Patent Description:
Patent literature <NUM> discloses that an elongated protrusion is arranged on an inner surface of a fastener tape to prevent jamming of a lining in a slider. Sewing or bonding of a cord/linear member made of synthetic resin, or thermal-bonding of a linear member made of synthetic resin are described as exemplary ways of forming the elongated protrusion. <FIG> of the literature illustrates an embodiment where an elongated protrusion is formed by partially laminating a fastener tape.

Patent literature <NUM> discloses that a slider is provided with a V-shaped or U-shaped recess so that jamming of a cloth is prevented.

Patent literature <NUM> discloses that a "plastically deformable" core is inserted into an inside of a tubular woven portion for a purpose of improving a shape-retaining characteristic of the slide fastener (See Claim <NUM>, para. <NUM> and <FIG>), not directly related to a technical problem of jamming of a cloth though.

Document <CIT>, which discloses the preamble of claim <NUM>, shows a similar slide fastener.

In a case where an elongated protrusion is provided only at an inner side of a fastener tape as disclosed in Patent literature <NUM>, there is a possibility that jamming of a cloth is not prevented because, when a slide fastener is subjected to a deformation such as bending or twisting, the elongated protrusion would also be deformed. In order to cope with such a problem, one may consider to increase solidity of the elongated protrusion, but this is not a practical approach as the elongated protrusion can be unacceptably large at the inner side of the fastener tape. Also, it is first of all not possible to prevent jamming of a cloth in a slider at the outer side of fastener tape even if the elongated protrusion is provided at the inner side of the fastener tape as disclosed in the patent literature <NUM>.

The present inventors have newly identified a technical problem to prevent jamming of a cloth in a slider at both sides of a fastener tape while suppressing a bulkiness of a wall that is configured to prevent jamming of a cloth in a slider.

A slide fastener according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a pair of fastener stringers including a fastener tape and a fastener element arranged on a side-edge of the fastener tape, the fastener tape having tape upper and lower surfaces which define a tape thickness; and a slider to be moved to open or close the pair of fastener stringers, the slider including a slider upper portion arranged at the same side as the tape upper surface, a slider lower portion arranged at the same side as the tape lower surface, and a connecting portion connecting the slider upper portion and the slider lower portion. At least one fastener tape is provided with a wall configured to prevent jamming of a cloth, the wall being arranged to be spaced apart from the fastener element. The wall includes a wall upper portion arranged at the same side as the tape upper surface and protruding from the tape upper surface, and a wall lower portion arranged at the same side as the tape lower surface and protruding from the tape lower surface. In at least a part of a movable range of the slider, the slider upper portion is positioned adjacent to the wall upper portion and the slider lower portion is positioned adjacent to the wall lower portion so that jamming of a cloth in the slider is prevented at both sides of the tape upper and lower surfaces.

In some embodiments, the wall upper portion is arranged to touch the slider upper portion at least partially and/or the wall lower portion is arranged to touch the slider lower portion at least partially.

In some embodiments, a distance between the slider upper portion and the wall is equal to or less than <NUM> times a width of the fastener element in the same direction as that distance; and/or a distance between the slider lower portion and the wall is equal to or less than <NUM> times a width of the fastener element in the same direction as said distance.

In some embodiments, the slider has a slit for passing the fastener tape, the slit being defined between opposed portions of the slider upper portion and the slider lower portion, and a thickness of the wall in an Up-Down direction is in a range between <NUM> times and <NUM> times a width of the slit in the Up-Down direction.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the wall in the Up-Down direction is in a range between <NUM> times and <NUM> times the width of the slit in the Up-Down direction.

The wall is flexible. The wall includes a tubular structure of the fastener tape and a core enclosed in the tubular structure. The core is flexible. In some embodiments, the tubular structure includes a warp thread having a thickness greater than a thickness of a weft thread in the fastener tape.

In some embodiments, the wall is a resin or metal part attached to the fastener tape.

