Fastening part, slide fastner, and manufacturing method for fabric with fastening part

Abstract

Fastening part is attachable to an edge portion of an article directly or via an intervening member. The fastening part includes: an attachment surface that is located on one side in a thickness direction of the fastening part, the thickness direction being orthogonal to an elongation direction of the fastening part; and an engagement structure that is located on an opposite side of the attachment surface in the thickness direction of the fastening part. The engagement structure includes one or more lines of engagement elements including engagement elements arranged along the elongation direction of the fastening part. Each engagement element being configured to stand oppositely away from the attachment surface.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure is related to a fastening part, a slide fastener, and a method of producing a fastening-part-attached ground fabric.BACKGROUND ART

[0002] There is a need for direct attachment of fastener elements to a ground fabric of clothes without using a fastener tape, thereby avoiding influences onto an appearance of clothes by the fastener tape which is made of a different material from the ground fabric of the clothes and avoiding a reduction of softness of the clothes due to the fastener tape.

[0003] PTL 1 discloses that a stringer having no tape is directly sewn to a fabric of clothes for various purposes such as weight reduction, cost reduction or alluring attachment of slide fastener. The stringer has a fastener element made from monofilament, and an element-securing member inserted between upper and lower legs of the fastener element, and the fastener element and the element-securing member are sewn together (see FIG. 3 of the same literature).

[0004] PTL2 discloses a new fastening system. The fastening system has first and second fastening devices. Each fastening device includes a fastening portion and a tape portion to which the fastening portion is coupled. Clearance groove is formed in the fastening portion (see FIG. 2 of the same literature).

[0005] PTL3 discloses that fastener elements are attached to both edges of a cloth tape, and this cloth tape is bent and is coupled to an article at its center portion (see FIG. 2 of the same literature).

[0006] PTL4 discloses a slide fastener of a type in which elongated male portion is tightly fitted with elongated female portion.CITATION LISTPatent Literature

[0007] [PTL 1] International Publication No. 2014 / 119150

[0008] [PTL 2] Japanese Patent No. 6947829

[0009] [PTL 3] Chinese utility-model registration 205006103

[0010] [PTL 4] Japanese patent application Laid-open No. 2013-99425SUMMARYTechnical Problem

[0011] Fastener element configured from monofilament such as disclosed in PTL 1 is easily deformable and thus requires additional member(s) such the element-securing portion, resulting in unavoidable increase in cost for mass-production. The present inventors have newly identified a new technical challenge to provide a fastening part which is attachable to article and suitable for mass production.Solution to Problem

[0012] Fastening part according to an aspect of the present disclosure is an elongated fastening part attachable to an edge portion of an article directly or via an intervening member. The fastening part includes an attachment surface that is located on one side in a thickness direction of the fastening part, the thickness direction being orthogonal to an elongation direction of the fastening part; and an engagement structure that is located on an opposite side of the attachment surface in the thickness direction of the fastening part. The engagement structure includes one or more lines of engagement elements including engagement elements arranged along the elongation direction of the fastening part. Each engagement element being configured to stand oppositely away from the attachment surface.

[0013] Slide fastener according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes left and right fastening parts; and a slider capable of moving frontward to engage the left and right fastening parts and moving rearward to disengage the left and right fastening parts. The left fastening part is an elongated part in front-rear direction and sewn directly or via an intervening member by a sewing thread to a left rim of an open section of an article to which the slide fastener is attached, the left fastening part including at least one left line of engagement elements including left engagement elements arranged along the elongation direction of the left fastening part. The left engagement element protrudes rightward on the opposite side of the left rim of the open section. The right fastening part is an elongated part in the front-rear direction and sewn directly or via an intervening member by a sewing thread to a right rim of the open section of the article, the right fastening part including at least one right line of engagement elements including right engagement elements arranged along the elongation direction of the right fastening part. The right engagement element protrudes leftward on the opposite side of the right rim of the open section. Each of the left and right fastening parts may further include one or more upper slits extending downward from its upper edge toward its lower edge, and one or more lower slits extending upward from its lower edge toward its upper edge; the upper and lower slits being formed to have a length greater than a half of the width of the respective one of the left and right fastening parts in the up-down direction.

[0014] Fastening-part-attached ground fabric according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an elongated fastening part sewn to a folded end of the ground fabric directly or via an intervening member by a sewing thread, the fastening part including a line of engagement elements including engagement elements arranged along an elongation direction of the fastening part, and each engagement element standing oppositely away from the folded end.

[0015] Method of producing a fastening-part-attached ground fabric, the method including: attaching a fastening part onto a ground fabric along a side edge thereof at a location inwardly of ground fabric from the side edge, the fastening part being elongated along the side edge of the ground fabric and including a line of engagement elements in which engagement elements are arranged along the elongation direction of the fastening part, each engagement element standing oppositely away from the ground fabric; and folding the ground fabric to form a folded end to which the fastening part has been attached or will be attached. Said attaching a fastening part onto a ground fabric may include sewing the fastening part onto the ground fabric by a sewing thread which is followed by rotation of the fastening part as the ground fabric is folded. Due to the rotation of the fastening part, the engagement elements may be oriented such that its protruding direction is orthogonal to a thickness direction of a portion of the ground fabric other than the folded end.

[0016] The fastening part may include features or any combination of dependent claims in the above-described various aspects of the present disclosure.Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0017] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, it may be possible to provide a fastening part which is attachable to article and suitable for mass production.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of slide fastener according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of slide fastener attached to a ground fabric.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of slide fastener attached to the ground fabric.

[0021] FIG. 4 is a schematic partial perspective view of fastening part, showing an attachment surface that is located on one side in its thickness direction.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a schematic partial perspective view of fastening part, showing an engagement structure arranged on the opposite side of the attachment surface in its thickness direction.

[0023] FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of fastening part, particularly showing lines of engagement elements, recesses, and slits.

[0024] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of fastening part taken along an alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 6.

[0025] FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing that left and right fastening parts are engaged and disengaged as a slider moves frontward and rearward.

[0026] FIG. 9 is a process diagram of manufacturing of fastening part.

[0027] FIG. 10 is a process diagram of attachment of fastening part to ground fabric.

[0028] FIG. 11 is a process diagram of attachment of fastening part to ground fabric.

[0029] FIG. 12 is a process diagram of attachment of fastening part to ground fabric.

[0030] FIG. 13 is process diagram of another example in which an interposed sheet is interposed between the ground fabric and the fastening part.

[0031] FIG. 14 is a schematic view of slide fastener according to another aspect.

