Slide fastener

Abstract

Provided is a slider for reducing the sliding resistance of a slider of a slide fastener. This slide fastener is provided with first sliders (3b-3e). The first slider is provided with: a connecting post (34) that connects an upper wing plate (32) and a lower wing plate (33) on the meshing direction (C) side; a flange (35) that extends along the left and right edges of the upper wing plate and the lower wing plate; and an element path (36). The element path is provided with: an engagement path (361) through which left and right elements (5, 5a) pass in an engaged state; an engagement start path (362) which is located on the engagement direction side with respect to the engagement path, is wider in the left and right than the engagement path, and in which the left and right elements start engagement while touching each other; and a pair of branching paths (363) located on the engagement direction side with respect to the engagement start path and branching to the left and right sides of the connecting column. At least one of the flanges is provided with a protruding portion (352) in the engagement start path, the protruding portion protruding in a state in which the gap formed between the protruding portion and the flange facing the left side or the right side is locally narrowed, and the frictional resistance between the elements during the engagement start process is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention particularly relates to the structure of a slider in the following zipper, which includes a pair of tapes extending forward and backward and facing each other left and right, a pair of rows of chain teeth composed of a plurality of chain teeth fixed along the opposite side edges of the pair of tapes, and at least one slider for engaging and separating the pair of rows of chain teeth. Background Art

[0002] As is well known, a zipper engages or separates a plurality of chain teeth by moving a slider. Moreover, when engaging and separating, the chain teeth touch each other inside the slider and generate friction. This friction becomes a resistance when moving the slider. Hereinafter, this resistance is referred to as the sliding resistance of the slider.

[0003] The chain teeth disclosed in Patent Document 1, which are called chain cogs, have been improved to reduce the sliding resistance of the slider. More specifically, as follows. In the zipper in Patent Document 1, a pair of sliders are mounted on a pair of tape chains extending forward and backward in such a way that their opening and closing directions are opposite to each other. In addition, considering the sliding resistance of the slider, the slider is mounted in the front-rear direction of the zipper in consideration of the normal opening and closing direction of the zipper. In Patent Document 1, one slider is mounted in the normal manner in the front-rear direction, and the other slider is mounted in the direction opposite to the normal direction in the front-rear direction. Moreover, the chain cogs disclosed in Patent Document 1 reduce (decrease) the sliding resistance of the slider mounted in the direction opposite to the normal direction. Hereinafter, the slider mounted in the normal manner is called a forward-opening slider because the opening method of the zipper is normal, and the slider mounted in the opposite direction is called a reverse-opening slider.

[0004] Prior Art Documents

[0005] Patent Documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 1-22505 Summary of the Invention

[0007] As described above, the sliding resistance of the slider is caused by the frictional resistance between the chain teeth inside the slider. The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 reduces the sliding resistance of the slider by improving the shape of the chain teeth. However, for reducing the sliding resistance of the slider, it is considered that it can be achieved not only by improving the shape of the chain teeth, but also by improving the shape of the slider.

[0008] In addition, the sliding resistance of the slider is generated not only in the reverse-opening slider, but also in the forward-opening slider. Moreover, considering that if the sliding resistance of the slider can be reduced, the designer can design the zipper more freely than before.

[0009] The present invention is created in consideration of the above actual situation, and its purpose is to provide a slider that reduces the sliding resistance of the slider.

[0010] The zipper of the present invention includes a pair of tapes extending front and back and facing each other left and right, a pair of rows of teeth formed by a plurality of teeth fixed along the opposite side edges of the pair of tapes, and at least one slider for engaging and disengaging the pair of rows of teeth. Moreover, all the sliders include at least one first slider. The first slider includes: an upper wing plate and a lower wing plate facing each other up and down; a connecting column that connects the upper wing plate and the lower wing plate on the engaging direction side where the first slider moves when the pair of rows of teeth are engaged; a flange that protrudes from the upper wing plate and the lower wing plate in a direction to narrow the gap formed between the upper wing plate and the lower wing plate, and is formed along the left and right edges of the upper wing plate and the left and right edges of the lower wing plate; and a tooth path through which the pair of rows of teeth pass and is formed between the left and right flanges and between the upper wing plate and the lower wing plate. In addition, the tooth path includes: an engaging path through which the left and right teeth pass in an engaged state; an engaging start path that is located on the engaging direction side with respect to the engaging path, is wider in the left and right directions than the engaging path, and the left and right teeth start to engage while touching each other in the engaging start path; and a pair of branch paths that are located on the engaging direction side with respect to the engaging start path and branch to the left and right of the connecting column. The above is the premise of the zipper of the present invention.

[0011] Moreover, the zipper according to the first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that at least one flange has a convex portion in the engaging start path, and the convex portion protrudes in a state where the interval between the convex portion and the flange facing the left or right is locally narrowed, thereby reducing the frictional resistance between the teeth during the engaging start process.

[0012] In order to reduce the sliding resistance of the first slider, it is desirable to be as follows.

[0013] That is, at least two flanges facing each other left and right each have a convex portion.

[0014] In order to reduce the sliding resistance of the first slider, it is more desirable to be as follows.

[0015] That is, all the flanges each have a convex portion.

[0016] An example of the specific structure of the first slider is as follows.

[0017] That is, the flange divides the tooth path and the outside left and right, and the thickness formed between the inner surface facing the tooth path side and the outer surface facing the outside is the thickest at the position of the convex portion and is constant at least at the end portion on the engaging start path side in the engaging path.

[0018] In order to further reduce the sliding resistance of the first slider, it is desirable to be as follows.

[0019] At least one flange has a recess at a position on the meshing direction side with respect to the convex portion, and the recess is recessed in a state where the interval formed between the recess and the flange opposed on the left or right is locally widened, thereby reducing the frictional resistance between the teeth during the meshing start process.

