A fastener stringer comprising a row of metallic elements, a slide fastener comprising the same, and an article comprising the slide fastener

Abstract

The present invention relates to a zip-fastener stringer provided with a fastener tape 1 having a first lateral edge 1a and a second lateral edge 1b opposing the first lateral edge 1a, and a row of metal elements 3 attached running along the first lateral edge 1a, wherein the fastener stringer is configured such that: a water-soluble thread 8 is used in a portion of the fastener tape closer to the first lateral edge 1a than the centerline C of the fastener tape 1; and as the water-soluble thread 8 dissolves, the attachment strength of the row of the metal elements 3 decreases; and / or the fastener tape 1 separates into at least two portions with the water-soluble thread 8 as the starting point.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fastener stringer having a row of metal elements. The present invention also relates to a slide fastener including the fastener stringer. The present invention further relates to an article including the slide fastener.

Background Art

[0002] A slide fastener is an opening and closing device for articles that is used not only for daily necessities such as clothing, bags, shoes, and sundries but also for industrial supplies. A slide fastener generally mainly consists of a pair of long fastener tapes, a number of elements that are meshing portions of fasteners attached along one side edge of each fastener tape, and a slider that controls the opening and closing of the fastener by meshing or separating opposing elements.

[0003] In recent years, from the perspective of SDGs, the need for recycling articles including clothing has been increasing. Therefore, improving the recyclability of articles including slide fasteners has become an important issue.

[0004] Patent Document 1 (U.S. Patent No. 10,125,452) describes an invention in which a fiber product composed of at least two parts communicated by a connector containing a fiber is irradiated with electromagnetic energy such as radio waves or microwaves to deteriorate the mechanical properties of the connector and decompose the fiber product.

[0005] Also, although not an invention for recycling purposes, Patent Document 2 (Utility Model Registration No. 3192377) describes a slide fastener that can be separated (broken) by applying an external force without operating a slider when there is a need to quickly undress. Specifically, Patent Document 2 describes a slide fastener in which a weak part is provided on at least one of a pair of fastener tapes, and when an external force is applied to the fastener tape, it is separated starting from the weak part. As the weak part, intermittent slits and melting parts are described. It is also described that by forming the fastener tape of non-woven fabric, the fastener tape itself can be made into a weak part.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] In the invention described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to irradiate electromagnetic energy such as radio waves or microwaves to decompose the fiber product. However, in order to irradiate such electromagnetic energy, it is necessary to prepare a special irradiation device, and the decomposition work is laborious.

[0008] The slide fastener described in Patent Document 2 can be separated (broken) simply by applying an external force by providing a weak part, but the fact that it can be separated (broken) simply by applying an external force means that the slide fastener does not have sufficient strength. Such a slide fastener is useful in special applications such as medical use, but lacks versatility. Also, since it is not intended for recycling, it lacks a perspective on the recyclability of articles.

[0009] As described above, in the prior art, for slide fasteners, particularly those having metal elements, sufficient consideration has not been given to devising means for enhancing the recyclability of articles. The present invention has been created against this background, and one of the problems is to provide a fastener stringer that enables easy separation of a metal element or a fastener tape portion including the metal element from an article without using a special device. Another problem is to provide a slide fastener having such a fastener stringer. Still another problem is to provide an article having such a slide fastener.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0010] [1] A fastener stringer comprising a fastener tape having a first side edge and a second side edge facing the first side edge, and a row of metal elements attached along the first side edge, wherein a water-soluble thread is used in a portion of the fastener tape closer to the first side edge than the center line of the fastener tape, and the attachment strength of the row of metal elements is reduced by dissolution of the water-soluble thread, and / or the fastener tape is configured to be separated into at least two portions starting from the water-soluble thread. [2] The row of metal elements is fastened and fixed so as to sandwich at least one core string provided along the first side edge of the fastener tape, and the water-soluble thread constitutes at least a part of the at least one core string. The fastener stringer according to [1]. [3] The at least one core string has at least one core thread and a skin thread braided around the core thread, and the water-soluble thread constitutes at least a part of the core thread. The fastener stringer according to [1] or [2]. [4] Comprising at least one core string sewn along the first side edge of the fastener tape with a water-soluble thread, and a row of metal elements is clinched and fixed so as to sandwich the at least one core string. The fastener stringer according to any one of [1] to [3]. [5] The fastener tape includes a first fastener tape portion having a first side edge and a first width extending in a direction perpendicular to the first side edge, and a second fastener tape portion having a second side edge and a second width extending in a direction perpendicular to the second side edge. The average value of the first width is smaller than the average value of the second width, and the first fastener tape portion and the second fastener tape portion are stitched with a water-soluble thread. The fastener stringer according to any one of [1] to [4]. [6] A slide fastener comprising the fastener stringer according to any one of [1] to [5]. [7] An article comprising the slide fastener according to [6], wherein the slide fastener is sewn along the second side edge of the fastener tape. [8] The article according to [7], wherein the fastener tape contains the same material as the material used for the article. [Advantages of the Invention]

