Slide fastener

Abstract

Provided is a slide fastener comprising first and second fastener stringers (3, 5) provided with first and second fastener tapes (10, 20) and first and second element rows (50, 60), and a slider (40), wherein bent portions (10c, 20c) that are in close contact with each other in a state of being bent in an arch shape are formed at one end (10a, 20a) in the width direction of each of the first and second fastener tapes (10, 20), and the first and second fastener tapes (10, 20) have the same weave texture in at least the bent portions (10c, 20c).

Description

Slide fastener

[0001] The present invention relates to a slide fastener.

[0002] Known types of slide fasteners include normal slide fasteners in which the element row is generally attached so that it is visible on the outside (front side) of the product, reverse-use slide fasteners in which the element row is attached to the inside (back side) of the product so that it is less visible, and hidden slide fasteners in which the side edges of the left and right fastener tapes are folded back in a U-shape in the width direction and the element row is attached to the folded back tape portion.

[0003] Taking advantage of the advantage that their concealment does not interfere with the design of the product, reverse-use and hidden-type slide fasteners are suitable for use in various types of clothing, shoes, bags, furniture, etc. In recent years, they have also been used in seat covers for various types of seats in automobiles, trains, airplanes, etc.

[0004] Patent document 1 discloses a slide fastener in which one widthwise end of a pair of fastener tapes is formed slightly longer, and when the element rows are interlocked with each other, the arched bent portions formed at one widthwise end of the pair of fastener tapes are brought into close contact with each other, thereby further improving the concealment of the element rows.

[0005] International Publication No. 2023 / 243081

[0006] The slide fastener described in Patent Document 1 is intended to provide a slide fastener in which the element rows are not visible even when an external force acts on a pair of left and right fastener tapes in a direction that moves them apart from each other. However, the apex of the bent portion formed at one end of the fastener tape in the width direction is prone to distortion along the longitudinal direction of the fastener tape, leaving room for improvement in terms of design and stability of the bent shape.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a slide fastener in which the bent portions of a pair of fastener tapes are bent in an arched shape toward one end in the width direction of the pair of fastener tapes and are brought into close contact with each other, and which has excellent design and shape stability at the bent portions.

[0008] The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following configuration: [1] A slide fastener comprising: first and second fastener stringers (3, 5) each including first and second fastener tapes (10, 20) each having a long back surface (11, 21) and a front surface (13, 23), and first and second element rows (50, 60) provided on the back surfaces (11, 21) of one widthwise end portions (10a, 20a) of the first and second fastener tapes (10, 20), and a slider (40) slidably provided on the first and second element rows (50, 60) extending in the front-rear direction, and sliding at its front to engage the first and second element rows (50, 60) and at its rear to separate the first and second element rows (50, 60), A slide fastener characterized in that, when the first and second element rows (50, 60) are interlocked with each other, one widthwise end (10a) of the first fastener tape (10) and one widthwise end (20a) of the second fastener tape (20) are formed with bent portions (10c, 20c) that are in close contact with each other in a curved state, and the first and second fastener tapes (10, 20) have the same weave at least at the bent portions (10c, 20c).

[0009] According to the present invention, by making the weave structure of the bent portion of the fastener tape uniform, the bent portion is less likely to be distorted and is more likely to be formed straight along the fastener tape, thereby improving the aesthetics and design of the slide fastener having a bent portion and the stability of the bent shape.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a surface view showing a slider fastener using a slider according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the slide fastener shown in Fig. 1, showing the state in which the first and second element rows are interlocked. Fig. 3 is a model diagram showing the weave of the second fastener tape. Fig. 4 is a photograph showing an example of the fastener tape.

[0011] Hereinafter, slide fasteners to which sliders for slide fasteners according to various embodiments of the present invention are applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this specification, the "front-rear direction" of a slider refers to the sliding direction of the slider, i.e., the longitudinal direction of the slide fastener. In particular, the direction in which the slider slides to interlock the left and right element rows is referred to as the "forward direction," and the direction in which the slider slides to separate the left and right element rows is referred to as the "rearward direction." The "left-right direction" refers to the direction in which a pair of element rows are aligned, a direction perpendicular to the sliding direction of the slider, and can also be referred to as the width direction of the slide fastener. Furthermore, the "up-down direction" refers to a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and can also be referred to as the thickness direction of the slider or fastener tape, or the height direction of the element rows. The "up-down direction" can also be referred to as the "front-rear direction."

[0012] (Configuration of slide fastener 1) Fig. 1 is a surface view showing a slider fastener using a slider according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the slide fastener shown in Fig. 1, showing the state in which the first and second element rows are engaged with each other.

[0013] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the slide fastener 1 includes a pair of left and right fastener stringers 3 and 5, and a slider 40 that opens and closes the pair of left and right fastener stringers 3 and 5.

