U.S. patent application number 10/470203 was filed with the patent office on 2004-04-08 for slide fastener.
Invention is credited to Fernando, Semage Rupasiri.
Application Number | 20040064922 10/470203 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9907629 |
Filed Date | 2004-04-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040064922 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fernando, Semage Rupasiri |
April 8, 2004 |
Slide fastener
Abstract
The present invention relates to a slide fastener (1) suitable
for providing a water resistant closure between two edges of
material. The fastener (1) comprises first (2) and second (4)
stringer tapes, each stringer tape (2, 4) having a multiplicity of
coupling elements (10) disposed in a row therealong and a slider
captively engaged with the opposed rows of coupling elements (10)
of the first and second stringer tapes for reciprocal movement
therealong and for ringing the coupling elements (10) into and out
of interlocking engagement. The slide fastener (1) is provided with
an elongate length of water resistant film (26), which extends
longitudinally of at least one face of each of the first (2) and
second (4) stringer tapes at least along a coupling element
anchoring zone and across at least a root portion (28) of coupling
element receiving recesses (18) defined by neighbouring coupling
elements (10) so as to provide web portions (32) between
neighbouring coupling elements (10) whereby the web portions (32)
abut against and conform when the slide fastener is in a closed
position, so as to provide a water resistant seal against the front
faces (30) of the coupling elements (10).
Inventors: |
Fernando, Semage Rupasiri;
(Fife, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Thomas N Young
Young & Basile
Suite 624
3001 West Big Beaver Road
Troy
MI
48084
US
|
Family ID: |
9907629 |
Appl. No.: |
10/470203 |
Filed: |
July 24, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
January 24, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB02/00323 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/389 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44B 19/32 20130101;
Y10T 24/2514 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
024/389 |
International
Class: |
A44B 019/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 27, 2001 |
GB |
0102142.7 |
Claims
1. A slide fastener (1) suitable for providing a water-resistant
closure between two edges of material wherein the fastener
comprises: first and second stringer tapes (2, 4), each stringer
tape having an upper and a lower surface, and an inner edge portion
extending along the length thereof, wherein the inner edge portions
of the first and second stringer tapes (2, 4) are arranged to
oppose one another; each said stringer tape having a multiplicity
of coupling elements (10) disposed in a row along the corresponding
inner edge portion thereof; a slider captively engaged with opposed
rows of coupling elements (10) of the first and second stringer
tapes (2, 4) for reciprocal movement therealong, for bringing the
coupling elements (10) of the first stringer tape (2) into and out
of interlocking interengagement between pairs of adjacent coupling
elements on the second stringer tape (4) and vice versa as parts of
the slide fastener (1) are brought into closed and open conditions
respectively; characterised in that: the slide fastener (1) is
provided with an elongate web of water-resistant film (26) which
extends longitudinally of at least one face of each of the first
and second stringer tapes (2, 4) at least along a coupling element
anchoring zone thereof and across at least a root portion (28) of
coupling element receiving recesses (18) defined between
neighbouring coupling elements (10) so as to provide web portions
between said neighbouring coupling elements, which web portions
(32) abut against and conform about at least a front face of the
respective coupling element interlocked between said neighbouring
coupling elements when the slide fastener (1) is in the closed
condition so that the web portions form a water-resistant seal
against the front faces of the coupling elements abutting
thereagainst.
2. A slide fastener (1), as claimed in claim 1 wherein a layer of
adhesive material is provided between at least the coupling element
anchoring zone and the film (26), and between the film and a face
of the row of coupling elements (10) adjacent at least the root
portion of said recesses.
3. A slide fastener (1), as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein
there is used two layers of adhesive--one on the film (26) and one
on the anchoring zone/stringer tape (2, 4).
4. A slide fastener (1) as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3 wherein
said adhesive is selected from the group of adhesives including a
thermal bonding adhesive; a contact adhesive; and a hot melt
adhesive.
5. A slide fastener (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4
wherein said inner edge portions of the stringer tapes (2, 4)
provide an anchoring zone for the coupling elements and said outer
edge portions of the string or tapes provide an anchoring zone for
attachment of the slide fastener (1) to an item of clothing, or
other article, at opposed sides of an opening therein.
