Abstract: A method and apparatus for punching a guide notch in a polymeric zipper having a male and female track with respective fins. The method includes sliding the zipper into position in a punch housing and punching a guide notch into the zipper. The guide notch is defined by a plurality of edges in the zipper, which are guided out of the punch housing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for guiding a fastener in a bag making machine includes a stationary support, an elongated internal guide, and a slitting mechanism. The elongated internal guide is mounted to the support and positioned within an enclosed space defined by the fastener. The fastener is moved downstream with the internal guide within the enclosed space. The fastener is slit upstream from the support. While the fastener is guided, a sealer may seal the fastener to a moving web of plastic film along a seal adjacent to the internal guide.

Abstract: In forming an element-free space portion in a continuous fastener chain, legs of a number of metallic fastener elements, which legs exist on one side of the fastener chain are cut by a pair of cutting blades, and then coupling heads of the fastener elements and the legs extending from the coupling heads and existing on the other side of the fastener chain are removed from cores of fastener tapes while being clamped by a punch and a die. Therefore, it is possible to remove the fastener element portions from the fastener tapes without damaging the cores and not to require so high precision in positioning the fastener elements at a cutting station, thus the structure of a slide fastener chain manufacturing machine can be simple and hence the rate of production is improved.

Abstract: A corrugator dry end includes a sheet saving diverter positioned immediately downstream of a rotary shear and a conventional scrap diverter. Useable sheets may be cut to selected useable lengths, diverted and stacked without damage, and without slowing the corrugator line. The useable sheet diverter includes a vacuum diverting conveyor and vacuum shingler which deliver sheets into an adjustable stacking bin.

Abstract: An apparatus for gapping a zipper having a pair of slide fasteners stringers such that each fastener stringer has a continuous row of fastener elements secured to an edge thereof. The apparatus includes a support which has a substantially flat surface for supporting the stringers in a generally parallel alignment. An indexing wheel having a plurality of serrations located along a periphery thereof cooperates with the support to engage the fastener elements of each of the pair of fastener stringers for incrementally advancing the pair of fastener stringers a predetermined distance along the support. The hinged block is connected to the support. The hinged block is a pair of grooves formed along the surface thereof so as to be positioned in a path of the advancing fastener stringers for respectively receiving the fastener stringers in the area to be gapped.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a slide-fastener coupling element from a metal wire having a substantially Y-shaped cross section wherein a blank piece is cut or sliced off from the metal wire by a co-action between a cutoff die and a cutoff punch, and substantially at the same time, the metal wire is chamfered along a next cutting line by a chamfering edge so as to form a substantially V-shaped groove extending in and along the peripheral surface of a head portion of the metal wire and the outside surface of each of two opposed leg portion of the metal wire. The next slicing operation produces a blank piece which is already chamfered at its upper and lower peripheral edges extending along the peripheral surface of the head portion and the outside surfaces of respective leg portions of the blank piece.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for finishing slide fasteners by cutting off an elongate slide fastener chain across longitudinally spaced element-free spaces is provided wherein a slider arresting mechanism is disposed between a cutting mechanism and a feed mechanism and movable into and out of a path of travel of the slide fastener chain for temporarily arresting a slide fastener against downstream movement while the slide fastener chain is being fed by the feed mechanism, and a detecting mechanism is operatively connected with the slider arresting mechanism for detecting the engagement between an end stop and the slider which occurs when the slide fastener chain is fed by the feed mechanism while the slider is being arrested by the slider arresting mechanism.

Abstract: An automatic finishing method for an airtight and waterproof slide fastener, comprising the steps of: supplying each of a pair of slide fastener chains, which has coupling elements attached to a waterproof fastener tape by clamp elements, by a pair of toothed supply rollers meshing with the clamp elements of the respective slide fastener chain; and threading the slide fastener chains through a slider situated on a travelling path of the slide fastener chains for interengaging the slide fastener chains and then discharging the interengaged slide fastener chains from the slider.

