Patent Publication Number: US-9414650-B2

Title: Slide fastener

Description:
This application is a national stage application of PCT/JP2012/058569, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a slide fastener. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     There is known a slide fastener which includes a pair of fastener tapes, a pair of core strings respectively provided on opposing tape side edge portions of the pair of fastener tapes, a pair of fastener element rows respectively provided on the pair of core strings, each of the pair of fastener element rows having a plurality of fastener elements made of metal, and a slider configured to engage and disengage the pair of fastener element rows. 
     It is important for the slide fastener to maintain the engaged state, and the slide fastener is required to exhibit a preset level of engagement strength in several tests. Examples of such tests include a test of measuring the strength of engagement between fastener elements by grasping a pair of fastener tapes which are engaged with each other and pulling the pair of fastener tapes in the direction in which the fastener tapes are away from each other (horizontal pulling strength test) or a test of measuring the strength of engagement by applying a force to the portions where the fastener elements are engaged in a direction from the backside to the front side with using a rod-shaped member (thrust-up strength test). 
     In order to improve the engagement strength, it is considered to increase the area where the fastener elements are engaged and in contact with each other by changing the shape of engagement sections of the fastener elements. However, increase in the contact area leads to increase in the size of the engagement sections, and thus there is a problem in that engagement or disengagement is not smoothly performed when the slider is operated. 
     On the other hand, the horizontal pulling strength or the thrust-up strength of the fastener elements can be improved by decreasing the distances between the fastener elements attached to the core strings of the fastener tapes to be smaller than typical distances. However, this case also has a problem in that engagement or disengagement is not smoothly performed when the slider is operated. 
     As such, improvement in the engagement strength is closely related to the operation of the slider, and their balance is important. 
     In addition, although distances (pitches) at which the fastener elements are attached are set considering the elasticity of the fastener tapes, when a force is applied to the fastener elements which are attached to the core strings of the fastener tapes, the distances increase in response to inclination or minute movement of the fastener elements, thereby decreasing the engagement strength. This is known through the studies of the inventor of this application. 
     There is known a slide fastener of the related art in which lacquer is applied to fastener tapes and core strings to stiffen the fastener tapes and the core strings, thereby preventing fastener elements from moving (e.g. see Patent Document 1). 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT 
     Patent Document 
     Patent Document 1: U.S. Pat. No. 2,496,946 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Problems to be Solved by Invention 
     However, in the slide fastener described in Patent Document 1 above, as the portions of the fastener between the fastener elements are stiffened by the lacquer, the slider is difficult to operate. 
     The present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a slide fastener in which the engagement strength between fastener elements can be improved while the operability of a slider is maintained. 
     Means for Solving Problems 
     The object of the present invention is achieved by the following configurations. 
     (1) A slide fastener comprising: a pair of fastener tapes; a pair of core sections respectively provided along opposing tape side edge portions of the pair of fastener tapes; and a pair of fastener element rows respectively attached to the pair of core sections, each of the pair of fastener element rows including a plurality of fastener elements made of metal, wherein silica is applied to surfaces of the core sections and the fastener elements. 
     (2) The slide fastener according to (1), wherein the silica is applied to engagement head sections of the fastener elements. 
     (3) The slide fastener according to (1) or (2), wherein softening agent is applied to the pair of fastener tapes. 
     (4) The slide fastener according to (3), wherein anti-bleeding agent is applied to the pair of fastener tapes, and at least the fastener tapes are dyed with a pattern. 
     (5) The slide fastener according to (4), wherein fluorine compound is applied to the pair of fastener tapes, and at least the fastener tapes are dyed with a pattern. 
     (6) The slide fastener according to any one of (1) to (5), wherein end stops are attached to the core sections to which the silica is applied. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the slide fastener of the present invention, as the silica is applied to the core sections of the fastener tapes, it is possible to increase the frictional force between threads that form the portions of the fastener tapes in the vicinity of the core sections, thereby preventing the posture of the fastener elements attached to the core sections from being changed. In addition, as the silica is applied to the surfaces of the fastener elements, it is possible to increase the frictional force between the engaged fastener elements, thereby improving the thrust-up strength. Owing to these features, it is possible to improve the engagement strength of the fastener elements while maintaining the operability of the slider. 