In some embodiments, the slider includes a slider body including an upper wing, a lower wing, and a connecting post connecting the upper wing and the lower wing, the upper and lower wings being arranged to face one another, each of the upper wing and the lower wing has a front end in which left and right shoulders extends along a Left-Right direction and a central recess is recessed rearward at a position between the left and right shoulders, the Left-Right direction being orthogonal to a movement direction of the slider body.

In some embodiments, the upper wing has a flange protruding toward the lower wing to define a slit for passing the fastener tape, and a front end of the flange is connected to the front end of the upper wing.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, jamming of a cloth in a slider can be prevented at both sides of a fastener tape while suppressing a bulkiness of a wall that is configured to prevent jamming of a cloth in a slider.

Hereinafter, various embodiments and features will be described with reference to <FIG>. A skilled person would be able to combine respective embodiments and/or respective features without requiring excess descriptions, and would appreciate synergistic effects of such combinations. Overlapping descriptions among the embodiments would be basically omitted. Referenced drawings are mainly for describing inventions, and may possibly be simplified for the sake of convenience of illustration. Individual features will be understood as a universal feature which is not only effective to slide fasteners disclosed in the present specification but also effective to other various slide fasteners not disclosed in the present specification.

Slide fastener <NUM> is an elongated web having a lengthwise direction, a crosswise direction, and a thickness direction. The slide fastener <NUM> includes a pair of fastener stringers <NUM>,<NUM>, and a slider <NUM> to be moved to open or close the pair of fastener stringers <NUM>,<NUM>. The fastener stringer <NUM> is a component in which a fastener element <NUM> is secured to a side-edge <NUM> of a belt-like fastener tape <NUM> along the lengthwise direction. Similarly, the fastener stringer <NUM> is a component in which a fastener element <NUM> is secured to a side-edge <NUM> of a belt-like fastener tape <NUM> along the lengthwise direction. The slider <NUM> is engaged with the fastener elements <NUM> and <NUM> in a slidable fashion. The slider <NUM> moves frontward so that the pair of fastener stringers <NUM>,<NUM> are closed (the fastener elements <NUM>,<NUM> are engaged), and the slider <NUM> moves rearward so that the pair of fastener stringers <NUM>,<NUM> are separated (the fastener elements <NUM>,<NUM> are disengaged).

In the present specification, Up-Down direction is equal to a thickness direction of the slide fastener <NUM>. Front-Rear direction is orthogonal to the Up-Down direction, and is equal to the lengthwise direction of the slide fastener <NUM> and the movement direction of the slider <NUM>. Left-Right direction is orthogonal to the Up-Down direction and the Front-Rear direction, and is equal to the crosswise direction of the slide fastener <NUM>.

The fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM> is, for example, a woven fabric or knitted fabric or combination thereof and is an elongated belt-like flexible fabric. The fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM> is made of plural tape structures. In a case where the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM> is a woven fabric, a tape structure such as a plain weave, twill weave, warp rib weave, or hollow weave (double weave) is configured by plural warp threads and one or plural weft threads. In a case where the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM> is a knitted fabric, a tape structure is configured by a warp knitted structure such as a chain weave, tricot weave and satin weave. If required, a core thread is secured to the side-edge <NUM>,<NUM> of the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM> along the lengthwise direction, thereby increasing the attachment strength of the fastener element <NUM>,<NUM> to the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM>, for example. Structures, configurations and thickness of the fastener tape can be variously determined by a skilled person in the art.

The fastener tape <NUM> has a tape thickness defined by a distance between a tape upper surface <NUM> and a tape lower surface <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>. The fastener tape <NUM> has a tape thickness defined by a distance between a tape upper surface <NUM> and a tape lower surface <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