6. A slide fastener (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5
wherein said first and second stringer tapes (2, 4) are in the form
of elongate, substantially rectangular strips of material selected
from the group of natural or synthetic materials including PVC,
polyethylene, polypropylene, synthetic rubber, and
polyurethane.
7. A slide fastener (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6
wherein at least one face of each of the first and second stringer
tapes (2, 4) is coated with said elongate web of film (26).
8. A slide fastener (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7
wherein said coupling element receiving recess is the base or
innermost part of the recess proximate the inner edge portion of
the first and second stringer tape (2, 4).
9. A slide fastener (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8
wherein, in a closed condition, the front faces of the coupling
elements (10) disposed on an opposing stringer tape extend towards
and abut against the web portions at least to the root portions
(28) of the corresponding coupling element receiving recesses
(18).
10. A slide fastener (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9
wherein the coupling elements (10) are selected from conventional
helically coiled coupling elements, wherein individual coupling
elements are formed with each consecutive full rotation of a
helical coil, or from individual teeth of conventional design
wherein the individual teeth are sown, glued or otherwise bonded to
the stringer tape.
11. A slide fastener (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10
wherein said water resistant film (26) is a natural or synthetic
water resistant material selected from the group including natural
or synthetic rubber, pvc, polyester, polyurethane, or combinations
thereof and which has deformation failure mechanical
resilience.
12. A slide fastener (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11
wherein said film (26) is bonded to the stringer tapes (2, 4) and
coupling elements by an adhesive material disposed in at least one
layer therebetween.
13. A slide fastener (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12
wherein said adhesive material is selected from the group including
a hot melt adhesive or hot melt contact adhesive.
14. A slide fastener (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13
wherein said film (26) has an upstanding lip or flange portion
extending along a free edge of at least the web portions.
15. A slide fastener (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14
wherein said film has an upstanding lip or flange portion (134)
extending along the entire length of the film (128).
16. A slide fastener (1) as claimed in claim 14 or claim 15 wherein
said lip or flange portion (134) provided on said first stringer
tape (162) is formed and arranged to abut against a corresponding
lip or flange portion provided on said second stringer tape and so
as to provide a water resistant seal between said abutting lip or
flange portions when the slide fastener (1) is in a closed
position.
17. A slide fastener (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16
wherein said film has a thickness in the range of from 10 to 150
.mu.m.
18. A slide fastener (1) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17
wherein said film (26) is applied to both surfaces of the stringer
tapes (2, 4) and across at least part of the coupling elements (10)
and recesses therebetween.
19. A method of producing a water-resistant slide fastener (1), the
method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a slide fastener
comprising first and second stringer tapes (2, 4), each stringer
tape having a multiplicity of coupling elements (10) in a row
extending along an inner edge portion thereof; (b) providing a
length of water-resistant film (26); (c) aligning the film along
the stringer tape and row of coupling elements so that the film
extends over the coupling element anchoring zone and the faces of
the coupling elements adjacent the recess root portions; and (d)
bringing the coupling element anchoring zone of the stringer tape
and the faces of the coupling elements adjacent the recess root
portions together with the film and bonding the film to form web
portions extending between neighbouring coupling elements at least
the root portions of said recesses; (e) aligning the respective
inner edge portions of the first and second stringer tapes to
oppose one another; (f) providing a slider; and (g) mounting the
slider on the rows of coupling elements such that the slider is
captively engaged therewith for reciprocal movement therealong.
20. A method of producing a water resistant slide fastener as
claimed in claim 19, which includes the steps of: providing at
least one layer of hot melt adhesive on a face of the water
resistant film; and applying heat to at least one of the stringer
elements and the water resistant film (26), before applying each
length of film to the stringer tapes (2,4) and the coupling
elements (10), anchored thereto.
21. A method as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20 which includes the
further step, after the film (26) has been applied to the stringer
tapes (2, 4) and the coupling elements (10), of passing the slide
fastener through a former tool which presses the film into contact
with the stringer tapes and the coupling elements.
22. A method of manufacturing a stringer tape (2, 4) suitable for
use in a water-resistant slide fastener (1) comprising the steps
of: (a) providing a stringer tape having a multiplicity of coupling
elements (10) arranged in a row along an inner edge portion
thereof, wherein the stringer tape comprises a coupling element
anchoring zone and adjacent coupling elements have coupling element
receiving recesses defined therebetween and each coupling element
receiving recess has a root portion adjacent said inner edge
portion; (b) providing a length of water-resistant film (26); (c)
aligning the film (26) along the stringer tape and row of coupling
elements so that the film extends over the coupling element
anchoring zone and the faces of the coupling elements adjacent the
recess root portions; and (d) bringing the coupling element
anchoring zone of the stringer tape (2, 4) and a face of each of
the coupling elements adjacent the recess root portions together
with the film the adhesive material and bonding the film to the
stringer tape and the faces of the coupling elements to form web
portions extending between neighbouring coupling elements at least
the root portion of said recesses.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to improvements in or relating
to slide fasteners, and a method for producing such fasteners. More
particularly the present invention relates to water-resistant slide
fasteners.
[0002] Slide fasteners are every-day items commonly referred to as
zip fasteners, zippers or zips. By far the most common application
of slide fasteners is as closure devices for bringing and retaining
together two portions of clothing. With certain types of clothing
such as foul weather gear, motorcycle clothing,
hiking/mountaineering gear and the like it is desirable that the
slide fasteners should have a degree of water resistance.
[0003] A number of water-resistant slide fasteners are known. For
example, EP 0 345 799 A1 discloses a water-resistant slide fastener
which is effectively a "double zip" having two superimposed pairs
of coiled-type coupling elements, each pair of coupling elements
being attached to a single stringer tape. This type of arrangement
is relatively complex to make compared to a "standard" single
slide-fastener arrangement. Moreover, the provision of a "double
zip" arrangement tends to make the slide fastener of EP 0 345 799
A1 cumbersome to use as a result of the extra stiffness arising
from two pairs of coupling elements in this arrangement.
[0004] GB 1,130,418 discloses a process for making a fluid-tight
slide fastener wherein a conventional helical-coiled coupling
element arrangement is subjected to an additional moulding process
to produce two adjoined sealing strips along opposing rows of the
helical-coil coupling elements. The sealing strips then are
separated by a further process step of cutting the sealing strips
using a blade. The process of GB 1,130,418 is relatively complex
and requires a number of process steps and tooling requirements
such as the provision of a cutting device to enable separating of
the sealing strips which allows the slide fastener to be opened and
closed ("unzipped" and "zipped").
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,586 discloses a water-resistant slide
fastener comprising a conventional helical coil slide fastener
having a pair of elongate reinforcing cores extending through the
helical coil, and pair of stringer tapes to which the helical coil
and reinforcing cores are stitched. The stringer tapes each have an
extended lower margin which abuts against a corresponding lower
margin of the opposing stringer tape so that when the slide
fastener is in a closed condition, the extended lower margins of
stringer tape press against one another to form a water-resistant
seal there-between.
[0006] The slide fastener of U.S. Pat. No. 4,724,586 requires a
number of extra components e.g. the reinforcing cores to be
provided in addition to a standard helical coil fastener.
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to obviate and/or
minimise one or more of the disadvantages of the devices and/or
methods of manufacture of the prior art by providing a
water-resistant slide fastener and a method of manufacture
therefor.
