Abstract: An apparatus for feeding a slide fastener chain with fabric strips attached thereto and including flaps extending over a pair of interengaged rows of coupling elements includes a narrow elongate lower guide member having a central guide groove extending longitudinally in an upper guide surface thereof for receiving and guiding the interengaged rows of coupling elements, and a presser roller disposed adjacent to an upstream end of said lower guide member for resiliently urging the slide fastener chain against the upper guide surface to cause the flaps to engage said upstream end of said lower guide member and then turn down away from the coupling elements on one side of said lower guide member as the slide fastener chain is fed by a feed unit longitudinally along a feed path toward a subsequent processing station.

Abstract: A slide-fastener stringer is pulled through a gapping station by a motor operatively engaging the stringer without slip and at least one feed roller engaging the stringer upstream of the gapping station. A storage unit downstream of the feed roller and upstream of the gapping station loops the stringer upstream of the station in a variable-size loop and has a rotatable and movable buffer roller over which the stringer passes and a pair of rotatable but nonmoving buffer rollers flanking the movable buffer roller. The movable roller is urged away from the flanking rollers with a force sufficient to tension the stringer. The drive of the feed roller is operated in accordance with the position of the movable buffer roller for stretching the stringer between the buffer rollers by at most 1%. A gapper at the station periodically clamps and longitudinally arrests the stringer and then cuts the coupling elements therefrom at the station.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for manufacturing slide fasteners of selected product lengths from an elongate continuous stringer chain, the method comprising selecting predetermined fastener component parts from among a plurality of such respective component parts which differ in type, form, material and color, feeding and applying the selected parts one at a time to the stringer chain. The apparatus reducing the method to practice comprises operating units arranged to selectively feed and apply the component parts under computer program control.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing slide fasteners from a single homogeneous elongate stringer chain or a stringer chain comprising a plurality of interconnected stringer chains of different characteristics having first standard element-devoid space portions. The method comprises marking the stringer chain at spaced apart locations by providing second element-devoid space portions greater in length than the first standard space portions and detecting the second space portions to trigger operation of respective operative units in the manufacturing apparatus.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for assembling a slide fastener slider by fitting together a slider body having an attachment lug provided on the upper surface thereof and a pull tab having an aperture in the one end thereof. There is a large enough gap between a distal end of the attachment lug and the upper surface of the slider body to allow the distal end to pass through the aperture of the pull tab. The method is characterized by gradually pressing the distal end of the attachment lug toward the slider body as the slider body is transported along the transport path by using feed rollers having combined functions to constitute a die and to transport the slider body thereon as well as a punch roller.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for manufacturing slide fasteners from an elongate stringer chain are disclosed, the method comprising metering the starting stringer chain to provide different prospective product lengths of slide fasteners and maintaining a provisional inventory of the thus metered stringer chain in advance of gapping the stringer chain.

Abstract: A series of pull tabs are continuously fed to one end of a horizontal transport path; a series of slider bodies are continuously fed to the other end of the horizontal transport path; a lowermost slider body is placed into horizontal posture and into opposed relation to a lowermost pull tab on the horizontal transport path; the lowermost slider body and the lowermost pull tab are moved towards each other to thus bring the attachment lug of the former and the attachment portion of the latter into registry with each other; and then the attachment lug of the slider body and the attachment portion of the pull tab are joined.

Abstract: A series of pull tabs are continuously fed to one end of a horizontal transport path; a series of slider bodies are continuously fed to the other end of the horizontal transport path; a lowermost slider body is placed into horizontal posture and into opposed relation to a lowermost pull tab on the horizontal transport path; the lowermost slider body and the lowermost pull tab are moved towards each other to thus bring the attachment lug of the former and the attachment portion of the latter into registry with each other; and then the attachment lug of the slider body and the attachment portion of the pull tab are joined. Burs on the slider body are removed by a trimming jaw while the slider body and its pull tab move toward each other.