The slider <NUM> has a slider upper portion 5A arranged at the same side as the tape upper surface <NUM>,<NUM> of the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM>, a slider lower portion 5B arranged at the same side as the tape lower surface <NUM>,<NUM> of the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM>, and a connecting portion 5C connecting the slider upper portion 5A and the slider lower portion 5B. The slider <NUM> is further provided with slits S1,S2, defined between opposed portions of the slider upper and lower portions 5A and 5B, for permitting the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM> to pass there-through. Width of the slit S1,S2 in the Up-Down direction (i.e. Slit-width) is equal to a distance between a portion (e.g. a flange) of the slider upper portion 5A and a portion (e.g. a flange) of the slider lower portion 5B which define the slit S1,S2. Typically, the width of the slit S1,S2 in the Up-Down direction (i.e. the slit-width) is greater than a thickness, in the Up-Down direction, of a portion of the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM> provided in the slit S1,S2, but should not be limited to this. The opposed portions of the slider top and lower portions 5A and 5B, defining the slit S1,S2, may be in contact with the respective upper and lower surfaces <NUM>,<NUM> and <NUM>,<NUM> of the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM> when the slider <NUM> moves frontward or rearward.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the slider <NUM> is configured by a single component of a slider body 5j (with an optional pull tab <NUM> attached thereto). The slider body 5j has upper and lower wings <NUM> and <NUM> arranged in the Up-Down direction to face each other, a connecting post <NUM> connecting the upper wing <NUM> and the lower wing <NUM>, a pull-attachment column <NUM> arranged on the upper wing <NUM>, and a pull-attachment column <NUM> arranged on the lower wing <NUM>. The slider upper portion 5A is configured by the upper wing <NUM> and the pull-attachment column <NUM>. The slider lower portion 5B is configured by the lower wing <NUM> and the pull-attachment column <NUM>. The connecting portion 5C is configured by the connecting post <NUM>. Note that, <FIG> shows a condition before the pull-attachment columns <NUM>,<NUM> are plastically deformed.

Y-shaped element passage is formed in the slider body 5j which is bifurcated by the connecting post <NUM>. A pair of front openings 58A,58B are arranged at the left and right sides of the connecting post <NUM>. A rear opening <NUM> is arranged at the opposite side of the front openings 58A,58B. The front openings 58A,58B are arranged to sandwich the connecting post <NUM> in the Left-Right direction orthogonal to the movement direction of the slider body 5j. Separated fastener elements <NUM>,<NUM> move into and out from the slider body 5j via the front openings 58A,58B. Engaged fastener elements <NUM>,<NUM> move into and out from the slider body 5j via the rear opening <NUM>.

The upper wing <NUM> is provided with flanges 56p,56q which are protruded toward the lower wing <NUM> so as to define respective slits S1,S2 for passing the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM>. Similarly, the lower wing <NUM> is provided with flanges 57p,57q protruded toward the upper wing <NUM> so as to define respective slits S1,S2 for passing the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM>. The slit S1,S2 extends in the Front-Rear direction to communicate the front opening 58A or 58B and the rear opening <NUM>. Passage for the left or right fastener element <NUM>,<NUM> is provided between the connecting post <NUM> and a respective one of the flanges 56p,56q. Passage for the engaged left and right fastener elements <NUM>,<NUM> is provided in a space rearward of the connecting post <NUM> and between the flanges 56p,56q. The height of the protruded flange 56p,56q is greater than the height of the protruded flange 57p,57q in the illustrated example, but a case is envisioned where they are at the same height.

