U.S. patent application number 10/395596 was filed with the patent office on 2003-09-25 for stainless steel, slide fastener and buttons suitable for use with needle detector.
Invention is credited to Awata, Sakae, Hiramatsu, Naoto, Ishii, Katsumi, Kita, Kazuhiko, Sugihara, Kouki, Suzuki, Satoshi.
Application Number | 20030177617 10/395596 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28035776 |
Filed Date | 2003-09-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030177617 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kita, Kazuhiko ; et
al. |
September 25, 2003 |
Stainless steel, slide fastener and buttons suitable for use with
needle detector
Abstract
A stainless steel suitable for use with a needle detector, that
has a magnetic permeability of 1.005 or less in a magnetic field of
1 kOe, and a magnetization of 550 memu/g or less in a magnetic
field of 18 kOe. The steel comprises, in mass %, 0.01 to 0.15% of
C, 0.1 to 5% of Si, 1 to 10% of Mn, 8 to 25% of Ni, 14 to 30% of
Cr, 0.01 to 0.25% of N, and the remainder Fe and impurities,
wherein an Ni equivalent, which is defined as Ni
equivalent=Ni+0.6Mn+9.69(C+N)+0.18Cr-0.11Si.sup.2, has a value of
19 or more, and may further contain at least one selected from
among a) 0.5 to 3% of Cu, b) 0.05 to 0.5% of at least one element
selected from Nb, W and V, and c) 0.1 to 2% of Mo. The stainless
steel enables reliable detection of whether broken needles have got
into clothing or the like during sewing, and there can be a slide
fastener and buttons that satisfy required properties and can be
used with needle detectors due to constituent components thereof
being manufactured using the stainless steel.
Inventors: |
Kita, Kazuhiko; (Sendai-shi,
JP) ; Awata, Sakae; (Toyama-shi, JP) ;
Sugihara, Kouki; (Saitama-shi, JP) ; Suzuki,
Satoshi; (Shinnanyou-shi, JP) ; Ishii, Katsumi;
(Shinnanyou-shi, JP) ; Hiramatsu, Naoto;
(Shinnanyou-shi, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BELL, BOYD & LLOYD, LLC
PO BOX 1135
CHICAGO
IL
60690-1135
US
|
Family ID: |
28035776 |
Appl. No.: |
10/395596 |
Filed: |
March 21, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/415 ;
24/104 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/2561 20150115;
A44B 1/02 20130101; Y10T 24/3651 20150115; A44B 19/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/415 ;
24/104 |
International
Class: |
A44B 019/26; A44B
001/28 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 25, 2002 |
JP |
2002-83048 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A stainless steel suitable for use with a needle detector,
having a magnetic permeability of 1.005 or less in a magnetic field
of 1 kOe, and a magnetization of 550 memu/g or less in a magnetic
field of 18 kOe.
2. The stainless steel suitable for use with a needle detector
according to claim 1, further exhibiting a needle-detecting
performance of 1.2 mm-diameter iron ball or less.
3. The stainless steel suitable for use with a needle detector
according to claim 1, further exhibiting a needle-detecting
performance of 0.8 mm-diameter iron ball or less.
4. The stainless steel suitable for use with a needle detector
according to claim 1, comprising, in mass %, 0.01 to 0.15% of C,
0.1 to 5% of Si, 1 to 10% of Mn, 8 to 25% of Ni, 14 to 30% of Cr,
0.01 to 0.25% of N, and the remainder Fe and impurities, wherein an
Ni equivalent, which is defined as Ni
equivalent=Ni+0.6Mn+9.69(C+N)+0.18Cr-0.11Si.sup.2, has a value of
19 or more.
5. The stainless steel suitable for use with a needle detector
according to claim 4, further containing, in mass %, at least one
additive element selected from the group consisting of a) 0.5 to 3%
of Cu, b) 0.05 to 0.5% of at least one element selected from the
group consisting of Nb, W and V, and c) 0.1 to 2% of Mo.
6. The stainless steel suitable for use with a needle detector
according to claim 1, wherein the needle-detecting performance is
maintained after cold rolling at a reduction ratio of 60% has been
carried out.
7. A slide fastener suitable for use with a needle detector,
comprising: elements mounted on mutually facing edge parts of a
pair of fastener tapes; stops mounted at both ends of the elements;
and a slider that opens and closes said elements, wherein at least
one member selected from the group consisting of said elements,
stops and slider, and constituent components thereof is formed from
a stainless steel suitable for use with a needle detector, having a
magnetic permeability of 1.005 or less in a magnetic field of 1
kOe, and a magnetization of 550 memu/g or less in a magnetic field
of 18 kOe.
8. The slide fastener suitable for use with a needle detector
according to claim 7, exhibiting a needle-detecting performance of
1.2 mm-diameter iron ball or less.
9. The slide fastener suitable for use with a needle detector
according to claim 7, exhibiting a needle-detecting performance of
0.8 mm-diameter iron ball or less.
10. The slide fastener suitable for use with a needle detector
according to claim 7, wherein the slider for slide fastener
comprises a slider body, a pull-tab disposed on the slider body,
and a latching pawl that is swingable through operation of the
pull-tab and is pushed by urging means that applies force toward
the slider body side, and at least said urging means is formed from
the stainless steel suitable for use with a needle detector.
11. The slide fastener suitable for use with a needle detector
according to claim 10, wherein the urging means of the slider is a
spring that possesses the latching pawl or a spring that is
disposed on the latching pawl.
12. A button suitable for use with a needle detector, which
comprises a front surface member disposed on a front surface of
cloth, and a base member disposed on a reverse surface of the
cloth, and is attached to the cloth by engaging said front surface
member and base member together, wherein at least one member
selected from the group consisting of said front surface member and
base member, and constituent components thereof is formed from a
stainless steel suitable for use with a needle detector, having a
magnetic permeability of 1.005 or less in a magnetic field of 1
kOe, and a magnetization of 550 memu/g or less in a magnetic field
of 18 kOe.
13. The button suitable for use with a needle detector according to
claim 12, exhibiting a needle-detecting performance of 1.2
mm-diameter iron ball or less.
