Fastening tape and method for its production and fastening strand
By using crimpable threads with differential thermal shrinkage in the fastener tape's core portion, the tape is maintained in a plus state, addressing curling issues and ensuring even spacing of fastener elements.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE112022007929
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-10-20
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-31
AI Technical Summary
Fastener tapes curl when sewn to fabrics, causing uneven gaps between fastener elements due to uneven stretching, which existing technologies fail to adequately address.
Incorporating a core portion with crimpable threads made of composite yarns having different thermal shrinkage rates into the fastener tape, allowing the tape to be heated and crimped to maintain a plus state, enhancing static friction and preventing unwanted curling.
The fastener tape maintains a consistent plus state, ensuring even spacing of fastener elements, reducing curling issues and improving coupling stability.
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Abstract
Description
[Technical area] The present disclosure relates to a fastener tape, a method for producing the same, and a fastener strand. [Background technology] In some cases, the fastener tape of a fastener stringer curls when the fastener tape is sewn to a fabric such as clothing or the like with sewing thread, which can lead to problems in coupling the fastener elements due to the uneven gaps between the elements. To prevent or mitigate this problem, it is preferable to set the fastener stringer in a plus-biased state before sewing it to the fabric. When the fastener stringer is in the plus state, the fastener tape forms an arc, with the side edge portion to which the elements are attached being curved to recess, and the side edge portion on the opposite side being curved to protrude (see Fig. 4 of the present application). It should be noted that for the purpose of clarity of illustration, the arc shape of the fastener tape in Fig.4 of the present application is greatly exaggerated compared to an actual product. Furthermore, the fastener tape is viewed with its main surface (e.g., an upper surface or a lower surface) viewed from the front. Patent Document 1 addresses the above problem and discloses that a filament having a higher elongation recovery rate than other warp threads is arranged adjacent to and outside a core yarn. Even if the fastener tape is stretched while the elements are being attached, the side edge portion returns to its original length more smoothly, and the plus state of the fastener strand is maintained. Patent Document 2 discloses that warp threads on one side of the fastener tape are adjusted to a comparatively longer length to form the arc shape of the fastener tape (see Fig. 4 of the document). Patent Document 3, which does not address the above problem, discloses a knitted yarn woven as a double weave (hollow weave) of a fastener tape, wherein the double weave shrinks under heat so that the knitted yarn and the double weave are integrally coupled. In this document, the knitted yarn is a knitted fabric in which core yarns are surrounded by a peripheral knitted layer composed of a plurality of warp yarns. False-twisted yarns or spun yarns are disclosed as examples of core yarns, and it is also described that a core yarn preferably has a smaller elongation value in the warp direction (page 6, lines 7 to 10). Patent Document 4 discloses the use of polyester-based fibers capable of crimping as weft yarns. [Reference list] [Patent specifications] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-229729 [Patent Document 2] Chinese Utility Model Registered No. 212590695 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 55-422 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-175129 [Summary] [Technical task] The present inventor has set out to provide a new approach, different from previous approaches, to place a closure strand into a plus state. [Problem solving] A fastener tape according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises: a fastener tape having a side edge portion to which fastener elements are to be attached; and a core portion disposed in the side edge portion, the core portion including at least one core thread and a tubular portion enclosing the at least one core thread, the at least one core thread including a crimpable thread that crimps according to a difference in thermal shrinkage ratio between different polymer materials. In some embodiments, the core region includes a total of N (N denotes a natural number of 2 or more) core threads as the at least one core thread, and each of the total of N core threads is a crimpable thread. In some embodiments, the crimpable yarn is a composite yarn made of bonded filaments of at least two types of polymer materials having different thermal shrinkage rates. In some embodiments, the crimpable yarn is a composite yarn of at least two types of polymer