Method for manufacturing waterproof zipper and the device manufactured from the same
A method for manufacturing a waterproof zipper comprises steps of: feeding a nylon zipper to a feeding device; passing the nylon zipper to a gluing device and coating PU gel on backsides of the fastener strips of the nylon zipper; adhering a PU film with PU gel on backsides of the fastener strips by using rollers to press the PU film so as to be formed as a waterproof layer; wherein the PU film is adhered on a release paper; heating the PU film and PU gel to be formed as a waterproof layer; cutting the waterproof layer along a center of the waterproof layer so as to form with two waterproof layers are located at the two fastener strips. Thus a waterproof zipper is formed. Finally, the waterproof zipper is guided out. A nylon waterproof zipper is made by using method.
Latest Patents:
This is a divisional application Ser. No. 10/734.912, filed Dec. 9, 2003 now a pending application is divided by products in its entirety herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to waterproof zippers, and particularly to a method for manufacturing a waterproof zipper and the device made from the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONIn the prior art of manufacturing slide fastener, it is found that the slide fastener can be immersed in repellant liquid so that mist will not be absorbed by stringer tapes easily. However, the result cannot be maintained for a longer time. When it is flushed by large amount of water, the stringer tapes always exposes in the steam, the waterproof effect will be reduced.
In Taiwan Patent Publication No. 094285, published on Dec. 16, 1987, “an impermeable water proof slide fastener”, applied by Japanese YKK CO., a flexible plastic membrane with the stringer tapes is heated and sealed for resisting water seepage. However, this prior art still needs improvement. It needs a C type slider to slide along the gripper elements to protect them from moisture. The bond needs to be detached from the stringer tapes due to long time abrasion. The adhesive of the bond between stringer tapes and membrane would have been diminished.
In Taiwan Patent Publication No. 126351, published on Jan. 6, 1990. “water proof zipper” applied by Japanese YKK Co. disclosed a prior art, where in manufacturing slide fasteners, water-absorptive swollen material Lanceal-F must be incorporated into nylon gripper elements. Then the nylon gripper elements with Lanceal-F is seamed on the stringer tapes. This prior art needs more labors and costs than other ways of manufacturing.
In another Taiwan Patent Publication No. 503715, published on Sep. 21, 2002. “liquid impermeable slide fastener” also applied by Jap. YKK Co. In this prior art, a special kind of slider instead of the popular coupling slider is used, but this special slider can not be matched with other sliders and thus can not be widely used.
Moreover, in U.S. Pat; No. 6,105,214 patent, “water proof slide fastener and process for preparing the same” assigned to Stuart Press on Aug. 22, 2000. The characteristics of the invention are a water resistant slide fastener, including a pair of stringer tapes each having first and second opposed surfaces and each having a series of gripper elements positioned along edges of said first surface; and a water resistant layer on said second surfaces, wherein said water resistant layer has an adhesion to said stringer tapes of at least about 6 lb/in. Thus, a combined multi-layer film adheres to the surface of stringer tapes. As they oriented outward to bear the abrasion or impact directly, they will be damaged. The water proof effect is reduced.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,294 “water proof slide fastener and manufacturing method thereof assigned to YKK Co on Aug. 6, 2002, disclosed a multi-layer film laminated to the stringer tapes. Providing a waterproof slide fastener in which a synthetic resin film is fused to a fastener tape in order to prevent a perforation phenomenon that the synthetic resin film does not exist locally. A laminated synthetic resin film composed of low melting point resin layer having melting point of, for example, 100-140° C. and high melting point resin layer having melting point of, for example, 150-230° C. is fused to a surface or both surfaces of a pair of the fastener tapes with the low melting point resin layer being in contact with and opposing the fastener tape by heating with pressure. Fastener elements are mounted onto a side edge of the fastener tape and the laminated synthetic resin film is formed so as to protrude outward from the side edge of the fastener tape and a center point of coupling of the fastener elements. Because the high melting point resin layer disposed on the surface of the fastener tape is not melted, no perforation phenomenon occurs. Further, because the laminated synthetic resin film protrudes from the side edge, waterproof function is secured.
