ZIPPER CORD YARN, REFLECTIVE ZIPPER, AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING REFLECTIVE ZIPPER

Abstract

The present invention relates to a zipper cord yarn and a reflective zipper wherein the zipper cord yarn containing a reflective yarn is sewn on a zipper by means of lock stitch, thereby enhancing the visibility of the zipper through retroreflective properties of the reflective yarn. The zipper cord yarn includes a core yarn, and a covering yarn made of a reflective yarn to cover the core yarn.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a zipper cord yarn and a reflective zipper, and more particularly, to a zipper cord yarn and a reflective zipper wherein the zipper cord yarn containing a reflective yarn is sewn on a zipper by means of lock stitch, thereby enhancing the visibility of the zipper through retroreflective properties of the reflective yarn.

BACKGROUND ART

Retroreflection occurs when light emitted from a light source is reflected onto a surface of an object and is then reflected back toward the light source. That is, if light is emitted to a retroreflective material even at any angle, the light is reflected back toward a light source. The retroreflective material is freely used for road signs, safety vests, textile, shoes, and so on. So as to enhance the visibility of safety and working clothing, that is, the retroreflective material is cut to a given shape and attached to the clothing. If light is irradiated to the retroreflective material attached to the clothing, the clothing can be easily recognized at night even at a distance of about 300 m therefrom. Accordingly, the retroreflective material is attached to all kinds of items, such as clothes, caps, shoes, bags, and so on, thereby protecting wearers from dangers.

On the other hand, a yarn having retroreflective properties, that is, a reflective yarn has been developed. If such reflective yarn is applied to, for example, a zipper attached to clothes to obtain retroreflective effects, by the way, there is a need for development of a zipper yarn containing the reflective yarn easily insertedly sewn on the zipper.

On the other hand, a conventional example where reflective properties are applied to a zipper is disclosed in Korean Patent Registration No. 20-0313430 (entitled ‘zipper structure to which reflective sheet is attached’) wherein a reflective sheet is attached to a zipper by means of thermal bonding to reflect light. If such reflective sheet is used, however, it may be damaged through washing with hot water, ironing, or abrasion by external friction.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a zipper cord yarn that contains a reflective yarn, thereby enhancing the visibility of a zipper.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a reflective zipper that contains a reflective yarn, thereby enhancing the visibility of the zipper.

However, the objects of the present invention are not limited as mentioned above, and other objects not mentioned herein will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art through the following description.

Technical Solution

To accomplish the above-mentioned objects, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a zipper cord yarn including a core yarn and a covering yarn made of a reflective yarn to cover the core yarn.

To accomplish the above-mentioned objects, according to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reflective zipper including a zipper tape, teeth fixed to the zipper tape, a stitching yarn adapted to sew the teeth on the zipper tape by means of lock stitch, and a zipper cord yarn.

To accomplish the above-mentioned objects, according to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reflective zipper including a zipper tape, a reflective yarn woven or sewn (hereinafter, sewn) on the zipper tape, and teeth fixed to the zipper tape, wherein when the teeth are fixed to the zipper tape, the reflective yarn is fixedly coupled to the undersides of the teeth.

To accomplish the above-mentioned objects, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a reflective zipper, the method including the steps of: linearly sewing a plurality of reflective yarns on a zipper tape in such a manner as to be parallel to and spaced apart from each other; positioning a plurality of teeth in such a manner as to allow the plurality of reflective yarns to be located on the undersides thereof and fixedly compressing the plurality of teeth against the zipper tape; and fixedly compressing a plurality of fixing parts adapted to fixedly couple the plurality of teeth to the zipper tape against one surface of the plurality of teeth, so that the plurality of fixing parts are parallel to the plurality of reflective yarns.

Advantageous Effects

According to the present invention, the reflective zipper has better visibility than the conventional zipper.

In addition, if the high strength reflective functional yarn is used as the stitching yarn of the present invention, the reflective area of the zipper can be increased.

Further, the reflective zipper according to the present invention can resist high temperature heat and obtain excellent visibility.

According to the present invention, furthermore, the reflective yarn is located on the undersides of the teeth, so that it does not give any influence on designs for clothing or bags to which the zipper is attached, while providing reflective effects.

