Abstract: A pair of separable slide fastener stringers is fed along in one plane along parallel spaced paths, respectively, toward throats of a Y-shaped guide channel in a slider fixed in position. Pins of the stringers are inserted into the guide channel through the throats, respectively. The pins as they emerge from a rear end of the slider are stopped when rows of coupling elements start intermeshing with each other within the guide channel. The separable slide fastener stringers are moved again at the same speed to bring the rows of coupling elements into intermeshing engagement.

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.

Abstract: A method of producing a slide fastener wherein a series of fastener elements are secured to each of a pair of fastener tapes along one edge each thereof, each said fastener tape is formed thereon with a waterproof sealing layer, and when said series of fastener elements on each said pair of fastener tapes are engaged with each other, the edges of said waterproof sealing layers on each said pair of fastener tapes are press-contacted with each other so as to provide airtightness and waterproofness.

Abstract: A pair of separable slide fastener stringers is fed in one plane along parallel spaced paths, respectively, toward throats of a Y-shaped guide channel in a slider fixed in position. Pins of the stringers are introduced into the guide channel through the throats, respectively, in the slider while keeping the separable slide fastener stringers in the parallel spaced paths. The separable slide fastener stringers are inserted through the slider with the pins guided by guide flanges, respectively, and a diamond of the slider while moving the separable slide fastener stringers in the one plane along the parallel spaced paths and at the same time allowing the stringer tapes to flex.

Abstract: A space forming apparatus for producing an element-free space section of predetermined length at predetermined intervals in continuous slide fastener chain. Said apparatus comprises a transfer table for intermittently transferring the continuous slide fastener chain, a die disposed in the center of the transfer table, a punch disposed opposite to the die and having a longitudinal length substantially the same as that of the spaced sections to be formed, said punch being provided with a center projecting rib extending along a center line of a punch body, a pair of parallel inner cutting blades disposed on the both sides of the rib and a pair of parallel outer cutting blades disposed on the outer side each of the inner cutting blades, and a chain fixing device located on both sides of the die and opposite sites to them for clamping and securing the right and left stringers when the severed fragments of the coupling elements are removed from the sewing threads.

Abstract: A longitudinally gapped, continuous slide fastener chain with sliders slidably mounted thereon is longitudinally fed by a feed roller through an apparatus including a top stop applicator mechanism. When the slider on a pair of coupling element rows is sensed by a slider sensor, the feed roller is stopped and a chain stop lever is lowered into a gap adjacent to the coupling element rows. The feed roller is rotated again to feed the slide fastener chain again to displace the chain stop lever slightly downstream by engagement with a bottom stop attached to a following length of coupling element rows. When the slide fastener chain is stopped again, a chain deflector is lowered transversely into the path of the slide fastener chain to depress the chain so that the chain located downstream of the chain deflector is pulled back until the ends of the coupling element rows where top stops are to be applied are bought into clinching dies.

Abstract: Pin and box elements for the separable connection of the ends of the respective halves of a slide fastener are applied by deflecting the coupled stringer previously provided with the slider, at an angle to enable the elements to be threaded through the window onto respective edges in the shadow of the deflected stretch of the band.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching sliders and bottom stops to a slide fastener chain having longitudinally spaced gaps free of fastener elements, in which the chain is conveyed forwardly until a gap is detected. The chain is stopped and the gap area widened. A rotor movable beneath the chain is adapted to carry a slider and is also formed with a die plate portion. The rotor rotates to deliver the slider to the gap, thread the slider onto the fastener elements of the chain, and place the die plate beneath the gap across from bottom stop punch and chain cutter means which then fix a bottom stop to the chain and separate adjacent fastener element ends.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing wire link bands, for example for use in paper making machines, are disclosed. Several wire links or helices are arranged parallel to each other, adjacent helices having opposite pitch. The helices are simultaneously fed through a closure slot while under tension. The closure slot is so shaped as to cause each turn of each helix to be engaged between two adjacent turns of an adjacent helix, thereby to form a wire link band. The closure slot may be held stationery while the wire links are pulled therethrough, or the wire links may be held stationary under tension while the closure slot is moved along their length. A plurality of closure slots may be used to form several wire link bands in parallel, and at least one additional closure slot may then be used to combine the wire link bands into a larger wire link band or sieve. Connecting rods may also be inserted into the wire link bands and may be heat fixed before insertion.