[0020] Moreover, the zipper according to the second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that at least one flange has a recess on the meshing start path, and the recess is recessed in a state where the interval formed between the recess and the flange opposed on the left or right is locally widened, thereby reducing the frictional resistance between the teeth during the meshing start process.

[0021] In order to reduce the sliding resistance of the first slider, it is desirable to be as follows.

[0022] That is, at least two flanges opposed left and right each have a recess.

[0023] In order to reduce the sliding resistance of the first slider, it is more desirable to be as follows.

[0024] That is, all the flanges each have a recess.

[0025] An example of the specific structure of the first slider is as follows.

[0026] The flange divides the tooth path and the outside left and right, and the thickness formed between the inner surface facing the tooth path side and the outer surface facing the outside is constant at least at the end on the meshing start path side in the meshing path, and is thinner at the recess than at the end on the meshing start path side in the meshing path.

[0027] In the zipper, the shape of the teeth can be arbitrary, but when a front-opening slider and a reverse-opening slider having the same structure are mounted on a pair of tooth rows, sometimes there is a difference in the sliding resistance of the sliders. For example, the sliding resistance of the reverse-opening slider is greater than that of the front-opening slider. In such a case, it is effective to apply the zipper according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present invention in order to reduce the sliding resistance. Moreover, an example of the zipper with a difference in sliding resistance is as follows.

[0028] That is, in the zipper, the teeth are asymmetric in the front-back direction.

[0029] As long as the teeth are asymmetric in the front-back direction, the specific structure can be arbitrary. In addition, the zipper only needs to have at least one slider. Moreover, when using teeth that are asymmetric in the front-back direction for the slider and having a pair of sliders, it is desirable to be as follows in order to reduce the sliding resistance of the reverse-opening slider.

[0030] That is, the zipper has a pair of sliders. Further, the teeth have a fixing portion fixed to the tape, an engaging main body portion extending from the fixing portion to the side opposite to the tape, an engaging convex portion protruding from the front surface of the engaging main body portion, and an engaging concave portion recessed in the rear surface of the engaging main body portion. Further, one of the pair of sliders is a first slider or a second slider different from the first slider, and is mounted on the pair of rows of teeth in a state where its engaging direction is the same as the direction in which the engaging convex portion protrudes. Further, the other of the pair of sliders is the first slider, and is mounted on the pair of rows of teeth in a state where its engaging direction is opposite to the direction in which the engaging convex portion protrudes.

[0031] Advantages of the Invention

[0032] In the zipper of the present invention, when the flange has a convex portion on the engaging start path, by moving the first slider in the engaging direction, when the tooth moving along the flange reaches the convex portion, the tooth moves so as to approach the opposite tooth. Therefore, compared with a slider without a convex portion, the teeth are more easily engaged with each other, and the sliding resistance of the first slider can be reduced.

[0033] Further, in the zipper of the present invention, when the flange has a concave portion on the engaging start path, by moving the first slider in the engaging direction, when the tooth moving along the flange reaches the concave portion, the tooth moves away from the opposite tooth and moves toward the concave portion. Therefore, the contact between the teeth at the position of the concave portion is alleviated, and when the tooth moves to a position on the engaging path side beyond the concave portion, the tooth moves so as to approach the opposite tooth. Therefore, compared with a slider without a concave portion, the teeth are more easily engaged with each other, and the sliding resistance of the first slider can be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 is a plan view showing the overall structure of the zipper according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the teeth inside the slider in the zipper according to the first embodiment.

[0036] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the first slider of the zipper according to the first embodiment.

[0037] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the state of the teeth inside the slider in the zipper according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 5 In (A) to (C) are cross-sectional views showing the sliders used in the zippers according to the third to fifth embodiments of the present invention in sequence. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] As Figure 1As shown in the figure, the zipper 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention includes: a pair of chain tapes 2 extending front and rear and facing each other left and right; and a pair of sliders 3, 3 capable of moving back and forth along the opposite side edges of the pair of chain tapes 2 to open and close the pair of chain tapes 2. The directions in which the pair of sliders 3 open and close the pair of chain tapes 2 are opposite. In addition, in the present embodiment, the basic structures of the pair of sliders 3 are the same, and a part of the structures are different. Hereinafter, when explaining the differences in structure related to the pair of sliders 3, one of the sliders 3 is referred to as the first slider 3b, and the other slider 3 is referred to as the second slider 3a. That is, the first slider 3b and the second slider 3a are sliders with different structures. It should be noted that the "opposite side edges" refer to the right edge in the case of the left chain tape 2 and the left edge in the case of the right chain tape 2.

[0040] The direction is determined as follows when the zipper 1 is placed in a planar state.

[0041] The "left - right direction" is the direction in which the pair of chain tapes 2 are arranged. The "left direction" is the left direction in Figure 1 , Figure 2 ; the "right direction" is the right direction in Figure 1 , Figure 2 .

[0042] In addition, the "front - rear direction" is the direction in which the pair of chain tapes 2 extend in a direction intersecting the opposite direction in a top - down view. It is a straight - line direction in Figure 1 , Figure 2 and is orthogonal to the left - right direction. The "front direction" is the upward direction in Figure 1 , Figure 2 and is marked with the reference numeral F in Figure 2 ; the "rear direction" is the downward direction in Figure 1 , Figure 2 and is marked with the reference numeral B in Figure 2 .

[0043] The "meshing direction" is the direction in which the slider 3 moves when the pair of rows of chain teeth 5L are meshed. In the first slider 3b of Figure 1 , Figure 2 , it is the rear direction, and in the second slider 3a of Figure 1 , Figure 2 , it is the front direction. Figure 2 In , the meshing direction of the second slider 3a is marked with the reference numeral C, and the meshing direction of the first slider 3b is marked with the reference numeral C1. In addition, regarding the meshing direction of the slider 3, when explaining the basic structure of the row of chain teeth 5L or the slider 3, it is expressed by the reference numeral C used for the meshing direction of the second slider 3a.