Abstract: A method of forming successive space portion in a slide fastener chain, comprising: positioning the chain in such a manner that an element contiguous to the backward end of a prospective space portion is brought into engagement with a positioning pin upstream of a cutting unit; positioning the chain in such a manner that an element contiguous to the forward end of the prospective space portion is out of engagement with another positioning pin downstream of the cutting unit, and then positioning the chain, as the feed roller is rotated forwardly to extend the chain so that the positioning pin is inserted between the elements, whereupon the downstream positioning pin is brought into engagement with the element adjacent to the prospective space portion as the feed roller is rotated backwardly to restore the slide fastener chain; and cutting off elements of the prospective space portion and removing the cut elements from the prospective space portion.

Abstract: A slide fastener shortening method for shortening a slide fastener with rows of fastener elements made of synthetic resin from a predetermined length of the slide fastener into a desired short length thereof.

Abstract: A method for forming element-free space sections in a slide fastener chain is provided that coupling elements can be efficiently removed by a small force without damaging fastener tapes.The method for forming element-free space sections in the slide fastener chain comprises the steps of:cutting heads of interengaged discrete coupling elements of space-forming sections of one leg of forked legs of the individual coupling element,pushing up the heads of the coupling elements in the direction orthogonal to the fastener tape faces from the cutting side, andgripping the remaining cut legs by grippers to be drawn-out and removed in the direction orthogonal to the fastener tape faces.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically severing a slide fastener chain having a succession of fabric pieces attached to each of the opposed longitudinal marginal edges with a gap portion interposed between each adjacent pair of fabric pieces comprises a feeding unit; a cutting unit disposed on a feed path for severing the fabric-pieced slide fastener chain transversely across the gap portions; and detecting means for producing a signal only when laterally-aligned gap portions reach the detecting means. The detecting means, feeding unit and the cutting unit are electrically connected such that, upon receipt of the signal from the detecting means, the feeding unit is deenergized and at the same time the cutting unit is energized.

Abstract: An apparatus for gapping a stringer chain at predetermined intervals is disclosed, which comprises an anvil and a cutter cooperating therwith in cutting a length of coupling elements on a pair of support tapes. The cutter includes a vertically movable punch which is provided with a plurality of positioning prongs adapted to engage in between adjacent elements and hold the stringer chain firmly in place during gapping thereof.

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 stacking a multiplicity of fabric strips attached with a slide fastener chain one upon another is disclosed, which comprises folding each of the strips in halves along the longitudinal axis of the fastener chain, clamping the fabric strip from both sides closely at its folded edge, cutting the trailing end of the fabric strip and depositing the thus cut fabric strip upon and in registry with a stack of previously accumulated fabric strips. An apparatus is also disclosed for carrying this method into practice, which essentially comprises a gate means having a guide slit through which a slide fastener chain is passed, a gripper means releasably gripping a leading end of the fastener chain, and a clamping means releasably clamping the fabric strip from both sides closely adjacent at the fastener chain.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is disclosed for gapping a slide fastener chain to provide an element-free zone at predetermined intervals along a respective fastener stringer. The process essentially comprises cutting a connecting string interconnecting a series of discrete coupling elements secured by sewn seams to a support tape and simultaneously cutting a predetermined member of coupling elements, or alternatively cutting the string and arresting part of the coupling elements, followed by cutting the latter, so as to provide element-free tape zones with the sewn substantially in the form of an arch.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting down or reducing the length of a finished slide fastener includes a pilot pin disposed immediately adjacent to the rear end of an element clamper and spaced from the rear end of an element cutter by a distance which is equal to the sum of the element pitch of a row of coupling elements and at least a half of the diameter of a monofilament constituting the row of coupling elements. With the pilot pin thus arranged, a length of coupling elements can be removed smoothly without the occurance of draw of a half-cut coupling element. The apparatus also includes a stopper disposed rearwardly of a top end-stop applicator and engageable with a bottom end stop of the slide fastener for setting the length of reduction from the slide fastener.

Abstract: A discharge device incorporated in an elongate article processing apparatus includes a discharge unit disposed immediately downstream of a cutter of the apparatus and a conveyor unit extending downstream of the discharge unit. The discharge unit includes a drive roller and a vertically movable pinch roller, the pinch roller being held in its upper standby position remote from the drive roller while the cutter is in operation. The conveyor unit includes a presser roller vertically movable, in independent of the movement of the pinch roller, into and out of engagement with a belt conveyor of the discharge unit.