[0011] An article comprising a slide fastener according to an embodiment of the present invention can easily separate a metal element or a fastener tape portion including a metal element from the article by a simple operation of dissolving a water-soluble thread without using a special device. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4-1

Figure 4-2

Figure 4-3

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0013] Next, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and that design changes, improvements, etc. can be appropriately made based on the ordinary knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention. In this specification, terms such as front and rear, left and right, and up and down may be used to describe the relative positional relationship of members or parts. The up and down directions correspond to the longitudinal direction of the slide fastener (the up and down directions in FIG. 1), the left and right directions correspond to the width direction of the slide fastener (the left and right directions in FIG. 1), and the front and rear directions correspond to the thickness direction of the slide fastener (the front and back directions in FIG. 1). Of course, the up and down directions do not necessarily coincide with the vertical direction (the direction of gravity). That is, the terms indicating the directions referred to in this specification should be understood based on the slide fastener standard and not based on the vertical direction (the direction of gravity) standard, and are independent of the vertical direction (the direction of gravity).

[0014] (1. Slide fastener) Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of a slide fastener 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The slide fastener 10 includes a fastener tape 1 having a first side edge 1a and a second side edge 1b opposite to the first side edge 1a, and a pair of fastener stringers 7 each including a row of metal elements 3 attached along the first side edge 1a. The slide fastener 10 includes a vertically slidable slider 6 disposed between the rows of the opposing pair of metal elements 3 for engaging and disengaging the metal elements 3. The fastener tape 1 includes a core portion 2 at the first side edge 1a. The plurality of metal elements 3 are clinched and fixed to the core portion 2 at a predetermined interval. At the upper and lower ends of the rows of the metal elements 3, an upper stopper 4 and a lower stopper 5 are clinched and fixed to the core portion 2 of the fastener tape 1.

[0015] What has a row of elements attached along one side edge of a single fastener tape is called a fastener stringer, and what has the rows of elements of a pair of fastener stringers engaged with each other is called a fastener chain. Note that the lower stopper may be a separation insertion tool including a butterfly bar, a box bar, and a box body, and may be configured such that the slide fastener can be separated left and right by a separation operation of the slider. Other embodiments not shown are also possible.

[0016] As the fastener tape 1 used in the present embodiment, a general-purpose fastener tape can be used other than when a water-soluble thread may be used, and no special specifications are required. The material of the fastener tape 1 is not limited, and for example, it can be a natural fiber such as cotton, a natural resin, or a fiber made of a synthetic resin. Generally, these fibers are woven or knitted to form the fastener tape. The fastener tape 1 can typically use cotton, polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, acrylic, etc. Among these, polyester is preferable in terms of excellent lateral tensile strength. Also, considering the recyclability of the fastener tape portion described later, cotton is preferable.

