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 superimposed on a tape of one fastener stringer and with their second flaps superimposed on the other fastener stringer, are fed along a first straight path. The successive second flaps are deflected or moved aside, as they pass a wedge-shaped plow on the first straight path, to such an extent that the individual second flap lies at a right angle with respect to the general plane of the fastener stringers. Then, the direction of movement of the successive fly strips is shifted at a turning point to a second straight path inclined with respect to the first straight path so as to provide temporarily a relatively large triangular space between an adjacent pair of the deflected second flaps when the same confronting ends arrive at the turning point.

Abstract: A fastener slider holding device comprising a slider holder having a slider mount on the top and a pull tab receiving recess in one side thereof, a spring-loaded sliding member mounted in the slider holder for vertical movement, a slider holding lever having an engaging pawl at the upper end thereof for engaging the pull tab of a fastener slider, an operation rod for moving the sliding member vertically and cam means for moving the slider holding lever between the pull tab engaging and disengaging positions.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for applying bottom end stops to a slide fastener chain and simultaneously gapping the chain at predetermined intervals. The apparatus includes a means for positioning and holding a group of fastener elements on the chain, said means being pivotally movable in contact with the applied bottom stop in a plane either perpendicular to or parallel with the plane of the chain.

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 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: There is disclosed an apparatus for applying top end stops to a fastener stringer chain substantially in a continuous cycle of operation, wherein a first means is provided to effect the fusing and shaping of a strip of plastic film for application to the chain and a second means is provided to effect the cutting of the chain to which the film strip has been applied in the form of a top end stop. Said first and second means are arranged so that both shaping and cutting take place at the same working station without having to transfer the chain for the two different operations.

Abstract: A method of attaching top and bottom stops to a slide fastener chain at one and the same stage of manufacture. The fastener chain is moved along a path until a trailing end of a preceding pair of coupling element groups arrives at a first fixed die, by which time leading end portions of a succeeding pair of coupling element groups are disengaged from each other. With the trailing end of the preceding pair of coupling element groups retained at the first die, an adjacent pair of opposed blank tape portions is sagged until the endmost disengaged coupling elements arrive at a second fixed die spaced a predetermined distance from the first die along the path. Finally, a bottom stop and a pair of top stops are attached concurrently and respectively to the trailing end of the preceding pair of coupling element groups at the first die and to the disengaged endmost portions of the succeeding pair of coupling element groups at the second die. An apparatus for carrying out this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Flypieces are fed individually to a feeding mechanism which automatically feeds the flypieces to a sewing machine where the flypieces are automatically serged and sewn to a tape of a continuous slide fastener chain. Subsequently the flypiece is folded back away from the slide fastener chain, and the chain is gapped and cut simultaneously with the application of a bottom stop on a common base assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a pair of U-shaped end stops each having a pair of opposed clinching legs to the respective longitudinal marginal edge portions of a pair of slide fastener stringer tapes comprises a guide block provided with a pair of elongate slots in which are slideably mounted a pair of punches. The U-shaped end stops are slideably positioned in respective ones of the slots and are orientated such that the two legs are in slideable engagement with the slot walls and the ends of the legs face toward the pair of stringer tapes. The slots are provided with shoulders configured to engage with one of the legs of the end stops to effect turning of the end stops about the shoulders in response to movement of the end stops by the punches to thereby position the two legs of the U-shaped end stops on opposite sides of the stringer tape. Further movement of the punches effects clinching of the legs of the end stops to the stringer tapes.

Abstract: A pair of interengaged slide fastener stringers of elongate length are longitudinally advanced in an intermittent manner over a clincher die and a heater plate. An end stop is vertically driven by a punch above the clincher die and is attached to the stringers at a terminal end of one of the longitudinally spaced chains of coupling elements. A portion of the stringer tapes is heated and fused adjacent to the terminal end of the coupling element chain substantially simultaneously with the end stop attaching operation. Such fusing operation is carried out by a presser vertically movable for pressing the stringer tapes against the heater plate.

Abstract: An end stop attaching apparatus has a pair of punch arms pivotally mounted on a punch holder on a shaft rotatably supported on a frame for angular movement about its own axis between end stop applying and supplying or loading positions, the punch arms having a pair of clinching punches, respectively, on their ends for supporting an end stop therebetween. A punch actuator is operatively mounted on the punch holder and is coupled with the punch arms for moving the punches toward and away from each other. The punch actuator is activated to enable the punches to clinch the end stop about a longitudinal edge of a stringer tape in the end stop applying position, and to enable the punches to receive an endmost end stop from an end stop supply in the end stop supplying or loading position.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying pieces of reinforcing film of synthetic resin to a pair of continuous slide fastener stringers at longitudinally spaced locations thereof, comprises means for feeding the stringers longitudinally along a first path selectively at a rapid rate or a slow rate, means for sensing one of the locations on the stringers at a time to switch the feeding means from a rapid rate to a slow rate mode of operation and then to a stopping mode, and for locating said one of the locations on the stringers in a position for the application of one of the pieces of reinforcing film, and means for holding the stringers during the film-piece application.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for press-bonding a reinforcement tape of plastic film onto a space section of a continuous length slide fastener chain, the method and the apparatus comprising means for positioning the space section of the fastener chain between an upper presser and a lower presser providing the reinforcement tape with a cut-out to fit the element rows of the fastener chain, transferring a continuous length reinforcement tape by a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the movement of the fastener chain so that the cut-out is located just on the space section of the fastener chain between the pressers, closing of the pressers to effect press-bonding of the reinforcement tape to the space of the fastener chain either by heat melting or by high-frequency welding, and simultaneously cutting the reinforcement tape with a cutter blade.

