Slide fastener with a sealing function and method for producing a slide fastener

Abstract

To provide a strong and durable slide fastener having a strong sealing function, and a method for manufacturing the slide fastener.SOLUTION: Each fastener stringer 1 comprises a sealing portion adhered to the surface portion 46 of its fastener tape 40 and extending beyond the edge 43 of the fastener tape 40 into the groove 27 of the fastener element 20, wherein the sealing portions of the two fastener tapes 40 sealingly abut when the slide fastener is in an engaged state, and wherein one edge 43 of one fastener tape 40 is located in the groove 27 of the fastener element 20 of the opposite fastener tape 40 when the slide fastener is in an engaged state, and vice versa.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide fastener and a method for manufacturing a slide fastener, comprising: a pair of fastener stringers, each comprising a fastener tape and a fastener element row attached to opposite sides of the two fastener tapes; and a slider slidably mounted on the fastener element row for engaging and disengaging the opposing fastener elements, each fastener element having a base attached to a respective fastener tape and a connecting portion for engaging with another connecting portion of the opposite fastener element, each connecting portion having a groove facing the opposing fastener tape and extending in the length direction of the tape, each fastener stringer being bonded to a surface portion of its fastener tape and having a sealing portion extending beyond the edge of the fastener tape and into the groove of the fastener element, the sealing portions of the two fastener tapes being in sealing contact when the slide fastener is in an engaged state, and a method for manufacturing a slide fastener. [Background technology]

[0002] Such slide fasteners are known in the art and are disclosed, for example, in Patent Document 1. The sealing portion that abuts tightly when the slide fastener is engaged provides a sealing function. This prevents fluid from passing through the slide fastener. Therefore, a slide fastener that is waterproof or airtight can be provided. Such slide fasteners are used in a wide variety of applications, including clothing, tents, wetsuits, spacesuits, and water tanks.

[0003] The slide fastener of Patent Document 1 (U.S. Pat. No. 8,869,356 B2) achieves sealing contact when the slide fastener is in an engaged state by receiving a portion of the seal extending beyond the edge of one fastener tape within a groove in a connecting portion of a fastener element of the opposite fastener tape, and vice versa. Each fastener element has a connecting block that is received in a slot of a fastener element of the opposite fastener element row to stabilize the pair of fastener stringers in the engaged state. While the connecting block provides some stability to the engaged fastener stringers, a rotational force applied to the fastener element in a direction perpendicular to the fastener tape may cause the fastener element to peel off.

[0004] Another solution for achieving fluid tightness for slide fasteners is presented in EP 1388302 A1. One side of each fastener tape is completely covered by a sealing portion that protrudes on the edge of the fastener tape, and holes are provided along the side of the fastener tape. Fastener elements are driven onto the fastener tape with their connecting portions passing through the holes, thereby securing the fastener elements to the tape. The holes are disadvantageous for the manufacturing process because they require additional manufacturing steps and the driving of the fastener elements must be precisely aligned with the hole positions. Furthermore, the holes may cause fluids to leak through the fastener tape.