[0017] As materials for the metal element, slider, lower stopper, and upper stopper, although not limited, copper (pure copper), copper alloys (such as red copper, brass, nickel silver, etc.), aluminum alloys (such as Al-Cu alloys, Al-Mn alloys, Al-Si alloys, Al-Mg alloys, Al-Mg-Si alloys, Al-Zn-Mg alloys, Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys, etc.), titanium, titanium alloys, zinc, zinc alloys, iron, iron alloys (such as stainless steel), etc. can be used. Surface treatments such as plating, chemical conversion treatment, bright polishing, electrocoating, etc. may be further performed on the surface of the metal element.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present invention, a water-soluble thread 8 is used in a fastener tape portion closer to the first side edge 1a than the center line C (extending in the longitudinal direction) of the fastener tape 1. The fastener tape portion includes a core portion 2. When this water-soluble thread dissolves in an arbitrary liquid, for example, water, the attachment strength of the row of metal elements 3 decreases, and / or the fastener stringer 7 is configured such that the fastener tape 1 separates into at least two parts starting from this water-soluble thread. Therefore, for the slide fastener sewn to an article, after the metal element separates from the fastener tape, or after the fastener tape portion including the metal element separates from the fastener tape portion sewn to the article, the ratio of the remaining fastener tape portion in the state sewn to the article can be increased. In a preferred embodiment, no water-soluble thread is used on the second side edge 1b side of the fastener tape 1 (extending in the longitudinal direction).

[0019] As the water-soluble thread, any known water-soluble thread can be used. In this specification, the "water-soluble thread" refers to a thread having a weight loss rate of 50% by mass or more when left standing for 10 minutes at a bath ratio (thread weight: liquid weight) = 1:50 in water at 95°C or in a 2% by mass aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide at 95°C. Among the "water-soluble threads", a thread having a weight loss rate of 50% by mass or more when left standing for 10 minutes at a bath ratio (thread weight: liquid weight) = 1:50 in water at 95°C is preferred, and a thread having a weight loss rate of 80% by mass or more when left standing for 10 minutes at a bath ratio (thread weight: liquid weight) = 1:50 in water at 95°C is more preferred.

[0020] As the water-soluble thread, those with a tensile strength of 3 cN / dtex or more, for example, 3 to 5 cN / dtex can be used. Further, it is preferable that the water-soluble thread has a high tensile strength such that the seam tensile strength when used as a sewing thread is 350 N or more, for example, 350 to 500 N. The tensile strength of the thread refers to the single-filament tensile strength (at standard time) measured by the JIS method specified in JIS L1095:2010. The seam tensile strength refers to the grab method (seam horizontal method, seam tensile strength at standard time) specified in JIS L1093:2011.

[0021] Exemplary water-soluble threads include threads made of water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol-based (PVA-based) synthetic fibers. Water-soluble PVA-based synthetic fibers excellent in dimensional stability under high humidity are preferable. Such PVA-based synthetic fibers can be produced, for example, by the production methods described in JP-A-7-90714 and JP-A-11-146988. That is, a spinning dope obtained by dissolving a PVA-based polymer having a water dissolution temperature of 100° C. or lower in an organic solvent (solidifying solvent) is wet-spun or dry-wet spun into a solidifying bath mainly composed of an organic solvent having a solidifying ability with respect to the polymer, subjected to a wet drawing of 2 to 8 times, the stock solution solvent is extracted from the fiber with the solidifying solvent, dried, and then a dry heat shrinkage treatment of 3 to 40% is performed at 80 to 250° C. under multi-stage temperature rising conditions. Examples of such water-soluble PVA-based synthetic fibers include "Claron K-II (registered trademark)" manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd., "Solbron (registered trademark)" manufactured by Nichibi Co., Ltd., and the like.

[0022] In addition, examples of water-soluble yarns include alkali-soluble copolymerized polyester yarns and polylactic acid yarns. The alkali-soluble copolymerized polyester yarn can be produced, for example, by directly reacting terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol until an oligomer with an esterification rate of 80 to 95% is obtained, adding 2 to 3 mol% of the methyl ester of isophthalic acid containing a metal sulfonate group to the acid component in the oligomer, and then adding polyalkylene glycol in an amount of 10 to 13% by weight based on the polymer so that the product of the two is in the range of 26 to 30, and carrying out a polymerization reaction under reduced pressure. Specific examples of such copolymerized polyester yarns include the product named "Bellpure (registered trademark)" manufactured by KB Seiren Co., Ltd. Examples of alkali-soluble polylactic acid yarns include the product named "Terramac (registered trademark)" manufactured by Unitika Ltd., the product named "Geodyna (Plastarch) (registered trademark)" manufactured by Kuraray Co., Ltd., and the product named "Eco-Dia (registered trademark)" manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.