[0032] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional schematic view of slide fastener according to another aspect.

[0033] FIG. 16 is a partial perspective view of fastening device.

[0034] FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view of fastening part.

[0035] FIG. 18 is a partial side view of fastening part.

[0036] FIG. 19 is a side view of fastening part.DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0037] Hereinafter, non-limiting embodiments and features of the present invention would be discussed with reference to drawings. A skilled person would be able to combine respective embodiments and / or respective features without requiring excess description, and would appreciate synergistic effects of such combinations. Overlapping description among the embodiments is basically omitted. Referenced drawings aim mainly for describing inventions and are simplified for the sake of convenience of drawing preparation. The respective features should be appreciated as universal features not only effective to fastening parts presently disclosed but also effective to other various fastening parts not disclosed in the present specification.

[0038] In the present specification, a front-rear direction is defined by a movement direction of a slider 8 for opening and closing a slide fastener 1 (see double headed arrow FB in FIG. 1). Left-right direction is defined by a direction that matches a width direction of the slide fastener 1 and is orthogonal to the front-rear direction (see double headed arrow LR in FIG. 1). Up-down direction is defined by a direction that matches a thickness direction of the slide fastener 1 and is orthogonal to the front-rear direction. Note that the up-down direction is orthogonal to both directions of the front-rear and left-right directions. The up-down direction does not necessarily indicate a vertical direction (gravity direction). For example, when the elongation direction of the slide fastener 1 is set vertically, the up-down direction of the slide fastener 1 is in a horizontal direction (which is orthogonal to the vertical direction). As such, directions referred in the present specification are irrelevant to the vertical direction.

[0039] FIGS. 1-3 would be referred for discussion. FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of slide fastener 1 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the slide fastener 1 attached to a ground fabric which is provided as an article 9. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the slide fastener 1 attached to the ground fabric.

[0040] Slide fastener 1 has a pair of left and right fastening parts 2,2′ as a fastening device 2A, and a slider 8 that is movable frontward to engage and rearward to disengage the pair of left and right fastening parts 2,2′. The left and right fastening parts 2,2′ are engaged as the slider 8 moves frontward, and are disengaged as the slider 8 moves rearward. Note that the left and right fastening parts 2,2′ are engageable as a hook-to-hook system. The fastening part 2,2′ is typically a soft resin-made part and is made of polyester or the like, for example. The fastening part 2,2′ may be mass-produced by various molding techniques owing to its regular structure in its elongation direction. The fastening part 2,2′ may be produced to have a quite long length (e.g. 10 m), allowing pieces of fastening parts 2,2′ with a desired length (e.g. 50 cm) to be cut out from it. The fastening part 2,2′ may be mass-produced as such without a need of consideration of final product length, which is one benefit regarding the mass-production. Note that, depending on applications, the fastening part 2,2′ may be produced to have higher hardness so as to reduce its flexibility.

[0041] The slider 8 has a top wing 81, a bottom wing 82, and a coupling pillar 83 extending in the up-down direction to interconnect respective front ends of the top and bottom wings 81 and 82, thereby defining Y-shaped passage for the left and right fastening parts 2,2′. The slider 8 is typically made of resin, metal or ceramics. Downwardly standing upper flange walls 86 are arranged on the left and right edges of the top wing 81. Likewise, upwardly standing lower flange walls 87 are arranged on the left and right edges of the bottom wing 82. As such, the movement passage for the left and right fastening parts 2,2′ is restricted in the width direction of the slider 8. Note that, an interspace between the top and bottom wings 81 and 82 in the up-down direction is dimensioned corresponding to the width of the fastening part 2,2′ as described below.

[0042] The fastening part 2,2′ is an elongated part attachable to an edge portion 91 of an article 9 directly or via an intervening member (e.g. another flexible thin member such as a cloth) (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The article 9 to which the fastening part 2,2′ is directly attached may be a ground fabric with higher softness such as a ground fabric of clothes, a ground fabric of bag, and a ground fabric of shoes, for example. The edge portion 91 of the article 9 is an edge portion defining an opening to be opened and closed by the slide fastener 1. In some cases, the edge portion 91 is a folded end formed as the ground fabric is folded, facilitating efficient sewing of the fastening part 2,2′ to the ground fabric as described below. Note that, when the ground fabric is folded, the ground fabric would have a main portion 92 and an sub-portion 93 (see FIG. 3) which are overlaid one another to form the folded end therebetween. The main portion 92 and the sub-portion 93 may be sewn together by one or more machine sewing threads 200 along a side edge 95 of the sub-portion at the opposite side of the folded end.

[0043] In some cases, in the up-down direction, the width W2 of the fastening part 2,2′ is greater than the width W91 of the article 9 (a lamination thickness of the main portion 92 and the sub-portion 93). Advantageously, the height of the fastening part 2,2′ protruding from the main surface of the article 9 (the top surface of the main portion 92) is 1 cm or less (i.e. in a range between 0-1 cm) or 0.8 cm or less (i.e. in a range between 0-0.8 cm). Note that the main surface of the article 9 indicates any one of its top and bottom surfaces. Embodiment is envisioned where the width W2 of the fastening part 2,2′ is equal to or less than the width W91 of the article 9 (a lamination thickness of the main portion 92 and the sub-portion 93) depending to a type or condition of the article 9.

[0044] By way of precaution, a fastener tape is omitted in a case the fastening part 2,2′ is directly attached to the ground fabric, thus facilitating reduced weight, enhanced softness and improved appearance of the ground fabric with the fastening part attached. Note that the present disclosure does not exclude a use of fastener tape as the article 9 unless explicitly excluding by a statement such as “an article (excluding a fastener tape)”.

[0045] FIGS. 4-7 will be referred to describe a configuration of the fastening part 2,2′. FIG. 4 is a schematic partial perspective view of fastening part 2,2′, showing an attachment surface 2a that is located on one side in its thickness direction. Preferably, the fastening part 2,2′ is formed in mirror symmetry regarding its central line CX. FIG. 5 is a schematic partial perspective view of fastening part 2,2′, showing an engagement structure 2b arranged on the opposite side of the attachment surface 2a in its thickness direction. FIG. 6 is a schematic side view of fastening part 2,2′, particularly showing lines 21-24 of engagement elements, recesses 55, and slits S1, S2. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of fastening part 2,2′ taken along an alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 6. Directions regarding the fastening part 2,2′ may be in correspondence with directions regarding the slide fastener 1 as follows. The elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′ matches the front-rear direction of the slide fastener 1. The width direction of the fastening part 2,2′ matches the up-down direction of the slide fastener 1. The thickness direction of the fastening part 2,2′ matches the left-right direction of the slide fastener 1.

