Abstract: A slide fastener shortening method for shortening a slide fastener with rows of fastener elements made of synthetic resin from a predetermined length of the slide fastener into a desired short length thereof.

Abstract: A method for forming element-free space sections in a slide fastener chain is provided that coupling elements can be efficiently removed by a small force without damaging fastener tapes.The method for forming element-free space sections in the slide fastener chain comprises the steps of:cutting heads of interengaged discrete coupling elements of space-forming sections of one leg of forked legs of the individual coupling element,pushing up the heads of the coupling elements in the direction orthogonal to the fastener tape faces from the cutting side, andgripping the remaining cut legs by grippers to be drawn-out and removed in the direction orthogonal to the fastener tape faces.

Abstract: A guide device for guiding a slide fastener chain with cloth pieces attached to opposed fastener tapes of the chain. The guide device is adapted to be located near and upstream of a discharge unit for discharging the slide fastener chain with the cloth pieces attached to the opposed fastener tapes. The guide device comprises a pair of guide arms extending perpendicularly to a travelling path of the slide fastener chain, the guide arms extending horizontally toward each other for engaging the attaching portions of the cloth pieces.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of slide fasteners from an elongate stringer chain is disclosed in which the stringer chain is maintained in tensionless suspension at predetermined locations along the path of its movement through various stages of production. A plurality of processing units are controlled so as to operate in synchronized relation to one of such units which has a slowest cycle of operation.

Abstract: Discrete coupling elements of a slide fastener chain are removed by using an apparatus comprising a pair of pressure pads, a punch, cutters, a pair of guides, and a die. To form element-free spaces on the slide fastener chain, coupling elements are removed by clamping interengaged coupling elements by the punch and die, cutting forked legs by the cutter, and removing the cut legs from both sides of the slide fastener chain.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for metering an elongate stringer chain to be finished into slide fasteners of different lengths, the metering being based on an element pitch P derived from dividing a given metering length L by the number of coupling elements thereon. The stringer chain is held substantially in tensionless suspension while it is being metered to achieve a maximum of metering accuracy.

Abstract: An apparatus is intended for holding a slider during threading through the slider a continuous slide fastener chain having a succession of fabric pieces along each of the opposite longitudinal marginal edges. The apparatus includes a slider holder adapted to releasably hold a slider receive a slider and an uppermost position where the fabric-pieced slide fastener chain is threaded through the slider. The apparatus additionally includes a slider holder retainer disposed on the path of vertical movement of the slider holder and adapted for retaining the slider holder stably, as the slider holder assumes the uppermost position for the threading operation, so as to prevent the slider holder from being wobbled and pulled downstream by the fabric-pieced slide fastener chain during the threading thereof through the slider.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing slide fasteners of a predetermined length from a continuous slide fastener chain comprising a gripper unit for gripping a leading end of the continuous slide fastener chain and feeding the slide fastener chain longitudinally along a feed path, a cutter unit for cutting the slide fastener chain into a succession of slide fasteners of a predetermined length, and a plurality of slider holding units disposed downstream of the cutter unit along the feed path. The slider holding units are movable between a first position to hold a corresponding number of sliders in the feed path of the slide fastener chain to thread the sliders onto the slide fastener chain from the leading end thereof as the slide fastener chain is fed downstream by the gripper unit, and a second position remote from the first position.

Abstract: A method of feeding an array of sliders one at a time for application onto a stringer chain is disclosed, which method comprises holding the array of slider linearly in a tilted position relative to a horizontal path of travel of the stringer chain so that the sliders can slide down smoothly by gravity, orienting a leading slider to lie flush with the horizontal path of the chain and transferring the leading slider over to a slider applying station. An apparatus is also disclosed for carrying this method into practice.

