Polyester fabric surface zipper and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

In a polyester fabric surface zipper in which Tb is 0.94 times or less of Ts, as defined in this specification, the ear regions at both ends are not offset in the weft direction. Instead, the ear regions of a constant width are continuous and straight in the warp direction at both ends. As a result, when this polyester fabric surface zipper is sewn onto clothing, the sewing lines in the ear regions remain straight and unbent, resulting in a sewn product with excellent appearance.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fabric surface zipper having hook-shaped engaging elements and / or loop-shaped engaging elements made of polyester fibers, wherein heat-fusible fibers are used as weft threads, and the engaging elements are fixed to the fabric base fabric of the surface zipper by fusing the same heat-fusible fibers. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as surface zippers with a fabric base, there are known combinations of so-called fabric hook surface zippers, which have a plurality of hook-shaped engaging elements made of monofilament yarns (monofilament yarns) on the surface of the fabric base, and so-called fabric loop surface zippers, which have a plurality of loop-shaped engaging elements made of multifilament yarns (multifilament yarns) on the surface of the fabric base that can engage with the hook-shaped engaging elements. Fabric hook surface zippers and fabric loop surface zippers are widely used in applications such as clothing and daily necessities because they do not damage the engaging elements even after repeated engagement and disengagement, and their engaging force is minimally degraded.

[0003] In addition, so-called hook / loop combined type fabric surface fasteners having a plurality of both hook-shaped engaging elements and loop-shaped engaging elements on the surface of a fabric base cloth are also widely used because they combine the functions of both hook surface fasteners and loop surface fasteners.

[0004] In the case of this type of fabric-faced zipper, in order to prevent the locking element thread woven into the fabric base fabric composed of warp yarns and weft yarns from being pulled out of the fabric base fabric due to stretching during peeling, a polyurethane or acrylic resin agent called a back coating adhesive is usually applied to the back side of the fabric base fabric.

[0005] However, conventional surface zippers with a back-coated adhesive layer have the following drawbacks: the presence of the back-coated adhesive layer on the back side of the fabric reduces the fabric's flexibility, making it stiff and deteriorating its feel. Furthermore, the adhesive easily degrades during use as a surface zipper, gradually reducing the securing force of the fastening element thread and impairing the surface zipper's fastening function. Furthermore, the presence of the back-coated adhesive layer on the back side of the fabric also reduces the surface zipper's air permeability.

[0006] Furthermore, in a fabric surface zipper with a back coating adhesive applied to the back of the fabric base cloth, the back coating adhesive layer prevents the dye solution from penetrating the fabric base cloth and thus cannot be dyed into a uniform dark color. Therefore, dyeing needs to be performed before the back coating adhesive is applied. Before the back coating adhesive is applied, since the thread or the like of the engaging element is not fixed to the fabric base cloth, the thread (yarn) constituting the fabric base cloth moves and deflects due to the dyeing process, resulting in disordered arrangement of the engaging elements. In the case of a hook-shaped engaging element, if the arrangement of the engaging elements is disordered, then when the single leg of the hook-shaped engaging element ring is cut off to form the hook-shaped engaging element, it is difficult to reliably cut off only the single leg, and the situation where both legs are cut off or neither leg is cut off becomes more common.

[0007] As a surface zipper that eliminates the problems of surface zippers in which such a back-coated adhesive is applied on the back side, the following surface zipper is described in Patent Document 1: polyester heat-shrinkable threads are used as warp threads, weft threads, and threads for fastening elements, and heat-fusible fibers are used as threads constituting the weft threads. The threads for fastening elements are fixed to a fabric base fabric by welding of the heat-fusible fibers and heat shrinkage of the threads constituting the surface zipper.

[0008] In addition, in Patent Document 2, a plurality of annular engaging elements formed by polyester annular engaging element threads woven parallel to the warp threads are erected on a single surface of a fabric base fabric formed by polyester warp threads and polyester weft threads, and the roots of the annular engaging elements are fixed to the fabric base fabric by welding of heat-fusible fibers used as the weft threads and heat shrinkage of the threads constituting the surface fastener.

[0009] Typically, ears without engaging elements are provided at both ends of a fabric surface zipper. These ears are used to sew the fabric surface zipper onto daily necessities such as clothing, gloves, shoes, and bags. A method for manufacturing a fabric surface zipper having such ears is to weave a fabric surface zipper base fabric so that the ear regions without engaging elements are continuous in the warp direction at both ends of the fabric surface side parallel to the warp.

[0010] In the case of the fabric surface zipper described in the above-mentioned patent document, since there is no back-coated adhesive layer, the shortcomings of the conventional surface zipper with a back-coated adhesive layer can be eliminated. However, on the other hand, when the base of the engaging element thread is fixed to the fabric base cloth by heat-melting the weft thread, the heat shrinkage tends to become uneven, resulting in the warp thread being easily offset in the weft direction. When this offset occurs, the ear area also shifts in the weft direction, resulting in the ear area becoming uneven in width or being curved in the warp direction. If the ear area is uneven in width or curved, when it is attached to clothing, etc. by sewing, it will give the impression that the stitching attached to the ear area is bent, thereby reducing the commercial value of the clothing, etc.

[0011] In particular, in the case of a fabric surface zipper, from the perspective of productivity, it is preferable to weave a wide surface zipper base fabric, slit this wide surface zipper base fabric in the warp direction, and simultaneously produce multiple long surface zippers. In this manufacturing method, it is necessary to arrange the ear-forming regions, where no engaging elements are present continuously in the warp direction, in one or more rows spaced apart in the weft direction in the slitting portion, so that the region where the engaging element rings are present is divided into multiple regions by these ear-forming regions.

[0012] However, when the warp threads are offset in the weft direction, the ear-forming area also shifts in the weft direction. In particular, when the ear-forming area is offset in the weft direction, it becomes difficult to accurately slit the center of the ear-forming area. As a result, it is extremely difficult to obtain a long fabric-surface zipper with an ear area of ​​uniform width. If the width of the ear area is uneven, as described above, when the zipper is attached to clothing, the stitching on the ear area will appear bent, reducing the commercial value of the clothing.

[0013] As described above, hook-shaped fastening elements are manufactured by weaving fastening element yarn parallel to the warp into a fabric base, forming loops that rise from the fabric base in a circular shape at various locations, and then cutting off individual legs of the loops. If the warp threads shift in the weft direction, the fastening element loops also shift in the weft direction, making it difficult to accurately and reliably cut off only a single leg of the loop. Consequently, there are a variety of situations where both legs are cut, neither leg is cut off, or the cut position is offset, reducing the commercial value of the surface zipper.

[0014] While Patent Document 1 states that no wrinkles or deformation were observed in the resulting fabric-surface zipper, there is no description regarding warp-to-weft deviation. Patent Document 2 states that, since a fabric-surface zipper having ears at both ends was initially woven with a width of one inch, the fabric-surface zipper could be obtained without slitting in the warp direction. However, given such a small width, any deviation would be minimal. Therefore, the technique of Patent Document 2 is unlikely to cause uneven ear widths due to weft-to-weft deviation of the ear region.

[0015] Prior art literature

[0016] Patent Literature

[0017] Patent Document 1: WO2005 / 122817

[0018] Patent Document 2: WO2007 / 74791 Summary of the Invention

[0019] The present invention relates to a technology for obtaining a fabric surface zipper having ear areas continuous in the warp direction at both ends, and its purpose is to provide a long fabric surface zipper in which the ear areas are hardly offset in the weft direction, resulting in ear areas of a certain width existing in the warp direction at both ends.

[0020] In particular, the present invention relates to a technology in which a region (ear-forming region) in which no engaging elements are continuous in the warp direction exists between ear regions that exist continuously in the warp direction at both ends of a fabric surface zipper, and a long fabric surface zipper with multiple ears is obtained by slitting the ear-forming region in the warp direction. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a technology in which a plurality of long fabric surface zippers with ear regions of uniform width are obtained by slitting the middle of the width direction of the ear-forming region in the warp direction.

[0021] Another object of the present invention is to provide a fabric surface slide fastener that is efficiently and uniformly dyed and in which the ear regions are not displaced even after dyeing and exist straightly in the warp direction with a uniform width.

[0022] Another object of the present invention is to provide a hook-woven fabric slide fastener or a hook / loop combined-type fabric slide fastener having hook-shaped engaging elements capable of accurately and reliably cutting off only one leg of a hook-shaped engaging element loop.

[0023] That is, the present invention provides a polyester fabric surface zipper, which is composed of:

[0024] A fabric base consisting of warp and weft threads;

[0025] a thread for an engaging element woven parallel to the warp threads of the base fabric; and

[0026] The engaging element is formed by a thread, and is formed by a ring-shaped engaging element, a hook-shaped engaging element or both of them rising from the surface of the base fabric.

[0027] The warp, weft and locking element threads are all polyester fibers.

[0028] The weft yarns contain heat-fusible fibers.

[0029] In a fabric surface slide fastener in which the base of the engaging element is welded to the heat-fusible fiber and fixed to the base fabric, the following conditions (1) and (2) are satisfied:

[0030] (1) The warp threads float up and down between the weft threads, and the thickness Tb of the base fabric at the part where the warp threads sink most deeply into the back side of the base fabric is not more than 0.94 times the thickness Ts of the base fabric at the part where the warp threads float most upwards on the surface side of the base fabric;

[0031] (2) At both ends of the base fabric surface side parallel to the warp, the ear regions where no engaging elements are present are continuous in the warp direction.

[0032] Tb is preferably 0.92 times or less of Ts, and more preferably 0.7 to 0.88 times of Ts.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment of the above-mentioned polyester fabric surface zipper, between the two ear areas parallel to the warp on the surface side of the base fabric at both ends, an ear forming area in which no locking element exists exists continuously parallel to the warp direction, and the area in which the locking element exists is divided into a plurality of areas parallel to the warp through the ear forming area.

[0034] In another preferred embodiment of the polyester fabric surface slide fastener, the ear forming region is slit parallel to the warp at the center in the width direction, and at least one of the ear regions at both ends is derived from the ear forming region.

[0035] In another preferred embodiment of the polyester fabric surface slide fastener, no adhesive layer for fixing the engaging element to the base fabric is present on the back surface of the base fabric.

[0036] In another preferred embodiment of the polyester fabric surface slide fastener, the polyester fabric surface slide fastener is dyed with disperse dyes.

[0037] Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for producing a polyester fabric surface slide fastener, which comprises performing the following steps 1 to 3 in order.

[0038] Step 1:

[0039] The process of weaving fabric for surface zippers,

[0040] The fabric comprises:

[0041] The fabric base consists of warp and weft threads.

[0042] a thread for an engaging element woven parallel to the warp threads of the base fabric; and

[0043] The ear regions exist at both ends of the base fabric surface and do not have any engaging elements that are continuous and parallel to the warp direction.