Abstract: In manufacturing a slide fastener chain, (a) two series of alignment markers are applied to the continuous fastener tapes at intervals longitudinally thereof with their respective patterns matched with each other; (b) the opposed continuous fastener tapes are fed in side-by-side toward an element-attaching station; (c) the corresponding alignment markers are detected during the feed of the opposed continous fastener tapes; (d) the feeds of the opposed fastener tapes are controlled in such a way that the fastener tapes are allowed to continue feeding if the corresponding alignment markers prove to be in registry with each other, or the feed of the preceding fastener tape is restrained to thus bring the corresponding alignment markers into registry, if the corresponding alignment markers proves out of registry with each other; and (e) the two rows of continuous fastener elements are applied to the longitudinal edges of the opposed fastener tapes with the alignment markers in registry with each other, so that a

Abstract: A method of mounting a slider on a workpiece consisting of a pair of parallel and longitudinally extending tapes having confronting edges provided with interleavable coupling elements and formed by removal of sections of the elements to form longitudinally spaced gaps comprises the steps of first feeding the workpiece in a normally forward travel direction along a Z-shaped path having an upstream portion, a middle portion, and a downstream portion. Then the presence of one of the gaps is detected at the middle portion and, when such presence is detected, the workpiece is arrested at the middle portion. The one gap of the arrested workpiece is then spread and thereafter a slider is pushed transversely into the spread gap. The workpiece is then gripped in the upstream portion and pulled backward so as to pull the coupling elements through the slider pushed into the gap. Finally the slider is released to continue forward advance of the workpiece.

Abstract: A slider holding apparatus includes a slider holder for holding thereon a slider, and orientating means for angularly moving the slider holder on its vertical axis to adjust the orientation of the slider held on the slider holder.

Abstract: A slide fastener is made from a workpiece formed of a pair of longitudinally extending parallel tapes having confronting edges provided with longitudinally extending and transversely couplable coupling elements. This workpiece is passed along a treatment path through a gapping station, a bottom-stop installing station, a slider-mounting station, a top-stop installing station, and a cutting station. The elements are removed from the tapes at gaps spaced longitudinally of the workpiece in the gapping station and a bottom stop is fitted to the elements at one end of each of the gaps in the bottom-stop installing station. A slider is mounted on the elements at the slider-mounting station between each gap and the following gap and a top stop is fitted to the elements in the top-stop installing station at each gap. Finally the tapes of the workpiece are transversely cut at the gaps at the cutting station into individual slide fasteners.

Abstract: An auxiliary film is applied or fused to a slide fastener chain having a pair of intermeshing rows of coupling elements with an element-free space defined therein. The slide fastener chain is fed by a chain feeder along a feed path. The device for applying the auxiliary film includes an ultrasonic horn disposed above the feed path, a holder disposed below the feed path and movable toward and away from the ultrasonic horn, a stopper disposed in the holder and movable into the element-free space of the slide fastener chain, an anvil disposed in the holder and movable toward and away from the ultrasonic horn, and a feed roller assembly for supplying an elongate auxiliary film onto the anvil. A sensor roller is mounted on the holder for pressed engagement with the elongate auxiliary film, the sensor roller having a plurality of circumferentially equally spaced controlling elements.

Abstract: An elongate continuous slide fastener chain is fed in alternately opposite longitudinal directions in various steps (a) through (e). First, reinforcing film members are attached to the chain across an element-free space, and then a hole is defined in the chain across the element-free space. Thereafter, an insertable pin, a box pin, and a box are attached to the chain through the hole, and then a slider is mounted on a pair of rows of coupling elements through the element-free space. Finally, top end stops are fixed to beaded edges of the chain, which is then cut off transversely thereacross into a separable slide fastener.

Abstract: A slider handling apparatus has a pressure roller and a drive roller peripherally engageable therewith to transfer a slide fastener chain assembled with component parts including sliders. A slider arresting means is operatively associated with the pressure and drive rollers for arresting sliders one at a time on the fastener chain at a predetermined point on the path of travel of the chain, the predetermined point being upstream of or in advance to the nip of the two rollers.