[0005] Another solution for a slide fastener with a sealing function is presented in Patent Document 3 (WO 2022 / 043684 A1). In this solution, the sealing function is provided by a sealing contact between the edge of one fastener tape and a groove provided in the connecting portion of the fastener element provided on the opposite fastener tape, and by contact between pressure portions provided on the connecting portion of the fastener element of the opposing fastener tape. This slide fastener does not have the problem of holes in the fastener tape as in Patent Document 2, nor does it have the problem of the possibility of a large peeling force being applied to the fastener element. Furthermore, the pressure portions reduce the gap between a first fastener element on one fastener tape and a second fastener element on the opposite fastener tape when the slide fastener is engaged, thereby improving sealing. However, because the pressure portions are formed integrally with the connecting portion, they are made of the same hard material as the fastener elements. This may result in incomplete sealing due to the contact between the pressure portions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 8,869,356 [Patent Document 2] European Patent Application Publication No. 1388302 [Patent Document 3] International Publication No. 2022 / 043684 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Due to these problems in the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide a slide fastener that has a strong sealing function and is sturdy and durable, and to provide a method for manufacturing said slide fastener. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This object is achieved, according to a first aspect of the present invention, by a slide fastener of the above type, in which, when the slide fastener is in an engaged state, the edge of one fastener tape is located in the groove of the fastener element of the opposite fastener tape, and vice versa. Thus, in the engaged state, the fastener element is stabilized, preventing rotation around the edge of the fastener tape, which may occur in the slide fastener of Patent Document 1, in which only the opposing seal, and not the fastener tape, is received in the groove of the opposing fastener element. Furthermore, the feature of the present invention, in which, when the slide fastener is in an engaged state, the edge of one fastener tape is located in the groove of the fastener element of the opposite fastener tape, and vice versa, suggests that the edge of each fastener tape is located closer to the connecting portion of its fastener element than in the prior art, particularly in Patent Document 1. This allows the peeling force on the fastener element to be reduced in the slide fastener according to the present invention, compared to the prior art. Furthermore, there is no need for a connecting block as in Patent Document 1. This can increase the manufacturing efficiency of the slide fastener.

[0009] Each fastener tape is an elongated member that is long in the length direction of the tape. The length direction of the tape can also be called the front-to-rear direction. The direction in which the slide fastener moves to engage with a fastener element can be called the forward direction, and the direction in which the slide fastener moves to disengage the fastener element can be called the rear direction. When a slider slidably provided in the fastener element row moves in the forward direction and engages with a fastener element in the fastener element row, the slide fastener is closed. When the slider moves in the rear direction and disengages the fastener element from an engaged state, the slide fastener is opened. Each fastener tape has an upper tape surface and an opposite lower tape surface.

[0010] Each fastener element row includes a plurality of fastener elements. The fastener elements are attached to opposing sides of the fastener tape at a regular interval along the length of the tape. In one embodiment, the fastener elements are particularly made of a resin material. In one embodiment, the fastener elements may be made of a polyamide resin. In one embodiment, the fastener elements may be hammered onto the fastener tape.

[0011] Each fastening element has a base attached to each fastening tape. The base may be in direct contact with each fastening tape. Each fastening element further has a connecting portion extending from the base toward the opposite fastening tape and engaging with another connecting portion of the opposite fastening element. In particular, the connecting portion extends beyond the edge of the outer boundary fastening tape to the opposite fastening element.

[0012] In one embodiment, the connecting portion may have a neck portion extending from the base portion toward the opposite fastener element and having a tape width decreasing in the longitudinal direction as it moves away from the base portion. The head portion may extend from the neck portion toward the opposite fastener element and may have two protrusions, one protruding forward and the other protruding backward, so that the head portion bulges in the front-to-rear direction.

[0013] In one embodiment, the groove may extend in the front-to-rear direction through the connecting portion, which may facilitate the sealing portion extending from the fastening tape into the groove. The groove faces the opposite fastening tape, i.e., the groove is open toward the opposite fastening tape.

[0014] The sealing portion is formed of a material capable of providing a sealing function. In particular, the sealing portion may include a sealing material that is impermeable to fluids, especially liquids and / or gases. In particular, the sealing material is impermeable to water. In one embodiment, the sealing portion is formed of a plastic or resin, and is preferably flexible. For example, the sealing portion may be formed of polyurethane. Generally, the surface portion of the fastening tape to which the sealing portion is adhered includes only a portion of the upper and / or lower tape surfaces of the fastening tape. In one embodiment, the surface portion may include only a portion of the upper tape surface. In another embodiment, the surface portion may include only a portion of the lower tape surface. In yet another embodiment, the surface portion may include both a portion of the upper tape surface and a portion of the lower tape surface. Preferably, the surface portion includes a portion of the side of the fastening tape between adjacent fastener elements. In one embodiment, the surface portion includes a portion of the edge of the fastening tape extending perpendicular to the upper and lower tape surfaces. The sealing portion extends into the groove. Preferably, the groove may be located completely outside the fastening tape. In one embodiment, the seal does not extend beyond the groove toward the opposing fastening tape. In one embodiment, the seal may be an integral part.