[0044] The engaging element thread forms a plurality of hook-shaped engaging element loops, loop engaging element loops, or both of them rising from the surface of the base fabric.

[0045] The warp, weft and locking element threads are all polyester fibers.

[0046] The weft yarn comprises heat-fusible fibers;

[0047] Step 2:

[0048] a heat treatment step of heating the surface zipper fabric in a heat treatment furnace to a temperature above the melting point of the heat-fusible fibers, thereby causing the threads constituting the zipper fabric to heat-shrink and firmly fixing the engaging element threads to the base fabric;

[0049] Process 3:

[0050] The heat-treated fabric for a surface fastener is taken out from the heat treatment furnace and the back surface of the base fabric is pressed against a fixed surface or a roller surface while the heat-fusible fibers are still molten.

[0051] In the above-mentioned production method, it is preferable to continuously perform Steps 1 to 3 without winding the film in the middle.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, step 3 is performed without pressing the surface side of the base fabric against a fixed surface or a roller surface.

[0053] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, when a hook-shaped engaging element ring is included, the following step 4 is performed after step 3, and steps 1 to 4 are performed continuously without winding in the middle.

[0054] Step 4:

[0055] A step of cutting off a single leg of a hook-shaped engaging element loop to form a hook-shaped engaging element.

[0056] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, in process 1, an ear forming area in which no locking elements are present is woven continuously between the above-mentioned ear areas parallel to the warp direction, and a fabric for a surface zipper is produced in which the area in which the locking elements are present is divided into a plurality of areas parallel to the warp by the ear forming area. After process 3 or when process 4 is performed, the following process 5 is performed after process 4.

[0057] Step 5:

[0058] The step of slitting the base fabric parallel to the warp direction in the ear region sandwiched by the region where the engaging elements are located;

[0059] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, when the above-mentioned step 4 is performed, after the step 4 is completed, or when the above-mentioned step 4 is not performed, after the above-mentioned step 3 is completed, the long polyester surface zipper obtained by winding is immersed in a dyeing solution containing a disperse dye in the wound state to dye the surface zipper, and then, when the above-mentioned step 5 is performed, step 5 is performed.

[0060] Effects of the Invention

[0061] In the present invention, after heating the fabric base to a temperature above the melting point of the heat-fusible fibers to heat-shrink the threads constituting the fabric base, the back surface of the fabric base is pressed against a fixed surface or roller while the heat-fusible fibers remain molten. This operation corrects any weft-directional deviation of the ear regions at both ends. If the fabric includes ear-forming regions, the weft-directional deviation of the ear-forming regions is corrected. As a result, a long fabric surface zipper is obtained in which ear regions of a constant width are continuously formed in a straight line along the warp direction at both ends. Furthermore, if the fabric includes ear-forming regions, a long fabric surface zipper can be obtained in which the ear regions of a constant width are formed in a straight line by slitting the width center of the ear-forming regions in the warp direction. By accurately slitting the width center of the ear-forming regions in the warp direction, multiple long fabric surface zippers with ear regions of uniform width can be simultaneously obtained.

[0062] In addition, by pressing the back side of the fabric base cloth against a fixed surface or roller surface, the deviation of the locking element thread in the weft direction can be corrected in the same manner, and a hook-shaped locking element zipper having only one leg of the hook-shaped locking element loop correctly and reliably cut off can be obtained.

[0063] In the present invention, after melting the heat-fusible fibers used as the weft and heat-shrinking the threads constituting the base fabric, the backside of the base fabric is pressed against a fixed surface or roller while the heat-fusible fibers remain molten. This operation ensures that the thickness of the base fabric at the point of deepest penetration of the warp threads, which float and sink between the weft threads, is no greater than 0.94 times the thickness at the point of deepest penetration of the base fabric. This relationship in the thickness of the warp threads achieves the aforementioned effects.

[0064] Furthermore, the fabric surface zipper having the ear-forming region is wound in a wide state before slitting. This wide-wound fabric surface zipper is placed in a dyeing pot, immersed in a dyeing solution, and circulated. This allows the dye solution to evenly penetrate the surface zipper, resulting in a wide fabric surface zipper dyed without dye spots. By slitting the widthwise center of the ear-forming region of the dyed wide fabric surface zipper along the warp direction, multiple dyed fabric surface zippers can be efficiently obtained in one go.

[0065] By pressing the back side of the base fabric against a fixed surface or roller surface while the heat-fusible fibers remain in a molten state, the thickness of the warp in the base fabric thickness direction satisfies the above-mentioned relationship. Compared with the case where the relationship is not satisfied, the local deformation of the warp or weft is corrected, especially the offset of the warp and the locking element thread in the weft direction is corrected. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] Figure 1 This is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the polyester-based fabric surface slide fastener of the present invention (a case where it has an ear region but does not have an ear-forming region).

[0067] Figure 2 This is a perspective view schematically showing another example of the polyester-based fabric surface slide fastener of the present invention (a case having both an ear region and an ear forming region).

[0068] Figure 3 This is a diagram schematically showing a cross section parallel to the warp of the polyester-based fabric surface slide fastener of the present invention.

[0069] Figure 4 This is a diagram schematically showing a cross section parallel to the warp of a polyester-based fabric surface slide fastener in a case where step 3 of the present invention is not performed.

[0070] Figure 5 This is a diagram schematically showing an example of a heat treatment apparatus used when producing the polyester-based fabric surface slide fastener of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0071] Next, the polyester fabric surface slide fastener and the manufacturing method thereof of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0072] The polyester fabric surface zipper of the present invention can be any one of a hook fabric surface zipper having a plurality of hook-shaped snap-fitting elements on the surface of the fabric base fabric, a loop fabric surface zipper having a plurality of loop-shaped snap-fitting elements on the surface of the fabric base fabric, and a hook / loop coexisting fabric surface zipper having both a plurality of hook-shaped snap-fitting elements and a plurality of loop-shaped snap-fitting elements on the surface of the fabric base fabric.

[0073] Hook-woven fabric zippers are primarily composed of monofilament yarn (monofilament yarn) for hook-shaped engaging elements, warp yarns, and weft yarns. On the other hand, loop-woven fabric zippers, which engage with hook-woven fabric zippers, are primarily composed of multifilament yarn (multifilament yarn) for loop-shaped engaging elements, warp yarns, and weft yarns. Hook / loop coexistent fabric zippers, in which hook-shaped engaging elements and loop-shaped engaging elements coexist on the same surface, are primarily composed of monofilament yarn for hook-shaped engaging elements, multifilament yarn for loop-shaped engaging elements, warp yarns, and weft yarns. These fabric zippers may also incorporate yarns (yarns) other than those mentioned above, as needed.

[0074] The warp, weft and fastening element threads need to be essentially composed of polyester polymers from the perspective of preventing fluctuations due to heat, water absorption and moisture absorption (the base fabric surface of the fabric surface zipper moves irregularly up and down and does not form a horizontal surface), and from the perspective of firmly fastening the threads to each other through heat welding.

[0075] Polyester polymers are polyesters primarily composed of ethylene terephthalate units or butylene terephthalate units, primarily obtained through the polycondensation reaction of terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol, or the polycondensation reaction of terephthalic acid and butylene glycol. Polymerized units other than terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol, or other than terephthalic acid and butylene glycol, may be added in small amounts. Furthermore, small amounts of other polymers may be added to the polyesters.

[0076] The warp and engaging element threads are preferably primarily composed of a polyethylene terephthalate homopolymer or a polybutylene terephthalate homopolymer. The threads are preferably primarily composed of polyethylene terephthalate polyester or polybutylene terephthalate polyester having a melting point that does not melt at the heat treatment temperature used to heat-fuse the sheath component of the core-sheath type heat-fusible fibers forming the weft threads, described later. Furthermore, the polyester fibers may be blended with cotton, mixed with other fibers, or doubling, as needed.

[0077] The warp is preferably a multifilament yarn, more preferably a multifilament yarn composed of 20 to 60 filaments and having a total decitex (dtex) of 100 to 300 dtex, and still more preferably a multifilament yarn composed of 24 to 48 filaments and having a total decitex of 150 to 280 dtex.

[0078] Furthermore, from the perspective of securing the engaging element, the warp yarns are preferably thermally shrunk under conditions that fuse the heat-fusible fibers of the weft yarns, with a dry heat shrinkage of 4 to 20% at 180°C being preferred. From the perspective of controlling the fusion state of the heat-fusible fibers of the weft yarns and the compression state of the warp yarns, a melting point of 140 to 330°C is preferred. Polyester fiber manufacturers sell products with various dry heat shrinkage rates, and a yarn with an appropriate dry heat shrinkage rate can be selected from these products. Alternatively, the desired dry heat shrinkage rate can be achieved by appropriately heat-treating commercially available polyester multifilament yarns.

[0079] The weft yarn is preferably a multifilament yarn, more preferably a multifilament yarn of a heat-fusible fiber. The weft yarn is more preferably a multifilament yarn composed of 10 to 72 filaments with a total decitex of 80 to 300 dtex, and even more preferably a multifilament yarn composed of 18 to 56 filaments with a total decitex of 90 to 260 dtex. Furthermore, the weft yarn preferably has a dry heat shrinkage of 10 to 30% at 180°C.

[0080] The weft yarn must contain thermally fusible fibers. Representative examples of thermally fusible fibers include core-sheath type thermally fusible fibers, in which the sheath component serves as the thermally fusible component. By incorporating thermally fusible fibers into the weft yarn, the engaging element threads can be securely fixed to the fabric base fabric. This eliminates the need for applying a polyurethane or acrylic back-coating adhesive to the back of the fabric base fabric to prevent the engaging element threads from being pulled out, as is required with conventional fabric-faced zippers.

[0081] By using heat-fusible fibers in the warp instead of the weft, it is also possible to secure the fastening element threads to the base fabric. However, because the fastening element threads are woven into the base fabric parallel to the warp threads, the number of intersections between the warp threads and the fastening element threads is far less than the number of intersections between the weft threads and the fastening element threads. Therefore, if heat-fusible fibers are used only in the warp threads, it is difficult to securely secure the fastening element threads to the base fabric. If the warp threads contain heat-fusible fibers, it is difficult to maintain a constant tension on the running base fabric, making it difficult to stably and continuously produce fabric-surface zippers of consistent quality.

[0082] As the above-mentioned core-sheath type heat-fusible fiber, it is preferable to use a fiber composed of a polyester resin, which can melt the sheath component and firmly fix the roots of the hook-shaped engaging element monofilament thread or the loop-shaped engaging element multifilament thread that is in contact with or located near the same heat-fusible fiber to the base fabric. For example, a polyester fiber with a core-sheath type cross-section in which the core component does not melt under heat treatment conditions but the sheath component melts is listed.