14. The button suitable for use with a needle detector according to
claim 12, exhibiting a needle-detecting performance of 0.8
mm-diameter iron ball or less.
15. A button suitable for use with a needle detector, comprising a
pair of buttons consisting of a male button that is fixed to cloth
and has on a surface thereof a bulging head part that projects out,
and a female button that is fixed to cloth and has a recessed part
that separates from and engages with the bulging head part of said
male button, wherein at least one member selected from the group
consisting of said male button and female button, and constituent
components thereof is formed from a stainless steel suitable for
use with a needle detector, having a magnetic permeability of 1.005
or less in a magnetic field of 1 kOe, and a magnetization of 550
memu/g or less in a magnetic field of 18 kOe.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a stainless steel suitable
for use with a needle detector that does not cause needle detectors
to malfunction, and a slide fastener and buttons that are mounted
on clothing, footwear or the like and are suitable for coping with
needle detectors.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] Conventionally, as this kind of stainless steel, the
stainless steels disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No.
6-4905B and Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-41624B are known. In
the former patent publication a non-magnetic stainless steel having
excellent spring characteristics is disclosed, and in the latter
patent publication a work-hardened non-magnetic stainless steel
that remains non-magnetic after having been work-hardened through
cold working is disclosed. However, although the stainless steels
of the above patent publications are non-magnetic to the extent
that it is disclosed that the magnetic permeability is 1.01 or
less, the extent of magnetism is still greater than that of other
alloys, i.e. copper alloys and aluminum alloys, and hence there is
a problem that because broken needles during sewing are rather
small and thus have a small magnetism, the stainless steels of the
above patent publications are insufficient in terms of coping with
needle detectors that detect whether broken needles or the segments
thereof remain in clothing or the like. On the other hand, the
alloy disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-256813A is
known as an alloy for personal ornamental use that does not cause
needle detectors to malfunction. That patent application discloses
that the alloy can be used in various personal ornaments such as
buttons, slide fasteners, key-rings, earrings, tie-pins, brooches
and pendants, and constituent components of such personal
ornaments. However, the alloy disclosed in that patent application
is an alloy having Zr and/or Ti as a principal component thereof,
and hence is a special alloy from the viewpoint of alloys used
hitherto, and moreover has a problem of not being able to be
manufactured easily since the alloy structure must be controlled.
Furthermore, in the case that a slide fastener or button is
manufactured using only this alloy, sufficient ability to cope with
needle detectors can be attained, but slide fasteners and buttons
are constituted from many different components, and each component
is manufactured in accordance with the required properties thereof.
In the case that all of the many different components of a slide
fastener or button are manufactured from this alloy, some of the
components may lack the required capabilities. In particular, in
the case of components that must have springiness, use of the above
alloy is problematic, and hence a conventional stainless steel or
the like must be used; it thus becomes impossible to adequately
carry out detection of whether broken needles have got into
clothing or the like during sewing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a
stainless steel that enables detection of whether broken needles
have got into clothing or the like during sewing to be carried out
adequately, and a slide fastener and buttons that satisfy
properties required of slide fasteners and buttons and can cope
with needle detectors due to the slide fastener and buttons or
constituent components thereof being manufactured using the above
stainless steel. Note that the stainless steel according to the
present invention can be used not only in slide fasteners and
buttons suitable for use with a needle detector, but also in uses
in which non-magnetism is required, for example in members such as
gun parts and magnetic sensor cases.
[0006] The present invention is constituted as follows.
[0007] (1) A stainless steel suitable for use with a needle
detector, having a magnetic permeability of 1.005 or less in a
magnetic field of 1 kOe, and a magnetization of 550 memu/g or less
in a magnetic field of 18 kOe.
[0008] (2) The stainless steel suitable for use with a needle
detector according to (1) above, further exhibiting a
needle-detecting performance of 1.2 mm-diameter iron ball or
less.
[0009] (3) The stainless steel suitable for use with a needle
detector according to (1) above, further exhibiting a
needle-detecting performance of 0.8 mm-diameter iron ball or
less.
[0010] (4) The stainless steel suitable for use with a needle
detector according to any of (1), (2) and (3) above, comprising, in
mass %, 0.01 to 0.15% of C, 0.1 to 5% of Si, 1 to 10% of Mn, 8 to
25% of Ni, 14 to 30% of Cr, 0.01 to 0.25% of N, and the remainder
Fe and impurities, wherein an Ni equivalent, which is defined as Ni
equivalent=Ni+0.6Mn+9.69(C+N)+0.- 18Cr-0.11Si.sup.2, has a value of
19 or more. In the definition for Ni equivalent, Ni, Mn, C, N, Cr
and Si represent the numerical values of their contents represented
by mass % unless otherwise specified.
[0011] (5) The stainless steel suitable for use with a needle
detector according to (4) above, further containing, in mass %, at
least one element selected from the group consisting of a) 0.5 to
3% of Cu, b) 0.05 to 0.5% of at least one element selected from the
group consisting of Nb, W and V, and c) 0.1 to 2% of Mo.
[0012] (6) The stainless steel suitable for use with a needle
detector according to any of (1) through (5) above, wherein the
needle-detecting performance is maintained after cold rolling at a
reduction ratio of 60% has been carried out.
[0013] (7) A slide fastener suitable for use with a needle
detector, comprising elements mounted on mutually facing edge parts
of a pair of fastener tapes, stops mounted at both ends of the
elements, and a slider that opens and closes the elements, wherein
at least one member selected from the group consisting of the
elements, stops and slider, and constituent components thereof is
formed from a stainless steel suitable for use with a needle
detector, having a magnetic permeability of 1.005 or less in a
magnetic field of 1 kOe, and a magnetization of 550 memu/g or less
in a magnetic field of 18 kOe.
[0014] (8) The slide fastener suitable for use with a needle
detector according to (7) above, exhibiting a needle-detecting
performance of 1.2 mm-diameter iron ball or less.
