Fastener tape woven from threads comprising plant-based plastics, fastener stiffener and method for producing the same

Abstract

Fastening tape (6), in which a weft thread and each ground warp thread are threads comprising a plant-based plastic, the fastening tape (6) comprising: a first side edge portion (11) comprising a core strand (3) and a plurality of first ground warp threads (21); and a main band portion (13) positioned adjacent to the first side edge portion (11) and having a plurality of second ground warp threads (22), wherein a thermal shrinkage ratio of the first ground warp thread (21) is greater than a thermal shrinkage ratio of the second ground warp thread (22) according to a difference in thread type between the first ground warp thread (21) and the second ground warp thread (22), wherein the first ground warp thread (21) is an FDY (Fully Drawn Yarn) and the second ground warp thread (22) is a DTY (Drawn Textured Yarn).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fastener tape woven from threads comprising a plant-based plastic, and a fastener stiffener comprising the fastener tape. The present disclosure also relates to a method for producing a fastener stiffener. [Technical background]

[0002] In recent years, there has been a strong demand for the development of environmentally friendly products, including in the field of zippers. For example, WO 2017 / 168731 A1 discloses a recyclable zipper. In WO 2017 / 168731 A1, the material of the fiber-based parts is polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic, and the material of the injection-molded parts is made of a polyester plastic other than polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and one of these is made of plant-based plastic.

[0003] Furthermore, with respect to a zipper, a phenomenon hereinafter referred to as “chain wrinkling” could be caused in a state where the zipper is sewn onto a garment so that the zipper (particularly, a portion formed by interlocking left and right fastener elements made of plastic) extends up and down along its stretching direction and wrinkles, as shown in Fig. 6(a).

[0004] JP 2002 - 209 613 A relates to an improvement in warp pleating and discloses that a thermal shrinkage ratio of ground warp threads (see reference numerals 6c and 6d in Fig.1 of this literature) arranged on a core strand, is designed to be larger than a thermal shrinkage ratio of ground warp threads in a tape main section and smaller than a thermal shrinkage ratio of the core strand in order to apply a pre-tension to the fastener tape by dyeing (see Fig. 7(b) of the present application). Each warp thread shrinks completely during dyeing, especially the core strand and the warp threads shrink greatly, resulting in the pre-tensioned fastener tape described above (see para. 0033 of the literature). It should be noted that the pre-tension in Fig. 7(b) of this application compared to a prestress-free state (see Fig. 7(a)) is exaggerated to facilitate the reader’s understanding.

[0005] Note that JP 2018-102711 A discloses that ground warp threads arranged centrally in a portion of a tape are loosened to exhibit slack in the central region of the tape main portion. JP 561-43861 U relates to a fastener tape for industrial material in which a fastener tape is woven from FDYs (fully drawn yarns). [Summary][Technical Problem]

[0006] As described in JP 2002-209613 A, even in a case where the fastener tape is woven from threads containing plant-based plastic, it would be preferable to apply a pre-tension to the fastener tape based on a difference in the thermal shrinkage ratio between ground warp threads. However, it cannot yet be said that the market selection for threads containing plant-based plastics is sufficiently large, and there are fewer types of threads containing plant-based plastics. Thus, the current situation does not allow for easier procurement, as in the disclosure of JP 2002-209613 A, of threads differing in thermal shrinkage ratio (e.g., shrinkage ratio at water boiling temperature).If the procedure disclosed in JP 2002-209613 A were applied to the fastener tape woven from threads containing plant-based plastic, one would accordingly select and use threads with a relatively higher thermal shrinkage ratio from thread types containing non-plant-based plastic. However, this selection may not be permissible when weaving a fastener tape from threads containing plant-based plastics.

[0007] Then, an object for a fastener tape, a fastener stiffener and a method of manufacturing the same according to an aspect of the present disclosure is to achieve an improvement in chain wrinkling of zippers even in cases where a condition is imposed to use threads comprising plant-based plastic.

[0008] Note that in WO 2017 / 168731 A1, the extensibility of the main tape section is increased by reducing the weave density of a weft thread, and the extensibility of the core strand is reduced by increasing the density in the core strand (para. 0039). This ensures that the core strand does not stretch during dyeing of the fastener tape compared to the main tape section. However, there are cases where a reduction in the weave density in the main tape section is not permissible. Therefore, it would be useful to provide a procedure that helps adjust the pretension of the fastener tape using a different approach than the method of WO 2017 / 168731 A1. [Solution to the problem]

[0009] A fastener tape according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a first side edge portion including a core strand and a plurality of first ground warp threads; and a tape main portion positioned adjacent to the first side edge portion and including a plurality of second ground warp threads. A weft thread and each ground warp thread of the fastener tape are threads comprising a plant-based plastic. The first ground warp threads are a fully drawn yarn (FDY), and the second ground warp threads are a drawn textured yarn (DTY). According to this different thread type, a thermal shrinkage ratio of the first ground warp thread is greater than a thermal shrinkage ratio of the second ground warp thread.

[0010] In some embodiments, the FDY (fully drawn yarn) and the DTY (drawn textured yarn) are yarns that are secondarily processed from yarns of the same composition. In other words, the composition of the first ground warp yarn and the composition of the second ground warp yarn are the same. Embodiments are contemplated in which the compositions of the component yarns of the fastener tape (i.e., a weft yarn, a core strand, and each ground warp yarn) are the same.

[0011] In some embodiments, 0.5<(T2 / T1)<0.8 is satisfied, where T1 is the thermal shrinkage ratio of the first ground warp thread in percent and T2 is the thermal shrinkage ratio of the second ground warp thread in percent.