[0014] The pair of left and right fastener stringers 3, 5 are long and comprise a pair of first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 each having a back surface 11, 21 and a front surface 13, 23, a first element row 50 provided on the back surface 11 of one widthwise end portion 10a of the first fastener tape 10, and a second element row 60 provided on the back surface 21 of one widthwise end portion 20a of the second fastener tape 20.

[0015] The first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 are woven or knitted fabrics made of polyester yarn or the like and have excellent flexibility. The first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 may also be made of nonwoven fabric. The weave of the fabrics constituting the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 will be described later.

[0016] The slider 40 engages and separates the pair of left and right first and second element rows 50, 60. The slider 40 includes a slider body 100, a pull tab attachment portion 42 provided on the surface of the slider body 100, and a pull tab 43 attached to the pull tab attachment portion 42. When the slider 40 moves forward (upward in the drawing), the pair of left and right first and second element rows 50, 60 engage with each other as shown in FIG. 2 . On the other hand, when the slider 40 moves backward (downward in the drawing), the pair of left and right first and second element rows 50, 60 separate. The slide fastener 1 may also include an upper stop portion and a lower stop portion (not shown). Instead of the lower stop portion, an opening device having a box pin and a box body may be provided.

[0017] The first and second element rows 50, 60 are coil-shaped fastener element rows formed by winding a synthetic resin monofilament in a certain direction, and include a plurality of elements 31. The first and second element rows 50, 60 have a core cord 32 inserted inside the plurality of elements 31, and are sewn to the back surface 11 of one widthwise end 10a of the first fastener tape 10 and the back surface 21 of one widthwise end 20a of the second fastener tape 20 by a sewing thread 33 that is double chain stitched. In addition, examples of the synthetic resin material of the monofilament include polyester and nylon.

[0018] The element 31 includes a first leg 31b extending from the front end of the interlocking head 31a, which interlocks with and separates from the mating element 31, toward the other end in the width direction and in contact with the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20, a second leg 31c extending from the back end of the interlocking head 31a toward the other end in the width direction and not in contact with the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20, and a connecting portion 31d connecting the outer end of the first leg 31b in the width direction to the other end in the width direction of the second leg 31c of the adjacent element 31. Therefore, the first leg 31b and the second leg 31c are formed to protrude from the interlocking head 31a and extend parallel to each other.

[0019] 2 shows the meshing center O of the first and second element rows 50, 60. This meshing center O is the central position when the elements 31, 31 mesh with each other, and coincides with the center of the slide fastener 1 in the width direction.

[0020] When the first and second element rows 50, 60 are separated, one widthwise end face 10b of the first fastener tape 10 extends toward the second fastener tape 20 (one widthwise end side) from the position of the meshing center O of the first and second element rows 50, 60. Similarly, one widthwise end face 20b of the second fastener tape 20 extends toward the first fastener tape 10 (one widthwise end side) from the position of the meshing center O. In other words, as shown in Fig. 2 , the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 are designed to overlap the meshing center O when the first and second element rows 50, 60 are meshed with each other.

[0021] As a result, as shown in the upper part of Fig. 1, when the slider 40 is moved forward (upward in the drawing) from a state in which the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 (first and second element rows 50, 60) are separated, the first and second element rows 50, 60 are interlocked as shown in Fig. 2. At this time, one widthwise end portion 10a of the first fastener tape 10 and one widthwise end portion 20a of the second fastener tape 20 press against each other in the width direction, deform, and buckle into a convex arch on the front side, thereby coming into close contact with each other.

[0022] 2, one widthwise end portion 10a, 20a of the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 is bent in an arch shape toward the surface 13, 23 to form bent portions 10c, 20c. The bent portions 10c, 20c have bent base ends 10c1, 20c1 which become sewing portions where the elements 31 are sewn, bent tip ends 10c2, 20c2 which are on the inner (tip) side of the bent base ends 10c1, 20c1 in the widthwise direction, and bent apex portions 10c3, 20c3 which are formed at the boundary between the bent base ends 10c1, 20c1 and the bent tip ends 10c2, 20c2.

[0023] According to this configuration, when the first and second element rows 50, 60 are interlocked with each other, the bent tip ends 10c2, 20c2 of the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 are in close contact with each other, so that no gap (so-called partition) is formed between the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 as in conventional reverse-operated slide fasteners. Therefore, when a user views the slide fastener 1 from the front side, the first and second element rows 50, 60 are not visible, resulting in an excellent appearance. Such a slide fastener 1 is particularly suitable for articles whose aesthetic appearance is made of resin, such as car seats, bags, and furniture.