[0015] (9) The slide fastener suitable for use with a needle
detector according to (7) above, exhibiting a needle-detecting
performance of 0.8 mm-diameter iron ball or less.
[0016] (10) The slide fastener suitable for use with a needle
detector according to any of (7) through,(9) above, wherein the
slider for slide fastener comprises a slider body, a pull-tab
disposed on the slider body, and a latching pawl that is swingable
through operation of the pull-tab and is pushed by urging means
that applies force toward the slider body side, and at least the
urging means is formed from the stainless steel suitable for use
with a needle detector.
[0017] (11) The slide fastener suitable for use with a needle
detector according to (10) above, wherein the urging means of the
slider is a spring that possesses the latching pawl or a spring
that is disposed on the latching pawl.
[0018] (12) A button suitable for use with a needle detector, which
comprises a front surface member disposed on a front surface of
cloth, and a base member disposed on a reverse surface of the
cloth, and is attached to the cloth by engaging the front surface
member and base member together, wherein at least one member
selected from the group consisting of the front surface member and
base member, and constituent components thereof is formed a
stainless steel suitable for use with a needle detector, having a
magnetic permeability of 1.005 or less in a magnetic field of 1
kOe, and a magnetization of 550 memu/g or less in a magnetic field
of 18 kOe.
[0019] (13) The button suitable for use with a needle detector
according to (12) above, exhibiting a needle-detecting performance
of 1.2 mm-diameter iron ball or less.
[0020] (14) The button suitable for use with a needle detector
according to (12) above, exhibiting a needle-detecting performance
of 0.8 mm-diameter iron ball or less.
[0021] (15) A button suitable for use with a needle detector
comprising a pair of buttons comprising a male button that is fixed
to cloth and has on a surface thereof a bulging head part that
projects out, and a female button that is fixed to cloth and has a
recessed part that separates from and engages with the bulging head
part of the male button, wherein at least one member selected from
the group consisting of the male button and female button, and
constituent components thereof is formed from a stainless steel
suitable for use with a needle detector, having a magnetic
permeability of 1.005 or less in a magnetic field of 1 kOe, and a
magnetization of 550 memu/g or less in a magnetic field of 18
kOe.
[0022] Throughout the specification, all the contents of the
respective elements constituting the stainless steel are
represented by mass % based on the total of the stainless steel,
unless otherwise specified.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a conceptual illustration of a slide fastener.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a slider to which the
present invention is applied.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the slider to which the
present invention is applied.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another example of a
slider.
[0027] FIG. 5 is an exploded-perspective view of the other example
of a slider.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view along a central line
in the longitudinal direction of the slider.
[0029] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of an ornamental button that is
mounted at the edge of a jeans pocket or the like.
[0030] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of another example of an
ornamental button.
[0031] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an ornamental button that is
used on a jacket or the like.
[0032] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a fastening button that is
used on clothing or the like.
[0033] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a snap button.
[0034] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of another example of a snap
button.
[0035] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of another example of a snap
button.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0036] Following is a description of the stainless steel of the
present invention.
[0037] The stainless steel of the present invention must have a
magnetic permeability of 1.005 or less in a magnetic field of 1
kOe, and a magnetization of 550 memu/g or less in a magnetic field
of 18 kOe, this being to make the stainless steel able to cope with
needle detectors, which is an object of the present invention.
Through these conditions being satisfied, it is possible to provide
products, components and materials suitable for use with a needle
detector which allow needle detectors to operate accurately in
search of broken needles or their segments, which have got into
clothing or the like during sewing, and do not cause malfunction of
the needle detectors even when the stainless steel is used in
products for personal ornamental use or constituent components of
products for personal ornamental use, i.e. slide fasteners and
buttons. Furthermore, if the magnetic permeability in a 1 kOe
magnetic field is 1.003 or less, and the magnetization in an 18 kOe
magnetic field is 440 memu/g or less, then the above effects can be
further expected.
[0038] Regarding the needle-detecting performance, for a static
magnetic field type needle detector that measures the amount of
change in the magnetic flux density arising when metal is passed
through magnetic flux at a constant speed, the amount of change in
the magnetic flux density corresponding to a 0.8 mm-diameter iron
ball is set to a reference value (indicative value) of 100 to 120,
the value upon carrying out measurement on the article undergoing
measurement is taken as the needle-detecting value, and evaluation
is carried out based on the value relative to the reference value.
Specifically, if the needle-detecting value for the article
undergoing measurement is equivalent to the reference value or
less, then the needle-detecting performance is represented as "0.8
mm-diameter iron ball or less", and if the needle-detecting value
for the article undergoing measurement is equivalent to the
needle-detecting value for a 1.2 mm-diameter iron ball or less,
then the needle-detecting performance is represented as "1.2
mm-diameter iron ball or less". In such a manner, needle-detecting
performance is represented as being one of 0.8-, 1.2- or 1.5
mm-diameter iron ball or less; in the case that the
needle-detecting performance is 0.8 mm-diameter iron ball or less,
this means that even a broken needle of the smallest special size
used in sewing can be detected, and in the case that the
needle-detecting performance is 1.2 mm-diameter iron ball or less,
this means that a broken needle of an ordinarily used size can be
detected accurately. In the present invention, the needle-detecting
performance is preferably 1.2 mm-diameter iron ball or less, most
preferably 0.8 mm-diameter iron ball or less. In the present
invention, in the case of the alloy, the article undergoing
measurement is a piece of the alloy of size 15 mm.times.15
mm.times.0.4 mm, and the needle-detecting value for the article
undergoing measurement is the result obtained upon passing the
article undergoing measurement through perpendicular to the
magnetic flux. Moreover, in the case of a slide fastener or button
as described later, the article undergoing measurement is the
product or component, and the needle-detecting value for the
article undergoing measurement is the result obtained upon passing
the article undergoing measurement through perpendicular to the
magnetic flux.