According to the present invention, also, various patterns or shapes are formed on the teeth made of the transparent material, so that light is reflected on the whole teeth according to the refraction, scattering, diffusion, and reflection properties of the light, thereby making the light bright like jewelry.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The following drawings attached to the present invention are presented for the purpose of illustration of preferred embodiments of the invention and serve to allow the technical scope of the present invention to be more understood with the detailed description of the present invention, and therefore, the present invention is not limitedly interpreted only by the contents described on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a reflective yarn according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a zipper cord yarn according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view showing the section of a reflective zipper according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a top view showing the reflective zipper according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a top view showing the zipper cord yarn sewn on teeth by means of a stitching yarn according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view showing the zipper cord yarn sewn on teeth by means of a high strength reflective functional yarn as a stitching yarn according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing a configuration of a reflective yarn according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing teeth made of an opaque material according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing teeth made of a transparent material according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

MODE FOR INVENTION

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Also, an explanation on the conventional practice and parts obvious to those skilled in the art may be avoided, and the parts (method) and function avoided in the description will be sufficiently considered within the scope of the present invention.

First Embodiment

(Zipper Cord Yarn)

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a zipper cord yarn 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a core yarn 100 disposed at the interior thereof and a covering yarn 200 for surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the core yarn 100 to reflect light. The core yarn 100 is desirably made from polyester or nylon having low elongation. Accordingly, the core yarn 100 is made of a material having lower elongation than the covering yarn 200. The core yarn 100 is produced by regularly twisting polyester or nylon.

As shown in FIG. 1, the covering yarn (twisted reflective slit film) 200 is made of a reflective yarn. As shown in FIG. 1, the covering yarn 200 largely includes glass beads 210, a reflective layer 220, a polyurethane resin layer 230, and a frame layer 240. At this time, external light is refracted on the glass beads 210 and is then reflected on the reflective layer 220. The frame layer 240, which serves as a base layer for maintaining the shape of the reflective yarn, is made of a polyester fiber, PET, or PE. The polyurethane resin layer 230 is a bonding layer, and the reflective layer 220 is an aluminum deposited layer. The above-mentioned components of the reflective yarn are just explained to the minimum in the description of the present invention, and accordingly, all of the components contained in the conventional reflective yarn may be of course adopted within the technical scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the zipper cord yarn 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes the core yarn 100 disposed at the interior thereof and the covering yarn 200 for twistedly surrounding the outer peripheral surface of the core yarn 100 to the shape of S. At this time, if the covering yarn 200 surrounds the outer peripheral surface of the core yarn 100 to the shape of S, a distance W₁ between the core yarn 100 and the covering yarn 200 is important. In more detail, when a surface of the zipper cord yarn 10 is smooth and uniform (that is, if a surface of the zipper cord yarn 10 is rubbed, the code yarn 10 feels like a single yarn, without any division of the core yarn 100 and the covering yarn 200), the zipper cord yarn 10 can be easily inserted into teeth 22 of the zipper as will be discussed later and can be sewn on a zipper tape 21 by means of lock stitch through a stitching yarn 23.

Desirably, the distance W₁ or isolation width W₁ between the core yarn 100 and the covering yarn 200 is equal to or smaller than a width W₂ of the covering yarn 200. As a result, the surface of the zipper cord yarn 10 can be uniform or smooth. So as to maintain the isolation width W₁ uniformly, at this time, the surface of the zipper cord yarn 10 is desirably coated with a polyurethane resin. If the polyurethane resin is coated on the surface of the zipper cord yarn 10, the isolation width W₁ can be uniformly maintained, and the core yarn 100 and the covering yarn 200 can be formed unitarily with each other. At this time, the unitary formation of the core yarn 100 and the covering yarn 200 means that even if the covering yarn 200 is forcedly twisted to the opposite direction to the direction twisted on the core yarn 100, it is not loosened from the core yarn 100, while maintaining the isolation width W₁. Accordingly, the zipper cord yarn 10 is produced by twisting the covering yarn 200 to the shape of S on the core yarn 100, and further, the covering yarn 200 is not loosened from the core yarn 100 by means of the coating of the polyurethane resin on the surface of the zipper cord yarn 10, while maintaining the regular isolation width W₁ between the core yarn 100 and the covering yarn 200.

