Abstract: An orientation parts feeder for successively feeding parts wherein each part has an irregular cross section. The feeder includes a rotating drum supported for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis. The drum has on its inner cylindrical surface a plurality of circumferentially spaced wing plates, a transfer chute having a longitudinal parts guide channel, and a first and a second incorrectly-oriented-parts discriminating and removing mechanism disposed in succession on a downstream end portion of the parts guide channel. The first incorrectly-oriented-parts discriminating and removing mechanism has a response time which is shorter than that of the second incorrectly-oriented-parts discriminating and removing mechanism. The feeder is able to remove parts having undesirable postures with sufficient reliability and stability to ensure a high speed conveyance of the parts.

Abstract: In a cord equipped with a connector, a metal or synthetic resin tube has at one end a connecting ring and in its wall a through-hole communicating with a hollow of the tube. End portions of a cord are inserted in a trued-up form in the hollow from an opening of the connector. The hollow and the through-hole are filled with a molded core insertion-molded of synthetic resin so that the molded core is prevented from accidental removal from the hollow, thus firmly holding the end portions of the cord. This connector-equipped cord is particularly useful when applied to a pull string of a second bag or a slider pull tab of a slide fastener.

Abstract: A synthetic resin pelletizing machine includes an extrusion cylinder forming, with a horizontal plane, an installation angle .theta. which is in the range of 0.degree.<.theta.<90.degree., a raw material feed passage extending upwardly from said extrusion cylinder at a predetermined angle relative to a longitudinal axis of said extrusion cylinder, and a cooling unit disposed below a die head and having a double bath construction composed of a first cooling bath and a second cooling bath disposed in the first cooling bath. The pelletizing machine thus constructed is compact in size and is capable of assuring a smooth feed of a raw material to the extrusion cylinder as well as a smooth passage of an extruded strand through the cooling unit.

Abstract: A rack for storing a plurality of spools with elongated strips wound therearound comprises a box-like frame including a pair of parallel spaced plates; a plurality of partitions, each of which has on one of its surfaces a support axle for rotatably and releasably holding the spool; and means for releasably fastening the partitions in a parallel spaced relation to each other between the plates.The rack further includes elongated lock plates which have slots and notches formed in and arranged at uniform intervals longitudinally of the elongated lock plates. The lock plates are attached to the rack by pins protruding through the slots for slidably holding the lock plate to a front surface of the rack.

Abstract: A parts supply hopper operatively associated with a parts feeder for supplying the latter with a predetermined amount of articles, includes a generally cup-shaped container held in an angular position and rotatably at least through an angle of 180 degrees, and a partition wall disposed in the container so as to define therebetween upper and lower chambers disposed on opposite sides of the partition wall. The partition wall has a transfer aperture communicating between the upper and lower chambers. The container has a discharge outlet opening defined in its peripheral wall and communciating with the lower chamber, the discharge outlet opening being located in diametrically opposed relation to the transfer aperture.

Abstract: In a bundling method and apparatus, a relatively long article is wound on a take-up reel and is then released onto a tray in a bundling unit located immediately below the take-up reel. On the tray, the wound article is compressed into a folded and flat posture by a preser, and is then bundled with a bundling band.

Abstract: A slide fastener overturning conveyer includes an elongate hollow rectangular guide member having a guide channel for the passage of a slide fastener, and air nozzles disposed adjacent to an inlet of the guide channel and directed toward an outlet of the guide channel. The guide member is rotatably movable about its longitudinal central axis through an angle of 180 degrees for overturning the slide fastener while the latter is received in the guide member. The air nozzles eject a compressed air to convey the overturned slide fastener. The angular movement of the guide member and the compressed-air ejection are controlled by a sensor provided for detecting leading and trailing ends of the slide fastener. The overturning conveyer thus constructed is relatively small and simple in construction and is effectively operative even when a slide fastener is relatively long.