[0012] In some embodiments, the plurality of first ground warp threads comprise a first subset and a second subset, wherein the first subset comprises P (P denotes a natural number equal to or greater than 3) threads of the first ground warp threads and is arranged in a region closer to the main tape portion than the core strand, and the second subset comprises Q (Q denotes a natural number less than P) threads of the first ground warp threads and is arranged in a region closer to the main tape portion than the first subset. The first subset is arranged such that it crosses regions (R1) to which plastic fastener elements adhere, and the second subset is arranged between these regions and the main tape portion. P could denote a natural number equal to or greater than 4 and Q a natural number equal to or less than 3.

[0013] In some embodiments, the plurality of first ground warp threads comprise a third subset comprising R (where R denotes a natural number less than P) threads of the first ground warp threads and is arranged in a region that is farther away from the belt main portion than the core strand.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first side edge portion does not include DTY (Drawn Textured Yarn).

[0015] In some embodiments, the core strand comprises a fully drawn yarn (FDY) containing plant-based plastic. The composition of a component yarn of the core strand could be the same as the composition of the first ground warp yarn (FDY).

[0016] In some embodiments, the core strand comprises one or more core threads and a plurality of sheath threads forming a sheath layer for covering the one or more warp threads, wherein both the core thread and the sheath thread are FDY (fully drawn yarn) comprising plant-based plastic. The composition of the core thread and the composition of the sheath thread could be the same as the composition of the first ground warp thread (FDY).

[0017] In some embodiments, a second side edge portion is further provided, disposed opposite the first side edge portion, wherein the second side edge portion comprises a plurality of third ground warp threads, each of the plurality of third ground warp threads being FDY (fully drawn yarn) containing plant-based plastic. The composition of the third ground warp thread could be the same as the composition of the first ground warp thread (FDY).

[0018] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a fastener tape is a fastener stiffener (1a, 1b) comprising a fastener tape made of one of the above-described fastener tapes, wherein a plurality of fastener elements are attached to the first side edge portion. The number of first ground warp threads with which the respective fastener elements are in contact is equal to or greater than 6. The fastener element could be a plastic fastener element.

[0019] A method of manufacturing a fastener stiffener according to another aspect of the present disclosure includes: weaving a fastener tape; thermally processing the fastener tape; and injection molding plastic fastener elements onto the thermally processed fastener tape, wherein the fastener tape is a fastener tape in which a weft thread and each ground warp thread are threads comprising a plant-based plastic; the fastener tape has a first side edge portion comprising a core strand and a plurality of first ground warp threads, and a tape main portion positioned adjacent to the first side edge portion and comprising a plurality of second ground warp threads;and when the fastener tape is thermally processed, the first ground warp thread shrinks more than the second ground warp thread according to a difference in thread type between the first ground warp thread and the second ground warp thread, wherein the first ground warp thread is FDY (Fully Drawn Yarn) and the second ground warp thread is DTY (Drawn Textured Yarn);

[0020] In some embodiments, the method described above further includes obtaining the FDY and the DTY through various secondary processing steps to form a common partially oriented yarn (POY) material. The POY is drawn to produce the FDY. The POY is false-twisted to produce the DTY.

[0021] The features of a fastener tape discussed above or below would similarly apply to the method of making a fastener tape, so overlapping descriptions are omitted. [Advantageous effects of the invention]

[0022] An aspect of the present disclosure makes it possible to provide a fastener tape, a fastener stiffener and a method of manufacturing the same that improve chain wrinkling of zippers even in a case where the condition is set to use threads containing plant-based plastic. [Brief description of the drawings] [ Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a zipper according to one aspect of the present disclosure. [ Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of the slider. [ Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a closure stiffener. [ Fig. 4] Fig.4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the construction of a band from a first side edge portion and an adjacent part of a band main portion in a fastener band. [ Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a second side edge portion and an adjacent part of a tape main portion in a fastener tape. [ Fig. 6] Fig. 6 (a) is a photograph showing a state in which a sliding fastener of a comparative example is sewn to an opening of a garment. Fig. 6 (b) is a photograph showing a state in which a zipper of a working example is sewn to an opening of a garment. [ Fig. 7] Fig. 7 (a) is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a fastener tape extends straight in its stretching direction. Fig.7 (b) is a schematic diagram showing, in an exaggerated manner, a state in which a preload is applied to a fastener tape and a first lateral portion thereof curves like a concavity. [Description of the embodiments]

[0023] Various embodiments and features are described below with reference to the drawings. Those skilled in the art will be able to combine the respective embodiments and / or features without the need for excessive description and will appreciate the synergistic effects of such combinations. Overlapping descriptions between the embodiments are generally omitted. The drawings referred to serve primarily to describe inventions and are presented in a simplified manner for convenience. The respective features should be understood as universal features that apply not only to a fastener tape disclosed herein, but also to other various fastener tapes not disclosed in the present description.

[0024] In the present description, the front-to-back direction corresponds to a direction (from top to bottom when Fig. 1 viewed from the front) in which a slider 4 moves to open and close a zipper 1. The left-right direction is one direction (left-right direction in the front view of Fig. 1) which is orthogonal to the front-back direction and parallel to a surface of a fastener tape. Top-bottom direction is a direction (paper thickness direction in Fig. ) that runs orthogonal to the front-back direction and perpendicular to a tape surface of the fastener element. The tape surface of the fastener tape is a surface that defines the thickness of the fastener tape.

[0025] The Fig.The slide fastener 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a belt-like member extending in the front and back directions and having a narrow width in the left-right direction, and includes a pair of left and right fastener stiffeners 1a and 1b, and a slider 4 attached for coupling and uncoupling these fastener stiffeners 1a and 1b. Each of the fastener stiffeners 1a and 1b includes a fastener tape 6a, 6b and a plurality of plastic fastener elements 7a, 7b adhered to an opposite side edge portion (a first side edge portion described below) of the fastener tape 6a, 6b. When the slider 4 moves forward, the plastic fastener elements 7a and 7b on the left and right sides engage with each other. When the slider 4 moves backward, the plastic fastener elements 7a and 7b on the left and right sides are disengaged from each other.Note that the zipper 1 is provided with front stops 5a and 5b and a rear stop 9, which are arranged to inhibit the forward and backward movement of the slider 4.