Abstract: A pencil storage pocket for a binder is formed as an integral extension of a plastic covering of at least one cover of the binder by extending the plastic cover to define a flap which extends beyond the cover. A second plastic sheet substantially the same size as the flap is secured thereto along three sides to form a second wall of the pencil pocket, with the fourth wall being releasably secured by means of a pressure lock zipper to define a reclosable entryway for the pencil pocket. The base of the flap serves as a hinged mounting for the pencil pocket such that it can be selectively placed within the binder. The flap preferably extends from the outer end of a panel defining the binder cover such that the pocket is positioned adjacent the outer end of the panel. In this way, the pocket, which preferably extends approximately 40-50% of the width of the cover, and its contents are retained along approximately the outer half of the cover where there tends to be more room for storage.

Abstract: Separable slide fasteners are manufactured from an alongate slide fastener chain composed of a pair of slide fastener stringers having rows of coupling elements alternating with element-free portions having substantially U-shaped recesses defined in inner edges thereof. The elongate slide fastener chain is fed under tension along a longitudinal path, and the slide fastener stringers are separated from each other. Then, an insertion pin is attached laterally to the inner edge of one of the element-free portions, and a box pin is attached laterally to the inner edge of another element-free portion confronting said one element-free portion. The insertion pin and the box pin which are laterally aligned with each other are threaded through a slider until certain coupling elements of the slide fasteners stringers are interengaged. Then, a box is attached to the box pin.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically manufacturing slide fasteners of a desired length from a slide fastener chain of a continuous length has a stop unit which is adjustably disposed in a travelling path of a grip unit downstream thereof and which includes a stop movable between an operative position to stop the grip unit and an inoperative position not to stop the grip unit.

Abstract: A space portion processing method and apparatus for preprocessing a slide fastener chain before attaching parts forming a separable end stop such as a retainer pin and a separable pin at the space portion of a slide fastener chain formed by cutting and removing a row of elements for a certain length from a row of coil-like continuous fastener elements of thermoplastic resin attached around a core cord along each of the facing side edges of a pair of fastener tapes are disclosed. After the space portion is detected and positioned and the slide fastener chain is held on a bed, fusion of the element cut edges at the end of the space portion into the tapes and press-forming of the core cords is carried out simultaneously by using the same pressing means. The space portion processing method and apparatus for a slide fastener chain according to the invention enables the apparatus to be made simple and compact, allows processing efficiency to be improved, and processing costs to be lowered.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing a succession of partly disengaged slide fastener coupling element chains with sliders mounted respectively thereon includes an element-engaging block assembly having a guide channel for constrictingly receiving a disengaged portion of each coupling element chain to close the same. The assembly includes a movable element-engaging block reciprocably movable toward and away from a stationary element-engaging block to selectively define therebetween the guide channel in timed relation to detection by a sensor of an element-free space between the successive chains and the slider.

Abstract: A coupled slide fastener strip is gripped by at least one clamping member adjacent where a cut is to be made in it on one side at the beginning of a leading coupled slide fastener and on the other side at the end of a trailing coupled slide fastener and then the leading coupled slide fastener is separated from the slide fastener strip held by the clamping members by cutting. Then subsequently, the end piece is mounted at the end position the trailing coupling slide fastener with a clamping member and substantially simultaneously, the leading coupled slide fastener separated from the coupled slide fastener strip is moved with that or another clamping member from a cutting position into a slider drawing position. In the slider drawing position the slider is drawn in the opening direction of the coupled slide fastener and optionally the beginning piece is mounted. After that, the slider is drawn in the closing direction.

Abstract: A device for pulling up the slider of a slide fastener chain includes a pair of slider gripping fingers provided in opposed relation, one on each side of a slider guide groove formed in a slide fastener chain guide. The slider guide groove constitutes part of a slider passageway through which a slide fastener having a slider mounted thereon is capable of being passed and guided. The fingers are operatively associated with each other and coupled to an actuating mechanism which thrusts the fingers into the passageway to grip a slider and pull the slider up to a predetermined position as the slide fastener chain advances through the passageway, and which then withdraws the fingers from the passageway to release their grip on the slider so that the slider may pass through the passageway with the rest of the travelling fastener chain.