[0008] The present invention provides a slide fastener suitable for
providing a water-resistant closure between two edges of material
wherein the fastener comprises:
[0009] first and second stringer tapes, each stringer tape having
an upper and a lower surface, and an inner edge portion extending
along the length thereof, wherein the inner edge portions of the
first and second stringer tapes are arranged to oppose one
another;
[0010] each said stringer tape having a multiplicity of coupling
elements disposed in a row along the corresponding inner edge
portion thereof;
[0011] a slider captively engaged with opposed rows of coupling
elements of the first and second stringer tapes for reciprocal
movement therealong, for bringing the coupling elements of the
first stringer tape into and out of interlocking interengagement
between pairs of adjacent coupling elements on the second stringer
tape and vice versa as parts of the slide fastener are brought into
closed and open conditions respectively;
[0012] characterised in that:
[0013] the slide fastener is provided with an elongate web of
water-resistant film which extends longitudinally of at least one
face of each of the first and second stringer tapes at least along
a coupling element anchoring zone thereof and across at least a
root portion of coupling element receiving recesses defined between
neighbouring coupling elements so as to provide web portions
between said neighbouring coupling elements, which web portions
abut against and conform about at least a front face of the
respective coupling element interlocked between said neighbouring
coupling elements when the slide fastener is in the closed
condition so that the web portions form a water-resistant seal
against the front faces of the coupling elements abutting
thereagainst.
[0014] The present invention also provides a method of
manufacturing a stringer tape suitable for use in a water-resistant
slide fastener comprising the steps of:
[0015] (a) providing a stringer tape having a multiplicity of
coupling elements arranged in a row along an inner edge portion
thereof, wherein the stringer tape comprises a coupling element
anchoring zone and adjacent coupling elements have coupling element
receiving recesses defined therebetween and each coupling element
receiving recess has a root portion adjacent said inner edge
portion;
[0016] (b) providing a length of water-resistant film;
[0017] (c) aligning the film along the stringer tape and row of
coupling elements so that the film extends over the coupling
element anchoring zone and the faces of the coupling elements
adjacent the recess root portions; and
[0018] (d) bringing the coupling element anchoring zone of the
stringer tape and a face of each of the coupling elements adjacent
the recess root portions together with the film and bonding the
film to the stringer tape and the faces of the coupling elements to
form web portions extending between neighbouring coupling elements
at least the root portion of said recesses.
[0019] Conveniently in a preferred embodiment a layer of adhesive
material(s) desirably thermal bonding adhesive(s) is provided
between at least the coupling element anchoring zone and the film
and between the film and a face of the row of coupling elements
adjacent at least the root portion of said recesses. Desirably
there may be used two layers of adhesive (preferably a contact/hot
melt adhesive)--one on the film and one on the anchoring
zone/stringer tape.
[0020] The slide fastener of the present invention provides a
water-resistant closure which is very similar in general appearance
to standard slide fasteners, but is much simpler in construction
and manufacture than many prior art water-resistant devices thereby
having lower costs associated with materials, tooling and/or labour
in the production thereof.
[0021] Additionally, the slide fastener of the present invention
does not have additional flaps or layers of material or tape which
may limit the types of application or clothing with which the slide
fastener can be used or attached to.
[0022] The first and second stringer tapes are generally in the
form of elongate, substantially rectangular strips of material. The
material may be woven or non-woven. Preferably, the material is
water-resistant but this is not necessary--especially where the
water resistant film extends across parts of the stringer tape
which would be exposed in use. The inner edge portions of the
stringer tapes provide an anchoring zone for the coupling elements
while outer edge portions of the stringer tapes provide an
anchoring zone for attachment of the slide fastener to an item of
clothing or other article at opposed sides of an opening therein,
for example, by means of stitching, adhesive, thermal bonding,
etc.
[0023] It is intended that the term "water-resistant" refers to the
ability of the slide fastener to resist against the penetration of
water which is splashed onto the slide fastener and also includes
resistance against water penetration where the slide fastener and,
for example, an article of clothing to which it is attached, are
momentarily submerged underwater or exposed for longer periods of
time in relatively shallow e.g. 10 cm bodies of water such as
streams. In this connection the term "water-resistant" would not
normally include the ability to resist water penetration in
prolonged submersion activities such as use in wet/dry suits.
[0024] The stringer tape material may be formed of any suitable
natural or synthetic material but are conveniently a synthetic
polymer material such as P.V.C., polyethylene, polypropylene,
synthetic rubber, polyurethane and other such materials commonly
used as water resistant materials for clothing.
[0025] The at least one face of each of the first and second
stringer tapes may be the upper or lower face or surface adjoining
the anchoring zone of the coupling elements where the upper face is
the outer or exposed face. Preferably both the "upper" and "lower"
faces of the stringer tapes are coated with said elongate web of
film.