[0015] In one embodiment, the seal may be punched, preferably directly, onto the surface portion of the fastener tape and into the groove.

[0016] The slider may have an upper blade (upper wing) and a lower blade (lower wing) spaced apart from each other in a vertical direction perpendicular to the upper and lower surfaces of the fastener tape. The upper tape surface faces upward, and the lower tape surface faces downward. The tape width direction is a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the length direction of the tape. In this specification, the tape width direction may also be referred to as the left-right direction. The upper blade may have an upper blade surface, and the lower blade may have a lower blade surface, with the two blade surfaces facing each other in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the upper blade may have flanges that protrude downward from each of the left and right sides of the upper blade surface toward the lower blade. Similarly, the lower blade may have flanges that protrude upward from each of the left and right sides of the lower blade surface toward the upper blade. The upper blade and the lower blade may be connected by a guide post extending in the vertical direction. The upper blade, the lower blade, and the guide post may define the boundaries of a guide channel for the fastener element. That is, as the slide fastener moves along the row of fastener elements, the fastener elements can pass through the guide channel, and the fastener elements can slide into engagement with the boundary of the guide channel as the slide fastener moves along the row of fastener elements, thereby engaging or disengaging the fastener elements.

[0017] In a convenient embodiment of the slide fastener, the fastener element may comprise an upper portion provided on the upper side of the fastener stringer and having an upper base of the base provided on the upper tape surface of the fastener tape, and a lower portion provided on the lower side of the fastener stringer and having a lower base of the base provided on the lower tape surface of the fastener tape. The fastener element may further comprise a connecting portion connecting the upper and lower portions in a vertical direction perpendicular to the upper and lower tape surfaces and provided on the outside of the fastener tape at its edge. The fastener element is thus clamped to the side of the fastener tape. Such fastener elements are well known in the art. However, when these fastener elements are used with conventional slide fasteners, problems may arise in that the fastener element is not sufficiently fixed to the fastener tape because the fastener element and the fastener tape may be formed from different materials that may not adhere well to each other. In the present invention, a sealing portion is adhered to a surface portion of the fastener tape and extends into a groove in the fastener element. In particular, the material of the seal and the material of the surface portion of the fastening element may be such that, in one embodiment, the seal adheres well to the surface portion. For example, they may be made of the same or similar plastic material, such as polyurethane. This allows for additional fastening force to be applied to the fastening element. If a groove extends through the connecting portion in the front-to-rear direction and the seal passes completely through the groove, the fastening can be further improved.

[0018] In a further advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the connecting portion may comprise upper and lower connecting portions, each extending from the upper and lower base portions toward the opposite fastener tape, with the opposing surfaces of the upper and lower connecting portions and the surface portion of the connecting portion forming the boundary of the groove. The upper and lower connecting portions can provide a particularly strong engagement with the slide fastener. The opposing surfaces of the upper and lower connecting portions can face each other in the up-down direction. In particular, the sealing portion does not extend beyond the upper and lower connecting portions toward the opposite fastener element. In one embodiment, the upper (lower) connecting portion extends from the upper (lower) base toward the opposite fastener element and comprises an upper (lower) neck portion whose width in the longitudinal direction of the tape narrows as the upper (lower) neck portion extends in a direction away from the upper (lower) base. The upper (lower) head portion may extend from the upper (lower) neck portion toward the opposite fastener element and may have two protrusions, one protruding forward and the other protruding rearward, causing the upper (lower) head portion to bulge in the front-to-rear direction.

[0019] In one convenient embodiment, the connecting portion is connected to the upper and lower portions at the location of the upper and lower neck portions, and the boundary of the groove is formed by the facing surfaces of the upper and lower head portions and the surface portions of the connecting portion.

