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: Slide fastener elements, mounted on a longitudinal support member woven in the edge of a tape, are removed by cutting the longitudinal support member on each side of each fastener element and pulling the tape longitudinally between opposed biased blades engaging the elements to strip the fastening elements from the tape.