Abstract: A slide fastener chain is fed along a chain path by a feedout mechanism until a leading end of the chain gripped by the feedout mechanism reaches a first feeder mechanism past a cutting mechanism. The first feeder mechanism is then actuated to feed the chain toward a second feeder mechanism. The first feeder mechanism is then inactivated and the second feeder mechanism is actuated to feed the chain at a higher speed. A slider on the chain is engaged by a slider sensor to intermesh element rows on the chain as it is transported by the second feeder mechanism. Then, a chain stop of a stop mechanism is inserted into an element-free gap in the chain and engaged by a bottom stop following the element-free gap to stop the travel of the chain. The second feeder mechanism is released and the cutting mechanism is actuated to cut off the chain across the element-free gap to produce a slide fastener, which is discharged by the second feeder mechanism into a sorting mechanism.

Abstract: A slider holding apparatus comprises a support vertically slideable on a base for supporting a slider upside down with a pull tab received in a slit of the support, and a lever having a locking projection and pivotable on the base between a slider-holding position in which the locking projection projects into the slit to lock the pull tab and a slider-release position in which the locking projection is retracted out of the slit to unlock the pull tab. The support is normally urged upwardly by a first spring, and the lever is normally urged by a second spring to the slider-release position. The apparatus further includes means for detecting when the support as depressed against the bias of the first spring arrives at a predetermined lower position, and means, responsive to detection of the arrival of the support, for driving the lever to the slider-holding position against the bias of the second spring.

Abstract: In a reinforcing-film applying apparatus for use in production of separable slide fasteners, there are a first working station where a shaping die and a coacting ultrasonic horn are located, and a second working station where a heating die and a coacting heating punch are located, the first and second working stations being spaced apart remotely from one another along a longitudinal path of a slide fastener chain. When one of successive pairs of blank tape portions arrives at the first working station, a reinforcing film piece is placed on the fastener chain across the pair of blank tape portions, whereupon the shaping die and the ultrasonic horn are moved toward one another to fuse the reinforcing film piece to the pair of blank tape portions only at their inner marginal areas and also to shape such fused marginal portions so as to provide therealong a pair of pin-like members to which a pin and a box of a separable bottom end stop are to be attached.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a slide fastener making machine designed to produce space sections of required span devoid of coupling elements at predetermined intervals in the interengaged slide fastener chain and a method for the same.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus for producing a slide fastener having a separable end stop through the steps of attaching a pin, box pin, a slider and a box to a pair of stringers while the stringers are being fed in a parallel state by grippers, in which the stringers have a space portion devoid of fastener elements and upper stoppers affixed adjacent to the space portion. A slider attaching unit of this apparatus has a transfer holder for carrying the slider into the path of travel of the stringers from a slider supply device and a retaining device for retaining the slider between itself and the holder.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are method and apparatus for attaching pin fittings to a slide fastener having a separable end stop, in which a pin fitting is attached to a slide fastener by the steps of holding the pin fitting by a pin fitting holder, moving the stringer tape gripped by a gripper for introducing a core portion of the tape into the pin fitting, and deforming the pin fitting to secure it to the core portion. In these method and apparatus, attachment by deforming the pin fitting is performed under a condition where a first fastener element of a fastener element row affixed to the stringer is abutted against an end portion of the pin fitting with a force of a predetermined magnitude.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing a bottom end stop to an indefinite length of fastener chain including alternately space portion where elements are removed and engaging element portion are disclosed. The feeding movement of the fastener chain is arrested by protruding a chain stopper into the space portion downstream of one of the element portions while slidably guiding and opposite edges of the element portions. The fastener chain is then resiliently held down at its space portion or element portion downstream of the space portion by an element stopper and the chain stopper is pulled out of the space portion. By this, the fastener chain is allowed to move until its element portion upstream of the space portion abuts against the element stopper, where upon a bottom end stop is driven into the end of the element portion upstream of the space portion.