The slit S1 has a slit width S10 that corresponds to a distance between the flange 56p of the upper wing <NUM> and the flange 57p of the lower wing <NUM> in the slider <NUM>. In a case where the slider <NUM> is not provided with a flange, the slit width S10 corresponds to a distance between the slider upper portion 5A and the slider lower portion 5B of a space in the slider <NUM> where the fastener tape <NUM> passes through. Similarly, the slit S2 has a slit width S20 which corresponds to a distance between the flange 56q of the upper wing <NUM> and the flange 57q of the lower wing <NUM> in the slider <NUM>. In a case where the slider <NUM> is not provided with a flange, the slit width S20 corresponds to a distance between the slider upper portion 5A and the slider lower portion 5B of a space in the slider <NUM> where the fastener tape <NUM> passes through. For example, the slit width S10,S20 is greater than a minimum value of the tape thickness of the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the fastener tape <NUM> has a wall <NUM> arranged to be spaced apart from the fastener element <NUM> with an interspace. Similarly, the fastener tape <NUM> has a wall <NUM> arranged to be spaced apart from the fastener element <NUM> with an interspace. The above-described interspace, i.e. a distance between an edge of the fastener element <NUM> at the side of the wall <NUM> and an edge of the wall <NUM> at the side of the fastener element <NUM> is equal to or less than a width of the fastener element <NUM> in the Left-Right direction. The thickness of the wall <NUM> is greater than the tape-thickness of the other portion of the fastener tape <NUM>. The thickness of the wall <NUM> is greater than the tape-thickness of the other portion of the fastener tape <NUM>. The wall <NUM>,<NUM> has a wall upper portion 14A,24A protruding from the tape upper surface <NUM>,<NUM> in the thickness direction of the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM>, and a wall lower portion 14B,24B protruding from the tape lower surface <NUM>,<NUM> in the thickness direction of the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM>. The walls <NUM>,<NUM> are provided to prevent jamming of a cloth.

The thickness of the wall <NUM>,<NUM> in the Up-Down direction may be in a range between <NUM> times and <NUM> times the width of the slit S1,S2 in the Up-Down direction (Slit width S10,S20). Preferably, the thickness of the wall <NUM>,<NUM> in the Up-Down direction is greater than the slit width S10,S20. That is, the thickness of the wall <NUM>,<NUM> in the Up-Down direction is in a range between <NUM> times and <NUM> times the width of the slit S1,S2 in the Up-Down direction (the slit width S10,S20). Such a configuration allows further facilitation of preventing jamming of a cloth. Furthermore, preferably, the thickness of the wall <NUM>,<NUM> in the Up-Down direction is twice the width of the slit S1,S2 in the Up-Down direction (the slit width S10,S20). Such a configuration allows facilitation of preventing jamming of a cloth without any change on a sliding property of the slider <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the wall <NUM>,<NUM> has a tubular structure <NUM>,<NUM> of the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM> and a core <NUM>,<NUM> enclosed in this tubular structure <NUM>,<NUM>.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM>, depicting a condition of plural warp threads relative to a weft thread. The tubular structure <NUM>,<NUM> includes plural warp threads <NUM> per a weft thread. The warp threads <NUM> are arranged to surround the core <NUM>,<NUM> in its periphery. The tubular structure <NUM>,<NUM> is based on a hollow weave (double weave). Note that a method of forming a hollow weave is known for skilled ones in the art, and thus detail descriptions will be omitted. The wall <NUM>,<NUM> is configured to include the weft thread and the warp threads likewise the other portion of the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM>, thus suppressing that more attention is to be paid to the wall <NUM>,<NUM> when the tape upper surface <NUM>,<NUM> or the tape lower surface <NUM>,<NUM> is looked at.

The wall <NUM>,<NUM> is formed simultaneously when the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM> is woven, allowing precise positioning of the wall <NUM>,<NUM> and omission of additional step of attaching the wall <NUM>,<NUM> onto the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM>. Moreover, there is no risk of removal of the wall <NUM>,<NUM> off the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM>.

The wall <NUM>,<NUM> may be flexible, preferably. In such a case, even if the slider <NUM> slides while touching the wall <NUM>,<NUM>, not all stress is applied from the slider <NUM> to the wall <NUM>,<NUM>, thus a functionality of preventing jamming of a cloth is obtained without sacrificing a sliding property. Also, it is avoided or suppressed that the wall <NUM>,<NUM> is worn due to the contact between the slider <NUM> and the wall <NUM>,<NUM>.