[0026] The coupling element receiving recesses defined between
neighbouring couplings are zones or areas between neighbouring
coupling elements anchored to a first stringer tape which recesses
are formed and arranged to receive and captively retain therein a
coupling element anchored to a second stringer tape, when the slide
fastener is in a closed condition. The root portion of the coupling
element receiving recess is the base or innermost part of the
recess proximate the inner edge portions of the first and second
stringer tapes. Preferably, when in a closed condition, the front
faces of the coupling elements disposed on an opposing (first or
second) stringer tape extends towards and abut against the web
portions at least to the root portions of the corresponding
coupling element receiving recesses.
[0027] Each row of coupling elements may be formed from
conventional helically coiled coupling elements, where individual
coupling elements are formed by each consecutive full rotation of a
helical coil. The helically coiled coupling elements may be sewn,
glued or otherwise bonded to the stringer tapes. Alternatively, the
coupling elements may be formed from individual teeth of
conventional design wherein the individual teeth may be sewn, glued
or otherwise bonded to the stringer tapes in a manner known to
those skilled in the art thereof.
[0028] The individual teeth may be formed by a moulding or other
similar process. Alternatively the coupling elements and the first
and second stringer tapes are moulded in one piece.
[0029] It is preferred that the coupling elements are of the
individual moulded type, as helical coil-type coupling elements are
susceptible to opening up gaps between the coupling elements of the
first and second stringer tapes when a large transverse force is
applied across the slide fasteners incorporating such coupling
elements.
[0030] The slider may be a conventional slider generally comprising
an upper wing having a pair of opposing downwardly directed side
flanges and a lower wing having a pair of opposing upwardly
directed side flanges where the wings are joined to one another by
a wedge shaped portion extending therebetween to define a generally
Y-shaped opening for reciprocal movement of the slider along the
coupling elements to open and close the slide fastener. The slider
is preferably provided with a finger grip portion to facilitate
moving the slider. Desirably the finger grip portion is hingably
mounted on the slider. The elongate web of water-resistant film
preferably coats at least a portion of the upper or outer (in use)
surface of the first and second stringer tapes and the rows of
coupling elements thereon. In one particularly preferred
embodiment, the film extends over a major portion of the upper
surface of the coupling elements and is bonded thereto only at a
portion adjacent the root portion.
[0031] The water-resistant material forming the film may be any
suitable natural or synthetic water-resistant material such as for
example natural or synthetic rubber, P.V.C., polyester, olyurethane
or combinations thereof which has, when bonded to the slide
fastener, sufficient mechanical resilience and elastic properties
to be able to be deformed a very large number of times without
failure. This is particularly relevant as the film web portions,
when the slide fastener is in a closed condition, abut against, and
deform to form a water-resistant seal against the front faces of
the coupling elements.
[0032] The film is preferably bonded to the stringer tapes and the
coupling elements by an adhesive material disposed in a layer or
layers therebetween. Desirably the adhesive material is a layer of
hot melt adhesive or hot melt contact adhesive. It will be
appreciated that the adhesive material should be compatible with
the materials from which the stringer and coupling elements are
formed, in addition to not failing under moist or wet conditions of
use of the slide fastener.
[0033] Preferably, the film has an upstanding lip or flange portion
extending along a free edge of at least the web portions, and most
preferably along the entire length of the film. A lip/flange
portion provided on the first stringer tape is generally formed and
arranged to abut against a corresponding lip/flange portion
provided on the second stringer tape so as to form a
water-resistant seal between the abutting lip/flange portions when
the slide fastener is in a closed condition.
[0034] The film may be of any desired thickness depending upon the
use requirements of the slide fastener. For example, where an
article of clothing to which a slide fastener is to be attached is
relatively light and/or is intended only to have a minimum of
water-resistance such as for light shower-proof applications, then
a relatively thin outer-wear film of approximately 20 .mu.m could
be used. For heavier applications such as sports bags, hold-alls,
outer-wear for emergency and rescue services as thicker film of
approximately 100 .mu.m could be used. In general the film
desirably has a thickness of from 10 to 150 .mu.m, preferably from
15 to 120 .mu.m and most preferably from 30 to 80 .mu.m,
advantageously from 40 to 60 .mu.m. In some applications such as
for example ski-wear a film thickness of about 40 .mu.m is
desirable.
