Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1036341
This invention relates to a method of makiny a
slide fastener, in which a helical series of slide fast~ner
links is warped parallel to warp threads and the filling
threads are inserted to weave a strap and to join the helical
series of slide fastener links to the strap, also to a slide
fas~ener made by this method and to a weaving machine for
carrying out the method.
Series of slide fastener ].inks made from a
synthetic thermoplastic monofilament and intended for use
in the slide fasteners according to the invention are known
in the form of flattened helical springs or meanders bent in
U-shape having individual turns or links provided with coupling
surfaces. Such helical series of slide fastener links may
be sewed to a strap by means of a sewing machine, in which
the needle penetrates between the turns and the needle thread
is tied by a looper thread. The resulting loop is forwarded
to the next turn in that the helix is advanced by one turn.
The sewing machine needle then penetrates the next turn and
the cycle of operation is continual~y repeated. The connection
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; 20 of helical slide fastener links to a strap by a sewing machine ~,
is a time-consuming operation, and pitch errors cannot be
`~ reliably precluded in that known method.
Known weaving methods for making slide fasteners
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are faster and more efficient. A weaving method of making
slide fasteners is known in which the slide fastener
helix is first extended in the form of a straight-line
monofilament as a filling thread between warp threads. The
helix as such is
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formed only during the weavlng operation and i9 fixed in and
held by the warp threads. That weaving method has the disad-
vantage that the helix is fixed only during the weaving
operation by the warp threads. A thermal aftertreatment is
usually required to fix the helix. The helix as such is not
sufficiently fixed in the warp threads so that the precision
and stability of the slide fastener may be adversely affected
to a high degree.
In a known method (Handley) of the kind
defined first hereinbefore, a helical series of slide fastener
links is supplied through a tube, which serves as a warp thread
and participates in the formation of a shed. As the shed is
formed, the tube is pivotally moved downwardly and upwardly
through the zero plane so that the filling threads which are
entered slip off the tube and enter between the turns. T~e
helix disposed in the tube is advanced by a gear in steps
corresponding to the pitch thereof. Because during the for-
mation of the shed the outlet opening of the tube departs
from the zero plane and part of the helix is thus pulled or
moved out of the tube, it is not possible always to define
exactly that turn into which the filling is inserted. For this
reason in that known method different numbers of filling threads
may enter each turn even i~ a plurality of shots are inserted.
This is due to the fact that from the aspect of weaving tech-
nology the helix constitutes a warp thread on which the fil-
ling threads which have been inserted cannot slide because
they are located in the turns. For this reason the known
weaving method results in irregularly located slide fasteners,
which may also have pitch defects. Because only one needle in
used in the known weaving method, the filling threads are
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pulled lnto those arcs of the turn# of the series of sllde
fastener links whlch are opposite to the coupling surfaces
so that these arcs are filled by the woven fabric. As a re-
sult, when the complete slide fastener has been woven the
slider slides on the woven fabric and may destroy the same.
It i5 an ob~ect of the invention to
provide a slide fastener in which a helical series of links
has been ~oined and fixed to the strap with a highly accurate
pitch by means of ~oinin~ threads.
In a method of the kind described first
herinbefore this ob~ect i5 accomplished according to the
invention in that the helical series of slide fastener links
is held in the zero plane and during the weaving is moved
along a straight line without forming a shed, that joining
warp threads are warped in equal numbers above and below
the zero plane so as to be spaced from the series of slide
fastener links and disposed before the coupling surfaces
thereof, that the warp threads of the woven backing fabric
are warped on the other side of the series of slide fastener
links below the zero plane, that the ~oining warp threads
and the warp threads of the backing woven fabric are formed
into separate sheds and two filling threads are simultaneous-
ly inserted above and below the zero plane, respectively, in
such a manner that the upper filling thread extends only
through the joining warp threads and the lower filling thread
extends through the ~oining warp threads and the warp threads
of the backing woven fabric, and that selvages are formed
; from the warp threads at the respective edges of the woven
fabric~ The slide fastener which has been made by the method
according to the inventlon is secured to the strap and for
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this reason cannot break open. The rear arcs of the series
of slide fastener links are free of the woven fabric so that
the slider which has been applied can sllde on the helix of
plastics material. Since two needles are used to insert the
filling, the weaving rate is muchilincreased compared to known
methods~because four threads are inserted by each double shot
per shed. The ~oining threads disposed before the series of
slide fastener links are pulled into the turns of said series
by the simultaneously inserted upper and lower filling threads.
According to a preferred feature of the
invention, additional warp threads are warped above the series
of slide fastener links and form separate sheds, through which
the upper filling thread is lnserted. The use of these addi-
tional warp threads results in the formation of a narrow cover
strip, which is joined by weaving to the upper side of the
series of slide fastener links.
Additional warp threads are suitably warp~
ed also below the series of slide fastener links and partici_
pate in the shed formed by the warp threads for the backing
woven fabric and are shot through by the lower filling threads
As a result, the strap formed by the backing woven fabric is
extended below the series of slide fastener links so that the
stability and fixation thereof are further improved.
According to a further preferred feature
of the invention, the upper filling thread is also inserted
through the sheds of the backing woven Fabric so that the woven r
fabric embraces the series of slide fastener links in the shape
of a wedge or V.
The method according to the invention ~ -
may be performed on a conventional weaving machine. According
1036341
to the invention, a tube ls provlded, which lies in the zero
plane and serves to supply the serles of slide fastener llnks.
The series of slide fastener links is guided in a troublefree
manner in this tube and an elongation of said series is pre-
vented. The tube has suitably an oval cross-section at least
at its outlet opening so that the series of slide fastener
links cannot rotate.