Abstract: An elongate product such as a surface fastener or a slide fastener chain is cut off on a lower cutter blade by an upper cutter blade moving toward and coacting with the lower cutter blade. While the elongate product is being severed, it is pressed down against a base board by a first pressure pad. A severed piece is positively discharged off the upper and lower cutter blades by a second pressure pad which moves with the upper cutter blade. The second pressure pad includes a brush of electrically conductive bristles for removing static electricity from the elongate product and the severed piece.

Abstract: An elongate separable slide fastener chain is cut off into individual separable slide fasteners, the slide fastener chain having a plurality of longitudinally spaced element-free portions with pin-receptive boxes supported respectively thereon. The slide fastener chain is fed under tension in one direction, and then stopped to release the slide fastener chain of its tension. The leading and trailing ends of one of the boxes are clamped to position the slide fastener chain. Then, the slide fastener chain is severed across one of the element-free portions adjacent to the leading end of the box. With this arrangement, the slide fastener chain can be positioned accurately for severance and cut off into separable slide fasteners which are sightly in appearance and equal in length.

Abstract: A punch blade depresses the coupling heads of a length of successive filamentary coupling elements toward a knockout blade while sandwiching stringer tapes between upper and lower grippers. The punch blade is lowered until lower legs of the coupling elements are cut off by cutter blades. The punch blade and the knockout blade are then lifted while gripping the severed coupling elements therebetween to forcibly remove the coupling elements out of engagement with sewing threads on the stringer tapes. The upper grippers have confronting steps for engaging the sewing threads so that the severed coupling elements can be detached reliably and smoothly from the stringer tapes without unduly tensioning the sewing threads and stringer tapes. The punch blade may have a vertical reinforcement member attached to at least one side edge thereof and having a lower tooth projecting downwardly beyond a lower edge for being pressed against the coupling elements.

Abstract: A slide-fastener assembly comprising a pair of longitudinally extending and parallel tapes having adjacent edges carrying respective coupling coils that form coupling heads and that are interleaved with one another is gapped by advancing the assembly in steps through a punching location, engaging the coils upstream and downstream of the location by respective upstream and downstream grippers and holding the assembly stationary in the station between steps, and punching the heads off the coils between the grippers while the assembly is held stationary in the station. The grippers are displaced apart to longitudinally tension the coils after engaging the grippers with the coils and before punching the heads off the coils. Thus the upstream gripper is displaced upstream and the downstream gripper downstream, slightly stretching and tensioning the tape assembly.

Abstract: A fastener chain to which a method of the invention is applicable includes space portions where no element is present which are provided at regular intervals along continuous interlocking element trains, and sliders each of which has a pull and is inserted in each length of the element trains lying between two adjacent space portions. The fastener chain is fed in the horizontal direction in the state wherein the bottom stop of each slide fastener section is disposed forwardly of the upper stop of the same fastener section in terms of the feeding direction, and is cut into individual slide fasteners at each of the space portions.

Abstract: In a method of cutting a continuous slide fastener chain into individual slide fastener lengths, the fastener chain is tensioned between its leading end and a succeeding element-free portion as they are gripped by downstream and at upstream grippers, respectively, at a specified point and a cutting station spaced upstream therefrom along a horizontal straight path by a varying distance corresponding to the length of a prospective individual slide fastener. Then the tension of the individual slide fastener length of the chain is relaxed by slightly moving the downstream gripper from the specified point toward the upstream gripper which is kept stationary at the cutting station, whereupon the fastener chain is cut transversely across the succeeding one element-free portion.

Abstract: For severing a continuous slide fastener chain into individual slide fastener lengths, the chain having succesive coupling element portions and element-free gap sections on a stringer tape, a cutting station is preceded by a detecting unit. The detecting utilizes at least two sensors for sensing the leading end of each successive coupling element portion of the chain which is being conducted to the cutting station. The sensors are longitudinally spaced along the chain's path to the cutting station and produce respective command signals one after the other to a chain drive to reduce the moving rate of the chain in step fashion to a low speed as the gap section approaches the cutting station. This enables uniform and adequate quality fastener length cutting to be reliably achieved.