[0044] The “separation direction” is the direction in which the slider 3 moves when the pair of fastener element rows 5L are separated. Figure 1 , Figure 2 The first slider 3b is in the front direction, Figure 1 , Figure 2 The second slider 3a is in the rear direction. Figure 2 In the figure, S is indicated as the separating direction of the second slider 3a, and S1 is indicated as the separating direction of the first slider 3b. In addition, when describing the basic structure of the element row 5L or the slider 3, the separating direction is expressed by the reference symbol S.

[0045] The "upward and downward direction" is a direction perpendicular to the front-back direction and the left-right direction. Figure 1 , Figure 2 The “downward direction” is a direction toward the front side in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface (a direction perpendicular to the front-back direction and the left-right direction). Figure 1 , Figure 2 The center is a direction toward the inner side among the directions perpendicular to the paper surface.

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown, a pair of fastener belts 2 includes: a pair of belts 4 extending in the front-to-back direction and facing each other in the left-to-right direction; a pair of fastener element rows 5L each consisting of a plurality of fastener elements 5 fixed along the opposite side edges of the pair of belts 4; an opening member 6 fixed to the rear end portions of the pair of belts 4 in the front-to-back direction; and a pair of stoppers 7 fixed to the front end portions of the pair of belts 4 on the opposite sides of the opening member 6. In addition, a stopper 7 may be provided at the rear end portions of the pair of belts 4 in the front-to-back direction instead of the opening member 6.

[0047] The belt 4 is in the shape of a belt that is long from front to back, and its thickness direction is the up-down direction.

[0048] The pair of fastener element rows 5L are symmetrical in shape in a state where they are offset in the front-rear direction by one fastener element 5. The fastener element 5 has, in the left-right direction, a fixing portion 51 fixed to the belt 4 in a state where the belt 4 is clamped from both sides in the thickness direction, and an engaging portion 52 protruding from the fixing portion 51 to the side opposite to the belt 4 (hereinafter referred to as the "belt opposite side") and used to engage with other fastener elements 5. In addition, the side opposite to the belt opposite side in the left-right direction is referred to as the "belt side".

[0049] In this embodiment, the meshing portion 52 is as follows Figure 2As shown, it has an asymmetric shape in the front-rear direction (the engaging direction C and the separating direction S of the slider 3), and includes an engaging main body portion 53 extending from the fixed portion 51 toward the opposite side, an engaging convex portion 54 protruding from the front surface of the engaging main body portion 53, and an engaging concave portion 55 recessed in the rear surface of the engaging main body portion 53. The engaging convex portion 54 of one slider 5 engages with the engaging concave portion 55 of another slider 5, and the engaging concave portion 55 of one slider 5 engages with the engaging convex portion 54 of another slider 5. In the present embodiment, the slider 3 in which the direction (front direction) in which the engaging convex portion 54 protrudes coincides with the moving direction of the slider 3 when closing the pair of slider chains 2 is the second slider 3a, also referred to as a right-opening slider. The other slider 3 is the first slider 3b, also referred to as a left-opening slider. In other words, in the present embodiment, the second slider 3a is a slider mounted on the pair of slider rows 5L in a state where its engaging direction C coincides with the direction in which the engaging convex portion 54 protrudes, and the first slider 3b is a slider mounted on the pair of slider rows 5L in a state where its engaging direction C1 is opposite to the direction in which the engaging convex portion 54 protrudes.

[0050] As Figure 1 , Figure 2 shown, the slider 3 includes: a slider body 30 for engaging and separating a pair of slider rows 5L; and a pull tab (not shown) connected to the slider body 30 and used for operating when moving the slider body 30.

[0051] The slider body 30 includes: an upper wing plate 32 and a lower wing plate 33 that are spaced apart from each other in the up-down direction; a connecting column 34 that connects the upper wing plate 32 and the lower wing plate 33 in the relative space on the engaging direction C side and is sandwiched between a pair of slider rows 5L; and a flange 35 that protrudes from the upper wing plate 32 and the lower wing plate 33 in a direction to narrow the gap formed therebetween and is formed along the left and right edge portions of the upper wing plate 32 and the left and right edge portions of the lower wing plate 33. In addition, in the present embodiment, the slider body 30 includes a pull tab mounting portion 31 protruding from the upper surface of the upper wing plate 32. The pull tab mounting portion 31 and the upper wing plate 32 cooperate to form a through hole (not shown) penetrating in the left-right direction, and one end portion of the pull tab is connected to the through hole.

[0052] In addition, the slider body 30 has, as its internal space: a slider path 36 formed between the left and right flanges 35 and between the upper wing plate 32 and the lower wing plate 33 and through which a pair of slider rows 5L pass; and a pair of belt grooves 37 formed between the upper and lower opposite flanges 35 and opening leftward or rightward in a state communicating with the slider path 36. A pair of slider rows 5L are inserted into the slider path 36, and the corresponding belts 4 are inserted into the respective belt grooves 37.

[0053] The left and right outer sides of the tooth path 36 are delimited by the left and right flanges 35. In addition, the tooth path 36 branches into two strands to the left and right through the connecting post 34 and extends as one in the separating direction S from the connecting post 34. More specifically, the tooth path 36 includes: an engaging path 361, which is the part on the separating direction S side and allows the left and right teeth 5 to pass through in an engaged state; an engaging start path 362, which is located on the engaging direction C side with respect to the engaging path 361, has a wider width in the left-right direction than the engaging path 361, and when the slider 3 is moved in the engaging direction C, the left and right teeth 5 start to engage while touching each other in the engaging start path 362; and a pair of branch paths 363, which are located on the engaging direction C side (front side) with respect to the engaging start path 362 and branch to the left and right of the connecting post 34.