[0023] Next, an example of an embodiment in which a fastener stringer is configured such that the attachment strength of a row of metal elements is reduced by the dissolution of the water-soluble yarn will be described. There is no particular limitation on the embodiment as long as the attachment strength of the row of metal elements is reduced by the dissolution of the water-soluble yarn. In one embodiment, the row of metal elements is clamped and fixed so as to sandwich at least one core string provided along the first side edge of the fastener tape, and the water-soluble yarn constitutes at least a part of at least one core string.

[0024] Figure 3 shows how the metal element 3 is clamped and fixed to the core part 2 of the fastener tape 1. The metal element 3 includes a pair of legs 31a, 31b that sandwich the fastener tape 1 from the front and back, and a head 32 that connects the legs 31a, 31b across the enlarged core part 2 formed on the first side edge 1a of the fastener tape 1 and has an engagement region (in Figure 3, engagement convex part 32a and engagement concave part 32b) for engaging with the opposing metal element 3 when forming a fastener chain. The engagement convex part 32a is formed to protrude in the element arrangement direction A (vertical direction) shown in Figure 3, and the engagement concave part 32b is formed on the opposite side of the engagement convex part 32a in the element arrangement direction A.

[0025] At least one core string 21 extending along the first side edge 1a can be provided in the core part 2. In this case, the metal element 3 is fixed to the core part 2 by being clamped such that the legs 31a, 31b sandwich the core string 21. Therefore, when the water-soluble thread constitutes at least one, preferably more than half, and more preferably all of at least a part of the core strings 21, the core part 2 shrinks due to the dissolution of the water-soluble thread constituting the core string 21, so the mounting strength of the row of metal elements 3 decreases. In a preferred embodiment, at least one core string 21 has at least one, preferably two or more core threads 21a and a skin thread 21b braided around the core threads 21a, and the water-soluble thread constitutes at least a part, preferably all of the core threads 21a. The water-soluble thread may also constitute at least a part of the skin thread 21b.

[0026] Figures 4-1 and 4-2 show schematic perspective views of a structural example of the core part 2 in which the water-soluble thread constitutes at least a part of at least one core string 21.

[0027] In the first structural example shown in FIG. 4-1, the core part 2 formed on the first side edge 1a of the fastener tape 1 made of woven fabric has a single core string 21 integrally woven in a bag weaving structure. The core string 21 has two or more core yarns 21a and skin yarns 21b braided around the core yarns 21a, and a water-soluble yarn constitutes at least a part, preferably all, of the core yarns 21a. In addition to or instead of the core yarns 21a, the water-soluble yarn may constitute at least a part, preferably all, of the skin yarns 21b. The metal element 3 is clamped and fixed so as to sandwich a single core string 21 provided along the first side edge 1a.

[0028] In the second structural example shown in FIG. 4-2, the core part 2 formed on the first side edge 1a of the fastener tape 1 made of woven fabric has two core strings 21 integrally woven in a bead weaving structure. In the second structural example, the two core strings 21 are provided in parallel along the first side edge 1a in the thickness direction of the fastener tape 1. Each of the core strings 21 has two or more core yarns 21a and skin yarns 21b braided around the core yarns 21a, and a water-soluble yarn constitutes at least a part, preferably all, of the core yarns 21a. In addition to or instead of the core yarns 21a, the water-soluble yarn may constitute at least a part, preferably all, of the skin yarns 21b. The metal element 3 is clamped and fixed so as to sandwich the two core strings 21 provided along the first side edge 1a.

[0029] In another embodiment of the fastener stringer configured such that the attachment strength of the row of metal elements is reduced by the dissolution of the water-soluble yarn, it includes at least one core string sewn with a water-soluble yarn along the first side edge of the fastener tape. In this case, when the water-soluble yarn sewing the core string dissolves, the core string is likely to separate from the fastener tape. For this reason, the row of metal elements clamped and fixed to the core string is also likely to separate from the fastener tape together with the core string, resulting in a reduction in the attachment strength.