Abstract: A space forming apparatus for producing an element-free space section of predetermined length at predetermined intervals in continuous slide fastener chain. Said apparatus comprises a transfer table for intermittently transferring the continuous slide fastener chain, a die disposed in the center of the transfer table, a punch disposed opposite to the die and having a longitudinal length substantially the same as that of the spaced sections to be formed, said punch being provided with a center projecting rib extending along a center line of a punch body, a pair of parallel inner cutting blades disposed on the both sides of the rib and a pair of parallel outer cutting blades disposed on the outer side each of the inner cutting blades, and a chain fixing device located on both sides of the die and opposite sites to them for clamping and securing the right and left stringers when the severed fragments of the coupling elements are removed from the sewing threads.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting off lengths of slide fasteners from a continuous chain thereof includes a cutting punch coactive with an anvil, there being feed rolls disposed in the path of movement of the fastener chain upstream from the cutting punch, and a pair of delivery rolls in such path downstream of the cutting punch. The upper delivery roll is arranged to reciprocate with the cutting punch and to engage the chain before the cutting punch does, and to continue to engage the chain until the cutting punch has been slightly retracted. Such retraction of the delivery roll facilitates feeding of the chain even though the leading end may be slightly curled.

Abstract: In a method of and an apparatus for processing a pair of continuous slide fastener stringers having element-free spaces between a plurality of longitudinally spaced chains of partly interengaged coupling elements with sliders mounted respectively thereon, the stringers are fed downwardly in a vertical direction at a low speed by an upper roller feed unit until their leading ends are sensed, whereupon they are fed at a high speed by a lower roller feed unit. The coupling element chains are fully closed one by one by the respective sliders which are releasably held by a slider holder disposed between the feed units while the stringers are fed at the high speed.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an element-free gap in a continuous slide fastener chain. In the apparatus, a reciprocating punch blade has cutting edges along opposite sides and is relieved at opposite ends along the cutting edges so as to form a pair of wing portions disposed one on each side of the punch blade. An elongated slot formed in a die for receiving the cutting edges has at its opposite ends a pair of lateral branches disposed one on each side of the elongated slot in opposite relation to the sides of the punch blade on which the wing portions are disposed. The wing portions and the lateral branches jointly serve to protect a pair of coupling elements disposed adjacent to the opposite ends of the space section from being cut by the punch blade.

Abstract: A chain of interdigitating coupling elements on a pair of slide fastener stringer tapes is gapped and severed into a short length of chain with coupling element residuals or debris left on the tapes at the gapped chain portion. The chain is then manually fed between and into engagement with a pair of vertically aligned circular brushes driven for continuous rotation to scrape the coupling element residuals off the tapes. A pair of guide troughs guide the chain into alignment with the brushes, each guide trough having a pair of converging sidewalls confining one of the brushes solely to frictional engagement with the chain.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for spacing continuously manufactured zip fasteners having connection elements constituted by a monofilament of meander or spiral form rigid with the edges of supporting tapes. The method consists in removing by cutting firstly the central part of the connection elements of the two coupled tapes, and then removing the open lateral loops of the meanders or spirals by passing under tension the zone of the coupled tapes from which the central part of the connection elements has been removed, over a deviation member in such a manner that the tapes partly wrap said deviation member.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing slide fastener stringer pairs of a slide fastener length from a pair of continuous slide fastener stringers. The apparatus comprises means for severing the continuous slide fastener stringers transversely across one of element-free portions, means for pairing the severed slide fastener stringers, and gripping means reciprocable between a first position adjacent to the severing means and a second position disposed away from the first position for advancing the slide fastener stringers along a longitudinal path. The gripping means includes a pair of grippers movable toward each other for introducing the slide fastener stringers into the pairing means.

Abstract: For obtaining the spacing of continuously manufactured zip fasteners by removing in a single operation the connecting members over a certain length, a device is provided which comprises a die and a stepped punch with three rectangular sections. The punch is guided in a tape pressure which holds at standstill the tapes of the fastener coupled by means of the connecting members against the die. The three sections of the stopped punch have dimensions proportioned with respect to the dimensions of the connecting members to be removed.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a slide fastener chain having a certain length and reinforcement tapes at its ends from a manufactured, continuous length fastener chain which is provided with space sections each of which entirely consists of a reinforced tape. According to the method, the original length fastener chain is held first by a pair of pressers on a die at one side of the main crosswise cutting line, then by another pair of pressers at the other side to form a right position so that the reinforced space section is cut along the crosswise line and at the same time, the lengthwise lines by a cutter blade. This method is performed using an apparatus with a linkage motion of its individual parts whereby working efficiency is improved and a good cutting finish is obtained.