[0039] The following composition is preferable for the stainless
steel used. That is, a stainless steel that comprises, in mass %,
0.01 to 0.15% of C, 0.1 to 5% of Si, 1 to 10% of Mn, 8 to 25% of
Ni, 14 to 30% of Cr, 0.01 to 0.25% of N, and the remainder Fe and
impurities, wherein the Ni equivalent, which is defined as Ni
equivalent=Ni+0.6Mn+9.69(C+N)+0.18Cr-0- .11Si.sup.2, has a value of
19 or more, is effective.
[0040] C, like N, is a potent austenitic phase stabilizing element,
and moreover is an element effective for improving the spring
characteristics, and hence the lower limit of the C content is made
to be 0.01%. However, C is an element that brings about a drop in
the corrosion resistance, and moreover if solid solution of C
occurs excessively then the workability of the stainless steel is
marred due to hardening caused by the increase in the amount of C
in solid solution, and hence in consideration of this the upper
limit of the C content is made to be 0.15%.
[0041] Si is an effective element for achieving high strength, and
hence it is preferable for the Si content to be at least 0.1%.
However, as the Si content increases, the magnetic permeability
after cold working increases dramatically and thus it become
impossible to maintain the non-magnetism, and hence the upper limit
of the Si content is made to be 5%.
[0042] Mn, like Ni, is an austenitic phase stabilizing element, and
hence suppresses increase in the magnetic permeability upon cold
working. Moreover, Mn is an element that increases the solid
solubility of N. For these capabilities to be exhibited, the Mn
content must be at least 1%, and moreover the Mn content must be
adjusted along with the Ni content to maintain the non-magnetism
after cold working; however, if more than 10% of Mn is contained
then effects commensurate with this will not be observed, and hence
the upper limit of the Mn content is set to 10%.
[0043] Ni is a fundamental component of austenitic stainless steel,
and is an effective element for contributing to stabilization of
the austenitic phase. To maintain the non-magnetism after cold
working the Ni content must be at least 8%, and moreover the Ni
content must be adjusted along with the Mn content in accordance
with the Si content. However, Ni brings about a drop in the spring
characteristics after cold working, and hence the upper limit of
the Ni content is made to be 25%.
[0044] Cr is a fundamental component of stainless steel, and to
obtain excellent corrosion resistance the Cr content must be at
least 14%; however, if a large amount of Cr is contained, then a
large amount of delta ferrite will be produced and hence it will no
longer be possible to secure the non-magnetism; the upper limit of
the Cr content is thus made to be 30%.
[0045] N is an element that is effective for maintaining the
non-magnetism, which is a main characteristic feature of the
stainless steel of the present invention, and for improving the
strength and obtaining excellent spring characteristics; the lower
limit of the N content is thus made to be 0.01%. However, if the N
content exceeds 0.25%, then as with C, the workability of the
stainless steel will be marred due to hardening caused by an
increase in the amount of N in solid solution. Moreover, the
castability will be marred and hence it will not be possible to
obtain a sound steel ingot; the upper limit of the N content is
thus made to be 0.25%. In particular, in the case that workability,
for example shape fixability, is required and it is required to
make the lifetime of a press die long, and hence the stainless
steel must be made soft, it is preferable to make the upper limit
of the N content be less than 0.06%.
[0046] Cu is an austenitic phase stabilizing element, and is an
effective element for conferring workability. To exhibit this
effect, it is preferable to add at least 0.5% of Cu. However, if
more than 3% of Cu is added then such an excess addition of Cu
exceeding the solid solubility limit will impair the workability,
and hence the upper limit of the Cu content is made to be 3%.
[0047] Nb, W and V are all elements that increase the
work-hardening ability, and to exhibit this effect it is preferable
to add at least 0.05% of Nb, W and V in total. However, if large
amounts of Nb, W and V are added, then there will be a
deterioration in the hot workability, and delta ferrite will be
produced and hence it will no longer be possible to maintain the
non-magnetism; the upper limit of the total content of Nb, W and V
is thus made to be 0.5%.
[0048] Mo is an element that is effective for improving the
corrosion resistance, and to exhibit this effect it is preferable
to add at least 0.1% of Mo. However, if a large amount of Mo is
added then the amount of delta ferrite produced will increase and
hence it will no longer be possible to maintain the non-magnetism;
the upper limit of the Mo content is thus made to be 2%.
[0049] Moreover, to obtain high strength it is necessary to confer
working strain on the stainless steel of the present invention and
thus work-harden the stainless steel through cold working. Cold
working corresponding to a cold rolling reduction ratio of from 30%
to 80% is thus necessary. In order to secure the non-magnetism even
though such cold working is carried out, the value of the Ni
equivalent stipulated as described earlier must be at least 19. The
cold rolling reduction ratio is defined as the percentage of the
change in the sheet thickness of the material upon cold rolling to
the original sheet thickness. However, if the Ni and Mn contents
become too high to raise the value of the Ni equivalent, then the
work-hardening ability of the steel will drop, and hence the Ni and
Mn contents are made to be as stipulated earlier.
[0050] Furthermore, a constituent-component of a slide fastener or
the like in which the stainless steel of the present invention is
used is manufactured by cold rolling with a cold rolling reduction
ratio as defined above of at least 60%, and hence it is necessary
for the needle-detecting performance to be maintained after the 60%
cold rolling reduction has been effected. As described above, for
the stainless steel of the present invention, to obtain high
strength, a cold rolling reduction ratio of 30 to 80% is necessary,
and hence it is necessary for the needle-detecting performance to
be maintained after at least 30% cold rolling reduction has been
effected; depending on the product or component manufactured, it
may be necessary to effect a 60% cold rolling reduction, and hence
it is particularly preferable for the needle-detecting performance
to be maintained after the 60% cold rolling reduction has been
effected.
[0051] Following are descriptions, with reference to the drawings,
of a slide fastener and buttons to which the present invention is
applied.
[0052] First, a description will be given of a slide fastener
F.