[0026] As in the Fig. 1 and Fig.2, the slider 4 includes an upper wing 41, a lower wing 42, and a coupling post (not shown) connecting the upper wing 41 and the lower wing 42. A Y-shaped conduit for the element is provided in the slider 4. Specifically, the coupling post is positioned at a front end portion of the slider 4, and front openings are arranged on the left and right sides of the coupling post. A rear opening is arranged at a rear end portion of the slider 4. The left and right released plastic locking elements 7a and 7b enter the slider 4 through the left and right front openings, are coupled to the slider 4 at a rear side of the coupling post, and the slider 4 exits through the rear opening.The left and right engaged plastic fastener elements 7a and 7b enter the slider 4 through the rear opening, are disengaged by the coupling column in the slider 4, and the disengaged plastic fastener elements 7a and 7b exit from the front openings, respectively. Note that the plastic fastener elements 7a and 7b could simply be referred to as plastic fastener element 7 without distinguishing them. The same applies to the fastener bands 6a and 6b.

[0027] The upper wing 41 is provided with downwardly projecting left and right collars 41p and 41q on its left and right edges. Additionally or alternatively, the lower wing 42 is provided with upwardly projecting left and right collars 42p and 42q on its left and right edges. The arrangement of the collars 41p, 41q and / or 42p, 42q enables a more stable movement of the plastic closure element in the slider 4.

[0028] The fastener tape 6 is a fabric woven from several ground warp threads and one weft thread and is elongated in the front and back directions with a constant width in the left-right direction. The fastener tape 6 has an upper surface 61 and a lower surface 62 and has a thickness defined by these surfaces 61 and 62 (see Fig.3). The upper and lower surfaces of the tape have a pattern formed according to a woven structure of the ground warp threads and the weft thread. The fastener tape 6 has a first end surface 66 and a second end surface 67. The first and second end surfaces 66 and 67 are formed as a non-planar surface structured by continuously arranging inverted portions along the tape stretching direction where the running direction of the weft thread is reversed.

[0029] The weft thread and all ground warp threads in the fastener tape 6 are threads comprising plant-based plastic. In some cases, the weft thread and all ground warp threads in the fastener tape 6 are threads comprising plant-based plastics and made of the same composition. The proportion of plant-based plastic in a thread could, for example, be 30 mass percent or more, but should not be limited thereto. The component thread (warp thread and / or sheath thread) of the core strand is a thread comprising plant-based plastics and is preferably made of the same composition as the weft thread and the ground warp thread. As the plant-based plastic, a polymer produced based on a condensation and polymerization reaction of biomass-derived ethylene glycol and terephthalic acid could be used.Biomass-derived ethylene glycol can be produced from biomass-derived ethanol obtained from sugarcane using a known process. Terephthalic acid can be produced from oil material using a known process.

[0030] The fastener tape 6 has a first lateral edge portion 11 in which the core strand 3 is arranged, a tape main portion 13 arranged adjacent to the first lateral edge portion 11, and a second lateral edge portion 12 arranged adjacent to the tape main portion 13 on the side opposite the first lateral edge portion 11. The tape main portion 13 is inserted and encompassed between the first lateral edge portion 11 and the second lateral edge portion 12. The first lateral edge portion 11 is a lateral edge portion to which the plastic fastener elements 7 adhere. The second lateral edge portion 12 is a lateral edge portion arranged on the side opposite the first lateral edge portion 11 in the left-right direction or in the tape width direction.

[0031] The main band section 13 is placed on a fabric of a garment and sewn together with sewing thread. For example, the fastener band 6 is attached by sewing threads to a Fig. 3. It should be noted that a boundary between the first side edge portion 11 and the tape main portion 13 is defined by a boundary between the plurality of first ground warp threads 21 (e.g., a second subset S2) in the first side edge portion 11 and the plurality of second ground warp threads 22 in the tape main portion 13, as shown in Fig. 4. A boundary between the band main portion 13 and the second side edge portion 12 is defined by a boundary between the plurality of third ground warp threads 23 in the second side edge portion 12 and the plurality of second ground warp threads 22 in the band main portion 13, as shown in Fig. 5 shown.

[0032] The plastic fastener elements 7 are injection-molded elements having a predetermined shape including a plastic portion attached to the first side edge portion 11 of the fastener tape 6 by injection molding. Typically, the plastic fastener element 7 has a base portion, a neck, and a head in a direction away from the tape main portion 13 toward the first side edge portion 11. The base portion adheres to the first side edge portion 11 (specifically, to the core strand 3). The neck and the head are arranged outside the fastener tape 6. The neck is narrower in width (in the front and rear directions) than the base portion and the head.When the left and right plastic fastener elements 7 are engaged, the head of the plastic fastener element in one of the fastener stiffeners is disposed between the necks of a pair of plastic fastener elements disposed adjacent to each other in the other of the fastener stiffeners. It should be noted that the shape of the plastic fastener element is not limited to the illustrated shape, and each plastic fastener element may have an inverted V shape. It should also be noted that in the present embodiment, the fastener elements are made of plastic, but they could also be made of metal.

[0033] The plastic closure element could comprise a plant-based plastic. For example, the plastic closure element is made from a thermoplastic selected from a group consisting of polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polybutylene naphthalate (PBN), and a combination thereof.