Abstract: In an apparatus for forming a row of zigzag coupling elements, a winding unit includes a guide plate having a guide hole through which a monofilament is supplied onto a periphery of a continuously rotating die wheel. The guide plate is driven by two separate drive mechanisms, for lateral reciprocating movement and tangential reciprocating movement, respectively, with respect to the die wheel periphery so that the guide hole traces a horizontal figure-eight curve to thereby wind the monofilament alternately around a pair of rows of circumferentially staggered pins, on the die wheel periphery.

Abstract: A gripper mechanism for feeding a pair of elongate strips such as a pair of slide fastener stringers has a pair of gripper holders supporting a pair of grippers for gripping the slide fastener stringers, respectively, and a pair of sliders joined to the gripper holders, respectively, and slidably disposed in a housing for independent movement therein. In response to engagement with a cam on a feed path, the grippers are opened to grip or release the slide fastener stringers. The grippers are normally urged by a spring to clamp the slide fastener stringers. A pinion is angularly movably supported on a slide block in the housing and held in mesh with a pair of racks, respectively, of the sliders. A spring acts between the housing and the slide block for normally urging the slide block in a direction to move the gripper holders into abutment against the housing. The gripper holders can be moved relatively to each other toward and away from the housing.

Abstract: A slide fastener chain with reinforcing strips is fed along a feed path through a finishing apparatus for trimming the reinforcing strips. The finishing apparatus has a chain guide unit, a cutter unit, and a chain tensioner unit. The chain guide unit includes a stop having recesses for accommodating some coupling elements and steps for engaging endmost coupling elements. The chain tensioner unit has a presser gripper for pressing the slide fastener chain against a support base and a presser roller for depressing the slide fastener chain to tension the same for thereby forcibly pushing the endmost coupling elements against the steps. When the slide fastener chain is tensioned by the chain tensioner unit, one of the reinforcing strips is accurately positioned with respect to the cutter unit. The reinforcing strip is then trimmed by central and side cutters which cut off excessive central and side portions completely.

Abstract: Fabric flypieces are placed randomly on a top plate of a unified flypiece feed apparatus which orients the flypieces and feeds them in succession to a sewing station at which they are united with a zipper chain either in end-to-end abutment or with a slight predetermined gap between the flypieces. A somewhat angled flypiece belt conveyor and a cooperative variable tension drag device above the conveyor orients the flypieces longitudinally and feeds them to the sewing station at a substantially greater speed than the united flypieces and zipper chain leave the sewing station. A photo-optical device senses the presence or absence of flypieces on the top plate and stops the sewing machine if the operator fails to load a flypiece within a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A device for positioning a pair of longitudinally advancing elongate slide fastener stringers comprises a pair of positioning jaws movable relatively to one another in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of each slide fastener stringer to define therebetween a guide channel for the passage of the slide fastener stringer. At least one of the positioning jaws includes a step for engaging the leading coupling element of each coupling element row mounted on one longitudinal edge of a tape of each respective slide fastener stringer, for thereby stopping the slide fastener stringer. The positioning device having the positioning jaws is capable of accurately positioning the slide fastner stringers even when the slide fastener stringer is laterally undulated or locally swelled during advancing movement thereof.

Abstract: A slider applicator has a stopper attached to an end of a slide rod slidably mounted in a pivotable casing for movement parallel to a feed path along which a slide fastener chain is fed through a slider supported on a slider holder. When the stopper is displaced for a prescribed distance by box and insertion pins on the slide fastener chain, a microswitch is actuated to operate an air cylinder for angularly moving the casing to lift the casing out of engagement with the box and insertion pins, which are now allowed to move with the slide fastener chain past the stopper. In the event of improper positioning of one of the box and insertion pins, adjacent endmost coupling elements are jammed in a slider to thereby prevent the stopper from being displaced for the prescribed distance. A sensor switch is then actuated to signal such improper positioning of one of the box and insertion pins.

Abstract: An apparatus, for automatically processing a slide fastener chain to which a succession of fly strips is attached, comprises an intermittently operative feed unit for feeding the fastener chain along a longitudinal path, a first cutting unit disposed upstream of the feed unit for forming element-free gaps in the fastener chain near or at ends of successive fly strips, and a second cutting unit disposed downstream of the feed unit for severing the fastener chain at such element-free portions. The apparatus also includes a measuring unit disposed upstream of the first cutting unit for measuring the amount of the fastener chain having been fed by the feed unit, and a detector disposed between the first cutting unit and the measuring unit for detecting ends of successive fly strips.

Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for forming element-free spaces in a continuous slide fastener chain at ends of successive fly strips sewn to the slide fastener chain, the chain having a pair of intermeshed rows of coupling elements, portions of the intermeshed rows of coupling elements to be removed are detected by a sensor assembly disposed at a fixed position spaced a first distance upstream from a gap-forming device before such portions arrive at the gap-forming device. The sensor assembly first determines whether the longitudinal extent of a space provided between the confronting ends of an adjacent pair of the fly strips is larger than a predetermined distance, and then on the bases of the determination, controls the feeding of the chain and the operation of the gap-forming device so that the element-free spaces can be provided accurately at the ends of the respective fly strips regardless of the spacing between adjacent fly strips.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically closing a slide fastener with two rows of partly interengaged coupling elements, comprises a conveyor for feeding the slide fastener, a holder for temporarily arresting the movement of the slide fastener on the conveyor, and a driver for moving a slider in a fastener closing direction to fully close the slide fastener while the latter is being held in position by the holder. The holder and the driver are supported on opposite ends of an elongate support frame disposed above the conveyor. An actuator is connected to the support frame for reciprocating the latter with respect to the conveyor to bring the holder into and out of engagement with the slide fastener. The apparatus thus constructed is simple in construction, easy to adjust and maintain, and reliable in operation.

Abstract: A pair of separable slide fastener stringers is fed in one plane along parallel spaced paths, respectively, toward throats of a Y-shaped guide channel in a slider fixed in position. Pins of the stringers are introduced into the guide channel through the throats, respectively, in the slider while keeping the separable slide fastener stringers in the parallel spaced paths. The separable slide fastener stringers are inserted through the slider with the pins guided by guide flanges, respectively, and a diamond of the slider while moving the separable slide fastener stringers in the one plane along the parallel spaced paths and at the same time allowing the stringer tapes to flex.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding sliders to a slider pocket are disclosed. Sliders taken from the pocket are assembled on the fastening element sections of an uncut fastener chain which is moved and stopped intermittently to allow the assembly of the sliders, wherein sliders longitudinally aligned and delivered by a slider chute are fed into a slider holder one at a time. The slider holder carrying a slider received from the chute is transferred to a slider assembling station from a direction at right angles to the direction of fastener chain transfer, and the slider is loaded at the slider assembling station into the slider pocket which is provided at the upper end of a slider pocket block raised from the direction at right angles to both the fastener chain transfer direction and slider transfer direction, and the slider holder is returned to the exit of the slider chute. These steps are repeated in synchronism with the stopping of movement of the uncut fastener chain.

Abstract: A fastener slider inserting apparatus inserts a slider into a continuous concealed fastener chain alternately having element rows interlocked with each other and space portions in which no element is present.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing wire link bands, for example for use in paper making machines, are disclosed. Several wire links or helices are arranged parallel to each other, adjacent helices having opposite pitch. The helices are simultaneously fed through a closure slot while under tension. The closure slot is so shaped as to cause each turn of each helix to be engaged between two adjacent turns of an adjacent helix, thereby to form a wire link band. The closure slot may be held stationery while the wire links are pulled therethrough, or the wire links may be held stationary under tension while the closure slot is moved along their length. A plurality of closure slots may be used to form several wire link bands in parallel, and at least one additional closure slot may then be used to combine the wire link bands into a larger wire link band or sieve. Connecting rods may also be inserted into the wire link bands and may be heat fixed before insertion.

Abstract: A coupling-element pairing apparatus includes a substantially Y-shaped guide channel defined in a base and including a joint passage for interengaging disengaged rows of continuous filamentary zigzag coupling elements. The joint passage has a width narrow enough to substantially prevent interengaged rows of coupling elements from moving laterally with respect to one another. A pair of toothed guide wheels disposed one on each side of the joint passage for guidingly advancing the interengaged rows of coupling elements through the guide channel. Each guide wheel has a plurality of peripheral teeth, two adjacent ones of which project into the joint passage for holding therebetween one of the connecting portions of each row of coupling elements at opposite ends thereof without impairing the coupling elements.

