Fastener stringer

A fastener stringer is provided with a fixing section in which at least one of a first and second half sections is fixed to a fastener tape and a tapered extending section which extends from the fixing section toward the outside of the tape. A first side face and a second side face in the tape length direction in the fixing section have concave surfaces which curve in a concave shape so as to gradually increase from an element surface of a fastener element toward the fastener tape. Accordingly, each fastener element can exhibit an appearance close to a metallic fastener element and a locking mechanism of a slider can be made to function stably.

This application is a national stage application of PCT/JP2011/073200, which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a fastener stringer in which a plurality of fastener elements made of synthetic resin are arranged by injection molding in a tape side edge section of a fastener tape. In particular, the invention relates to a fastener stringer in which each fastener element made of synthetic resin has an appearance like a metallic fastener element.

BACKGROUND ART

As a fastener element which is conventionally used for a slide fastener, a fastener element made of synthetic resin which are formed individually by injection-molding synthetic resin onto a fastener tape, a continuous fastener element which is formed by molding a mono-filament in a coiled shape or a zigzag shape, and a metallic fastener element which is formed by caulking an approximately Y-shaped metallic element material onto a fastener tape, and the like are known.

Further, in general, the fastener element made of synthetic resin is directly fixed to the fastener tape when injection molding. Therefore, by broadening a fixing area of the fastener element with respect to the fastener tape, fixing strength of the fastener element with respect to the fastener tape can be enhanced. For this reason, in a conventional fastener element made of synthetic resin, an element width dimension of each fastener element is set-large in order to ensure the fixing strength of the fastener element stably.

Whereas, since the metallic fastener element is attached to the fastener tape, for example by caulking an element which has an approximately-Y-shaped cross section, the metallic fastener element can easily obtain enough fixing strength without setting the element width dimension as large as in the fastener element made of synthetic resin as described above.

Generally, the fastener element, made of synthetic resin is molded so as to extend between a first surface, which becomes to be an outer surface of the fastener tape, and a second surface, which becomes to be a tape back face of the fastener tape, and the fastener element made of synthetic resin has a first half section which is disposed, on the first surface side of the fastener tape and a second half section which is disposed, on the second surface side of this fastener tape.

Further, such a fastener element made of synthetic resin is often avoided such that the first half section and the second half section have symmetrical shapes. However, for example, in order to enhance appearance quality (sense of beauty) of the fastener tape or in order to improve touch (texture) of the fastener element, the first half section and the second half section may be formed to be in a different and asymmetrical shape.

For example, WO 2010-082294 A (Patent Document 1) and Design Registration No. 1382201 (Patent Document 2) disclose fastener stringers in which the first half section of the fastener element has an appearance like a metallic fastener element.

For example, a fastener element60described in the Patent Document 1 is fixed to a tape side edge section of a fastener tape65by injection-molding thermoplastic resin, and as shown inFIGS. 18 and 19, a fastener element60comprises a first half section61disposed on a tape upper face side of the fastener tape65and a second half section62disposed on a tape lower face side and integrally formed with the first half section61. Further, here, a vertical direction refers to a tape front and back direction which is orthogonal to a tape surface of the fastener tape65. Also, a back and forth direction refers to a length direction of the fastener tape65, and a horizontal direction refers to a tape width direction of the fastener tape65.

In this fastener element60, the first half section61includes a fixing section61awhich is fixed to the fastener tape65, and an extending section61bwhich extends from the fixing section61atoward the outside of the tape. The extending section61bhas a tapering shape in which an element width dimension in the tape length direction gradually decreases toward a tip end section of the extending section61b.

In the first half section61, in order to ensure the fixing strength with the fastener tape65, the element width dimension in the lower end section (an end section on the side which is in contact with the fastener tape65) of the fixing section61ahas a predetermined size.

Further, as shown inFIG. 19, the front side face and the back side face of the fixing section61ain the first half section61is formed on a convex surface63, which curves outwards in a convex shape such that the element width dimension of the first half section61gradually decreases from a tape surface of the fastener tape65toward an upper face of the fastener element60. Accordingly, the first half section61is composed such that the element upper face, which is exposed to the outside directly, appears to be thin. Additionally, in the first half section61, an interference avoidance section61c, which inclines downward so as to gradually decrease a height dimension in the vertical direction of the fastener element60toward the tip end section of the extending section61b, is formed.

The second half section62includes a body section62awhich is fixed to the fastener tape65, a neck section62bwhich extends from the body section62atoward the outside of the tape and which is constricted so as to decrease the dimension in the element width direction, and a coupling head section62cwhich extends further from the neck section62btoward the outside of the tape. Therefore, each fastener element60in Patent Document 1 is coupled with a fastener element60of an engaging counterpart on the side of the second half section62.

Since such a fastener element60in Patent Document 1 is composed of synthetic resin, it is light in weight compared to a metallic fastener element. Additionally, the fastener element60is formed so as to appear thinner than a conventional fastener element made of synthetic resin, while ensuring fixing strength with the fastener tape65, so that the fastener element60has an appearance (show) like a metallic fastener element.

Therefore, a slide fastener, to which the fastener elements60in the Patent Document 1 are attached, looks stylish or adds a fashionable impression and at the same time is significantly reduced in weight, compared to a metal slide fastener and is formed.

Since the slide fastener, to which the fastener elements60in Patent Document 1 are attached, is provided with an interference avoidance section61cas described above in each fastener element60, for example in a case that the fastener elements60, which is in a state that the left and right fastener elements60are coupled with each other, receives force in the tape front and back direction (push-up force) and a part of the slide fastener is bent in the direction in which the respective upper half sections of the elements are brought close to each other, it is possible to avoid interference between the first half section61of the fastener element60and the first half section61of a fastener element60on the side of an engaging counterpart.