[0035] Advantageously the film may also be applied to the lower
surface of the stringer tapes, and, if desired, across at least
part of the coupling elements and recesses therebetween, at that
side of the stringer tapes.
[0036] Desirably the film is applied to both the upper and lower
surfaces of the stringer tapes and coupling elements. This
arrangement provides an extra degree of water-resistance which
would be advantageous in heavier duty applications such as foul
weather gear and survival gear including applications where
prolonged immersion in water is usual.
[0037] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method
of producing a water-resistant slide fastener, the method
comprising the steps of:
[0038] (a) providing a slide fastener comprising first and second
stringer tapes, each stringer tape having a multiplicity of
coupling elements in a row extending along an inner edge portion
thereof;
[0039] (b) providing a length of water-resistant film;
[0040] (c) aligning the film along the stringer tape and row of
coupling elements so that the film extends over the coupling
element anchoring zone and the faces of the coupling elements
adjacent the recess root portions; and
[0041] (d) bringing the coupling element anchoring zone of the
stringer tape and the faces of the coupling elements adjacent the
recess root portions together with the film and bonding the film to
form web portions extending between neighbouring coupling elements
at at least the root portions of said recesses;
[0042] (e) aligning the respective inner edge portions of the first
and second stringer tapes to oppose one another;
[0043] (f) providing a slider; and
[0044] (g) mounting the slider on the rows of coupling elements
such that the slider is captively engaged therewith for reciprocal
movement therealong.
[0045] Desirably a layer (or layers) of adhesive material located
between at least the coupling element anchoring zone and the film
and between the film and a face of the row of coupling elements
adjacent at least the root portions of said recesses used to bond
the film to the stringer tapes and the coupling elements.
[0046] In a preferred method of producing a stringer tape and
coupling elements suitable for use in a water-resistant slide
fastener there is used a hot-melt adhesive (or adhesives) and the
method of the invention also includes the steps of: providing a
layer of hot-melt adhesive (or adhesives) on a face of the
water-resistant film; and
[0047] applying heat to at least one of the stringer elements and
the water-resistant film, before applying each length of film to
the stringer tapes and the coupling elements, anchored thereto.
[0048] The stringer tapes and coupling elements may be heated by a
hot air gun or similar device. To ensure that the film bonds
strongly with the stringer tapes and coupling elements, it is
referred that immediately after the film has been applied to the
stringer tapes and coupling elements that the slide fastener pass
through a former tool which presses the film into contact with the
stringer tapes and coupling elements.
[0049] The heat required to melt the hot melt adhesive (where
used), is conveniently provided by heating the former tool.
[0050] The former tool preferably comprises one or more rollers
having a profile substantially complementary to that of the
stringer tapes and coupling elements thereon to ensure that an even
pressure is applied to the film as the film and stringer tapes (and
coupling elements) pass through the former tool. Desirably, the
former tool is profiled at one end to form the upstanding lip or
flange portion on the film.
[0051] The lengths of water-resistant film may be discrete lengths
of a predetermined length or longitudinal extent, for example, for
use in coating individual ones of a said stringer tape and a row of
coupling elements thereon. Alternatively, the lengths may be a
substantially continuous length of said film provided, for example,
in the form of a substantially continuous roll of film.
[0052] Further preferred features and advantages of the present
invention will appear from the following detailed description given
by way of example of some preferred embodiments illustrated with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0053] FIG. 1 shows a top view of a slide fastener according to a
first embodiment of the present invention, with a section through a
slider thereon;
[0054] FIG. 2 shows a more detailed view of the slide fastener of
FIG. 1 in an open condition;
[0055] FIG. 3 shows the slide fastener of FIG. 1 in a closed
condition;
[0056] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view through a slide fastener
according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0057] FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of one stringer tape and a row
of coupling elements thereon of the slide fastener of FIG. 4, and a
former tool; and
[0058] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus suitable
for producing a water-resistant slide fastener according to an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0059] A slide fastener in a closed condition according to a first
embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 and is
generally designated by the reference number 1.