[0020] In a further embodiment, the sealing portion may cover a side portion of the base extending upward and downward from the fastening tape, thereby further securing the fastening element to the fastening tape. In an example where the base comprises upper and lower base portions, the sealing portion may cover an upper side portion of the upper base extending upward from the upper tape surface. Additionally or alternatively, the sealing portion may cover a lower side portion of the lower base extending downward from the lower tape surface.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, the edge of the fastening tape may be provided with a core thread. The core thread has a vertical thickness greater than the vertical thickness of the inner portion of the fastening tape. The core thread can improve the fixation of the fastening elements to the fastening tape, particularly when the core thread has a connecting portion on the outside of the fastening tape according to the above embodiment. In this case, it is preferable that the vertical thickness of the sealed portion on the tape surface is greater than the vertical protruding thickness of the core thread so that the sealed portion has a smooth outer surface and covers the core thread.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, each fastening tape may include a base material coated and / or impregnated with a fluid-impermeable plastic material. This may further improve the sealing function of the slide fastener. The fluid may be a liquid and / or a gas, and in particular, the fluid may be water. In one embodiment, the plastic material may be provided in the form of a film or layer on the base material of the fastening tape. The film or layer may be provided on only one of the upper and lower tape surfaces. Alternatively, the film may be provided on both the upper and lower tape surfaces. In one embodiment, the plastic material may be extruded onto the base material. In another embodiment, the plastic material may be extruded or punched onto one surface of the base material, with the plastic material permeating the gaps between the fibers of the base material to form a thick coating on that surface and a thinner coating on the other surface. In one embodiment, the plastic material may be a resin material. In one embodiment, the plastic material may be polyurethane. In one embodiment, the base material may be formed of, but is not limited to, a woven or nonwoven fabric.

[0023] The plastic material and the materials forming the fastener element and the seal portion are not particularly limited. In one embodiment, the plastic material and the materials forming the fastener element and the seal portion are all different from each other. In a convenient embodiment, the melting point of the material of the fastener element is higher than that of the plastic material and / or the material of the seal portion. In one embodiment, the tensile strength of the material of the seal portion is preferably 20 MPa or more and 80 MPa or less, more preferably 30 MPa or more and 70 MPa or less, and most preferably 30 MPa or more and 60 MPa or less. In one embodiment, the tensile strength of the material of the seal portion is 50 MPa.

[0024] In one embodiment, the elongation of the seal material is preferably between 500% and 800%, more preferably between 600% and 700%, In one embodiment, the elongation of the seal material is 650%.

[0025] In one embodiment, the seal material preferably has a Shore A hardness according to DIN ISO 7619-1 of ≥ 70 to ≤ 100, preferably ≥ 80 to ≤ 90. In one embodiment, the seal material has a Shore A hardness of 85.

[0026] In one convenient embodiment of the present invention, each fastener element is formed of a polyamide resin, the plastic material including a first polyurethane, and the sealing portion including a second polyurethane. Fastener elements formed of a polyamide resin are highly durable and have good molding properties, which are favorable for manufacturing. Polyurethane has good sealing properties. However, polyurethane and polyamide do not easily adhere to each other. Therefore, the first and second polyurethanes preferably adhere to each other easily, thereby further securing the fastener element to the fastener tape by the sealing portion that adheres to the fastener tape and extends to the groove. Preferably, the first polyurethane and the second polyurethane are different from each other. In one convenient embodiment, the first polyurethane has a softer hardness than the second polyurethane. The hardness / softness may be determined in relation to the Shore A hardness of the polyurethane in one embodiment, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Particularly for the manufacture of slide fasteners, it is further preferable that the polyamide resin has a melting point higher than that of the first and / or second polyurethane. In one convenient example, the polyamide is PA612, the first polyurethane is Elastollan 1180A and the second polyurethane is Elastollan C85A.

[0027] In one embodiment of the slide fastener according to the present invention, the sealing portion may have a sealing edge portion that protrudes on the fastener tape in the tape width direction and extends parallel to the edge of the fastener tape, thereby ensuring a tight, sealed abutment of the sealing portions of the two fastener tapes.

