Patent GB-1129678-A (GB)
Title: Sliding clasp fastener having longitudinally compacted tapes and a method and apparatus for compacting
IPC: A44B19/42
Filed: 1966-10-06
Abstract: 1,129,678. Sliding clasp fasteners. FABRIC RESEARCH LABORATORIES, Inc. 6 Oct., 1966 [15 Oct., 1965], No. 44732/66. Heading E2S. [Also in Division D1] A method of producing a compacted sliding clasp fastener strip having a chain comprising two interlocked rows of fastener members mounted on the adjacent edges of fabric tapes comprises compacting said tapes longitudinally by applying a compressive force by work engaging surfaces and during the application of said compressive force isolating said chain from said work engaging surfaces while surrounding said chain by surrounding surfaces said surrounding surfaces having clearance to permit relative longitudinal movement of said fastener members as said fabric tapes are compacted. The method is carried out by a machine comprising a feed roll 18 for first engaging the tape, a retarding roll 34 to which said tapes are transferred from said feed roll and a member 32 'arranged to press said tapes into feeding engagement with said feed roll, said feed roll having a circumferential groove receiving said chain and closely surrounding it while permitting longitudinal movement of said fastener members. The feed roll of the machine shown has a plurality of grooves for a corresponding plurality of strips 8 and the machine also includes a steam box 10 through which the strips pass before reaching the feed roll to render the tapes softer and more malleable and condition them for the compacting. From the exit side of the steam box 10 the strips pass between grooved guide rolls 12 and 14 and thence between plates 17 and 19 the former of which is provided with guiding grooves 21 to align the strips with the grooves of the feed roll 18. The strips are guided onto the surface of the feed roll by a curved tape engaging surface of the shoe 20 the shoe being adapted to steam the passing strip through a slotted opening 22 in its forward working surface; the shoe is maintained sufficiently hot to prevent condensation of the steam in the chamber 24 by a second chamber 28 to which steam is applied through a pipe 30. The member 32 is a blade which is positioned below the chamber 28 and it has a narrow tape engaging working edge arranged to press the strips along primarily only a narrow area thereof against the surface of the feed roll 18. A short gap between the working edge of the blade 32 and the roll nip defines a compacting zone wherein a self sustaining column of each strip is compressibly compacted by being retarded by its impingement against the frictionally gripping surface of the retarding roll 34. From the retarding roll the strips pass to an endless blanket 56 to be carried about and pressed against a drier drum 58, the strips being led away from the drier drum by rolls 62 and 64. The dimensions of each groove 48 are stated to be that the groove depth is the thickness of the chain of fastener members plus 0.010 inch. with a tolerance of plus or minus 0.005 inch and that the width of the groove must be the width of the chain plus 0.010 inch with a tolerance of plus or minus 0.002 inch. The original spacing of the fastener members must be such that the compacting brings them to their correct distance apart. Sprayers 16 or 54 for spraying the strips with finish can be provided before or after the feed roll 18. The passage through the feed roll 18 displaces the interlocked rows of fastener members so that the rows are in an asymmetrical position with respect to the general plane of the strip one surface of the interlocked rows being coplanar with one surface of each of the tapes.