The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a waterproof zipper comprising steps of: (a) feeding a nylon zipper to a feeding device; (b) passing the nylon zipper to a gluing device and coating PU gel on backsides of the fastener strips of the nylon zipper; (c) adhering a PU film with PU gel on backsides of the fastener strips by using rollers to press the PU film so as to be formed as a waterproof layer; wherein the PU film is adhered on a release paper; (d) heating the PU film and PU gel to be formed as a waterproof layer; (e) cutting the waterproof layer along a center of the waterproof layer so as to be formed with two waterproof layers which are located at the two fastener strips; and thus a waterproof zipper being formed and (f) guiding the waterproof zipper out.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a nylon waterproof zipper comprising two symmetric fastener strips; each fastener strip has a front surface and a back surface; an inner side of the front surface of each fastener strip having a cord thread protruded from the surface; two chains being mounted along the cord threads, respectively; the cord threads being fixed to the fastener strips, respectively; the two chains being engaged by a coupling slider; a back surface of each fastener strip being combined with a thin waterproof layer; characterized in that: a back surface of each fastener strip is permeated with PU gel; and then a PU film is adhered to the back surface by thermal plastic stage so as to be formed as a waterproof layer which includes an inner layer of the PU gel permeating into the fastener strips and an outer layer at an outer side of the fastener strips.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that those skilled in the art can further understand the present invention, a description will be described in the following in details. However, these descriptions and the appended drawings are only used to cause those skilled in the art to understand the objects, features, and characteristics of the present invention, but not to be used to confine the scope and spirit of the present invention defined in the appended claims.
Referring to
Referring to
In this embodiment, the performance is described in two stages.
As shown in
Next, a gluing step 22 is performed. In this step, the fastener strips 11, 12 are gluing so that the back sides of the fastener strips 11, 12 are coated with a layer of high adhesive gel. The main component of the glue is di-thermal liquid bridging polyester urine resin (i.e., PU gel) mixed with bridging agent. The gluing device is made of a gel storage tank 34 with a gluing roller 35 therein. A pressing roller 36 with a rotation direction opposite to the gluing roller 35 is installed at one side of the nylon zipper 10 opposite to the gluing roller 35. When the gluing roller 35 is adhered with PU gel 37 in the gel storage tank 34, the pressing roller 36 presses the fastener strips 11, 12 so that the PU gel 37 is transferred to the back sides of the fastener strips 11, 12 and is combined to the polyester fibers. The cross sectional view of the gluing nylon zipper 10 is illustrated in
Next, a pressing step 23 is performed. When the fastener strips 11, 12 passes through the pressing rollers 38, 39, the PU gel is pressed into the polyester fibers of the fastener strips 11, 12. The capillary is helpful to the addition of the gel by pressing without increasing the thickness of the fastener strips 11, 12. Meanwhile, a good combining force is generated. At this time, the cross sectional view of the nylon zipper 10′ is illustrated in
In drying step 24, the fastener strips 11, 12 are heated in the heating box 40 so that solvent of the PU gel 37 vaporizes. The temperature of the drying box is about 120-180° C. The heating time is determined by temperature, for example, about 12 seconds in 150° C.
Finally, the guiding step 25 is performed. In the guide device formed by the rollers 41, 42, when the active roller 41 rotates, the fastener strips 11, 12 will be driven so as to output the nylon zipper 10 coated with PU gel. Besides, the two rollers move speedily with a pull force for adjusting fastener strips 11, 12.
In above stages, the first stage can be repeated 1 to 3 times for increasing the coating and adhering effect between the PU gel 37 and the fastener strips 11, 12. This is related to the combining effect of the second manufacturing stage and PU gel 37.