The thickness of the warp thread <NUM> in the tubular structure <NUM>,<NUM> of the wall <NUM>,<NUM> is greater than the thickness of the warp thread <NUM> in the other portion. The thickness of the warp thread <NUM> in the tubular structure <NUM>,<NUM> of the wall <NUM>,<NUM> is greater than (e.g. <NUM> times) the thickness of the weft thread. The core <NUM>,<NUM> of the wall <NUM>,<NUM> is a knitted cord and includes a bundle of threads covered by skin threads in its periphery. The strength of the core <NUM>,<NUM> is greater than the strength of a core thread arranged on a side-edge <NUM>,<NUM> of the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM> along the lengthwise direction. The core thread is a twisted cord and formed by bundling and twisting plural threads. The core thread can contract in a given extent. Warp threads in a hollow weave (double weave) around this core thread are the same as and have the same thickness as the weft threads. Note that, the thickness of the warp threads used in the wall <NUM>,<NUM> may be equal to or greater than <NUM> times the thickness of the weft thread in the above descriptions, but should not be limited to this. In a case where the core thread of the wall is thickened, the thickness of the warp thread used for the wall may be equal to the thickness of the weft thread. Note that, the core <NUM>, <NUM> has been described as a knitted cord, but should not be limited to this and can be a metal wire or resin wire.

The fastener element <NUM>,<NUM> is, for example, a coil element which is a mono-filament wound in helix but can be configured by arrangement of metal or resin elements. The fastener element <NUM>,<NUM> can be attached to the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM>, in accordance with its type, through swaging, injection-molding, or sewing. Embodiment is also envisioned where the fastener element <NUM>,<NUM> is woven together in the structure of the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM>.

Rear stop <NUM> can be attached to cover the left and right fastener elements <NUM>, <NUM>. Front stop <NUM> can be attached to the fastener element <NUM>. The front stop <NUM> can be attached to the fastener element <NUM>. Note that the rear stop <NUM>, the front stop <NUM>, and the front stop <NUM> can be attached to cover not only the fastener element but also to cover at least a portion of the wall <NUM>,<NUM>.

For example, the tape upper surface <NUM>,<NUM> may be positioned at an outer side of a garment to which the slide fastener <NUM> is sewn, and the tape lower surface <NUM>,<NUM> may be positioned at an inner side of the garment. It is however envisioned that this relationship is reversed. It is not possible to see if a cloth of garment is on a moving path of the slider <NUM> in the internal space of the garment. Therefore, that cloth is likely be jammed in the slider <NUM>. Whereas, one does not necessarily take a close look at the slider <NUM> or its periphery when operating and moving the slider <NUM>. That is, there is a possibility that a cloth of garment can be jammed in the slider <NUM> even in the outside of the garment. It is envisioned that a cloth of garment is more likely be jammed in the slider <NUM> if thinner cloth is used for the garment. The slide fastener <NUM> can be used for opening and closing not only for garments but also for tents or sleeping bags. The sleeping bag is configured by filling heat storage material inside pockets made of a thin cloth. It is envisioned that the slider <NUM> is operated by a hand only without being looked at, and thus the slide fastener <NUM> according to the present disclosure would be suitably used.

Distance between the rear stop <NUM> and the front stop <NUM>,<NUM> in the slide fastener <NUM> is defined as a movable range R5 (See <FIG>) of the slider <NUM>. In at least a part or the entirety of the movable range R5 of the slider <NUM>, the slider upper portion 5A is positioned adjacent to the wall upper portion 14A,24A and the slider lower portion 5B is positioned adjacent to the wall lower portion 14B,24B, thus preventing jamming of a cloth in the slider <NUM> at both sides of the tape upper and lower surfaces <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>. In particular, it is possible that the respective tape upper and lower surfaces are provided with a solid portion of the wall <NUM>,<NUM> which is necessary for ensuring a solidity of the wall <NUM>,<NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to prevent jamming of a cloth in the slider <NUM> at both sides of the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM> while suppressing a bulkiness of the wall <NUM>,<NUM>. Note that, the movable range R5 of the slider <NUM> is, typically, a range between the rear stop <NUM> and the front stop <NUM>,<NUM>, but one or both stop members can be omitted in some cases.

