Slide fastener

Abstract

The present invention relates to a slide fastener ( 1 ) suitable for providing a water resistant closure between two edges of material. The fastener ( 1 ) comprises first ( 2 ) and second ( 4 ) stringer tapes, each stringer tape ( 2, 4 ) having a multiplicity of coupling elements ( 10 ) disposed in a row therealong and a slider captively engaged with the opposed rows of coupling elements ( 10 ) of the first and second stringer tapes for reciprocal movement therealong and for ringing the coupling elements ( 10 ) into and out of interlocking engagement. The slide fastener ( 1 ) is provided with an elongate length of water resistant film ( 26 ), which extends longitudinally of at least one face of each of the first ( 2 ) and second ( 4 ) stringer tapes at least along a coupling element anchoring zone and across at least a root portion ( 28 ) of coupling element receiving recesses ( 18 ) defined by neighbouring coupling elements ( 10 ) so as to provide web portions ( 32 ) between neighbouring coupling elements ( 10 ) whereby the web portions ( 32 ) abut against and conform when the slide fastener is in a closed position, so as to provide a water resistant seal against the front faces ( 30 ) of the coupling elements ( 10 ).

1 . A slide fastener ( 1 ) suitable for providing a water-resistant closure between two edges of material wherein the fastener comprises: 
 first and second stringer tapes ( 2 ,  4 ), each stringer tape having an upper and a lower surface, and an inner edge portion extending along the length thereof, wherein the inner edge portions of the first and second stringer tapes ( 2 ,  4 ) are arranged to oppose one another;    each said stringer tape having a multiplicity of coupling elements ( 10 ) disposed in a row along the corresponding inner edge portion thereof;    a slider captively engaged with opposed rows of coupling elements ( 10 ) of the first and second stringer tapes ( 2 ,  4 ) for reciprocal movement therealong, for bringing the coupling elements ( 10 ) of the first stringer tape ( 2 ) into and out of interlocking interengagement between pairs of adjacent coupling elements on the second stringer tape ( 4 ) and vice versa as parts of the slide fastener ( 1 ) are brought into closed and open conditions respectively; characterised in that: 
 the slide fastener ( 1 ) is provided with an elongate web of water-resistant film ( 26 ) which extends longitudinally of at least one face of each of the first and second stringer tapes ( 2 ,  4 ) at least along a coupling element anchoring zone thereof and across at least a root portion ( 28 ) of coupling element receiving recesses ( 18 ) defined between neighbouring coupling elements ( 10 ) so as to provide web portions between said neighbouring coupling elements, which web portions ( 32 ) abut against and conform about at least a front face of the respective coupling element interlocked between said neighbouring coupling elements when the slide fastener ( 1 ) is in the closed condition so that the web portions form a water-resistant seal against the front faces of the coupling elements abutting thereagainst.  
   
     
     
         2 . A slide fastener ( 1 ), as claimed in  claim 1  wherein a layer of adhesive material is provided between at least the coupling element anchoring zone and the film ( 26 ), and between the film and a face of the row of coupling elements ( 10 ) adjacent at least the root portion of said recesses.  
     
     
         3 . A slide fastener ( 1 ), as claimed in  claim 1  or  claim 2  wherein there is used two layers of adhesive—one on the film ( 26 ) and one on the anchoring zone/stringer tape ( 2 ,  4 ).  
     
     
         4 . A slide fastener ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 2  or  claim 3  wherein said adhesive is selected from the group of adhesives including a thermal bonding adhesive; a contact adhesive; and a hot melt adhesive.  
     
     
         5 . A slide fastener ( 1 ) as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  4  wherein said inner edge portions of the stringer tapes ( 2 ,  4 ) provide an anchoring zone for the coupling elements and said outer edge portions of the string or tapes provide an anchoring zone for attachment of the slide fastener ( 1 ) to an item of clothing, or other article, at opposed sides of an opening therein.  
     
     
         6 . A slide fastener ( 1 ) as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  5  wherein said first and second stringer tapes ( 2 ,  4 ) are in the form of elongate, substantially rectangular strips of material selected from the group of natural or synthetic materials including PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene, synthetic rubber, and polyurethane.  
     
     
         7 . A slide fastener ( 1 ) as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  6  wherein at least one face of each of the first and second stringer tapes ( 2 ,  4 ) is coated with said elongate web of film ( 26 ).  
     
     
         8 . A slide fastener ( 1 ) as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  7  wherein said coupling element receiving recess is the base or innermost part of the recess proximate the inner edge portion of the first and second stringer tape ( 2 ,  4 ).  
     
     
         9 . A slide fastener ( 1 ) as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  8  wherein, in a closed condition, the front faces of the coupling elements ( 10 ) disposed on an opposing stringer tape extend towards and abut against the web portions at least to the root portions ( 28 ) of the corresponding coupling element receiving recesses ( 18 ).  
     