[0083] Specifically, representative examples include core-sheath type polyester fibers having polyethylene terephthalate as a core component, a large amount of copolymer components represented by isophthalic acid, adipic acid, etc., for example, 20 to 30 mol% of copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate whose melting point or softening point is greatly lowered by copolymerization, or 15 to 30 mol% of polybutylene terephthalate copolymerized with isophthalic acid, sodium sulfoisophthalate, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, etc. as a sheath component.

[0084] The melting point or softening point of the sheath component is preferably 120 to 210°C, which is 20 to 120°C lower than the melting points of the warp, core component, monofilament yarn for hook-shaped engaging elements, or multifilament yarn for loop-shaped engaging elements.

[0085] The cross-sectional shape of the core-sheath type thermally bondable fiber may be a concentric core-sheath, an eccentric core-sheath, or an eccentric core-sheath with a conformed shape that appears to be a composite. Furthermore, the core-sheath may be a single core or a multi-core core. A multifilament yarn composed of filaments having a single core-sheath cross-sectional shape is particularly preferred. A multifilament yarn composed of 10 to 72 filaments with a total decitex of 80 to 300 dtex is more preferred, and a multifilament yarn composed of 18 to 56 filaments with a total decitex of 90 to 260 dtex is even more preferred. Furthermore, the dry heat shrinkage of the weft yarn at 180°C is preferably 10 to 30%.

[0086] In particular, it is preferred that the entire weft yarn is substantially formed of core-sheath type heat-fusible fibers, that is, the weft yarn is a multifilament yarn composed of core-sheath type heat-fusible filaments, because the hook-shaped engaging element yarn and the loop-shaped engaging element yarn are firmly fixed to the base fabric.

[0087] If the fibers constituting the weft yarns are not composite or mixed fibers with a core-sheath cross-section, but instead consist entirely of a heat-fusible polymer, the melted and resolidified heat-fusible polymer is brittle and easily ruptures, causing the base fabric to tear at the seam during sewing. Therefore, the heat-fusible fibers preferably contain unfused resin and particularly preferably have a core-sheath cross-section. The weight ratio of the core component to the sheath component is preferably in the range of 85:15 to 40:60, and particularly preferably in the range of 80:20 to 60:40.

[0088] Furthermore, to securely fasten both the hook- and loop-engaging element threads to the base fabric, the heat-fusible fibers are preferably heat-fused, and the heat-fusible fibers heat-shrink to secure the bases of the hook- and loop-engaging elements from both sides. To this end, the heat-fusible fibers preferably undergo significant heat shrinkage under heat treatment conditions, preferably with a dry heat shrinkage at 180°C of 8-30%, more preferably 10-25%.

[0089] The hook-shaped engaging elements that make up hook-woven surface fasteners or hook / loop combined surface fasteners require both rigidity to prevent the hook shape from stretching under relatively light forces and, even if the hook shape stretches, immediate return to its original shape upon removal of the force, so-called hook shape retention. Therefore, a thick, hard synthetic fiber monofilament is used. In the present invention, a monofilament made of a polyethylene terephthalate polyester or a polybutylene terephthalate polyester is used as this monofilament. These monofilaments exhibit excellent rigidity and hook shape retention and do not melt at the temperatures used to heat-fusing the heat-fusible fibers. Monofilaments made of a polyethylene terephthalate homopolymer or a polybutylene terephthalate homopolymer are particularly preferred.

[0090] From the perspective of the aforementioned hook shape retention and rigidity, the diameter of the monofilament yarn for the hook-shaped engaging element is preferably 0.12-0.23 mm, more preferably 0.14-0.21 mm. To enhance the engaging force, the monofilament may also have a cross-sectional shape, typically a polygonal shape such as a triangle or square. Similar to the warp yarn, from the perspective of the securing effect of the engaging element, the monofilament yarn for the hook-shaped engaging element is preferably heat-shrunk under conditions that fuse the heat-fusible fibers, with a dry heat shrinkage rate of 10-25% at 180°C being preferred.

[0091] The yarn used for the loop fastening elements of a loop fabric surface zipper or a hook / loop fabric surface zipper preferably exhibits both cut resistance against the tensile force applied when the hook fastening elements are peeled off and loop shape retention, meaning that even if the expanded loop shape stretches due to engagement, it immediately returns to its original expanded shape upon removal of the force. Therefore, similar to the hook fastening element yarn, a multifilament yarn composed of a polyethylene terephthalate-based polyester or a polybutylene terephthalate-based polyester having a melting point of 195 to 270°C, which does not melt at the temperature used to heat-fusing the heat-fusible fibers, is preferably a multifilament yarn composed of a polyethylene terephthalate homopolymer or a polybutylene terephthalate homopolymer.

[0092] From the perspectives of loop shape retention and cut resistance, the yarn for the annular engaging element is preferably a multifilament yarn composed of 5 to 15 filaments with a total decitex of 150 to 500 dtex, more preferably a multifilament yarn composed of 6 to 12 filaments with a total decitex of 200 to 400 dtex. Furthermore, due to further improved initial engagement strength and hand feel, a multifilament yarn composed of 40 to 180 filaments with a total decitex of 200 to 600 dtex is preferably used. Similar to the warp yarn, from the perspective of the annular engaging element's securing effect, such a multifilament yarn preferably undergoes thermal shrinkage under conditions that fuse the heat-fusible fibers, preferably with a dry heat shrinkage of 10 to 25% at 180°C.

[0093] In step 1, the surface fastener fabric is first woven from the warp, weft, monofilament yarn for hook-shaped engaging elements, and multifilament yarn for loop-shaped engaging elements. The weave is preferably a plain weave in which the monofilament yarn for hook-shaped engaging elements and the multifilament yarn for loop-shaped engaging elements serve as part of the warp. These engaging element yarns are woven in parallel with the warp.

[0094] In the case of a hook fabric surface slide fastener, from the perspective of easily and efficiently cutting off a single leg of the hook engagement element loop, it is preferably woven in a manner that stands up from the surface of the fabric base fabric midway, forms a loop, and passes over 1 to 3 warp threads and drills into between the warp threads.

[0095] On the other hand, in the case of a loop fabric surface slide fastener, it is preferable to knit the loops parallel to the warp threads without forming loops across the warp threads, from the viewpoint of facilitating engagement of the loop-shaped engaging elements with the hook-shaped engaging elements.

[0096] Furthermore, in the case of a hook / loop coexisting fabric surface zipper, from the viewpoint of being able to effectively cut off the single-leg side of the hook-shaped engaging element loop and making it easy for the hook-shaped engaging element and the loop-shaped engaging element to engage with each other, it is preferred that the hook-shaped engaging element thread be woven so as to form a loop and pass over 1 to 3 warp threads and penetrate between the warp threads, and that the loop-shaped engaging element thread be woven so as to pass over 1 warp thread and penetrate between the warp threads while forming a loop.

[0097] The warp yarns preferably have a weave density of 35 to 80 yarns / cm after heat treatment, and the weft yarns preferably have a weave density of 12 to 30 yarns / cm after heat treatment, as this allows the base of the fastening element to be firmly fixed to the base fabric. For similar reasons, the weight ratio of the weft yarns is preferably 15 to 40% relative to the total weight of the hook-shaped or loop-shaped fastening element yarns, the warp yarns, and the weft yarns constituting the fabric surface zipper.

[0098] From the perspective of engagement strength, the number of hook-engaging element monofilament yarns and loop-engaging element multifilament yarns woven into the fabric surface fastener is preferably approximately 2 to 8 yarns per 20 warp yarns (including the hook-engaging element monofilament yarns or the loop-engaging element multifilament yarns). In the case of a hook / loop combined fabric surface fastener, for the same reason, the total number of hook-engaging element monofilament yarns and loop-engaging element multifilament yarns per 20 warp yarns (including the hook-engaging element monofilament yarns and the loop-engaging element multifilament yarns) is preferably 2 to 8 yarns. For the same reason, the ratio of the number of hook-engaging element monofilament yarns to the number of loop-engaging element multifilament yarns is preferably 40:60 to 60:40.

[0099] In one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1As shown, a fabric for a surface slide fastener is woven in which ear regions (2a) without any engagement element loops extending parallel to the warp direction (Wa) are formed at both ends of an engagement element region (1) having engagement element loops. In the present invention, the deviation of the ear regions in the weft direction is corrected.

[0100] In other aspects of the present invention, Figure 2 As shown, between the two ear regions (2a), one or more rows of ear forming regions (2b) without engaging element rings are provided parallel to the warp direction (Wa). The ear forming regions (2b) divide the region with engaging elements into a plurality of regions. By accurately slitting the middle portion of the ear forming region (2b) along the warp direction, a plurality of fabric surface slide fasteners having ears of uniform width at both ends can be produced simultaneously with good productivity, thereby further demonstrating the effects of the present invention.

[0101] That is, two ear regions (2a) and one or more rows of ear forming regions (2b) are spaced apart on the surface of the base fabric in the weft direction (We). Figure 2 The engaging element region (1) having two ear regions and three ear forming regions is preferably continuous in the warp direction (Wa) through the ear forming region (2b), but is divided into a plurality of regions (in the weft direction (We)). Figure 2 There are 4 engaging element areas in the middle).

[0102] The width of the ear region (2a) in the weft direction (We) (after heat shrinkage) is preferably 0.5 to 10.0 mm, more preferably 1 to 8 mm, and the width of the ear forming region (2b) in the weft direction (We) (after heat shrinkage) is preferably 1 to 8 mm, more preferably 2 to 6 mm. The engaging element region (1) is preferably divided into a plurality of regions having a width of 7 to 50 mm in the weft direction (We) by the ear forming region (2b). It is particularly preferred that the engaging element region (1) be divided into a plurality of regions having a width of 15 to 30 mm.

[0103] The total width of the fabric in the weft direction (We) before slitting the ear-forming region (2b) is preferably in the range of 80 to 300 mm from the viewpoint of productivity. Therefore, the engaging element region (1) is preferably divided into 2 to 12 regions by the ear-forming region (2b). In consideration of the flexibility of the fabric surface slide fastener, it is preferred that no engaging element thread be woven into the ear-forming region (2b).

[0104] In step 2, if Figure 5As shown, the fabric (6) for the surface fastener thus obtained is preferably not wound midway, but is continuously moved in a heat treatment furnace (7) in a long state and subjected to heat treatment. By this heat treatment, only the sheath component of the core-sheath type heat-fusible fiber constituting the weft is melted, while the warp, the engaging element thread, and the weft are heat-shrunk, and the engaging element thread is firmly fixed to the fabric base fabric. In order to allow the long surface fastener fabric (6) to fully shrink while moving in the heat treatment furnace, it is preferably not to apply too much tension, and the long surface fastener fabric is moved in a free state in the heat treatment furnace without contacting anything on the upper and lower surfaces.