In some cases, a distance between the slider upper portion 5A and the wall <NUM> is in a range of <NUM>-<NUM> times the width of the fastener element <NUM>,<NUM> in the same direction as that distance (i.e. in the Left-Right direction); and/or a distance between the slider lower portion 5B and the wall <NUM> is in a range of <NUM>-<NUM> times the width of the fastener element <NUM>,<NUM> in the same direction as said distance (i.e. in the Left-Right direction). When the above described width is at <NUM> times, the slider upper portion 5A and the wall <NUM> are in contact each another. The same applies to the relationship of the slider lower portion 5B and the wall <NUM>.

The wall upper portion 14A,24A is arranged to touch the slider upper portion 5A and/or the wall lower portion 14B,24B is arranged to touch the slider lower portion 5B, not necessarily limited to this tough. In a flat condition shown in <FIG> where the slide fastener <NUM> is not bent or twisted, the wall <NUM>,<NUM> and the slider <NUM> are in contact each another. A cloth is more effectively prevented from being positioned frontward of the front opening 58A,58B of the slider <NUM>, rearward of the rear opening <NUM> of the slider <NUM> and adjacent to the slit S1,S2 of the slider <NUM>.

Further detail descriptions will follow on contact between the wall upper portion 14A,24A and the slider upper portion 5A and contact between the wall lower portion 14B,24B and the slider lower portion 5B. As shown in <FIG>, it is preferable that the wall upper portion 14A,24A and at least a side surface of an end of the slider upper portion 5A at the side of the rear opening touch one another. It is preferable that the wall lower portion 14B,24B and at least a side surface of an end of the slider lower portion 5B at the side of the rear opening touch one another. Such arrangement would be particularly desirable for a case where jamming is envisioned when a slider is pulled rearward.

It is desirable that the wall upper portion 14A,24A and at least a side surface of an end of the slider upper portion 5A at the side of the front opening touch each other. It is desirable that the wall bottom portion 14B,24B and at least a side surface of an end of the slider lower portion 5B at the side of the front opening touch each other. Such arrangement would be particularly desirable for a case where jamming is envisioned when a slider is pulled frontward.

More preferably, the wall upper portion 14A,24A and a side surface of the slider upper portion 5A, extending substantially across the entire length between the front opening and the rear opening, are in contact as shown in <FIG>. Preferably, the wall lower portion 14B,24B and a side surface of the slider lower portion 5B, extending substantially across the entire length between the front opening and the rear opening, are in contact.

Also, in a case where a surface of the wall upper portion 14A,24A is round, it is preferable that a corner of a flange of the slider upper portion 5A is kept touching the round surface of the wall upper portion 14A,24A as shown in <FIG>. In a case where a surface of the wall lower portion 14B,24B is round, it is desirable that a corner of a flange of the slider upper portion 5A is kept touching the round surface of the wall lower portion 14B,24B.

The above-described manners of contact can be distinguishable recognized as a respective independent inventive concept, and combinations thereof would also be distinguishably recognized as different inventive concepts.

As shown in <FIG>, the front end of the upper wing <NUM> has left and right shoulders 51p,51q extending in the Left-Right direction and a central recess 51r recessed rearward at a position between the left and right shoulders 51p,51q. Likewise, the front end of the lower wing <NUM> has left and right shoulders 52p,52q extending in the Left-Right direction and a central recess 52r recessed rearward at a position between the left and right shoulders 52p,52q. According to such a configuration, even if a cloth is positioned in front of the slider <NUM>, the cloth may be guided into the central recess 51r,52r when the slider <NUM> moves frontward, and thus it may less likely be jammed in the slider <NUM>. That is, it may be possible to reduce a risk that a cloth is caught in a space between the slider and the periphery of the fastener element. Preferably, the left or right shoulder is a linear portion that extends linearly in the Left-Right direction.

As a further option, the front end of the flange 56p,56q is coupled to the front end of the upper wing <NUM>. In cases where left and right walls <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged as described below, a possibility is low that a cloth traverses the wall <NUM>,<NUM> to reach the flange 56p,56q and is nipped between the flange 56p,56q and the fastener element <NUM>,<NUM>. The descriptions made for the upper wing <NUM> holds true for the lower wing <NUM>, and thus overlapping description is omitted.