[0053] FIG. 1 is a conceptual drawing of the slide fastener; as
shown in FIG. 1, the slide fastener F comprises a pair of fastener
tapes 1 each of which has a core part 2 formed at an edge on one
side thereof, elements 3 that are fixed (mounted) by caulking at
prescribed intervals onto the core part 2 of each fastener tape 1,
a top stop 4 and a bottom stop 5 that are fixed by caulking onto
the core part 2 of each fastener tape 1 at the top and bottom ends
respectively of the elements 3, and a slide fastener slider
(hereinafter referred to as the "slider") S that is disposed
between facing pairs of elements 3 and can be freely slid in an
up/down direction to engage and separate (open and close) the
elements 3. Note that, in the above, the article obtained by
mounting elements 3 onto the core part 2 of the fastener tape 1 is
a slide fastener chain 7. Also note that, although not shown in the
drawing, the bottom stop 5 may be made to be a separable bottom
stop assembly comprising an insertion pin, a box pin and a box
body, whereby the pair of slide fastener chains 7 can be separated
through the opening operation of the slider S. In the present
invention, the stainless steel suitable for use with a needle
detector described above can be used for the elements 3, the top
stop 4, the bottom stop 5, the slider S, the separable bottom stop
assembly, and so on if these are made of metal. Moreover, the
stainless steel suitable for use with a needle detector can be used
for constituent components of the slider S and the separable bottom
stop assembly, for example the insertion pin, the box pin, the box
body, and so on (for the slider S, the constituent components will
be described later). Furthermore, the above description has been
given based on a slide fastener that uses elements 3, a top stop 4
and a bottom stop 5 that are made of metal, but the present
invention may also be applied to a slide fastener that uses
elements 3, a top stop 4 and a bottom stop 5 that are formed from a
resin, for example, by injection, or from a resin filament (e.g. in
a coil form), in which case the target of application of the
present invention becomes other components and so on that are made
of metal.
[0054] Following is a detailed description of the slider S.
[0055] FIGS. 2 and 3 show the slider S to which the present
invention is applied; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view that
shows the relationship between the various components in exploded
fashion, and FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view along a
central line in the longitudinal direction of the slider. 11
indicates a slider body, 12 indicates a pull-tab, and 13 indicates
a latching pawl-possessing spring. In the latching pawl-possessing
spring 13, a spring part 14 at the front and a latching pawl part
15 at the back are formed integrated together. As shown in FIG. 3,
the slider S1 is constituted by disposing the pull-tab 12 on the
slider body 11, and mounting the latching pawl-possessing spring 13
on a top part of the slider body 11. With such a slider S1, when
not in use, as shown in FIG. 3, an end part of the latching pawl
part 15 of the latching pawl-possessing spring 13 is pushed
downward by application of force from the spring part 14 of the
latching pawl-possessing spring 13 and hence bites in between
elements, not shown, thus stopping downward movement of the slider
S1. On the other hand, during use, the pull-tab 12 is operated
upward against the force from the spring part 14, whereby the end
part of the latching pawl part 15 moves upward, and thus the
latching with the elements, not shown, is released, and hence
downward movement of the slider S1 becomes possible.
[0056] FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 show another example of the slider S; FIG.
4 is a perspective view of the slider S2, FIG. 5 is an exploded
perspective view that shows the relationship between the various
components in exploded fashion, and FIG. 6 is a longitudinal
sectional view along a central line in the longitudinal direction
of the slider. As before, 11 indicates a slider body, and 12
indicates a pull-tab; 16 indicates a latching pawl, 17 indicates a
plate spring, and 18 indicates a cover. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6,
the slider S2 is constituted by disposing the pull-tab 12 and the
latching pawl 16 on the slider body 11, fixing the plate spring 17
onto a top part of the slider body 11, and fixing the cover 18 onto
the top part of the slider body 11. With such a slider S2, when not
in use, as shown in FIG. 6, an end part of the latching pawl 16 is
pushed downward by application of force from the plate spring 17
and hence bites in between elements, not shown, thus stopping
downward movement of the slider S2. On the other hand, during use,
the pull-tab 12 is operated upward against the force from the plate
spring 17, whereby the end part of the latching pawl 16 moves
upward, and thus the latching with the elements, not shown, is
released, and hence downward movement of the slider S2 becomes
possible.
[0057] With the sliders described above, the latching
pawl-possessing spring 13 of the slider S1, and at least the plate
spring 17 of the slider S2, are made of the stainless steel
suitable for use with a needle detector of the present invention.
Furthermore, in the above, the latching pawl 16 and the cover 18,
and also the pull-tab 12 and the slider body 11, may be made of the
stainless steel suitable for use with a needle detector of the
present invention, and moreover sliders suitable for use with a
needle detector of the present invention can also be provided by
making the latching pawl-possessing spring 13 and the plate spring
17 be made of the stainless steel suitable for use with a needle
detector, and manufacturing the slider body 11, the latching pawl
16, the cover 18 and the pull-tab 12 from brass, red brass or the
like. Furthermore, a slide fastener suitable for use with a needle
detector of the present invention can be provided by making the
slider have a constitution as described above, and making the
elements 3, the top stop 4 and the bottom stop 5 be made of the
stainless steel suitable for use with a needle detector, or else
brass, red brass or the like.
[0058] Next, a description will be given of buttons B. In the
present invention "buttons B" is used with a meaning that includes
ornamental buttons B1 to B3 shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, a fastening
button B4 shown in FIG. 10, and snap buttons SB1, 2 and 3 shown in
FIGS. 11 to 13. Moreover, "front surface member" means a member
that is generally disposed on the outer surface side of cloth, and
"base member" means a member that is generally disposed on the
reverse surface side of cloth.
[0059] Following are detailed descriptions of each type of button
B.
[0060] FIG. 7 shows an ornamental button B1 that is mounted, for
example, at the edge of a jeans pocket. As shown in the sectional
view of FIG. 7, the ornamental button B1 comprises a connecting
member 21, a covering member 22, and an attaching member 23. The
button B1 is mounted on cloth 20 by fixing the covering member 22
to a base part of the connecting member 21 (the connecting member
21 and the covering member 22 together constitute a base member),
piercing a shaft of the connecting member 21 through the cloth 20,
and further passing the shaft of the connecting member 21 through
the attaching member 23 (front surface member), and then expanding
the tip of the shaft of the connecting member 21.