Thus, even if the slide fastener receives push-up force, it is prevented to easily decouple the engagement between left and right fastener elements60, and the coupled state can be stably maintained. Accordingly, in the slide fastener, it is possible to prevent causing so-called chain split in which engagement of fastener elements60are forcibly decoupled.

On the other hand, in Patent Document 2, a fastener chain, in which fastener elements having substantially the same shape as those in Patent Document 1 are attached to a fastener tape, is illustrated.

Additionally, for example, in Design Registration No. 1408991 (Patent Document 3), a fastener chain which design is further improved by providing more irregularities on an upper face of the fastener elements illustrated in Patent Document 2, is illustrated.

CITATION LIST

Parent Documents

Patent Document 1: WO 2010-082294 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The fastener elements shown in Patent Documents 1 to 3 can be composed so as to be similar to a metal slide fastener and so as to achieve light weight compared to a metal slide fastener by showing the fastener elements shown in Patent Documents 1 to 3 like metallic fastener elements as described above.

However, although the appearance of these fastener elements is similar to that of metallic fastener elements, they are different from metallic fastener elements when they are compared with metallic fastener elements. Therefore, it is required to make an appearance of fastener elements made of synthetic resin further closer to metallic fastener elements while ensuring fixing strength of the fastener elements.

As a conventional slider used for a slide fastener, a slider with a locking mechanism is known. Generally, a slider with a locking mechanism has a locking pawl which is engaged with fastener elements. The locking pawl is inserted in a gap between fastener elements adjacent to each other and engaged with the fastener elements, and thereby the slider is locked with respect to element, rows and a locked state of the slider can be maintained.

A slider with such a locking mechanism can also be used for, for example, a slide fastener to which fastener elements60in Patent Documents 1 to 3 are attached. For example, the locking mechanism can be worked by engaging the locking pawl of the slider with the fixing section61aof the first half section61in the fastener element60.

However, in the fastener elements6D in Patent Documents 1 to 3, for example as shown inFIG. 19, the front side face and the back side face of the fixing section61ain the fastener element60are formed on a convex surface63which curves outward in a convex shape.

Therefore, even if the locking pawl of the slider is inserted into a gap between the fastener elements60and engaged with the front side face or the hack side face of the fastener elements60, the engagement of the locking pawl with respect to the fastener elements60is likely to become unstable, for example in a case that the locking pawl is formed to be thick.

Additionally, if a slider is subjected to some impact or the like, its locking pawl may be slid and lifted up on the front side face or the back side face of the fastener element60. Consequently, the locked state of the slider by the locking mechanism is released automatically regardless of the intention of a user, and the locked state of the slider cannot be stably held, so that there is room for improvement.

Furthermore, in the fastener elements described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, a shape of the first half section which is formed on the tape upper face side and a shape of the second half section which is formed on the tape lower face side differ from each other.

Therefore, for example, in a slide fastener having a separable bottom end stop, in a case that a so-called slide fastener for right-side insertion, in which an insert pin is inserted into a box from the right side of a box pin, and a so-called slide fastener for left-side insertion, in which the insert pin is inserted into the box from the left side of the box pin, are manufactured, dedicated dies for right-side insertion and for left-side insertion are required, respectively, since in molding dies for the fastener element and the separable bottom end stop, the shape of a cavity space for the slide fastener for right-side insertion and for the slide fastener for left-side insertion is different. This is one of the factors causing manufacturing cost increase of the slide fastener.

The invention has been proposed in view of the conventional problems described above. The specific object of the invention is to provide a fastener stringer having fastener elements which are lighter in weight than metallic fastener elements and which have an appearance close to metallic fastener elements, additionally, in which a locking mechanism can be worked stably, even in a case that a slider comprises a locking mechanism using a locking pawl.

Means for Solving the Problems

In order to achieve the above object, a fastener stringer provided by the invention includes a fastener tape and a plurality of fastener elements made of synthetic resin which are attached to a tape side edge section of the fastener tape as a basic configuration, in which the fastener element includes a first half section which are disposed on a first surface side of the fastener tape and a second half section which are disposed on a second surface side of the fastener tape, and in which at least one of the first and the second half sections has a tapered element shape comprising a fixing section fixed to the fastener-tape and an extending section extending from the fixing section toward the outside of the tape and gradually decreasing element width dimension in the tape length direction toward a tip end section, and the fastener stringer being most mainly characterized in that a width dimension from a first side face to a second side face in a tape length direction in the fixing section gradually increases from an element surface of the fastener element toward a tape surface of the fastener tape, and in that each of the first side face and the second side face in the fixing section has a concave surface, which curves in a concave shape from the element surface toward a tape surface of the fastener tape.

In the fastener stringer according to the invention, it is preferable that a width dimension from a first side face to a second side face in a tape length direction in the extending section gradually increases from an element surface of the fastener element toward a tape surface of the fastener tape, and each of the first side face and the second side surface in the extending section has a concave surface, which curves in a concave shape from the element-surface toward a tape surface of the fastener tape.

In this case, it is particularly preferable that the concave surface be continuously disposed from the fixing section over the extending section which are in the tapered element shape.

Further, in the fastener stringer according to the invention, it is preferable that the other of the first and the second half sections has the tapered element shape which has a plane-symmetrical relation with respect to the one of the first and the second half sections as well as the fastener tape, and that a coupling head section, which is capable of coupling with the fastener element of a counterpart, and a neck section, which is continuously formed from the coupling head section and which has a shape in which a dimension of an element width direction decreases, are disposed between the respective extending sections of the first and the second half sections in a tape front and back direction.