The flange 56p,56q has a flange rear portion 56p1,56q1 and a flange sloped portion 56p2,56q2 arranged frontward of the flange rear portion 56p1,56q1. The flange rear portion 56p1,56q1 extend in parallel to the movement direction of the slider <NUM>. The interspace between the flange rear portions 56p1,56q1 is constant along the Front-Rear direction. The flange sloped portion 56p2,56q2 extends obliquely frontward from the flange rear portion 56p1,56q1. The interspace between the flange sloped portions 56p2,56q2 increases frontward. In some cases, an angle between the flange rear portion 56p1,56q1 and the flange sloped portion 56p2,56q2 is in a range between <NUM>° to <NUM>°.

The fastener tapes <NUM>,<NUM> are respectively provided with the walls <NUM>,<NUM>, thus preventing a cloth from moving in a direction toward the central line AX of the slide fastener <NUM> in the Left-Right direction shown in <FIG> (see the arrows). However, this case cannot cope with a case where a cloth is positioned in front of the slider <NUM> between the fastener elements <NUM>,<NUM>. As described above, the front end of the slider <NUM> is provided with the central recess 51r,52r and, when the slider <NUM> moves frontward, a cloth in front of the slider <NUM> is guided into the central recess 51r,52r, thus preventing a cloth from entering into a space between the slider <NUM> and the fastener element, i.e. jamming of a cloth in the slider <NUM> is prevented.

Other than a case where the walls <NUM>,<NUM> are integrally formed with the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM> as shown in <FIG>, it may be configured by attaching a separate part to the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM>. For example, it may be possible that a first core thread is sewn onto the tape upper surface and a second core thread is sewn onto the tape lower surface so that a wall protruding in the Up-Down direction is formed. Even in such an arrangement, it is possible that the respective tape upper and lower surfaces are provided with a solid portion of the wall <NUM>,<NUM> which is necessary for ensuring a solidity of the wall <NUM>,<NUM>. Therefore, jamming of a cloth in the slider <NUM> can be prevented at both sides of the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM> while suppressing a bulkiness of the wall.

<FIG> illustrates that the wall <NUM>,<NUM> is divided into plural islands 14i,24i. Even in such a case, similar effects would be achieved as the above-described embodiments. Each island 14i,24i is elongated in the Front-Rear direction, but should not be limited to this shape. The islands 14i,24i can be attached to the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM> through swaging, injection molding, sewing and so on likewise the fastener element <NUM>,<NUM>. Similar to the above-described cases, each island 14i,24i may have a tubular structure <NUM>,<NUM> and a core <NUM>,<NUM> enclosed in this tubular structure <NUM>,<NUM>. Needless to say, it is possible to employ metal-made or resin-made islands.

<FIG> shows an embodiment where the walls <NUM>,<NUM> are resin or metal parts and attached to the fastener tape <NUM>,<NUM> through injection molding or swaging. Material of the wall <NUM>,<NUM> would be various and a use of core such as a cord is not mandatory.

<FIG> shows an embodiment where the slider <NUM> is configured by a slider body 5j and a cover 5u attached thereto. The cover 5u is a retrofit component attached to the slider body 5j to prevent jamming of a cloth in the slider body 5j. The cover 5u is configured to prevent jamming of a cloth in the slider <NUM> when the slider <NUM> moves frontward (see <FIG>) and/or to prevent jamming of a cloth in the slider <NUM> when the slider <NUM> moves rearward. The cover 5u is constructed, for example, from a cover upper portion covering the slider upper portion 5A of the slider body 5j from above, a cover lower portion covering the slider lower portion 5B of the slider body 5j from below, and a connecting portion interconnecting the cover upper portion and the cover lower portion. The cover top and lower portions are coupled by a method such as a mechanical fit in the connecting portion such that the slider body 5j is accommodated in the slider body 5j. Note that the cover upper portion is a part of the slider upper portion 5A arranged at the same side as the tape upper surface <NUM>,<NUM>. The cover lower portion is a part of the slider lower portion 5B arranged at the same side as the tape lower surface <NUM>,<NUM>. The connecting portion interconnecting the cover upper portion and the cover lower portion is a part of the connecting portion 5C interconnecting the slider upper portion 5A and the slider lower portion 5B.