[0046] The fastening part 2,2′ has an attachment surface 2a (FIG. 4) that is located on one side in a thickness direction of the fastening part 2,2′ which is orthogonal to an elongation direction thereof; and an engagement structure 2b that is located on an opposite side of the attachment surface 2a in the thickness direction of the fastening part 2,2′ (FIG. 5). The thickness (thickness direction) of the fastening part 2,2′ may be defined as a height (height direction) of the engagement structure 2b from the attachment surface 2a. The engagement structure 2b of the fastening part 2,2′ is arranged so as to face or touch the engagement structure of the other fastening part of the engagement pair, and is engageable with it. The attachment surface 2a of the fastening part 2,2′ is arranged so as to at least partially face or touch the edge portion 91 of the article 9 to which the fastening part 2,2′ is attached, and is attachable to it. The attachment surface 2a may have a flat surface at least partially, but should not be limited to this manner. The flat surface of the attachment surface 2a may be orientated orthogonal to the left-right direction in the slide fastener 1.

[0047] The engagement structure 2b includes one or more lines of engagement elements including engagement elements 30 arranged along the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′ and in the illustrated example, four lines 21-24 of engagement elements apposed in the width direction of the fastening part 2,2′ (e.g. see FIGS. 4-6). The lines 21-24 of engagement elements may be distinguished by referring them as first to fourth lines 21-24 of engagement elements. Each engagement element 30 is of a hook-based type (not a loop-based type), and includes a base portion 31 standing oppositely away from the attachment surface 2a, and at least one protrusion 32 protruding from the base portion31 along the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′ (e.g. see FIG. 7). Accommodation space 33 for receiving the engagement element of the other fastening part of the engagement pair is formed between the adjacent engagement elements 30 in the respective line 21-24 of engagement elements. The width W33 of the accommodation space 33 in the thickness direction of the fastening part 2,2′ may gradually increase as being away from the base portion 31 along a direction the protrusion 32 protrudes.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 6, the lines of engagement elements 21,23 with oppositely protruding protrusions 32 in the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′ may be arranged adjacently as a pair. The same applies to the lines of engagement elements 22,24. In this case, the force required for engaging and disengaging the fastening parts 2,2′ would be increased, thus enhancing the strength of the slide fastener 1 against a laterally pulling force. Note that, the direction of arrangement of the engagement elements 30 in the line 21-24 of engagement elements matches the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′. In a case where two or more lines 21-24 of engagement elements are arranged, the direction of arrangement of these lines 21-24 of engagement elements matches the width direction of the fastening part 2,2′.

[0049] It may be described that the structure of the fastening part 2,2′ (particularly, the structure of the lines 21-24 of engagement elements) is configured by a series of alternately arranged and connected engagement elements 30 and interconnection portions 70 (See FIG. 7). The interconnection portion 70 is a thin portion that interconnects the engagement elements 30. Minimum thickness of the fastening part 2,2′ is defined by the top and bottom surfaces of the interconnection portion 70. Grooves 36 discussed below may be formed between the interconnection portions 70 which are adjacent in the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′. Also, grooves 37 and slits S1, S2 discussed below may be formed in the respective ones of the interconnection portions 70.

[0050] The fastening part 2,2′ may further include an attachment portion 27 extending in the elongation direction thereof. The attachment portion 27 may be a continuous portion or discontinuous portions along the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′. The fastening part 2,2′ is attached directly or via an intervening member to the edge portion 91 of the article 9 at its attachment portion 27 which is outside the location where its lines 21-24 of engagement elements are formed. Advantageously, the attachment portion 27 is interposed between the lines of engagement elements (e.g. the line 21 of engagement elements and the line 22 of engagement elements) which are adjacent in the width direction of the fastening part 2,2′, preferably on the central line CX of the fastening part 2,2′. Accordingly, it may be promoted that the lines 21,22 of engagement elements on the both sides of the attachment portion 27 (optionally, the lines 23,24 of engagement elements in addition) are arranged on the both sides of the center in the thickness of the edge portion 91 (see a plane PL0 in FIG. 3), allowing suitable coupling of the edge portions 91 of the article 9 via the fastening device 2A. In FIG. 3, a sewing thread 96 for sewing the attachment portion 27 to the edge portion 91 may exist in or may be included in the plane PL0 located at the center of the thickness of the edge portions 91. The main portion 92 and the sub-portion 93 are arranged on the both sides of the plane PL0.

[0051] The attachment portion 27 may be formed thinner than the engagement element 30 in the thickness direction of the fastening part 2,2′. In a case where the fastening part 2,2′ is sewn onto the edge portion 91, a lesser force may be required for a sewing needle to penetrate the attachment portion 27. In a case where the fastening part 2,2′ is melted and bonded to the edge portion 91, reduction of thermal capacity of the attachment portion 27 facilitates smoother melting and bonding. In some cases, the attachment portion 27 is formed thinner than the interconnection portion 70. In some cases, the attachment portion 27 may be provided as a portion having a (constant or varying) thickness from a bottom surface 53g of a receiving groove 53 discussed below or a wall having a (constant or varying) height from the bottom surface 53g of the receiving groove 53 discussed below. The attachment portion 27 may be in direct contact with the article 9 at the bottom surface 53g of the receiving groove 53.

[0052] Additionally or alternatively, the attachment portion 27 may be formed narrower than each one of the lines 21-24 of engagement elements in the width direction of the fastening part 2,2′. This facilitates that the lines 21-24 of engagement elements (and the respective engagement elements 30) are formed with a desired greater width. Optionally, in the width direction of the fastening part 2,2′, the first and third lines 21,23 of engagement elements are apposed immediately with an interspace smaller than the attachment portion 27, and the second and fourth lines 22,24 of engagement elements are apposed immediately with an interspace smaller than the attachment portion 27, facilitating a high-density arrangement of the lines of engagement elements.