materials spun together and having different thermal shrinkage rates. In some embodiments, the crimpable thread curls in a spiral and / or wave shape. In some embodiments, the core region is a core yarn woven into the fastener tape. In some embodiments, the tubular region includes a knitted structure made of multiple knitted skin threads. In some embodiments, no crimpable yarn that crimps according to a difference in the thermal shrinkage rate of different polymer materials is included other than said at least one core yarn. A fastener string according to another aspect of the present disclosure comprises: a fastener tape of any type described above, and coupling elements attached to the side edge portion of the fastener tape. A method of manufacturing a fastener tape according to another aspect of the present invention comprises: configuring a fastener tape having a core region disposed in a side edge region, the core region including at least one core thread and a tubular region enclosing the at least one core thread, and the at least one core thread including a crimpable thread that crimps according to a difference in thermal shrinkage rate between different polymer materials; and heating the fastener tape to cause the crimpable thread to crimp. In some embodiments, the method further comprises: stretching the fastener tape along its longitudinal direction after the fastener tape has been heated to reduce the degree of crimp of the crimping thread. In some embodiments, the fastener tape passes through a passage formed by rollers while being tensioned in the longitudinal direction, thereby stretching it. In some embodiments, the method includes reheating the fastener tape after said stretching of the fastener tape to increase the degree of crimp of the crimpable yarn. In some embodiments, the method further comprises dyeing the fastener tape, wherein said reheating of the fastener tape includes heating and drying the fastener tape. In some embodiments, after heating, the fastener tape is subjected to at least one process to reduce the degree of crimp of the crimpable thread and to at least one process to increase the degree of crimp of the crimpable thread, these processes being carried out simultaneously or in this order. [Advantageous effects of the invention] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to bring a closure strand into a plus state by a method which differs from known methods. [Brief description of the drawings] [ Fig. 1 ] Fig. 1 is a schematic elevational view of a slide fastener according to one aspect of the present disclosure.[ Fig. 2 ] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a situation where a fastener element is attached to the side edge portion of a fastener tape.[ Fig. 3 ] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the side edge portion of a fastener tape with fastener elements not shown.[ Fig. 4 ] Fig. 4 is a schematic elevational view of a fastener stringer in a plus state.[ Fig. 5 ] Fig. 5 is a schematic elevational view of a fastener stringer showing how the fastener stringer changes from the plus state to the zero-biased state due to constriction by sewing.[ Fig. 6 ] Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram showing that the tubular portion of the core portion is formed of a knitted structure.[ Fig. 7 ] Fig.Fig. 7 is an expanded schematic diagram of a core thread.[ Fig. 8 ] Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of two crimpable core threads before heat-setting.[ Fig. 9 ] Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of two crimpable core threads after heat-setting, wherein the crimp degree per unit length (e.g., the number of spiral sections per unit length) is increased compared to Fig. 8.[ Fig. 10 ] Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a crimpable thread that curls in a wave shape.[ Fig. 11 ] Fig. 11 is a schematic view of a process for a stress test.[ Fig. 12 ] Fig. 12 is a graph showing the result of the stress test.[ Fig. 13 ] Fig. 13 is a schematic flow chart of a process for producing a fastener tape.[ Fig. 14 ] Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram showing a situation in which a fastener tape passes through a passage formed by rollers.[ Fig. 15 ] Fig.Fig. 15 is a schematic view of another embodiment in which crimpable yarns are included as a core yarn in a double weave (hollow weave) of the side edge portion of a fastener tape.