Patent Description:
A knitted fastener stringer is known as one of fastener stringers for slide fasteners. In a knitted fastener stringer, a continuous plurality of fastener elements formed of monofilament made of synthetic resin are knitted in a tape side edge portion of a fastener tape.

In this case, a portion of the fastener tape in which the fastener elements are knitted is called an element attaching portion. A knitted fastener stringer is manufactured, for example, using a double warp knitting machine with two rows of needle beds by knitting the continuous fastener elements in the element attaching portion of the fastener tape while knitting the fastener tape.

An example of a knitted fastener stringer is disclosed in, for example, <CIT> (Patent Document <NUM>) and <CIT> (Patent Document <NUM>).

In the knitted fastener stringer of Patent Document <NUM>, a ground structure of the element attaching portion of the fastener tape is knitted in a single structure by chain stitch yarns, tricot yarns, and two needle stitch yarns. Each fastener element is sandwiched and fixed by this ground structure of the element attaching portion and fixing chain stitch yarns knitted in a single structure.

In the knitted fastener stringer of Patent Document <NUM>, a ground structure of the element attaching portion is knitted in a single structure by chain stitch yarns, two needle stitch yarns or tricot yarns, and weft insertion yarns inserted in a zigzag pattern over two wales. Additionally, fixing chain stitch yarns for fixing the fastener elements are knitted in a double structure that forms the first needle loops interlaced with needle loops of the ground structure and the second needle loops holding down the fastener elements.

A knitted fastener stringer is formed with the fastener elements directly knitted in the fastener tape including a warp knitting structure. For this reason, a slide fastener manufactured using a knitted fastener stringer is preferably used for clothing such as underwear and thin outer wear because it is thin in thickness and excellent in flexibility.

<CIT> discloses a knit slide fastener in which a continuous fastener element row is knitted in a fastener element attaching marginal portion of each of fastener tapes simultaneously with the knitting of the fastener tape, the fastener element attaching marginal portion includes a plurality of parallel binding chain stitch yarns extending longitudinally of the marginal portion for holding the fastener element row to the marginal portion.

<CIT> discloses a fastener tape for a slide fastener, which prevents stretching of an element attaching portion in a tape longitudinal direction while maintaining plasticity possessed by a knitted fabric inherently. The fastener tape has the improved strength of the element attaching portion, wherein a narrow width fastener tape is composed of a warp knitting structure in which an element attaching portion constituted of a plurality of wales is formed by knitting along one side edge of a tape main body portion.

<CIT> discloses a fastener stringer comprising a knit fastener tape of a warp knit structure having an element mounting portion and a tape main portion, and a coiled plastic element row sewed on the element mounting portion wherein, two needle yarns for sewing the element row on the element-mounting portion are so arranged that they interpose a wale whereby two sewing lines, are formed.

<CIT> discloses a waterproof slide fastener in which a synthetic resin film is fused to a fastener tape in order to prevent a perforation phenomenon that the synthetic resin film does not exist locally. A laminated synthetic resin film composed of low melting point resin layer having melting point of, for example, <NUM> - <NUM> and high melting point resin layer having melting point of, for example, <NUM> - <NUM> is fused to a surface or both surfaces of a pair of the fastener tapes with the low melting point resin layer being in contact with and opposing the fastener tape by heating with pressure.

In recent years, improving properties according to respective usage, or enhancing added value by granting various functions have been done in various products including garments such as clothing. For example, in the case of clothing for daily use, it is often required to reduce the weight, to increase the flexibility, to improve the texture of such clothing, to make it more comfortable to wear, and the like.

For this reason, there are various requests for the slide fasteners to be attached to clothing. For example, for a slide fastener including a knitted slide fastener stringer, it is required to make the slide fastener thinner, to enhance the flexibility further, to improve the texture better, to increase the tape strength of a fastener tape, and the like.

By the way, as one form of slide fasteners, so-called a back use type slide fastener is known, of which fastener elements are attached on a tape back surface side of a fastener tape so that the fastener elements are not visible in a closed state of the slide fastener. When such a back use type slide fastener is manufactured using a knitted fastener stringer, it is more likely to form a gap between the left and right fastener tapes in a closed state of the slide fastener compared to, for example, a widely known back use type slide fastener of which the fastener elements are sewn on a fastener tape of a woven structure. As a result, in the case of a back use type slide fastener including a knitted fastener stringer, there is a possibility that parts of the fastener elements disposed hidden behind the fastener tapes are easily visible from the gap between the left and right fastener tapes.