[0053] At least one recess 55 is formed on the attachment portion 27 which receives a stitch 97 of the sewing thread 96 for sewing the fastening part 2,2′ to the edge portion 91. Typically, the attachment portion 27 is formed as a wall having a top surface in which the at least one recess 55 is formed. As the fastening part 2,2′ of the fastening device 2A are engaged, the top surfaces of the attachment portions 27 of the respective fastening parts 2,2′ are adjacently positioned and / or opposed one another (with or without the sewing thread interposed). Plural recesses 55 may be arranged at a given pitch (corresponding to a pitch of the stitches 97) along the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′ (more preferably along the central line CX of the fastening part 2,2′). Preferably, each recess 55 of the plurality of recesses 55 is elongated in the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′. The sewing needle penetrates a solid portion of the fastening part 2,2′ thinned by the recess 55, allowing easier sewing of the fastening part 2,2′ to the article 9. Note that additional recesses 55 may be provided in a location other than the attachment portion 27 in the fastening part 2,2′. It should also be noted that the attachment portion 27 may be provided in a location other than the location between the first and second lines 21 and 22 of engagement elements which are adjacent in the width direction of the fastening part 2,2′.

[0054] The fastening part 2,2′ may have guide walls 25,26 sandwiching the lines 21-24 of engagement elements and located at the both sides thereof in the width direction of the fastening part 2,2′ (typically on the both side edges of the fastening part 2,2′). The guide wall 25,26 may be arranged at a position farthest from the central line CX of the fastening part 2,2′ in the width direction of the fastening part 2,2′. The guide wall 25 may touch one of a lower surface of the top wing 81 and an upper surface of the bottom wing 82 of the slider 8, and the guide wall 26 may touch the other one of the lower surface of the top wing 81 and the upper surface of the bottom wing 82 of the slider 8, thereby assisting smoother movement of the slider 8 along the fastening part 2,2′ and suppressing damage of the engagement element 30 otherwise caused due to collision between the engagement element 30 and the slider 8. Note that in the slide fastener 1, these lines 21-24 of engagement elements, the guide wall 25,26 and the attachment portion 27 are arranged in the up-down direction.

[0055] One or more walls of the guide walls 25 and 26 may be configured as a line of walls in which plural walls are arranged at a given pitch along the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′ so as not to reduce the softness of the fastening part 2,2′. The same applies to the attachment portion 27. Referring to FIG. 5, the guide wall 25 has walls 25g arranged at a given pitch (which is equal to the arrangement pitch of the engagement element 30) in the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′, and grooves 25j are formed between the walls 25g. The groove 25j is in spatial communication with the accommodation space 33, which is formed between the above-noted engagement elements 30, in the width direction of the fastening part 2,2′. The description made for the guide wall 25 applies equally to the guide wall 26 with replacement of the wall 25g with a wall 26g and replacement of the groove 25j with a groove 26j. The description made for the guide wall 25 equally applies to the attachment portion 27 with replacement of the wall 25g with a wall 27g and the groove 25j with a groove 27j. Accordingly, the softness of the fastening part 2,2′ may be enhanced.

[0056] The attachment surface 2a is provided with at least one guide protrusion 51,52 which is interposed between the upper and lower flange walls 86,87 of the slider 8. When a pair of the fastening part 2,2′ is accommodated in a passage between the top and bottom wings 81 and 82 of the slider 8, the guide protrusions 51,52 formed on the attachment surfaces 2a of the respective fastening parts 2,2′ are interposed between the upper and lower flange walls 86,87 at the upper and lower sides of the slider8. In the illustrated example, two lines 61,62 of guide protrusions in which guide protrusions 51,52 are arranged in the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′ are formed on the attachment surface 2a (See FIG. 4). The guide protrusions 51,52 are positioned away from the both edges of the fastening part 2,2′ in the width direction of fastening part 2,2′ so as to form guiding surfaces 56,57 on the both edges of the fastening part 2,2′ in the width direction thereof. This results in that the fastening part 2,2′ is prevented from being interfered by the upper and lower flange walls 86,87 of the slider 8 on the both sides in the width direction of the fastening part 2,2′, particularly allowing stable engagement of the fastening part 2,2′ and the slider 8 in slideable manner. In particular, the guiding surfaces 56,57 are opposed to or in contact with the upper and lower flange walls 86,87 of the slider 8, thereby restricting the displacement of the fastening part 2,2′ in the width direction of the slider 8 and facilitating smoother movement of the slider 8. The guiding surfaces 56,57 are typically formed as flat surface but should not be limited to this.

[0057] Each guide protrusion 51 has first and second side surfaces 51p and 51q in the width direction of the fastening part 2,2′. Similarly, each guide protrusion 52 has first and second side surfaces 52p and 52q in the width direction of the fastening part 2,2′. In the slide fastener 1, the first side surface 51p of the guide protrusion 51 is opposed to or in contact with the bottom surface of the upper flange wall 86 so as to assist smoother movement of the slider 8. Similarly, the first side surface 52p of the guide protrusion 52 is opposed to or in contact with the top surface of the lower flange wall 87 so as to assist smoother movement of the slider 8. The second side surface 51q of the guide protrusion 51 is directed to an opposite side of the first side surface 51p, particularly is opposed to the second side surface 52q of the guide protrusion 52 with the central line CX of the fastening part 2,2′ interposed. The second side surface 52q of the guide protrusion 52 is directed to an opposite side of the first side surface 52p, particularly is opposed to the second side surface 51q of the guide protrusion 51 with the central line CX of the fastening part 2,2′ interposed. The bottom surface 53g of the receiving groove 53 for the edge portion 91 is formed between the second side surfaces 51q and 52q of the guide protrusions 51 and 52. Note that, regarding the slide fastener 1 depicted in FIG. 1, the first and second side surfaces may be alternatively referred to as top and bottom surfaces.

[0058] Arrangement of the above-described guide protrusions 51,52 facilitates that sufficiently wide interspace is ensured between the upper and lower flange walls 86 and 87 in the up-down direction (see FIG. 3). Specifically, there is a space between the main portion 92 and the upper flange wall 86, suppressing or avoiding wear thereof. Additionally or alternatively, there is a space between the sub-portion 93 and the lower flange wall 87, suppressing or avoiding wear thereof. In some cases, an interspace between the bottom surface of the upper flange wall 86 and the top surface of the lower flange wall 87 is slightly greater than the distance W9 (see FIG. 4) between the first side surfaces 51p, 52p of the guide protrusion 51,52 of the fastening part 2,2′.

[0059] As described above, the receiving groove 53 for receiving the edge portion 91 is formed between the guide protrusions 51,52 so that the fastening part 2,2′ is more stably supported by the edge portion 91 of the article 9. Of course not limited to this, one guide protrusion may be formed by connecting the guide protrusions 51,52 in the width direction of the fastening part 2,2′.