[0061] An ornamental button B2 of FIG. 8 differs from the
ornamental button B1 of FIG. 7 in that the shaft of the connecting
member 21 is expanded inside the attaching member 23, and is
concealed. Other than this, the ornamental button B2 of FIG. 8 is
like the ornamental button B1 of FIG. 7.
[0062] With the ornamental buttons B1 and B2 described above, the
attaching member 23, which is generally exposed to the outer
surface side, is made of the stainless steel suitable for use with
a needle detector of the present invention, considering that the
attaching member 23 must be able to deform for fixing by caulking
and insusceptible to discoloration, degeneration and corrosion.
Furthermore, in the above, the covering member 22 and the
connecting member 21 may be made of the stainless steel suitable
for use with a needle detector of the present invention, and
moreover ornamental buttons suitable for use with a needle detector
can also be provided by manufacturing the covering member 22 and
the connecting member 21 from brass, red brass or the like.
[0063] FIG. 9 shows an ornamental button B3 that is used on a
jacket or the like. As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 9, the
ornamental button B3 comprises an attaching member 23 (front
surface member) and a base part member 24 (base member). The button
B3 is mounted on cloth 20 by disposing the base member 24 on the
reverse surface of the cloth 20, piercing the attaching member 23
through the cloth 20, passing the attaching member 23 through the
rear surface of the base part member 24, and fixing the attaching
member 23 to the base part member 24 by caulking.
[0064] With the ornamental button B3, the attaching member 23,
which is generally exposed to the outer surface side, is made of
the stainless steel suitable for use with a needle detector of the
present invention, considering that the attaching member 23 must be
deformed for fixing by caulking and insusceptible to discoloration,
degeneration and corrosion. Furthermore, in the above, the base
member 24 may be made of the stainless steel suitable for use with
a needle detector of the present invention, and moreover a
ornamental button suitable for use with a needle detector can also
be provided by manufacturing the base part member 24 from brass,
red brass or the like.
[0065] FIG. 10 shows a fastening button B4 that is used on clothing
or the like and that is fastened by passing a top part, where the
button is enlarged, through an attaching hole formed in cloth 20 on
the other side. As shown in the sectional view of FIG. 10, the
fastening button B4 comprises a connecting member 21, a covering
member 22, an attaching member 23, an ornamental member 25, and a
supporting member 26. The button B4 is mounted on the cloth by
fixing the covering member 22 to a base part of the connecting
member 21 (the connecting member 21 and the covering member 22
together constitute a base member), piercing a shaft of the
connecting member 21 through the cloth 20, passing the shaft of the
connecting member 21 through the attaching member 23, and expanding
the shaft of the connecting member 21, thus engaging the attaching
member 23, which has the supporting member 26 therein and fixed
inside, and the ornamental member 25 (the attaching member 23, the
ornamental member 25 and the supporting member 26 together
constitute a front surface member).
[0066] With the fastening button B4, the attaching member 23, which
is exposed to the outer surface side, is made of the stainless
steel suitable for use with a needle detector of the present
invention, considering that the attaching member 23 must be able to
deform for the attachment and insusceptible to discoloration,
degeneration and corrosion, and/or the ornamental member 25, which
is generally exposed to the outer surface side, is made of the
stainless steel suitable for use with a needle detector of the
present invention, considering that the ornamental member 25 must
be able to deform for the attachment and insusceptible to
discoloration, degeneration and corrosion. Furthermore, in the
above, the connecting member 21, the covering member 22, and the
supporting member 26 may be made of the stainless steel suitable
for use with a needle detector of the present invention, and
moreover a fastening button suitable for use with a needle detector
can also be provided by manufacturing the connecting member 21, the
covering member 22, and the supporting member 26 from brass, red
brass or the like.
[0067] FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a snap button SB1 out of
the snap buttons SB to which the present invention is applied; the
snap button SB1 comprises a female button 31 and a male button 32.
The female button 31 comprises a female member 33 (base member) in
which is formed a recessed part 33a having on the inner peripheral
surface thereof an elastic part with which the male button 32,
described below, engages, and a female fixing member 35 (front
surface member) that is pierced through cloth 20, thus fixing the
female member 33. The male button 32 comprises a male member 34
(front surface member) having a bulging head part 34a that engages
with the elastic part of the female member 33, and a male fixing
member 36 (base member) that is pierced through cloth 20, thus
fixing the male member 34.
[0068] FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing another example of a
snap button SB; as with the snap button SB1 described above, the
snap button SB2 comprises a female button 31 and a male button 32.
The female button 31 comprises a covering member 37, a female
fixing member 35 that is fitted into the covering member 37, thus
preventing deformation of the covering member 37, and is pierced
through cloth 20, thus fixing the covering member 37 and a female
member 33, described below, together via the cloth 20 (the covering
member 37 and the female fixing member 35 together constitute a
front surface member), the female member 33 in which is formed a
recessed part 33a inside which the male button 32, described below,
is housed, and an elastic spring 38 that is disposed inside the
recessed part 33a of the female member 33 and engages with the male
button 32, described below (the female member 33 and the spring 38
together constitute a base member). The male button 32 comprises a
male member 34 (front surface member) having a bulging head part
34a that engages with the elastic spring 38 disposed inside the
recessed part 33a of the female member 33, and a male fixing member
36 (base member) that is pierced through cloth 20, thus fixing the
male member 34.
[0069] FIG. 13 is a sectional view showing yet another example of a
snap button SB; as with the snap buttons SB1 and SB2 described
above, the snap button SB3 comprises a female button 31 and a male
button 32. The female button 31 differs from that of the snap
button SB2 in that, whereas the spring 38 of the snap button SB2
has a partially cut out ring shape, the snap button SB3 uses a
spring 38 of the form shown in FIG. 13 and the female member 33 has
a form matching this, but is otherwise similar to that of the snap
button SB2. Moreover, the male button 32 is similar to that of the
snap button SB1.
