Fastener Stringer With Elastic Core Thread For Stretchable Fabrics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional slide fasteners for stretchable clothes lack sufficient stretching property in the element attaching portion, leading to pulling phenomena and disharmony when used in highly stretchable fabrics, as they are not designed to follow the intense stretching motion of such fabrics effectively.

Innovation Solution

A fastener stringer with a tape main portion and element attaching portion, where elastic and non-elastic yarns are woven as warp yarns, with a higher ratio of elastic yarns in the element attaching portion compared to the tape main portion, and a core thread inserted through the fastener element row, allowing for increased stretching capability and prevention of chain breaking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the element attaching portion is made non-stretchable to prevent chain breaking, then reliability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of chain breakingVSAvoidstretching property
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different properties to different parts of the fastener tape. The element attaching portion is made stretchable using elastic yarns to match the fabric, while the tape main body maintains appropriate stretching properties. This local differentiation allows the element attaching portion to stretch with the fabric without causing chain breaking, as the elastic yarns provide controlled elasticity that prevents excessive stretching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite materials by incorporating elastic yarns (such as spandex covered yarn) into the element attaching portion. This composite construction combines the strength of non-elastic yarns with the elasticity of elastic yarns, creating a material that provides both stretching capability and resistance to excessive deformation, thereby preventing chain breaking while maintaining adaptability to fabric stretching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the element attaching portion is made completely non-stretchable, then chain breaking is prevented, but pulling phenomena occur during exercise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechain engagement stabilityVSAvoidsmooth stretching motion
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The element attaching portion is given localized stretchability through the incorporation of elastic yarns, allowing it to stretch smoothly during exercise movements. This local quality change ensures that the element attaching portion can follow the stretching motion of the fabric without causing pulling phenomena, while still maintaining sufficient restraint to prevent chain breaking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the element attaching portion by introducing elastic yarns with specific elasticity characteristics. This parameter change allows the element attaching portion to have controlled stretching capability, enabling smooth motion during exercise while maintaining the structural integrity needed to prevent chain breaking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If elastic yarns are arranged regularly at specified intervals to provide stretching property, then adaptability is improved, but the degree of stretching becomes insufficient for highly stretchable fabrics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestretching propertyVSAvoidstretching capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the parameters of the element attaching portion by using elastic yarns with higher elasticity and arranging them in a configuration that provides greater stretching capability. This parameter change enables the element attaching portion to achieve the necessary degree of stretching (10% or more with a load of 1 kg) to match highly stretchable fabrics, thereby improving both adaptability and stretching capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution enhances the stretching property of the element attaching portion, allowing it to stretch by 10% or more with a load of 1 kg, preventing chain breaking and ensuring smooth alignment with fabric stretching, thus eliminating pulling phenomena and providing an excellent wearing experience.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic yarn and a non-elastic yarn are woven into the tape main portion (3) and the element attaching portion (4) as warp yarns... allowing for increased stretching capability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP1886593B1Fastener stringer and slide fastener
Publication Date: 2012.08.29 YKK CORP
  • EP1886593B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1886593B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides a fastener stringer capable of following up stretching/contracting action of a highly stretchable fabric smoothly by improving a stretching property of an element attaching portion, and capable of preventing occurrence of breaking of chain even if the element attaching portion is stretched. A fastener stringer (1) of the present invention includes: a fastener tape (2) composed of a weaving structure having a tape main portion (3) and an element attaching portion (4) ; a continuous fastener element row (6) sewed to the element attaching portion (4) with a sewing thread (5) which is a non-elastic yarn; and an elastic core thread (7) inserted through an interior of the fastener element row (6). An elastic yarn (8) and a non-elastic yarn (9) are woven into the tape main portion (3) and the element attaching portion (4) as warp yarns, and a non-elastic yarn (10) is woven as a weft yarn. The elastic yarn (8) and the non-elastic yarn (9) are woven so that a weaving ratio of the elastic yarn (8) to the non-elastic yarn (9) is larger in the element attaching portion (4) than in the tape main portion (3).