Abstract: A holder for use with a punch-type of top end-stop applying apparatus includes a fixed support member and a reciprocably movable guide member coactive therewith for laterally spacing the opposite inner edges of a pair of slide fastener stringers. The support member is recessed to receive therein a pair of rows of coupling elements mounted on the opposite stringer tape edges. The guide member has a pair of spaced projections receivable between the stringers, one projection having a width for laterally spacing confronting coupling elements, and the other having a greater width for laterally spacing confronting element-free stringer tape edges, the guide member having a clearance for the punch between the projections.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for detecting ends of successive fly strips connected end to end by a slide fastener chain. The successive fly strips, with their first flaps overlapping a tape of one fastener stringer and with their second flaps overlapping the other fastener stringer, are fed lengthwise along a straight path. Then, the second flaps are folded over the respective first flaps as the fly strips pass through a folder extending through a fixed point on the straight path. During this folding, a trailing end of the preceding second flap is temporarily deflected so as to provide a relatively large triangular space between confronting ends of an adjacent pair of the second flaps when the same confronting ends arrive at the fixed point. Finally, a detector senses the presence of the triangular space, which indicates the arrival of confronting ends of an adjacent pair of the fly strips.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching a reinforcing tape to an intermittent fastener chain. A fastener chain having alternate element-containing and element-free sections is advanced intermittently in the longitudinal direction thereof. When the fastener chain is stopped, a strip of reinforcing tape is moved transversely across an element-free section from the side edge thereof and is folded over the side edge, after which pressure is applied to the side edge from the top and bottom sides of the chain to adhere the strip of reinforcing tape to the side edge. The attachment of the tape is divided into a first attaching step of applying pressure solely to the vicinity of the side edge from both sides of the fastener chain, and a second attaching step of applying pressure to the entire portion of the element-free section having the strip of reinforcing tape folded thereon, from both sides of the fastener chain.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for manufacturing a continuous slide fastener stringer chain including space portions devoid of coupling elements at longitudinal intervals. A pair of continuous stringer tapes is continuously fed, in synchronism with sewing machine, to a sewing area of the sewing machine, while a pair of interengaged rows of coupling elements is intermittently fed, in synchronism with the sewing machine, to the sewing area. A length of coupling elements is cut off from the pair of interengaged rows of continuous coupling elements each time the latter stops moving.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for detecting ends of successive fly strips connected end to end by a slide fastener chain. The successive fly strips, with their first flaps superimposed on a tape of one fastener stringer and with their second flaps superimposed on the other fastener stringer, are fed along a first straight path. The successive second flaps are deflected or moved aside, as they pass a wedge-shaped plow on the first straight path, to such an extent that the individual second flap lies at a right angle with respect to the general plane of the fastener stringers. Then, the direction of movement of the successive fly strips is shifted at a turning point to a second straight path inclined with respect to the first straight path so as to provide temporarily a relatively large triangular space between an adjacent pair of the deflected second flaps when the same confronting ends arrive at the turning point.

Abstract: Lengths of slide fastener chain are pulled through a shearing station wherein the slide fastener chain is subjected to vibratory shearing at least partially in a direction parallel to the plane of the tapes whereby operating resistance of the chain is substantially reduced.

Abstract: A fastener slider holding device comprising a slider holder having a slider mount on the top and a pull tab receiving recess in one side thereof, a spring-loaded sliding member mounted in the slider holder for vertical movement, a slider holding lever having an engaging pawl at the upper end thereof for engaging the pull tab of a fastener slider, an operation rod for moving the sliding member vertically and cam means for moving the slider holding lever between the pull tab engaging and disengaging positions.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for applying bottom end stops to a slide fastener chain and simultaneously gapping the chain at predetermined intervals. The apparatus includes a means for positioning and holding a group of fastener elements on the chain, said means being pivotally movable in contact with the applied bottom stop in a plane either perpendicular to or parallel with the plane of the chain.