     In addition, according to the slide fastener of the present invention, since the silica is applied to the engagement head sections of the fastener elements, it is possible to further improve the thrust-up strength of the fastener elements. 
     Furthermore, according to the slide fastener of the present invention, since the softening agent is applied to the fastener tapes, the fastener tapes can become flexible, thereby improving the operability of the slider. 
     In addition, according to the slide fastener of the present invention, since the anti-bleeding agent is applied to the fastener tapes, the fastener tapes can be beautifully printed by ink jet. 
     Furthermore, according to the slide fastener of the present invention, since the fluorine compound is applied to the fastener tapes, the fluorine compound may act as a water/oil repellent. When the fastener tapes are printed by ink jet, ejected ink droplets may not be easily absorbed in the fastener tapes. This can consequently prevent ejected ink droplets from spreading beyond an intended range, whereby the fastener tapes can be beautifully printed by ink jet. 
     In addition, according to the slide fastener of the present invention, since the end stops are attached to the core sections to which the silica is applied, the silica can improve the attachment strength of the end stops. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view illustrating a slide fastener according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 2A to 2C  are views illustrating the fastener elements shown in  FIG. 1 , in which  FIG. 2A  is a front view of the fastener elements,  FIG. 2B  is a top-plan view of the fastener element, and  FIG. 2C  is a bottom view of the fastener element; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged front view illustrating the pair of fastener element rows which are engaged with each other; 
         FIG. 4  is a partially enlarged view of the fastener elements shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating a fastener element of a slide fastener according to a modified example of the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged front view illustrating the pair of fastener element rows which are engaged with each other in the modified example shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a front view illustrating a slide fastener according to a second embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating fabrication processes of slide fasteners  1  to  5  which are used in a thrust-up strength test. 
     
    
    
     EMBODIMENTS OF INVENTION 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of a slide fastener according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, as for fastener tapes, a front side refers to a near side with respect to the paper surface of  FIG. 1 , a back side refers to a far side with respect to the paper surface of  FIG. 1 , an upper side refers to an upper side with respect to the paper surface of  FIG. 1 , a lower side refers to a lower side with respect to the paper surface of  FIG. 1 , a left side refers to a left side with respect to the paper surface of  FIG. 1 , and a right side refers to a right side with respect to the paper surface of  FIG. 1 . In addition, the right and left direction of the fastener tapes is also referred to as a width direction. Furthermore, the upward and downward direction of the fastener tapes is also referred to as a longitudinal direction. 
     First Embodiment 
     First, a first embodiment of the slide fastener according to the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 7 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the slide fastener  10  according to this embodiment includes a pair of right and left woven fastener tapes  20 , a pair of right and left core sections  20   a  respectively provided along opposing tape side edge portions of the pair of right and left woven fastener tapes  20 , a pair of right and left fastener element rows  30  respectively attached to the pair of right and left core sections  20   a , each of the pair of fastener element rows  30  including a plurality of fastener elements  31  made of metal, a slider  40  configured to engage and disengage the pair of right and left fastener element rows  30 , top end stops  11  respectively provided on the top end portions of the pair of right and left fastener element rows  30 , and a bottom end stop  12  provided on the bottom end portions of the pair of right and left fastener element rows  30 . Intended usages of the slide fastener  10  may include, but not limited to, clothes, bags, shoes and industrial materials. The top end stops  11  and the bottom end stop  12  are end stops configured to stop the slider  40  sliding. In addition, core strings are woven to the core sections  20   a  at the time of the weaving of the fastener tapes  20 . The dimension of each of the core sections  20   a  in the front and back direction is greater than the dimension of sections of the fastener tapes that are outward from the core sections  20   a  (also referred to tape sections of the fastener tapes  20 ). As shown in  FIGS. 2A to 2C , the core sections  20   a  have a bulged-shape. 