[0105] Because the engaging element is fixed to the fabric base fabric with thread through this heat treatment, the application and drying of a back coating adhesive liquid, as previously performed in fabric surface zippers, is no longer necessary. This prevents process problems caused by the use of a back coating adhesive and performance problems such as impairment of the fabric surface zipper's flexibility, breathability, and liquid permeability. Furthermore, in the case of hook fabric surface zippers or hook / loop combined fabric surface zippers, the heat from this heat treatment fixes the shape of the hook-shaped engaging element loop. Even after a single leg of the hook-shaped engaging element loop is cut to form a hook-shaped engaging element, the hook shape is maintained, ensuring sufficient engaging strength. Furthermore, in the case of a loop-shaped engaging element, the loop shape becomes uniform and naturally expands.

[0106] The heat treatment temperature is generally 150-250°C, more preferably 175-230°C, and even more preferably 190-220°C. The temperature of 150-250°C is a temperature at which the heat-fusible fibers constituting the weft are melted or softened, but the other fibers are not melted. Furthermore, the hook-shaped engaging elements are fixed into a loop shape by the monofilament thread, and the loop-shaped engaging elements are fixed into a loop shape with natural expansion by the multifilament thread. Such heat treatment is generally performed as follows. Figure 5 As shown, the surface zipper fabric is not in contact with objects such as rollers and guides in the heat treatment furnace (7), that is, it is carried out in a non-contact state. If it contacts with rollers, guides, etc. in the heat treatment furnace (7), thermal shrinkage is suppressed in the middle and local deformation occurs, which is not preferred. It is preferred that the surface zipper fabric (6) travels in the heat treatment furnace at a speed of 0.30 to 1.30 m / min for 20 to 120 seconds to complete the heat treatment. Figure 5 In FIG, L represents a ring for an engaging element.

[0107] In step 3, immediately after the surface fastener fabric subjected to such heat treatment comes out of the heat treatment furnace (7), Figure 5 As shown, the back side of the fabric base cloth is pressed against a fixed surface or roller surface (8) while the heat-fusible fibers are kept molten. Figure 5In the process, immediately after exiting the heat treatment furnace 7, the back side of the fabric for the surface fastener is pressed against the fixed surface (8). In order to press only the back side against the fixed surface or roller surface (8), it is necessary to bring the back side into contact with the fixed surface or roller surface (8) while applying tension to the fabric base. This is believed to be the reason for correcting local deformation or warp deviation.

[0108] By performing the above operation, the uneven deformation of the fabric for the surface fastener caused by the heat shrinkage in the heat treatment furnace (7) can be corrected, and the deviation of the ear region in the weft direction and the deviation of the ear forming region in the weft direction can be corrected. As a result, a long fabric surface fastener is obtained, in which the ear regions of a certain width are continuously present in a straight line along the warp direction at both ends. In addition, the middle portion of the ear forming region can be accurately slit along the warp direction, thereby making it possible to simultaneously and efficiently obtain a plurality of fabric surface fasteners having ear regions of uniform width at both ends.

[0109] It is preferred that the front and back surfaces of the fabric for the surface fastener do not come into contact with solid objects such as rollers or guides from the time of entering the heat treatment furnace until the back surface is pressed against the fixed surface or roller surface, and the back surface is brought into contact with the fixed surface or roller surface only after exiting the heat treatment furnace.

[0110] In the present invention, the fixed surface or roller surface that presses the back of the textile base fabric while the heat-fusible fibers are molten is preferably set to have a contact length of 20 to 100 mm and a contact time of 2 to 10 seconds. Preferred materials include metal, ceramic, or heat-resistant resin. The fixed surface or roller surface can have a mirror finish or a pear-skin finish, and may have some irregularities as long as it can press the back of the fabric.

[0111] In the case of using fixed surfaces, such as Figure 5 As shown, it is preferred that the back of the fabric base cloth has a shape that allows the direction of travel to be changed along the fixed surface (8), which is particularly easy to obtain the effect. Figure 5 In the embodiment, the surface fastener fabric (6) changes its direction of travel by 90° along the fixed surface (8). In addition, in order to improve the contact effect, it is preferred to heat the fixed surface or roller surface to a temperature 80 to 210°C lower than the above-mentioned heat treatment temperature, but it is usually sufficient to adjust the surface of the fixed surface or roller surface (8) to utilize the residual heat of the surface fastener fabric (6) after heat treatment from the heat treatment furnace. The surface pressing the back of the fabric base cloth can be a fixed surface, or a roller surface whose contact surface rotates as the surface fastener fabric travels, or a belt-driven roller surface that actively pulls the surface fastener fabric. In addition, it can also be a guide-shaped narrow width surface.

[0112] In the present invention, Figure 5 As shown, it is preferred that the fabric for a surface fastener (6) passes through a heat treatment furnace (7), and the warp and weft yarns on the loop passing through the heat treatment furnace (7) shrink as described above, and immediately after exiting the heat treatment furnace (7), the fabric continues to travel on a fixed surface or roller surface (8). Therefore, when being pressed against the fixed surface or roller surface (8), tension is applied to the fabric for a surface fastener (6) in the warp direction.

[0113] It is preferable that the tension applied to the surface fastener fabric immediately after the surface fastener fabric passes the fixed surface or roller surface (8) is about 50 to 600 g / cm. Therefore, it is preferable that the tension is applied to the surface fastener fabric as little as possible before the surface fastener fabric passes the fixed surface or roller surface (8), and the tension as described above is applied to the surface fastener fabric immediately after the surface fastener fabric passes the fixed surface or roller surface (8).

[0114] In the fabric-covered zipper of the present invention, the warp threads float up and down, sandwiching the weft threads. Therefore, the backside of the fabric base fabric is covered by the warp threads. Consequently, the weft threads, which contain heat-fusible fibers, rarely come into direct contact with the fixed surface or roller surface. Consequently, there is no risk of the melt of the heat-fusible fibers directly adhering to the fixed surface or roller surface, potentially causing malfunctions.

[0115] In particular, when manufacturing a fabric surface slide fastener having hook-shaped engaging elements, the back surface of the fabric for the surface slide fastener (6) is pressed against a fixed surface or roller surface (8) while the heat-fusible fibers are molten, thereby correcting the deviation of the warp and engaging element threads in the weft direction. Furthermore, in the subsequent operation of cutting off a single leg of the hook-shaped engaging element loop to form the hook-shaped engaging element, only the single leg can be cut accurately, thereby obtaining a hook fabric surface slide fastener or a hook / loop combined type fabric surface slide fastener having a hook-shaped engaging element with only the single leg cut accurately and reliably.

[0116] like Figure 5 As shown, from the viewpoint of productivity, it is preferred that the operation of pressing the back surface of the surface fastener fabric (6) with the heat-fusible fibers used as weft yarns in a molten state onto the fixed surface or roller surface (8) is carried out without cooling the surface fastener fabric that has been heat-treated, but is carried out continuously with the heat treatment in the heat treatment furnace (7) by utilizing the residual heat during the heat treatment. Alternatively, after cooling the surface fastener fabric that has been taken out of the heat treatment furnace (7), it is also possible to reheat the heat-fusible fibers to a molten state and press the fabric onto the fixed surface or roller surface (8) in this state.

[0117] By pressing the back side of the surface fastener fabric (6) against a fixed surface or roller surface (8) while the heat-fusible fibers are melted, Figure 3As shown in FIG. 1 , the thickness Tb of the base fabric in the thickness direction (K) at the portion of the warp yarns that float up and down with the weft yarns interposed therebetween, which is most sunken on the back side, is 0.94 times or less of the thickness Ts of the base fabric in the thickness direction (K) at the portion of the warp yarns that float most on the front side. Preferably, Tb is 0.92 times or less of Ts, and more preferably, Tb is 0.88 times or less of Ts.

[0118] However, if Tb is too small compared to Ts, the back side of the fabric base fabric becomes dense and flat due to thermal fusion, which impairs the softness, feel, breathability, and liquid permeability that are the advantages of the fabric, which is not preferred. Therefore, Tb is preferably 0.7 times or more of Ts, and more preferably 0.75 times or more.

[0119] Figure 3 The cross section of a fabric surface slide fastener having the effects of the present invention is schematically shown, wherein the fabric surface slide fastener is obtained by pressing the back surface of a surface slide fastener fabric (6) onto a fixed surface or roller surface (8) while heat-fusible fibers are molten.

[0120] on the other hand, Figure 4 This figure schematically shows a cross section of a fabric surface slide fastener in a state where the heat-fusible fibers are molten and the back surface of the surface slide fastener fabric (6) is not pressed against a fixed surface or roller surface (8). In this case, Tb is approximately the same value as Ts, and the Tb / Ts ratio specified in the present invention is not satisfied.

[0121] Furthermore, even when the back surface of the fabric base fabric is not pressed against a fixed surface or roller surface while the heat-fusible fibers are molten, the value of Tb will decrease relative to the value of Ts during the manufacturing process due to the weight of the surface fastener fabric. However, this decrease is extremely small, and Tb will not fall below 0.96 times Ts. By setting Tb to 0.94 times or less of Ts, the effects of the present invention, such as correcting the deviation of the warp and engaging element threads in the weft direction, are achieved for the first time.

[0122] Next, a method for measuring Tb and Ts of the warp yarns that float up and down between the weft yarns will be described.

[0123] First, use a safety razor to cut the warp threads parallel to the warp threads in the area where the engaging elements are present on the surface of the fabric surface fastener and where the engaging elements have minimal influence. A cross-section of the cut portion is photographed at 200 times magnification. Figure 3A cross-sectional photograph of the resulting cut portion is schematically shown. From this photograph, randomly select three locations where the warp threads sink most deeply into the back side, and randomly select three locations where they rise most from the front side, and measure the thickness of each location in the base fabric thickness direction. Perform the same measurement at 10 random locations on the fabric surface zipper. From the 30 measured values ​​for the thickness in the base fabric thickness direction at the location most deeply into the back side and the 30 measured values ​​for the thickness in the base fabric thickness direction at the location most rising from the front side, remove the 5 largest values ​​and the 5 smallest values, and calculate the average of the remaining 20 values. The resulting average values ​​are the warp thickness Tb in the base fabric thickness direction at the location most deeply into the back side, and the warp thickness Ts in the base fabric thickness direction at the location most rising from the front side.

[0124] Furthermore, even when the fabric face fastener fabric is pressed against a fixed surface or roller surface while the heat-fusible resin remains molten, not all of the warp yarns on the back side of the face fastener fabric, which are most deeply sunken, are pressed against the fixed surface or roller surface. Consequently, some areas are not pressed against the fixed surface or roller surface, and Tb and Ts barely change. In the present invention, such areas are also included in the arbitrarily selected areas, and therefore the Tb / Ts ratio specified in the present invention is an average value including these areas.