On the other hand, the other of the first and the second half sections may include a coupling head section which is disposed on a back face side of the extending section in one of the first and the second half sections and which is able to couple with a fastener element of a counterpart, a neck section which is continuously formed from the coupling head section and which has a shape in which a dimension of an element width direction decreases, and a body section which is continuously formed from the neck section and which is fixed to the fastener tape.

Additionally, in the fastener stringer according to the invention, it is preferable that metal fine pieces made of aluminum or aluminum alloy be kneaded in the synthetic resin.

Further, in this case, it is particularly preferable that an average particle diameter of the metal fine pieces is set to be ≧3 μm≦8 μm.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

In the fastener stringer according to the invention, at least one of a first find a second half sections has a tapered element shape comprising a fixing section fixed to the fastener tape and an extending section extending from the fixing section toward the outside of the tape and gradually decreasing element width dimension of cape length direction toward a tip end section.

Further, the width dimension from the first side face (front side face) to the second side face (back, side face) in the tape length direction in the fixing section which has a tapered element shape, gradually increases from the element surface of the fastener element toward the tape surface of the fastener tape. Additionally, at least a part of each of the first side face and the second side surface in the fixing section has a concave surface, which curves in a concave shape from the element surface toward the tape surface of the fastener tape.

For example, in the conventional fastener element described in Patent Document 1, since the front side face and the back side surface in the fixing section of the first half section are formed on a convex surface which curves outward in convex shape, light is diffused and reflected on the front side face and the back side surface and scattered toward the outside (particularly in an upper side of the fastener element). For this reason, when the fastener element is viewed from the upper face side, the front side face and the back side surface in the fixing section also appear bright, such that the first half section of the fastener element appears thick in the element width direction, compared to the area of the upper face of the first half section, and consequently tends to exhibit a different appearance from the metallic fastener element.

Meanwhile, in a fastener element in the invention, the first and the second side surfaces (front and back side surfaces) in the fixing section, which is in a tapered element form, have concave surfaces, as described above. Therefore, when the fastener element is viewed from an upper face side, the first and the second side surfaces become hard to be seen compared to a conventional fastener element in which the first and the second side surfaces are formed on a convex surface.

Since a concave surface is formed on the first and second side faces, reflecting light on the first and second side faces, in particular, reflecting light on the first and the second side faces near an upper face side of the fixing section becomes hard to scatter toward an upper side of the fastener element, so that a visual effect that the first and the second side faces become to be shadow sections and appear dark, can be obtained.

As a result, in the fastener element according to the invention, the fixing section becomes to appear to be narrow in the element width direction and becomes to appear to be thin in the element length direction, compared to a conventional fastener element in which the first and the second side faces are formed on a convex surface, so that it is possible to exhibit an appearance (show) close to a metallic fastener element.

Therefore, since the fastener stringer according to the invention, in which such fastener elements are attached to the fastener tape, is lighter in weight than metallic fastener elements and has an appearance close to metallic fastener elements rather than conventional fastener elements made of synthetic resin, so that these fastener stringers are suitably used for, for example, bags, clothes or the like which are designed to have a high-grade sense.

Additionally, in a case that a slide fastener is composed using fastener stringers according to the invention and a slider provided with a locking mechanism by a locking pawl, the locking mechanism of the slider can be performed smoothly by engaging the locking pawl of the slider with the fixing section of the first half section of the fastener element (in particular, the first or second side of the fixing section) in the slide fastener.

In this case, since a concave surface is disposed on the first and the second side faces in the fixing section of the fastener element of the invention, for example, even in a case that the locking pawl of the slider is formed to be thick, when the locking pawl is engaged with the first or the second side face of the fixing section of the fastener element, the locking pawl of the slider is received and accommodated securely by the concave surface of the first or the second side face, so that it is possible that the locking pawl is hardly disengaged.

Accordingly, even in a case that the slider is subjected to some impact or the like, a state that the locking pawl of the slider is engaged with the front side face or the back side face of the fixing section of a fastener element can be stably held, thus it is possible to effectively avoid occurring malfunction that a locked state of the slider is released automatically as before.

In such a fastener stringer according to the invention, the width dimension from the first side face to the second side face in the tape length direction in the extending section also gradually increases from the element, surface of the fastener element toward the tape surface of the fastener tape. Also, at least a part of the first side face and the second side face in the extending section has a concave surface which curves in a concave shape from, the element surface toward the tape surface of the fastener tape. Thus, not only the fixing section but also the extending section becomes narrow in the element width direction and becomes to appear to be thin, so that it is possible to exhibit an appearance further close to the metallic fastener element.

Particularly in this case, since the concave surface which curves in a concave shape is continuously disposed from the fixing section to the extending section which are in a tapered element shape, it is possible to exhibit an appearance even closer to the metallic fastener element.

Further, in the fastener stringer according to the invention, it is possible to configure the fastener element, to have a tapered element shape in which the other of the first and the second half sections has a plane-symmetrical relation with respect to the one of the first and the second half sections as well as the fastener tape. In this case, a coupling head section which is capable of engaging a fastener element of a counterpart and a neck section which is continuously formed from the coupling head section and which has a shape in which a dimension of element width direction tapers off, are disposed between the respective extending sections of the first and the second half sections in a tape front and back direction.

Since in such a fastener element which has the above form, the first half section and the second half section have a plane-symmetrical shape with respect to the fastener tape, it is possible to configure the slide fastener so as to expose the first surface side of the fastener tape to the outside and to configure the slide fastener so as to expose the second surface side of the fastener tape to the outside.