     Each of the fastener element rows  30  includes the plurality of fastener elements  31 . The plurality of fastener elements  31  are made of, for example, red brass, aluminum or nickel, and are attached to the corresponding core section  20   a  of the fastener tapes  20  by crimping. The fastener tapes  20  are made by weaving fibers of polyester. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2A to 2C , each of the fastener elements  31  includes a base section  32  which is attached to the core section  20   a  of the corresponding fastener tape  20  and an engagement head section  33  which extends from the base section  32  toward the counterpart fastener tape  20  and is engaged with an opposite fastener element  31 . 
     In addition, an engagement convex section  34  is formed on the top surface of the engagement head section  33 , and an engagement concave section  35  is formed on the bottom surface of the engagement head section  33 . Thus, as shown in  FIG. 3 , when the right and left fastener element rows  30  are engaged with each other, the engagement convex section  34  of the fastener element  31  at one side enters the engagement concave section  35  of the fastener element  31  at the other side while the engagement convex section  34  of the fastener element  31  at the other side enters the engagement concave section  35  of the fastener element  31  at one side. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the slider  40  includes a body  41 , a pull-tab attachment section  42  provided on the top surface of the body  41  and a pull-tab  43  attached to the pull-tab attachment section  42 . When the slider  40  is moved toward the top end stops  11  (toward the upper side), the pair of right and left fastener element rows  30  are engaged with each other. When the slider  40  is moved toward the bottom end stop  12  (toward the lower side), the pair of right and left fastener element rows  30  are disengaged from each other. 
     In addition, according to this embodiment, silica (silicon oxide) S is applied to the surface of the right and left fastener tapes  20  and the right and left fastener elements  31  (see  FIG. 4 ) and softening agent is applied to the right and left fastener tapes  20 . Furthermore, the silica S is applied to the entire surfaces of the base sections  32  and the engagement head sections  33  of the fastener elements  31 . Silica is a type of silicon oxide, and more particularly, a material that is composed of silicon dioxide (SiO 2 ). 
     Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the silica S and the softening agent are applied to the core sections  20   a  of the right and left fastener tapes  20 . The top end stops  11  and the bottom end stop  12  are attached to the core sections  20   a  to which the silica S is applied. Thus, the silica S is applied to the inner side of the top end stops  11  and the bottom end stop  12 , and the attachment strength of the top end stops  11  and the bottom end stop  12  is increased. The strength refers to sliding strength with respect to the longitudinal direction of the fastener tapes  20 . 
     Examples of silica-applying treatment may include applying solution of organic silicon compound containing silane coupling agent consisting primarily of silica particles on the fastener tapes  20  and the fastener elements  31 , followed by drying. Alternatively, the silica-applying treatment may include pouring the solution into a bath and dipping the fastener chain into the bath. 
     Examples of the softening agent may include cation-based softening agent, anion-based softening agent, non-ionic softening agent, complex softening agent and silicon softening agent. 
     As described above, in the slide fastener  10  according to this embodiment, as the silica S is applied to the core sections  20   a  of the fastener tapes  20 , it is possible to increase the frictional force between threads that form the portions of the fastener tapes  20  in the vicinity of the core sections  20   a , thereby preventing the posture of the fastener elements  31  attached to the core sections  20   a  from being changed. In addition, as the silica S is applied to the surfaces of the fastener elements  31 , it is possible to increase the frictional force between the engaged fastener elements  31 , thereby improving thrust-up strength. Owing to these features, it is possible to improve the engagement strength of the fastener elements  31  while maintaining the operability of the slider  40 . 
     In addition, in the slide fastener  10  according to this embodiment, since the silica S is applied to the engagement head sections  33  of the fastener elements  31 , it is possible to further improve the thrust-up strength of the fastener elements  31 . 
     Furthermore, in the slide fastener  10  according to this embodiment, since the softening agent is applied to the fastener tapes  20 , the fastener tapes  20  can become flexible, thereby improving the operability of the slider  40 . Although there is a possibility that the flexible fastener tapes  20  may cause a minute change in the posture to the fastener elements  31 , the application of the silica S to the fastener tapes  20  cause friction between the threads that compose the core sections  20   a  of the woven fastener tapes  20 . It is therefore possible to prevent the fastener tapes  20  from being excessively flexible while obtaining flexibility from the softening agent. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress a change in the posture of the fastener elements  31  attached to the core sections  20   a  of the fastener tapes  20 . 