With reference to
In above feeding step 26, the nylon zipper 10 coated with PU gel 37 are driven by two rollers 44, 45 and then are taken out from the feeding tank 43. The nylon zipper 10 is extended properly. The cross sectional view of the structure of the nylon zipper 10 is illustrated in
Next, the adhering step 27 is executed. A compound film formed by a release paper 50 and PU film 51 is wound along a winding roller 46. The width of the film is equal to that of the nylon zipper 10 coated with PU gel 37. When the compound film and nylon zipper are pressed by the rollers 47, 48, the PU film 51 is tightly adhered to the PU gel 37 at the backside of the fastener strips, as shown in
Then, the heating step 28 is executed. Mainly, the nylon zipper 10″ adhering on the PU film 51 is transferred to a heating box 52 to be heated in a temperature of 120-200° C. through 12-17 seconds so that the PU film 51 is combined with the PU gel 37 by thermal plastics (referring to
Next, the cutting stage 29 is performed. A thin knife 55 between the two fastener strips 11, 12 cut the moving PU film 51 through the median line thereof so that the original single sheet waterproof layer is cut into a left waterproof layer 17 and a right waterproof layer 18 (referring to
Finally, a guide device formed by a set of upper and lower rollers 56 and 57 are used in the guide step 30. The roller 56 is a driving wheel and the roller 57 is a driven roller. The driving wheel 56 rotates to drive the fastener strips 11, 12 so as to output the nylon zipper 10 with waterproof layers 17 and 18 at the backside thereof. Besides, the two rollers 56, 57 have the function-of adjusting the pull force and speed of the fastener strips. Furthermore, when a distal end of the heating box 52 is installed with two press rollers 53, 54, the rollers 56, 57 can be used to replace the two press rollers 53, 54 for pressing the PU film 51, PU gel 37 and the fastener strips 11, 12 so as to have an optimum effect.
Above mentioned is one preferred embodiment of the present invention for describing the present invention in detail, however, some modified embodiments within the spirit of the present invention can be used without confine the scope of the present invention. For example, in the first stage, the feeding step 21 and the gluing step 2 with a preheat step (not shown). Thereby, the unglued zipper 10′ is preheated in temperature between 70-120° C. Thereby, the unglued nylon zipper 10′ is more suitable to be adhered to the PU gel 37. In other words, heated unglued nylon zipper 10 has a preferred adhesion coating effect to the PU gel 37.
Moreover, in the second step 22, other adhesive combinable to the PU film 51, such as base material polymer (polyester polyol or acrylic acid polyol) or micro inorganic stuff agent) which is formed by bridging and hardening). Thereby, it is not confined to above said PU gel 37.
Further, in second stage, the heating box 52 can be changed as many sets of heating and pressing rollers necessary. Besides, a plurality of press rollers or a plurality of heating sections can be used in the present invention so that the PU film 51, PU gel 37 and fastener strips 11, 12 have an optimum combining effect.
Second Embodiment In this embodiment, the first and second manufacturing stages are integrated as a continuous production line, as shown in
To simplify the manufacturing lines in
In above mentioned three manufacturing method, a printing step 221 or a press step 222 is added between the gluing step 22 and the adhesion step 23 (referring to
In above
The difference of the present invention with the manufacturing stage disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,214 is that in the prior art, the glued waterproof film is transferred to the backside of the fastener strip of the zipper after the waterproof film is coated with gel, or after a low hardness film is transferred to the fastener strip, it is coated on the backside of the fastener strip. Then, the PU film is adhered to the backside of the fastener strip. Then by heating, the PU gel and PU film are combined as a waterproof layer by thermal plastic stage. Therefore, in the present invention, the physical properties, such as adhesion, heat-tolerance, etc. of the single layer waterproof layer are improved so that the waterproof layer can be generated with pattern or texture. This is not disclosed by the prior art.
Effect of the present invention will be described herein. In the present invention, the PU gel is permeated into the fibers of the fastener strip so that the fastener strip is adhesive and has the function of waterproof. That is to say, when the outer PU film is destroyed by external force, the inner PU gel has the effect of waterproof. The PU gel and PU film are combined as a single film by thermal plastic stage and thus the manufacturing stage is simple and cost-efficient. The present invention can be suitable for different climate factors even boiled in water, which is also designed for preventing from yellowing and deformation. The solvent of the inner PU gel can vaporize completely so as not to harm the body. The inner texture or pattern of the waterproof layer can prevent from scraping and have the function of counterfeit-proof.
