal ring buried therein protrude, at least partially, from the body 60. Also the top layer undergoes a third baking bringing it to solidification. As a result, the body 60 receives thereinside the grip element 50 in a preferably irreversible manner. Referring to Figure 4, the next step consists in drawing from the mold the body

60 thus obtained, and connecting such body 60 to a holding ringlet 70, thereby forming the exposed part of the fastener. In the preferred embodiment shown herein by way of example and not for limitative purposes, the holding ringlet 70, preferably made of metal, has the function of accommodating a male portion (not shown) of the fastener inside a central hole 71 thereof. Alternatively, the holding ringlet might avail itself of the male portion of the fastener, in an entirely equivalent manner. Moreover, the holding ringlet 70 has the function of securing the body 60 to a fabric 80.

In fact, referring to Figure 5, the female ringlet has a peripheral internal edge made by opposition of an external element 72 and an internal element 73. The teeth of the metal ring 51 are then inserted at the interface of the two elements 73 and 72 and subsequently bent by mechanical pressing toward the body 60, thereby making the fabric 80 integral to the body 60, and more generally to the exposed portion 90 thus produced, now visible in figure. It will be appreciated that the connection mode between body 60 and holding ringlet 70, shown here by way of example and not for limitative purposes, is preferably of irreversible type. Hence, the exposed portion 90 of the fastener, comprising the body 60 and the holding ringlet 70, is now fixed to the fabric 80 and offers a hole 71 apt to receive the male portion (not depicted) for fastener closure. Always as visible from the figure, the exposed portion 90 of the fastener has onto its visible sight, when in use, raised decorations 212 produced as better described above. Object of the present invention is also to provide an exposed portion of a snap fastener.

Referring to next Figure 7, it is depicted an exposed portion of a snap fastener according to the present invention. In particular, the exposed portion comprises a body 60 having a raised decoration 212 at a side thereof, visible when in use, a component having a grip element 51 integral to the body 60, and a holding ringlet 70 connected, in a preferably irreversible manner, to the body 60 by said grip element 51. The body 60 is preferably made of synthetic resin, and preferably of "plastisol". Alternatively, also silicone could be used. In the preferred embodiment described here by way of example, the component comprises a metal strip (not visible in figure) connected to said grip element and positioned internally to the body. As is visible in the figure, the grip element 51 is a ring of metal teeth protruding, at least partially, from the body 60.

Alternatively, the grip element could have the form of a hollow metal cylinder (not depicted in Figure). Always referring to Figure 7, the holding ringlet 70 comprises a peripheral internal edge made by opposition of an external element 72 and an internal element 73. The metal teeth of the ring 51 are apt to lock the holding ringlet 70 on the body 60, being inserted at the interface between the internal and external elements and subsequently bent toward the body 60, just until securing the holding ringlet thereon.

In the embodiment shown here by way of example and not for limitative purposes, the holding ringlet offers the female portion of the fastener, as it has a hole 71 apt to receive a corresponding male portion in order to make the closure thereof.

Alternatively, the holding ringlet could offer the male portion in an entirely equivalent manner.

Lastly, it will be appreciated that the holding ringlet 70 will be apt to allow the positioning of the exposed portion 90 on a fabric 80, e.g., any one item of clothing.

The present invention has been hereto described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof. It is understood that other embodiments might exist, all falling within the concept of the same invention, and all comprised within the protective scope of the claims hereinafter.

Claims

1. A production process for the production of an exposed portion (90) of a snap fastener, said exposed portion (90) comprising a body (60) and a holding ringlet (70) connected thereto, said process comprising the steps of: 1) providing said body (60) having a raised decoration (212) positioned on a side thereof visible when in use;

2) making said body (60) integral to a grip element (51, 51');

3) connecting said grip element (51, 51') to said holding ringlet (70).

2. The production process according to the preceding claim, wherein said step of obtaining said body (60) comprises the steps of:

1) providing a mold (100) of said body (60), said mold (100) comprising one or more incisions (112) made on a base (111) thereof and associated to said raised decoration (212);

2) performing a first casting of a first material (10) inside said one or more incisions (112);

3) performing a second casting of a second material (20) inside said mold (100) so as to obtain said body (60).

3. The production process according to the preceding claim, wherein said step of making integral comprises a step of inserting a component (50) having a grip element (51 , 51') inside said mold (100) in a manner such that said grip element (51 , 51') be at least partially external to said mold (100), said step being precedent to said step of performing said second casting so that said grip element (51 , 51') protrudes at least partially from said body.

4. The production process according to claims 2 or 3, further comprising a step of casting inside said mold (100) a base layer (201) of said second material (20), said step being subsequent to said step of performing said first casting and precedent to said step of inserting said component (50).

5. The production process according to the preceding claim, further comprising a subsequent step of baking said base layer (201).

6. The production process according to claims 4 or 5, wherein said step of inserting said component (50) comprises a step of positioning said component (50) on said base layer (201), when solidified.

7. The production process according to the preceding claim, wherein said step of performing said second casting comprises a step of casting in said mold (100) a top layer (301) of said second material (20) so as to fill said mold (100), said step being subsequent to said step of positioning.

8. The production process according to the preceding claim, further comprising a step of baking said top layer (301), subsequent to said step of performing said second casting.

9. The production process according to one of the claims 2 to 8, further comprising a step of baking in a furnace said first material (10), subsequent to said step of performing said first casting.

10. The production process according to any one of the claims 2 to 9, wherein said first (10) and second (20) material are synthetic resins.

11. The production process according to one of the claims 2 to 10, wherein said first (10) and second (20) material comprise plastisol.

12. The production process according to one of the claims 2 to 10, wherein said first (10) and second (20) material comprise silicone.

13. The production process according to claim 3, wherein said component (50) comprises a metal strip (56).

14. The production process according to the preceding claim, wherein said grip element (51) comprises a ring of metal teeth (51) arranged on said metal strip (56).

15. The production process according to claim 13, wherein said grip element (51 ') comprises a hollow metal cylinder (51 ') arranged on said metal strip (56).

16. The production process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said holding ringlet (70) comprises a peripheral internal edge made by opposition of an external element (72) and an internal element (73).

17. The production process according to the preceding claim, wherein said step of connecting comprises a step of inserting said grip element (51 , 51') at an interface between said external (72) and internal (73) elements opposite therebetween.

18. The production process according to the preceding claim, further comprising a step of bending said grip element (51, 51') toward the body (60) once inserted in said holding ringlet (70), so as to lock said holding ringlet (70) thereon.

19. The production process according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said step of connecting said body (60) to said holding ringlet (70) occurs in an irreversible manner.

20. The production process according to the preceding claim, wherein said step of connecting occurs by a mechanical pressing process.

21. The production process according to any one of the claims 2 to 20, wherein said first and second casting occur by a microinjection process.

22. An exposed portion (90) of a snap fastener, characterized in that it is obtained by a process according to any one of the preceding claims.

23. A snap fastener, comprising an exposed portion (90) and a portion complementary thereto, said snap fastener being characterized in that said exposed portion (90) is obtained by a process according to any one of the claims 1 to 21.

24. The exposed portion (90) of a snap fastener comprising: 1. a body (60) having a raised decoration (212) at a side thereof visible when in use;

2. a component (50) having a grip element (51, 51') integral with said body (60);

3. a holding ringlet (70) connected to said body (60) by said grip element (51, 51').

25. The exposed portion (90) of a snap fastener according to the preceding claim, wherein said body (60) is made of a synthetic resin.

26. The exposed portion (90) of a snap fastener according to the preceding claim, wherein said synthetic resin comprises plastisol.

27. The exposed portion (90) of a snap fastener according to claim 25, wherein said synthetic resin comprises silicone.

28. The exposed portion (90) of a snap fastener according to one of the claims 24 to

27. wherein said component (50) comprises a metal strip (56) connected to said grip element (51, 51").

29. The exposed portion (90) of a snap fastener according to the preceding claim, wherein said metal strip (56) is internal to said body (60) and said grip element (51 , 51') protrudes therefrom at least partially.

30. The exposed portion (90) of a snap fastener according to one of the claims 24 to

29, wherein said grip element (51) is a ring of metal teeth (51).

31. The exposed portion (90) of a snap fastener according to one of the claims 24 to 29, wherein said grip element (51 ') is a hollow metal cylinder (51').

32. The exposed portion (90) of a snap fastener according to one of the claims 24 to

31 , wherein said holding ringlet (70) comprises a peripheral internal edge made by opposition of an external element (72) and an internal element (73).

33. The exposed portion (90) of a snap fastener according to the preceding claim, wherein said grip element (51 , 51') is apt to be inserted at an interface between said internal (73) and external (72)' elements in a manner such as to lock said holding ringlet (70) on said body (60).

34. A snap fastener, characterized in that it comprises an exposed portion (90) according to any one of the claims 24 to 33.