     In addition, in the slide fastener  10  according to this embodiment, since the top end stops  11  and the bottom end stop  12  are attached to the core sections  20   a  to which the silica S is applied, the silica S is interposed between the top end stops  11  and the core sections  20   a  and between the bottom end stop  12  and the core sections  20   a . This can consequently improve the sliding strength of the top end stops  11  and the bottom end stop  12 . 
     As a modified example of this embodiment, the fastener elements  31  may be fastener elements  51 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , each of the fastener elements  51  includes a base section  52  which is attached to a corresponding core section  20   a  of the fastener tapes  20  and an engagement head section  53  which extends from the base section  52  toward the counterpart fastener tape  20  and is engaged with an opposing fastener element  51 . 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , a first engagement convex section  54  is formed on the top surface of the engagement head section  53  at a side of the leading end thereof, and a first engagement concave section  55  is formed on the top surface of the engagement head section  53  at a side of the base section  52  relative to the first engagement convex section  54 . Furthermore, a second engagement convex section  56  is formed on the bottom surface of the engagement head section  53  at a side of the leading end thereof, and a second engagement concave section  57  is formed on the bottom surface of the engagement head section  53  at a side of the base section  52  relative to the second engagement convex section  56 . Accordingly, the engagement head section  53  is formed symmetrical in the upward and downward direction. 
     Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 7 , when engaging the right and left fastener element rows  30  with each other, the first engagement convex section  54  of the fastener element  51  at one side enters the second engagement concave section  57  of the fastener element  51  at the other side while the second engagement convex section  56  of the fastener element  51  at the other side enters the first engagement concave section  55  of the fastener element  51  at one side. At the same time, the second engagement convex section  56  of the fastener element  51  at one side enters the first engagement concave section  55  of the fastener element  51  at the other side while the first engagement convex section  54  of the fastener element  51  at the other side enters the second engagement concave section  57  of the fastener element  51  at one side. 
     In addition, according to this modified example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the silica (silica oxide) S is applied only to the surfaces of the right and left faster tapes  20  and the first and second engagement convex sections  54  and  56  of the right and left fastener elements  31 . 
     Second Embodiment 
     Next, with reference to  FIG. 8 , a description will be given below of a second embodiment of the slide fastener according to the present invention. The same reference numerals and signs will be used in the drawings in order to designate some components when they are the same as or similar to those of the first embodiment, and descriptions of those components will be omitted or simplified. 
     According to this embodiment, as well as the foregoing first embodiment, silica (silicon oxide) S is applied to the surfaces of the right and left fastener tapes  20  and the right and left fastener elements (see  FIG. 4 ) while anti-bleeding agent and fluorine compound are applied to the right and left fastener tapes  20 . In addition, a preset pattern (color) P is printed (colored) by ink jet on the fastener tapes  20 , the fastener elements  31  and the portions of the fastener tapes  20  in the vicinity of the fastener elements  31 . 
     In addition, a separable end stop  13  is provided instead of the bottom end stop  12  of the first embodiment. The separable end stop  13  includes a box pin  14  and a box body  15  which are provided on the bottom end portion of the right fastener element row  30 . The separable end stop  13  also includes an insert pin  16  which is provided on the bottom end portion of the left fastener element row  30 . The insert pin  16  can be inserted into the box body  15 . The separable end stop  13  may be a reverse separable end stop which can be disengaged to the right and left, and can disengage the engaged fastener elements  31  from below. The separable end stop  13  and the reverse separable end stop are also end stops. 
     Examples of the anti-bleeding agent may include acrylic acid-vinyl alcohol, sodium acrylate polymer, cross-linked product of starch-acrylic acid graft copolymer, cross-linked polyacrylate, polyamines, allylamines, acryls and dicyandiamides. Although the anti-bleeding agent serves to improve the fixation of ink, it also stiffens fibers. Therefore, the same softening agent as in the foregoing first embodiment is added to the anti-bleeding agent. 