[0060] Groove 36 may be formed on the attachment surface 2a which penetrates into (hollows) the base portion 31 of the engagement element 30 in order to increase the softness of the fastening part 2,2′. The groove 36 extends in the width direction of the fastening part 2,2′ with a constant or varying depth D36. The grooves 36 are formed at the same pitch P1 as the pitch P1 of the engagement element 30 along the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′. Of course, the pitch of groove 36 may be a multiple of the pitch of engagement element 30. Note that, the groove 36 extends in the entire width of the fastening part 2,2′ in the width direction thereof and for example, may penetrates through the walls 25g,26g,27g of the guide walls 25,26 and the attachment portion 27. As a result of this, an open end of the groove 36 is formed on the side surface of the guide wall 25 and the other open end of the groove 36 is formed on the side surface of the guide wall 26 in the width direction of the fastening part 2,2′. In the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′, each groove 36 is interposed between the guide protrusions 51 adjacently arranged in the same direction and similarly, is interposed between the guide protrusions 52.

[0061] In order to increase the softness of the fastening part 2,2′, grooves 37 may be formed between the engagement elements 30 adjacent in the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′ by which the fastening part 2,2′ is formed to be thinner. In the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′, the grooves 36 and 37 are alternately arranged. The groove 36 may be formed deeper than the groove 37 in accordance with an extent of the penetration into the base portion 31 of the engagement element 30, but should not be limited to this. The pitch P2 of the groove 37 is equal to but may be a multiple of the pitch P1 of the engagement element 30.

[0062] Plural slits S1, S2 may be formed which extends in the width direction of the fastening part 2,2′. Each slit of the plural slits S1, S2 is positioned between the engagement elements 30 which are adjacent in the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′. As such, the fastening part 2,2′ would be more easily deformable (e.g. more easily bend or twist in the left-right direction and / or the up-down direction). As the slits S1, S2 are formed in the fastening part 2,2′, it is expected that the fastening part 2,2′ is more easily bent following deformation of the edge portion 91 while being attached to the edge portion 91 of the article 9. Preferably, each slit of the plural slits S1, S2 is formed to have a length that is greater than a half of the width of fastening part 2,2′. Note that the slit S1 is an upper slit which extends from the upper edge toward the lower edge of the fastening part 2,2′. The slit S2 is a lower slit which extends from the lower edge toward the upper edge of the fastening part 2,2′.

[0063] As appreciated from the above descriptions, the fastening part 2,2′ according to the present disclosure has the attachment surface 2a (FIG. 4) that is located on one side in the thickness direction of the fastening part 2,2′, the thickness direction being orthogonal to the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′; and the engagement structure 2b (FIG. 5) that is located on an opposite side of the attachment surface 2a in the thickness direction of the fastening part 2,2′. The engagement structure 2b includes one or more lines 21-24 of engagement elements including engagement elements 30 arranged along the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′. Each engagement element 30 is configured to stand oppositely away from the attachment surface 2a. Accordingly, the fastening part 2,2′ is provided which is directly attachable to the article 9 and is suitable for mass-production.

[0064] Again, the fastening part 2,2′ is directly attachable to the edge portion 91 of the article 9. Therefore, by using such fastening parts 2,2′, it would be possible to configure the slide fastener 1 without fastener tape. Advantageously, the fastening part 2,2′ is attached to the article 9 selectively at one location of the attachment portion 27 in the width direction thereof (possibly including the bottom surface 53g of the receiving groove 53). Note that as discussed above, the attachment portion 27 may be elongated in the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′. In a case the above-described the fastening parts 2,2′ are used as left and right fastening parts 2,2′, the slide fastener 1 would include the following features. The left fastening part 2 is an elongated part in front-rear direction and sewn directly or via an intervening member by a sewing thread 96 to a left rim of an open section of the article 9 to which the slide fastener 1 is attached, the left fastening part 2 including at least one left line 21-24 of engagement elements including left engagement elements 30 arranged along the elongation direction of the left fastening part 2, and the left engagement element 30 protruding rightward on the opposite side of the left rim of the open section. The right fastening part 2′ is an elongated part in the front-rear direction and sewn directly or via an intervening member by a sewing thread 96 to a right rim of the open section of the article 9, the right fastening part 2′ including at least one right line 21-24 of engagement elements including right engagement elements 30 arranged along the elongation direction of the right fastening part 2′, and the right engagement element 30 protruding leftward on the opposite side of the right rim of the open section. By replacing the directions of the fastening part 2,2′ with the directions of the slide fastener 1 (up-down, front-rear and left-right directions), the above-described various features related to the fastening part 2,2′ would be applicable to the slide fastener 1 equally.

[0065] As understood from FIG. 8, as the slider 8 moves frontward, the engagement element 30 having entered into the inside of the slider 8 via the front mouth of the slider 8 moves in the passage having a width defined between the coupling pillar 83 and the upper and lower flange walls 86,87, then is engaged with an engagement element 30 of engagement pair at a position rearward of the coupling pillar 83, and finally moves out from the slider 8 via the rear mouth of the slider 8. As the slider 8 moves rearward, the engaged left and right engagement elements 30 enter into the inside of the slider 8 via the rear mouth of the slider 8, then are disengaged at a position rearward of the coupling pillar 83, then move in the left and right passages of the coupling pillar 83, and finally move out from the slider 8 via the front mouths at the left and right sides of the coupling pillar 83. The guide protrusions 51,52 are sandwiched between the upper and lower flange walls 86,87 at the upper and lower sides of the slider 8, facilitating stable slide movement of the slider 8. Owing to the groove 36 and / or the groove 37 formed in the fastening part 2,2′, the fastening part 2,2′ has enhanced flexibility so that the slider 8 would have reduced sliding resistance.

[0066] The fastening part 2,2′ may be produced by supplying molten resin from an extruding portion 103 into a space between two adjacent die wheels 101 and 102 as illustrated in FIG. 9. Note that, although not illustrated, a cavity for molding the engagement structure 2b of the fastening part 2,2′ is formed on one of the circumferential surfaces of the die wheels 101, 102, and a cavity for molding a structure at the side of the attachment surface 2a of the fastening part 2,2′ is formed on the other one of the circumferential surfaces.