[0125] Figure 4 This is a diagram showing a case where the surface fastener fabric is not pressed onto a fixed surface or roller surface as described above. Figure 4 As shown, when Tb and Ts are approximately the same value, it is difficult to correctly cut the middle part of the ear forming area because the deviation of the warp or the locking element thread in the weft direction caused by the shrinkage during heat treatment is not corrected. In addition, it is also difficult to obtain a hook fabric surface zipper or a hook / loop coexisting fabric surface zipper having a hook-shaped locking element in which only one foot is correctly and reliably cut.

[0126] In the present invention, the ratio Tb / Ts mainly depends on the strength of the fabric base when it is pressed against a fixed surface or roller surface. Therefore, by allowing the fabric base to travel on a fixed surface or roller surface under tension, and Figure 5 By changing the running direction along a fixed surface or roller surface as shown, the Tb / Ts ratio can be freely changed.

[0127] Furthermore, in the present invention, when the back side of the fabric base fabric is pressed against a fixed surface or roller surface while the heat-fusible fibers remain molten, it is preferred that the front side of the fabric base fabric, where the engaging element rings are located, is not pressed against the fixed surface or roller surface. For example, when the surface zipper fabric is sandwiched between rollers and pressed from above and below, the engaging element rings standing upright on the surface of the fabric base fabric are pushed down and, in this state, fixed to the surface of the fabric base fabric. Consequently, the engaging ability of the fabric surface zipper is reduced, and the aesthetic appearance of the fabric surface zipper deteriorates. Furthermore, when both the front and back sides of the surface zipper fabric are pressed against a fixed surface or roller surface, Tb and Ts are approximately equal, failing to meet the Tb / Ts ratio specified in the present invention.

[0128] When manufacturing a hook fabric surface zipper or a hook / loop combined fabric surface zipper, as described above, the surface zipper fabric obtained by pressing the back surface of the fabric base fabric against a fixed surface or a roller surface while the heat-fusible fibers remain in a molten state is subjected to heat treatment, and then cooled. Then, a single leg of the hook-shaped engaging element loop protruding from the surface is cut to form a hook-shaped engaging element (step 4).

[0129] As a cutting device for severing a single leg of the hook-shaped engaging element loop, a cutting device having a structure in which the single leg of the hook-shaped engaging element loop is severed by the reciprocating motion of a movable cutting blade disposed between two fixed blades is preferably used. If the hook-shaped engaging element loop is formed at a location crossing the warp yarn as described above, this cutting device can accurately and reliably sever only the single leg of the loop, making it preferable.

[0130] In the present invention, when manufacturing a loop fabric surface slide fastener, the process from the weaving step (step 1) to the heat treatment step (step 2) and then to the step of pressing the back surface against a fixed surface or roller surface (step 3) is not wound into a roll midway, but is continuously fed, thereby enabling the production of loop fabric surface slide fasteners with high productivity. Furthermore, when manufacturing a hook fabric surface slide fastener or a hook / loop combined fabric surface slide fastener, the process from the weaving step (step 1) to the heat treatment step (step 2) and then to the step of pressing the back surface against a fixed surface or roller surface (step 3) and then to the step of cutting a single leg of the hook-shaped engaging element loop to form the hook-shaped engaging element (step 4) can be performed at the same speed. Therefore, by continuously feeding the loop surface slide fastener without winding it midway, the fabric surface slide fastener can be produced with high productivity.

[0131] On the other hand, in the conventional production of fabric surface fasteners in which a back coating adhesive is applied to the back surface, even if the process of knitting the fabric for the surface fastener can be performed quickly, the application of the adhesive liquid to the back surface of the fabric base cloth and the evaporation and drying of the adhesive solvent require time, so each process cannot be performed at the same speed. As a result, the surface fastener fabric must be temporarily wound after being woven, and then the wound surface fastener fabric must be unwound before the subsequent back coating adhesive application and drying processes are performed, resulting in extremely poor productivity. The present invention is also superior in this respect.

[0132] Furthermore, because the polyester yarn used to form the fabric surface zipper of the present invention is stiffer than the nylon or polyolefin yarns commonly used in conventional fabric surface zippers, the resulting fabric surface zipper is also stiff, making it unsuitable for applications requiring flexibility, such as clothing, shoes, and gloves. However, the present invention eliminates the need for a back-coating adhesive, thus preventing the increased rigidity of the fabric surface zipper that would result from such an application. Thus, despite being made of polyester yarn, the fabric surface zipper of the present invention possesses the flexibility required for use in clothing and other household goods.

[0133] Furthermore, in the case of conventional fabric surface zippers that have a back coating adhesive applied to the back side, the back coating adhesive layer on the back side reduces the liquid permeability of the fabric surface zipper, and the dyeing liquid cannot penetrate the fabric surface zipper, resulting in poor dyeability. To avoid this, dyeing has to be performed before the back coating adhesive is applied, that is, when the threads constituting the fabric surface zipper are not fixed to the base fabric. If dyeing is performed before the threads are fixed to the base fabric, the threads constituting the fabric surface zipper will move due to the flow of the dyeing liquid during the dyeing process, resulting in a problem of disordered arrangement of the engaging elements. In the present invention, the threads constituting the fabric surface zipper are fixed to the fabric base fabric through heat treatment, and the fabric surface zipper remains liquid permeable even after the heat treatment. Therefore, dyeing can be performed after the heat treatment, without causing the problems encountered in the prior art.

[0134] In the present invention, it is preferred to perform the initial winding of the resulting long polyester fabric surface zipper immediately after step 4, when forming the hook-shaped engaging element by cutting a single leg of the hook-shaped engaging element loop, or immediately after step 3, when pressing the back surface against a fixed surface or roller surface, when step 4 is not performed. Dyeing the wound-up polyester fabric surface zipper with a dyeing solution containing a disperse dye prevents the engaging element thread from shifting in the weft direction and allows dyeing to be performed in one go while maintaining a wide width and without deformation. This is preferred in terms of productivity and, more importantly, in terms of achieving more uniform dyeing. Step 5 is preferably performed after dyeing.

[0135] The dyeing treatment is preferably performed as follows.

[0136] The wound, wide, pre-slit fabric for a surface zipper is placed in a liquid-permeable cylindrical container that is slightly taller than the width of the fabric and is then placed in a dyeing pot. In this state, a dye solution containing disperse dye is added to the dyeing pot. At a temperature of 110-145°C and a pressure of 2-5 MPa, the dye solution is circulated through the container from the top and bottom, sides, and center to the surface zipper fabric, thereby dyeing the fabric. This dyeing process allows for the efficient and spot-free dyeing of the wide, pre-slit fabric surface zipper. Of course, if dyeing is not required, the above-described dyeing process is not necessary.

[0137] When the fabric surface zipper thus obtained includes an ear-forming region, the widthwise center of the ear-forming region is slit along the warp direction. This allows for the simultaneous production of multiple long fabric surface zippers. In particular, even after dyeing, the fabric surface zipper of the present invention maintains minimal weft offset between the ear region and the ear-forming region, making it easy to accurately slit the widthwise center of the ear-forming region along the warp direction, thus easily producing fabric surface zippers having ears of uniform width. Furthermore, when post-treatment such as flame retardant or waterproofing is performed on the fabric surface zipper, it is preferably performed before slitting for productivity reasons.

[0138] Whether a fabric zipper has been dyed before slitting can be easily determined by examining the dyeing of the slit surface. If dyed before slitting, the fiber cross section at the slit portion will have the same dye density as the fiber cross section at other portions. However, if dyed after slitting, the fiber cross section at the slit portion will have a higher dye density than the other portions.

[0139] In the fabric surface zipper of the present invention, from the perspective of the engagement force and further from the perspective of preventing the engagement elements from tipping over, it is preferred that the height of the hook-shaped engagement elements is 1.2 to 2.1 mm from the fabric base surface, and the height of the loop-shaped engagement elements is 1.9 to 3.0 mm from the fabric base surface. In addition, relative to the area of ​​the fabric base portion where the engagement elements are present after heat shrinkage, the density of the hook-shaped engagement elements in the hook fabric surface zipper, the density of the loop-shaped engagement elements in the loop fabric surface zipper, and the total density of the hook-shaped engagement elements and the loop-shaped engagement elements in the hook / loop combined fabric surface zipper are each preferably 30 to 70 pieces / cm 2 35~140 pieces / cm 2 35~70 pieces / cm 2 In the hook / loop combined fabric surface slide fastener, the ratio of the number of hook-shaped engaging elements to the number of loop-shaped engaging elements is preferably in the range of 40:60 to 60:40.

[0140] The hook-and-loop fabric zippers, loop-and-hook fabric zippers, and combined hook-and-loop fabric zippers of the present invention can be used in applications where conventional fabric zippers are used. For example, in addition to shoes, bags, hats, and gloves, they can also be used in a wide range of applications, including clothing, blood pressure monitors, protective gear, packaging straps and tie wraps, various toys, securing civil engineering sheets, securing various panels or wall materials, securing electrical components, easily assembled and disassembled storage boxes or packaging boxes, small items, and curtains. They are particularly suitable for applications where fabric zippers are attached to fabric or sheet materials by sewing, such as clothing, shoes, bags, hats, gloves, and protective gear.

[0141] Example

[0142] The present invention will be described in detail below. In the examples, the engagement force of the fabric surface zipper was measured according to JIS L 3416. When the fabric surface zippers in the examples and comparative examples were loop fabric surface zippers, a hook fabric surface zipper A8693Y (manufactured by Kuraray Esto Ninja Co., Ltd.) was used as the engagement partner. When the fabric surface zippers in the examples and comparative examples were hook fabric surface zippers, a loop fabric surface zipper B2790Y (manufactured by Kuraray Esto Ninja Co., Ltd.) was used as the engagement partner. When the fabric surface zippers in the examples and comparative examples were hook / loop combined fabric surface zippers, the same hook / loop combined fabric surface zipper was used.

[0143] Example 1: Loop fabric zipper

[0144] The following yarns were used as the warp yarns, weft yarns, and multifilament yarns for the annular engaging elements constituting the loop fabric surface slide fastener.

[0145] warp

[0146] Multifilament yarn made of polyethylene terephthalate with a melting point of 260°C

[0147] Total decimal and number of filaments: 167dtex, 30 filaments

[0148] Dry heat shrinkage at 180°C: 16%

[0149] Weft: Multifilament yarn composed of heat-fusible core-sheath fibers

[0150] Core component: polyethylene terephthalate (melting point: 260°C)

[0151] Sheath component: 25 mol% isophthalic acid copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate (melting point: 190°C)

[0152] Core-sheath ratio (weight ratio) 70:30

[0153] Total decimal point and number of filaments: 120dtex, 24 filaments

[0154] · Dry heat shrinkage at 180°C: 15%

[0155] Multifilament yarn for annular engaging elements

[0156] Polybutylene terephthalate fiber (melting point: 220°C)

[0157] Total decimal and number of filaments: 305dtex, 8

[0158] Dry heat shrinkage at 180°C: 14%

[0159] A plain weave hoop fabric for a surface fastener (sometimes simply referred to as a "surface fastener fabric") is woven as follows using the warp yarns, weft yarns, and multifilament yarns for annular engaging elements.

[0160] The warp and weft threads are woven in at a post-heat shrinkage density of 55 warp threads / cm and 21 weft threads / cm. Five weft threads are floated and sunk on the fabric base, forming loops parallel to the warp threads, at a ratio of one weft thread per four warp threads.

[0161] The obtained fabric for a surface fastener has the following regions from one end portion parallel to the warp direction toward the other end portion.

[0162] An ear area with a width of 7.0 mm exists at one end;

[0163] 22.5mm wide snap-fit ​​element area;

[0164] 6.0mm wide ear-forming area;

[0165] 22.5mm wide snap-fit ​​element area;

[0166] 6.0mm wide ear-forming area;

[0167] 22.5mm wide snap-fit ​​element area;

[0168] 6.0mm wide ear-forming area;

[0169] 22.5mm wide snap-fit ​​element area;

[0170] There is an ear area with a width of 7.0 mm at the other end.

[0171] The resulting 12.2 cm wide fabric for a surface fastener was heat-treated for 60 seconds in a 195°C heat treatment furnace, where only the sheath component of the weft yarns was heat-fused, while the warp yarns, the multifilament yarns for the loop engaging elements, and the core component of the weft yarns were not heat-fused. The fabric was allowed to run without contact with solid objects and with little tension applied, thereby shrinking the weft yarns, the weft yarns, and the multifilament yarns for the loop engaging elements. As a result, the fabric for the surface fastener shrank by 10% in the weft direction, and the sheath component melted and fused to nearby yarns.

[0172] Next, while the heat-fusible fiber (sheath component) is still in a molten state, Figure 5 As shown, the back side of the fabric for the surface zipper is pressed against a fixed surface of stainless steel with a pear-skin surface (the length of contact with the back side is 5 cm) located near the exit of a heat treatment furnace, and the fabric is moved for 5 seconds. Then, the fabric is moved while a tension of 200 g / cm is applied.

[0173] After cooling, the resulting loop fabric surface zipper is rolled up.

[0174] Furthermore, the steps from step 1 of knitting the surface slide fastener fabric to step 2 of performing heat treatment, and further to step 3 of pressing the back surface against the fixed surface, are performed continuously without winding in between.

[0175] The density of the ring fastener elements of the obtained ring fabric surface zipper is 44 pieces / cm 2 The height between the annular engaging element and the fabric base surface is 2.1 mm.

[0176] The resulting loop fabric zipper was rolled up and placed in a liquid-permeable cylindrical container. This container was then placed in a dyeing pot, filled with a dyeing solution containing a blue disperse dye. The dyeing was then circulated through the fabric zipper under heat and pressure at 135°C and 3.5 MPa, allowing the dyeing solution to circulate through the inside of the zipper.

[0177] The resulting blue-dyed loop fabric zipper was slit parallel to the warp threads at the center of the width direction of the ear-forming region sandwiched between the engaging element regions. This produced four long loop fabric zippers with 25 mm wide ears, each with 2 mm wide ear regions at both ends and a 21 mm wide engaging element region containing an annular engaging element in the region sandwiched between the ear regions. None of the four long loop fabric zippers exhibited any dye spots, and all four were dyed to the same dye density. Furthermore, the dye density of the fiber cross-section in the slit region was the same as that in the remaining fiber cross-sections.

[0178] Compared to conventional loop fabric surface zippers made of nylon-type threads and coated with a back-coating adhesive, the loop fabric surface zipper with ears obtained has excellent flexibility, and the width of the ear area (including the ear area obtained by slitting the ear-forming area) is always constant at 2 mm, and there is no deviation of the warp in the weft direction. Therefore, there will be no problem of the cut ends of the cut warp threads being exposed from the ends of the ear area due to the deviation of the ear area, thereby deteriorating the appearance of the loop fabric surface zipper. The warp thickness Tb in the base fabric thickness direction at the part most sunken on the back side and the warp thickness Ts in the base fabric thickness direction at the part most floating on the surface side were measured. Figure 3 As shown, Tb is 0.089mm, Ts is 0.104mm, and Tb / Ts is 0.86. The closing force of the loop fabric zipper was measured and the initial shear strength was 14.9N / cm 2 The initial peel strength is 1.15N / cm, and the shear strength after 1000 engagements / peels is 13.6N / cm 2 The peel strength is 1.05N / cm, and it has excellent snap-on force as a fabric zipper.

[0179] The obtained loop fabric surface zipper was used as a surface zipper for opening and closing the cuffs of a windbreaker. When it was attached to the cuffs of the windbreaker by sewing, it was found to be soft and the width of the ear was always constant, so the seam did not bend, and it could be attached beautifully.

[0180] Example 2: Hook fabric zipper

[0181] The following yarns were used as the warp yarns, weft yarns, and monofilament yarns for hook-shaped engaging elements constituting the hook-woven surface fastener.

[0182] warp

[0183] Multifilament yarn made of polyethylene terephthalate with a melting point of 260°C

[0184] Total decimal and number of filaments: 167dtex, 30 filaments

[0185] Dry heat shrinkage at 180°C: 16%

[0186] Weft: Multifilament yarn composed of heat-fusible core-sheath fibers

[0187] Core component: polyethylene terephthalate (melting point: 260°C)

[0188] Sheath component: 25 mol% isophthalic acid copolymerized polyethylene terephthalate (melting point: 190°C)

[0189] Core-sheath ratio (weight ratio) 70:30

[0190] Total decimal and number of filaments: 99dtex, 24 filaments

[0191] · Dry heat shrinkage at 180°C: 15%

[0192] Monofilament thread for hook-shaped snap elements

[0193] Polyethylene terephthalate (melting point: 260°C)

[0194] Denier: 370dtex (diameter: 0.19mm)

[0195] Dry heat shrinkage at 180°C: 18%

[0196] A plain weave hook fabric surface fastener fabric (sometimes simply referred to as "surface fastener fabric") is woven as follows using the above-mentioned warp threads, weft threads, and monofilament threads for hook-shaped engaging elements.

[0197] The warp and weft threads are woven at a post-heat shrinkage density of 55 warp threads / cm and 19 weft threads / cm. Hook-shaped engaging elements are woven parallel to the warp threads at a ratio of one hook thread per four warp threads. The hook-shaped engaging element monofilament thread floats and sinks five weft threads before crossing three warp threads, forming a loop at the crossing point.

[0198] The obtained fabric for a surface fastener has the following regions from one end portion parallel to the warp direction toward the other end portion.

[0199] An ear area with a width of 7.0 mm exists at one end;

[0200] 22.5mm wide snap-fit ​​element area;

[0201] 6.0mm wide ear-forming area;

[0202] 22.5mm wide snap-fit ​​element area;

[0203] 6.0mm wide ear-forming area;

[0204] 22.5mm wide snap-fit ​​element area;

[0205] 6.0mm wide ear-forming area;

[0206] 22.5mm wide snap-fit ​​element area;

[0207] There is an ear area with a width of 7.0 mm at the other end.

[0208] The resulting fabric for a surface fastener was heat-treated for 55 seconds in a heat treatment furnace at 210°C, where only the sheath component of the weft yarns was heat-fused, while the warp yarns, the monofilament yarns for hook engaging elements, and the core component of the weft yarns were not heat-fused, without contact with solid objects and with little tension applied. This shrunk the weft yarns, the monofilament yarns for hook engaging elements, and the core component of the weft yarns. As a result, the fabric for a surface fastener shrank by 11% in the weft direction, and the sheath component melted and fused to nearby yarns.

[0209] Next, while the heat-fusible fiber (sheath component) is still in a molten state, Figure 5 As shown, the back side of the fabric for the surface zipper is pressed against a fixed surface (the length of contact with the back side is 5 cm) having a stainless steel pear leather surface located near the exit of the heat treatment furnace, and is moved for 5 seconds. Then, the fabric is moved while a tension of 200 g / cm is applied.

[0210] After cooling, the single leg portion of the hook-shaped engaging element loop was cut to form a hook-shaped engaging element. Then, the obtained hook fabric surface fastener was wound and dyed with a dark red disperse dye solution in the same manner as in Example 1.

[0211] The density of the hook-shaped fastening elements of the obtained hook fabric surface zipper is 42 pieces / cm 2 , and the height of the hook-shaped engaging element from the base fabric surface is 1.5 mm. Furthermore, the entire process from step 1 of knitting the fabric for the surface fastener to step 2 of heat treatment, step 3 of pressing the back surface against the fixed surface, and finally to the step of cutting the single leg of the hook-shaped engaging element loop is performed continuously without winding. After the single leg of the hook-shaped engaging element loop is cut, winding of the hook fabric surface fastener begins.

[0212] The resulting hook-woven fabric zipper was slit parallel to the warp threads in the widthwise center of the ear-forming area sandwiched between the engaging element areas. This yielded four long hook-woven fabric zippers with 25mm ears, each with 2.0mm wide ear areas at both ends and a 21mm wide engaging element area containing hook-shaped engaging elements in the area sandwiched between the ear areas. None of the four long hook-woven fabric zippers had any staining, and all four were dyed to the same density. Observation of the dyed fabric confirmed that the dye density of the fiber cross-section in the slit area was the same as that in the other sections.

[0213] Compared to conventional hook-and-loop zippers made of nylon yarn and coated with a back-coated adhesive, the resulting hook-and-loop zipper with ears offers superior flexibility. The width of the ear area (including the ear area formed by slitting the ear-forming area) remains constant at 2.0 mm, and there is no warp-to-weft deviation. Consequently, the problem of the cut ends of the warp yarns protruding from the ends of the ear area due to deviation in the ear area, thus deteriorating the aesthetics of the hook-and-loop zipper, does not occur. Furthermore, detailed inspection of the engaging element surface of the hook-and-loop zipper revealed that the hook-shaped engaging element loops were reliably cut at the same height, with no loops observed with both legs cut, no loops with both legs uncut, or loops with the slits only halfway through.

[0214] The warp thickness Tb of the hook fabric zipper obtained at the location most sunken in the back side and the warp thickness Ts of the hook fabric zipper at the location most raised on the surface side were measured. Figure 3 As shown, Tb is 0.084mm, Ts is 0.100mm, and Tb / Ts is 0.84. The snap-fitting force of the hook fabric zipper was measured and the initial shear strength was 14.9N / cm 2 The initial peel strength is 1.15N / cm, and the shear strength after 1000 engagements / peels is 13.6N / cm 2 The peel strength is 1.05N / cm, and it has excellent snap-on force as a fabric zipper.

[0215] The obtained hook fabric zipper is used as a fixing part for fastening the upper leather strap of children's shoes. It is installed on the upper leather fastening strap by sewing. The result is soft and the width of the ear is always constant, so the stitching line runs parallel to the ear, which can be installed beautifully.

[0216] Example 3: Hook / loop coexistent fabric surface zipper

[0217] The following yarns were used as the warp yarns, weft yarns, multifilament yarns for loop-shaped fastening elements, and monofilament yarns for hook-shaped fastening elements that form the hook and loop combined fabric surface slide fastener.

[0218] warp

[0219] Multifilament yarn made of polyethylene terephthalate with a melting point of 260°C

[0220] Total decimal and number of filaments: 167dtex, 30 filaments

[0221] Dry heat shrinkage at 180°C: 16%

[0222] Weft: Multifilament yarn composed of heat-fusible core-sheath fibers

[0223] Core component: polyethylene terephthalate (melting point: 260°C)

[0224] Sheath component: 25 mol% copolymer of isophthalic acid and polybutylene terephthalate (melting point: 185°C)

[0225] Core-sheath ratio (weight ratio): 70:30

[0226] Total decimal and number of filaments: 110dtex, 24 filaments

[0227] · Dry heat shrinkage at 180°C: 15%

[0228] Multifilament yarn for annular engaging elements

[0229] Polybutylene terephthalate fiber (melting point: 220°C)

[0230] Total decimal and number of filaments: 305dtex, 8

[0231] Dry heat shrinkage at 180°C: 14%

[0232] Monofilament thread for hook-shaped snap elements

[0233] Polyethylene terephthalate (melting point: 260°C)

[0234] Denier: 370dtex (diameter: 0.19mm)

[0235] Dry heat shrinkage at 180°C: 18%

[0236] A hook-woven surface fastener fabric (sometimes simply referred to as "surface fastener fabric") having a plain weave is woven as follows using the warp, weft, multifilament yarn for loop-shaped engaging elements, and monofilament yarn for hook-shaped engaging elements.

[0237] The warp and weft were woven so that the weaving density after heat shrinkage treatment was 55 warp threads / cm and 19 weft threads / cm.

[0238] Three weft threads are floated and sunk at a ratio of one thread per four warp threads, and then cross one warp thread. At the crossover portion, a multifilament thread for an annular engaging element is woven parallel to the warp threads so as to form a loop on the fabric base.

[0239] Three weft threads are floated and sunk at a ratio of one thread per four warp threads, and then cross over the three warp threads. Monofilament threads for hook-shaped engaging elements are woven into the crossover portions in parallel with the warp threads so as to form loops on the fabric base.

[0240] The multifilament yarns for the loop-shaped engaging elements and the monofilament yarns for the hook-shaped engaging elements are woven alternately so that two yarns of each yarn exist continuously.

[0241] The obtained fabric for a surface fastener has the following regions from one end portion parallel to the warp direction toward the other end portion.

[0242] An ear area with a width of 7.0 mm exists at one end;

[0243] 22.5mm wide snap-fit ​​element area;

[0244] 6.0mm wide ear-forming area;

[0245] 22.5mm wide snap-fit ​​element area;

[0246] 6.0mm wide ear-forming area;

[0247] 22.5mm wide snap-fit ​​element area;

[0248] 6.0mm wide ear-forming area;

[0249] 22.5mm wide snap-fit ​​element area;

[0250] There is an ear area with a width of 7.0 mm at the other end.

[0251] The resulting 12.2 cm wide fabric for a surface fastener was heat-treated for 60 seconds in a heat treatment furnace at 205°C, where only the sheath component of the weft yarns was heat-fused, while the core components of the warp yarns, engaging element yarns, and weft yarns were not heat-fused. This was done with little tension applied, thereby shrinking the warp yarns, weft yarns, and engaging element yarns. As a result, the fabric for a surface fastener shrank by 11% in the weft direction, with the sheath component melting and fusing to nearby yarns.

[0252] Next, while the heat-fusible fiber (sheath component) was still in a molten state, the back side of the fabric for the surface zipper was pressed against a fixed surface of stainless steel with a pear-skin surface located near the exit of the heat treatment furnace (the length of contact with the back side was 5 cm) in the same manner as in Example 1, and the fabric was moved for 5 seconds. Thereafter, the fabric was moved while applying a tension of 200 g / cm.

[0253] After cooling, the single leg portion of the hook-shaped engaging element loop was cut to form a hook-shaped engaging element. Then, the obtained hook / loop combined type fabric surface slide fastener was wound and dyed with a dark red disperse dye solution in the same manner as in Example 2.

[0254] The density of the hook-shaped fastening elements of the obtained hook / loop combined fabric surface zipper is 30 pieces / cm 2 , the density of the ring-shaped engaging elements is 30 pieces / cm 2The height of the hook-shaped engaging elements from the base fabric surface is 1.6 mm, and the height of the loop-shaped engaging elements from the base fabric surface is 2.0 mm. Furthermore, the entire process from step 1 of weaving the fabric, step 2 of heat treatment, step 3 of pressing the back surface against the fixed surface, and finally step 3 of cutting the hook-shaped engaging element loops into a single leg is performed continuously without winding.

[0255] The resulting hook / loop fabric surface zipper fabric was slit parallel to the warp in the widthwise center of the ear-forming region sandwiched between the engaging element regions. This yielded four long hook / loop fabric surface zippers with 25mm ears, each with 2.0mm wide ear regions at both ends and a 21mm wide engaging element region containing hook-shaped and loop-shaped engaging elements in the region sandwiched between the ear regions. None of the four long hook / loop fabric surface zippers exhibited any dye spots, and all four were dyed to the same concentration. Observation of the dyed fabric revealed the same dye concentration as in Examples 1 or 2, confirming that the fiber cross-section in the slit region had the same dye concentration as the fiber cross-section in the remaining regions.

[0256] Compared to conventional hook-and-loop fabric zippers made of nylon yarn and coated with a back-coated adhesive, the resulting hook-and-loop fabric zipper with ears exhibits superior flexibility. The width of the ear region (including the ear region formed by slitting the ear-forming region) remains constant at 2.0 mm. There is no warp-to-weft shift, and there is no problem of the cut ends of the warp threads protruding from the ends of the ear region due to shifting of the ear region, thereby degrading the aesthetics of the fabric zipper. Furthermore, detailed observation of the hook-and-loop fabric zipper's hook-shaped engaging elements revealed that only one leg was completely severed at the same height in all cases. There were no cases of both legs being severed, neither leg being severed, or the slit being cut only halfway through.

[0257] The warp thickness Tb of the obtained hook / loop combined fabric surface zipper in the base fabric thickness direction at the part most sunken on the back side, and the warp thickness Ts in the base fabric thickness direction at the part most floating on the surface side were measured. Tb was 0.087 mm, Ts was 0.102 mm, and Tb / Ts was 0.85.

[0258] The hook / loop fabric zipper's closing force was measured, and the initial shear strength was 11.1 N / cm. 2 The initial peel strength is 1.05N / cm, and the shear strength after 1000 engagement / peeling cycles is 10.0N / cm 2The resulting hook-and-loop fabric zipper has a peel strength of 0.96 N / cm, demonstrating excellent engagement strength for a combined hook-and-loop fabric zipper. When used as a fastening tape for protective gear, the resulting hook-and-loop fabric zipper is sewn onto the gear. The result is a flexible, uniform lug width, preventing kinking and enabling aesthetically pleasing attachment. Sufficient fastening strength is also achieved by threading the protective gear through the cylinder and folding back one end to engage the hook-and-loop engaging elements.

[0259] Comparative Example 1

[0260] In Example 1, four long loop fabric surface slide fasteners with ears, each having a width of 25 mm and having ear regions of 2.0 mm at both ends and a 21 mm wide engaging element region sandwiched between the ear regions, were produced in the same manner as in Example 1, except that Step 3 was omitted and the heat-treated surface slide fastener fabric obtained in Step 2 was cooled and then rolled. The four long loop fabric surface slide fasteners had slight dye spots along the longitudinal direction, with dye spots being particularly observed in various locations on two of the four long loop fabric surface slide fasteners obtained by slitting the ear-forming regions near the two ends.

[0261] In the ear region of a loop fabric zipper with ears, slits were made in the ear-forming area. Wide and narrow ear regions were present at a 0.6 cm interval in the warp direction, centered around an ear width of 2.0 mm. Furthermore, the cut ends of the warp yarns, cut from the ends of the ear region, were exposed, giving the appearance of frayed threads and diminishing the aesthetics of the fabric zipper.

[0262] In addition, the ear area that existed before slitting was shifted in the weft direction, resulting in an uneven ear width. Figure 4 As shown, Tb is 0.101 mm, Ts is 0.104 mm, and Tb / Ts is 0.97.

[0263] The closing force of the loop fabric zipper was measured and the initial shear strength was 14.2N / cm 2 The initial peel strength is 1.09N / cm, and the shear strength after 1000 engagements / peels is 12.9N / cm 2 The peel strength was 0.99 N / cm, which is generally excellent for a fabric surface zipper. The ear region of the loop fabric surface zipper with ears was attached to the fabric by sewing, resulting in the seam appearing bent, which is less aesthetically pleasing than Example 1.

[0264] Comparative Example 2

[0265] In Example 2, except that step 3 was omitted and the surface fastener fabric obtained in step 2 was cooled and then rolled up, the same procedures as in Example 2 were followed to produce four long hook-woven surface fasteners with ears, each having an ear region of 2.0 mm in width at both ends and an engaging element region of 21 mm in width in the area sandwiched between the ear regions. As in Comparative Example 1, the four long hook-woven surface fasteners obtained had some, though minor, staining along the longitudinal direction. In particular, staining was observed in various locations on the two long hook-woven surface fasteners obtained by slitting the ear-forming regions near the two ends.

[0266] The ear region formed by slitting the ear-forming region of the hook-faced fabric zipper with ears has wide and narrow ear widths, centered around an ear width of 2.0 mm. Furthermore, the cut ends of the warp yarns cut from the ends of the ear region are exposed, giving the appearance of frayed threads and diminishing the aesthetics of the fabric-faced zipper.

[0267] Furthermore, a magnified observation of the hook-shaped engaging elements on the surface of the hook fabric surface zipper revealed that there were a small number of loops with one leg not cut, loops with both legs cut, loops cut near the root, and loops cut far from the root.

[0268] In addition, the ear regions that existed before the slitting were shifted in the weft direction, resulting in uneven ear widths.

[0269] Tb and Ts were measured, as Figure 4 As shown, Tb is 0.098 mm, Ts is 0.100 mm, and Tb / Ts is 0.98.