     
         10 . A slide fastener ( 1 ) as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  9  wherein the coupling elements ( 10 ) are selected from conventional helically coiled coupling elements, wherein individual coupling elements are formed with each consecutive full rotation of a helical coil, or from individual teeth of conventional design wherein the individual teeth are sown, glued or otherwise bonded to the stringer tape.  
     
     
         11 . A slide fastener ( 1 ) as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  10  wherein said water resistant film ( 26 ) is a natural or synthetic water resistant material selected from the group including natural or synthetic rubber, pvc, polyester, polyurethane, or combinations thereof and which has deformation failure mechanical resilience.  
     
     
         12 . A slide fastener ( 1 ) as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  11  wherein said film ( 26 ) is bonded to the stringer tapes ( 2 ,  4 ) and coupling elements by an adhesive material disposed in at least one layer therebetween.  
     
     
         13 . A slide fastener ( 1 ) as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  12  wherein said adhesive material is selected from the group including a hot melt adhesive or hot melt contact adhesive.  
     
     
         14 . A slide fastener ( 1 ) as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  13  wherein said film ( 26 ) has an upstanding lip or flange portion extending along a free edge of at least the web portions.  
     
     
         15 . A slide fastener ( 1 ) as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  14  wherein said film has an upstanding lip or flange portion ( 134 ) extending along the entire length of the film ( 128 ).  
     
     
         16 . A slide fastener ( 1 ) as claimed in  claim 14  or  claim 15  wherein said lip or flange portion ( 134 ) provided on said first stringer tape ( 162 ) is formed and arranged to abut against a corresponding lip or flange portion provided on said second stringer tape and so as to provide a water resistant seal between said abutting lip or flange portions when the slide fastener ( 1 ) is in a closed position.  
     
     
         17 . A slide fastener ( 1 ) as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  16  wherein said film has a thickness in the range of from 10 to 150 μm.  
     
     
         18 . A slide fastener ( 1 ) as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  17  wherein said film ( 26 ) is applied to both surfaces of the stringer tapes ( 2 ,  4 ) and across at least part of the coupling elements ( 10 ) and recesses therebetween.  
     
     
         19 . A method of producing a water-resistant slide fastener ( 1 ), the method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a slide fastener comprising first and second stringer tapes ( 2 ,  4 ), each stringer tape having a multiplicity of coupling elements ( 10 ) in a row extending along an inner edge portion thereof;    (b) providing a length of water-resistant film ( 26 );    (c) aligning the film along the stringer tape and row of coupling elements so that the film extends over the coupling element anchoring zone and the faces of the coupling elements adjacent the recess root portions; and    (d) bringing the coupling element anchoring zone of the stringer tape and the faces of the coupling elements adjacent the recess root portions together with the film and bonding the film to form web portions extending between neighbouring coupling elements at least the root portions of said recesses;    (e) aligning the respective inner edge portions of the first and second stringer tapes to oppose one another;    (f) providing a slider; and    (g) mounting the slider on the rows of coupling elements such that the slider is captively engaged therewith for reciprocal movement therealong.    
     
     
         20 . A method of producing a water resistant slide fastener as claimed in  claim 19 , which includes the steps of: 
 providing at least one layer of hot melt adhesive on a face of the water resistant film; and applying heat to at least one of the stringer elements and the water resistant film ( 26 ),    before applying each length of film to the stringer tapes ( 2 , 4 ) and the coupling elements ( 10 ), anchored thereto.    
     
     
         21 . A method as claimed in  claim 19  or  claim 20  which includes the further step, after the film ( 26 ) has been applied to the stringer tapes ( 2 ,  4 ) and the coupling elements ( 10 ), of passing the slide fastener through a former tool which presses the film into contact with the stringer tapes and the coupling elements.  
     
     
         22 . A method of manufacturing a stringer tape ( 2 ,  4 ) suitable for use in a water-resistant slide fastener ( 1 ) comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a stringer tape having a multiplicity of coupling elements ( 10 ) arranged in a row along an inner edge portion thereof, wherein the stringer tape comprises a coupling element anchoring zone and adjacent coupling elements have coupling element receiving recesses defined therebetween and each coupling element receiving recess has a root portion adjacent said inner edge portion;    (b) providing a length of water-resistant film ( 26 );    (c) aligning the film ( 26 ) along the stringer tape and row of coupling elements so that the film extends over the coupling element anchoring zone and the faces of the coupling elements adjacent the recess root portions; and    (d) bringing the coupling element anchoring zone of the stringer tape ( 2 ,  4 ) and a face of each of the coupling elements adjacent the recess root portions together with the film the adhesive material and bonding the film to the stringer tape and the faces of the coupling elements to form web portions extending between neighbouring coupling elements at least the root portion of said recesses.