[0070] Regarding the snap buttons SB described above, in the snap
buttons SB1, SB2 and SB3, at least the female member 33 is made of
the stainless steel suitable for use with a needle detector of the
present invention. Furthermore, in the above, the male member 34,
the female and male fixing members 35 and 36, and the covering
member 37 may be made of the stainless steel suitable for use with
a needle detector of the present invention, and moreover snap
buttons suitable for use with a needle detector of the present
invention can also be provided by making the female member 33 be
made of the stainless steel suitable for use with a needle detector
of the present invention, and manufacturing the male member 34, the
female and male fixing members 35 and 36, and the covering member
37 from brass, red brass or the like. Furthermore, in consideration
of discoloration, degeneration and corrosion, it is preferable for
the female fixing member 35 of the snap button SB1, and the
covering member 37 of the snap buttons SB2 and SB3, to be made of
the stainless steel suitable for use with a needle detector of the
present invention.
EXAMPLES
[0071] Following is a concrete description of the present invention
through examples, but the present invention is of course not
limited to the following examples.
1 TABLE 1 Composition (mass %) balance: Fe Ni C Si Mn Ni Cr N Mo Cu
W Nb V equivalent Example 1 0.131 2.3 9.6 13.8 26.5 0.23 -- -- --
-- -- 27.2 Example 2 0.065 0.6 3.8 13.0 20.3 0.04 -- -- -- -- 19.9
Example 3 0.095 1.5 7.7 17.3 22.3 0.20 -- -- 28.5 Example 4 0.065
1.1 6.0 20.2 23.6 0.08 -- -- 29.3 Example 5 0.065 1.4 3.6 12.5 19.5
0.05 -- -- 19.1 Example 6 0.093 0.8 5.1 13.6 17.7 0.06 -- -- 21.3
Example 7 0.072 0.2 8.3 12.1 15.3 0.03 -- -- 20.8 Example 8 0.062
0.6 5.1 13.6 19.5 0.04 -- -- 21.1 Example 9 0.059 0.6 4.3 13.2 20.1
0.03 -- -- 20.2 Example 10 0.066 0.7 3.8 12.8 20.4 0.03 -- -- 19.7
Example 11 0.066 0.7 3.8 12.8 20.4 0.12 -- -- 20.5 Example 12 0.070
0.3 6.5 10.3 20.0 0.10 -- -- 19.4 Example 13 0.072 0.3 3.0 12.3
19.0 0.15 -- -- 19.7 Example 14 0.063 0.6 1.5 14.8 22.3 0.02 -- --
20.5 Example 15 0.051 0.5 1.5 19.1 24.7 0.03 0.30 -- 25.2 Example
16 0.073 0.6 3.0 12.2 18.9 0.13 1.50 -- 19.3 Example 17 0.077 0.6
3.2 12.4 18.9 0.17 -- 2.20 20.1 Example 18 0.067 0.5 3.1 12.0 19.3
0.12 -- -- 0.30 19.1 Example 19 0.059 0.6 3.2 12.3 18.9 0.11 -- --
0.33 19.2 Example 20 0.072 0.7 3.0 12.2 19.2 0.14 -- -- 0.35 19.5
Comparative 0.041 0.7 0.6 7.8 18.1 0.04 -- -- 12.1 Example 1
Comparative 0.052 0.6 3.2 10.0 18.9 0.03 -- -- 16.1 Example 2
Comparative 0.040 0.8 2.0 12.0 17.8 0.03 -- -- 17.0 Example 3
Comparative 0.041 0.3 1.0 13.0 22.0 0.03 18.2 Example 4 Comparative
0.055 0.6 0.8 8.1 18.3 0.03 12.6 Example 5 Comparative 0.072 0.4
0.7 8.1 18.3 0.03 12.8 Example 6
[0072] Test materials (Examples 1 to 20) made of stainless steels
of the present invention as shown in Table 1 were manufactured as
follows. Moreover, test materials of comparative examples were also
manufactured in the same way.
[0073] Each of the prescribed compositions shown in Table 1 was
weighed out. 30 kg of each composition was melted in an ordinary
manner using a high-frequency induction melting furnace, and cast
into an ingot having a thickness of 10 mm and a width of 120 mm.
Then, each ingot was subjected to solution treatment, cold rolling
to 3 mm in thickness, intermediate annealing, cold rolling to 1.5
mm in thickness and final annealing. The thus obtained material had
a size of 120 mm.times.300 mm. Cold rolling was then further
carried out to effect a rolling reduction ratio of 60%, and the
material thus obtained was taken as the test material.
[0074] For each of the test materials obtained, the magnetic
permeability was measured in a 1 kOe magnetic field using a
magnetic balance Shimadzu MB-3. The results are shown in Table 2.
From Table 2, it can be seen that for the test materials of the
present invention, the magnetic permeability; is extremely (not
more than 1.005).
[0075] Moreover, for each of the test materials obtained, the
magnetization was measured. The magnetization was measured for each
test material using an alternating gradient force magnetometer
(AGFM; model AFGM 2900-04C); a prescribed amount of the test sample
was placed in the magnetic field of the electromagnet, a magnetic
field of 18 kOe was generated from the electromagnet, and the
magnetization was measured by changing the magnetic field. The
measurement was carried out at a measurement speed of 50
msec/point. As can be seen from the results in Table 2, for the
test materials of the present invention, the magnetization is
extremely low at 550 memu/g or less even in a strong magnetic field
of 18 kOe.