[ Fig. 16 ] Fig. 16 is a schematic view of another example in which the core portion is woven into the fastener tape on a side opposite to a coil-like coupling element. [Description of the embodiments] Various embodiments and features are described below with reference to the drawings. A person skilled in the art would be able to combine the corresponding embodiments and / or the corresponding features without requiring further description and would appreciate the interaction of such combinations. Overlaps in the descriptions of the embodiments are largely avoided. The drawings to which reference is made serve primarily to describe the inventions and are presented in a simplified manner for ease of representation.The respective features should be understood as universal features that apply not only to the present fastener tape and method of manufacture and the present fastener strand, but also to many other different fastener tapes and methods of manufacture and other fastener strands, each of which is not depicted in the present description. In this specification, the terms "front-to-back," "left-to-right," and "top-to-bottom" may be used to refer to directions. The front-to-back direction corresponds to the direction along which the slider 9 slides to open and close the zipper 1 and is identical to the longitudinal direction of the zipper 1 (alternatively, the fastener stringer 3 or the fastener tape 3). The left-to-right direction is a direction orthogonal to the front-to-back direction and is identical to a width direction of the zipper 1 (alternatively, the fastener stringer 2 or the fastener tape 3). The top-to-bottom direction is a direction orthogonal to the front-to-back and left-to-right directions and is identical to the thickness direction of the fastener tape 3. It is incorrect to assume that the top-to-bottom direction corresponds to the vertical direction (direction of gravity).That is, the directions in this description are to be understood as being defined by the zipper 1 and not referring to the vertical direction (direction of gravity). The structure of the slide fastener 1 will be described with reference to drawings 1 to 3. Fig. 1 is a schematic elevational view of the slide fastener 1. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a fastener element 4 is attached to the side edge portion 31 of the fastener tape 3. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the side edge portion 31 of a fastener tape 3, in which illustration of the fastener elements is omitted for clarity. Typically, the zipper 1 is a flexible elongated object that extends in the front-to-back direction and has a substantially constant width along the left-to-right direction (the same applies to the fastener stringer 2 and the fastener tape 3). The zipper 1 has a pair of left and right fastener stringers 2, each having a fastener tape 3 with coupling elements 4, and a slider 9 for coupling and uncoupling the fastener stringers 2. When the slider 9 slides forward, the left and right coupling elements 4 are coupled to each other at the respective opposite side edge portions 31 of the left and right fastener stringers 2, thus coupling the left and right fastener stringers 2. When the slider 9 slides rearward (backward), the left and right coupling elements 4 are uncoupled, and the left and right fastener stringers 2 are also uncoupled.It should be noted that the zipper 1 shown in the figures can optionally also have a front stopper 81 and a rear stopper 82, but these can also be omitted. The slider 9 is made of metal or resin, for example. The fastener tape 3 is a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, or a mixture of both and has high flexibility. The fastener tape 3 includes: a side edge region 31 located closer to a center line CL of the zipper 1, which corresponds to the movement trajectory of the slider 9; another side edge region 32 located away from the center line CL; and a main tape portion 33 located between these side edge regions 31, 32. A width W3 of the fastener tape 3 corresponds to the total value of the width W31 of the side edge region 31, that is, the width W32 of the side edge region 32 and the width W33 of the main tape portion 33. The fastener elements 4 comprise an array of resin elements that are secured (e.g., by injection molding) to the side edge portion 31 of the fastener tape 3 (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). Alternatively, the fastener elements 4 comprise an array of metallic elements that are hammered onto the side edge portion 31 of the fastener tape 3. As a further alternative, other types of fastener elements (e.g., a helical fastener element made of a spirally wound resin-made monofilament) may be used. The fastener tape 3 has main tape surfaces oriented in opposite directions along the up-down direction to define its thickness, i.e., it has an upper tape surface 3m and a lower tape surface 3n (see Fig. 2). Furthermore, the fastener tape 3 has a basic structure 37 composed of a plurality of tape threads (e.g., a plurality of warp threads 35 (35a, 35b, 35c, 35d, 35e, 35f...) and at least one weft thread 36). The number of warp threads 35 can be set in accordance with a predetermined width W3 of the fastener tape 3. The warp threads 35 are aligned with each other by drawing in the warp direction, and the weft thread 36 extends meanderingly along the weft direction to protrude and descend relative to the warp threads 35. Each of the warp threads 35 repeatedly crosses units each consisting of two parts of the weft thread that are aligned with each other by tension in the weft direction (ie, the two parts are