[0060] The slide fastener 1 has a pair of parallel and
longitudinally extending first and second stringer tapes 2, 4
formed from elongate strips of woven nylon fabric. Each stringer
tape 2, 4 has an upper surface 6, 6' and a lower surface (not
shown). The stringer tapes 2, 4 have inner edges 8, 8' which extend
along the length of each stringer tape 2, 4'. The inner edges 8, 8'
are arranged to oppose one another on the stinger tapes 2, 4.
[0061] Each stringer tape 2, 4 has a plurality of individual teeth
10, 10' arranged along the inner edges 8, 8'. Each tooth 10, 10'
has a square shaped anchor portion 12, 12' and a round head portion
14, 14' joined to one another by a relatively narrow neck portion
16, 16'. Each tooth 10, 10' is of the moulded plastic type and is
bonded to the stringer tapes 2, 4 at the anchor portion 12,
12'.
[0062] The areas or zones between adjacent teeth on each stringer
tape 2, 4 are referred to as the coupling element or tooth
receiving recesses 18, 18' (FIG. 2). When the slide fastener 1 is
in the closed condition (FIG .3) the head portion 14 of the first
stringer tape 2 is located and retained in the tooth receiving
recess 18' between two adjacent teeth 10' on the second stringer
tape 4, and vice versa.
[0063] A slider is mounted on the rows of teeth 10, 10' and FIG. 1.
The slider comprises an upper wing (not shown) having a pair of
opposing inwardly curved downwardly directed side flanges 20, 20'.
Similarly, a lower wing 21 having a pair of flanges are provided on
an underside of the slider. The upper and lower wings are joined to
one another by a wedged shaped (shown in section) divider 23. An
inner face 22, 22' of each flange 20, 20' abuts against a rear face
24, 24' of the anchor portion 12, 12' of each tooth 10, 10' so that
when the slider is moved (by hand) reciprocally back and forth
along the rows of teeth 10, 10', the teeth 10, 10' are brought into
and out of interlocking engagement with one another wherein the
divider 23 facilitates separation of the teeth 10, 10' to leave the
slide fastener 1 in an open condition. In this respect the slide
fastener 1 of the present invention operates in the same way as a
conventional zipper or slide fastener.
[0064] The upper surface 6, 6' of the stringer tapes 2, 4 and the
teeth 10, 10' are coated with a layer of flexible water-resistant
film 26 (see particularly FIGS. 2 and 3). The film 26 extends
between adjacent teeth on each of the stringer tapes 10, 10' from a
root portion 28, 28' adjacent the inner edges 8, 8' of the stringer
tapes 2, 4 within the teeth receiving recesses 18, 18' to a front
face 30, 30' of the teeth 10, 10' to form a web 32, 32' extending
between adjacent teeth. The film 28 is bonded to the stringer tapes
2, 4 and the teeth 10, 10' by a layer of heat activated adhesive
(or adhesives) (not shown) disposed between the film 28 and the
stringer 2, 4 and the teeth 10, 10'. The film 28 extends to the
outer edge 35, 35' of the first and second stringer tapes 2, 4.
[0065] When in a closed condition as shown in FIG. 3, the front
faces 30, 30' of the teeth 10, 10' are forced into the tooth
receiving recesses 18', 18 respectively. The front faces 30, 30'
abut against and compress the webs 32', 32 respectively to form a
water-resistant seal 34 therebetween.
[0066] The material (which can be PVC (plasticised or
unplasticised), polyethylene, polyurethane, etc) from which the
film 28 is formed is resilient so that when the slide fastener 1 is
in an open condition (FIG. 2), the web 32, 32' once again reverts
back to its original form as shown in FIG. 2.