[0054] The above is the basic structure of the slider 3, which is a common structure of the first slider 3b and the second slider 3a. The second slider 3a is a standard slider, and the first slider 3b is a special slider with reduced sliding resistance compared to the standard slider. In the present embodiment, regarding the shape of the internal space of the slider body 30, both the first slider 3b and the second slider 3a are vertically symmetric. Hereinafter, the flange 35, which is a structure different between the first slider 3b and the second slider 3a, and the tooth path 36 based on the shape of the flange 35 will be described.

[0055] Regarding the second slider 3a, the flange 35 is a flange main body 351 that extends along the left or right edge portion of the upper wing plate 32 or the lower wing plate 33. Except for the end portion in the engaging direction C, the flange 35 has a constant thickness between the inner surface 355 and the outer surface 356. The end portion of the flange 35 in the engaging direction C is shaped like a chamfer, in other words, it is a shape with a tapered tip that becomes thinner as it approaches the tip compared to this constant thickness. More specifically, it is as follows.

[0056] Irrespective of the first slider 3b and the second slider 3a, the flange 35 divides the tooth path 36 and the outside in the left and right directions. Moreover, the flange 35 has an inner surface 355 facing the tooth path 36 side and an outer surface 356 facing the outside. In addition, Figure 2 The lower side portion of the slider body 30 including the flange 35 is shown.

[0057] Regarding the second slider 3a, among the outer surfaces 356 of the pair of left and right flanges 35, the part corresponding to the engaging path 361 is parallel to the front-rear direction, and the part corresponding to the engaging start path 362 gradually expands in the left-right direction as it approaches the engaging direction C except at the end portion in the separating direction S. More specifically, the outer surfaces 356 of the pair of left and right flanges 35 are shaped such that the part corresponding to the engaging start path 362 is recessed in an arc shape except at the end portion in the engaging direction C. In addition, regarding the first slider 3b, the outer surfaces 356 of the pair of left and right flanges 35 are the same as those of the second slider 3a.

[0058] Regarding the second slider 3a, in the inner surfaces 355 of a pair of laterally opposed flanges 35, the portion corresponding to the engagement path 361 is parallel to the front-rear direction, and the portion corresponding to the engagement start path 362 gradually expands in the left-right direction as it approaches the engagement direction C except at the end in the separation direction S. More specifically, in the inner surfaces 355 of a pair of laterally opposed flanges 35, the portion corresponding to the engagement start path 362 is formed in an arcuate shape that bulges more gently than the outer surfaces 356 of the pair of laterally opposed flanges 35 of the second slider 3a except at the ends in the engagement direction C. In addition, the inner surface 355 of the flange 35 is said to be in an arcuate bulging shape and the outer surface 356 of the flange 35 is said to be in an arcuate concave shape, which is due to different viewpoints and they are bent in the same way.

[0059] Regarding the second slider 3a, the engagement path 361 is parallel to the front-rear direction and has a constant left-right width. In the illustrated example, the engagement path 361 has a constant left-right width throughout the entire length in the passing direction (front-rear direction) of the pair of rows of engaging teeth 5L, but it may also be in a shape that widens as it approaches the separation direction S at the end on the separation direction S side. In addition, the engagement start path 362 widens toward both the left and right sides (the left-right width widens) as it approaches the engagement direction C. Therefore, the boundary between the engagement path 361 and the engagement start path 362 is determined according to the left-right width of the engaging tooth path 36 (see Figure 3 ). In addition, a pair of branch paths 363 are the portions located on the left and right with respect to the connecting post 34. In the illustrated example, the flange 35 has a constant thickness between the inner surface 355 and the outer surface 356 except at the ends in the engagement direction C.

[0060] Regarding the first slider 3b, the flange 35 includes: a flange main body 351 extending along the left or right edge portion of the upper wing plate 32 or the lower wing plate 33; and a convex portion 352 protruding from the inner surface 355 of the flange main body 351 or a concave portion 353 recessed from the inner surface 355 of the flange main body 351. Both the convex portion 352 and the concave portion 353 reduce the frictional resistance between the engaging teeth 5 during the engagement start process.

[0061] The convex portion 352 protrudes in a state where the interval formed between the convex portion 352 and the flange 35 opposed on the left or right side is locally narrowed in the engagement start path 362.

[0062] The concave portion 353 is recessed in a state where the interval formed between the concave portion 353 and the flange 35 opposed on the left or right side is locally widened in the engagement start path 362.

[0063] Locally means only involving a specific part. Therefore, the convex portion 352 and the concave portion 353 are formed only in a part of the engagement start path 362 in the flange 35 and are not formed in the whole.

[0064] Figure 2 The lower side portion of the first slider 3b is shown, and the flange 35 on the left side has a convex portion 352, and the flange 35 on the right side has a concave portion 353. Since the first slider 3b is symmetric up and down, also on the upper side of the first slider 3b, the flange 35 on the left side has a convex portion 352, and the flange 35 on the right side has a concave portion 353.

[0065] Regarding the first slider 3b, except for the end portions in the meshing direction C1 and the portions of the convex portion 352 and the concave portion 353, the thickness formed between the inner surface 355 and the outer surface 356 of the flange 35 is constant. In the illustrated example, the range in which the thickness of the flange 35 is formed to be constant is the entire length of the portion on the separation direction S1 side from the convex portion 352, but it is desirable that this range is at least the length of the range corresponding to the convex portion 352 in the chain tooth path 36 at the end portion on the meshing start path 362 side in the meshing path 361. The end portions of the flange 35 in the meshing direction C1 have the same structure as the second slider 3a. More specifically, it is as described below.