[0024] Furthermore, since the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 are in close contact with each other as the arch-buckled bent portions 10c, 20c press against each other, even if a force in a direction separating the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 from each other (so-called lateral pulling) acts on the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20, the degree of buckling weakens slightly within the range in which the meshing gap between the elements 31, 31 is canceled, and the slide fastener 1 can therefore maintain a good appearance.

[0025] Furthermore, the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 are waterproofed, which effectively prevents moisture from penetrating from the front surface to the back surface of the slide fastener 1 when the first and second element rows 50, 60 are engaged, thereby providing excellent waterproofing.

[0026] Furthermore, because the bent portions 10c, 20c are formed at the widthwise end portions 10a, 20a of the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20, when the first and second element rows 50, 60 are interlocked with each other, the back surfaces 11, 21 of the widthwise end faces 10b, 20b of the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 are spaced apart from the first and second element rows 50, 60 (elements 31) in the front-to-back direction, and first and second spaces T1, T2 are defined between them, respectively. The provision of the first and second spaces T1, T2 makes it possible to easily buckle the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 when the first and second element rows 50, 60 are combined with the slider 40. Furthermore, the larger the first and second spaces T1, T2, the larger the pressure-bonding area between the surfaces 13, 23 of the widthwise end portions 10a, 20a of the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20, and the less likely gaps will be formed between the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20. This results in a better appearance and improved waterproofing.

[0027] According to the above-described slide fastener 1, when the slider 40 is moved forward to engage the first and second element rows 50, 60, the widthwise ends 10a, 20a of the first and second fastener tapes 10, which are formed longer than usual, may get caught inside the slider body 100, increasing the sliding resistance. Similarly, when the slider 40 is moved backward to separate the first and second element rows 50, 60, the sliding resistance of the slider 40 may also increase.

[0028] (Weave structure of first and second fastener tapes 10, 20) The weave structure of the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 3 is a model diagram showing the weave structure of the second fastener tape. Fig. 4 is a photograph showing an example of the fastener tape. The first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 have bent portions 10c, 20c formed at one end portion 10a, 20a in the width direction, and tape base end portions 10d, 20d extending outward in the width direction from the bent portions 10c, 20c. Note that Fig. 3 shows the second fastener tape 20, but the first fastener tape 10 is configured in the same manner.

[0029] As shown in Figure 3, the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 made of woven or knitted fabric have the bent portions 10c, 20c formed of a uniform twill weave portion X woven with warp and weft yarns at the portions that become the bent portions 10c, 20c, and the tape base portions 10d, 20d formed of a herringbone weave portion Y woven with warp and weft yarns at the portions that become the tape base portions 10d, 20d. Here, the uniform twill weave portion X refers to a state in which the warp and weft yarns produce the same diagonal lines with the same direction and the same inclination. As long as the diagonal lines are aligned in the portions that make up the bent portions 10c, 20c, the direction and inclination of the diagonal lines are not limited. That is, the bent portions 10c, 20c of the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 have diagonal lines that run in a single direction, and the tape base portions 10d, 20d have diagonal lines with the grain and the countergrain alternating in the width direction.

[0030] (Action and effect) According to the above-described configuration, the portions where the bent portions 10c, 20c of the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 are formed are formed using a twill weave portion X in which the same diagonal lines appear, so that when forming the bent portions 10c, 20c at one widthwise end portion 10a, 20a of the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20, it is possible to obtain bent portions 10c, 20c with a uniform arched shape along the longitudinal direction.

[0031] Specifically, the bend vertices 10c3, 20c3 formed along the longitudinal direction of the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 in a front view are less likely to be distorted, so that the bend vertices 10c3, 20c3 of the bends 10c, 20c are formed straighter. In other words, the aesthetics, design, and shape stability of the entire slide fastener 1 having the bends 10c, 20c are improved.

[0032] Furthermore, by forming the portions where the tape base ends 10d, 20d of the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 are formed using the herringbone weave portion Y, the diagonal lines of the tape base ends 10d, 20d become less noticeable, thereby further improving the aesthetic appearance and design of the entire first and second fastener tapes 10, 20.

[0033] The weave of the bent portions 10c, 20c may be such that the weft thread count is increased by making the weft threads thinner than the warp threads. This configuration not only improves the strength of the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20, but also reduces the irregularities of the bent portions 10c, 20c, improving the slidability of the slider 40 sliding along the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20. Furthermore, when a water-stop film is attached to the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 and the tapes are bent, the repulsive force between them increases, improving adhesion (waterproofness).

[0034] In the above-described embodiment, the portions where the bent portions 10c, 20c of the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 are formed are formed with the same twill weave portion X, but the weave of the portions where the bent portions 10c, 20c are formed may be the same and uniform, and is not limited to twill weave. Specifically, it may be plain weave or satin weave.