[0034] Like the components of the fastener tape 6, the thermoplastic material of the plastic closure element could be a plant-based plastic. The plant-based plastic can be distinguished from a non-plant-based plastic (e.g., a petroleum-derived plastic) by using different analyses of the components / constituents (e.g., an analysis based on a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) device). In some cases, products based on plant-based plastics are provided with a statement confirming that the material is plant-based. In such a case, it can be determined that the material is plant-based based on the statement.

[0035] As a precaution, please note that one type of zipper may not be compatible with the Fig.1. For example, a concealed zipper may be used. In such a case, a slider designed for the concealed zipper would be used. Furthermore, a tape-folded portion is formed in the fastener tape at a position closer to the side edge portion (the first side edge portion described below) to which the plastic fastener elements adhere.

[0036] The fastener tape is automatically woven by setting ground warp threads and a weft thread in a weaving machine and operating the weaving machine. The production of a fastener tape using a weaving machine is well known in the art, so a detailed description is omitted. The fastener tape is thermally processed at least once after production on the weaving machine. For example, after being produced by the weaving machine, the fastener tape is heated in a heat-setting process and impregnated with a high-temperature dyeing solution in a dyeing process. The ground warp threads and the weft thread of the fastener tape are completely heat-shrinked because they are heated through the series of processes. Note that the heating and dyeing could be performed selectively.For dyeing, an inkjet printer can be used to partially or completely dye the fastener tape.

[0037] The fastener band is processed by at least one thermal process and then transferred to an injection molding process. During injection molding, the fastener band is gripped between a lower and an upper mold, and the first side edge portion is arranged in a mold cavity defined by the upper and lower molds. Molten plastic is fed into the mold cavity and then solidifies, so that the plastic fastener elements adhere to the first side edge portion of the fastener band. The apparatus and method for injection molding plastic fastener elements are well known in the art, so a detailed description is omitted.The ground warp threads and weft thread in the fastener tape are completely shrunk by heating before the injection molding process and therefore do not shrink further by heating during the injection molding process, or the degree of shrinkage would be small, if any.

[0038] Further descriptions are given with reference to the Fig. 4 and Fig.5. The first side edge section 11 has, as the core strand 3, a pair of two core strands 31 and 32 arranged next to each other on the left and right. The first side edge section 11 further has a plurality of first ground warp threads 21 (for example, a total of 10 threads) in addition to the core strand 3. The band main section 13 has a plurality of second ground warp threads 22 separated from the first ground warp threads 21. The second side edge section 12 has a plurality of third ground warp threads 23 separated from the second ground warp threads 22, and a plurality of fourth ground warp threads 24 separated from the third ground warp threads 23. For the third ground warp thread 23, a thread could be used that has the same properties as the first ground warp thread 21. For the fourth basic warp thread 24, a thread could be used that has the same properties as the second basic warp thread 22.Regarding the number of ground warp threads, the following condition would be met: number of second ground warp threads 22 > number of first ground warp threads 21 > number of third ground warp threads 23.

[0039] Each thread of the ground warp threads and the weft thread included in the fastener tape 6 is a multifilament thread comprising biomass polyester (a bundle of filaments composed of biomass polyester). Similarly, the core strand is composed of a bundle of multifilament threads comprising biomass polyester (a bundle of filaments composed of biomass polyester). The type of filaments comprised by each thread should not be limited to one, but could be two or more. That is, each individual thread may comprise different filaments made from different plastics by spinning.

[0040] Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can be described as the biomass-derived polyester. PET is a polymer that has, in its repeating unit, the essential components terephthalic acid as the acid component and ethylene glycol as the diol component. Both the acid component and the diol component may have a copolymer component, but the terephthalic acid as the acid component and the ethylene glycol as the diol component should be 80 mol% or more, preferably 90 mol% or more, more preferably 95 mol% or more, or most preferably 100 mol% in the acid component and the diol component, respectively.

[0041] Regarding the copolymer component used in PET plastic, aromatic dicarboxylic acids such as isophthalic acid, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, 1,5-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, and 2,7-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid are used; aliphatic dicarboxylic acids such as adipic acid, sebacic acid, decanedicarboxylic acid, and so on; or ester-forming derivatives of these components such as alkyl esters and acid halides, and so on, can be referred to as the acid component. Low molecular weight diols such as trimethylene glycol, tetramethylene glycol, hexamethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, cyclohexanedimethanol, cyclohexanediol, 1,4-bisoxyethoxybenzene, bisphenol A, and so on; polymeric diols such as polyethylene glycol, polytetramethylene glycol, polyhexamethylene glycol, and so on; or ester-forming derivatives of these components, and so on, can be referred to as the diol component. These acid and diol components could each be combined.In addition, several types of PET plastics with different compositions could be combined and used.

[0042] The weft thread 29 extends alternately left and right across the entire width of the first side edge portion 11, the tape main portion 13, and the second side edge portion 12. The running direction of the weft thread 29 is reversed in the first and second side edge portions 11 and 12, forming a continuous array of reversed portions thereof along the tape stretching direction. The weft thread 29 is a multifilament thread formed from a bundle of filaments of plant-based plastic as described above, ensuring the desired bulk, texture, and low reflectivity of the tape main portion 13. The weft thread 29 is a DTY (Drawn Textured Yarn) comprising plant-based plastic, and each filament in the weft thread 29 is produced by spinning, drawing, and false-twisting processes.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the first ground warp threads 21 are FDYs (Fully Drawn Yarns), and the second ground warp threads 22 are DTYs (Drawn Textured Yarns). Both the first and second ground warp threads 21 and 22 comprise plant-based plastic. According to this difference in thread type between the first and second ground warp threads 21 and 22, the thermal shrinkage ratio of the first ground warp thread 21 is greater than the thermal shrinkage ratio of the second ground warp thread 22. Therefore, during thermal processing of the fastener tape woven on an automatic loom, the first side edge portion 11 becomes shorter than the tape main portion 13 in the tape stretching direction. In this way, the resulting effect of stretching the first side edge portion 11 during injection molding would be reduced.That is, even if the first side edge portion 11 is stretched in the belt stretching direction during the processing of injection molding, the first side edge portion 11 is shrunk and shortened in advance, and this effect is reduced.