[0066] As Figure 3 shown, the convex portion 352 is arranged at an interval from the boundary with the meshing path 361 in the meshing start path 362 toward the meshing direction C1 side. The concave portion 353 is arranged on the meshing direction C1 side compared with the convex portion 352 in the meshing start path 362. In addition, the concave portion 353 is arranged on the separation direction S1 side compared with the top end on the meshing start path 362 side of the flange 35. The convex portion 352 has a shape bulging in an arc shape, and the concave portion 353 has a shape recessed in an arc shape. In addition, the convex portion 352 and the concave portion 353 are formed such that when the chain teeth 5 are engaged with each other, the fixing portions 51 of the two engaged chain teeth 5 are located at the convex portion 352 and the concave portion 353 at the same time.

[0067] Regarding the first slider 3b, in the inner surfaces 355 of the pair of flanges 35 facing left and right, the portion corresponding to the meshing path 361 is parallel to the front - rear direction, and the portion corresponding to the meshing start path 362 gradually expands in the left - right direction as it approaches the meshing direction C1, except for the end portion in the separation direction S1, the convex portion 352, and the concave portion 353. More specifically, in the inner surfaces 355 of the pair of flanges 35 facing left and right, the portion corresponding to the meshing start path 362 is formed in an arc shape and bulges in an arc shape that is gentler than the outer surfaces 356 of the pair of flanges 35 of the second slider 3a, except for the end portion in the separation direction S1, the convex portion 352, and the concave portion 353. Therefore, the convex portion 352 and the concave portion 353 protrude or recess with respect to the assumed inner surface 355 of the flange 35 that bulges in an arc shape.

[0068] The opening member 6 and the stopper 7 define the moving range of the pair of sliders 3 in the front - rear direction.

[0069] AsFigure 1 As shown, the opening member 6 is composed of a pair of opening member pieces 61 and 62 that are respectively fixed to the rear end portions in the front-rear direction of a pair of tapes 4 in a state of being adjacent to each other on the rear side with respect to the row of teeth 5L. In the present embodiment, one opening member piece 61 is an insertion rod 61 fixed to the opposite side edge portion of one tape 4, and the other opening member piece 62 is a seat rod 62 fixed to the opposite side edge portion of the other tape 4. The seat rod 62 is configured to come into contact with the first slider 3b to prevent the first slider 3b from being pulled off. On the other hand, when the first slider 3b and the second slider 3a are arranged at the rear end portion of one row of teeth 5L in a state of being adjacent to each other in the front-rear direction, the insertion rod 61 can be inserted and removed on one side of the left and right of the tooth path 36 of the second slider 3a and the first slider 3b.

[0070] In addition, the stop member 7 is configured to come into contact with the second slider 3a to prevent it from being pulled off.

[0071] In the zipper 1 of the first embodiment, the flange 35 on the left side of the first slider 3b has a convex portion 352 in the engagement start path 362. Therefore, by moving the first slider 3b in its own engagement direction C1, when the tooth 5 moving along the right flange 35 reaches the convex portion 352, the tooth 5 moves in a manner of approaching the opposite tooth 5. Therefore, compared with a slider without the convex portion 35, the teeth 5 are more likely to engage with each other, the frictional resistance between the teeth 5 during the engagement start process can be reduced, and the sliding resistance of the first slider 3b can be reduced.

[0072] In addition, in the zipper 1 of the first embodiment, the flange 35 on the right side of the first slider 3b has a concave portion 353 in the engagement start path 362. Therefore, by moving the first slider 3b in its own engagement direction C1, when the tooth 5 moving along the left flange 35 reaches the concave portion 353, the tooth 5 moves toward the concave portion 353 in a manner of moving away from the opposite tooth 5. Therefore, the contact between the teeth 5 at the position of the concave portion 353 is alleviated, and when the tooth 5 reaches a position closer to the engagement path 361 than the concave portion 353, it moves in a manner of approaching the opposite tooth 5. Therefore, compared with a slider without the concave portion 353, the teeth 5 are more likely to engage with each other, the frictional resistance between the teeth 5 during the engagement start process can be reduced, and the sliding resistance of the first slider 3b can be reduced.

[0073] In addition, in the zipper 1 of the first embodiment, both the convex portion 352 and the concave portion 353 are arc-shaped. Therefore, by moving the first slider 3b in its own engagement direction C1, when the tooth 5 reaches the concave portion 353 or the convex portion 352, the tooth 5 smoothly moves along the arc in a manner of approaching the opposite tooth 5 or moving away from the opposite tooth 5, thereby reducing the sliding resistance of the first slider 3b.

[0074] In addition, in the zipper 1 of the first embodiment, the first slider 3b has a recess 353 at a position closer to the meshing direction C1 of itself than the convex portion 352. Therefore, compared with a slider having only the convex portion 352, the sliding resistance of the first slider 3b can be reduced. Moreover, when the first slider 3b moves in the meshing direction C1 of itself, when the teeth 5 located in the recess 353 reach a position closer to the meshing path 361 than the recess 353, they move in a manner approaching the opposing teeth 5. Therefore, compared with a slider without the recess 353, the teeth 5 are more likely to mesh with each other, and the sliding resistance of the first slider 3b can be reduced. In particular, in the zipper 1 of the first embodiment, the positional relationship between the convex portion 352 and the recess 353 is such that when the teeth 5 of the pair of tooth rows 5L mesh, the fixing portions 51 of the two meshing teeth 5 are simultaneously located at the convex portion 352 and the recess 353. Therefore, compared with, for example, a slider in which the positional relationship between the convex portion 352 and the recess 353 is formed such that the fixing portions 51 of the two meshing teeth 5 are located at the convex portion 352 and the recess 353 during a separated period, the teeth 5 are more likely to mesh with each other, and the sliding resistance of the first slider 3b can be reduced.