parallel to each other) (see Fig. 3 ).Naturally, the basic structure 37 is not limited to such a woven structure, but can also be a knitted structure. Note that the upper tape surface 3m and the lower tape surface 3n are formed as two-dimensional uneven surfaces consistent with the protrusion and depression of the weft thread 36. All tape threads, which are component threads of the fastener tape 3, are spun from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin and are made of the same material, but are not necessarily limited to this. Advantageously, this PET resin is a plant-based material. The side edge portion 31 of the fastener tape 3, to which the coupling elements 4 are attached, is provided with a core portion 5. The core portion 5 includes at least one core thread 51 (preferably a plurality of core threads 51) and a (hollow) tubular portion 52 surrounding or enclosing the at least one core thread 51. The core portion 5 may extend upwardly from the upper tape surface 3m and downwardly from the lower tape surface 3n, which define the thickness of the fastener tape 3 (see Fig. 2). The core portion 5 has a portion that is embedded in the coupling elements 4 and increases the fastening strength of the coupling elements 4. In some cases, the core region 5 is a core yarn woven into the fastener tape 3. That is, the core region 5 is provided as a core yarn before the fastener tape 3 is woven. The fact that the core region 5 is a core yarn means that the core region 5 can be removed from the fastener tape 3 as a core yarn by detaching it from the weft thread 36, even after the core yarn has been woven into the fastener tape 3. Using a core yarn as the core region 5 can enable more precise control over the strength of contact between the core thread 51 and the tubular region 52 or the level of static friction between them. In some cases, a plurality of core regions (two in the example of Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 ) 5 are paired and arranged on the side edge region 31. For example, two core regions 5, an upper core region 5m and a lower core region 5n, are used, which are paired with each other along the up-down direction and protrude on both the upper side and the lower side. The upper core region 5m and the lower core region 5n are each bound by the weft thread 36 at a position between adjacent warp threads 35, but a method for securing the core region in the fastener tape 3 is not limited to this. In the present embodiment, the at least one core yarn 51 includes a crimpable yarn that crimps according to a difference in thermal shrinkage rate between different polymer materials. Generally, yarns with a smaller elongation in the warp direction are used as core yarns. Contrary to this technical standard, the inventor discovered that the fastener strand 2 can be more easily set to the plus state by using a crimpable yarn(s) as the core yarn(s) 51. Although the exact underlying mechanism has not yet been understood, it can be considered that the degree of crimp of the crimpable yarn (the core yarn 51) that crimps due to heat setting can be adjusted, for example, by stretching the fastener tape 3.Furthermore, it can be assumed that the static friction (stiction) between the crimpable thread (core thread 51) and the tube portion 52 is increased, so that the degree of crimping of the crimpable thread does not change effortlessly unless a force is applied thereto, for example, by stretching the fastener tape 3. When a crimpable yarn is used as a core yarn and thermally set, the core yarn will curl to a degree according to (for example, proportional to) a difference in thermal shrinkage rate between different polymer materials of the core yarn. This curling of the core yarn 51 places the fastener strand 2 in the plus state and simultaneously increases the static friction between the core yarn 51 and the tubular portion 52 (due to the increased degree of curl of the crimpable yarn (the core yarn 51)). A situation may arise where a crimpable yarn is used as the core yarn, causing the fastener strand to assume an excessive plus state; however, this could be adjusted by stretching the fastener strand 2 along its longitudinal direction.Accordingly, the closure strand 2 can maintain an appropriate state after the adjustment has occurred due to the increased static friction between the core thread 51 and the tube portion 52. It should be noted that the stretching process of the fastener tape 3 may not necessarily be performed depending on the degree of crimping of the crimpable thread during heat-setting. Furthermore, the stretching process of the fastener tape 3 can be performed at any time and in any thickness after heat-setting. This can be performed during a sewing process in which the fastener tape 3 of the fastener strand 2 is sewn onto clothing after the zipper 1 has been sold. To reiterate: a crimpable thread is used as the core thread, which allows the fastener strand 2 to more easily maintain its positive state due to the static friction