[0044] Specifically, the first side edge portion of the fastener tape is placed on a lower mold while being stretched along the tape stretching direction, and is sandwiched between the lower mold and an upper mold during injection molding. Furthermore, it is extensively heated because the upper and lower molds are heated to a higher temperature and then cooled during the supply of molten plastic. As a result, the first side edge portion 11 tends to maintain the stretched state along the tape stretching direction and to be slightly longer along the tape stretching direction. The above-described chain wrinkling could be induced when such a fastener tape is used to manufacture a zipper and sewn onto a garment.In the present embodiment, when using the base warp threads comprising plant-based resins, FDY and DTY are assigned to the first side edge portion 11 and the tape main portion 13, respectively, and FDY and DTY have different thermal shrinkage ratios due to different manufacturing processes. This makes it possible to provide improved fastener tapes, fastener stiffeners, and slide fasteners associated with the warp pleating of zippers while satisfying the condition of using thread comprising plant-based resin. Note that false twisting refers to a method of forming bulges in a thread, such as a method of twisting a thread, applying heat to the thread, and then untwisting the thread. DTY has bulges and interlaced portions alternating in its stretching direction.FDY extends with essentially constant cross-sectional area in its strain direction.

[0045] Differences in the thermal shrinkage ratio between the first ground warp yarn 21 (FDY) and the second ground warp yarn 22 (DTY) could be induced by different secondary processing applied to yarns that are at least similar in composition. In some cases, each of the FDY and DTY described above is obtained through a secondary processing of a POY (Partially Oriented Yarn) with a specific composition. That is, the POY with a specific composition is processed through additional drawing to become FDY, and in contrast, the POY with the specific composition becomes DTY through false twisting.Threads with the same composition are used to obtain threads with different thermal shrinkage ratios, thus avoiding the need to purchase threads with different compositions and reducing material costs. Note that threads with the same thickness and / or number of filaments, in addition to their composition, can be used, allowing a further reduction in material costs. Note that if the threads have the same composition, they also have the same mass fraction of plant-based plastic. Threads that are at least similar in composition could, as can be seen from the above description, be spooled from the same spool, but should not be limited to this.

[0046] There is a social need to design more sections with threads containing plant-based plastic in response to the recently increasing social awareness of the environment and the strict environmental regulations in the garment industry. In particular, when a weft thread and all the ground warp threads in a fastener tape contain plant-based plastics, a thread containing non-plant-based plastics cannot be used for a higher shrinkage section in the fastener tape, and a measure against warp puckering might not be sufficient. It might be a technically feasible option to commission a thread manufacturer to specially produce several thread types that differ in thermal shrinkage ratio based on a change in composition, thickness, thermal shrinkage ratio (e.g.,Shrinkage ratio at the boiling point of water) or similar. However, if the procurement of only a small quantity and order of magnitude within the overall consumption of a zipper's fastener tape were specifically commissioned from a thread manufacturer, this would result in increased costs.

[0047] In some cases, FDY and DTY are each obtained through secondary processing of yarns that are similar in composition. This avoids the need to source yarns with different compositions to obtain yarns with different thermal shrinkage ratios, thus reducing material costs. This is particularly advantageous for plant-based yarns with fewer types to choose from.

[0048] Typically, DTYs are used as the base warp yarns for fastener tapes because of their bulkiness, tactility, and low reflection. There is a rare case where FDYs are used as the base warp yarns of fastener tapes when greater robustness is required. This is because FDYs are produced without false twisting after spinning and drawing, and the false twist-based yarn properties (e.g., bulk, dyeing properties, low reflectivity) are not retained.

[0049] The FDYs are selectively introduced into the first side edge portion 11 in the tape width of the first side edge portion 11 and the tape main portion 13 (i.e., it is not introduced into the tape main portion 13). The DTYs are used as ground warp yarns in the tape main portion 13, and the properties based on false twisting (e.g., bulkiness, dyeing properties, low reflectivity) are ensured. In this way, the loss of thread characteristics based on false twisting (e.g., bulkiness, low reflectivity) can be minimized even when the FDYs are used as ground warp yarns. Furthermore, an uneven colored region that might be formed in the fastener tape according to the different dyeing properties of FDY and DTY is reduced. Note that the introduction of FDYs into the first side edge portion 11 enables increased strength of the first side edge portion 11.Increasing the thread strength near the slider 4 could reduce wear due to contact with the slider 4.

[0050] The method used to calculate the thermal shrinkage ratio is HS (dry heat shrinkage) and BS (hot water shrinkage) tests, based on JIS-L-1013 8.18. The conditions for the HS test are 180°C and 30 minutes. The conditions for the BS test would be 100°C and 30 minutes.

[0051] In the present embodiment, the thermal shrinkage ratio of the first ground warp thread 21 in the first side edge portion 11 is relatively larger, but not extremely larger, than the thermal shrinkage ratio of the second ground warp thread 22 in the tape main portion 13. This is because both the first ground warp thread 21 and the second ground warp thread 22 are threads comprising plastic, and it is difficult to allocate different threads to each of them to increase the difference in thermal shrinkage ratio. Therefore, 0.5<(T2 / T1)<0.8 would suffice, where T1 indicates the thermal shrinkage ratio of the first ground warp thread 21 in percent, and T2 indicates the thermal shrinkage ratio of the second ground warp thread 22 in percent.Note that this ratio between thermal shrinkage ratios is calculated based on the thermal shrinkage ratios specified by a thread manufacturer (a company that manufactures threads) as a characteristic of the thread. This ratio between thermal shrinkage ratios would be evaluated after weaving a fastener tape and before thermal processing of the fastener tape. In some cases, the thermal shrinkage ratio of the first ground warp thread 21 of the first side edge portion 11 is in a range of 8.4% to 11.2%, and the thermal shrinkage ratio of the second ground warp thread 22 is in a range of 5.5% to 6.5%.