[0075] In addition, in the zipper 1 of the first embodiment, at least at the end portion on the meshing start path 362 side in the meshing path 361 of the flange 35 of the first slider 3b, the thickness formed between the inner surface 355 facing the tooth path 36 side and the outer surface 356 facing the outside is made constant. Therefore, the meshing of the teeth 5 with each other when the first slider 3b moves in the meshing direction C1 of itself is maintained. Moreover, the thickness of the flange 35 is the thickest at the position of the convex portion 352. Therefore, compared with, for example, a slider having a flange 35 with the same thickness as the end portion of the meshing start path 362 in the meshing path 361 even at the position of the convex portion 352, the rigidity of the first slider 3b is improved. In addition, the thickness of the flange 35 is thinner at the position of the recess 353 than at least the end portion on the meshing start path 362 side in the meshing path 361. Therefore, although the rigidity of the first slider 3b is weakened compared with, for example, a slider having a flange 35 with the same thickness as the end portion of the meshing start path 362 in the meshing path 361 (flange 35 without the recess 353) even at the position of the recess 353, compared with a slider having a flange 35 without the recess 353, the teeth 5 are less likely to touch at the recess 353. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the reduction of the rigidity of the first slider 3b as much as possible.

[0076] In addition, in the zipper 1 of the first embodiment, the teeth 5 have an asymmetric shape in the front-rear direction (in the meshing direction C and the separating direction S). Therefore, even if the same structure of slider is used for a pair of sliders 3 (a right-opening slider and a left-opening slider), there will be a difference in the sliding resistance between one slider 3 and the other slider 3. Moreover, it is known that when the same structure of slider is used for a right-opening slider and a left-opening slider, the sliding resistance of the left-opening slider is greater than that of the right-opening slider. The reason is presumably as follows. When closing the slider 3, the teeth 5 move along the inner surface 355 of the meshing start path 362. Moreover, with the operation of closing the slider 3, in the case of the left-opening slider, the engaging convex portion 54 of the teeth 5 protrudes into the meshing path 361 of the left-opening slider before the engaging main body portion 53. On the other hand, with the operation of closing the slider 3, in the case of the right-opening slider, the engaging main body portion 53 of the teeth 5 protrudes into the meshing path 361 of the right-opening slider before the engaging convex portion 54. Therefore, it is presumed that, compared with the right-opening slider, the left-opening slider protrudes into the meshing path 361 earlier corresponding to the amount of the engaging convex portion 54, and in the meshing start path 362, multiple teeth 5 are likely to approach, the number of the contacting teeth 5 increases, and the contacting state becomes stronger when the engaging convex portion 54 of one tooth 5 crosses the edge of the engaging concave portion 55 of the other tooth 5.

[0077] Moreover, in the zipper 1 of the first embodiment, the first slider 3b having the concave portion 353 and the convex portion 352 is used for the left-opening slider. Therefore, compared with the case where, for example, the second slider 3a is used for the left-opening slider, the sliding resistance of the left-opening slider can be reduced. In addition, in the zipper 1 of the first embodiment, the teeth 5 have an asymmetric shape in front of and behind the slider 3. Therefore, in the case of a zipper in which the same structure of slider 3 is used for, for example, a right-opening slider and a left-opening slider, there is a difference in the sliding resistance between the right-opening slider and the left-opening slider. However, in the zipper 1 of the first embodiment, the second slider 3a without the concave portion 353 and the convex portion 352 is used for the right-opening slider, and the first slider 3b having the concave portion 353 and the convex portion 352 is used for the left-opening slider. Therefore, compared with the case where, for example, the second slider 3a is used for both the right-opening slider and the left-opening slider, the difference in the sliding resistance becomes smaller.

[0078] In addition, in the zipper 1 of the first embodiment, the outer surface 356 of the flange 35 of the first slider 3b and the second slider 3a, and further, the appearances of the first slider 3b and the second slider 3a are the same. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the sliding resistance of the first slider 3b while making the user unaware of the difference in the structures of the first slider 3b and the second slider 3a.

[0079] The zipper 1a of the second embodiment of the present invention is as Figure 4As shown, the teeth 5a are different from the teeth 5 in the zipper 1 of the first embodiment. The teeth 5a are symmetrical in the front-back direction (the meshing direction C1 and the separating direction S1 of the first slider 3b). More specifically, it is as follows.

[0080] The teeth 5a have a fixing portion 51 and an engaging portion 52a for engaging with other teeth 5a in the left-right direction, which is the same as the teeth 5 in the first embodiment in this regard. However, the engaging portion 52a includes: a neck portion 56 that extends from the fixing portion 51 toward the side opposite to the tape and tapers in the front-back direction; a head portion 57 that extends from the neck portion 56 toward the side opposite to the tape and bulges in the front-back direction; a pair of shoulder portions 58 that extend in the front-back direction from the fixing portion 51 toward the neck portion 56; and a shoulder groove portion (not shown) formed on the head portion 57 for accommodating the shoulder portions 58. The shoulder groove portion is formed on the front surface and the rear surface of the head portion 57.

[0081] In the zipper 1a of the second embodiment, the teeth 5a are symmetrical in the front-back direction. Even when using the first slider 3b having the convex portion 352 and / or the concave portion 353 for such teeth 5a, the sliding resistance of the first slider 3b can be reduced by the convex portion 352 and the concave portion 353. In addition, since the teeth 5a are symmetrical in the front-back direction, even if, for example, the same slider is used for the right-opening slider and the left-opening slider, the sliding resistances of the right-opening slider and the left-opening slider are the same.

[0082] The zipper of the third embodiment of the present invention is as Figure 5 shown in (A). The pair of left-right opposed flanges 35 of the first slider 3c each have a convex portion 352 in the meshing start path 362, and symmetrically have convex portions 352 left and right, which is different from the first slider 3b in the zipper of the first embodiment in this regard. In addition, in the third embodiment, convex portions 352 of the same size are formed at the same positions in the front-back direction and the left-right direction on the pair of left-right opposed flanges 35 on the upper side and the pair of left-right opposed flanges 35 on the lower side of the first slider 3c. That is, the first slider 3c is vertically symmetrical.