Abstract: A slide-fastener closing apparatus, for moving opposed stringers relative to a slider, includes upper and lower feed rollers coactive to move the stringers in either direction along a feed path, and an arrester normally urged to project into the feed path. After the stringers with the slider are supplied forwardly past the arrester, the two rollers are driven to move the stringers rearwardly so that the slider is caught by the arrester until the slide fastener is fully closed. Then the rollers are reversely driven to move the closed slide fastener forwardly for discharging.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying U-shaped top end stops reliably one at a time to a holding portion of a top end-stop attaching machine, includes a movable guide rail reciprocably movable between a receiving position for receiving the top end stop from a fixed guide rail cantilevered to a vibrating parts feeder, and a delivery position for supplying the top end stop therefrom to the holding portion, and a delivery unit reciprocably movable toward and away from the holding portion to deliver a leading top end stop from the first guide rail through the second guide rail to the holding portion. The movable guide rail and the delivery unit are linked such that the delivery unit resiliently engages with the movable guide rail within a certain range of its reciprocating stroke for moving the movable guide rail from the receiving position to the delivery position.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically manufacturing a bidirectionally openable slide fastener includes a pin attachment unit for attaching a pin to an end of one of a pair of slide fastener stringers, a pair of first and second slider attachment units for attaching first and second sliders, respectively, to the stringers, and a box pin attachment unit for attaching a box pin to an end of the other slide fastener stringer. The slide fastener stringers are fed by a gripper mechanism along a feed path as the pin, the sliders, and the box pin are successively attached to the slide fastener stringers. Finally, the slide fastener stringers are cut off by a cutter unit into a bidirectionally openable slide fastener of a desired length.

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 retaining device for retaining a terminal end portion of a so-called concealed slide fastener in closed disposition against accidental splitting or disengagement of the intermeshed fastener elements at the end portion. The retaining device has a base; a pair of opposed inwardly directed longitudinal flanges having vertical side walls and horizontal upper walls having their longitudinal edges disposed in spaced, confronting relationship; and a pair of symmetrical projections at one end of the device each extending integrally with the respective horizontal walls beyond the end of each of the side walls. The pair of opposed inwardly directed longitudinal flanges define with the base a channel functionally analogous to that of a slider.

Abstract: A carpet construction comprises a plurality of square sheet materials butt-joined together to jointly provide a continuous planar upper surface. The sheet materials in each two adjacent rows are disposed in such a manner that the abutting lines of one of the two adjacent rows of sheet materials are disposed out of registration with those of the other. A plurality of stringer tapes are fixedly secured respectively to the lower marginal portions of the rows of sheet materials adjacent to their abutting ends and edges. Each opposed stringer tapes are coupled together to retain the sheet materials in butt-jointed condition. A plurality of connective members are secured respectively to rows of interengaged fastener elements of each mating stringer tapes immediately adjacent to the opposite ends thereof to retain the same in coupled condition.

Abstract: A pair of top stop members of a synthetic resin are integrally united with several topmost scoops of respective continuous coupling elements of a slide fastener so as to cover at least the head portions of the scoops. In order to prevent deformation of the stop members as a result of forced contact with each other at the end of the fastener closing movement of a slider one of the stop members is made shorter than the other stop member. Thus, when the slider is moved to a topmost position on the rows of coupling elements, the scoop positioned immediately under the lower end of the shorter stop member abuts against the longer stop member, while the stop members themselves are held out of contact with each other.

Abstract: A tool for interengaging a pair of element rows in a concealed type slide fastener has a pair of blocks movable toward and away from each other and normally urged apart, and a pair of slider body halves mounted on the blocks, respectively, the slider halves being matable to provide a slider body when the blocks are moved toward each other. An element guide is formed centrally on the bottom surface of a pivotable member operatively connected to the blocks. The pivotable member is movable pivotally into a position in which the element guide and the slider body halves are put together to jointly provide a slider when the blocks are moved toward each other. A motion converting means is provided for converting motion of the blocks into pivotal motion of the pivotable member.