[0052] The strength of the first ground warp thread 21 in the first side edge portion 11 is greater than the strength of the second ground warp thread 22 in the tape main portion 13. 0.65<(Z2 / Z1)<0.84 would be satisfied, where Z1 indicates a strength of the first ground warp thread 21 in cN / T and Z2 indicates a strength of the second ground warp thread 22 in cN / T. Note that this strength ratio is calculated based on strengths specified by a thread manufacturer (thread manufacturing company) as a thread characteristic. This strength ratio is evaluated after weaving a fastener tape and before thermal processing of the fastener tape. In some cases, the strength of the first ground warp thread 21 is in a range of 5.0 cN / T to 6.0 cN / T and the strength of the second ground warp thread 22 is in a range of 4.0 cN / T to 4.2 cN / T.

[0053] In some cases, the thickness (maximum cross-sectional area) of the first ground warp thread 21 is less than the thickness (maximum cross-sectional area) of the second ground warp thread 22. The thickness of the thread depends on the denier and / or the number of filaments and / or the secondary processing. 1.0<(V2 / V1)<1.5 would suffice, where V1 indicates the denier of the first ground warp thread 21 and V2 the denier of the second ground warp thread 22. Adjusting V2 / V1 makes it easier to apply an appropriate pretension to a fastener tape. In some cases, the denier of the first ground warp thread 21 is 250 dtex and the denier of the second ground warp thread 22 is 330 dtex.

[0054] The first ground warp thread 21 and the second ground warp thread 22 are multifilament threads as described above. J1 <J2 oder 1,5<(J2 / J1)<2,5 würde genügen, wobei J1 eine Anzahl von Filamenten pro erstem Grund-Kettfaden 21 und J2 eine Anzahl von Filamenten pro zweitem Grund-Kettfaden 22 angibt. In einigen Fällen beträgt die Anzahl der Filamente pro erstem Grund-Kettfaden 21 48 und die Anzahl der Filamente pro zweitem Grund-Kettfaden 22 96.

[0055] A further detailed description follows with reference to Fig.4. The plurality of first ground warp threads 21 comprises, in a region closer to the main band portion 13 than to the core strand 3, a first subset S1 consisting of P (P indicates a natural number equal to or greater than 3) threads of the first ground warp threads 21; and a second subset S2 consisting of Q (Q indicates a natural number less than said P) threads of the first ground warp threads 21, which are arranged closer to the main band portion 13 than the first subset S1. The first subset S1 is arranged such that it crosses regions R1 to which the plastic fastener elements adhere. The second subset S2 is arranged between the main band portion 13 and the regions R1 to which the plastic fastener elements adhere (i.e., the second subset S2 is positioned at a position to which the plastic fastener elements do not adhere).In such a case, a sufficient number of the first ground warp threads 21 are arranged, which makes it possible to ensure sufficient thermal shrinkage of the first side edge portion 11 relative to the main band portion 13. Note that Q <P erfüllt wird, wodurch der Einfluss der Einführung von FDY verringert wird. Das heißt, dass Q-Fäden aus FDY daran gehindert werden, freizuliegen, da sie von den Verschlusselementen aus Kunststoff abgedeckt sind. P-Fäden aus FDY sind unauffällig, wenn sie in der Nähe der Verschlusselemente aus Kunststoff positioniert sind.

[0056] In some cases, P is a natural number greater than 3 and Q is a natural number equal to or less than 3 (Q <P ist als Vorbedingung erfüllt). Darüber hinaus könnte die Gesamtzahl des ersten Grund-Kettfadens 21, der die erste und zweite Teilmenge S1 und S2 aufweist, gleich oder größer als 6 oder 8 sein. Eine höhere Anzahl von FDY erleichtert es, die Vorspannung auf das Verschlussband aufzubringen. Darüber hinaus wird gleichzeitig die Festigkeit des ersten Seitenrandabschnitts 11 erhöht. Beachte, dass die zweite Teilmenge S2, die möglicherweise der Fläche des Schiebers 4 zugewandt ist oder diese berührt, aufgrund der FDYs eine relativ höhere Verschleißfestigkeit aufweist. Nach dem Aufkleben der Verschlusselemente 7 aus Kunststoff auf das Verschlussband 6 werden die Bereiche R1 von den Verschlusselementen 7 aus Kunststoff abgedeckt.In the case of a closure element in which the plastic closure elements 7 are adhered to the closure band 6, one could therefore read that the area R1 described above is replaced by the plastic closure elements 7.

[0057] The plurality of first ground warp threads 21 may comprise a third subset S3 of R (R denotes a natural number smaller than said P) threads of the first ground warp thread 21 in a region positioned farther away from the main tape portion 13 than the core strand 3. The increased number of FDY in the first side edge portion 11 facilitates the application of pretension to the fastener tape. Furthermore, the strength of the first side edge portion 11 is simultaneously increased.

[0058] The woven structure of the first side edge portion 11 could have a plain weave. In the case of a plain weave, a relatively higher weave density is ensured, and a greater length of FDY per unit length of the fastener tape is ensured. In the Fig. In the case illustrated in Figure 4, the plurality of first ground warp threads 21 belonging to the first and second subsets S1 and S2, together with the weft thread 29, form a 2 / 2 plain weave. The two adjacent first ground warp threads 21 extend such that they cross two pairs of weft thread sections on the upper side of the tape and cross two pairs of weft thread sections on the underside of the tape, which extend to opposite sides in the left-right direction. Note that the two first ground warp threads 21 belonging to the third subset S3 form a twill weave with the weft thread 29.