Abstract: A pair of interlocked slide fastener stringers having a plurality of sliders respectively on their longitudinally spaced chains of coupling elements fed over a guide table as the sliders are sensed one at a time by a feeler lever pivotally mounted on the guide table. A stop lever pivotable with respect to the guide table has a stop finger that projects into one of element-free spaces between the chains in response to the pivotal movement of the feeler lever due to engagement thereof with the slider. The stop finger, while not actuated, is withdrawn out of the way, and thus does not interfere with the sliders moving with the slide fastener stringers.

Abstract: Gapping of slide fastener tapes is performed by cutting longitudinal connecting and supporting members carrying fastening elements on both sides of each element to be removed along perpendicular cutting lines. The fastening elements are then removed by pulling the fastening elements and the severed ends of the connecting and supporting members from between loops of weft threads which secure the connecting and supporting members in the inner edges of the tapes.

Abstract: An efficient and reliable means is provided for removing fastener elements or scoops from the tape-edge cords of a slide fastener chain to form the so-called space section without injuring the cords and beads, wherein carrier tape is held between a pair of holder members in a manner such that the ends of the bifurcated leg portions of fastener chain element are in contact with the ends of the holder members; each fastener chain element is cut and divided at the head portion by a wedge-like cutter blade into two pieces with simultaneous opening of the holder members whereby the bifurcated leg portions are outstretched and the scraping of element debris off the carrier tape is facilitated; and the tape-edge cord is withdrawn into between the two holder members before it is contacted by the edge of the downward cutter blade.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing coupling element residuals from a coupled pair of slide fastener stringers comprises a scraper roll drivable for continued rotation and an idler tumbler roll around which the slide fastener stringers travel for rotating the tumbler roll. The tumbler roll has a radial wing which when the tumbler roll is rotated, brings the coupling element residuals thereon into contact with the scraper roll while it is revolving so as to scrape off the residuals reliably. The tumbler roll has pawl means for engaging the fastener stringers at a predetermined position thereon so as to place the coupling element residuals on the tumbler wing. The tumbler roll is rotatable in response to engagement of the pawl means with the fastener stringers being fed. The apparatus of one embodiment includes stop means for temporarily stopping rotation of the tumbler roll and guide means for guiding the fastener stringers properly onto the tumbler wing.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing gaps in zipper chain is especially adapted for chain having plastic elements of U-shape joined by imbedded connector threads and stitched to tape. Apparatus includes slitting means which slice into and demolish fastener elements in the gap as the zipper is drawn along, and lancer elements which are periodically activated to cut the connecting threads at the beginning and end of the gap. Stitches and tape in gap are left intact.

Abstract: Gapping apparatus includes offset knife sets adapted on closing to break the legs of the U-shaped fastener elements in the desired gap zone. Cutters are also provided to sever the end cords of the elements so that parts of the fastener elements in the gap area are completely liberated upon the opening of the apparatus. Indexing means are provided.

Abstract: In an automatic machine for cutting zippers from a common zipper tape, feed rollers are positioned to direct the common tape to the cutter. The sliders on the tape are detected by a photoelectric detector upstream of the feed rollers, in order to develop a signal of determined duration for enabling a bottom stop detector positioned upstream of the slide detector. A delay device is provided to actuate the cutter a determined time following detection of a bottom stop by the stop detector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing element-free gaps or spaces in a continuous fastener chain. Means are provided for supporting a series of discrete fastener elements formed by die-casting a metal or injection-molding a plastics material and secured to a tape cord with their coupling heads faced upwardly, severing the fastener elements into halves at the coupling heads towards the cord and removing the severed elements completely from the cord without damage thereto. The severing operation is effected by a vertically movable cutter blade adapted to thrust centrally into the coupling heads toward the cord and is immediately followed by the removing operation wherein a pair of removers are moved downwardly to take the severed elements away from the cord when the supporting means are forced out of holding engagement with the fastener elements.