[0028] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing any one of the slide fasteners described above, the method comprising: providing a pair of base materials for fastener tapes; obtaining a pair of fastener tapes by covering at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of each base material with a plastic material; attaching a fastener element row to opposing sides of the fastener tapes; and adhering a sealing portion to each fastener tape surface portion so that the sealing portion extends beyond the edge of the fastener tape and into the grooves of the fastener elements. This differs from the manufacturing process disclosed in Patent Document 1, in which fastener elements are first provided on the base material for the fastener tape, and then resin is dispensed onto the tape to simultaneously form the sealing portion. Such manufacturing methods may face the problem of the resin layer not forming a perfect seal, particularly at the interface between the fastener elements and the tape. This is because the fastener elements and the sealing portion are generally made of different materials that may not adhere well to each other. These problems are overcome by the manufacturing method of the present invention. For clarity, the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate, and at least the upper and lower surfaces of each substrate covered with plastic material, become the upper and lower surfaces of the fastening tape. In one embodiment, the substrate can be formed from a fabric, which can include a woven or nonwoven fabric.

[0029] In an expedient embodiment of the method according to the present invention, covering each of the substrates with a plastic material may include extruding the plastic material onto each of the substrates, attaching the fastener element row to the fastener tape may include extruding the fastener elements onto the fastener tape, and adhering the sealant to the surface portion may include driving the sealant onto the surface portion of the fastener tape and into the grooves of the fastener elements. When the plastic material is extruded onto the substrates, the extrusion is a continuous process and therefore no parting lines are created.

[0030] The invention will now be further exemplarily explained with reference to the drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of the upper surface of a fastener stringer of a slide fastener according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view of the fastener stringer of FIG. 1 with a portion of the fastener element removed for ease of illustration; FIG. [Figure 3a] 1 is a perspective view of a fastener element of a fastener stringer according to an embodiment; FIG. [Figure 3b] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one fastener element and a portion of a seal portion of a fastener stringer according to an embodiment. [Figure 4a] FIG. 3b is a front view of FIG. [Figure 4b] FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4a. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a side view of the fastener stringer of the embodiment as viewed from the front. [Figure 6a] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the upper side of a slide fastener according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6b] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the underside of a slide fastener according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a slide fastener according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the upper surface of fastener stringer 1, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of fastener stringer 1 of slide fastener 100 (see FIGS. 6a and 6b), both according to an embodiment of the present invention. The plan view of the lower surface of fastener stringer 1 is similar to the plan view of the upper surface shown in FIG. 1. Explaining in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6a and 6b, slide fastener 100 comprises another fastener stringer 1 similar to that shown in FIG. 1 and a slider 60 slidably attached to the pair of fastener stringers. Fastener stringer 1 comprises a fastener tape 40 and a fastener element row 2 provided on a side portion 42 of fastener tape 40. The plan view of FIG. 1 shows an upper tape surface 41a of fastener tape 40. Fastener tape 40 is a longitudinal member extending in the length direction of the tape. The length direction of the tape is also referred to as the front-to-back (FB) direction in this specification. The front (F) direction is the upward direction relative to the plane of FIG. 1, and the back (B) direction is the downward direction relative to the plane of FIG. 1. The fastener tape 40 defines a tape width direction that is perpendicular to the front-to-back direction. The tape width direction may also be referred to as the left-right (LR) direction. The left (L) direction is the left direction relative to the plane of FIG. 1, and the right (R) direction is the right direction relative to the plane of FIG. 1. The fastener tape 40 also defines a up-down (UD) direction that is perpendicular to the length direction and the tape width direction. The up (U) direction is the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1 and faces the viewer, and the down (D) direction is the opposite direction.

[0033] The fastening tape 40 may include a woven or nonwoven fabric substrate, the upper and / or lower surfaces of which are coated with a liquid-tight layer, and the fastening tape 40 can thereby have liquid-tight properties.

[0034] The fastener tape 40 has an edge 43 that is the outer boundary of the fastener tape 40. The edge 43 has a core yarn 44 that extends in the length direction of the tape and has a thickness in the vertical direction greater than the thickness in the vertical direction of an inner tape portion 45 of the fastener tape 40. The core yarn 44 can more firmly fix the fastener element 20 to the fastener tape 40 compared to a fastener stringer 1 that does not have the core yarn 44.