Accordingly, the fastener stringer according to the invention can easily be used for the slide fastener for right-side insertion or the slide fastener for left-side insertion by using them turned back, to front. As a result, it is unnecessary to manufacture respective dedicated dies for right-side insertion and for left-side insertion as molding dies for the fastener element and the separable bottom end stop. Therefore, the manufacturing cost reduction of the slide fastener can be achieved.

Additionally, in the fastener stringer according to the invention, it is also possible to configure a fastener element which includes a coupling head section in which the other of the first and the second half sections is disposed on the back face side of the extending section in one of the first, and the second half sections and which is capable of engaging with a fastener element of a counterpart, a neck section which is continuously formed from the coupling head section and which has a shape in which a dimension of the element width direction decreases, and a body section which is continuously formed from the neck section and which is fixed to the fastener tape.

Since such a fastener element has an asymmetrical shape in which the first and the second half sections are different each other, it is possible to exhibit an appearance close to the metallic fastener element by one of the first and second half sections, and it is possible to stably engage left and right fastener elements when a slide fastener is configured by the other of the first and the second half sections.

Furthermore, in the fastener stringer according to the invention, metal fine pieces made of aluminum or aluminum alloy are kneaded in synthetic resin which composes the fastener element. Therefore, the fastener element according to the invention has an advantage that it is less expensive and lighter in weight than the metallic fastener element. Also, the gloss with high-grade sense can be obtained over the entire fastener element.

Particularly in this case, when the fastener element, is viewed from its upper face side, since the contrast between an upper face which is easy to see reflection of light, and the first and second side faces which are difficult to see reflection of light is remarkably appeared, an appearance of the fastener element can be made further close to the metallic fastener element. Furthermore, it is possible to obtain an effect that the strength of the fastener element can easily be enhanced by kneading the metal fine pieces.

In this case, since the average particle diameter of the metal fine pieces is set to be ≧3 μm≦8 μm, it is possible to stably obtain the gloss of the fastener element by the metal fine pieces, and the flow of molten resin in the cavity of the mold is prevented from becoming worse when performing injection molding of the fastener element and generation of a weld mark which causes a fault of molding is prevented, and thus it is possible to stably form the fastener element in a required shape.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

In the following, suitable embodiments of the invention will be described, in detail with examples and with, reference to the drawings. Further, not being limited to the embodiments described, in the following, the invention can be variously modified, as long as having substantially the same structure as that of the invention and performing similar operational effects.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a plan view showing a slide fastener which has a fastener stringer according to a first embodiment of the invention.FIGS. 2 and 3are a perspective view and a plan view of a fastener element of the slide fastener.FIG. 4is a schematic view of the fastener element when viewed from an extending section side and a coupling head section side.

Further, in the description below, a tape length direction of the fastener tape is stipulated as a front and back direction. In particular, a direction in which the slider is slid when closing the slide fastener is stipulated as front, and a direction in which the slider is slid when opening the slide fastener is stipulated as back. Further, a tape width direction of the fastener tape is stipulated as a left and right direction. In addition, a tape front and back direction of the fastener tape is stipulated as an upward and downward direction, and a side where a pull tab of the slider is disposed with respect to the fastener tape is stipulated as upward, and a side which is opposite to it is stipulated as downward.

In addition, regarding the fastener element, a tape length direction may be described as an element width direction, a tape width direction may be described as an element length direction, and a tape front and back direction may be described as an element height direction in order to explain characteristics of the invention clearly.

As shown inFIG. 1, a slide fastener1in the first embodiment includes a pair of fastener stringers10on which element rows12are formed along opposite tape side edge sections of left and right fastener tapes11, first end stops5(also referred to as upper end stops) which are disposed adjacent to the element rows12at the upper end sections of the fastener stringers10, a separable bottom end stop6which is disposed at the lower end sections of the pair of fastener stringers10, and a slider30with a locking mechanism which is slidably disposed along the element rows12.

Further, the slide fastener1according to the first embodiment has a main characteristic in each fastener element20composing the element rows12, and the fastener tape11, the first end stops5, the separable bottom end stop6, and the slider30are used for substantially the same as conventional ones. For example, the separable bottom end stop6of the first embodiment includes an insert pin7which is disposed at the back end section of the left side fastener stringer10, a box pin8which is disposed at the back end section of the right side fastener stringer10, and a box9which is integrally molded at the back end section of the box pin8. The separable bottom end stop6is configured for right-side insertion.

Further, in the invention, for example, a positional relation between the insert pin7as well as the box pin8and the box9is inverted in the left and right direction with respect to the first embodiment, the insert pin7is attached to the right side fastener stringer10, and the box pin8and the box9are attached to the left side fastener stringer10, and thereby it is also possible to configure a separable bottom, end stop for left-side insertion.

Further, the slider30in the first embodiment has a locking mechanism and includes a slider body31and a pull tab32which is rotatably held by the slider body31. As shown inFIG. 10, the slider body31includes upper and lower blades33and34, a guide column35which connects between shoulder-side end sections of the upper and lower blades33and34, flange sections36which are disposed on the left and right side edge sections of the upper and lower blades33and34, a pull tab attachment column which is not illustrated and which is erected on an upper face side of the upper blade33, a cover body37which is swingably attached to the pull tab attachment column, and an elastic member which is not illustrated and which energizes the cover body37.

Further, the cover body37is integrally formed with a locking pawl37awhich works the locking mechanism. The locking pawl37ais disposed so as to protrude in an element guide pass between the upper and lower blades33and34, since the cover body37is energised by the unillustrated elastic member.