[0083] In the zipper of the third embodiment, all the flanges 35 of the first slider 3c are respectively provided with convex portions 352. Therefore, regardless of the left and right row of teeth 5L, the teeth 5 are more likely to mesh with each other compared to a slider without the convex portion 352. Moreover, the left and right opposing flanges 35 of the first slider 3c are symmetrically provided with convex portions 352 on the left and right. Therefore, the sliding resistance applied to the first slider 3c is equal on the left and right, and the first slider 3c can be moved without a sense of incongruity. In addition, the first slider 3c is provided with convex portions 352 of the same size at the same positions in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction on its upper and lower sides. Therefore, the first slider 3c touches the teeth 5 in the same manner on its upper and lower sides, and the first slider 3c can be moved without a sense of incongruity.

[0084] The zipper of the fourth embodiment of the present invention is as Figure 5 shown in (B) of, a pair of left and right opposing flanges 35 of the first slider 3d are respectively provided with concave portions 353 in the meshing start path 362, and are also symmetrically provided with concave portions 353 on the left and right. In these aspects, it is different from the first slider 3b in the zipper of the first embodiment. In addition, in the fourth embodiment, the first slider 3d is also symmetric about the vertical axis.

[0085] In the zipper of the fourth embodiment, all the flanges 35 of the first slider 3d are respectively provided with concave portions 353. Therefore, regardless of the left and right row of teeth 5L, the teeth 5 are more likely to mesh with each other compared to a slider without the concave portion 353. Moreover, the left and right opposing flanges 35 of the first slider 3d are symmetrically provided with concave portions 353 on the left and right. Therefore, the sliding resistance applied to the first slider 3d is equal on the left and right, and the first slider 3d can be moved without a sense of incongruity. In addition, the first slider 3d is symmetric about the vertical axis, and is provided with concave portions 353 of the same size at the same positions in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction on its upper and lower sides. Therefore, the first slider 3d touches the teeth 5 in the same manner on its upper and lower sides, and the first slider 3d can be moved without a sense of incongruity.

[0086] The zipper of the fifth embodiment of the present invention is as Figure 5As shown in (C), a pair of left and right flanges 35 of the first slider 3e each have a convex portion 352 and a concave portion 353 in the engagement start path 362. The convex portion 352 and the concave portion 353 are arranged adjacent to each other in the engagement direction C1 in this order, and the convex portion 352 and the concave portion 353 are provided symmetrically left and right. In these aspects, it is different from the first slider 3b in the zipper of the first embodiment. In addition, in the fifth embodiment, the first slider 3e is also symmetric up and down. Further, the positional relationship between the convex portion 352 of one flange 35 and the concave portion 353 of the other flange 35 among the pair of left and right flanges 35 of the first slider 3e becomes the same relationship as that of the first slider 3b in the first embodiment, that is, when the teeth 5 of the pair of tooth rows 5L are engaged, the fixed portions 51 of the two engaged teeth 5 are located at the convex portion 352 and the concave portion 353 at the same time.

[0087] In the zipper of the fifth embodiment, the positional relationship between the convex portion 352 and the concave portion 353 of the first slider 3e is such that the fixed portions 51 of the two engaged teeth 5 are located at the convex portion 352 and the concave portion 353 at the same time. On this basis, the first slider 3e is symmetric left and right and symmetric up and down, so that the first slider 3e can be moved without a sense of incongruity.

[0088] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist thereof.

[0089] For example, the second slider 3a is configured without the concave portion 353 and the convex portion 352 in the above embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto. As long as it has a structure different from that of the first slider 3b, it may also have the concave portion 353 and / or the convex portion 352.

[0090] In addition, the zipper has two sliders 3 in the above embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and it may also be one or three or more. When the zipper has one slider 3, the slider 3 is a front-opening slider and is the first slider. When the zipper has two (a pair of) sliders 3, for the pair of sliders 3, both may be the first slider, or one may be the first slider as a reverse-opening slider and the other may be the second slider as a front-opening slider. When the zipper has three or more sliders 3, as long as at least one of all the sliders is the first slider.

[0091] Description of Reference Numerals

[0092] 1, 1a zipper

[0093] 2 tooth chain tape

[0094] 3 slider

[0095] 3a second slider

[0096] 3b, 3c, 3d, 3e first slider

[0097] 30 slider body

[0098] 31 tab mounting part

[0099] 32 upper wing plate

[0100] 33 lower wing plate

[0101] 34 connecting post

[0102] 35 flange

[0103] 351 flange body

[0104] 352 convex part

[0105] 353 concave part

[0106] 355 inner surface

[0107] 356 outer surface

[0108] 36 chain tooth path

[0109] 361 meshing path

[0110] 362 meshing start path

[0111] 363 branch path

[0112] 37 grooved belt

[0113] 4 belt

[0114] 5L chain tooth row

[0115] 5, 5a chain teeth

[0116] 51 fixing part

[0117] 52, 52a meshing part

[0118] 53 meshing main body part

[0119] 54 meshing convex part

[0120] 55 meshing concave part

[0121] 56 neck

[0122] 57 head

[0123] 58 shoulder

[0124] 6 opening part

[0125] 61 opening part piece (insert rod)

[0126] 62 opening part piece (seat rod)

[0127] 7 stopper

[0128] Meshing direction of C and C1

[0129] Separation direction of S and S1

[0130] Forward direction F

[0131] Backward direction B.