Desirably, the isolation width W₁ has a size of 90 to 95% of the width W₂ of the covering yarn 200. More desirably, the isolation width W₁ has a size of about 1 mm. Desirably, the isolation width W₁ is constantly applied over the entire zipper cord yarn 10. On the other hand, the width W₂ of the covering yarn 200 is desirably set in a range of about 0.38 to 3 mm. If the width W₂ of the covering yarn 200 is less than the value as mentioned above, the reflective effects of the covering yarn 200 may be lowered and the strength thereof may be weak. Contrarily, if the width W₂ of the covering yarn 200 is more than the value as mentioned above, workability for use in the zipper may be deteriorated.

(Reflective Zipper)

A reflective zipper 20 can be used, for example, for clothing. That is, a zipper is generally used on clothing, and the zipper is a device for binding the edges of an opening of fabric, having two rows of metal or plastic teeth sewn on a fabric tape in such a manner as to be meshed together to allow the teeth to be moved up and down by means of a zipper slider, thereby opening and closing the opening of fabric. As the zipper cord yarn 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applied to the zipper, light is reflected on the zipper, thereby enhancing the visibility of the zipper at night or in a dark place. Accordingly, the reflective zipper 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is applicable to all kinds of items to which the zippers are attached, such as clothing, shoes, and so on.

As shown in FIG. 3, the reflective zipper 20 according to the first embodiment of the present invention largely includes a zipper tape 21, teeth 22, a stitching yarn 23, and the zipper cord yarn 10. The zipper tape 21 is made from polyester. The teeth 22 include first and second teeth 22a and 22b meshed together. The teeth 22 are made of a poly mono yarn by means of molding. The stitching yarn 23 is used to sew the teeth 22 and the zipper cord yarn 10 on the zipper tape 21 by means of lock stitch. In more detail, the teeth 22 and the zipper cord yarn 10 are sewn on the zipper tape 21 by means of the stitching yarn 23. As shown in FIG. 3, the stitching yarn 23 is lockstitched on groove areas 22c between the neighboring teeth 22.

As shown in FIG. 4, the zipper cord yarns 10 are inserted inside the first teeth 22a and the second teeth 22b and are sewn on the zipper tape 21 by means of lock stitch. A first cord yarn 11 is inserted inside the first teeth 22a and is sewn on the zipper tape 21 by means of lock stitch, and a second cord yarn 12 is inserted inside the second teeth 22b and is sewn on the zipper tape 21 by means of lock stitch. Accordingly, light is reflected on the zipper by means of the covering yarns (or reflective yarns) contained in the zipper cord yarns 10, thereby enhancing the visibility of the zipper in a dark place.

As shown in FIG. 5, a first stitching yarn 23a is used to lockstitch the first teeth 22a and the first cord yarn 11 on the zipper tape 21, and a second stitching yarn 23b is used to lockstitch the second teeth 22b and the second cord yarn 12 on the zipper tape 21. At this time, the stitching yarn 23 includes a yarn generally used in a zipper as one example of the present invention and a high strength reflective functional yarn as another example of the present invention. The high strength reflective functional yarn will be explained later.

A method for lockstitching the zipper cord yarn on the zipper includes the steps of inserting the zipper cord yarns 10 into the insides of the teeth 22 at the same time when the teeth 22 are molded with the poly mono yarn and lockstitching the teeth 22 and the zipper cord yarns 10 on the zipper tape 21 by means of the stitching yarn 23. Because the zipper cord yarns 10 are smooth on the surface thereof, at this time, they can be easily inserted into the insides of the teeth 22. It is important to well insert the zipper cord yarns 10 into the insides of the teeth 22.

(Another Example of Stitching Yarn: High Strength Reflective Functional Yarn)

As shown in FIG. 6, the stitching yarn 30 is made of a high strength reflective functional yarn. In this case, an area reflected on the zipper is more increased together with the zipper cord yarns 10. A first sewing yarn 31, which is made of the high strength reflective functional yarn, is used to lockstitch the first teeth 22a and the first cord yarn 11 on the zipper tape 21, and a second sewing yarn 32 is used to lockstitch the second teeth 22b and the second cord yarn 12 on the zipper tape 21.

The high strength reflective functional yarn according to the present invention is a reflective yarn. Generally, the reflective yarn has low strength, but the high strength reflective functional yarn according to the present invention is produced by twisting a covering yarn on a reflective yarn as a core yarn by means of braiding, thereby increasing strength and keeping retroreflective properties. The reflective yarn as the core yarn is a retroreflective yarn, which is used in a variety of items. One of general properties of the reflective yarn is low strength. So as to enhance the strength of the reflective yarn, accordingly, the covering yarn should be twisted on the reflective yarn, and if the covering yarn is twisted in the shape of general S (right twisting) or Z (left twisting), the retroreflective effects become low and the covering yarn is loosened or cut due to the tension difference from the reflective yarn. According to the present invention, however, the covering yarn is twisted on the reflective yarn as the core yarn by means of braiding, thereby increasing the strength of the reflective yarn and improving the retroreflective properties of the reflective yarn.

According to the present invention, the covering yarn is twisted on the reflective yarn as the core yarn. A transparent (uncolored) or opaque (colored) covering yarn is twisted on the reflective yarn as the core yarn by means of braiding. So as to optimize the retroreflective effects, in more detail, it is desirable that the transparent covering yarn is twisted on the reflective yarn, and if it is desired to have various colors, the colored covering yarn is twisted on the reflective yarn. Furthermore, of course, the mixed colored and uncolored covering yarn may be twisted on the reflective yarn by means of braiding. If the colored and uncolored covering yarn is applied, the ratio of a colored covering yarn to an uncolored covering yarn may be adjusted according to use environments. Moreover, if the colored covering yarn is used, various colors may be mixed and their mixing ratios may be differently determined.

The covering yarn is made of a nylon or polyester yarn. Also, the covering yarn desirably has 1 to 20 strands, but according to the use environment where the high strength reflective functional yarn is used, the covering yarn may have the number of strands more or less than 1 to 20 strands. A thickness of the covering yarn is desirably more than 20 deniers, but according to the use environment where the high strength reflective functional yarn is used, the thickness thereof may be appropriately adjusted.

The high strength reflective functional yarn according to the present invention is a yarn that is produced by twisting the covering yarn on the reflective yarn as the core yarn by means of braiding, thereby enhancing the low strength the reflective yarn has. The high strength reflective functional yarn may be used for a variety of purposes, but as one example, it can be used as a sewing yarn. So as to allow the reflective yarn to be used as the sewing yarn, first, it should be not cut well, and also, it should not lose its retroreflective properties. The high strength reflective functional yarn, which is produced by twisting the covering yarn on the reflective yarn as the core yarn by means of braiding, has higher abrasion resistance, tensile, and heat resistance than the yarns twisted in the shapes of S and Z. Further, the high strength reflective functional yarn does not lose the retroreflective properties and optimizes luminance properties. In more detail, the yarns twisted in the shapes of S and Z lost the retroreflective properties, but the high strength reflective functional yarn according to the present invention, which is produced by twisting the covering yarn on the reflective yarn by means of braiding, provides excellent luminance properties. Through the braid-twisting, further, the high strength reflective functional yarn becomes constant in thickness and smooth (soft), and the hardness characteristics thereof become improved. In addition, the braid-twisting prevents fine powder from being dropped from the reflective yarn.

So as to allow the high strength reflective functional yarn according to the present invention to be used as the sewing yarn, on the other hand, the yarn should be easily inserted into the eye of a needle even after cut by scissors. According to the present invention, after the covering yarn is twisted on the reflective yarn by means of braiding, the produced high strength reflective functional yarn is subjected to thin film coating. After the high strength reflective functional yarn has been produced, that is, silicone coating or polyurethane coating is applied to the high strength reflective functional yarn, thereby improving the strength of the yarn and keeping the retroreflective properties thereof.

Second Embodiment

(Reflective Yarn)

As shown in FIG. 7, a reflective yarn 200 largely includes glass beads 210, a reflective layer 220, a polyurethane resin layer 230, and a frame layer 240. At this time, external light is refracted on the glass beads 210 and reflected on the reflective layer 220. The frame layer 240, which serves as a base layer for maintaining the shape of the reflective yarn, is made from polyester fibers, PET, or PE. The polyurethane resin layer 230 is a bonding layer, and the reflective layer 220 is an aluminum deposited layer. The reflective yarn 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is woven on a zipper 20 as will be discussed later in such a manner as to be reflected between opaque teeth or to be reflected over transparent teeth. The above-mentioned components of the reflective yarn are just explained to the minimum in the description of the present invention, and accordingly, all of the components contained in the conventional reflective yarn may be of course adopted within the technical scope of the present invention.

(Reflective Zipper)

A reflective zipper 20 can be used, for example, for clothing. There are various kinds of zippers, for example, plastic zippers and metal zippers. That is, the zipper is used on clothing, and the zipper is a device for binding the edges of an opening of fabric, having two rows of metal or plastic teeth sewn on a fabric tape in such a manner as to be meshed together to allow the teeth to be moved up and down by means of a zipper slider, thereby opening and closing the opening of fabric. As the reflective yarn 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied to the zipper, light is reflected on the zipper, thereby enhancing the visibility of the zipper at night or in a dark place. Accordingly, the reflective zipper 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applicable to all kinds of items to which the zippers are attached, such as clothing, shoes, and so on.

The reflective zipper 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention is produced by weaving the reflective yarn 200 on the plastic zipper or the metal zipper, and as shown in FIG. 8, the reflective zipper 20 largely includes a zipper tape 21, teeth 22, and the reflective yarn 200. The zipper tape 21 has various colors and is made from polyester. The teeth 22 include first and second teeth 22a and 22b meshed together. The teeth 22 are made of plastic or metal. At this time, the teeth 22 are made of a transparent or opaque plastic material. Furthermore, the teeth 22 are made of a metal material. If the teeth 22 are made of the transparent material, the entire reflective yarn 200 fed or sewn is seen, and contrarily, if the teeth 22 are made of the opaque material, the reflective yarn 200 fed or sewn is seen between the adjacent teeth 22. Accordingly, the reflective yarn 200 sewn on the zipper tape 21 is reflected in a dark place to enhance the visibility of the reflective zipper 20.

FIG. 8 shows the teeth 22 made of an opaque material and FIG. 9 shows the teeth 22 made of a transparent material. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the reflective yarn 200 is sewn on an area where the teeth 22 are fixed to the zipper tape 21. In more detail, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the reflective yarn 200 is sewn on the zipper tape 21, and next, the teeth 22 are fixed to top of the reflective yarn 200 sewn on the zipper tape 21 by means of injection molding. At this time, the teeth 22 are produced by a mold and fixed to the zipper tape 21 by means of a fixing part 300. The fixing part 300 is produced by compressing and hardening plastic liquid (for example, a plastic astal material) on the teeth 22 and the zipper tape 21 by means of an injection molding machine after the teeth 22 have been inserted into the mold.

FIG. 8 shows the teeth 22 made of an opaque material. As shown in FIG. 8, a first reflective yarn 201 and a second reflective yarn 202, which are spaced apart from each other by a given distance, are fed in parallel to each other to the zipper tape 21. At this time, desirably, the first reflective yarn 201 and the second reflective yarn 202 are fed to the areas in which the first teeth 22a and the second teeth 22b are fixedly coupled to the zipper tape 21. In more detail, the first reflective yarn 201 and the second reflective yarn 202 are sewn on the zipper tape 21 in such a manner as to allow the first teeth 22a and the second teeth 22b to be located on tops thereof. Accordingly, the first reflective yarn 201 and the second reflective yarn 202 are located on the undersides of the teeth 22 fixedly coupled to the zipper tape 21. Because the teeth 22 are made of the opaque material, at this time, the reflective yarn 200 is seen through the spaces between the neighboring teeth 22. As shown in FIG. 8, the first reflective yarn 201 is seen through the spaces between the neighboring first teeth 22a, and the second reflective yarn 202 is seen through the spaces between the neighboring second teeth 22b. After the reflective yarn 200 is fed to the zipper tape 21, the teeth 22 are compressed in the mold by the injection molding machine and fixedly coupled to the zipper tape 21. A first fixing part 301 serves to allow the first teeth 22a to be fixedly coupled to the zipper tape 21, and a second fixing part 302 serves to allow the second teeth 22b to be fixedly coupled to the zipper tape 21. The first and second fixing parts 301 and 302 are fixedly coupled to the zipper tape 21 in parallel to the first and second reflective yarns 201 and 201. Areas of the first and second teeth 22a and 22b are divided into an area (center area) on which the first and second teeth 22a and 22b are meshed together and an area (outside area) indicating the entire area except the center area. The first fixing part 301 is compressedly formed on the outside area of the first teeth 22a, and the second fixing part 302 is compressedly formed on the outside area of the second teeth 22b. That is, each tooth is divided into a tooth body and a tooth coupling part. The tooth body has a shape of a general rectangle, and the tooth coupling part is extended from the tooth body. The tooth coupling part of one tooth as the center area is coupled to the tooth coupling part of the neighboring tooth, so that the zipper is closed. The fixing part 300 is compressed on one surface of the teeth bodies as the outside area, so that the teeth bodies are fixedly coupled to the zipper tape 21.

FIG. 9 shows the teeth 22 made of a transparent material. An explanation on the teeth 22 as shown in FIG. 9 is the same as the explanation on the teeth 22 as shown in FIG. 8, except that the teeth 22 is made of the transparent material, and therefore, the explanation will be avoided. Because the teeth 22 is made of the transparent material, as shown in FIG. 9, even if the first and second reflective yarns 201 and 202 are sewn on the zipper tape 21 under the teeth 22, they can be entirely seen.

According to the reflective zipper 20, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the reflective yarn 200 is sewn on the zipper tape 21 under the teeth 22. Accordingly, the reflective yarn 200 is not damaged through washing with hot water or ironing, and the reflective yarn 200 is woven on the zipper tape 21 to have various colors (for example, silver, black, gold, green, blue, red, etc.), thereby advantageously achieving various reflective effects.

(Method for Manufacturing Reflective Zipper)

A method for manufacturing the reflective zipper 20 as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 will be in detail explained. First, the reflective yarn 200 is sewn on the zipper tape 21 made from polyester. At this time, desirably, the first and second reflective yarns 201 and 202 are sewn on the zipper tape 21 in parallel to each other. A width of the reflective yarn 200 is desirably more than 0.25 mm. The width of the reflective yarn 200 is dependent upon a width of the tooth body. If the width of the tooth body is large, that is, the width of the reflective yarn 200 is increased, and contrarily, if the width of the tooth body is small, the width of the reflective yarn 200 is decreased. However, desirably, the reflective yarn 200 is fed to the area under the tooth body and at the same time within a width w of the tooth body. Most desirably, the width of the reflective yarn 200 is about 0.38 mm, considering the weaving performance and luminance properties thereof. If the thickness of the reflective yarn 200 is too low, the reflective yarn 200 may be cut while fed, and also, the luminance properties of the reflective yarn 200 may be lost, thereby failing to reflect the reflective yarn 200 through the transparent teeth.

After the first and second reflective yarns 201 and 202 are sewn on the zipper tape 21 in a linear line, the sewn tape 21 is inserted into a mold. The first and second teeth 22a and 22b are fixedly located on the zipper tape 21 inserted into the mold. At this time, the first and second teeth 22a and 22b are positioned in such a manner as to allow the first and second reflective yarns 201 and 202 to be disposed within the widths of the teeth bodies.

After the first and second teeth 22a and 22b are fixedly positioned, they are compressed by means of an injection molding machine, so that they are fixedly coupled to the zipper tape 21. The injection molding machine compresses one surface of each tooth body with a plastic liquid material in a downward direction of the zipper tape 21 from an upward direction thereof. Next, the plastic liquid material is hardened to form the fixing part 300, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, for fixing the teeth to the zipper tape 21.

As shown in FIG. 8, the reflective zipper 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention largely includes the zipper tape 21, the teeth 22, and the reflective yarn 200. The zipper tape 21 has various colors and is made from polyester. The teeth 22 include the first and second teeth 22a and 22b meshed together. The teeth 22 are made of plastic or metal. At this time, the teeth 22 are made of a transparent or opaque plastic material. Furthermore, the teeth 22 are made of a metal material. If the teeth 22 are made of the transparent material, the entire reflective yarn 200 fed or sewn is seen, and contrarily, if the teeth 22 are made of the opaque material, the reflective yarn 200 fed or sewn is seen between the neighboring teeth 22. Accordingly, the reflective yarn 200 sewn on the zipper tape 21 is reflected in a dark place to enhance the visibility of the reflective zipper 20.

In the description, an explanation on the conventional practice and parts obvious to those skilled in the art may be avoided, and the parts (method) and function avoided in the description will be sufficiently considered within the scope of the present invention.

The structures and functions of the above-mentioned parts are explained as separated for the brevity of the description, but if necessary, any structure and function of one part may be converged to another part or may be more divided.