Abstract: A method of attaching bottom stops of a generally H-shaped cross section to a slide fastener chain. One of successive spaced pairs of opposed blank tape portions of the fastener chain is spread apart. A bottom stop, which has two pairs of gripping legs, is placed between the spread pair of opposed blank tape portions. The spread pair of opposed blank tape portions is then released and thereby allowed to come toward each other until a pair of opposed blank beaded tape edges are threaded one through a space between each pair of the gripping legs of the bottom stop. Then, the blank beaded tape edges are compressed against the bottom stop on opposite sides. Finally, the gripping legs of each pair are clinched about the compressed beaded edge of a respective one of the stringer tapes. An apparatus for carrying this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an element-free gap in a continuous slide fastener chain. In the apparatus, a reciprocating punch blade has cutting edges along opposite sides and is relieved at opposite ends along the cutting edges so as to form a pair of wing portions disposed one on each side of the punch blade. An elongated slot formed in a die for receiving the cutting edges has at its opposite ends a pair of lateral branches disposed one on each side of the elongated slot in opposite relation to the sides of the punch blade on which the wing portions are disposed. The wing portions and the lateral branches jointly serve to protect a pair of coupling elements disposed adjacent to the opposite ends of the space section from being cut by the punch blade.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming an element-free gap or space section in a pair of continuous slide fastener stringers. In the apparatus, a support table has a guide groove for receiving the pair of fastener stringers along a longitudinal path. A pair of guide plates is disposed one on each side of the guide groove and extends thereover toward each other to define with the guide groove a guide channel. A pressure pad is vertically movable around a stationary die in the support table for clamping with the guide plate a pair of tapes. A punch has a sharp cutting edge so that, as the punch is moved toward the stationary die, the cutting edge enters a relatively small clearance between adjacent tape edges to cut a chain of interengaged coupling elements only at tape-side leg portions while the pair of continuous slide fastener stringers is simply placed in and along the guide channel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is method for assembling a pair of slide fastener stringers each having spaced sections in continuous rows of scoops and an apparatus for the same. The leading edge of the scoop row in the leading stringer is detected by a probe inserted into the guide groove of the binder member for the scoop row. The engagement of the leading edge and the claw of the probe retards the progress of the leading stringer thereby retarding the rotation of the feed roller for the leading stringer while increasing the speed of the rotation of the other feed roller for the trailing stringer, which is connected to the first feed roller through a differential transmission mechanism. After both of the stringers are brought into right alignment for exact engagement in the binder member, the claws disengage from the leading edges of the scoop row in the stringers and come out of the spaced sections. In this condition, the spaced sections in the stringers are detected individually by detecting lever means.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for feeding a conductive wire for anodizing process of a slide fastener chain are disclosed in which a wire guide member reciprocates perpendicularly to the feeding movement of the fastener tape so that the distance between the upper end of the guide member and the lastly secured fastener element decreases as the guide member moves from a position spaced from the beaded portion of the tape to a position close to the beaded portion, thereby giving appropriate slack to the wire. The fastener elements are secured to the beaded portion of the tape when the guide member is in the position close to the beaded edge. Therefore, possibility of breaking the wire is minimized.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for applying top end stops to a fastener stringer chain substantially in a continuous cycle of operation, wherein a first means is provided to effect the fusing and shaping of a strip of plastic film for application to the chain and a second means is provided to effect the cutting of the chain to which the film strip has been applied in the form of a top end stop. Said first and second means are arranged so that both shaping and cutting take place at the same working station without having to transfer the chain for the two different operations.

Abstract: A pair of continuous slide fastener stringers are longitudinally fed by longitudinally reciprocable grip assemblies and driving rollers that is selectively actuatable. As the slide fastener stringers are advanced, one of the stringers is threaded through a slider held fixedly in its path of travel. The slide fastener stringers are cut off transversely across element-free gaps, and then the severed stringer pieces are moved forwardly until their leading end portions are positioned in a molding device, which molds a separable end stop on the leading end portions. The driving rollers are continuously driven to advance the slide fastener stringers until element-free gaps arrive at the cutter, whereupon the driving rollers are de-energized.

Abstract: A method of attaching top and bottom stops to a slide fastener chain at one and the same stage of manufacture. The fastener chain is moved along a path until a trailing end of a preceding pair of coupling element groups arrives at a first fixed die, by which time leading end portions of a succeeding pair of coupling element groups are disengaged from each other. With the trailing end of the preceding pair of coupling element groups retained at the first die, an adjacent pair of opposed blank tape portions is sagged until the endmost disengaged coupling elements arrive at a second fixed die spaced a predetermined distance from the first die along the path. Finally, a bottom stop and a pair of top stops are attached concurrently and respectively to the trailing end of the preceding pair of coupling element groups at the first die and to the disengaged endmost portions of the succeeding pair of coupling element groups at the second die. An apparatus for carrying out this method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pair of slide fastener stringers are intermittently fed in a pair of longitudinal paths, respectively, in parallel planes with respective rows of coupling elements being directed in one direction. The slide fastener stringers are laterally shifted toward each other off their paths by coupler members as the latter are combined together. A presser is moved into coaction with the combined coupler members to define a generally Y-shaped coupling channel in which the rows of coupling elements are forced into confronting relation. The rows of coupling elements can be interengaged when they move through the coupling channel.