Claims

1. A zipper, comprising a pair of tapes (4) extending longitudinally and facing each other left and right, a pair of rows of teeth (5L) formed by a plurality of teeth (5, 5a) fixed along the opposite side edges of the pair of tapes (4), and at least one slider (3) for engaging and disengaging the pair of rows of teeth (5L), characterized in that the zipper (1, 1a) All of the sliders (3) have at least one first slider (3b to 3e), The first slider (3b to 3e) has: an upper wing plate (32) and a lower wing plate (33) facing each other up and down; a connecting post (34) that connects the upper wing plate (32) and the lower wing plate (33) on the side of the meshing direction (C1) in which the first slider (3b to 3e) moves when the pair of rows of teeth (5L) are engaged; a flange (35) that protrudes from the upper wing plate (32) and the lower wing plate (33) in a direction narrowing the gap formed between the upper wing plate (32) and the lower wing plate (33), and is formed along the left and right edge portions of the upper wing plate (32) and the left and right edge portions of the lower wing plate (33); and a tooth path (36) through which the pair of rows of teeth (5L) pass and is formed between the left and right flanges (35) and between the upper wing plate (32) and the lower wing plate (33), The tooth path (36) has: a meshing path (361) through which the left and right teeth (5, 5a) pass in a meshed state; a meshing start path (362) located on the meshing direction (C1) side with respect to the meshing path (361), wider in the left and right direction than the meshing path (361), and the left and right teeth (5, 5a) start to mesh while touching each other in the meshing start path (362); and a pair of branch paths (363) located on the meshing direction (C1) side with respect to the meshing start path (362) and branching to the left and right of the connecting post (34), At least one of the flanges (35) has a convex portion (352) in the meshing start path (362), and the convex portion (352) protrudes in a state where the interval between the convex portion (352) and the flange (35) opposite thereto on the left or right is locally narrowed, reducing the frictional resistance between the teeth (5, 5a) during the meshing start process.

2. The zipper according to claim 1, Characterized in that At least two and left and right facing flanges (35) each have the convex portion (352).

3. The zipper according to claim 2, Characterized in that All of the flanges (35) each have the convex portion (352).

4. The zipper according to any one of claims 1 to 3, Characterized in that The flange (35) divides the tooth path (36) and the outside left and right, and the thickness formed between the inner surface (355) facing the tooth path (36) side and the outer surface (356) facing the outside is the thickest at the position of the convex portion (352) and is constant at least at the end on the meshing start path (362) side in the meshing path (361).

5. The zipper according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein, at least one of the flanges (35) has a recess (353) at a position closer to the meshing direction (C1) than the convex portion (352), and the recess (353) is recessed in a state where the interval formed between the recess (353) and the flange (35) opposite thereto on the left or right is locally widened, so as to reduce the frictional resistance between the teeth (5, 5a) during the meshing start process.

6. A zipper comprising a pair of tapes (4) extending forward and backward and facing each other left and right, a pair of rows of teeth (5L) composed of a plurality of teeth (5, 5a) fixed along the opposite side edges of the pair of tapes (4), and at least one slider (3) for meshing and separating the pair of rows of teeth (5L), characterized in that, all of the sliders (3) have at least one first slider (3b to 3e), the first slider (3b to 3e) has: an upper wing plate (32) and a lower wing plate (33) facing each other up and down; a connecting post (34) that connects the upper wing plate (32) and the lower wing plate (33) on the meshing direction (C1) side where the first slider (3b to 3e) moves when the pair of rows of teeth (5L) are meshed; a flange (35) that protrudes from the upper wing plate (32) and the lower wing plate (33) in a direction that narrows the gap formed between the upper wing plate (32) and the lower wing plate (33), and is formed along the left and right edge portions of the upper wing plate (32) and the left and right edge portions of the lower wing plate (33); and a tooth path (36) through which the pair of rows of teeth (5L) pass and is formed between the left and right flanges (35) and between the upper wing plate (32) and the lower wing plate (33), the tooth path (36) has: a meshing path (361) through which the left and right teeth (5, 5a) pass in a meshed state; a meshing start path (362) that is located on the meshing direction (C1) side with respect to the meshing path (361), has a wider width in the left and right direction than the meshing path (361), and the left and right teeth (5, 5a) start to mesh while touching each other in the meshing start path (362); and a pair of branch paths (363) that are located on the meshing direction (C1) side with respect to the meshing start path (362) and branch to the left and right of the connecting post (34), at least one of the flanges (35) has a recess (353) in the meshing start path (362), and the recess (353) is recessed in a state where the interval formed between the recess (353) and the flange (35) opposite thereto on the left or right is locally widened, so as to reduce the frictional resistance between the teeth (5, 5a) during the meshing start process.

7. The zipper according to claim 6, wherein, at least two and left and right facing flanges (35) each have the recess (353).

8. The zipper according to claim 7, wherein, all of the flanges (35) each have the recess (353).

9. The zipper according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that, the flange (35) divides the tooth path (36) and the outside left and right, and the thickness formed between the inner surface (355) facing the tooth path (36) side and the outer surface (356) facing the outside is constant at least at the end on the engagement start path (362) side in the engagement path (361), and is thinner at the recess (353) than the end on the engagement start path (362) side in the engagement path (361).

10. The zipper according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, the teeth (5, 5a) are asymmetric in the front-rear direction.

11. The zipper according to claim 10, characterized in that, the tooth (5) includes a fixing portion (51) fixed to the tape (4), an engagement main body portion (53) extending from the fixing portion (51) to the side opposite to the tape, an engagement convex portion (54) protruding from the front surface of the engagement main body portion (53), and an engagement concave portion (55) recessed in the rear surface of the engagement main body portion (53), there are a pair of sliders (3), one of the pair of sliders (3) is the first slider (3b to 3e) or a second slider (3a) different from the first slider (3b to 3e), and is installed on the pair of tooth rows (5L) in a state where its engagement direction (C) is the same as the direction in which the engagement convex portion (54) protrudes, the other of the pair of sliders (3) is the first slider (3b to 3e), and is installed on the pair of tooth rows (5L) in a state where its engagement direction (C1) is opposite to the direction in which the engagement convex portion (54) protrudes.

Images