While the present invention has been described with reference to the particular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by the embodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciated that those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Further, if it is determined that the detailed explanation on the well known technology related to the present invention makes the scope of the present invention not clear, the explanation will be avoided for the brevity of the description.

Claims

1. A zipper cord yarn comprising:

a core yarn; and

a covering yarn made of a reflective yarn to cover the core yarn.

2. The zipper cord yarn according to claim 1, wherein the core yarn has relatively lower elongation than the covering yarn and is made from polyester or nylon, and the covering yarn covers the core yarn in such a manner as to be twisted on the core yarn to a shape of S at given intervals, so that the surface of the zipper cord yarn is coated with a polyurethane resin to maintain a distance between the core yarn and the covering yarn constantly.

3. The zipper cord yarn according to claim 2, wherein the distance between the core yarn and the covering yarn is equal to or smaller than a width of the covering yarn to allow the surface of the zipper cord yarn to be uniform or smooth, the distance having a size of 90 to 95% of the width of the covering yarn, and the width of the covering yarn being in a range of about 0.38 to 3 mm.

4. The zipper cord yarn according to claim 3, wherein the distance is 1 mm.

5. A reflective zipper comprising:

a zipper tape;

teeth fixed to the zipper tape;

a stitching yarn adapted to sew the teeth on the zipper tape by means of lock stitch; and

the zipper cord yarn according to claim 1.

6. The reflective zipper according to claim 5, wherein the zipper cord yarn is inserted into the inside of the teeth in such a manner as to be fixedly lockstitched to the zipper tape by the stitching yarn, and the stitching yarn comprises a core yarn made of a reflective yarn and a covering yarn for covering the core yarn, the core yarn and the covering yarn being twisted by means of braiding.

7. The reflective zipper according to claim 6, wherein the reflective yarn of the core yarn has relatively lower abrasion and tensile strength than the covering yarn, and

the abrasion and tensile strength of the stiching yarn becomes high through the twist-braiding with the covering yarn, and the covering yarn is made of a nylon or polyester yarn.

8. A reflective zipper comprising:

a zipper tape;

a reflective yarn woven or sewn on the zipper tape; and

teeth fixed to the zipper tape,

wherein when the teeth are fixed to the zipper tape, the reflective yarn is fixedly coupled to the undersides of the teeth.

9. The reflective zipper according to claim 8, wherein the reflective yarn comprises a first reflective yarn and a second reflective yarn woven or sewn linearly on the zipper tape in such a manner as to be parallel to and spaced apart from each other, and the teeth comprise first teeth and second teeth fixed to the zipper tape in such a manner as to be parallel to and spaced apart from each other.

10. The reflective zipper according to claim 9, wherein each of the first teeth and the second teeth comprises a tooth body and a tooth coupling part extended from the tooth body in a longitudinal direction in such a manner as to be coupled to a tooth corresponding thereto, the reflective yarn being woven or sewn within a width of the tooth body, and the first teeth and the second teeth are made of a transparent or opaque material so that if the first teeth and the second teeth are made of the opaque material, the reflective yarn is seen in a gap between the neighboring tooth bodies, and if the first teeth and the second teeth are made of the transparent material, the entire reflective yarn is seen through the teeth.

11. The reflective zipper according to claim 10, wherein the teeth are fixedly coupled to the zipper tape by means of a fixing part injection-compressed on one surface of the teeth bodies, and the reflective yarn comprises a frame layer, a reflective layer formed by aluminum deposition, and a polyurethane resin layer disposed between the frame layer and the reflective layer to bond the frame layer and the reflective layer to each other, a width of the reflective yarn being relatively smaller than a width of the tooth body.

12. A method for manufacturing a reflective zipper, the method comprising the steps of:

linearly weaving or sewing a plurality of reflective yarns on a zipper tape in such a manner as to be parallel to and spaced apart from each other;

positioning a plurality of teeth in such a manner as to allow the plurality of reflective yarns to be located on the undersides thereof and fixedly compressing the plurality of teeth against the zipper tape; and

fixedly compressing a plurality of fixing parts adapted to fixedly couple the plurality of teeth to the zipper tape against one surface of the plurality of teeth, so that the plurality of fixing parts are parallel to the plurality of reflective yarns.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of reflective yarns are woven or sewn within the widths of the plurality of teeth.