Abstract: A slide fastener chain is fed along a chain path by a feedout mechanism until a leading end of the chain gripped by the feedout mechanism reaches a first feeder mechanism past a cutting mechanism. The first feeder mechanism is then actuated to feed the chain toward a second feeder mechanism. The first feeder mechanism is then inactivated and the second feeder mechanism is actuated to feed the chain at a higher speed. A slider on the chain is engaged by a slider sensor to intermesh element rows on the chain as it is transported by the second feeder mechanism. Then, a chain stop of a stop mechanism is inserted into an element-free gap in the chain and engaged by a bottom stop following the element-free gap to stop the travel of the chain. The second feeder mechanism is released and the cutting mechanism is actuated to cut off the chain across the element-free gap to produce a slide fastener, which is discharged by the second feeder mechanism into a sorting mechanism.

Abstract: In a reinforcing-film applying apparatus for use in production of separable slide fasteners, there are a first working station where a shaping die and a coacting ultrasonic horn are located, and a second working station where a heating die and a coacting heating punch are located, the first and second working stations being spaced apart remotely from one another along a longitudinal path of a slide fastener chain. When one of successive pairs of blank tape portions arrives at the first working station, a reinforcing film piece is placed on the fastener chain across the pair of blank tape portions, whereupon the shaping die and the ultrasonic horn are moved toward one another to fuse the reinforcing film piece to the pair of blank tape portions only at their inner marginal areas and also to shape such fused marginal portions so as to provide therealong a pair of pin-like members to which a pin and a box of a separable bottom end stop are to be attached.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching sliders and bottom stops to a slide fastener chain having longitudinally spaced gaps free of fastener elements, in which the chain is conveyed forwardly until a gap is detected. The chain is stopped and the gap area widened. A rotor movable beneath the chain is adapted to carry a slider and is also formed with a die plate portion. The rotor rotates to deliver the slider to the gap, thread the slider onto the fastener elements of the chain, and place the die plate beneath the gap across from bottom stop punch and chain cutter means which then fix a bottom stop to the chain and separate adjacent fastener element ends.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are method and apparatus for attaching pin fittings to a slide fastener having a separable end stop, in which a pin fitting is attached to a slide fastener by the steps of holding the pin fitting by a pin fitting holder, moving the stringer tape gripped by a gripper for introducing a core portion of the tape into the pin fitting, and deforming the pin fitting to secure it to the core portion. In these method and apparatus, attachment by deforming the pin fitting is performed under a condition where a first fastener element of a fastener element row affixed to the stringer is abutted against an end portion of the pin fitting with a force of a predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a bottom end stop to an indefinite length of fastener chain including alternately space portion where elements are removed and engaging element portion are disclosed. The feeding movement of the fastener chain is arrested by protruding a chain stopper into the space portion downstream of one of the element portions while slidably guiding and opposite edges of the element portions. The fastener chain is then resiliently held down at its space portion or element portion downstream of the space portion by an element stopper and the chain stopper is pulled out of the space portion. By this, the fastener chain is allowed to move until its element portion upstream of the space portion abuts against the element stopper, where upon a bottom end stop is driven into the end of the element portion upstream of the space portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding sliders to a slider pocket are disclosed. Sliders taken from the pocket are assembled on the fastening element sections of an uncut fastener chain which is moved and stopped intermittently to allow the assembly of the sliders wherein sliders longitudinally aligned and delivered by a slider chute are fed into a slider holder one at at time. The slider holder carrying a slider received from the chute is transferred to a slider assembling station from a direction at right angles to the direction of fastener chain transfer, and the slider is loaded at the slider assembling station into the slider pocket which is provided at the upper end of a slider pocket block raised from the direction at right angles to both the fastener chain transfer direction and slider transfer direction, and the slider holder is returned to the exit of the slider chute. These steps are repeated in synchronism with the stopping of movement of the uncut fastener chain.