[0030] FIG. 4-3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an example of the structure of a core portion including at least one core string sewn with a water-soluble thread along the first side edge of a fastener tape. In the third structural example shown in FIG. 4-3, the core portion 2 formed on the first side edge 1a of the woven or knitted fastener tape 1 has two core strings 21 sewn with sewing threads on the front and back of the fastener tape 1. The sewing threads can be composed of, for example, a needle thread 23a that forms a first sewing line on the first main surface 1c side of the fastener tape 1 and a looper thread 23b that forms a second sewing line on the second main surface 1d side of the fastener tape 1. The sewing is not particularly limited, but examples include circular sewing and straight sewing. In the case of circular sewing, since the amounts of the needle thread and the looper thread used are different, it is desirable to adjust the thicknesses of both threads and the thickness of the core string in order to ensure the correct mounting state and strength of elements, upper stoppers, lower stoppers, etc. Specifically, it is preferable to make the needle thread 23a thicker than the looper thread 23b and make the core string 21 sewn to the needle thread 23a thicker than the core string 21 sewn to the looper thread 23b. In the case of straight sewing, it is preferable to make the needle thread 23a and the looper thread 23b the same thickness and make the core string 21 sewn to the needle thread 23a the same thickness as the core string 21 sewn to the looper thread 23b.

[0031] Next, an embodiment will be described in which a fastener stringer is configured such that when the water-soluble thread dissolves, the fastener tape separates into at least two parts starting from the water-soluble thread. There is no particular limitation on the embodiment as long as the fastener tape separates into at least two parts starting from the water-soluble thread when the water-soluble thread dissolves.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, in one embodiment, the fastener tape 1 includes a first fastener tape portion 11 having a first side edge 1a and a first width W1 extending in a direction orthogonal to the first side edge 1a, and a second fastener tape portion 12 having a second side edge 1b and a second width W2 extending in a direction orthogonal to the second side edge 1b. The average value of the first width W1 is smaller than the average value of the second width W2, and the first fastener tape portion 11 and the second fastener tape portion 12 are stitched together by a water-soluble thread 8. In this embodiment, by dissolving the water-soluble thread 8 which is the stitching thread, the first fastener tape portion 11 and the second fastener tape portion 12 including the rows of the metal elements 3 can be separated from each other (FIG. 2).

[0033] From the viewpoint of increasing the ratio of the second fastener tape portion 12 remaining in the state of being sewn to the article after the first fastener tape portion 11 including the metal element 3 is separated from the article, the ratio of the average value of the second width W2 to the average value of the first width W1 is preferably 1.1 or more, more preferably 1.5 or more, and even more preferably 2.0 or more. Although there is no particular upper limit set for this ratio, considering the widths that the fastener tape 1 usually has, it is usually 4.0 or less, and typically 3.0 or less.

[0034] In the above embodiment, the fastener tape 1 can be separated into two by dissolving the water-soluble thread 8. However, in order to be able to separate the fastener tape 1 into three or more, the fastener tape may be constituted by three or more fastener tape portions, and each fastener tape portion may be stitched with a water-soluble thread. Further, in another embodiment, a part or all of the fastener tape portion itself closer to the first side edge 1a than the center line C (extending in the longitudinal direction) of the fastener tape 1 may be woven or knitted with a water-soluble thread.

[0035] (2. Article) The slide fastener according to an embodiment of the present invention can be attached to various articles and particularly functions as an opening and closing device. The articles provided with the slide fastener are not particularly limited, and examples include daily necessities such as clothing, bags, shoes, and miscellaneous goods, as well as industrial supplies such as water storage tanks, fishing nets, and space suits. The slide fastener can be sewn to an article. For example, the slide fastener can be sewn along the second side edge of the fastener tape. FIG. 1 schematically shows a sewing thread 13 used when sewing the slide fastener 10 to an article. The sewing line formed by the sewing thread 13 along the second side edge 1b is preferably located in a fastener tape portion closer to the second side edge 1b than the center line C of the fastener tape 1.

[0036] Although a water-soluble thread can be used for the sewing thread 13, considering recycling the remaining fastener tape portion sewn to the article together with the article after the metal element is separated from the fastener tape or after the fastener tape portion including the metal element is separated from the fastener tape portion sewn to the article for the slide fastener sewn to the article, in order to increase the recycling rate, the sewing thread 13 is preferably a non-water-soluble thread.