Abstract: A fastener chain being fed along a predetermined path is brought to a temporary standstill each time an actuating pawl, engaged by one of the successive spaced pairs of interengaged scoop groups of the fastener chain, is displaced a predetermined distance therewith to actuate a limit switch. A separator mechanism responds to the actuation of the limit switch to spread one of the successive pairs of opposed blank tape spaces of the fastener chain to an extent necessary to partly disengage the preceding or succeeding pair of scoop groups. The fastener chain is then moved along the path, either rearwardly or forwardly, to such an extent that the disengaged endmost scoops of the partly disengaged pair of scoop groups come into abutment against a stop disposed adjacent to a die. A punch mechanism coacts with the die to apply a pair of top stops to the endmost scoops. The above cycle of operation is repeated to attach top stops to the trailing or leading ends of the successive pairs of scoop groups.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying top end stops to a continuous fastener chain is provided with camming means for taking a pressure roller into and out of engagement with its associated feed or drive roller at respective time points coincidental with the supplying of top end stops to the fastener chain and with the completion of clamping the end stops onto the fastener chain.

Abstract: A split carrier for receiving bottom stops from a feeding chute is biased toward a raised position beneath a ram which upon downward movement forces the bottom stop and carrier downward where the forces of wing portions of the bottom stop engaging camming seating edges on respective halves of the carrier force the carrier halves apart and install the bottom stop on the slide fastener.

Abstract: A separable bottom end stop having a pin member and a box member is attached to a pair of slide fastener stringers each comprising a row of helically coiled coupling elements supported on and along one side of a marginal edge of a stringer tape, there being a filler cord extending in and along the row of coupling elements. In preparation for the mounting of each of the pin member and the box member, a length of the row of coupling elements is removed, and the exposed filler cord portion and element-free tape portion are pressed together so that the exposed filler cord portion remains in substantial alignment with a portion of the cord which extends over the element-supporting stringer portion, and the element-free tape portion is bent into pressed contact with the exposed filler cord portion. The pin member and the box member are injection-molded on the element-free tape portions and the exposed filler cord portions of the stringers.

Abstract: Individual slide fasteners are manufactured from a pair of continuous slide fastener stringers having stringer tapes made of a fabric including thermoplastic synthetic fibers. While being advanced intermittently in the longitudinal direction, the stringers are stamped out to form an element-free gap therein and cut to sever off an individual slide fastener length simultaneously at a first station with the application of heat to fuse and solidify the cut end against reveling. A bottom end stop is mounted on the cut end portion of the severed slide fastener length also at the first station. During advancing movement from the first station, the fastener chain is threaded through a slider fixedly supported between the first station and a second station located downstream of the first station. A top end stop is mounted on the cut end portion of the continuous slide fastener stringers at the second station simultaneously with the steps repeated at the first station.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing separable sliding clasp fasteners, from a continuous fastener having the interlocking elements made of thermoplastic material. The two male parts of the separating device of one fastener, the two top stops of another fastener, the support-strips reinforcements along these male parts and stops, and a opening for introducing a sliding clasp are simultaneously manufactured by: introducing the two uncoupled and spaced halves of a continuous fastener into a mold, injecting in the latter a melted thermoplastic material solidifying the thermoplastic material and cutting a part of the solidified material to form the said male parts, stops and opening. The apparatus comprises a mold consisting of a lower half-mold and an upper half-mold each comprising an outer fixed part and a central part perpendicularly movable to this fixed part.

Abstract: In the operation of punching a performed stop blank onto a pair of coupled fastener stringers placed over a stationary die, a sensor is provided which moves up and down over the die to sense mechanically the presence of any foreign matter such as the operator's fingers between the punch and die. The punch is permitted to descend fully onto the stringers on the die only after the sensor has completed its downward stroke. In the apparatus of the invention the up-and-down motion of the punch is effected as by an air cylinder via a lever, and the sensor is coupled to another lever which is spring loaded to follow the motion of the punch lever, in such a manner that the sensor travels faster than the punch. Limit switches are employed to prevent the full descent of the punch where necessary.