[0035] The fastener element row 2 comprises a plurality of fastener elements 20 arranged at a predetermined pitch in the length direction of the tape on a side 42 of the fastener tape 40. The shape of the fastener elements 20 will be described in more detail below.

[0036] The slide fastener 100 further includes a slider 60 (see FIGS. 6a and 6b) slidably provided on the fastener element row 2 for engaging and disengaging the fastener elements 20 of the opposing fastener stringer. The fastener stringer 1 may further include upper and lower stoppers (not shown) provided at the front and rear ends of the fastener element row 2 in the front-to-rear direction and limiting the movement of the slider 60 in the length direction of the tape.

[0037] The fastener stringer 1 further comprises a sealing portion 50 adhered to the surface portion 46 of the fastener tape 40. The sealing portion 50 comprises a seal inner portion 51 provided on the fastener tape 40 and a seal outer portion 52 protruding beyond the edge portion 43 of the fastener tape 40. The sealing portion 50 further comprises a seal edge 53 (see FIGS. 6a and 6b) which is the outer boundary of the sealing portion 50 outside the fastener tape 40 and protrudes towards the opposite fastener stringer 1. When the slide fastener 100 is closed, the sealing portions 50 of the two fastener stringers come into sealing contact, thereby providing a sealing function.

[0038] The fastener element 20 and the seal portion 50 will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 3a to 5. FIG. 3a is a perspective view of one fastener element 20 of the fastener stringer 1 according to this embodiment, with the seal portion removed for ease of explanation. FIG. 3b is a perspective view showing the one fastener element 20 together with a portion of the seal portion 50 of the fastener stringer 1 according to this embodiment. FIG. 4 is a front view of FIG. 3b, FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4a, and FIG. 5 is a side view of the fastener stringer 1 according to this embodiment. As can be seen particularly from FIGS. 3a to 5, the fastener element 20 comprises an upper portion 20a provided on the upper side of the fastener stringer 1 and a lower portion 20b provided on the lower side of the fastener stringer 1. The upper portion 20a comprises an upper base portion 21a provided on the upper tape surface 41a of the fastener tape 40. The lower portion 20b includes a lower base 21b provided on the lower tape surface 41b of the fastener tape 40. The upper and lower portions 20a, 20b each include upper and lower connecting portions 22a, 22b for engaging with another upper or lower connecting portion of the opposite fastener element 20. The upper and lower connecting portions form connecting portions of the fastener element 20. The upper and lower connecting portions 22a, 22b extend in the tape width direction away from the upper and lower bases 21a, 21b, respectively, and include upper and lower neck portions 23a, 23b whose width in the tape length direction decreases as the upper and lower neck portions 23a, 23b move away from the upper and lower bases 21a, 21b, respectively. The upper and lower necks 23a, 23b extend further away from each other and are continuous with the upper and lower heads 24a, 24b, which have two projections 25a, 25b that project in opposite directions along the length of the tape, causing the upper and lower heads 24a, 24b to bulge in the front-to-rear direction.

[0039] The upper and lower portions 20a, 20b are connected by a connecting portion 26 extending in the vertical direction. The connecting portion 26 is located completely outside the fastener tape 40 and is provided on an edge 43 of the fastener tape 40. The facing surfaces of the upper and lower base portions 21a, 21b and an inner surface portion of the connecting portion 26 form the boundary of a gripping portion 31 for gripping the fastener tape 40. In particular, the gripping portion 31 includes a first gripping portion 31a that contacts the core yarn 44 and a second gripping portion 31b that contacts the upper and lower tape surfaces 41a, 41b. The fastener element 20 is clamped to the fastener tape 40 by the gripping portion 31.

[0040] The facing surfaces of the upper and lower head portions 24a, 24b and a surface portion of the connecting portion 26 form the boundary of a groove 27 that extends through the connecting portion of the fastener element 20 in the tape length direction and opens toward the opposite fastener tape 40. The sealing portion 50 adheres to a surface portion 46 of the fastener tape 40 and extends beyond the edge 43 of the fastener tape 40 into the groove 27 of the fastener element 20. The upper portion of the fastener element 20 further comprises a forward-facing upper front portion 28a and a rear-facing upper back portion 29a, both of which extend upward from the upper tape surface 41a. The lower portion of the fastener element 20 further comprises a forward-facing lower front portion 28b and a rear-facing lower back portion 29b, both of which extend downward from the lower tape surface 41b. As can be seen particularly from Figures 3b and 5, the seal 50 covers the upper and lower side portions 32a, 32b of the upper and lower front and rear portions, which further improves the sealing function of the seal 50.