In the case shown in <FIG>, the cover 5u is configured to define a space for holding the slider body 5j, a left passage 81A for the left fastener element, and a right passage 81B for the right fastener element. The left passage 81A is in spatial communication with a left passage 71A at the left side of the connecting post <NUM> of the slider body 5j. The right passage 81B is in spatial communication with a right passage 71B at the right side of the connecting post <NUM> of the slider body 5j. Note that the left and right passages 71A,71B in the slider body 5j are in communication with a passage 71C provided rearward of the connecting post <NUM> of the slider body 5j. Such a cover 5u has been known for a skilled person as disclosed in International Publication No. <CIT>, and thus detail descriptions will be omitted.

The slider body 5j is not a special/dedicated slider shown in <FIG>, but is a commonly used slider. In the present embodiment, likewise the above-described embodiments, in at least a part of or in the entirety of the movable range R5 of the slider <NUM> (<FIG>), the upper portion of the slider <NUM> (i.e. the upper portion of the cover 5u of the slider <NUM>) is positioned adjacent to (e.g. touches) the upper portion of the wall <NUM>,<NUM> and the lower portion of the slider <NUM> (i.e. the lower portion of the cover 5u of the slider <NUM>) is positioned adjacent to (e.g. touches) the lower portion of the wall <NUM>,<NUM> so that jamming of a cloth in the slider <NUM> is prevented at both sides of the tape upper and lower surfaces. Therefore, similar effects as the above-described embodiments can be obtained in the present embodiment either.

Claim 1:
A slide fastener (<NUM>) comprising:
a pair of fastener stringers (<NUM>,<NUM>) including a fastener tape (<NUM>,<NUM>) and a fastener element (<NUM>,<NUM>) arranged on a side-edge (<NUM>,<NUM>) of the fastener tape (<NUM>,<NUM>), the fastener tape (<NUM>,<NUM>) having tape upper and lower surfaces (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>) which define a tape thickness; and
a slider (<NUM>) to be moved to open or close the pair of fastener stringers (<NUM>,<NUM>), the slider (<NUM>) including a slider upper portion (5A) arranged at the same side as the tape upper surface (<NUM>,<NUM>), a slider lower portion (5B) arranged at the same side as the tape lower surface (<NUM>,<NUM>), and a connecting portion (5C) connecting the slider upper portion (5A) and the slider lower portion (5B), wherein
at least one fastener tape (<NUM>,<NUM>) is provided with a wall (<NUM>,<NUM>) configured to prevent jamming of a cloth, the wall (<NUM>,<NUM>) being arranged to be spaced apart from the fastener element (<NUM>,<NUM>),
the wall (<NUM>,<NUM>) includes a wall upper portion (14A,24A) arranged at the same side as the tape upper surface (<NUM>,<NUM>) and protruding from the tape upper surface (<NUM>,<NUM>), and a wall lower portion (14B,24B) arranged at the same side as the tape lower surface (<NUM>,<NUM>) and protruding from the tape lower surface (<NUM>,<NUM>),
in at least a part of a movable range of the slider (<NUM>), the slider upper portion (5A) is positioned adjacent to the wall upper portion (14A,24A) and the slider lower portion (5B) is positioned adjacent to the wall lower portion (14B,24B) so that jamming of a cloth in the slider (<NUM>) is prevented at both sides of the tape upper and lower surfaces (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>), characterized in that: the wall (<NUM>,<NUM>) is flexible and includes a tubular structure (<NUM>,<NUM>) of the fastener tape (<NUM>,<NUM>) and a flexible core (<NUM>,<NUM>) enclosed in the tubular structure (<NUM>,<NUM>).