[0035] In the above-described embodiment, the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 have different weaves at the bent portions 10c, 20c, which are twill weave, and at the tape base ends 10d, 20d, which are herringbone weave, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration as long as the weaves at the bent portions 10c, 20c are the same. In other words, the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 may have the same weave as a whole.

[0036] As described above, the present specification discloses the following: (1) A slide fastener comprising: first and second fastener stringers (3, 5) each including first and second fastener tapes (10, 20) each having a long back surface (11, 21) and a front surface (13, 23), and first and second element rows (50, 60) provided on the back surfaces (11, 21) of widthwise ends (10a, 20a) of the first and second fastener tapes (10, 20), and a slider (40) slidably provided on the first and second element rows (50, 60) extending in the front-rear direction, and sliding at its front to engage the first and second element rows (50, 60) and at its rear to separate the first and second element rows (50, 60), A slide fastener characterized in that, when the first and second element rows (50, 60) are interlocked with each other, one widthwise end (10a) of the first fastener tape (10) and one widthwise end (20a) of the second fastener tape (20) are formed with bent portions (10c, 20c) that are in close contact with each other in a curved state, and the first and second fastener tapes (10, 20) have the same weave structure at least in the bent portions (10c, 20c). According to this configuration, by making the weave structure of the bent portions of the fastener tapes the same, the bent portions are less likely to distort and are more likely to be formed straight along the fastener tapes, thereby improving the aesthetics, design, and shape stability of the slide fastener having bent portions.

[0037] (2) The slide fastener according to (1), wherein the weave of the bent portions (10c, 20c) is a twill weave. This configuration makes it possible to achieve both strength of the portions where the bent portions (10c, 20c) are formed and workability when sewing the elements 31.

[0038] (3) The slide fastener according to (1) or (2), wherein the bent portion (10c, 20c) has a single diagonal line. According to this configuration, the bent portion formed along the fastener tape is less likely to be distorted, and therefore the aesthetics, design, and shape stability of the slide fastener having the bent portion are further improved.

[0039] (4) The slide fastener according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the warp threads constituting the first and second fastener tapes (10, 20) are thinner than the weft threads. According to this configuration, the strength of the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20 is improved, and the unevenness of the bent portions 10c, 20c is reduced, thereby improving the slidability of the slider 40 sliding along the first and second fastener tapes 10, 20.

[0040] (5) The slide fastener according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the first and second fastener tapes (10, 20) have a herringbone weave on the widthwise outer side of the bent portions (10c, 20c). According to this configuration, the diagonal lines appearing on the first and second fastener tapes become less noticeable, thereby further improving the aesthetics and design of the slide fastener having the bent portions.

[0041] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Slide fastener 3 Fastener stringer 5 Fastener stringer 10 First fastener tape 10a One widthwise end 10b One widthwise end face 10c Bent portion 10c1 Bent base end 10c2 Bent tip end 10d Tape base end 11 Back surface 13 Front surface 20 Second fastener tape 20a One widthwise end 20b One widthwise end face 20c Bent portion 20c1 Bent base end 20c2 Bent tip end 20d Tape base end 21 Back surface 23 Front surface 31 Element 31a Interlocking head 31b First leg 31c Second leg 31d Connecting portion 32 Core cord 33 Sewing thread 40 Slider 42 Pull tab attachment portion 43 Pull tab 50 First element row 60 Second element row 100 Slider body

Claims

1. A slide fastener comprising: first and second fastener stringers (3, 5) each comprising first and second fastener tapes (10, 20) each having a long back surface (11, 21) and a front surface (13, 23); and first and second element rows (50, 60) provided on the back surfaces (11, 21) of one widthwise end portions (10a, 20a) of the first and second fastener tapes (10, 20); and a slider (40) slidably provided on the first and second element rows (50, 60) extending in the front-to-rear direction, sliding in a front direction to engage the first and second element rows (50, 60) and in a rear direction to separate the first and second element rows (50, 60), A slide fastener characterized in that, when the first and second element rows (50, 60) are interlocked with each other, one widthwise end (10a) of the first fastener tape (10) and one widthwise end (20a) of the second fastener tape (20) are formed with bent portions (10c, 20c) that are in close contact with each other in a curved state, and the first and second fastener tapes (10, 20) have the same weave at least at the bent portions (10c, 20c).

2. A slide fastener according to claim 1, wherein the bent portions (10c, 20c) have a twill weave.

3. A slide fastener according to claim 2, wherein the bent portion (10c, 20c) has a single diagonal line.

4. A slide fastener according to claim 1, wherein the warp threads constituting the first and second fastener tapes (10, 20) are thinner than the weft threads.

5. A slide fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first and second fastener tapes (10, 20) have a herringbone weave on the outer side in the width direction of the bent portions (10c, 20c).

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