In each fastener stringer10in the first embodiment, the fastener tape11is woven or knitted in a belt shape. Each fastener tape11includes a tape main section sewn to fastener-attached products (such as clothing and bags), and a tape side edge section (also referred to as an element attaching section) along which an element row12is formed. Further, core thread sections11aare disposed in tape side-edges in which the left and right fastener tapes11oppose each other. Each element row12is formed by attaching a plurality of fastener elements20made of synthetic resin at regular intervals in the tape length direction in a tape side edge section including the core thread sections11aof the fastener tape11.

Each fastener element20includes a first half section (upper half section)21disposed on a tape upper face (front surface) side, which becomes to be a first surface of the fastener tape11, a second half section (lower half section)22disposed on a tape lower face (back face) side which becomes to be a second surface of the fastener tape11, an element engaging section23disposed between the first and the second extending sections21band22bwhich are described later, of the first, and the second half sections21and22, and a fin section24extending from an end edge section toward a tape inside of tape inner side of the first and the second half sections21and22.

In this case, the first half section21of the fastener element20is located on an exposed surface side which is exposed to the outside in the slide fastener1. Further, the first half section21and the second half section22have a plane-symmetrical shape with respect to the fastener tape11. Therefore, here, the first half section21is described in detail, so that the detailed description of the second half section22is omitted.

The first half section21includes at least an upper face (an element front, surface)25facing toward the outside, and a frontward side face (a first side face) and a backward side face (a second side face) intersecting with respect to the tape length direction. Here, the upper face25of the fastener element20is a surface which is furthest in the tape front and back direction from the upper face of the fastener tape11.

Further, the first half section21includes a first fixing section21afixed to the fastener tape11and a first extending section21bextending from the first fixing section21atoward the outside of the tape. The first half section21has a tapered element shape in which the element width dimension is gradually decreased toward a tip end section of the first extending section21bwhen the entire first, half section21is viewed from the upper face side.

In order that the first fixing section21aensures fixing strength with respect to the fastener tape11, the element width dimension in the lower end section (an end section on the side which is in contact, with the fastener tape11) of the first, fixing section21ais formed to have a same size as, for example, the element width dimension in the lower end section of a conventional general fastener element made of synthetic resin.

Further, for example, in a case that fixing strength is sufficiently obtained with respect to the fastener tape11, it is possible to set the element width dimension in the lower end section of the first fixing section21ato be smaller than the conventional element width dimension, and also to be larger than the conventional element width dimension when necessary.

Further, the front side face and the back side face of the first fixing section21aare formed in a curved shape and in an inclined shape, so that the element width dimension of the first fixing section21ais gradually increased from the upper face25of the fastener element20toward the tape upper face of the fastener tape11(in other ward, gradually decreased from, the tape upper face of the fastener tape11toward the upper face25of the fastener element20) in order to show the fastener element20to be thin as a whole by making the element width dimension on the upper face of the first fixing section21asmaller than that in the lower end section of the first, fixing section21a.

Particularly in this case, as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the front side face and the back side face of the first fixing section21ahave concave surfaces (concave curved surfaces)21cwhich curves in a concave shape so as to recess inward of the fastener element20from the upper face25of the fastener element20toward the tape upper face of the fastener tape11.

The first extending section21bis formed in a shape in which the tip end section is tapered off in order to gradually decrease the element width dimension from a base end section toward a tip end section on the side connected to the first fixing section21a. Also, the tip end section of the first extending section21bis formed in a curved face shape in which a peripheral surface has roundness as it is chamfered. Thus, the appearance of the fastener element20is further closer to the metallic fastener element20when viewed from the upper face side. Additionally, a downward inclined surface is formed on the upper face25of the first extending section21bsuch that a height dimension in the vertical direction of the fastener element20gradually decreases.

Further, as with the first fixing section21a, the front side face and the back side face of the first extending section21bare formed in a curved shape and in an inclined shape so that the element width dimension of the first extending section21bis gradually increased from the element upper face25toward the tape upper face of the fastener tape11(in other wards, gradually decreased from the tape upper face of the fastener tape11toward the element upper face25) in order to show the entire fastener element20to be thin by making the element width dimension on the element upper face25small.

Additionally, as shown inFIG. 5, the front side face and the back side face of the first extending section21bhave concave surfaces (concave curved surfaces)21cwhich curves in a concave shape so as to recess inward of the fastener element20from the element upper face25toward the tape upper face of the fastener tape11.

In this case, it is preferable that a concave surface21cwhich is disposed in the first fixing section21aand a concave surface21cwhich is disposed in the first extending section21bbe continuously formed. However, in the first embodiment, since a neck section23b, which is described below, of the element engaging section23is formed to be thin in the element width direction, a concave curved surface, in which curvature is small, or a concave curved surface, which is close to a substantially plane surface, are disposed in a section of the first extending section21b, which corresponds to a constricted position of the neck section23b.

In this way, since the front side faces and the back, side faces of the first fixing section21aand the first extending section21bhave concave surfaces21c, when the fastener element20is viewed from the upper face side, the front side face and the back side face of the entire first half section21are difficult to recognise visually. Moreover, the direction in which light is reflected is changed by the concave surfaces21cdisposed on the front side face and the back side face, and the light is unlikely to be scattered toward the element upper side in the front side face and the back side face of the first half section21. As a result, the front side face and the back side face of the first half section21appear darker than the upper face25of the first half section21, like a shadow.

Accordingly, in the fastener element20in the first embodiment, the entire first half section21becomes narrow in the element width direction and becomes to appear to be thin (seeFIG. 9), compared to conventional fastener elements as described in Patent Document 1.