Abstract: A slide-fastener stringer is pulled through a gapping station by a motor operatively engaging the stringer without slip and at least one feed roller engaging the stringer upstream of the gapping station. A storage unit downstream of the feed roller and upstream of the gapping station loops the stringer upstream of the station in a variable-size loop and has a rotatable and movable buffer roller over which the stringer passes and a pair of rotatable but nonmoving buffer rollers flanking the movable buffer roller. The movable roller is urged away from the flanking rollers with a force sufficient to tension the stringer. The drive of the feed roller is operated in accordance with the position of the movable buffer roller for stretching the stringer between the buffer rollers by at most 1%. A gapper at the station periodically clamps and longitudinally arrests the stringer and then cuts the coupling elements therefrom at the station.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for manufacturing slide fasteners of selected product lengths from an elongate continuous stringer chain, the method comprising selecting predetermined fastener component parts from among a plurality of such respective component parts which differ in type, form, material and color, feeding and applying the selected parts one at a time to the stringer chain. The apparatus reducing the method to practice comprises operating units arranged to selectively feed and apply the component parts under computer program control.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for manufacturing slide fasteners from a single homogeneous elongate stringer chain or a stringer chain comprising a plurality of interconnected stringer chains of different characteristics having first standard element-devoid space portions. The method comprises marking the stringer chain at spaced apart locations by providing second element-devoid space portions greater in length than the first standard space portions and detecting the second space portions to trigger operation of respective operative units in the manufacturing apparatus.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for feeding and applying end stops one at a time onto a slide fastener chain are disclosed. An elongated strip wound on a reel and carrying a multiplicity of prospective end stops serially interconnected by flexible connecting cords is cut successively across the cords to separate a leading end stop which is folded centrally about its transverse axis. The thus cut end stop is transferred onto and clamped in place over a beaded edge of a stringer tape with heat and pressure.

Abstract: A method of producing curved slide fastener chains or a curved slide fasteners is disclosed. Fastener elements are planted along respective one side edges of a pair of fastener tapes, at least one of which tapes is made of solvent-swelling fibers. The fastener elements planted on the respective tapes are inter-engaged with each other to form a fastener chain. A solvent or its aqueous solution, or a solution containing a solvent and dissolving a soluble adhesive, is applied onto either one of the fastener tapes made of solvent-swelling fibers. Subsequently, the fastener chain is shaped into a desired curved configuration. The shaped fastener chain has its curved configuration fixed by being served on a texture, by solidification of the adhesive dissolved in the solvent after evaporation of the solvent or by applying an adhesive onto the shaped fastener chain and solidifying the adhesive.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for manufacturing slide fasteners from an elongate stringer chain are disclosed, the method comprising metering the starting stringer chain to provide different prospective product lengths of slide fasteners and maintaining a provisional inventory of the thus metered stringer chain in advance of gapping the stringer chain.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing zip fasteners by molding sets of locking members of any length and of the staggered or slit type, the upper stop members, the coupling and the box, in a single operation. The process is achieved with a two-part injection molding tool having strips with recesses for forming locking members which are applied to both the lower and the upper part of the tool. The lower strips can be moved vertically. A transverse slide has recesses for the upper stop members, a recess for the coupling, and a mold part for a box, in which is located a mold body displaceable within the plane of the slide. In order to form locking members with slits the lower part of the tool is provided with a mechanism which removes the insert forming the slit from the slit when the finished zip fastener member is removed. Accordingly, all combinations of zip fasteners can be manufactured in a single operation without expensive subsequent processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching bottom stops of a generally H-shaped cross section to a slide fastener chain. According to a preferred embodiment, a pair of stringer tapes of one of successive spaced element-free space sections are spread apart by a spreading member. The top and bottom faces of the center base of the bottom stop are clamped resiliently by clamping members until attaching of the bottom stop to the fastener chain is finished and the clamping members move vertically for placing the bottom stop between the stringer tapes of the space section. The spread pair of stringer tapes are then drawn near to come toward each other by a drawing member until the beaded edges of the space section can be threaded respectively through spaces formed between the pair of gripping legs of the bottom stop. Then the fastener chain is transported so that the bottom stop is located to be contacted with the space section-side face of the terminal element of the row of coupling elements.