between the core thread 51 and the tubular region 52 (as long as no external force is applied). It could prevent the fastener strand 2 from changing from the positive state to the zero state in a time window between the manufacture or sale of the zipper 1 and the time it is sewn in a sewing factory. When the fastener tape 3 of the fastener stringer 2 is sewn to clothing or the like, contraction is caused in the fastener tape 3 at and along the loops of a sewing thread, which are shown by alternately long and short dashed lines in Fig. 5. However, due to the plus state of the fastener stringer, the side edge portion 31 of the fastener tape 3 changes from a curved and arcuate state like a hollow ( Fig. 4 ) to a linearly extending state ( Fig. 5 ). Accordingly, the distances between coupling elements 4 in the front-to-back direction are within a tolerance range. Note that the state of the fastener stringer 2 shown in Fig. 5 is referred to as a zero state of the fastener stringer. It has been confirmed that the use of other types of threads (for example, a mistwisted thread) having a similar thermal shrinkage rate to the crimpable thread did not properly bias the fastener strand 2 into the plus state (compared with the present disclosure). This proves that the fastener strand 2 is properly biased into the plus state not only by the shortening due to thermal shrinkage but also due to the crimping of the crimpable thread. The minus-biased state of the fastener strand is omitted, and this is a state in which the fastener strand 2 is curved on the opposite side to that shown in Fig. 4. The core region 5 may contain a total of N (N denotes a natural number of 2 or more) core threads 51 as at least one core thread 51. Each of the total of N core threads 51 may be a crimpable thread. The total of N core threads 51 may be drawn in the warp direction and aligned with each other to create doubling (associated threads), or may be twisted together along the warp direction to create a strand of threads. In some cases, the core region 5 contains only one crimpable thread(s) as the core thread(s) 51, but in other cases, the core threads 51 may also contain a non-crimpable thread (for example, a rough thread).It should be noted that the term "crimpable yarn" in the present specification refers to a yarn that curls according to a difference in thermal shrinkage rate between different polymer materials (i.e., it does not refer to the curling of a false-twisted yarn). Typically, a false-twisted yarn is spun from a single polymer material and consists of that single polymer material, and curls according to certain processes, but not according to a difference in thermal shrinkage rate between different polymer materials. In cases where a non-crimpable yarn(s) is included, the number of crimpable yarns is preferably greater than the number of non-crimpable yarns. In some cases, the tubular region 52 includes a knitted structure composed of a plurality of knitted skin yarns 52a-52d (see, for example, Fig. 6 ). Each of the skin yarns 52a-52d is typically a non-crimpable yarn and is produced by spinning a single polymer material. Constructing the tubular region 52 as a knitted structure allows contact between the core yarns 51 and the tubular region 52 to be maintained regardless of the crimping of the core yarns 51, and selecting skin yarns with a suitable thermal shrinkage rate allows the core yarns to be tightened by the skin yarns. It should be noted that Fig. 6 is a schematic drawing created for illustration purposes. In Fig. 6, an imaginary cylindrical region R51 marks a region where the plurality of core yarns 51 are arranged. Specific methods for constructing the tubular region 52 as a knitted structure are well known to those skilled in the art. For example, four locking pins are arranged at equal angular intervals of 90° all around, and the skin yarn is fed so that locking pins opposite each other at 180° trace the number 8. Needle loops are formed at corresponding positions of the locking pins. As shown in Fig. 6, the entanglement of skin yarns having a phase difference of 180° in the circumferential direction continues, forming the knitted structure. The crimpable yarn used as the core yarn 51 is a composite yarn including filaments 71, 72 made of at least two types of polymer materials having different thermal shrinkage rates; in other words, the crimpable yarn may be a composite yarn 7 formed by spinning together at least two types of polymer materials having different thermal shrinkage rates (see, for example, Fig. 7). In Fig. 7, the polymer material of the filament 71 has a first thermal shrinkage rate, and the polymer material of the filament 72 has a second thermal shrinkage rate different from the first thermal shrinkage rate. The polymer material of the filament 71 is, for example, PET (polyethylene terephthalate). The polymer material of the filament 72 is, for example, PTT (polytrimethylene terephthalate). How the filaments 71, 72 are assembled and coupled is not particularly