     Examples of the fluorine compound may include poly(pentadecafluorooctyl acrylate), poly(trifluoroethyl acrylate), tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, perfluorolauric acid, polytetrafluoroethylene, perfluoro-n-alkyl acrylate, polyvinylidene fluoride, pentadecane butyl methacrylate and hexafluoropropylene. In addition, examples of the fluorine compound may also include copolymer composed of two or more types of fluorine-containing olefins and copolymer of fluorine-containing olefin and hydrocarbon monomer. 
     As set forth above, in the slide fastener  10  according to this embodiment, since the anti-bleeding agent is applied to the fastener tapes  20 , the fastener tapes  20  can be beautifully printed by ink jet. 
     In addition, in the slide fastener according to this embodiment, since the anti-bleeding agent to which the softening agent is added is applied to the fastener tapes  20 , the fastener tapes  20  can be made flexible, thereby improving the operability of the slider  40 . Although there is a possibility that a minute change in posture is caused in the fastener elements  31  since the fastener tapes  20  are made flexible, the application of the silica S to the fastener tapes  20  causes friction between the threads which compose the core sections  20   a  of the woven fastener tapes  20 . It is therefore possible to prevent the fastener tapes  20  from being excessively flexible while flexibility is obtained from the softening agent. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a change in the posture of the fastener elements  31  attached to the core sections  20   a  of the fastener tapes  20 . 
     Furthermore, in the slide fastener  10  according to this embodiment, since the fluorine compound is applied to the fastener tapes  20 , the fluorine compound may act as a water/oil repellent. When the fastener tapes  20  are printed by ink jet, ejected ink droplets may not be easily absorbed in the fastener tapes  20 . This can consequently prevent ejected ink droplets from spreading beyond an intended range, whereby the fastener tapes  20  can be beautifully printed by ink jet. 
     In addition, in the ink jet printing as described above, at least the fastener tapes  20  are dyed with a pattern (including a design, a decoration or a tone by one color). Dyeing is carried out by ink adhesion with using the ink jet printing, followed by coloring of threads by heating treatment. As shown in  FIG. 8 , when the fastener elements are also dyed with a pattern, for example, a resin layer is formed on the surfaces of the fastener elements made of metal, and silica is applied to the surface of the resin layer. This resin layer can be dyed through adhesion of ink from the ink jet printing, whereby the fastener elements can also be dyed with a pattern. For the resin layer, for example, polyester or polybutylene terephthalate is considered. In addition, it is possible to directly apply silica to the engagement head sections of the fastener elements made of metal and form the resin layer on the surface portions of the fastener elements except for the engagement head sections. 
     The other configurations and advantageous effects are the same as those of the first embodiment. 
     EXAMPLES 
     Next, in order to confirm the advantageous effects of the present invention, thrust-up strength test was performed on slide fasteners of the present invention and slide fasteners of comparative examples. 
     In this test, slide fasteners  1  to  5  (No.  1  to No.  5 ) which will be described later were prepared. As the common specification of the slide fasteners  1  to  5 , the fastener tapes are woven from polyester threads, and the fastener elements are made of red brass. In addition, fabrication processes of the slide fasteners  1  to  5  are shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     Slide fastener  1  corresponds to a conventional slide fastener in which fastener elements are attached to core sections of fastener tapes. 
     In slide fastener  2 , anti-bleeding agent is applied to fastener tapes and then fastener elements are attached to core sections of the fastener tapes. 
     In slide fastener  3 , anti-bleeding agent and silica are applied to fastener tapes and then fastener elements are attached to core sections of the fastener tapes. Accordingly, no silica is applied to the fastener elements. 
     In slide fastener  4 , fastener elements are attached to core sections of fastener tapes and then silica is applied to the fastener tapes and the fastener elements. 