[0041] The sealing edge 53 extends parallel to the edge 43 of the fastener tape 40 (see particularly FIGS. 1 and 2). This allows for a very good sealing function to be obtained when the fastener stringer 1 of the slide fastener 100 comes into sealing contact with the slide fastener 100 in an engaged state.

[0042] 3a and 5, the groove 27 is located completely outside the fastening tape 40 and does not penetrate the fastening tape 40. The connecting portion 26 is also located completely outside the fastening tape 40 and connects the upper and lower portions 20a, 20b of the fastening element 20 near the upper and lower neck portions 23a, 23b. When viewed in the vertical direction, the upper and lower base portions 21a, 21b are located completely within the fastening tape 40 (see especially FIG. 5).

[0043] 6a and 6b are partial perspective views of the upper and lower sides, respectively, of a slide fastener 100 according to an embodiment. The slide fastener 100 includes the above-described pair of fastener stringers 1, and a slider 60 is slidably provided on the fastener element row 2 so as to engage and disengage opposing fastener elements 20 of the pair of fastener stringers 1. The two seal portions 50 of the opposing fastener stringers 1 are in sealing contact when the fastener elements 20 are in an engaged state, thereby providing a sealing function.

[0044] Fig. 6a shows the upper tape surface 41a of the fastener tape 40 and the upper blade 60a of the slider 60. Fig. 6b shows the lower tape surface 41b of the fastener tape 40 and the lower blade 60b of the slider 60.

[0045] 6a and 6b, the slide fastener 100 is partially open. When the slider 60 moves in the forward (F) direction, the opposing fastener elements 20 are engaged and the slide fastener 100 is closed. When the slider 60 moves in the rearward (B) direction, the opposing fastener elements 20 are disengaged and the slide fastener 100 is opened.

[0046] The slider 60 may also include a pull tab (not shown) attached to a pull tab mounting rod 61 of the slider 60 .

[0047] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for manufacturing a slide fastener according to the second aspect of the present invention. In particular, the slide fastener 100 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 can be manufactured by this method. The method begins with step S1, in which a pair of substrates for fastener tapes are provided. In step S2, a polyurethane film is extruded onto the upper and / or lower surfaces of each substrate, thereby obtaining a pair of fastener tapes. In one embodiment, the polyurethane may penetrate into the interior of the substrate. By extruding polyurethane onto only one of the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate, the polyurethane can penetrate into the gaps between the fibers of the substrate, resulting in a thick coating on one surface and a thinner coating on the other surface. Next, in step S3, a polyamide fastener element having a groove is punched onto the fastener tape. In step S4, a polyurethane seal is punched onto each fastener tape and into the groove of the fastener element. The polyurethane in the seal may be different from the polyurethane in the film in one embodiment of this embodiment. In another embodiment of this embodiment, the polyurethane in the seal may be the same as the polyurethane in the film. As a result, the slide fastener 100 described above can be obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 Fastener Stringer 2 Fastener element rows 20 Fastener element 20a upper part 20b Lower part 21a Upper base 21b Lower base 22a Upper connection part 22b Lower connection part 23a Upper neck 23b Lower neck 24a Upper head 24b Lower head part 25a Protrusion 25b Protrusion 26 Connection part 27 Groove 28a Upper front part 28b Lower front part 29a Upper back part 29b Lower back part 31 Gripping part 31a first gripping portion 31b Second gripping portion 32a Upper side part 32b Lower side part 40 Fastener Tape 41a Upper tape surface 41b Lower tape surface 42 Side 43 Edge 44 Core thread 45 Tape inner part 46 Surface area 50 Seal part 51 Inner part of the seal 52 Seal outer part 53 Seal edge 60 sliders 60a upper blade 60b Lower Blade 61 Pull tab mounting rod 100 Slide Fastener