[0059] The area of ​​the main band section 13 that borders the first side edge section 11 is also a plain weave. Fig. In the case shown in Figure 4, the plurality of second ground warp threads 22 form a 1 / 1 plain weave with the weft thread 29. Each of the second ground warp threads 22 extends to cross a pair of weft thread portions on a tape upper side and to cross a pair of weft thread portions extending to opposite sides in the left-right direction on a tape underside.

[0060] Like the first ground warp thread 21, FDYs comprising plant-based plastics are used as components of the core strand 3. The core strand 3 comprises, for example, one or more core threads 3a and several sheath threads that form a sheath layer 3b covering the one or more core threads 3a. Both the core thread 3a and the sheath threads are multifilament threads and FDYs comprising plant-based plastics. The thermal shrinkage of the core thread facilitates the application of pretension to the fastener tape.

[0061] The FDY of the core strand 3 may be a yarn having the same properties as the FDY of the first side edge portion 11 (e.g., the first and second subsets S1 and S2), such as an FDY produced by additionally drawing a common POY (Partially Oriented Yarn) material. For example, the thermal shrinkage ratio of the FDY of the core strand 3 could be the same as the thermal shrinkage ratio of the FDY of the first side edge portion 11 (e.g., the first and second subsets S1 and S2). Even with such an arrangement, excessive prestress would not be applied to the fastener tape if there were no difference in the thermal shrinkage ratio between the ground warp thread of the first side edge portion 11 and the ground warp thread of the tape main portion 13.Here too, the FDY of the first ground warp thread 21, the FDY of the core strand 3 and the FDY of the second ground warp thread 22 are all multifilament threads containing plant-based plastics.

[0062] The FDY can be inserted into the second side edge section 12. As in Fig. 5, the second side edge portion 12 has a plurality of third ground warp threads 23, each of which is FDY made of plant-based plastic. When the first ground warp threads 21 of the first side edge portion 11 thermally shrink, the third ground warp threads 23 of the second side edge portion 12 also thermally shrink. This causes waves in the tape main portion 13 along the tape stretching direction at an intermediate position between the first side edge portion 11 and the second side edge portion 12. The fastener tape 6 is sewn with sewing threads on the tape main portion 13 where the waves are formed (e.g., at a sewing position P1 in Fig. 3) is sewn to a garment fabric, thereby reducing the formation of the warp wrinkles described above. Note that a DTY having the same properties as the second ground warp thread 22 can be used for the fourth ground warp thread 24 of the second side edge portion 12.

[0063] Fastener tapes can be manufactured by weaving a fastener tape, thermally processing the fastener tape (e.g., heat-setting and dyeing), and injection-molding plastic fastener elements onto the thermally processed fastener tape. When the fastener tape is thermally processed, the first ground warp thread 21 shrinks more than the second ground warp thread 22. The first side edge portion 11 is slightly shortened in the tape stretching direction relative to the tape main portion 13. In this way, the influence of the stretching of the first side edge portion 11 in the tape stretching direction during injection molding is reduced. That is, the influence is reduced by allowing the first side edge portion 11 to shrink to a shorter length in advance, even if the first side edge portion 11 is stretched to a longer length in the tape stretching direction during injection molding.

[0064] Preferably, FDY and DTY are obtained through different secondary processing steps from a common POY (Partially Oriented Yarn) material and used as the first and second base warp threads of the fastener tape, respectively. This eliminates the need to source yarns of different compositions to obtain yarns with different thermal shrinkage ratios, thus reducing material costs. This is particularly advantageous for plant-based yarns with fewer types to choose from.

[0065] Specifically, FDY could be obtained by drawing an ordinary POY (Partially Oriented Yarn) material. In contrast, DTY is obtained by false twisting the common material of POY. The FDY obtained as described above is used as the first ground warp yarn, and the DTY obtained as described above is used as the second ground warp yarn. Of course, the FDY obtained as described above could be used as a component yarn (core yarn and / or sheath yarn) of the core strand. Similarly, the DTY thus obtained could be used as a weft yarn. <Vergleichendes Beispiel >

[0066] Fig.6 (a) relates to a comparative example in which all the ground warp threads in the fastener tape 6 are DTYs (see Table 1). The engaging element portion 7' ​​extends and winds up and down along the front and back directions when the zipper is closed at the opening of the garment. Note that the engaging element portion 7' ​​is a portion formed of the engaged left and right plastic fastener elements 7a and 7b, and is shaped to extend continuously forward with the forward movement of the slider 4. [Table 1] thread material First basic warp thread Multifilament DTY made of polyester Second basic warp thread Multifilament DTY made of polyester Third basic warp thread Multifilament DTY made of polyester core strand Multifilament FDY made of polyester <arbeitsbeispiel>

[0067] Fig. 6 (b) concerns an example (see Table 2) where the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 is used (ie all ground warp threads (the core strand for example) in the first side edge section 11 consist of FDY, and 2 threads on the outside consist of DTY and 2 threads on the inside consist of FDY in the 4 threads of the second side edge section 12, and all ground warp threads in the main band section 13 consist of DTY). In this working example, the section 7' ​​extends with elements in engagement without great up and down meandering (compared to Fig. 6(a)) along the front and back directions while the zipper at the opening of the garment is closed, thereby improving the warp pleat formation. Note that the above-mentioned FDY and DTY are replaced by other secondary