Abstract: A holder for use with a punch-type of top end-stop applying apparatus includes a fixed support member and a reciprocably movable guide member coactive therewith for laterally spacing the opposite inner edges of a pair of slide fastener stringers. The support member is recessed to receive therein a pair of rows of coupling elements mounted on the opposite stringer tape edges. The guide member has a pair of spaced projections receivable between the stringers, one projection having a width for laterally spacing confronting coupling elements, and the other having a greater width for laterally spacing confronting element-free stringer tape edges, the guide member having a clearance for the punch between the projections.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for detecting ends of successive fly strips connected end to end by a slide fastener chain. The successive fly strips, with their first flaps overlapping a tape of one fastener stringer and with their second flaps overlapping the other fastener stringer, are fed lengthwise along a straight path. Then, the second flaps are folded over the respective first flaps as the fly strips pass through a folder extending through a fixed point on the straight path. During this folding, a trailing end of the preceding second flap is temporarily deflected so as to provide a relatively large triangular space between confronting ends of an adjacent pair of the second flaps when the same confronting ends arrive at the fixed point. Finally, a detector senses the presence of the triangular space, which indicates the arrival of confronting ends of an adjacent pair of the fly strips.

Abstract: Lengths of slide fastener chain are pulled through a shearing station wherein the slide fastener chain is subjected to vibratory shearing at least partially in a direction parallel to the plane of the tapes whereby operating resistance of the chain is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A method of attaching bottom stops of a generally H-shaped cross section to a slide fastener chain. One of successive spaced pairs of opposed blank tape portions of the fastener chain is spread apart. A bottom stop, which has two pairs of gripping legs, is placed between the spread pair of opposed blank tape portions. The spread pair of opposed blank tape portions is then released and thereby allowed to come toward each other until a pair of opposed blank beaded tape edges are threaded one through a space between each pair of the gripping legs of the bottom stop. Then, the blank beaded tape edges are compressed against the bottom stop on opposite sides. Finally, the gripping legs of each pair are clinched about the compressed beaded edge of a respective one of the stringer tapes. An apparatus for carrying this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for manufacturing coupling elements, suitable for a two-way slide fastener, successively from a rod of metal of a generally Y-shaped cross section having a base, as a prospective coupling head, and a pair of diverging legs. As the rod is fed longitudinally stepwise, it is transversely sliced into a plurality of coupling element blanks, one at a time, on the backward stroke of relative movement of a coacting cutting die and punch. At the end of the backward stroke of the cutting die and punch, a chamfering surface on the cutting punch is forced against the base of the rod to form a chamfered portion thereon so that each sliced coupling element blank has the chamfered base. The chamfered base of each coupling element blank is then formed, by a coacting forming die and punch, into a final coupling head of one coupling element which head has a projection from one face and a socket in the other face at such a position that the chamfered portion is disposed around the socket.

Abstract: A slide fastener finishing machine is disclosed. The machine is comprised of an upper frame, a bottom stop fastening head mounted on said upper frame for vertical movement and having a punch, a lower frame, a slider holding jig fixedly secured to said lower frame and offset toward the side facing the operator from the position right below the punch, a die holder mounted on said lower frame between said position right below the punch and said slider holding jig. Said die holder includes a die on the top thereof and is movable between a first position in which said die is aligned with said punch and second position in which the die is offset from the punch. A pusher plate means is secured to and extends from said die holder to be pushed by an operator to position said die holder right below said punch.

Abstract: Gaps in molded polymer fastening elements secured to inner edge portions of coplanar support tapes are formed by cutting legs of the coupling elements in planes coplanar with the inner edge portions of the support tapes leaving remanents of the molded polymer attached to the tapes along the gap.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading a pull tab on a slider body in a machine for progressively assembling sliders for slide fasteners is disclosed. The machine comprises a base, a turret supported on the base so as to rotate about its center axis and has a plurality of spaced-apart recesses arranged circumferentially around and on the turret for receiving and holding a slider body, a plurality of assembling stations arranged around the periphery of the turret, and means for intermittently rotating the turret so as to position the slider body holding recess successively opposite each of the stations. The apparatus is disposed at one of the assembling stations and comprises a pull tab supply means and a pull tab holding means.