Abstract: In manufacturing a slide fastener chain, (a) two series of alignment markers are applied to the continuous fastener tapes at intervals longitudinally thereof with their respective patterns matched with each other; (b) the opposed continuous fastener tapes are fed in side-by-side toward an element-attaching station; (c) the corresponding alignment markers are detected during the feed of the opposed continous fastener tapes; (d) the feeds of the opposed fastener tapes are controlled in such a way that the fastener tapes are allowed to continue feeding if the corresponding alignment markers prove to be in registry with each other, or the feed of the preceding fastener tape is restrained to thus bring the corresponding alignment markers into registry, if the corresponding alignment markers proves out of registry with each other; and (e) the two rows of continuous fastener elements are applied to the longitudinal edges of the opposed fastener tapes with the alignment markers in registry with each other, so that a

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of applying discrete coupling elements one at a time onto a stringer tape, which comprises counting the number N.sub.1 of coupling elements entering a chute and comparing the number N.sub.1 thus counted with the number R of reovlutions of a motor driving a means of applying the elements to the tape thereby incessantly monitoring the inventory Nc of the elements in the chute.

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 method of mounting a slider on a workpiece consisting of a pair of parallel and longitudinally extending tapes having confronting edges provided with interleavable coupling elements and formed by removal of sections of the elements to form longitudinally spaced gaps comprises the steps of first feeding the workpiece in a normally forward travel direction along a Z-shaped path having an upstream portion, a middle portion, and a downstream portion. Then the presence of one of the gaps is detected at the middle portion and, when such presence is detected, the workpiece is arrested at the middle portion. The one gap of the arrested workpiece is then spread and thereafter a slider is pushed transversely into the spread gap. The workpiece is then gripped in the upstream portion and pulled backward so as to pull the coupling elements through the slider pushed into the gap. Finally the slider is released to continue forward advance of the workpiece.

Abstract: The process makes it possible to manufacture any zip fasteners, i.e. to mold sets of locking members of any length, of the staggered or slit type, the upper stop members, the coupling and the box in a single operation. The apparatus for injection moulding all these components comprises a two part injection moulding tool wherein strips with recesses for the forming of locking members are applied to both the lower and the upper part of the tool and the lower strips can be moved vertically. The transverse slide has in addition to recesses for the upper stop members and the recess for the coupling a mold part for the box, in which is located a mold body which can be displaced within the plane of the slide. In order to form locking members with slits the lower part of the tool is provided with a device to remove the insert which forms the slit from the slit when the finished zip fastener member is removed.

Abstract: A fastener tape is intermittently transferred under tension longitudinally thereof. A discrete fastener element is fed to astraddle one longitudinal beaded edge of the fastener tape. Then, the coupling head of the fastener element is pressed at its both sides substantially perpendicularly to the plane of the fastener tape to bring the fastener element into alignment with the plane of the fastener tape. The coupling head is pressed at its distal end against the longitudinal beaded edge of the fastener tape to keep the discrete fastener element from getting detached from the longitudinal beaded edge of the fastener tape. Finally, the diverging legs of the fastener element are pressed at their respective outer sides toward each other to clamp the diverging legs to the longitudinal beaded edge of the fastener tape.

Abstract: A slide fastener is made from a workpiece formed of a pair of longitudinally extending parallel tapes having confronting edges provided with longitudinally extending and transversely couplable coupling elements. This workpiece is passed along a treatment path through a gapping station, a bottom-stop installing station, a slider-mounting station, a top-stop installing station, and a cutting station. The elements are removed from the tapes at gaps spaced longitudinally of the workpiece in the gapping station and a bottom stop is fitted to the elements at one end of each of the gaps in the bottom-stop installing station. A slider is mounted on the elements at the slider-mounting station between each gap and the following gap and a top stop is fitted to the elements in the top-stop installing station at each gap. Finally the tapes of the workpiece are transversely cut at the gaps at the cutting station into individual slide fasteners.

