Abstract: In a method of forming coupling head portions on a monofilament of thermoplastic synthetic resin for production of a slide fastener coupling element, the monofilament is stamped from one side to form recessed small-thickness portions bulging from the other side of the monofilament, and then the monofilament is bent at opposite ends of each of the recessed small-thickness portions in such a manner that the concave side of each small-thickness portions faces outwardly.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is described for providing a strip of flexible closure material to be affixed to a receptacle. The strip of flexible closure material comprises a combination of a plurality of interengaging strip portions in their interengaged state. The process includes the step of supplying a tape of flexible closure material having a transverse width with a plurality of interengaging elements across the transverse width that extend from the tape. Then, the tape is separated along its longitudinal length into a plurality of strip portions with at least two of the strip portions having an interengaging element extending therefrom. Lastly, the strip portions having an interengaging element are brought into contact with one another while mating the interengaging element of each of the strip portions brought together with that of the other. The process takes place continuously in line with equipment for affixing the flexible closure material to a receptacle.

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: 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 feeding and transferring discrete coupling elements successively one at a time for attachment onto a stringer tape comprises a feed unit including a vertically disposed feed chute and a transfer unit including first and second slides both supported on a base for horizontal movement effected by a cam. The thickness of the first slide is substantially equal to the height of the leg portions of the element. A pocket is formed in the junction of the first and second slides for receiving an element from the chute and communicates with a slit in the base which provides a suction air for facilitating the fall by gravity of a leading element apart from an ensuing element. The base includes a transfer chute for receiving one element from the pocket and transferring same onto the tape.

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 method and apparatus for the manufacture of slide fastener carrying a discrete formation of differently colored elements in selected orders. Method and apparatus are disclosed for feeding a plurality of colored elements selectively one at a time in a vertical direction and transferring one such element horizontally to a predetermined position for gravity fall onto a stringer tape.

Abstract: A process and apparatus is disclosed for gapping a slide fastener chain to provide an element-free zone at predetermined intervals along a respective fastener stringer. The process essentially comprises cutting a connecting string interconnecting a series of discrete coupling elements secured by sewn seams to a support tape and simultaneously cutting a predetermined member of coupling elements, or alternatively cutting the string and arresting part of the coupling elements, followed by cutting the latter, so as to provide element-free tape zones with the sewn substantially in the form of an arch.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting irregular coupling elements from continuously running slide fastener chains is essentially comprised of a light source including a light emitter and a light receptor, an optical fiber extending from the light source and having a leading end arranged to face a row of coupling elements along their rounded corners, and a comparator connected to the light source. The light emitter cooperates with the optical fiber in emitting light rays onto the coupling elements, and the light receptor receives via the optical fiber light rays reflected from the rounded corners and converts the reflected rays to electrical signals. The comparator successively compares the signals to the reference standard to detect irregular coupling elements.

Abstract: Each of coupling elements mounted on a slide fastener stringer tape has a coupling head and two legs extending from the coupling head and mounted astride of a longitudinal beaded edge of the stringer tape, the legs being integrally interconnected by a connector extending through the stringer tape. The coupling elements are removed from the stringer tape by gripping the stringer tape between a pair of grippers with the coupling elements supported on the grippers, thrusting cutting edges into the coupling head of each coupling element toward the longitudinal beaded edge to break the coupling head, and driving wedge-shaped spreaders into each coupling element through the broken coupling head thereof to spread each coupling element until the connector is forcibly broken, for thereby breaking each coupling element into two pieces off the stringer tape.

Abstract: Separable slide fasteners are manufactured from an alongate slide fastener chain composed of a pair of slide fastener stringers having rows of coupling elements alternating with element-free portions having substantially U-shaped recesses defined in inner edges thereof. The elongate slide fastener chain is fed under tension along a longitudinal path, and the slide fastener stringers are separated from each other. Then, an insertion pin is attached laterally to the inner edge of one of the element-free portions, and a box pin is attached laterally to the inner edge of another element-free portion confronting said one element-free portion. The insertion pin and the box pin which are laterally aligned with each other are threaded through a slider until certain coupling elements of the slide fasteners stringers are interengaged. Then, a box is attached to the box pin.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for forming a row of zigzag coupling elements, the entire rotating die wheel is heated by a built-in interior heater so as to remain at a temperature slightly lower than the temperature at which a monofilament of thermoplastic synthetic resin is deformable, the monofilament being folded in an annular peripheral groove of the die wheel into a row of U-shaped coupling element blanks. Then, immediately before coupling heads are shaped, the monofilament in the form of U-shaped coupling element blanks received in the annular peripheral groove is additionally heated locally by an exterior heater outside of the die wheel such that its temperature rises to a heat setting temperature.

