Abstract: A method of applying top end stops on to a slide fastener chain comprises holding a top end stop or stops in between an anvil and a horn, moving the anvil and the horn together into alignment with a path of travel of the fastener chain, threading the fastener chain through the top end stop, clamping and attaching the top end stop by fusion to the fastener chain, and moving the anvil and the horn out of the path of the fastener chain. This method is reduced to practice by an apparatus which essentially comprises an anvil and a horn which are vertically movable together in one instance toward and away from a horizontal path of the fastener chain and means of moving the anvil independently from and against the horn in another instance to clamp and attach the top end stop to the fastener chain.

Abstract: A chain feeder for used in a slide fastener finishing machine includes feed roller mounted on a driven shaft driven to rotate in one direction via a clutch and a spring-biased brake lever mounted on the driven shaft via a one-way clutch for exerting a braking force to the driven shaft when the feed roller is rotated in the opposite direction. With this chain feeder thus constructed, the fastener chain is held taut during the time top stops are applied to the fastener chain.

Abstract: In attaching a pair of horizontal U-shaped top stops of synthetic resin to a continuous slide fastener chain, opposed tape edges near a leading one of successive element-free spaces are spread apart, and the top stops are clamped each on its upper and lower surfaces and are placed between the opposed tape edges so as to be horizontally aligned with the opposed inner tape edges. Then the spread inner tape edges are released to restore their original form so as to be inserted through the respective top stops, whereupon only the upper surface of each of the clamped top stops is released from the clamping. Finally the top stops are fused to the opposed tape edges by applying ultrasonic heat energy to the top stops from the released upper surface thereof by an ultrasonic horn.

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: 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 for automatically attaching successive fly strips to a continuous slide fastener chain, the successive strips are fed to a standby point one after another by a conveyor horizontally spaced from a sewing machine by a gap in which the standby point is disposed. A preceding strip is supplied from the standby point to the sewing machine with its trailing end portion hanging in the gap, while a succeeding strip is kept waiting at the standby point for a subsequent supply. When the trailing end of the preceding strip has passed a fixed point downstream of the standby point in the gap as the sewing of the preceding strip progresses, the succeeding strip is supplied at a speed higher than the rate at which the sewing of the preceding strip progresses.

Abstract: An apparatus automatically manufactures a succession of slide fasteners with flies from a continuous slide fastener chain having a pair of intermeshed rows of coupling elements with element-free spaces therein and stringer tapes supporting the rows of coupling elements, respectively, with the flies sewn to one of the tapes. The apparatus includes a feed path along which the chain can be fed, a feed roller assembly for feeding the chain along the feed path in selective engagement with the intermeshed rows of coupling elements, and an element guide operatively coupled with the feed roller assembly for guiding the rows of coupling elements along the feed path across the feed roller assembly. The feed roller assembly comprises a driven roller and an idling roller movable toward and away from the driven roller for feeding the chain along the feed path. The element guide has guide legs disposed upstream and downstream of the feed roller assembly and having guide grooves, respectively, aligned with the feed path.

Abstract: In the apparatus for forming a space in and simultaneously fixing a stop to a fastener chain of this invention, a casing is provided with a tubular frame portion in which a punch holder having a space punch and a driver punch is received for sliding movement. This apparatus further includes a cutting punch between the driver punch and the inner wall of the tubular frame portion. When the punch holder descends, the cutting punch cuts a stop forming wire and forms the cut wire length into a stop preform in cooperation with an anvil. As the punch holder further descends, the driver punch drives the stop preform into the tapes of the chain and simultaneously the space punch forms a space in the chain. During this operation, the cutting punch rises relative to the punch holder so as not to damage the tapes.

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: 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: 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 slider-applying apparatus is disclosed for assembling sliders to a slide fastener chain, particularly to such fastener chain which has previously been attached to a garment or the like. A working table provided in the apparatus has a cut-away, "bay"-like recess at its front end adjacent a slider holding means, which recess serves to provide free space for the fastener chain and attached garment to move forward therethrough past the slider holder.

Abstract: A presser foot, for a sewing machine for use in sewing slide fasteners to garments, has a foot portion pivotally mounted on a vertically movable presser bar of the sewing machine, gripping members pivotally mounted on the foot portion and cooperating with the latter in forming guide grooves for receiving and guiding element rows secured to the slide fastener tapes, and a spring member fixed to the foot portion and engaging with the gripping members to normally bias the latter toward the foot portion in a direction to narrow the guide grooves.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for feeding slide fastener parts from a parts feeder to a parts assembling station, which apparatus is characterized by the provision of linking means for removably connecting a part feed chute between the feeder and the station. The linking means comprise a first chute holder connected to the parts feeder and a second chute holder connected to the assembling station, the first holder having spring-loaded grippers adapted to come into and out of locking engagement with one end fitting of the chute, and the second holder having a spring-loaded positioning pin adapted to lock the other end fitting of the chute into position relative to the second holder.