Further, in such a way that the front side face and the back side face of the first fixing section21ahas a concave surface21c, as described below, when the locking pawl37aof the slider30is engaged with the first fixing section21aof the fastener element20in order to use the locking mechanism of the slider30, it is possible to securely receive the locking pawl37aand to prevent the locking pawl37afrom disengaging on the concave surface21cdisposed at the front side face or the back side face of the first fixing section21a. Accordingly, the locked state of the slider30can be held stably by the locking pawl37a.

Further, the second half section22of the fastener element20in the first embodiment is integrally molded with the first half section21and the element engaging section23, and has a plane-symmetrical shape to the first half section21with respect to the fastener tape11as described above.

That is, concave surfaces22cwhich are formed so as to recess inward of the fastener element20in both the front side face and the back side face in the second fixing section22aand second extending section22bof the second half section22. Therefore, in the fastener element20in the first embodiment, the entire second half section22becomes narrow in the element width direction and becomes to appear to be thin when the fastener element20is viewed from, the lower face side, so that it is possible to exhibit an appearance close to the metallic fastener element20.

Further, since the first half section21and the second half section22of the fastener element20have plane-symmetrical shapes with respect to the fastener tape11, it is possible to compose a slide fastener1in which the second half section22of the fastener element20becomes to be an exposed surface side which is exposed to the outside. Thereby, when a slide fastener for right-side insertion or a slide fastener for left-side insertion is manufactured, for example by altering a direction in which the slider30is attached or the like, the slide fastener1can be manufactured easily at a low cost by arbitrarily selecting right-side insertion or left-side insertion, without changing molding dies for the fastener element20and for the separable bottom end stop6.

In the first embodiment, the element engaging section23of the fastener element20is disposed so as to be sandwiched between the first extending section21band the second extending section22b. Further, this element engaging section23includes a coupling head section23awhich is capable of engaging the fastener element20of a counterpart, a neck section23bwhich is continuously formed from the coupling head section23atoward the fastener tape11side, and a pair of shoulder sections23cwhich projects from the neck section23bto the element width direction.

The coupling head section23aof the element engaging section23is formed in an elliptical shape so as to project further in the element, width direction than the first and the second extending sections21band22b. Further, a groove section23d, into which the shoulder section23cof the fastener element of a counterpart can be fitted, is formed along the tape length direction (the element width direction) at a tip end section of the coupling head section23a.

The neck section23bof the element, engaging section23has a constricted shape such that the dimension, in the element width direction decreases in order to enable the coupling head section23aof the fastener element.20of an engaging counterpart, to be fitted. The shoulder section23cis formed to have a shape and a size which is capable of fitting into the groove section23dformed in the coupling head section23aof a counterpart when the coupling head section23aof the engaging counterpart is fitted on the neck section.23b.

By the element engaging section23having such a shape, the left and right fastener elements20can be coupled or uncoupled smoothly when the slide fastener1is opened and closed by sliding the slider30, and it is possible to stably obtain enough coupling strength to withstand the use of the slide fastener1when the left and right fastener elements20are coupled.

The fin sections24of the fastener element20are disposed on both the upper and lower tape surface sides of the fastener tape11. The fin section24on the tape upper face side and the fin section24on the tape lower face side are formed so as to be symmetrical with respect to the fastener tape11. The fin section24is formed in which the element width dimension from the base end section toward the extending end section (the end section of the tape inner side) on the side connected to the first fixing section21or the second half section22, and has an approximately mountain shape when the fastener element20is viewed from its upper face side or lower face side.

The fixing strength of the fastener element20with respect to the fastener tape11can be increased by such fin sections24being disposed. Additionally, the fin sections24of the fastener element20are disposed so as to correspond to the positions where flange sections36of the slider30pass when the slider30is slid, so that it is possible to prevent the flange sections36of the slider30from contacting with the fastener tape11directly. Accordingly, when the slider30is slid, it is possible to prevent the fastener tape11from, being damaged by such as scratching or cutting, due to contact of the fastener tape11with the flange sections36.

In the slide fastener1in the first embodiment, the fastener element20, the first end stop5, and the separable bottom end stop6are formed by injection-molding thermoplastic polyacetal resin. In this case, flat metal fine pieces made of aluminum or aluminum alloy are uniformly kneaded in polyacetal resin composing the fastener element20, the first end stop5, and the separable bottom end stop6.

Further, in the invention, the kinds of synthetic resin composing the fastener element20, the first stop5, and the separable bottom end stop6is not limited to polyacetal resin as described above and, for example, other synthetic resins such as polyamide, polypropylene, polybutylene terephthalate, nylon, polycarbonate, and the like can also be used. A fastener element20composed using such synthetic resin is greatly lightened in weight compared to a metallic fastener element.

Further, polyacetal resin as described above has permeability, so that by selecting polyacetal resin as the material for the fastener element20, the first stop5, and the separable bottom end stop6, a stable gloss by metal fine pieces can be obtained when the metal fine pieces are dispersed in synthetic resin.

In this case, the average particle diameter of the metal fine pieces kneaded in synthetic resin is controlled so as to be ≧3 μm≦8 μm. By the average particle diameter of the metal fine pieces being ≧3 μm≦8 μm, the gloss with high-grade sense can be obtained to an entire molded object, and the strength of the fastener elements20, the first stop5, and the separable bottom end stop6can be effectively improved.

Further, by the average particle diameter of the metal fine pieces being ≦8 μm, it is possible to prevent the fastener elements20, the first stop5, and the separable bottom end stop6from glaring and to obtain the gloss with high-grade sense stably. Furthermore, if an average particle diameter of the metal fine pieces is ≦8 μm, it is possible to prevent a decrease of strength of the molded object caused by mixing the metal fine pieces, since synthetic resins is not divided even in a case that a plurality of the metal fine pieces are kneaded in synthetic, resin.