Abstract: In a method of and apparatus for forming element-free spaces in a continuous slide fastener chain at ends of successive fly strips sewn to the slide fastener chain, the chain having a pair of intermeshed rows of coupling elements, portions of the intermeshed rows of coupling elements to be removed are detected by a sensor assembly disposed at a fixed position spaced a first distance upstream from a gap-forming device before such portions arrive at the gap-forming device. The sensor assembly first determines whether the longitudinal extent of a space provided between the confronting ends of an adjacent pair of the fly strips is larger than a predetermined distance, and then on the bases of the determination, controls the feeding of the chain and the operation of the gap-forming device so that the element-free spaces can be provided accurately at the ends of the respective fly strips regardless of the spacing between adjacent fly strips.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for forming a space section in a pair of concealed-slide-fastener stringers, with a pair of tapes gripped with interengaged coupling elements disposed at the upper side of the tapes, a pair of continuous concealed-slide-fastener stringers is pushed upwardly from the under side of the tapes by a pair of laterally spaced and vertically movable dies until head portions of a series of the interengaged coupling elements are exposed to the dies and supported thereon. A punch is then lowered to cut upper legs of certain interengaged coupling elements supported on the raised dies. Finally, an ejector is raised through the dies to clamp the cut coupling elements against the punch and continues to be moved upwardly together with the punch to pull the cut coupling elements out of sewn stitches.

Abstract: Gaps in molded polymer fastening elements secured to inner edge portions of coplanar support tapes are formed by cutting legs of the coupling elements in planes coplanar with the inner edge portions of the support tapes leaving remanents of the molded polymer attached to the tapes along the gap.

Abstract: A coupling-element pairing apparatus includes a substantially Y-shaped guide channel defined in a base and including a joint passage for interengaging disengaged rows of continuous filamentary zigzag coupling elements. The joint passage has a width narrow enough to substantially prevent interengaged rows of coupling elements from moving laterally with respect to one another. A pair of toothed guide wheels disposed one on each side of the joint passage for guidingly advancing the interengaged rows of coupling elements through the guide channel. Each guide wheel has a plurality of peripheral teeth, two adjacent ones of which project into the joint passage for holding therebetween one of the connecting portions of each row of coupling elements at opposite ends thereof without impairing the coupling elements.

Abstract: The two coupling member supporting bands are led between a guide block and two clamping members in a vertical position and having the coupling members located at the lower side. The coupling members are aligned with the path of cutting members by means of a countersupport having two gripping members and positioned relative to the cutting members by means of a scanning apparatus. The clamping members clamp the supporting bands as well as the coupling members which are to be removed. After the coupling members have been clamped by the clamping members, the cutting members sever the coupling members at their foot section and thereafter the cut coupling members are pulled off the supporting band by means of the countersupport and the clamping members. This allows an impeccable cutting of the coupling members and that all cut coupling members can be drawn off the supporting band.

Abstract: A manually operative tool for attaching a coupling element to a concealed slide fastener lacking of one or more coupling elements and hence to be repaired. The tool includes a pair of relatively pivotable first and second members, each having at one end a handle. A lower jaw is secured to the other end of the first member and has at least two first recesses laterally spaced apart from one another by a predetermined distance equal to the element-to-element pitch of a concealed slide fastener to be repaired, each first recess being receptive of a prospective coupling element. An upper jaw is pivotally connected to the other end of the second member and has at its free end a second recess.

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: 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 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: A method of and apparatus for manufacturing coupling elements, suitable for a two-way slide fastener, successively from a rod of metal of a generally Y-shaped cross section having a base, as a prospective coupling head, and a pair of diverging legs. As the rod is fed longitudinally stepwise, it is transversely sliced into a plurality of coupling element blanks, one at a time, on the backward stroke of relative movement of a coacting cutting die and punch. At the end of the backward stroke of the cutting die and punch, a chamfering surface on the cutting punch is forced against the base of the rod to form a chamfered portion thereon so that each sliced coupling element blank has the chamfered base. The chamfered base of each coupling element blank is then formed, by a coacting forming die and punch, into a final coupling head of one coupling element which head has a projection from one face and a socket in the other face at such a position that the chamfered portion is disposed around the socket.

Abstract: A thermally broken frame having a plurality of bridging flanges to prevent separation of the frame members upon failure of the thermal breaking material is disclosed. A method of manufacturing such a thermally broken frame is also disclosed and includes the steps of producing a frame having the frame members connected by a long bridging flange, subsequently connecting the two frame members together with a thermal break material, and finally removing portions of the long bridging flange so that small remaining sections of the bridging flange remain to prevent separation of the frame members should the thermal break material fail. Preferably, the frame members and bridging flange are initially integrally formed and the thermal break material is anchored in both frames. Sections of the bridging flange are removed by cutters.

Abstract: Heel portions of filamentary coupling members have cross-sectional areas that are reduced relative to the cross-sectional areas of the adjoining leg portions by means of the removal of portions of the heels. The reduced cross-sectional areas in the heels of the filamentary members result in easier slider operation and/or greater crosswise slide fastener strength.

Abstract: Gaps in molded polymer fastening elements secured to inner edge portions of coplanar support tapes are formed by cutting legs of the coupling elements in planes coplanar with the inner edge portions of the support tapes leaving remanents of the molded polymer attached to the tapes along the gap.

Abstract: A blank rod of metal has a substantially Y-shaped cross section including a pair of V-shaped diverging legs each having a longitudinal rib on midportions of its inner surface. The blank rod is intermittently fed in a longitudinal direction as each of the ribs is pressed by a presser roll having series of die teeth into a succession of projections or teeth longitudinally spaced an interval from each other. The blank rod is then transversely sliced substantially centrally across each tooth on at least one of the legs into a plurality of individual slide fastener coupling elements.

Abstract: A metal strip including an elongate web and a pair of longitudinal medial lands on both sides thereof, is successively stamped or coined so as to be provided with a series of coupling elements each including on each of its both sides a transverse projection and a pair of longitudinal teeth one on each side of the projection, the projection being higher than the teeth. The projection and teeth are formed from material of the medial lands and additionally from material of a portion extending all the way around the projection and teeth, which is thinned down to a thickness smaller than that of the web. Then, the metal strip is notched along its marginal edges to provide the outer profile of clamping legs, and is severed into individual coupling elements.

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: Protruding head portions of coupling elements are removed from a selected section of a slide stringer, and a reinforcing tape is applied to the selected section by means including a movable holder for clamping the stringer on opposite sides of the selected section. The holder is restricted to movement along track means for guiding and aligning the holder with two or more stations, such as a gapping station, a reinforcing tape applying station and a trimming station.

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: A method for manufacturing slide fastener elements from a metal strip by press working, each element comprising a head portion and a pair of spaced leg portions extending rearwardly from the head portion is disclosed. The head portion includes on each side of the top and bottom surfaces thereof a first projection extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the leg portions and a pair of second projections each extending from near one end of the first projection to rearward.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a slide fastener stringer is disclosed as including the steps of cutting a row of transverse slits in a strip, and applying a row of reinforcements across the strip, placing a continuous coupling element on the strip so that head portions protrude out of the slits.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus, a continuous filament coupling element for a slide fastener is formed and an inside surface of one leg portion of a pair of leg portions at each section of the coupling element is deformed to form interlocking means such as a sharp edge, groove, tooth, or the like. An elongated member is biased against the interlocking means to interlock therewith and prevent longitudinal and transverse movement of the elongated member relative to the leg portions. The coupling element is secured to a tape to complete the stringer.

Abstract: A method of making a slide fastener coupling element from a blank metal web having a longitudinally extending central portion and a pair of transversely tapered marginal portions integral one with each side of the central portion. A projection for intercoupling with another coupling element is formed by drawing a limited area portion of the web central portion out of the plane thereof and away from one surface thereof. The web is then stamped out to form a coupling element having a head portion including the projecton and formed of the central portion of the web, and a pair of tape edge clamping legs each integral with the head portion and formed of one of the marginal portions of the web.

Abstract: For the manufacture of a continuous coupling element of zigzag or meandering type, a blank strip of sheetlike material is first cut by rotary cutters into a continuous rodlike member of zigzag configuration. This zigzagging rodlike member is reshaped, as by a cooperative pair of forming dies, into meandering configuration in which the major transverse portions of the rodlike member are arranged parallel to each other with constant longitudinal spacings. Pressure is then applied centrally to each transverse portion of the meandering rodlike member to form a pair of lateral protuberances for use as a coupling head in the completed coupling element, and these transverse portions are bent by a combination guide channel-toothed wheel into the shape of a "U".

Abstract: In the manufacture of a slide fastener stringer, the relative count of fastening elements per unit length of the tape of the stringer being manufactured is continuously monitored and used as a feedback control to adjust the relative rate of advancement of either a train of fastening elements or a stringer-tape-forming member.

Abstract: Slide-fastener stringers are made by extruding continuous strands of synthetic resin in a form having a plurality of cavities open on one side and defining the coupling head, shank and connecting portion of a multiplicity of coupling members which together form a coupling element adapted to be mounted along the edge of a support tape. An embossing tool is thrust into the connecting members and/or the shanks of the coupling members so as to plastically deform the thermoplastic material and produce humps along the surfaces of the coupling element which are thermally bonded to the support tape.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing element-free gaps or spaces in a continuous fastener chain. Means are provided for supporting a series of discrete fastener elements formed by die-casting a metal or injection-molding a plastics material and secured to a tape cord with their coupling heads faced upwardly, severing the fastener elements into halves at the coupling heads towards the cord and removing the severed elements completely from the cord without damage thereto. The severing operation is effected by a vertically movable cutter blade adapted to thrust centrally into the coupling heads toward the cord and is immediately followed by the removing operation wherein a pair of removers are moved downwardly to take the severed elements away from the cord when the supporting means are forced out of holding engagement with the fastener elements.