According to a preferred feature of the
invention, the series of sllde fastener links is unwound from
a-supply roll and a tension regulator for the series of slide
fastener links is provided and controls the speed of the motor
for driving the supply roll. Because the series of slide faste-
ner links is uniformly supplied and together with the complete-
ly woven slide fastener is withdrawn by the take-off rollers
of the weaving machine, an excessive elongation of the series
of slide fastener links is precluded. Such excessive elongation
could adversely affect the pitch. Because the tube is stationary
and the series of slide fastener links is not deflected, ad-
ditional mass forces due to moving parts are avoided so that
the~machine can be operated at a higher speed.
The slide fastener which has been joined
to the strap by weaving is characterized according to the
invention in that the-turns of the series of slide fastener
links are tied by crossing and parallel ~ustaposed warp threads,
the warp threads lying on the series of slide fastener links
are held together by an upper filling thread which has been
inserted transversly to the series of slide fastener links,
and the warp threads which join the series of slide fastener
links are joined to the strap by filling threads inserted be-
low the series of slide fastener links. A strip; formed by se-
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parate warp threads may be ~oined by weaving to the upper side
of the series of slide fastener links. An additional woven
strip may be ~oined by weaving to the underside of the series
of slide fastener links. The upper filling thread may also
extend through the backing woven fabric which forms the strap.
The uniform convoluted shape of the several links of the
series of slide fastener links ensures that the slide fastener
is not only stable and will not break open but also that it
is pleasant in appearance. Any desired number of warp threads
may be used to tie the series of slide fastener links, de-
pending on the desired width of the straps.
Embodiments of the invention will be des-
cribed hereinafter by way of example with reference to the
drawing in which
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic top plan view
showing the warp threads warped on the weaving machine and
the series of slide fastener links extending in the zero
plane,
Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line
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Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the
woven fabric with open sheds,
Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing the
-~ tension regulator for-the series of slide fastener links~
Fig. S is a diagrammatic sectional view
showing a portion of a slide fastener and strips disposed on
both sides of the series of slide fastener links and ~oined
- thereto by weaving, and
Fig. 6 shows another embodiment of the
slide fastener according to the invention.
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Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic top plan vi~w of the
joining warp threads 2-7 (only three of these threads being
seen because the other three lie directly behind the~, see Fig. 2)
and the warp threads 8 of the backing woven fabric, which
are warped in a weaving machine (not shown in detail), and
a row of slide fastener links disposed in the zero plane O-O ¢
(Fig. 2). The joining warp threads 2, 3, 4, and 5, 6, 7 are
warped on both sides of the zero plane 0-0 and are spaced
before the coupling surfaces 20 of the row 1 of slide
fastener links. The warp threads 8 of the backing woven
fabric are warped below the zero plane 0-0 and below the
row 1 of slide fastener links. As is shown, these warp
threads 8 may be arranged in two parallel planes. The number
of warp threads in each group is selected in dependence on the
slide fastener to be made. The row of fastener elements is
supported in the zero plane 0-0 and remains in this plane as
it is fed along a straight line 100-100 during weaving. F
Fig. 1 shows also the heddle frames used to form
the sheds and the front reed, which beats up the woven fabric f'
when the filling threads have been inserted. The picking
heddles, not shown, move simultaneously and one under the
other approximately along the curved paths 11, 12. Respective i;
tuck needles 14, 13 are provided behind the warp threads. The ~ -
upper filling threads 19 and the lower filling thread 18 are t
inserted in the direction of the arrows 16, 17 indicated in Fig. 2.
Additional warp threads 15 mày be warped above the
series of slide fastener links and be used to form an upper
cover strip.
The weaving method will now be explained with j
reference to Fig. 3. Heddle frames 10 (not shown in detail)
are operated to form the joining warp threads 2, 3, 4 and
5, 6, 7 into a shed 21. The zero plane 0-0 lies in the plane
of symmetry of said shed. The warp threads of the backing
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~oven fabric are formed into the shed 22 disposed below the
zero plane. Above the zero plane, the warp threads 15 for the
woven cover strip form a shed 23. The two fllling threads 18,
19 are $nserted into the opened sheds above and below the zero
plane 0-0~ respectively. In this manner the slide fastener is
woven which is shown on the left in Fig. 3 and comprises a
cover strip lying on the series of slide fastener links.
me sheds 22 and 23 should not intersect the
zero plane in order to ensure that the series 1 of slide fastener
links is not moved out of the zero plane.
The selvages are formed in known manner. m is
need not be described in detail.
Fi8. 4 shows diagra = tically the tension
regulator for the se~ies of slide fastener links. The series 1 -
of slide fastener links is unwound fr~m the supply roll 24,
which is wound on the core 25, which is driven in the unwinding
direction by the motor 26. The latter is controlled by a dancer
roll 29~ which is hung in a loop of the series 1 of slide
fastener links. To form the loop~ the series of slide fastener
links is trained around guide rollers 27~ 28~ to effect the
regulation the dancer roller 29 moves up and down between
the switches 30 and 31, which when actuated deliver to the motor
26 a signal for an increase or decrease in speed. The series 1
of slide fastener links is guided through the tube 32' to the
woven fabric.
Fig. 5 shows one half of a slide fastener in
which the series of slide fastener links is embraced in V-shape
by cover strips 32 and 33. For this purpose, the filling thread
19 is inserted through the warp threads 15 and 8 and the filling
thread 18 is inserted through the warp threads 34.
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In the one-half portlon of a slide fastener shown in
`~ Eig. 6, the warp threads lS and 34 for the cover strips
32 and 33 are omitted so that the series 1 of sllde fastener
links is joined by the ~oining warp threads 2, 3, 4 and
5, 6, 7 to the strap 35 comprising the warp threads 8.
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