2 TABLE 2 No. buttons at which needle detection is Magneti-
possible Magnetic zation Needle- 0.8 mm- 1.2 mm- permea- memu/g
detecting diameter diameter bility at 18kOe value iron ball iron
ball Example 1 1.003 412 65 3 10 Example 2 1.002 422 67 3 10
Example 3 1.002 409 64 3 10 Example 4 1.003 403 60 3 10 Example 5
1.004 432 78 3 10 Example 6 1.003 415 68 3 10 Example 7 1.002 419
69 3 10 Example 8 1.003 414 68 3 10 Example 9 1.003 420 69 3 10
Example 10 1.002 431 72 3 10 Example 11 1.003 423 71 3 10 Example
12 1.002 435 79 3 10 Example 13 1.003 435 75 3 10 Example 14 1.003
428 73 3 10 Example 15 1.003 416 68 3 10 Example 16 1.003 545 86 3
10 Example 17 1.003 524 83 3 10 Example 18 1.003 490 82 3 10
Example 19 1.003 515 84 3 10 Example 20 1.004 528 84 3 10
Comparative 1.21 8920 604 0 0 Example 1 Comparative 1.03 937 133 0
2 Example 2 Comparative 1.02 647 97 1 4 Example 3 Comparative 1.008
574 84 2 5 Example 4 Comparative 1.14 5029 398 0 1 Example 5
Comparative 1.12 5830 430 0 0 Example 6
[0076] Furthermore, a 15 mm.times.15 mm.times.0.4 mm piece of each
test material was taken, and the needle-detecting value was
measured. Regarding the needle-detecting value, for a static
magnetic field type needle detector that measures the amount of
change in the magnetic flux density arising when metal is passed
through magnetic flux at a constant speed, the amount of change in
the magnetic flux density corresponding to a 0.8 mm-diameter iron
ball was set to a reference value (indicative value) of 100 to 120,
and the value upon carrying out measurement on each test material
undergoing measurement was taken as the needle-detecting value. The
results of the measurements based on the above are shown in Table
2. The values shown in Table 2 are values relative to the
above-mentioned reference value. As can be seen from the results in
Table 2, the test materials of the present invention have an
extremely low needle-detecting value of 86 or less.
[0077] Moreover, female members 33, female fixing members 35 and
covering members 37 were manufactured from each of the test
materials obtained, and female buttons 31 of the snap button SB2
shown in FIG. 12 were manufactured. Note that rolling was carried
out as described earlier such that the rolling reduction ratio was
60% before manufacturing the female buttons 31 of the snap button
SB2. The female buttons 31 manufactured were fed into a needle
detector, and a study was carried out into the number of female
buttons 31 in the presence of which specified broken needles-could
be detected. The value of 0.8 mm-diameter iron ball in Table 2 is
the number of female buttons 31 in the presence of which a broken
needle equivalent to a 0.8 mm-diameter iron ball could be detected,
and the value of 1.2 mm-diameter iron ball in Table 2 is similarly
the number of female buttons 31 in the presence of which a broken
needle equivalent to a 1.2 mm-diameter iron ball could be detected.
From Table 2, it can be seen that for the female buttons 31 made of
each of the test materials of the present invention, a broken
needle equivalent to a 0.8 mm-diameter iron ball can be detected
even in the presence of 3 of the female buttons 31, and when
detecting a broken needle equivalent to a 1.2 mm-diameter iron
ball, the broken needle can be detected even in the presence of 10
of the female buttons 31. These results mean that detection of
broken needles can be carried out not only if clothing is fed into
a needle detector such that snap buttons attached to, the clothing
pass through the needle detector one at a time, but even if 3 to 10
snap buttons pass through the needle detector simultaneously.
[0078] Next, a study was carried out into the relationship between
the working ratio (reduction ratio), and the hardness, the
magnetization and the needle-detecting value. Test materials were
prepared for which the rolling reduction ratio was 60% by
manufacturing as described earlier, and for which cold rolling was
not carried out after the final annealing and hence the rolling
reduction ratio was 0%. The hardness was measured in Vickers
hardness with a load of 20 kg, and the magnetization and the
needle-detecting value were measured as described earlier. The
results are shown in Table 3.
3 TABLE 3 Needle- Magnetization detecting Hardness memu/g at 18kOe
value 0% 60% 0% 60% 0% 60% Example 1 176 422 401 412 61 65 Example
2 145 360 403 422 65 67 Example 3 172 409 398 409 63 64 Example 4
149 366 390 403 59 60 Example 5 144 363 428 432 73 78 Example 6 139
368 411 415 65 68 Example 7 140 367 408 419 65 69 Example 8 127 366
402 414 66 68 Example 9 132 370 497 420 67 69 Example 10 145 387
428 431 68 72 Example 11 173 408 417 423 68 71 Example 12 171 404
427 435 72 79 Example 13 177 420 428 435 73 75 Example 14 145 389
419 428 68 73 Example 15 143 380 406 416 64 68 Example 16 155 390
511 545 78 86 Example 17 165 419 495 524 75 83 Example 18 162 404
477 490 77 82 Example 19 164 405 492 515 78 84 Example 20 168 413
519 528 80 84 Comparative 141 382 821 8920 129 604 Example 1
Comparative 138 378 640 937 91 133 Example 2 Comparative 139 381
503 647 88 97 Example 3 Comparative 137 370 469 574 79 84 Example 4
Comparative 140 383 793 5029 107 398 Example 5 Comparative 138 379
713 5830 94 430 Example 6
[0079] From Table 3, it can be seen that the hardness becomes
higher when the rolling reduction ratio is larger, and that the
test materials of the examples of the present invention have a
higher hardness than the test materials of the comparative examples
regardless of the rolling reduction ratio. Moreover, it can be seen
that whereas the magnetization becomes larger for the test
materials of the comparative examples upon increasing the rolling
reduction ratio, for the test materials of the examples of the
present invention the magnetization is not affected by the rolling
reduction ratio, and it can be seen that the magnetization is lower
for the test materials of the examples of the present invention
than for the test materials of the comparative examples regardless
of the rolling reduction ratio. Furthermore, it can be seen that
whereas the needle-detecting value increases dramatically upon
increasing the rolling reduction ratio for the materials of the
comparative examples, the needle-detecting value is not affected by
the rolling reduction ratio for the test materials of the examples
of the present invention.
[0080] According to the stainless steel suitable for use with a
needle detector of the present invention, detection of whether
broken needles have got into clothing or the like during sewing can
be carried out adequately. Moreover, according to the slide
fastener and buttons of the present invention, there can be
provided a slide fastener and buttons that satisfy properties
required for the uses thereof, and that can cope with needle
detectors in that detection of whether broken needles have got into
clothing or the like during sewing can be carried out
adequately.
* * * * *