Abstract: A method of attaching sliders and top end stops to a pair of continuous slide fastener stringers, each stringer having successive spaced groups of coupling elements mounted on continuous stringer tape and interengaged with opposed complementary groups of coupling elements on the other stringer tape, there being successive pairs of opposed blank tape portions between the successive spaced pairs of coupling element groups. One of the successive pairs of opposed blank tape portions is spread apart. A slider is set and retained at a first fixed point between the spread pair of opposed blank tape portions. The opposed blank tape portions are then released so as to engage shoulders of a guide channel of the slider. Then the stringers are fed backwardly so as to thread the opposed blank tape portions through the guide channel of the slider. After that, the stringers are fed forwardly until end portions of an adjacent pair of coupling element groups are introduced into the guide channel of the slider.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for spacing continuously manufactured zip fasteners having connection elements constituted by a monofilament of meander or spiral form rigid with the edges of supporting tapes. The method consists in removing by cutting firstly the central part of the connection elements of the two coupled tapes, and then removing the open lateral loops of the meanders or spirals by passing under tension the zone of the coupled tapes from which the central part of the connection elements has been removed, over a deviation member in such a manner that the tapes partly wrap said deviation member.

Abstract: An apparatus for attaching a pair of U-shaped end stops each having a pair of opposed clinching legs to the respective longitudinal marginal edge portions of a pair of slide fastener stringer tapes comprises a guide block provided with a pair of elongate slots in which are slideably mounted a pair of punches. The U-shaped end stops are slideably positioned in respective ones of the slots and are orientated such that the two legs are in slideable engagement with the slot walls and the ends of the legs face toward the pair of stringer tapes. The slots are provided with shoulders configured to engage with one of the legs of the end stops to effect turning of the end stops about the shoulders in response to movement of the end stops by the punches to thereby position the two legs of the U-shaped end stops on opposite sides of the stringer tape. Further movement of the punches effects clinching of the legs of the end stops to the stringer tapes.

Abstract: A slide fastener installation is disclosed in which the trains of coupling elements are adhesively mounted on the article into which the slide fastener is to be installed without the use of mounting tapes. In making this installation, the interlocked trains of elements are mounted on the fabric before a slit is made in the fabric to provide an opening to be closed by the slide fastener.

Abstract: An apparatus for gapping a continuous slide fastener stringer comprises: a presser unit having a punch and a coacting die for pressing a group of fastener elements, in a selected portion of the stringer placed therebetween, to reduce the thickness of their leg portions, and for holding the pressed fastener elements; and a gripper unit having a pair of relatively pivotable grip members for gripping a stringer tape on the opposite sides of the stringer, the gripper unit being disposed alongside of the presser unit to grip the tape from the fastener-element side of the stringer and being movable between its normal position and its advanced position along an arcuate path for moving the gripped tape to remove the pressed and held fastener elements therefrom seriatim.

Abstract: A pair of interengaged slide fastener stringers of elongate length are longitudinally advanced in an intermittent manner over a clincher die and a heater plate. An end stop is vertically driven by a punch above the clincher die and is attached to the stringers at a terminal end of one of the longitudinally spaced chains of coupling elements. A portion of the stringer tapes is heated and fused adjacent to the terminal end of the coupling element chain substantially simultaneously with the end stop attaching operation. Such fusing operation is carried out by a presser vertically movable for pressing the stringer tapes against the heater plate.

Abstract: Slide fastening elements mounted on longitudinal connecting and supporting means woven in the edge of a supporting tape with pluralities of loops of weft thread segments passing around the connecting and supporting means between the fastening elements, are removed by cutting the connecting and supporting means on opposite sides of each fastening element of a group of the fastening elements to be removed, and pivoting the group of fastening elements and severed ends of the connecting and supporting means about an axis extending parallel the tape and spaced from the tape and the connecting and supporting means to pull the group of fastening elements and severed ends of the connecting means from the weft thread loops.

Abstract: In performing operations on a continuous slide fastener chain at spaced locations therealong, the slide fastener chain is incrementally advanced to successively advance the spaced locations to an operating station. The chain is advanced from a reel which is braked only when a loop of maximum size is sensed in a loop forming mechanism. Tension is relieved in the slide fastener stringer by means of a continuously rotating capstan which will grip the slide fastener stringer to advance the chain and overcome inertia of the reel.