[0067] In a case where the article 9 is a ground fabric, the fastening part 2 may be directly attached to the ground fabric through the processes shown in FIGS. 10-12 (the same applies to the fastening part 2′). In FIG. 10, the fastening part 2 is sewn to the ground fabric (e.g. at its attachment portion 27) by using the sewing thread 96 along the side edge 95 of the ground fabric at a position inwardly of the ground fabric away from the side edge 95 (i.e. at a position of a vertical plane PL2 located away from and parallel to a vertical plane PL1 at the side edge 95). The fastening part 2 is attached to a predetermined portion (which will be a folded end as discussed below) of the ground fabric selectively at its attachment portion 27, and is not attached to the ground fabric at other portions (e.g. portions where the lines 21-24 of engagement elements are provided). Note that, in a condition where the fastening part 2 is placed on to the placement surface 98 of the article 9, the direction the engagement elements 30 protrude matches a direction directed away from the placement surface 98 of the article 9 (e.g. a direction orthogonal thereto). As a method of sewing, various methods may be employed such as lockstitch, single chainstitch, and double chainstitch. Note that a sewing direction of the sewing thread 96 matches the elongation direction of the fastening part 2.

[0068] The fastening part 2 may be bonded to the article 9 by ultrasonic bonding additionally or alternatively to the sewing. The fastening part 2 is placed onto the placement surface 98 of the article 9 such that the attachment surface 2a of the fastening part 2 (e.g. the bottom surface 53g of the receiving groove 53 between the guide protrusions 51 and 52) touches the placement surface 98 of the article 9. Anvil would be most suitably shaped to ensure reliable contact between the fastening part 2 and the article 9. In some cases, the anvil is provided with a protrusion that protrudes into a space between the guide protrusions 51 and 52.

[0069] Next, a horn is brought into contact with the fastening part 2 (e.g. the attachment portion 27 thereof) to supply ultrasonic vibration to the fastening part 2. At this instance, the fastening part 2 (e.g. the bottom surface 53g of the receiving groove 53) and the article 9 are melted and bonded at the opposite side of the contact position of the horn (e.g. the attachment portion 27). The horn may be moved in the elongation direction of the fastening part 2 or the fastening part 2 may be moved relative to the horn which is placed stationary at a given position. Through such processes, a bonded portion would be formed continuously or intermittently in the elongation direction of the fastening part 2 by which the fastening part 2 is bonded to the article 9. Note that both of the fastening part 2 and the article 9 are made of resin.

[0070] In FIG. 11, the ground fabric is folded to form a folded end (the edge portion 91 discussed above) to which the fastening part 2 is sewn. For example, the sub-portion 93 is overlaid onto the main portion 92 to form the folded end, and simultaneously the fastening part 2 is rotated and oriented by 90° relative to the placement surface 98 of the article 9. Due to the rotation of the fastening part 2, the engagement elements 30 of the fastening part 2 are orientated orthogonal to the thickness direction of a portion of the ground fabric except the folded end (e.g. the main portion 92) as its protruding direction changes by 90°. Stating in more general, the protruding direction of the engagement element 30 is shifted from an orthogonal condition to a parallel condition relative to the placement surface 98 of the article 9 (e.g. the main portion 92). Also, the lines 21,22 of engagement elements at the both sides of the attachment portion 27 are apposed in the thickness direction of the main portion 92 and are arranged on the both sides of the above-described plane PL0 (see FIG. 3), thus obtaining similar benefit as the above-described one. Note that, the formation step of the folded end illustrated in FIG. 11 may be performed in advance of the attachment step illustrated in FIG. 10. In this case, as the ground fabric is folded, the folded end is formed to which the fastening part 2 will be sewn. This method may be more suitable for the case of supersonic bonding. In FIG. 12, portions of the ground fabric (e.g. the main portion 92 and the sub-portion 93) are sewn together by a machine sewing thread 200 at the vicinity of the side edge 95 of the ground fabric. In cases where the article 9 is one other than the ground fabric, the fastening part 2 may be attached thereto in a different manner as discussed above.

[0071] As illustrated in FIG. 13, the fastening part 2,2′ may be sewn to the ground fabric via an interposed sheet 99 which is a non-limiting example of an intervening member. The interposed sheet 99 may be a thin member such as a ground fabric and a resin sheet. In this case, the fabric can be folded likewise FIG. 11. Referring to FIGS. 14-19, another structure of the fastening part 2,2′ will be further discussed. Similar to the above descriptions, the slide fastener 1 has the left and right fastening parts 2,2′ and the slider 8, and the left and right fastening parts 2,2′ are engageable and disengageable as the slider 8 movers frontward and rearward. Typically, the fastening parts 2,2′ are directly attached to the article 9, and reduction in weight and / or cost would be facilitated owing to the omission of the intermediate woven and / or knitted fastener tape.

[0072] The fastening part 2,2′ has the first and second lines 21,22 of engagement elements, the attachment portion 27, and the substrate 40. Each one of the first and second lines 21,22 of engagement elements includes plural engagement elements 30 arranged at a given pitch. The fastening part 2,2′ includes in its width direction, the first line 21 of engagement elements, the attachment portion 27, and the second line 22 of engagement elements but does not include the above-described third and fourth lines 23,24 of engagement elements and the guide walls 25, 26 (i.e. is configured as 3-line-strucutre, i.e. 2 lines of the first and second lines 21, 22 of engagement elements+1 line of the attachment portion 27), resulting in reduced width thereof. This allows increased flexibility of the fastening device 2A while being attached to the article 9. Note that, it is selectable that the guide walls 25, 26 are not omitted even though the third and fourth lines 23,24 of engagement elements are omitted.

[0073] One side of the substrate 40 is the above-described attachment surface 2a, and the respective engagement elements 30 are configured to stand oppositely away from the attachment surface 2a. A group of the engagement elements 30 is coupled to the common attachment portion 27 and / or the common substrate 40 so that mechanical integrity and strength are ensured. Adjacent engagement elements 30 in the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′ are coupled by the interconnection portion 70 which is a portion of the substrate 40. By thinning the substrate 40 sufficiently (e.g. 9 mm or less, 7 mm or less or 6 mm or less), flexibility of the fastening part 2,2′ in the elongation direction would be ensured sufficiently. Smoother molding of the fastening part 2,2′ and / or smoother movement of the slider 8 would be promoted if the substrate 40 is included in the fastening part 2,2′, but it is of course possible to omit the substrate 40 entirely or partially. In one case, every interconnection portion 70 of the substrate 40 is omitted; and in another case one or more interconnection portions 70 selected from the total of the interconnection portions 70 of the substrate 40 are omitted. In the former case, the coupling of the engagement elements 30 would be maintained by the attachment portion 27 only; and in the latter case, the coupling of the engagement elements 30 would be maintained by the attachment portion 27 and the selected one or more interconnection portions 70. Furthermore, slits may be formed in the interconnection portions 70 or opening and / or notches may be formed in the interconnection portions 70 such as by punching out at least a portion of the interconnection portion 70. Note that the guide protrusions 51,52 can be provided on the attachment surface 2a, but the structure of the mold such as the die wheel may be simplified if it is formed to be flat like the illustrated example.