Additionally, the thickness of flat metal fine piece is set to be ≧0.1 μm≦0.4 μm. Accordingly, brightness and clarity of the fastener element20, the first stop5, and the separable bottom end stop6can foe improved, and flow of molten resin in a cavity can be stabilized when injection-molding, and generation of a weld mark which causes a fault, of molding can be prevented effectively.

Further, the content of the metal fine pieces kneaded in synthetic resin (the kneaded amount) is set to be ≧0.4 wt. %≦5.0 wt. %. Thereby, the fastener element20, the first stop5, and the separable bottom end stop6can be composed to be light in weight and low in cost and generation of glare of the fastener element20, the first stop5, and the separable bottom end stop6can be prevented effectively.

In the slide fastener1in the first embodiment, as described above, concave surfaces21care disposed on the front side faces and the back side faces of the first and the second fixing sections21aand22aas well as of the first, and the second extending sections21band22bin each fastener element20. Thus, in a case that the slide fastener1is closed by coupling the left and right fastener elements20with each other, for example as shown inFIG. 9, the front side face and the back side face of the first half section21(or the second half section22) are made less visible when the slide fastener1in a closed state is viewed from the tape upper face side (or the tape lower face side), and the front side face and the back side face of the first half section21appear to be dark like shadow, compared to the upper face25of the first half section21(or the lower face of the second half section22).

Accordingly, since the first half section21becomes narrow in the element width direction (the tape length direction) and the entire first half section21becomes to appear to be thin as shown inFIG. 9, the shape of fastener element20in the first embodiment has an appearance close to the metallic fastener element.

Additionally, since in the fastener element20, metal fine pieces are dispersed in resin composing the fastener element20, the gloss by the metal fine pieces is obtained stably. Particularly in this case, when the fastener element20is viewed from its upper face side, the contrast between the upper face25of the first half section21in which the gloss of the metal fine pieces is easily seen by reflection of light, and the front side face and the back side face in which reflection of light is difficult to see, is remarkably appeared, so that, it is possible to emphasize the thinness of the upper face25of the first half section21.

Accordingly, since in the slide fastener1in the first embodiment, the appearance of the fastener element20can be made much closer to that of the metallic fastener element20, the slide fastener in the first embodiment becomes to be lighter in weight and to be easier to use than a slide fastener to which conventional metallic fastener elements are attached, and becomes to be excellent in appearance quality and design by looking stylish or giving a fashionable impression.

Further, since in the slide fastener1in the first embodiment, concave surfaces21care disposed on the front side face and the back side face of the first fixing section21ain each fastener element20, as shown inFIG. 10, when the locking pawl37aof the slider30is inserted into a gap between the fastener elements20and is engaged with the first fixing sections21aof the fastener element20, the locking pawl37aof the slider30can be securely received and accommodated by the concave surfaces21cformed on the front side face and the back side face of the first fixing section21a.

Accordingly, for example even in a case that the locking pawl37ais formed so as to be thick, the locking pawl37acan be engaged with the fastener element20stably, and it is possible to prevent engagement of the locking pawl37afrom being easily released.

Therefore, even in a case that the slider30is subjected to some impact or the like when the locked state of the slider30is maintained by the locking pawl37a, a situation that the locking pawl37ais being slid and lifted up along the front side face or the back side face of the fastener element in the conventional manner is not occurred, and the locking pawl37acan be kept engaged with the fixing sections of the fastener elements20securely, so that the locked state of the slider30can be stably maintained.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 11is a perspective view showing a fastener element of a fastener stringer according to the second embodiment.FIG. 12is a plan view of the fastener element, andFIG. 13is a schematic view of the fastener element when viewed from an extending section side and a coupling head section side.

Further, a slide fastener2according to the second embodiment described below has a main feature in a fastener element40, and components or members other than the fastener element40have the substantially same configuration as the case of the slide fastener1according to the first embodiment described above. Therefore, the configuration of the fastener element40is mainly described in the second, embodiment, and a detailed explanation of the components or members is omitted by using the same numerals as the case of the first embodiment.

The slide fastener2in the second embodiment includes a pair of fastener stringers10on which element rows are formed along an opposing tape side edge sections of the left, and right fastener tapes11, first end stops which are not illustrated and which are disposed at the upper end section of each fastener stringer10, a separable bottom end stop which is not illustrated and which is disposed at the lower end section of a pair of the fastener stringers10, and a slider which is not illustrated and which has a locking mechanism disposed so as to be slidable along the element rows12.

Each fastener element40composing the element rows includes a first half section (upper half section)41disposed on the tape upper face side, which is the first surface of the fastener tape13, and a second half section (lower half section)42disposed on the tape lower face side, which is the second surface of the fastener tape11. In this case, in the second embodiment, the first half section41of the fastener element40is located on an exposed surface side exposed to the outside in the slide fastener2, and the first half section41and the second half section42have different shapes from each other.

The first half section41includes at least an upper face45facing toward the outside, and a front side face (first side face) and a back side face (second side face) intersecting with respect to the tape length direction. Additionally, this first half section41includes a fixing section41awhich is fixed to the fastener tape11, and an extending section41bwhich extends from the fixing section41ato the outside of the tape. The first half section41has a tapered element shape in which an element width dimension is gradually decreased toward a tip end section of the extending section41bwhen the entire first half section41is viewed from the upper face side.

As with the case of the first embodiment described above, in order that the fixing section41aassure fixing strength with respect to the fastener tape11, the element width dimension in the lower end section (the end section on the side contacted with the fastener tape11) of the fixing section41ais formed so as to be the same size as the element width dimension of the lower end section of a conventional general fastener element made of synthetic resin.