     In slide fastener  5 , anti-bleeding agent is applied to fastener tapes and then fastener elements are attached to core sections of the fastener tapes. Then, silica is applied to the fastener tapes and the fastener elements. Accordingly, slide fastener  5  corresponds to the slide fastener according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
     The silica applying process in the slide fasteners  3  and  4  is performed by applying liquid organic silicon compound that contains silane coupling agent. More specifically,NC- 1020  available from Takamatsu Oil &amp; Fat Co. Ltd. and consisting primarily of silica particles was used. 
     The anti-bleeding agent applying process in the slide fasteners  2 ,  3  and  5  is performed by applying liquid of polyamine resin containing fluorine compound such that inkjet printing can be beautifully performed, followed by drying. Although the anti-bleeding agent was removed by subsequent reduction treatment, some of the components left on the fastener tapes. The fluorine compound also left on the fastener tapes. In this case, the reduction treatment is implemented as, for example, washing with warm water (80 to 90° C.) or soaping using a soaping additive and soda ash (at about 80° C.). 
     According to the thrust-up strength test, first, a predetermined load in the upward and downward direction was applied to the slider fasteners, with the right and left fastener element rows thereof being engaged with each other, using a dedicated test apparatus in order to prevent the fastener tapes from being loosened. In the state in which the fastener tapes were subjected to the load, the right and left fastener tapes were grasped with right and left grips of the test apparatus. Afterwards, a thrust-up force was gradually applied to the right and left engaged fastener element rows in the direction from the backside to the front side of the tapes using a rod-shaped member. The thrust-up force was increased, and the value of the thrust-up force when the right and left fastener element rows were disengaged and thus separated from each other was measured as the thrust-up strength of the slide fastener. In this thrust-up strength test, when the trust-up force was applied to the fastener element rows, a load of 0.3 kg was applied in the direction in which the fastener element rows were away from each other in the upward and downward direction (longitudinal direction) of the fastener tapes. 
     In this test, 10 slide fasteners were prepared for each of slide fasteners  1  to  5  (No.  1  to No.  5 ), and the average thrust-up strength was calculated for each of slide fasteners  1  to  5 . The results are presented in Table 1. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Thrust-up Strength (Unit: N) 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 No. 1 
                 No. 2 
                 No. 3 
                 No. 4 
                 No. 5 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 215.6 
                 184.1 
                 191.6 
                 237.3 
                 259.4 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     As apparent from Table 1 above, when conventional slide fastener  1  is regarded as a reference, the thrust-up strength of each of slide fasteners  2  and  3  is less than that of slide fastener  1 , whereas the thrust-up strength of each of slide fasteners  4  and  5  is greater than that of slide fastener  1 . 
     In addition, the thrust-up strength of each of slide fasteners  4  and  5  with the fastener elements being applied with silica was significantly improved as compared to slide fastener  3  with the fastener elements being applied with no silica. It is therefore appreciable that the application of silica to the fastener elements had significant effect on the improved thrust-up strength. 
     Furthermore, concurrently with this test, the operability of slide fasteners  1  to  5  was examined. However, there were no significant difference in the operability of slide fasteners  2  to  5  from that of conventional slide fastener  1 . 
     It is possible to determine whether or not silica (silicon oxide), fluorine compound or anti-bleeding agent is applied to the slide fasteners by surface composition analysis. 
     In order to detect silica (silicon oxide) or fluorine compound, it is analyzed whether or not silicon (Si) or fluorine (F) is detected from the surface of the fastener tapes and fastener elements. This analysis can be performed by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. More particularly, it is preferable to perform the analysis using a scanning electron microscope which is supplemented to an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope. 
     The existence of anti-bleeding agent or softening agent can be determined by performing soxhlet extraction using solvent of carbon tetrachloride and analyzing the resultant extract. 
     The present invention is not limited to those that were illustrated in the foregoing embodiments but can be suitably changed without departing from the concept of the present invention. 
     DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
       10  Slide Fastener 
       11  Top Stop 
       12  Bottom Stop 
       20  Fastener Tape 
       20   a  Core Section 
       30  Fastener Element Row 
       31  Fastener Element 
       32  Base Section 
       33  Engagement Head Section 
       51  Fastener Element 
       52  Base Section 
       53  Engagement Head Section 
     S Silica