COMPARISON OF THE PRESENT INVENTION WITH PRIOR ARTIn the following, the present invention is compared with a waterproof zipper adhered by thermal melting gel.
As shown in
Referring to
Both in physical and chemical tests, the waterproof zipper of the present invention matches the requirement of international standard.
Determination of Amines in Dyestuff
As per Adidas-Salomon A-01 requirement with reference to German test procedure for detection of carcinogenic amine in dyed materials published in German official compilation of test and inspection procedures, extracted by citrate buffered solution pH 6 at 70° C. and detected by combination of gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) and this layer chromatographic (TLC) analysis. Based on German Texture method (B82.02-2 January 1998) and polyester method (B82.02-4 January 1998) Following amino material is tested:
4-Aminodiphenyl
Benzidin
4-Chlor-O-Toluidin
2-Naphthylamin
O-Aminoazotoluol
2-Amino-4-Nitrotoluol
P-Chloroanilin2,4′-Diaminoanisol(4-Methoxy-M-Phenylenediamin)
4,4′-Diaminodiphenylmethan
3,3′-Dichlorobenzidin
3,3′-Dimethoxybenzidin
3,3′-Dimethylbenzidin
3,3′-Dimethyl-4,4′Diaminodiphenylmethan
P-Kresidin(2-Methoxy-5-Methylanilin)
4,4′-Methylen-Bis-(2-Chloranilin)
4,4′-Oxydianilin
4,4′-Thiodianilin
O-Toluidin
2,4-Toluylendiamin
2,4,5-Trimethylanilin
O-Anisidine
2,4-Xylidine
2,6-Xylidine
4-Aminoazobenzene
The test result is below 5 ppm, it can assure that the minimum and maximum capacity is 30 ppm. The result is matched to the test standard.
(2) Detection by German standard test method: the heavy metal in the chromatography of the waterproof layer is lower than standard value.
Remarks: <=Less than
ppm=Parts per million
(3) Referring to German Industrial Standard (DIN53314:1996), the content of the six bond chromium by the ultraviolet ray analysis:
Remarks: ppm=Parts per million
<=Less than
ND=Not detected
(4) Referring to Japan 112 by spectrophotometer analysis to detect the content of Formaldehyde.
Remarks: ppm=Parts per million
<=Less than
(5) By Analysis by gas chromatography
Remarks: ND=Not detected
Detection limit=0.05 ppm As Sn
ppm=Parts per million
(6) Analysis by gas chromatography
Remarks: ND=Not detected
Detection limit=0.05 ppm As Sn
ppm=Parts per million
(7) Analysis by gas chromatography
Remarks: ND=Not detected
Detection limit=0.05 ppm As Sn
ppm=Parts per million
(8) (PH) Vaule detection
Result
All the test is in safety range:
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details described thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, and others will occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, all such substitutions and modifications are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A nylon waterproof zipper comprising two symmetric fastener strips; each fastener strip has a front surface and a back surface; an inner side of the front surface of each fastener strip having a cord thread protruded from the surface; two chains being mounted along the cord threads, respectively; the cord threads being fixed to the fastener strips, respectively; the two chains being engaged by a coupling slider; a back surface of each fastener strip being combined with a thin waterproof layer; characterized in that: a back surface of each fastener strip is permeated with PU gel; and then a PU film is adhered to the back surface by thermal plastic stage so as to be formed as a waterproof layer which includes an inner layer of the PU gel permeating into the fastener strips and an outer layer at an outer side of the fastener strips.
2. The nylon waterproof zipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the waterproof layer is formed with textures.
3. The nylon waterproof zipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein a thickness of the inner layer is over one third of each fastener strip.
4. The nylon waterproof zipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein a thickness of the inner layer is over one half of each fastener strip.
5. The nylon waterproof zipper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the waterproof layer is formed with printing patterns.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 22, 2005
Publication Date: Jan 26, 2006
Applicant:
Inventors: Shin-Jen Wang (Taipei), Yen-Ping Sun (Taipei)
Application Number: 11/207,735
International Classification: A44B 19/32 (20060101);