Abstract: A pair of continuous fastener stringers are fed intermittently for a distance corresponding to an individual slide fastener length. A strip is placed on one surface of the stringers while the latter are held stationary between intermittent movements. Then, heat and pressure is applied to the stringers at its portion where the strip has been placed upon; to fuse adjacent coupling elements with each other and with a pair of stringer tapes, and the latter with the strip, and to shape the fused coupling elements into a desired configuration. Such shaped coupling elements are cut to provide a separable pin and a retainer pin. Simultaneously with this cutting, the stringers are cut along a line extending transversely of the stringers and passing near the two pins to provide an individual slide fastener length. A retainer is attached to the retainer pin.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing slide fastener stringer pairs of a slide fastener length from a pair of continuous slide fastener stringers. The apparatus comprises means for severing the continuous slide fastener stringers transversely across one of element-free portions, means for pairing the severed slide fastener stringers, and gripping means reciprocable between a first position adjacent to the severing means and a second position disposed away from the first position for advancing the slide fastener stringers along a longitudinal path. The gripping means includes a pair of grippers movable toward each other for introducing the slide fastener stringers into the pairing means.

Abstract: For obtaining the spacing of continuously manufactured zip fasteners by removing in a single operation the connecting members over a certain length, a device is provided which comprises a die and a stepped punch with three rectangular sections. The punch is guided in a tape pressure which holds at standstill the tapes of the fastener coupled by means of the connecting members against the die. The three sections of the stopped punch have dimensions proportioned with respect to the dimensions of the connecting members to be removed.

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

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for press-bonding a reinforcement tape of plastic film onto a space section of a continuous length slide fastener chain, the method and the apparatus comprising means for positioning the space section of the fastener chain between an upper presser and a lower presser providing the reinforcement tape with a cut-out to fit the element rows of the fastener chain, transferring a continuous length reinforcement tape by a predetermined distance in a direction perpendicular to the movement of the fastener chain so that the cut-out is located just on the space section of the fastener chain between the pressers, closing of the pressers to effect press-bonding of the reinforcement tape to the space of the fastener chain either by heat melting or by high-frequency welding, and simultaneously cutting the reinforcement tape with a cutter blade.

Abstract: A method is provided for fabricating a slide fastener chain having a certain length and reinforcement tapes at its ends from a manufactured, continuous length fastener chain which is provided with space sections each of which entirely consists of a reinforced tape. According to the method, the original length fastener chain is held first by a pair of pressers on a die at one side of the main crosswise cutting line, then by another pair of pressers at the other side to form a right position so that the reinforced space section is cut along the crosswise line and at the same time, the lengthwise lines by a cutter blade. This method is performed using an apparatus with a linkage motion of its individual parts whereby working efficiency is improved and a good cutting finish is obtained.

Abstract: A method of providing a slide fastener chain with gaps free of fastener elements at predetermined interval is disclosed, the method comprising imparting a tendency to the fastener chain to spread the confronting longitudinal edges of its opposed stringer tapes prior to removal of the fastener elements, and maintaining constant tension over a length of the fastener chain, whereby the gaps can be formed accurately at predetermined locations along the length of the fastener chain. A preferred form and construction of apparatus tailored to carry this method into practice is also disclosed.

Abstract: Gapping of slide fastener tapes is performed by cutting longitudinal connecting and supporting members carrying fastening elements on both sides of each element to be removed along perpendicular cutting lines. The fastening elements are then removed by pulling the fastening elements and the severed ends of the connecting and supporting members from between loops of weft threads which secure the connecting and supporting members in the inner edges of the tapes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming space sections in a continuous length slide fastener chain in which the interlocking elements fastened on the carrier tapes within the section are pressed and deformed with a punch-die unit having a composite punch composed of an outer punch and an inner punch and the thus deformed elements are retained by the punch-die unit in engagement with a pair of grooves on the upper surface of the die and lower surface of the inner punch while the carrier tapes are pulled and displaced by individual grippers from the front of the punch-die unit in an obliquely rearward direction, preferably, at such an angle that the angle between the moving line of the gripper and the center line of the punch-die unit is about a half of the tape-abstracting angle whereby all of the elements within the section can be removed from the carrier tape with a uniform abstracting angle.