limited.The filaments 71, 72 can be coupled so that one thread encloses the other. It is possible to spin a crimpable thread from three types of polymer materials with different thermal shrinkage rates. The degree of crimp of the crimpable yarn differs before and after crimping. Fig. 8 shows the crimpable core yarn before heat-setting, and Fig. 9 shows it after heat-setting. As is clear from a comparison of the two figures, heat-setting results in an increase in the degree of crimp per unit length (for example, an increased number of spiral units per unit length). Note that the core yarns 51, each of which is a crimpable yarn, can be bundled so that they can be treated like a yarn, which is shown as a dotted line in Figs. 8 and 9. The three-dimensional shape of the crimpable yarn is not limited to a regular spiral shape as shown in Fig. 8, but may also be a random spiral shape, with the density of spiral units varying along the length direction of the yarn. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 10, the crimpable yarn may be shaped like a wave instead of a spiral. A crimpable yarn may be spiral in one zone and wave-shaped in another zone along the length direction. That is, it is contemplated that the crimpable yarn has a shape that exhibits a random pattern of spiral and wave shapes. The degree of crimping of the crimpable yarn can be expressed as the number of cavities corresponding to a spiral or wave per unit length (1 cm). In the case where the crimpable yarn is crimped in a spiral, one cavity corresponds to one turn of the spiral (see the frame of alternating long and short dashed lines as shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9). In a case where the crimpable yarn is crimped in a wave, one cavity corresponds to one wave unit (see the frame of alternating long and short dashed lines as shown in Fig. 10). The crimpable yarn may be used exclusively for the core yarn 51 of the core portion 5. That is, each yarn of the fastener tape 3 other than the core yarn(s) 51 is a non-crimpable yarn and is made of a single spun polymer material. In other words, the fastener tape 3 does not include any crimpable yarn that curls according to a difference in thermal shrinkage rate between different polymer materials, other than the core yarn(s) 51. In this case, the degree of crimping can be easily adjusted by adjusting the number of crimpable core yarns 51, that is, the degree of crimping can be easily prevented from becoming excessive or too small.As a precaution, in the case where only the core thread 51 is a crimpable thread, the side edge region 32 and the main tape portion 33 do not contain any crimpable threads that crimp according to a difference in thermal shrinkage rate between different polymer materials. Besides the core thread 51, the side edge region 31 does not contain any other crimpable threads that crimp according to a difference in thermal shrinkage rate between different polymer materials. In some cases, the side edge region 32 is composed of various warp threads that have the same thickness and density as the warp threads of the main tape portion 33 and does not contain any thread (so-called selvage thread) that is thicker than the warp threads of the main tape portion 33. By omitting selvage threads, the weight and cost of the fastener strand can be reduced. The following is a description of a load test conducted on a bundle 6 of three crimpable yarns after heat setting, with reference to Fig. 11 and Fig. 12. Fig. 11 is a schematic view showing the procedure of the load test. Fig. 12 is a graph showing the result of the load test. As shown in Fig. 11, the bundle 6 is fixed at the upper end point P1 in a test zone and extends linearly downward in the vertical direction, and a weight 61 is attached to the lower end point P2 in the test zone. The displacement of the center point P3, which is located midway between the upper end point P1 and the lower end point P2, is measured at times before and after the bundle 6 is pulled downward by the weight 61. The broken line L1 in Fig. 12 shows a load curve in which non-crimpable yarns are used as core yarns. The alternating short and long dashed line L2 shows a load curve in which crimpable yarns, which have comparatively lower thermal shrinkage rates, are used as core yarns. The solid line L3 shows a load curve in which crimpable yarns, which have a comparatively higher thermal shrinkage rate, are used as core yarns. The use of crimpable yarns as core yarns allows the fastener tape 3 to stretch more, as shown in L2 and L3. This leads to easier adjustment of the length of the fastener tape 3 after heat-setting and can counteract excessive crimping of the core yarns 51. Preferably, a crimpable yarn having an elongation value (elongation ratio) of 7% or more is used. For example, a crimpable yarn having an elongation value of 7-10% is preferably used. The elongation value of the crimpable yarn can be obtained from the load test shown in Fig. 11 and is specifically calculated as (((stretched length - original length) / original length) x 100) based on a condition where a given weight is attached to a bundle of three crimpable yarns. A method for manufacturing the fastener tape 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. First, the fastener tape 3 to which the core portion 5 is attached is configured (S1). More specifically, the fastener tape 3 is configured with a core portion 5 provided at the side edge portion 31. For this purpose, an automatic weaving or knitting machine may be used. In the case where the core portion 5 is a core yarn woven into the fastener tape 3, step S1 may include configuring the core portion 5 as a core yarn and weaving the fastener tape 3 in a manner that includes the core portion 5. The step of configuring the core portion 5 as a core yarn may include drawing and aligning a plurality of core threads 51 and configuring the tubular portion 52 around the bundle of a plurality of core threads 51 (see Fig. 6). The tubular portion 52 is preferably formed by knitting it as a knitted structure.In the step of weaving the fastener tape 3 to include the core portion 5, the core portion 5 is held by the weft thread and woven into the fastener tape 3. As shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, a pair of upper and lower core portions 5 (core yarns) may be woven into the fastener tape 3. Next, the fastener tape 3 is heat-set (i.e., heated) to allow the crimpable thread to crimp (S2). The heat-set temperature depends on the material of the crimpable thread, and the heat source, such as a heating element, can be set to a temperature in the range between 160°C and 200°C, for example. The side edge portion 31 of the fastener tape 3 and the heat source are placed close to and opposite each other so that the side edge portion 31 of the fastener tape 3 is heated. For the crimpable thread used as the core thread 51, different polymer materials shrink to different extents due to the heat. As a result, the crimpable thread crimps, and the core portion 5 shortens in length, so that the fastener strand is placed in the plus state. The heating element can be placed adjacent to a conveying passage for the fastener tape 3.The heating element may be electric and generate heat through current flow, but this is only an example, and other types of heating elements may also be used. Thereafter, a first post-processing of the fastener tape 3 (S3) is performed. The first post-processing may include dyeing the fastener tape 3. The fastener tape 3 may be passed through a plurality of rollers (for example, rollers 101, 102 in Fig. 14) to a tank containing a dyeing solution or to an outlet port of an inkjet printer for dyeing. The fastener tape 3 passes through a passage formed by a plurality of rollers while tension is applied along its length direction. This reduces the degree of crimping of the crimpable thread, which reduces the degree of the plus state of the fastener tape. Subsequently, a second post-processing of the fastener tape 3 (S4) takes place. The second post-processing may include drying the fastener tape 3. In the drying step, the fastener tape is reheated. A heating element similar to that described above can be used for this purpose. If dyeing is carried out during the first post-processing, the fastener tape 3, on or in which the dyeing liquid is located, is dried. In either case, the degree of crimp of the crimpable thread used as the core thread 51 is increased by the thermal shrinkage. After step S2, at least one step of decreasing the crimp degree of the crimpable thread and at least one step of increasing the crimp degree of the crimpable thread may be performed simultaneously or in this order, so that the fastener tape 3 is appropriately brought into the plus state. The first of the first and second post-processes (S3, S4) includes a process for decreasing the crimp degree of the crimpable thread, and the second includes a process for increasing the crimp degree of the crimpable thread. This allows the fastener strand 2 to be smoothly brought into a suitable state by the first and second post-processes, even if the plus state of the fastener strand 2 becomes excessive during the heat-setting process (S2). Steps S3 and S4 are not limited to dyeing and drying. Furthermore, when the fastener tape 3 is placed in a cavity to be injection molded, tension is applied to the fastener tape 3 along its length direction. Furthermore, the fastener tape 3 is heated with heat from molten resin or from the mold during injection molding. In this case, the first post-processing (stretching the fastener tape 3 in the cavity) and the second post-processing (thermally shrinking the crimpable thread by the heat of the mold) are performed simultaneously. As shown in Fig. 15, the tubular portion 52 may be formed as a double weave 38 in a part of the base structure 37 of the fastener tape 3, and the core thread 51 may be inserted into the tubular portion 52. Similar effects to those described above can be achieved in this case. As shown in Fig. 