[0067] In a second embodiment, a slide fastener 101, in a closed
condition (shown in FIG. 4) comprises a pair of stringer tapes 102,
104 each having a row of teeth 110, 110' extending along an inner
edge 108, 108' thereof. Each stringer tape 102, 104 has an upper
surface 106, 106' and a lower surface 107, 107'. A length of
water-resistant film 128 is bonded to and extends along the length
of the stringer tapes 102, 104, by a hot melt adhesive (not shown).
The film 128 extends over the entire upper 106, 106' surface and is
folded under the stringer tapes 102, 104 along outer edges 135,
135' thereof to extend over the lower surfaces 107, 107'. Only a
relatively narrow strip (approximately 1/5.sup.th of the width) of
the lower surfaces 107, 107' adjacent a rear face 124, 124' of the
teeth 110, 110'stringer tapes 102, 104, is not covered by the film
128.
[0068] The film 128 forms a lip or flange 134, 134' extending
upwardly away from an upper surface 136, 136' of the teeth 110,
110'. The lip or flange 134 of the first stringer tape 102 abuts
against the lip or flange 134' of the second stringer tape 104 to
form a water-resistant seal 140 therebetween when the slide
fastener 101 is in a closed condition (see FIG. 4).
[0069] FIG. 5 shows the first stringer tape 102 of FIG. 4 and a
forming roller 142 which is used to press the film 128 onto the
upper surface 106 of the first stringer tape 102 and the upper
surface 136 of the tooth 110. The roller 142 has a relatively
narrow diameter neck portion 146 extending from a first end 148.
The neck portion 146 extends from the first end 148 so that in use
the roller 142 presses the film 128 onto the stringer tape 102 and
tooth 110 and ensures that an even pressure is applied to the upper
surfaces 106, 136.
[0070] FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus 202
suitable for coating a pair of conjoined stringer tapes 204 having
rows of interlocking teeth thereon (not shown) with a layer of
water-resistant film 206. The apparatus 202 has a first rotatable
roll 210 of a continuous length of film 206 having a layer of heat
activatable adhesive 208 on a lower surface thereof. The first roll
210 is located above a second rotatable roll 212 bearing a
continuous length of stringer tapes 204.
[0071] The first and second rolls 210, 212 are contra-rotated by a
motor gearing system (not shown) to feed the film 206 and stringer
tape 204 through two smaller pairs (only one shown) of
contra-rotatable former rollers 214a,b which are also driven by the
motor and gearing system. A hot air oven 216 (or a hot air blower
or an ultrasonic unit or a high frequency unit) is disposed between
the first roll 210 and the former rollers 214a,b such that the
adhesive 208 is activated thereby. The pair of conjoined stringer
tapes 204 are separated into individual stringer tapes 205a,b by an
unzipping device 207 disposed between the roll 212 and the rollers
214a,b so that one of the stringer tapes 205a passed through one
pair of former rollers, and the other stringer ape 205b passes
through the other pair of former rollers (not shown).
[0072] The film 206 exits the oven 216 and is directed onto and
pressed against the now separated stringer tapes 205a,b (and the
teeth) by the former rollers 214a, b before exiting the apparatus
202 in the direction of arrow A.
[0073] The slider tapes 205a,b are then zipped together again into
a closed condition by a closing device (not shown) to form a slide
fastener suitable for attaching a slider thereto for use in
articles of clothing, bags and safety equipment.
EXAMPLE 1
[0074] It has been shown by the inventor that a slide fastener
according to the second embodiment of the present invention is
water-resistant when submerged up to a depth of 10 cm of water for
a prolonged period of time (more than 1 hour) when attached to an
article of clothing. No detectable water leakage through the slide
fastener was observed when the fastener was in a closed
condition
EXAMPLE 2
[0075] In order to test the durability of a slide fastener
according to the present invention, the slider fastener was
subjected to testing by an apparatus designed to open and close (or
zip and unzip) the slider fastener a great number of times in
succession. The fastener was subjected to 50,000 cycles of opening
and closing by the testing apparatus and subsequent visual
inspection of the slide fastener revealed little or no
deterioration or wear of the water-resistant film coating the
fastener.
[0076] It will of course be realised that variations of such
apparatus will be apparent to the skilled person, and it is
intended that the present invention extend to such apparatus.
* * * * *