Patent GB-1444234-A (GB)
Title: Method and apparatus for removing interlocking fastener elements from a slide fastener chain
IPC: A44B19/12
Filed: 1973-11-20
Abstract: 1444234 Removing interlocking fastener elements from a slide fastener chain YOSHIDA KOGYO KK 20 Nov 1973 [28 Nov 1972] 53756/73 Heading E2S A method of removing a length of fastener elements from a slide fastener consisting of a pair of opposed stringer tapes T, T carrying thereon uninterrupted rows of continuous fastener elements E in interlocked relation, element-securing members S affixing said rows of elements to the respective tapes, each of said elements having a coupling head Ea, two arm portions Eb and connecting portions Ec merging into adjoining elements, comprises the steps of anchoring the coupling head portions of a length of interlocked elements into a position registering with the path of severing means 13; loosely gripping the connecting portions Ec of said length of elements; biasing the element securing members S inwardly along the arm portions Eb of said length of elements thereby to expose the latter portions; firmly gripping the thus exposed arm portions so as to retain said length of elements in position against displacement; severing the interlocked coupling head portions Ea of said length of elements; and pulling said arm portions while being gripped outwardly, apart from their respective tapes to remove the remaining element debris. Space-forming apparatus comprises a table 11 with a pair of guide blocks 15a, 15b for guiding a fastener chain F to the station 13 for forming spaces such as G, Fig. 1, each guide including a pressure pad 17, Fig. 4, with an element guide channel 19 and a splitting member 22 which is adapted to separate the inner edges of the two stringer tapes T, T which are advanced intermittently to the space forming station 13 with their interlocked elements Ec facing upwards. The severing means comprises an anvil 23, Fig. 3, in which is mounted a spring- loaded punch 25 which is vertically reciprocable by a rod 27 and which cooperates with a die block 24. The latter is secured to a supporting plate 29 which is vertically reciprocable by a rod 30, a slot 31 in the die 24 accommodating a spring-loaded die 32 and being adapted to receive the tip 25a of the punch 25. The element debris removing means 14 comprises a pair of horizontally-opposed grippers 35a, 35b, Fig. 3, each of which comprises upper and lower jaws 36, 37 each having a claw 38 at one end and both being mounted on a pin 39. The jaw 37 is slidable in a groove in the table 11 and has a rack 40, which engages an associated sector gear 41. The jaw 36 carries a cam roll 43 which engages a cam plate 44 which is slidable in a with their interlocked elements Ec facing upgroove in the table 11, and which has a rack 45 which engages a second sector gear 46. The gears 41, 46 are connected eccentrically to respective drive rods 42, 47. In a complete cycle of operation the fastener chain tapes F, F are separated by the splitting member 22 to receive the punch 25 therebetween at the space-forming station 13 in a first phase and, in a second phase, the block 24 descends until the die 32 comes into abutment with the coupling head portions Ea of the coupling elements E which are held between the punch 25 and the die 24. At the same time the sectors 41 are rotated to move the grippers 35a, 35b towards each other to a position where their jaws 38, 38 can grip the connecting portions Ec of the fastener elements, Fig. 5b. The sectors 46 are then rotated to move the cam plates 44 inwardly until cam rolls 43, mounted at the outer ends of the upper jaws 36, ride up first cam surfaces 44a on the plates 44 so that the jaws (38, 38) loosely grip the element connecting portions Ec, Fig. 5c not shown. During the next phase the grippers 35a, 35b are moved further inwardly so that they shift the sewing threads S, and other element securing members, towards the interengaged heads Ea. Subsequently further rotation of the sector gears 46 causes second cam faces 44b on the plates 44 to cooperate with the cam rolls 43 so that the jaws 38, 38 bite into the portions Eb and hold the elements E firmly in position. The punch 25 is then raised to cut off the head portions Ea and carry them into the die slot 31, Fig. 5f, the grippers 35a, 35b then being successively retracted, and opened, to carry away, and deposit, the debris, Fig. 5a. Finally the die block 24, and the punch 25 are moved away from each other into their initial positions.