Abstract: Apparatus grips and pulls zipper chain along from supply to a desired finite length, installing slider on the way. When next gap in chain is detected by a finger which inserts itself into gap and abruptly stops further advance of tape, a cutter closes to cut chain to length. Puller is driven by air cylinder, and back pressure is applied soon after puller starts. This reduces pulling force and eliminates tearing of zipper tape as tape is abruptly stopped.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting down or reducing the length of a finished slide fastener includes a pilot pin disposed immediately adjacent to the rear end of an element clamper and spaced from the rear end of an element cutter by a distance which is equal to the sum of the element pitch of a row of coupling elements and at least a half of the diameter of a monofilament constituting the row of coupling elements. With the pilot pin thus arranged, a length of coupling elements can be removed smoothly without the occurance of draw of a half-cut coupling element. The apparatus also includes a stopper disposed rearwardly of a top end-stop applicator and engageable with a bottom end stop of the slide fastener for setting the length of reduction from the slide fastener.

Abstract: A pair of top end stops is attached to respective beaded edges of a pair of stringer tapes of a slide fastener chain which is fed along a feed path. A punch and die assembly disposed above the feed path has a pair of pockets for gripping the top end stops, respectively. The die assembly being movable between a horizontal position for receiving the top end stops and a vertical position directly above an attaching position for attaching the top end stops to the stringer tapes. The punch and die assembly is moved from the horizontal position to the vertical position, and then lowered from the vertical position into the attaching position across the feed path. The stringer tapes are spread apart from each other by a thrust lever, and then the punch and die assembly is pressed by a pusher rod to clinch the top end stops gripped in the pockets on the respective beaded edges of the stringer tapes.

Abstract: An elongate continuous slide fastener chain is fed in alternately opposite longitudinal directions in various steps (a) through (e). First, reinforcing film members are attached to the chain across an element-free space, and then a hole is defined in the chain across the element-free space. Thereafter, an insertable pin, a box pin, and a box are attached to the chain through the hole, and then a slider is mounted on a pair of rows of coupling elements through the element-free space. Finally, top end stops are fixed to beaded edges of the chain, which is then cut off transversely thereacross into a separable slide fastener.

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: A slider handling apparatus has a pressure roller and a drive roller peripherally engageable therewith to transfer a slide fastener chain assembled with component parts including sliders. A slider arresting means is operatively associated with the pressure and drive rollers for arresting sliders one at a time on the fastener chain at a predetermined point on the path of travel of the chain, the predetermined point being upstream of or in advance to the nip of the two rollers.

Abstract: A parts applicator for applying fastener parts such as pins of a separable end stop to a fastener chain includes an anvil slidably mounted in an oscillatable holder and having a pocket in which each fastener part is releasably received. The holder is angularly moved between a reclining position and an upstanding position in which the pocket is located on the path of movement of the slide fastener chain. The parts applicator further includes a cam mechanism acting on the anvil when the holder performs a part of its angular reciprocation adjacent to the upstanding position, for causing the anvil to reciprocate linearly relative to the holder while moving angularly together with the holder.

Abstract: In a method of attaching parts of a separable bottom end assembly to a continuous slide fastener chain, a box or insertion pin, in the shape of a channel, of a separable bottom end assembly is threaded onto one of longitudinally spaced successive element-free portions of one longitudinal edge of a continuous slide fastener stringer in an edgewise direction while the one element-free portion is kept stationary at an attaching station in a substantially horizontal path of the fastener stringer as the latter is at rest. The thus threaded pin is then fixedly secured to the one element-free portion by being compressed into a final shape therearound.

Abstract: The apparatus puts at least one metal beginning piece on a cotinuous slide fastener chain made by connecting a plurality of slide fasteners each with beginning piece regions prepared for receiving a metal beginning piece and with the first slide fastener coupling members bounding the beginning piece regions of the slide fasteners. The opened slide fastener chain is moveable or advanceable stepwise by the apparatus.

Abstract: In an apparatus for manufacturing a bidirectionally openable slide fastener, a guide unit is disposed between a pair of spaced first and second slider attachment units for holding taut an individual slide fastener length between the guide unit and a chain gripper even when the individual slide fastener length is severed from a slide fastener chain after the threading of a first slider on the first slider attachment unit but before the threading of a second slider on the second slider attachment unit. With this guide unit, the individual slide fastener length is tensioned properly, so that the second slider can be smoothly and reliably threaded over the slide fastener length.