[0037] Also, considering recycling the remaining fastener tape portion together with the article, the fastener tape preferably contains the same material as the material used in the article. For example, when the article contains polyester, the fastener tape preferably also contains polyester. In this specification, "the same material" means a material having a common basic chemical structure, and in the case of a polymer, it means a material having a common type of bond between monomers. It is not necessary for the molecular weight, the position and type of functional groups to be the same. For example, materials with the same notation on the far left of "Fiber" in the fifth supplementary table of the fiber product quality labeling regulations of the Household Goods Quality Labeling Law can be said to be "the same material". Examples of the types of "fiber" include cotton, acetate fiber, viscose fiber, nylon fiber, polyester synthetic fiber, polyurethane synthetic fiber, polyethylene synthetic fiber, and vinylon fiber.

[0038] The slide fastener according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a water-soluble thread in a fastener tape portion closer to the first side edge than the center line C of the fastener tape. Therefore, for the slide fastener sewn to the article, after the metal element is separated from the fastener tape, or after the fastener tape portion including the metal element is separated from the fastener tape portion sewn to the article, the ratio of the remaining fastener tape portion in the state of being sewn to the article can be increased. Thus, an effect that the recycling rate is improved when recycling the remaining fastener tape portion together with the article can be obtained. Also, from the viewpoints of transportation cost, work burden, working environment, and reduction of CO2 emissions when removing the metal element from the used article, remolding the metal element again for recycling, or repairing for reusing the metal element, it is preferable that there are few impurities, but an effect that the fastener tape portion that becomes impurities can be reduced can be obtained.

Explanation of Signs

[0039] 1: Fastener tape 1a: First side edge 1b: Second side edge 1c: First main surface 1d: Second main surface 2: Core part 3: Metal element 4: Upper stopper 5: Lower stopper 6: Slider 7: Fastener stringer 8: Water-soluble thread 10: Slide fastener 11: First fastener tape part 12: Second fastener tape part 13: Sewing thread 21: Core cord 21a: Core thread 21b: Skin cord 23a: Needle thread 23b: Looper thread 31a: Leg part 31b: Leg part 32: Head part 32a: Engaging convex part 32b: Engaging concave part

Claims

1. A fastener stringer comprising a fastener tape (1) having a first side edge (1a) and a second side edge (1b) opposite the first side edge (1a), and a row of metal elements (3) attached along the first side edge (1a), wherein a water-soluble thread (8) is used in a portion of the fastener tape closer to the first side edge (1a) than the center line (C) of the fastener tape (1), and dissolution of the water-soluble thread (8) reduces the attachment strength of the row of metal elements (3) and / or the fastener tape (1) is configured to separate into at least two parts starting from the water-soluble thread (8).

2. The row of metal elements (3) is clamped and fixed so as to sandwich at least one core string (21) provided along the first side edge (1a) of the fastener tape (1), and the water-soluble thread (8) constitutes at least a part of the at least one core string (21). The fastener stringer according to claim 1.

3. The at least one core string (21) has at least one core thread (21a) and a skin thread (21b) braided around the core thread (21a), and the water-soluble thread (8) constitutes at least a part of the core thread (21a). The fastener stringer according to claim 2.

4. Comprising at least one core string (21) sewn along the first side edge (1a) of the fastener tape (1) by a water-soluble thread (8), and the row of metal elements (3) is clamped and fixed so as to sandwich the at least one core string (21). The fastener stringer according to claim 1.

5. The fastener tape (1) has a first side edge (1a) and a first fastener tape portion (11) having a first width extending in a direction orthogonal to the first side edge (1a), and a second side edge (1b) and a second fastener tape portion (12) having a second width extending in a direction orthogonal to the second side edge (1b), wherein the average value of the first width is smaller than the average value of the second width, and the first fastener tape portion (11) and the second fastener tape portion (12) are stitched by a water-soluble thread (8). The fastener stringer according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A slide fastener comprising the fastener stringer according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. An article comprising the slide fastener according to claim 6, wherein the slide fastener is sewn along the second side edge (1b) of the fastener tape (1).

8. The article according to claim 7, wherein the fastener tape (1) comprises the same material as the material used for the article.

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