16, it is possible to use a coiled fastener element as the fastener element 4. The coiled fastener element is sewn to the main tape surface of the fastener tape 3 (for example, the lower tape surface). On the opposite side, the core portion 5 of the fastener tape 3 is provided. Specifically, one of the core portions in Figs. 2 and 3 (ie, only the upper core portion 5m) is woven into the fastener tape 3 (the lower core portion 5n in Figs. 2 and 3 is omitted). Other embodiments are also conceivable. Based on the above teachings, those skilled in the art may make various modifications to each of the embodiments. Reference numerals in the claims are for reference purposes only and should not be used to limit the scope of the claims. [Reference symbol] 1 Zipper 2 Fastening strand 3 Fastening tape 4 Coupling link 5 Core section 7 Composite thread 9 Slider 31 Side edge section 32 Side edge section 33 Main tape section 35 Warp thread 36 Weft thread 37 Basic structure 51 Core thread 52 Tube section 52a-52d Skin thread QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature JP 2004-229729
[0004] CN 212590695
[0004] JP 55-422
[0004] JP 2006-175129
[0004]
Claims
[1] Fastening tape comprising: a fastener tape having a side edge region (31) to which coupling elements (4) are to be attached; and a core region (5) arranged in the side edge region (31), wherein the core region (5) has at least one core thread (51) and a tube region (52) which encloses the at least one core thread (51), wherein the at least one core thread (51) includes a crimpable thread that crimps according to a difference in thermal shrinkage rate between different polymer materials. [2] The fastener tape according to claim 1, wherein the core region includes a total of N (N denotes a natural number of 2 or more) core threads as the at least one core thread, and each of the total of N core threads is a crimpable thread. [3] A fastener tape according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the crimpable thread is a composite thread of bonded filaments of at least two types of polymer materials having different thermal shrinkage rates. [4] A fastener tape according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the crimpable thread is a composite thread of at least two types of polymer materials spun together and having different thermal shrinkage rates. [5] Fastener tape according to one of claims 1-4, wherein the crimpable thread curls in a spiral and / or wave shape. [6] A fastener tape according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the core region is a core yarn woven into the fastener tape. [7] Fastener tape according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the tubular portion comprises a knitted structure of a plurality of knitted skin threads. [8] A fastener tape according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein no crimpable thread which crimps according to a difference in thermal shrinkage rate of different polymer materials is included other than said at least one core thread. [9] Closure strand comprising: a fastener tape according to any one of claims 1-8, and Coupling links attached to the side edge area of the closure band. [10] A method for producing a fastener tape comprising: Configuring a fastener tape having a core region disposed in a side edge region, the core region including at least one core thread and a tubular region enclosing the at least one core thread, and the at least one core thread including a crimpable thread that crimps according to a difference in thermal shrinkage rate between different polymer materials; and Heating the fastener tape to cause the crimpable thread to curl. [11] A method of manufacturing a fastener tape according to claim 10, further comprising: stretching the fastener tape along its longitudinal direction after the fastener tape has been heated to reduce the degree of crimping of the crimping thread. [12] A method of manufacturing a fastener tape according to claim 11, wherein the fastener tape passes through a passage formed by rollers while being tensioned in the longitudinal direction, thereby stretching it. [13] A method of manufacturing a fastener tape according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising: reheating the fastener tape after said stretching of the fastener tape to increase the degree of crimping of the crimpable thread. [14] A method of manufacturing a fastener tape according to claim 13, further comprising: dyeing the fastener tape, wherein said reheating of the fastener tape includes heating and drying the fastener tape. [15] A method of manufacturing a fastener tape according to claim 10, wherein the fastener tape, after said heating, is subjected to at least one process for reducing the degree of crimp of the crimpable thread and at least one process for increasing the degree of crimp of the crimpable thread, these processes being carried out simultaneously or in this order.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
212590695
55-422
2004-229729
2006-175129