Abstract: An apparatus for threading a slider onto a pair of stringers of a slide fastener comprises a slider holder disposed in a longitudinal path of the opposed stringers, an aligning member disposed downstream of the slider holder for laterally aligning respective leading ends of the opposed stringers with each other which stringers have been threaded through the slider, and a clamp disposed between the slider holder and the aligning member for holding the opposed stringers in their aligned position. The clamp and the slider holder are relatively movable away from each other along the longitudinal path to draw the opposed stringers from the slider until endmost fastener elements are coupled.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism mounted on a punch/die holder includes a pair of punch arms angularly movably supported on the punch/die holder and a die fixed to the punch/die holder and disposed between the punch arms for supporting U-shaped top end stops between the die and lower ends of the punch arms. The punch arms are angularly moved to cause the lower ends thereof to clinch the top end stops respectively about the beaded marginal edges of slide fastener stringer tapes at one of element-free spaces adjacent to ends of two rows of coupling elements. The die and the lower ends of the punch arms have slanted surfaces for smoothly guiding the beaded marginal edges into the top end stops between the die and the punch arms. The beaded marginal edges of the stringer tapes at the element-free space are separately directed toward the top end stops supported between the die and the lower ends of the punch arms.

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: A space portion processing method and apparatus for preprocessing a slide fastener chain before attaching parts forming a separable end stop such as a retainer pin and a separable pin at the space portion of a slide fastener chain formed by cutting and removing a row of elements for a certain length from a row of coil-like continuous fastener elements of thermoplastic resin attached around a core cord along each of the facing side edges of a pair of fastener tapes are disclosed. After the space portion is detected and positioned and the slide fastener chain is held on a bed, fusion of the element cut edges at the end of the space portion into the tapes and press-forming of the core cords is carried out simultaneously by using the same pressing means. The space portion processing method and apparatus for a slide fastener chain according to the invention enables the apparatus to be made simple and compact, allows processing efficiency to be improved, and processing costs to be lowered.

Abstract: Continuous or other lengths of flat back plastic filament coil slide fastener chain is gapped in such a manner that the tape ends produced by the gapping are scrap-free and undamaged. The slide fastener chain to be gapped is held in a laterally taut state in a die and anvil apparatus while the interengaged coil elements are forced upwardly into engagement with blades which cleanly sever the outer leg portions of the coil elements, which leg portions are conveyed upwardly by suction. During the outer leg severing operation, the slide fastener chain is further stretched laterally and caused to spread apart slightly at its center line. The center portion of the chain between the removed coil outer leg portions is received in a control and stabilizing channel between the severing blades while an ascending punch acts on the remaining interior coupling portions of the coil elements and removes them cleanly from the tapes without damaging the tapes.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing a succession of partly disengaged slide fastener coupling element chains with sliders mounted respectively thereon includes an element-engaging block assembly having a guide channel for constrictingly receiving a disengaged portion of each coupling element chain to close the same. The assembly includes a movable element-engaging block reciprocably movable toward and away from a stationary element-engaging block to selectively define therebetween the guide channel in timed relation to detection by a sensor of an element-free space between the successive chains and the slider.

Abstract: A coupled slide fastener strip is gripped by at least one clamping member adjacent where a cut is to be made in it on one side at the beginning of a leading coupled slide fastener and on the other side at the end of a trailing coupled slide fastener and then the leading coupled slide fastener is separated from the slide fastener strip held by the clamping members by cutting. Then subsequently, the end piece is mounted at the end position the trailing coupling slide fastener with a clamping member and substantially simultaneously, the leading coupled slide fastener separated from the coupled slide fastener strip is moved with that or another clamping member from a cutting position into a slider drawing position. In the slider drawing position the slider is drawn in the opening direction of the coupled slide fastener and optionally the beginning piece is mounted. After that, the slider is drawn in the closing direction.