[0068] Processing methods when the POYs were manufactured with the same composition and used as the base warp threads for the fastener tape. These FDYs were used not only for the base warp threads but also for the components (core and sheath threads). These DTYs were used not only for the base warp threads but also for the weft threads. [Table 2] thread material First basic warp thread Multifilament FDY made of polyester Second basic warp thread Multifilament DTY made of polyester Third basic warp thread Multifilament FDY made of polyester core strand Multifilament FDY made of polyester

[0069] Based on the above, a person skilled in the art can make various modifications to the respective embodiments. The reference codes in the claims are for illustrative purposes only and should not be used for the purpose of narrowly interpreting the scope of the claims. It is optional and not required to use FDY for all ground warp threads in the first side edge portion 11. Likewise, it is optional and not required to use DTY for all ground warp threads in the tape main portion 13. In a case where DTY is introduced into the first side edge portion 11 in addition to FDY, the number of FDY would be greater than the number of DTY. [Reference codes] 3 core strand 6 closure tape 11 First margin section 12 Second margin section 13 Main band section 21 First ground warp thread 22 Second ground warp thread< / arbeitsbeispiel>

Claims

[1] Fastening tape (6), in which a weft thread and each ground warp thread are threads comprising a plant-based plastic, the fastening tape (6) comprising: a first side edge portion (11) comprising a core strand (3) and a plurality of first ground warp threads (21); and a main band portion (13) positioned adjacent to the first side edge portion (11) and having a plurality of second ground warp threads (22), wherein a thermal shrinkage ratio of the first ground warp thread (21) is greater than a thermal shrinkage ratio of the second ground warp thread (22) according to a difference in thread type between the first ground warp thread (21) and the second ground warp thread (22), wherein the first ground warp thread (21) is an FDY (Fully Drawn Yarn) and the second ground warp thread (22) is a DTY (Drawn Textured Yarn). [2] A fastener tape according to claim 1, wherein the FDY and the DTY are secondarily processed from threads of the same composition. [3] Fastener tape according to claim 1 or 2, wherein 0.5<(T2 / T1)<0.8 is satisfied, where T1 indicates the thermal shrinkage ratio of the first ground warp thread (21) in percent and T2 indicates the thermal shrinkage ratio of the second ground warp thread (22) in percent. [4] Fastener tape according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of first ground warp threads (21) comprise a first subset (S1) and a second subset (S2), wherein if P denotes a natural number equal to or greater than 3, the first subset (S1) comprises P threads of the first ground warp threads (21) and is arranged in a region which is closer to the main band section (13) than the core strand (3), and if Q denotes a natural number less than P, the second subset (S2) Q Threads of the first basic warp threads (21) and is arranged in an area closer to the main band section (13) than the first subset (S1), and wherein the first subset (S1) is arranged to cross areas (R1) to which plastic closure elements adhere, wherein the second subset (S2) is arranged between the adhesion regions (R1) and the main band section (13). [5] Fastener tape according to claim 4, wherein when R denotes a natural number which is smaller than P, the plurality of first ground warp threads (21) have a third subset (S3) which comprises R threads of the first ground warp threads (21) and is arranged in a region which is further away from the tape main portion (13) than the core strand (3). [6] Fastener tape according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first side edge portion (11) does not have DTY (Drawn Textured Yarn). [7] Fastener tape according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the core strand (3) comprises an FDY (Fully Drawn Yarn) containing a plant-based plastic. [8] Fastener tape according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the core strand (3) comprises one or more core threads (3a) and a plurality of sheath threads forming a sheath layer (3b) for covering the one or more core threads (3a), wherein both the core thread (3a) and the sheath thread are FDY (Fully Drawn Yarn) containing plant-based plastic. [9] Fastening tape according to one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: a second side edge portion (12) disposed opposite the first side edge portion (11), the second side edge portion (12) having a plurality of third ground warp threads (23), each of the plurality of third ground warp threads (23) being FDY (Fully Drawn Yarn) containing a plant-based plastic. [10] Closure stiffener (1a, 1b), comprising: a fastener tape (6) according to any one of claims 1 to 9; and a plurality of fastener elements (7) attached to the first side edge portion (11), wherein a number of the first ground warp threads (21) with which the respective fastener elements (7) are in contact is equal to or greater than 6. [11] A method of manufacturing a closure stiffener, the method comprising: a weaving of a fastener tape; thermal processing of the fastener tape; and performing an injection molding of plastic closure elements onto the thermally processed closure band, wherein the fastener tape (6) is a fastener tape in which a weft thread and each ground warp thread are threads comprising a plant-based plastic; the fastener tape (6) has a first side edge portion (11) comprising a core strand (3) and a plurality of first ground warp threads (21), and a tape main portion (13) positioned adjacent to the first side edge portion (11) and comprising a plurality of second ground warp threads (22); and wherein, when the fastener tape is thermally processed, the first ground warp thread (21) shrinks more than the second ground warp thread (22) according to a difference in thread type between the first ground warp thread (21) and the second ground warp thread (22), the first ground warp thread (21) being FDY (Fully Drawn Yarn) and the second ground warp thread (22) being DTY (Drawn Textured Yarn). [12] A method for producing a closure stiffener according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of first ground warp threads (21) comprise a first subset (S1) and a second subset (S2), wherein if P denotes a natural number equal to or greater than 3, the first subset (S1) comprises P threads of the first ground warp threads (21) and is arranged in a region closer to the main band section (13) relative to the core strand (3), and if Q denotes a natural number smaller than said P, the second subset (S2) comprises Q threads of the first ground warp threads (21) and is arranged in a region closer to the main band section (13) relative to the first subset (S1), and wherein the first subset (S1) is arranged to cross areas (R1) to which the plastic closure elements adhere, the second subset (S2) is arranged in a position to which the plastic closure element does not adhere.

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