[0074] The attachment portion 27 is an elongated protrusion extending in the elongation direction of the fastening parts 2,2′ between the first and second lines 21,22 of engagement elements and protruding on the opposite side of the attachment surface 2a. The attachment portion 27 is formed on the substrate 40 so as to have a height lower than that of the engagement element 30 but have a thickness thicker than the thickness of the substrate 40 (TH27>TH40). This allows the fastening part 2,2′ to have a required strength when sewn to the article 9, a sufficient thickness for enduring the thermal bonding, a capability of preventing damage when peeled off the die wheel during the manufacturing process or other benefits. The attachment portion 27 may optionally include a reinforcing member 28 extending in the elongation direction thereof such as a knitted cord, twisted cord, non-woven fabric piece or the like, thereby enhancing the mechanical strength thereof and / or the attachment strength thereof to the article 9. Particularly in a case where the reinforcing member 28 includes one or any combination of the knitted cord, twisted cord and non-woven fabric piece, the attachment portion 27 may be suppressed from having a reduced strength as a needle penetrates the resin portion of the attachment portion 27 when the fastening part 2,2′ is being sewn for attachment. The reinforcing member 28 is not necessarily embedded in the attachment portion 27 but may be provided such that it is bonded to the attachment portion 27. In this instance, the reinforcing member 28 appears on the exterior of the fastening part 2,2′ and would be visible.

[0075] Each engagement element 30 included in the first and second lines 21,22 of engagement elements has two protrusions 32 protruding oppositely on both sides in the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′. That is, double-sided protrusions 32 are allocated to a single line of engagement elements, unlike that single-sided protrusions 32 having opposite protruding directions are allocated to the two lines of the first and third lines 21,23 of engagement elements. This allows increased flexibility of the fastening device 2A without inviting large reduction of engagement strength between the engagement elements 30 of the fastening parts 2,2′. Note that the above-described two protrusions 32 includes a front-side protrusion 32a protruding frontward relative to the base portion 31 and a rear-side protrusion 32b protruding rearward relative to the base portion 31.

[0076] The engagement elements 30 are arranged at a first pitch in the first line 21 of engagement elements, and the engagement elements 30 are arranged at a second pitch in the second line 22 of engagement elements; the first pitch and the second pitch are equal in one case and are different in another case. The first and second pitches may be set equally, thereby eliminating the distinction (the directivity) between the first and second lines 21,22 of engagement elements and / or ensuring suitable balance between the first and second lines 21,22 of engagement elements in terms of a target engagement strength. Depending on the setting of the first and second pitches, the engagement elements 30 of the first and second lines 21,22 of engagement elements may be arranged to face one another at least partially in the width direction of the fastening part 2,2′. In the illustrated case, the first and second lines 21,22 of engagement elements are formed in mirror symmetry, and thus the engagement elements 30 of the first and second lines of engagement elements 21,22 are provided as opposed pairs in the width direction of the fastening part 2,2′, thereby obtaining the benefits similar to one discussed above.

[0077] Respective engagement elements 30 of the first and second lines 21,22 of engagement elements have flat opposed surfaces 38. A distance between the opposed surfaces 38 is typically matches a maximum width W27 of the attachment portion 27 but not necessarily limited to this. The distance between the opposed surfaces 38 may be suitably adjustable in accordance with a needle thickness used when sewing to the article 9. The opposed surface 38 is oriented substantially perpendicular to a plane in which the substrate 40 exists but may be slanted. Each engagement element 30 has an opposite surface 39 at the opposite side of the opposed surface 38. The opposite surface 39 is opposed to or in contact with the top wing 81 or the bottom wing 82 of the slider 8 when the engagement element 30 enters into the slider 8. The opposite surface 39 is a substantially flat surface existing in a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction, thus ensuring smoother sliding of the slider 8.

[0078] The engagement element 30 has a symmetrical constricted shape and for example, has a base portion 41, a neck 42 and a head 43 and is constricted at the neck 42. By employing such a constricted shape, the engagement element 30 is allowed to have oppositely protruding double-sided two protrusions 32 unlike the single-sided one in the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′ as described above. The base portion 41 has a width W41 which gradually decrease toward the head 43. The neck 42 is interposed between the base portion 41 and the head 43, and has a width W42 narrower than the both of the base portion 41 and the head 43. The head 43 has a width W43 which gradually increase and then gradually decrease as being away from the neck 42. Note that the engagement element 30 has a width in the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′, a width (possibly referred to as a thickness) in the width direction of the fastening part 2,2′, and further a height in the thickness direction of the fastening part 2,2′.

[0079] Space between the adjacent engagement elements 30 in the elongation direction of the fastening part 2,2′ includes the accommodation space 33. The head 43 of the engagement element 30 of the fastening part 2 is inserted into a space between the necks 42 of the adjacent engagement elements 30 of the fastening part 2′. The base portion 41 has two side surfaces 41a, 41b standing on the substrate 40, and the opposed surface 38 and the opposite surface 39 are connected by the respective ones of the side surfaces 41a, 41b. Opening is formed between the opposing side surfaces 41a, 41b of the adjacent engagement elements 30 which is in spatial communication with the accommodation space 33, thus ensuring sufficient flexibility of the fastening part 2,2′.

[0080] The engagement element 30 optionally has at least two shoulder protrusions 44 situated at the both sides of the necks 42, and a receiving groove 45 that receives shoulder protrusions 44 of engagement elements 30 of engagement pair, thus provided with a sufficient strength against an upward pushing motion to the slide fastener 1 in the up-down direction. When the left and right engagement elements 30 of the left and right fastening parts 2,2′ are engaged, the shoulder protrusion 44 of one side of the engagement elements 30 is inserted into the receiving groove 45 of the other side of the engagement elements 30, thus restricting the up-down displacement of both of the engagement elements 30. The receiving groove 45 is formed as a recess on the opposed surface 38 so as to cut out an edge of the head 43, and is formed in the entire width of the head 43. Maximum width W44 of the shoulder protrusion 44 is ½ or less of maximum width W30 of the engagement element 30, thereby allowing the receiving groove 45 to be formed shallower (in the width direction of the fastening part 2,2′) and suppressing reduction in mechanical strength of the head 43.