Abstract: In the process for mounting a slide fastener segment or slide fastener near the opposing edges of two pieces of material, particularly on a slit in a piece of clothing, a slide fastener strip, the slide fastener segment or the slide fastener and the pieces of material are fed to the sewing stations of a two needle sewing machine. The pieces of material in the region between the sewing stations are positioned to form a gap and are curved so that a portion of each hangs substantially vertically from two fold edges or creases in an intervening space between both of the sewing stations. Both slide fastener halves of the open slide fastener segment or the open slide fastener are sewn on from above on the horizontal portion of the pieces of the material along the fold edges. Apparatuses for performing the process according to my invention are also described.

Abstract: Continuous or other lengths of flat back plastic filament coil slide fastener chain is gapped in such a manner that the tape ends produced by the gapping are scrap-free and undamaged. The slide fastener chain to be gapped is held in a laterally taut state in a die and anvil apparatus while the interengaged coil elements are forced upwardly into engagement with blades which cleanly sever the outer leg portions of the coil elements, which leg portions are conveyed upwardly by suction. During the outer leg severing operation, the slide fastener chain is further stretched laterally and caused to spread apart slightly at its center line. The center portion of the chain between the removed coil outer leg portions is received in a control and stabilizing channel between the severing blades while an ascending punch acts on the remaining interior coupling portions of the coil elements and removes them cleanly from the tapes without damaging the tapes.

Abstract: A punch blade depresses the coupling heads of a length of successive filamentary coupling elements toward a knockout blade while sandwiching stringer tapes between upper and lower grippers. The punch blade is lowered until lower legs of the coupling elements are cut off by cutter blades. The punch blade and the knockout blade are then lifted while gripping the severed coupling elements therebetween to forcibly remove the coupling elements out of engagement with sewing threads on the stringer tapes. The upper grippers have confronting steps for engaging the sewing threads so that the severed coupling elements can be detached reliably and smoothly from the stringer tapes without unduly tensioning the sewing threads and stringer tapes. The punch blade may have a vertical reinforcement member attached to at least one side edge thereof and having a lower tooth projecting downwardly beyond a lower edge for being pressed against the coupling elements.

Abstract: A slide-fastener assembly comprising a pair of longitudinally extending and parallel tapes having adjacent edges carrying respective coupling coils that form coupling heads and that are interleaved with one another is gapped by advancing the assembly in steps through a punching location, engaging the coils upstream and downstream of the location by respective upstream and downstream grippers and holding the assembly stationary in the station between steps, and punching the heads off the coils between the grippers while the assembly is held stationary in the station. The grippers are displaced apart to longitudinally tension the coils after engaging the grippers with the coils and before punching the heads off the coils. Thus the upstream gripper is displaced upstream and the downstream gripper downstream, slightly stretching and tensioning the tape assembly.

Abstract: A method of forming a so-called space where fastener elements have been removed from a slide fastener chain in which fastener elements of synthetic resin have been woven into the edges of fastener tapes comprising disengaging right and left stringers from each other, setting each stringer on a working bed, keeping fixed all fastener elements in the space forming area of each stringer on the working bed by respective press pieces at their engaging heads, cutting at least the connecting threads extending through the legs of each fastener element at the front and rear end of the space forming area of each stringer, then pulling the fastener tapes away from the respective press pieces and thus pulling out the binding warp threads, core string and connecting threads from the fastener elements, so as to remove the fastener elements from each fastener tape and keep the binding warp threads, core string and connecting threads extended along the space forming area in the weft loops.

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: A curved slide fastener chain and a method for producing a curved slide fastener are disclosed. The curved slide fastener chain comprises a pair of fastener tapes and a plurality of fastener element rows planted on each of a pair of the fastener tapes. Each of the element rows includes a straight and a curved inter-engagement portion. The curved inter-engagement portions are dis-inter-engaged while the straight inter-engagement portions are inter-engaged, so that each of the pair of fastener tapes are able to extend in a straight line. Therefore, deformation of the curved inter-engagement portions due to heat and tension applied thereto during the washing, dewatering and drying steps in producing a curved slide fastener can be prevented.

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.