The front side face and the back side face of the fixing section41aare formed in a curved shape or in an inclined shape so that the element width dimension of the first fixing section41ais gradually increased from the upper face45of the fastener element40toward the tape upper face of the fastener tape11, in order to show the fastener element40to be thin as a whole by making the element width dimension on the upper face45of the fixing section41asmaller than that in the lower end section of the fixing section41a.

Further, in this case, as shown inFIGS. 16 and 17, the front side face and the back side face of the fixing section41ahave concave surfaces (concave curved surfaces)41c, which curves in a concave shape so as to recess inward of the fastener element40from the upper face45of the fastener element40toward, the tape upper face of the fastener tape11.

The extending section41bis formed in a form in which the tip end section is tapered off to gradually decrease the element width dimension from a base end section toward a tip end section on the side connected to the fixing section41a. Also, the tip end section of the extending section41bis formed in a curved surface shape in which a peripheral surface has roundness as it is chamfered. Additionally, a downward inclined surface is formed on the upper face of the extending section41bsuch that a height dimension in the vertical direction of the fastener element40gradually decreases.

As with the fixing section41a, the front side face and the back side face of this extending section41bare formed in a curved shape or in a inclined shape so that the element width dimension of the first extending section41bis gradually increased from the upper face45of the fastener element40toward the tape upper face of the fastener tape11in order to show the entire fastener element40to be thin by making the element width dimension on the upper face small.

Further in this case, as shown inFIGS. 14 and 15, the front side face and the back side face of the extending section41bhas concave surfaces (concave curved surfaces)41cwhich curves in a concave shape so as to recess inward of the fastener element40from the element upper face45toward the tape upper face.

In the second embodiment, a concave surface41c, which is disposed on the front side face and the back side face of the fixing section41a, and a concave surface41c, which is disposed on the front side face and the back side face of the extending section41b, are formed continuously over the entire first half section41from the end section on the tape inner side of the fixing section41atoward the tip end section of the extending section41b.

Since the concave surface41cis formed on the front side face and the back side face over the entire first half section41as described above, the front side face and the back side face of the first half section41are difficult to be seen as a whole when the fastener element40is viewed from its upper face side. Furthermore, the front side face and the back side face became to be appear darker than the upper face45of the first half section41. Accordingly, in the fastener element40in the second embodiment, the entire first half section41has an appearance to be narrow in the element width direction and to appear to be thin.

Further, since the front side face and the back side face of the first, fixing section41ahave concave surfaces41c, as in the case of the slide fastener1according to the first embodiment, when the locking pawl of the slider is engaged with the fixing section41aof the fastener element40, the locking pawl can be securely received and accommodated by the concave surfaces41cdisposed on the front side face and the back side face of the fixing section41a.

The second half section42of the fastener element40is integrally molded with the first half section41. The second half section42includes a body section42awhich has a predetermined dimension in the tape length direction and which is fixed to the tape side edge section so as to sandwich the tape side edge section of the fastener tape11between the fixing section41aof the first, half section41, a neck section.42bwhich is extended from the body section42atoward the outside of the tape and which has a constricted shape in which the dimension in the element width direction decrease, and a coupling head section42cwhich is further extended from the tip end section of the neck section42band which has an elliptical shape as it is swelled in the element width direction.

By the second half section42having such a shape, the left and right fastener elements40can be coupled or uncoupled smoothly when the slide fastener2is opened and closed by sliding the slider, and it is possible to stably obtain enough coupling strength to withstand the use of the slide fastener2when the left and right fastener elements40are coupled.

Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 11, in the fastener element40in the second embodiment, a step section42dis provided so as to correspond to the position of the neck section42bof the second half section42on the boundary section between the first half section41and second half section42. The second half section42is configured by the step section42dsuch that the height dimension of the element section from the step section42dto the side of the fastener tape11is larger than that of the element section from the step section42dto the side of the element tip end.

Since such a step section42dis disposed, for example when the left and right fastener elements40are coupled by sliding the slider, for example even if a relative height, position of the left and right fastener elements40are displaced within an element guide path of the slider, displacement between the left and right-fastener elements40is absorbed at the step section42dand one of the coupling head section42cout of the left and right fastener elements40can stably be fitted into the neck section42bof the other. Accordingly, the coupling operation of the left and right fastener elements40can be performed more smoothly.

As with the fastener element20in the first embodiment as described above, the fastener element40in the second embodiment is formed by injection molding thermoplastic polyacetal resin in which flat metal fine pieces made of aluminum or aluminum alloy are kneaded. Accordingly, each fastener element40can obtain the gloss with high-grade sense ever the entire element stably and it is also possible to improve the strength of the fastener element40.

In a case that the slide fastener2of the second embodiment which has such a fastener element40, is coupled with the left and right fastener elements40and is closed, the first half section41becomes narrow in the element width direction and the entire first half section41becomes to appear to be thin when the slide fastener2in a closed state is viewed from the upper face side. Furthermore, the contrast between the upper face45of the first half section41in which the gloss of the metal fine pieces is easily seen by reflection of light, and the front side face and the back side face in which reflection of light is difficult to see, is remarkably appeared. Accordingly, the fastener element40in the second embodiment can exhibit an appearance close to the metallic fastener element40.

Additionally, in the slide fastener2in the second embodiment, since a concave surface41cis disposed on the front side face and the back side face of the fixing section41ain each fastener element40, as with the slide fastener1according to the first embodiment described above, the locking pawl of the slider can be received and accommodated securely at the concave surface41cdisposed on the front side face and the back side face of the fixing section41awhen the locking mechanism of the slider is worked. Accordingly, it is possible to function the locking mechanism of the slider always stably.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST