Abstract: There is provided a slide fastener. A pair of fastener tapes is formed with a pattern on a front surface thereof. A pair of fastener element rows is respectively provided along opposing side edge portions of the pair of fastener tapes. A slider is configured to engage and disengage the pair of fastener element rows. A film member is fixed to the front surface of the pair of fastener tapes such that the pattern is visible. The film member is provided with a concave-convex shape on a surface thereof. The pattern of the fastener tapes and the concave-convex shape of the film member are respectively related to a pattern and a concave-convex shape of one of (a) animal skin, (b) a woven or knitting which is formed by performing weaving or knitting of fibers or bamboo strips, (c) woodgrain, and (d) stone pitching.

Abstract: The invention provides a fastener stringer for a concealed slide fastener in which right and left fastener tapes respectively include a tape body portion, a tape bend portion bent into a U-shape and an element mounting portion, a hollow weave portion is formed at each fastener tape, and a film body is accommodated in the hollow weave portion in a state of being sewn together with a fastener element as one side edge thereof being located to the tape bend portion side from a sewing thread. Accordingly, since stiffness of the hollow weave portion is improved by the film body, a closely-contacted state between the right and left tape bend portions is stably maintained and concealing characteristics of the concealed slide fastener can be improved.

Abstract: In a slide fastener, a fastener tape is woven with a single-woven structure, and in the fastener tape, a double-woven region woven with a double-woven structure is formed along a tape longitudinal direction. An inner single-woven region and an outer single-woven region of the single-woven structure are formed at a tape inner edge side and a tape outer edge side of the double-woven region. Thus, even if the fastener tape makes contact with ridge line portions on a lower blade side of the slider when the slider is slid, weft yarns arranged in the double-woven region are less likely to be cut.

Abstract: There is provided a concealed slide fastener. The slide fastener includes a pair of fastener tapes, a pair of fastener element rows, a slider, a box pin, a box body and an insert pin. The insert pin includes an insert portion configured to be inserted into a space of the box body and an engagement portion formed on a side surface of the insert portion, which faces the box pin and configured to be engaged with a lowermost one of the fastener elements of one of the fastener element rows which is close to the box pin. The length of the engagement portion is set to be at least twice an interval between the fastener elements.

Abstract: A closed-end treatment structure for a slide fastener of a vehicle seat, the structure including: a pair of cloth tapes to be attached to a seat skin of the vehicle seat; a pair of teeth lines respectively attached to the pair of cloth tapes; a slider configured to move from a top stop side to a bottom stop side while detachably meshing the teeth lines; a pull-tab connected to the slider through a connection portion; and a storing portion configured to store the slider, the pull-tab and end portions of the cloth tapes, in a state where the slider is moved to the bottom stop side, thereby storing the closed-end of the slide fastener.

Abstract: A zip fastener including fabric tapes having coupling elements thereon is provided. A coating layer of thermoplastic material is provided on at least one first surface of the fastener tapes. The coating layer extends continuously along the first surface, extends over an edge of the fastener tapes and extends along at least one second surface of the fastener tapes.

Abstract: Provided is a slider for a concealed slide fastener that can be made compact and smoothly slide even if large transverse pulling force is applied when a slide fastener is closed. A fastener element standing-up is inclined in a horizontal state, by bringing an element rear end section of the fastener element in sliding contact with a pair of second element guide sections extending toward a rear opening from a front end edge of a lower blade. The fastener element is also in sliding contact with a first element guide section disposed on the outer periphery of a guide column, such that the fastener element becomes in a more horizontal state.

Abstract: There is provided a concealed slide fastener. The slide fastener includes a pair of fastener tapes, a pair of fastener element rows, a slider, a box pin, a box body and an insert pin. The insert pin includes an insert portion configured to be inserted into a space of the box body and an engagement portion formed on a side surface of the insert portion, which faces the box pin and configured to be engaged with a lowermost one of the fastener elements of one of the fastener element rows which is close to the box pin. The length of the engagement portion is set to be at least twice an interval between the fastener elements.

Abstract: A woven slide fastener which is knitted using a double-bed-type warp knitting machine, in which a stable woven mode of a ground structure is maintained and a fastener element row is strongly attached to a warp knitting fastener tape stably in size. A fixing chain knitting yarn of the fastener element row in the fastener element attaching portion and knitting yarns configuring a ground structure are knitted with independent single structures, respectively. Needle loops which are connected to each other in a longitudinal direction of the fixing chain knitting yarn presses each of element legs of the continuous fastener element row toward the ground structure, sinker loops which are connected to each other in the longitudinal direction of the fixing chain knitting yarn go under a sinker loop of a second warp knitting yarn which configures the ground structure and cross each other.

Abstract: The present invention provides a slider for a concealed type slide fastener with a separable bottom end stop capable of restoring a status to a normal one when an insert pin is inserted with an abnormal status, wherein a recess is provided in a shoulder mouth of a lower blade sideways of a diamond erected from a body of the slider and a slope is formed on a side wall sideways of the diamond and a rear mouth side of the recess, and the slope of the side wall restores the fastener tape into a parallel condition quickly and after that, the insert pin can be inserted into a box, thereby attaching the bottom end stop smoothly and easily.

Abstract: The invention provides a fastener stringer for a concealed slide fastener in which right and left fastener tapes respectively include a tape body portion, a tape bend portion bent into a U-shape and an element mounting portion, a hollow weave portion is formed at each fastener tape, and a film body is accommodated in the hollow weave portion in a state of being sewn together with a fastener element as one side edge thereof being located to the tape bend portion side from a sewing thread. Accordingly, since stiffness of the hollow weave portion is improved by the film body, a closely-contacted state between the right and left tape bend portions is stably maintained and concealing characteristics of the concealed slide fastener can be improved.

Abstract: A waterproof slide fastener in which an entire surface of a fastener tape is covered with elastomer, through holes are made in a side edge of the fastener tape, and fastener elements each comprising a coupling head, a neck portion, an engaging projection, a leg portion and a tongue piece, are molded by injection molding so as to cover the through holes. Reinforcing portions are provided projectingly from sides of the leg portion so as to cover at least a part of each of the through holes in a longitudinal direction of the through holes made in the fastener tape so that the reinforcing portions surround the through holes, so the reinforcing portions prevent the through holes from being exposed even when the fastener tape is bent, thereby maintaining water-tightness and airtightness.

Abstract: An article with a slide fastener in which when a tearing force is applied to an article provided with a slide fastener and a slider makes contact with an end stop, a connecting member having flexibility and connecting between rear faces of right and left fastener stringers is disposed at a position on a side of a fastener element near the end stop, at which the force is not transmitted directly to the slider, a covering tape for covering at least the end stop and the connecting member is disposed on a rear face of the article, so that fastener elements and end stop are blocked from being damaged or the fastener elements are prevented from being dropped out of a fastener tape by a tearing force, and the connecting member is prevented from being hooked or caught by the slider so as to always realize a smooth slider operation.

Abstract: A fastener element for a concealed type slide fastener having a substantially U shaped section including a side edge portion mounting groove for a fastener tape, comprising: a C shaped base portion; flat first and second tape nipping portions extended substantially in parallel from respective front ends of the C shaped base portion; and a coupling portion integrated with an engaging face side on the opposite side to a tape nipping face of the second tape nipping portion, wherein the first tape nipping portion has expanded portions expanded back and forth in a coupling direction, and a front end face of the first tape nipping portion is formed wider than a front end face of the second tape nipping portion, thereby having excellent concealed property and coupling strength and capable of preventing generation of a gap between right and left fastener tapes even if pulling stress is applied.

Abstract: A slider for a concealed type slide fastener for securing a smooth sliding operation even if a strong laterally pulling force is applied when the slide fastener is closed. The slider includes: a lower plate having a pair of flanges each having an inverted L shaped section, the flanges erected along right and left side edges perpendicular to a sliding direction of the slider; a diamond erected toward a gap between upper plate portions of the pair of flanges from a central portion of the lower plate; and element guide portions expanded outwardly toward inside end faces of the upper plate portions from an outer periphery of the diamond, wherein the front ends of the upper plate portion in an engagement direction of the fastener elements are extended forward compared with front end of the element guide portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved laminated concealed zipper closure for an outwear, comprising: an upper fabric formed with one slit dividing the upper fabric into a left panel and a right panel, each of the left and right panels having an edge facing the other; a first narrow fabric piece attached underneath the left panel; a second narrow fabric piece attached underneath the right panel; a zipper attached underneath the first narrow fabric piece and the second narrow fabric piece; a first transparent reinforcing member straddling over the edge of the left panel and the first narrow fabric piece; and a second transparent reinforcing member straddling over the edge of the right panel and the second narrow fabric piece. Further disclosed is a method of making such a laminated concealed zipper closure.

Abstract: A water repellent slide fastener includes a pair of zipper tapes (25, 26), to which are secured fastening elements (21, 22) which are unfastenable and fastenable through the intermediary of a zipper slide (30), said zipper tapes (25, 26) being water repellent. One zipper tape (25) extends, in the form of an extension (25X), over the other zipper tape (26) to overlap a part of the other zipper tape (26).

Abstract: A slider of a concealed type slide fastener and the concealed type slide fastener, wherein the slider engages/disengages respective fastener element rows of the concealed type slide fastener, in which fastener elements are continuously attached to folded-back pieces on a rear face side of respective folded-back side edge portions formed in a double structure created by folding back opposing side edge portions of a pair of right and left fastener tapes into a U shape; the slider has upper and lower blades connected through a connecting post, flanges provided at right angle to respective right and left side edges of the lower blade and approaching toward the upper blade, and between the upper and lower blades guide passages for guiding the folded-back side edge portions and the fastener element rows simultaneously.

Abstract: An article having an opening equipped with a slide fastener type closure system, the opening being defined by a cutout having a generally rectilinear central portion and at least one end portion extending in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the central portion, the cutout defining a flap capable of covering at least a portion of the slide fastener.

Abstract: A concealed type slide fastener comprises two fastener tapes having their opposed edges folded thereon; two rows of fastener elements mounted on the folded edges; a top end stop mounted a fastener element row; and a slider movable along the element rows. The slider 1 has a slider body and a guidepost mounted on the body to define therewith a guide channel through which the element rows run. The guidepost has a sliding surface formed on each side and an overhanging element-guiding portion extending from the upper end of the sliding surface. The concealed type slide fastener further includes means for preventing contact between the element-guiding portion and a corner of the top end stop which faces the element-guiding portion.

Abstract: A tape for slide fasteners is provided, which comprises a fastener tape 1 having one side edge that defines a zipper element tab 3 and the other side edge that defines a seam allowance 4. The fastener tape 1 is provided on its front surface with a covering tape 2 having at an edge an enclosure 6 for covering a zipper element 5 along its full length thereof. The enclosure 6 is a double-weaving enclosure through which core yarns 8 are inserted to form a core cord 9. The enclosure may be ornamented.

Abstract: A reinforcement tape is stuck to an outer front surface of a fastener tape and a fastener element removed portion at a space portion, in which fastener elements are removed and to which the separable bottom end stop of the concealed type slide fastener, for example, a insert pin or the like is attached, by ultrasonic welding. The reinforcement tape may be, for example, a tape whose front surface is made of a thermoplastic elastomer film while its rear surface is made of hot melt adhesive agent. At the same time of the above sticking, an edge portion is formed into a U shape and its surface is reinforced and then, the insert pin or the like is attached to this portion. The fastener tape itself does not come into contact with a diamond of a slider, even if outer face of the U-shaped edge portion comes into sliding contact with the diamond, so the fastener tape is protected from being worn or damaged.

Abstract: A tape for slide fasteners is provided, which comprises a fastener tape 1 having one side edge that defines a zipper element tab 3 and the other side edge that defines a seam allowance 4. The fastener tape 1 is provided on its front surface with a covering tape 2 having at an edge an enclosure 6 for covering a zipper element 5 along its full length thereof. The enclosure 6 is a double-weaving enclosure through which core yarns 8 are inserted to form a core cord 9. The enclosure may be ornamented.

Abstract: The seamless front flap assembly for a garment having a first front panel and a second front panel in a side-by-side relationship, the assembly comprising: an outer flap including an upper layer fabric extending from the first front panel of the garment, a lower layer fabric, and a compound sandwiched between the upper layer fabric and the lower layer fabric and for adhering the upper layer fabric to the lower layer fabric; an inner flap attached to the second front panel of the garment; and a zipper having a first zipper tape and a second zipper tape in a side-by-side relationship, each zipper tape having a tooth side and a free side, wherein the first zipper tape is located below the lower layer fabric of the outer flap with the free side of the first zipper tape being attached to the lower layer fabric of the outer flap; and the free side of the second zipper tape is attached to the second front panel of the garment, and wherein when the first and second zipper tapes are engaged together along the tooth si

Abstract: Antistatic agent for external use is attached to a synthetic resin material by coating or spraying, which is used in an attachment for clothes and belongings, such as a slide fastener, a button, a snap button, a hook, a strap fastener, a buckle, a swivel hook, a belt adjuster, a strap for portable goods and the like, or a component of the attachment. Alternatively, antistatic agent for internal use may be mixed in the synthetic resin material. Consequently, the attachment is provided with antistatic function, so that static electricity is discharged easily even if such an attachment is worn by a human body, thereby protecting a human body from electric shock.

Abstract: A bottom open-end type invisible zipper. The zipper includes a first zipper tape and a second zipper tape. The zipper tapes each having a respective series of teeth longitudinally disposed at an inner side for interlocking. A first plug member a second plug member are respectively fixedly fastened to the zipper tapes and longitudinally connected to one end of the series of teeth at the respective zipper tape. A movable bottom-end piece slidably is coupled to the first zipper tape, and the movable bottom-end piece includes a receiving chamber adapted to receive the first plug member and the second plug member in parallel. An escape-preventive structure is adapted to stop the movable bottom-end piece from falling out of the first zipper tape.

Abstract: A reinforcement tape is stuck to an outer front surface of a fastener tape and a fastener element removed portion at a space portion, in which fastener elements are removed and to which the separable bottom end stop of the concealed type slide fastener, for example, a insert pin or the like is attached, by ultrasonic welding. The reinforcement tape may be, for example, a tape whose front surface is made of a thermoplastic elastomer film while its rear surface is made of hot melt adhesive agent. At the same time of the above sticking, an edge portion is formed into a U shape and its surface is reinforced and then, the insert pin or the like is attached to this portion. The fastener tape itself does not come into contact with a diamond of a slider, even if outer face of the U-shaped edge portion comes into sliding contact with the diamond, so the fastener tape is protected from being worn or damaged.

Abstract: A first panel-like element has a longitudinal fold near a first longitudinal edge. A second panel-like element has a longitudinal crease near a second longitudinal edge. The first longitudinal edge and second longitudinal edge are parallel to each other and form a longitudinal opening. A fastener is disposed at said longitudinal opening. When the fastener of the closure is closed, the first element and a second element form a flat, longitudinal flap, and the longitudinal opening and the fastener are located on the inside surface of the flap.

Abstract: String core-free invisible zipper structure including a pair of zipper belts and zipper teeth windingly extended and continuously lengthwise sewn along the inward folded edge of each zipper belt. Each zipper tooth has an upper and a lower leg sections and a head section. The gap between the upper and lower leg sections of the zipper tooth is gradually converged from the head section of the zipper tooth to the heels of the upper and lower leg sections, whereby the extensible tolerance of the connecting section between the upper and lower leg sections of adjacent zipper teeth is reduced and the deformation of the zipper teeth caused by lateral pull is reduced. Therefore, the zipper teeth have sufficient buckling strength and the possibility of disengagement of the zipper teeth is minimized. Therefore, the string core passing through the zipper teeth is no more necessary for reinforcing the anti-pull strength of the zipper teeth.

Abstract: A lower catch for invisible zippers is provided. The lower catch includes a closure block (20) having an attachment slot (201) and an insertion hole (202). An attachment border (103) of a first tooth strip (10) is fixedly secured within slot (201) and a second attachment border (113) of a second tooth strip (11) is fixedly secured to a catch pin (30). When a zipper slider. (50) contacts the closure block (20) and the catch pin (30) is received within the insertion hole (202), the catch pin (30) is held in a fixed position by a guide surface (5041) of slider (50) in order to prevent misalignment of the zipper teeth (40).

Abstract: In a separable bottom stop assembly of a concealed slide fastener, U-shaped guide portions are respectively connected continuously to ends of inner side edge of a box pin and a separable pin both in a shape of a prism for guiding flanges of the box having at a front face thereof an opening portion. Flat support portions are connected continuously to outsides of the guide portions, and the guide portions and the support portions made of thermoplastic resin are integrally molded to bottom ends of fastener stringer tapes. The guide portions and the support portions connected continuously to the box pin and the separable pin are thin at their portions where the box is disposed and thick at their portions outside the thin portions. The thick portions of the support portions extend to one-side faces of the fastener tapes. The box pin can be inserted into and fixed to a box-pin-insertion hole of the box.

Abstract: An invisible zip fastener having a male slide and a female slide pulled to close/open interlocking teeth at two zipper tapes, wherein a male end connector and a female end connector are respectively mounted on the zipper tapes at one end of the interlocking teeth and arranged facing each other, the male end connector and the female end connector each having a longitudinally extended clamping(groove respectively fixedly fastened to the zipper tapes, the male end connector having a coupling tongue facing the female end connector, and a protruding tooth, which is forced into engagement with one tooth at one end of the opposed zipper tape when the interlocking teeth at the zipper tapes are closed, the female end connector having a coupling groove, which receives the coupling tongue of the male end connector when the interlocking teeth at the zipper tapes are closed, and a projecting rear block, which stops the male slide in place when the male slide is pulled to one end to close the interlocking teeth.

Abstract: A concealed slide fastener slider comprises: a slider body having a guide post on which an attachment lug stands; a resilient locking lever attached at one end to the attachment lug and having at the other end a locking pawl retractably inserted into an element guide channel of the slider body; a clamp having an aperture and a central bent portion bent in an inverted L shape so that the clamp can fall flat to a rear side of the slider body; and a pull tab loosely threaded through the aperture. When a cloth is jammed between the slider body and the clamp, only a front part of the clamp assumes an upright posture but a rear part of the clamp to which the pull tab is attached assumes a horizontal posture, thus causing the pull tab to rest on the cloth.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a fluid resistant structure to be incorporated with conventional fastening systems such as slide fasteners. Two sheaths are attached or incorporated into a closable structure, in overlapping fashion, at or near the opening of the structure. Each sheath has associated therewith a semi-rigid bead portion at its mesial portion. The length of the bead portions is generally longer than the chord length of the opening so that a slight, to pronounced, arch or bow of the beads is formed. When the structure is closed, one bead is manipulated over and laterally adjacent to the other bead, thereby forming a lateral compression abutment between the two beads. The lateral abutment is maintained due in part to the arch or bow formed by the difference between the bead length versus the chord length.

Abstract: The structural design of an invisible zipper with an open-end, particularly indicating an innovation which employs to modify the conventional invisible zipper with closed-end into an invisible zipper with open-end, mainly consists of an open-ended chain tape, a resilient tape hook, an inserting pin and a rectangular box; The ends of the left and right open-end chain tapes are formed into rubberized fabric portions by thermal melting rubber; an inserting pin and a resilient tape hook, which are made by plastic injection molding or punching, are fixed to the left and right rubberized fabric portions of the chain tape, and after the separating chain tapes are sewed to the clothes, and the resilient tape hook set up at one of the chain tapes is forced to wedge into a rectangular box, one can make use of this kind of design to fabricate an invisible zipper with open-end.

Abstract: A separable bottom stop assembly of thermoplastic resin comprising a box molded on a lower end of one of opposite slide fastener stringers and an insert pin molded on a lower end of the other fastener stringer. The box has a straight insert-pin receiving hole off to one side. An outer wall of the insert-pin hole has a side slit having at its lower end a stopper. The insert pin is taper toward its lower end and has a straight tape-side edge. A guide ridge is integrally formed with the insert pin with a thin portion between them. When the insert pin is inserted into the insert-pin hole of the box, a lower end of the guide ridge slides along edges of the side slit, guiding insertion of the insert pin to facilitate smooth insertion without exerting load on the insert pin.

Abstract: A chest harness (10) includes a right harness piece (12) and a left harness piece (14). Right harness piece (12) includes an elongated right shoulder extension (16) and a lower torso portion (18). A narrow flap (20) is secured to the inside edge (22) of torso portion (18). On the inside face of flap (20) is secured a set of VELCRO type hooks (25) that cooperate with corresponding loops (27) on left harness piece (14). A first half (24) of a zipper (26) is secured to inside edge (22). Zipper (26) includes a handle (28), which is carried by zipper half (24). A draw cord or loop (29) is tied to handle (28). Draw cord (29) is longer than zipper (26), so that the draw cord can extend along the zipper and past the lower end of the zipper. Left harness piece (14) includes an elongated left shoulder extension (38) and a lower torso portion (40). Lower torso portion (40) includes a plastic backing plate (42) that is sufficiently wide to underlie the lower torso portion (18) of right harness piece (12).

Abstract: In a concealed woven slide fastener stringer, a fastener tape is woven of foundation warp yarns and a double-pick foundation weft yarn, and a coiled fastener element is attached to folded inner margin of the tape by anchoring warp yarns and a double-pick anchoring weft yarn with coupling heads facing inwardly and connecting portions facing outwardly. The foundation weft yarn is interlaced with the outer one of two core cords inserted through the fastener element. The anchoring warp yarns cross the foundation weft yarn between the successive legs; one of the anchoring warp yarns is disposed between the coupling heads and the inner core cord, and two of the anchoring warp yarns are disposed between the core cords. The anchoring weft yarn is interlaced at one end with the outer anchoring warp yarn and at the other end with the foundation weft yarn crossing the inner anchoring warp yarn, thereby fixing the fastener element firmly.

Abstract: A method of molding a separable bottom stop assembly on a concealed slide fastener, including: forming a number of space portions devoid of fastener elements at predetermined intervals in a concealed slide fastener; impregnating molten synthetic resin in fastener tapes at areas around the space portion; heat-molding and hardening the tapes in such a manner that confronting edge portions of the tapes are turned over; cutting the tapes across the space portion; injection molding a second pin member of the separable bottom stop assembly on the edge portion of one tape and a first pin member of a box member on the edge portion of the other tape at the space portion, contiguously to the fastener elements; and attaching a box to the first pin member to complete the box member. The result is that a separable concealed slide fastener, which could not be put to practical use conventionally, can be manufactured simply.

Abstract: A water-resistant closure possessing a layer of waterproof material having an opening is disclosed. Attached within the opening is a slide fastening assembly comprising a pair of stringer tapes of a waterproof fabric. At least one stringer tape is longitudinally folded so as to form an internal flap positioned behind the inside surface of the other stringer tape. The internal flap blocks the entry of water which has passed through gaps present in the slide fastener device. An attaching structure secures the slide fastening assembly in the opening and a sealing tape covers the attaching structure and seals the stringer tape to the waterproof material forming the water-resistant garment closure.An article containing the water-resistant garment closure is also disclosed.

Abstract: A separable bottom stop has a hollow socket box having a partition provided longitudinally therein to thus define in the socket box a pair of first and second holes in side-by-side relation to each other. An insert pin is mounted on a lower end of one stringer and is adapted for coming into and out of fitting engagement with the second hole. A socket pin is mounted on a lower end of the other stringer and is reciprocally retained in the first hole. A limiter limits the reciprocation of the socket pin through the first hole to a predetermined distance.

Abstract: A zipper including a pair of rows of teeth, a catch for joining/unjoining the two rows of teeth as the catch is moved relative to the two rows of teeth; a pair of flaps disposed underneath the two rows of teeth, respectively, such that as the catch moves relative to the two rows of teeth to join the two rows of teeth together, the pair of flaps overlap each other, thereby preventing extraneous material from being entangled in the catch and the two rows of teeth.

Abstract: An ornamental slide fastener comprises a pair of stringer tapes each having an upper strip and a lower strip interconnected by a rib about which the tape is folded, a row of coupling elements secured to the lower strip, the two strips defining therebetween a guide channel for receiving a slider and a series of ornaments applied to the upper strip end extending into the region of the rib so that continuity of the ornaments is maintained against the influence of lateral pull tending to spread the two tapes apart.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel covered zipper assembly for the top of a portfolio with two heavy duty magnetic catches, one at each end thereof and being secured between the portfolio panels at the top to hide the zipper from view. A combination lock cooperating with a hasp protrudes from one end to be inserted into a catch portion at the side of the portfolio whereby the pull tab of the zipper can be grasped to slide open the top of the portfolio. Lock means, preferably combination lock means, are provided at the hasp. The covering is preferably constructed of high grade leather which is fastened by sewing to the other side panels of the portfolio at the top inner edges thereof. Easy access to the top of the portfolio for opening is not readily suggested by observing from the top because the cover assembly hides the zipper from view.

Abstract: First and second panels are removed from a length of apparel fabric. Each panel is folded so as to form suitable pleats and folds in the mutually adjoining edge regions of the panels. Both zipper halves are preferably simultaneously inserted into one of the pleats. Each folded and pleated panel together with its associated zipper half are stitched together, for instance by means of a sewing machine head. During performance of the foregoing operations the first and second panels are removed from adjacent regions of the apparel fabric, folded, pleated and stitched to the associated zipper half such that substantial continuity of visual patterns in the fabric is substantially uniformly maintained from one panel across the zipper connection to the other panel. In a preferred embodiment, a strip of reinforcing fabric is incorporated in an outer lap formed by a hem fold of one of the panels.

Abstract: Bra-back fasteners parts and shoulder strap guards having hook and plush fastener elements, and methods of manufacturing them.

Abstract: Bra-back fasteners parts and shoulder strap guards having hook and plush fastener elements, and methods of manufacturing them.