[0081] It would be possible to produce the fastening part 2,2′ described above with reference to FIGS. 14-19 by a similar production process as illustrated in FIG. 9, and would be possible to attach by a similar attachment method as illustrated in FIGS. 10-12, thus overlapping descriptions omitted.

[0082] Based on the above-described disclosure, a skilled person in the art would be able to add various modifications to the respective features and the respective embodiments. Reference codes in claims are just for reference and should not be referred for the purpose of narrowly construing the scope of claims. In the illustrated example, the attachment surface 2a touches the article 9 at its receiving groove 53 (particularly the bottom surface 53g) but does not touch the article 9 at its guiding surface 56,57. However, as long as a partial region facing or touching the article 9 is included, the attachment surface 2a would be deemed as an attachment surface as a whole.

Claims

1. An elongated fastening part attachable to an edge portion of an article directly or via an intervening member, the fastening part comprising:an attachment surface that is located on one side in a thickness direction of the fastening part, the thickness direction being orthogonal to an elongation direction of the fastening part; andan engagement structure that is located on an opposite side of the attachment surface in the thickness direction of the fastening part, whereinthe engagement structure includes one or more lines of engagement elements including engagement elements arranged along the elongation direction of the fastening part, each engagement element being configured to stand oppositely away from the attachment surface.

2. The fastening part of claim 1, further comprising an attachment portion which extends in the elongation direction of the fastening part, the fastening part being attachable, at the attachment portion, to the edge portion of the article directly or via the intervening member.

3. The fastening part of claim 2, wherein the one or more lines of engagement elements include first and second lines of engagement elements which are apposed in a width direction orthogonal to the elongation and thickness directions of the fastening part, the attachment portion being interposed between the first and second lines of engagement elements.

4. The fastening part of claim 3, wherein the attachment portion is formed thinner than the engagement elements in the thickness direction of the fastening part and / or is formed narrower than any one of the first and second lines of engagement elements in the width direction of the fastening part.

5. The fastening part of claim 3, wherein the attachment portion includes at least one recess that receives a stitch of a sewing thread for sewing the fastening part onto the edge portion.

6. The fastening part of claim 5, wherein the at least one recess includes a plurality of recesses arranged along the elongation direction of the fastening part, respective recesses of the plurality of recesses being elongated in the elongation direction of the fastening part.

7. The fastening part of claim 3, wherein the one or more lines of engagement elements further includes third and fourth lines of engagement elements between which the first and second lines of engagement elements is interposed in the width direction of the fastening part,the first and third lines of engagement elements being immediately adjacent to one another with an interspace smaller than the attachment portion in the width direction of the fastening part, andthe second and fourth lines of engagement elements being immediately adjacent to one another with an interspace smaller than the attachment portion in the width direction of the fastening part.

8. The fastening part of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of slits extending in the width direction of the fastening part orthogonal to the elongation and thickness directions, each slit of the plurality of slits being interposed between adjacently arranged ones of the engagement elements in the elongation direction of the fastening part.

9. The fastening part of claim 8, wherein said each slit of the plurality of slits is formed longer than a half of a width of the fastening part.

10. The fastening part of claim 1, wherein at least one of following conditions (i)-(iii) is satisfied:(i) at least one guide protrusion is arranged on the attachment surface, the at least one guide protrusion being positioned away from both ends of the fastening part in the width direction of the fastening part orthogonal to the elongation and thickness directions;(ii) at least two lines of guide protrusions are arranged on the attachment surface, each of the at least two lines of guide protrusions including a plurality of guide protrusions arranged along the elongation direction of the fastening part, anda receiving groove for receiving the edge portion being formed between the guide protrusions of adjacent respective lines of guide protrusions in the width direction of the fastening part orthogonal to the elongation and thickness directions; and(iii) each engagement element of the one or more lines of engagement elements includes a base portion standing oppositely away from the attachment surface, and at least one protrusion protruding from the base portion along the elongation direction of the fastening part,accommodation space for accommodating engagement element of another fastening part of engagement pair being formed between adjacent engagement elements in the line of engagement elements.

11. The fastening part of claim 1, wherein the engagement element has a symmetrical constricted shape.

12. The fastening part of claim 1, wherein the engagement element includes a base portion, a neck and a head.

13. The fastening part of claim 12, wherein the engagement element further includes shoulder protrusions arranged on both sides of the neck, and a receiving groove for receiving a shoulder protrusion of engagement element of engagement pair.

14. The fastening part of claim 1, further comprising a substrate, at least respective engagement elements of the one or more lines of engagement elements being coupled to the substrate.

15. The fastening part of claim 11, further comprising an attachment portion for attachment of the fastening part,respective engagement elements of the one or more lines of engagement elements being coupled to the attachment portion.

16. The fastening part of claim 15, wherein the attachment portion includes a reinforcing member or a reinforcing member is bonded to the attachment portion.

17. The fastening part of claim 11, wherein the fastening part being attached to the edge portion is bendable following deformation of the edge portion.

18. A slide fastener comprising:left and right fastening parts; anda slider capable of moving frontward to engage the left and right fastening parts and moving rearward to disengage the left and right fastening parts; whereinthe left fastening part is an elongated part in front-rear direction and sewn directly or via an intervening member by a sewing thread to a left rim of an open section of an article to which the slide fastener is attached, the left fastening part including at least one left line of engagement elements including left engagement elements arranged along the elongation direction of the left fastening part, and the left engagement element protruding rightward on the opposite side of the left rim of the open section; andthe right fastening part is an elongated part in the front-rear direction and sewn directly or via an intervening member by a sewing thread to a right rim of the open section of the article, the right fastening part including at least one right line of engagement elements including right engagement elements arranged along the elongation direction of the right fastening part, and the right engagement element protruding leftward on the opposite side of the right rim of the open section.

19. A method of producing a fastening-part-attached ground fabric, the method comprising:attaching a fastening part onto a ground fabric along a side edge thereof at a location inwardly of ground fabric from the side edge, the fastening part being elongated along the side edge of the ground fabric and including a line of engagement elements in which engagement elements are arranged along the elongation direction of the fastening part, each engagement element standing oppositely away from the ground fabric; andfolding the ground fabric to form a folded end to which the fastening part has been attached or will be attached.

20. The method of producing a fastening-part-attached ground fabric of claim 19, said attaching a fastening part onto a ground fabric including sewing the fastening part onto the ground fabric by a sewing thread which is followed by rotation of the fastening part as the ground fabric is folded.

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