[0270] The hook fabric zipper's snapping force was measured and the initial shear strength was 13.4 N / cm. 2 The initial peel strength is 1.04N / cm, and the shear strength after 1000 engagements / peels is 12.2N / cm 2 The peel strength is 0.94 N / cm, which is inferior to the hook fabric surface zipper of Example 2 in terms of engagement force.

[0271] The ear region of the hook fabric fastener with ears was attached to the fabric by sewing in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1. As a result, the sewing line appeared bent, and the appearance was inferior to that of Example 2.

[0272] Comparative Example 3

[0273] In Example 3, except that step 3 was omitted and the surface fastener fabric was wound around a guide on a fixed surface after cooling, followed by a single-leg cutting process for the hook-shaped engaging element loops, the same procedures were followed to produce four long hook-and-loop fabric surface fasteners with 25 mm ears each having 2.0 mm wide ear regions at both ends and 21 mm wide engaging element regions in the area sandwiched between the ear regions. Similar to Comparative Examples 1 and 2, the four long hook-and-loop fabric surface fasteners produced had slight dyeing spots in the warp direction. In particular, dyeing spots were observed in various locations on the two long hook-and-loop fabric surface fasteners obtained by slitting the ear-forming regions near the two ends.

[0274] In the ear area obtained by cutting the ear forming area of ​​the hook / loop coexisting fabric surface zipper with ears, wide and narrow ear widths coexist, and the cut ends of the warp threads cut from the ends of the ear area are exposed, which makes it look like the threads have been frayed, and the appearance of the fabric surface zipper is poor.

[0275] In addition, the ear regions that existed before the slitting were shifted in the weft direction, resulting in uneven ear widths.

[0276] The hook-shaped engaging elements on the surface of the hook / loop combined fabric surface zipper were observed under magnification. The results were the same as those in Comparative Example 2, including loops with both legs not cut off, loops with both legs cut off, loops with cut positions close to the root, and loops with cut positions far from the root.

[0277] Tb and Ts were measured, as Figure 4 As shown, Tb is 0.099 mm, Ts is 0.102 mm, and Tb / Ts is 0.97.

[0278] The hook / loop fabric zipper's closing force was measured and the initial shear strength was 10.0 N / cm. 2 The initial peel strength is 0.95N / cm, and the shear strength after 1000 engagement / peeling cycles is 9.0N / cm 2 The peel strength is 0.86 N / cm, which is worse than the engagement force of the hook / loop coexisting fabric surface zipper of Example 3.

[0279] The ear area of ​​the hook / loop combined type fabric surface slide fastener with ears was attached to the fabric by sewing in the same manner as in Comparative Example 1 or Comparative Example 2. As a result, it was found that the seams were bent in the warp direction, which was aesthetically inferior to Example 3.

[0280] Example 4

[0281] Four long hook-woven surface zippers with 25 mm wide ears were produced in the same manner as in Example 2, except that the fixed surface with a stainless steel pear-skin finish used in step 3 of Example 2 was replaced with a stainless steel mirror-finished roller surface. The roller surface rotated at the same speed as the surface zipper fabric being moved in contact with the roller surface. The back of the fabric base fabric was in contact with the roller surface for 5 seconds, and the heat-fusible fiber (sheath component) was pressed against the roller surface while remaining molten. After passing through the roller surface, a tension of 250 g / cm was applied to the fabric base fabric.

[0282] The four long hook-woven zip fasteners obtained had no staining spots and were all dyed to the same density. Observation of the dyed product revealed that, as in Examples 1 to 3, the dye density of the fiber cross section at the slit portion was the same as that at the other portions.

[0283] Compared to conventional fabric-faced zippers made of nylon yarn and coated with a back-coated adhesive, the resulting hook-faced zipper with ears exhibited superior flexibility, similar to Example 2. Furthermore, the ear width of both the ear area obtained by slitting the ear-forming region and the existing ear area before slitting remained constant at 2.0 mm. There was no warp-to-weft deviation, and no warp ends severed due to deviation were observed at the ends of the ear area. Furthermore, detailed inspection of the hook-faced zipper's engaging element surface revealed that, similar to Example 2, only one leg of the hook-shaped engaging element loop was correctly severed at a predetermined height.

[0284] Tb and Ts were measured, as Figure 4 As shown, Tb is 0.091 mm, Ts is 0.100 mm, and Tb / Ts is 0.91.

[0285] The hook fabric zipper's snapping force was measured and the initial shear strength was 14.8 N / cm. 2 The initial peel strength is 1.10N / cm, and the shear strength after 1000 engagement / peeling cycles is 13.5N / cm 2 , the peel strength is 1.00N / cm, and it has excellent snap-on force as a hook fabric zipper.

[0286] When the obtained hook fabric zipper is installed by sewing as a fastener for fastening the cuffs of sports gloves, it has the flexibility to bend with the movement of the hand, and the width of the ear is always constant, so the sewing line runs parallel to the ear, allowing for an aesthetically pleasing installation.

[0287] Explanation of symbols

[0288] 1: Snap-on component area

[0289] 2a: Ear area

[0290] 2b: Ear formation area (middle ear area)

[0291] 3: Warp

[0292] 4: Weft

[0293] 5: Snap-fit ​​components

[0294] L: Ring for locking element

[0295] K: thickness direction of base fabric

[0296] 6: Fabric for surface zipper

[0297] 7: Heat treatment furnace

[0298] 8: Fixed surface or roller surface

[0299] Wa: longitude direction

[0300] We: latitude direction

[0301] Tb: The warp thickness in the base fabric thickness direction at the part that is most sunken into the back side

[0302] Ts: The warp thickness in the base fabric thickness direction at the portion most raised on the surface side

Claims

1. A polyester fabric zipper, include: A fabric base cloth composed of warp and weft threads, and a thread for an engaging element woven parallel to the warp threads of the base cloth, The engaging elements are formed by lines into a plurality of loop-shaped engaging elements, hook-shaped engaging elements or both of them rising from the surface of the base fabric. The warp, weft and engaging element threads are all polyester fibers. The weft yarns comprise heat-fusible fibers, The base of the engaging element is welded to the hot-melt fiber, and the fabric surface zipper fixed to the base fabric satisfies the following requirements (1) and (2): (1) The warp threads float up and down between the weft threads, and the thickness Tb of the base fabric at the part where the warp threads sink most deeply into the back side of the base fabric is not more than 0.94 times the thickness Ts of the base fabric at the part where the warp threads float most upwards on the surface side of the base fabric; (2) At both ends of the base fabric surface side parallel to the warp, the ear regions where no engaging elements are present are continuous in the warp direction.

2. The polyester fabric surface zipper according to claim 1, wherein: Tb is not more than 0.92 times Ts.

3. The polyester fabric surface slide fastener according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Tb is in the range of 0.7 to 0.88 times Ts.

4. The polyester fabric surface slide fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: Between the ear regions at both ends, an ear forming region without an engagement element exists continuously in the warp direction, and the region with the engagement element is divided into a plurality of regions parallel to the warp direction by the ear forming region.

5. The polyester fabric surface zipper according to claim 4, wherein: The ear forming region is cut parallel to the warp direction at the center in the width direction to form the ear region.

6. The polyester fabric surface slide fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: There is no adhesive layer on the back side of the base fabric for fixing the snap-fit ​​elements to the base fabric.

7. The polyester fabric surface slide fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: Dyed with disperse dyes.

8. A method for manufacturing a polyester fabric surface zipper, comprising performing the following steps 1 to 3 in order: Step 1: The process of weaving fabric for surface zippers, The fabric comprises: A fabric base consisting of warp and weft threads; a thread for an engaging element woven parallel to the warp of the base fabric; as well as The ear regions exist at both ends of the base fabric surface and do not have any engaging elements that are continuous and parallel to the warp direction. The engaging element thread forms a plurality of hook-shaped engaging element loops, loop engaging element loops, or both of them rising from the surface of the base fabric. The warp, weft and engaging element threads are all polyester fibers. The weft yarns comprise heat-fusible fibers; Step 2: a heat treatment step of heating the surface fastener fabric in a heat treatment furnace to a temperature above the melting point of the heat-fusible fibers, thereby thermally shrinking the threads constituting the surface fastener fabric and firmly fixing the engaging element threads to the base fabric; Process 3: The heat-treated fabric for surface fastener is taken out from the heat treatment furnace, and the back surface of the base fabric is pressed against a fixed surface or a roller surface while the heat-fusible fiber is molten.

9. The manufacturing method according to claim 8, wherein: The fabric for a surface fastener obtained in step 1 has an ear forming region where no engaging elements are formed continuously in the warp direction between the ear regions, and the region where the engaging elements are present is divided into a plurality of regions parallel to the warp direction by the ear forming region.

10. The manufacturing method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein: Steps 1 to 3 were performed continuously without winding the film in the middle.

11. The production method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein Step 3 is performed without pressing the surface side of the base fabric against the fixed surface or the roller surface.

12. The production method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein The engaging element wire is a hook-shaped engaging element ring, or both a hook-shaped engaging element ring and a ring-shaped engaging element ring. After step 3, the following step 4 is performed, and steps 1 to 4 are performed continuously without winding in the middle. Step 4: A step of cutting off a single leg of a hook-shaped engaging element loop to form a hook-shaped engaging element.

13. The production method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein The surface fastener fabric has an ear-forming region. When the engaging element thread is a loop engaging element ring, the following step 5 is performed after step 3 is completed. When the engaging element thread is a hook engaging element ring or both a hook engaging element ring and a loop engaging element ring, the following step 5 is performed after step 4 is completed. Step 5: A step of cutting the center of the ear portion forming region in the width direction parallel to the warp direction.

14. The production method according to any one of claims 8, 10 to 12, wherein In the case where the engaging element thread is a ring engaging element ring, after the completion of step 3, the polyester fabric surface zipper obtained by winding is immersed in a dyeing solution containing disperse dyes for dyeing in the wound state. In the case where the engaging element thread is a hook engaging element ring or both a hook engaging element ring and a ring engaging element ring, after the completion of step 4, the polyester fabric surface zipper obtained by winding is immersed in a dyeing solution containing disperse dyes for dyeing in the wound state.

15. The production method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein In the case where the engaging element thread is a loop engaging element loop, after step 3 is completed, the polyester fabric surface zipper having an ear forming area obtained by winding is immersed in a dyeing solution containing a disperse dye in the wound state for dyeing. In the case where the engaging element thread is a hook engaging element loop, or both a hook engaging element loop and a loop engaging element loop, after step 4 is completed, the polyester fabric surface zipper having an ear forming area obtained by winding is immersed in a dyeing solution containing a disperse dye in the wound state for dyeing.

16. The manufacturing method according to claim 15, wherein: After the dyeing, the following step 5 is performed, Step 5: A step of cutting the center of the ear portion forming region in the width direction parallel to the warp direction.

Images