Claims

1. A slide fastener (100), a pair of fastener stringers (1), each comprising a fastener tape (40) and a fastener element row (2) attached to opposing sides (42) of the two fastener tapes (40); a slider slidably provided on the fastener element row (2) for engaging and disengaging opposing fastener elements (20); Equipped with each fastener element (20) comprises a base (21 a, b) attached to each of the fastener tapes (40) and a connecting portion (22 a, b) for engaging with another connecting portion of the opposite fastener element (20), each connecting portion (22 a, b) having a groove (27) formed in it facing the opposite fastener tape (40) and extending in the length direction of the tape; each fastener stringer (1) is provided with a sealing portion (50) bonded to a surface portion (46) of its fastener tape (40) and extending beyond an edge portion (43) of said fastener tape (40) into said groove (27) of said fastener element (20), said sealing portions (50) of two said fastener tapes (40) sealingly abutting when said slide fastener (100) is in said engaged state; the edge (43) of one fastener tape (40) is located in the groove (27) of the fastener element (20) of the opposite fastener tape (40) when the slide fastener (100) is in the engaged state, and vice versa. Slide fastener (100).

2. The fastener element (20) comprises an upper portion (20a) provided on the upper side of the fastener stringer (1) and having an upper base portion (21a) of the base provided on an upper tape surface (41a) of the fastener tape (40), and a lower portion (20b) provided on the lower side of the fastener stringer (1) and having a lower base portion (21b) of the base provided on a lower tape surface (41b) of the fastener tape (40), and the fastener element (20) further comprises a connecting portion (26) that connects the upper and lower portions (20a, b) in a vertical direction perpendicular to the upper and lower tape surfaces (41a, b) and is provided on the outer side of an edge (43) of the fastener tape (40). A slide fastener (100) according to claim 1.

3. the connecting portions (22a, b) comprise upper and lower connecting portions (22a, b) each extending from the upper and lower bases (21a, b) towards the opposite fastener tape (40), and the facing surfaces of the upper and lower connecting portions (22a, b) and a surface portion of the connecting portion (26) form the boundary of the groove (27); A slide fastener (100) according to claim 2.

4. The sealing portion (50) covers the side portions (29a, b) of the base portion (21a, b) extending in the vertical direction from the fastener tape (40). A slide fastener (100) according to claim 1.

5. 2. A slide fastener (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the edge (43) of the fastener tape (40) is provided with a core thread (44).

6. Each fastening tape (40) comprises a substrate coated and / or impregnated with a fluid-impermeable plastic material; A slide fastener (100) according to claim 1.

7. 7. A slide fastener (100) according to claim 6, wherein each fastener element (20) is formed from a polyamide resin, the plastic material comprising a first polyurethane, and the sealing portion (50) comprising a second polyurethane.

8. The sealing portion (50) has a sealing edge portion (53) that protrudes on the fastener tape (40) in the tape width direction and extends parallel to the edge portion (43) of the fastener tape (40). A slide fastener (100) according to claim 1.

9. A method for manufacturing a slide fastener (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the steps of: - providing a pair of underlays for said fastening tape (40); - Obtaining said pair of fastening tapes (40) by covering at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of each of said substrates with a plastic material; - attaching said fastener element rows (2) to said opposite sides (42) of said fastener tape (40); - for each fastening tape (40), adhering said sealing portion (50) to said surface portion (46) of said fastening tape (40) so as to extend beyond said edge (43) of said fastening tape (40) into said groove (27) of said fastening element (20); A method comprising:

10. Covering each of the base materials with the plastic material includes extruding the plastic material onto each of the base materials, attaching the fastener element row (2) to the fastener tape (40) includes driving the fastener elements (20) onto the fastener tape (40), and adhering the sealing portion (50) to the surface portion (46) includes driving the sealing portion (50) onto the surface portion (46) of the fastener tape (40) and into the grooves (27) of the fastener elements (20).

10. The method of claim 9.

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