Additionally, in the case of a back use type slide fastener, the slide fastener can be provided with a water repellence property for making it difficult for liquid such as water to penetrate from one tape surface side to the other tape surface side of fastener tapes in a closed state of the slide fastener, by attaching a film member made of synthetic resin to the fastener tape and by applying water repellent treatment to the fastener tape. Such a slide fastener with a water repellence property is generally called a water repellent treated slide fastener.

In the case of a back use type slide fastener including a knitted slide fastener stringer, however, as the gap as described above is formed between the left and right fastener tapes, the film member is sometimes disposed protruding above this gap between the fastener tapes upon attaching the film member made of synthetic resin to the fastener tapes. As a result, a part of the film member protruding from the fastener tape seems like a straight white line along a tape length direction, there is a fear that it may lead to reduction in the appearance quality of the slide fastener. Additionally, if the gap described above is formed between the left and right fastener tapes, it may also lead to reduction in the water repellence property of the slide fastener. Therefore, knitted slide fastener stringers have been rarely used for back use type water repellent treated slide fasteners.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above conventional problems, and the object is to provide a knitted fastener stringer in which a gap formed between left and right fastener tapes can be smaller in a closed state of a slide faster, a fastener chain including the knitted fastener stringers, and a method for manufacturing the knitted fastener stringer.

To achieve the above object, a knitted fastener stringer provided by the present invention is a knitted fastener stringer comprising, a fastener tape including a warp knitting structure, and a plurality of fastener elements formed of monofilament made of synthetic resin, wherein the fastener tape includes a tape body portion, and an element attaching portion extending from one side edge portion of the tape body portion in a tape width direction and in which a part of the fastener element is knitted, wherein the fastener tape includes a plurality of chain stitch yarns forming a plurality of needle loops in a chain shape along a wale direction, wherein the chain stitch yarn disposed on the innermost edge wale furthest from the tape body portion of the element attaching portion is the thickest of all the chain stitch yarns used in the fastener tape.

In the knitted fastener stringer according to the present invention, the fastener tape includes a ground structure knitted in a single structure by the chain stitch yarn, a single satin stitch yarn alternately forming needle loops on two wales disposed at a position three wales distant from each other, and a weft insertion yarn inserted over a plurality of wales in a zigzag pattern, and the fastener element is inserted and knitted between the ground structure of the fastener tape and a fixing chain stitch yarn knitted in a single structure.

In this case, it is preferable that at least three of the single satin stitch yarns and the at least two of the weft insertion yarns are disposed in directions crossing each other in an interval between wales at a boundary portion of the tape body portion and the element attaching portion.

Additionally, it is preferable that the single satin stitch yarns include a first single satin stitch yarn alternately forming needle loops on a wale of the element attaching portion and on a wale of the tape body portion, and a second single satin stitch yarn alternately forming needle loops on two wales of the tape body portion, and the first single satin stitch yarn is thicker than the second single satin stitch yarn.

Furthermore, according to the invention the needle loops that form the outermost edge wale of the tape body portion disposed on the position furthest from the element attaching portion, include only needle loops of the chain stitch yarn, and the needle loops that form wales except the outermost edge wale of the tape body portion include the needle loops of the chain stitch yarn and the needle loops of the single satin stitch yarn.

Next, a fastener chain provided by the present invention is characterized by comprising the two knitted fastener stringers including the forms described above.

In the fastener chain of the present invention, it is preferable that a distance between the two fastener tapes is <NUM> or less.

Additionally, it is preferable that the fastener tape includes a first tape surface on the side which the fastener elements are knitted, and a second tape surface on the opposite side of the first tape surface, and a film member made of synthetic resin is attached on the second tape surface of the fastener tape.

Next, a manufacturing method for a knitted fastener stringer provided by the present invention is a manufacturing method for a knitted fastener stringer comprising, a fastener tape including a warp knitting structure, and a plurality of fastener elements formed of monofilament made of synthetic resin, wherein the fastener tape includes a tape body portion, and an element attaching portion extending from one side edge portion of the tape body portion in a tape width direction and in which a part of the fastener element is knitted, wherein the fastener tape includes a plurality of chain stitch yarns forming a plurality of needle loops in a chain shape along a wale direction, and the method including using a thickest yarn of all the chain stitch yarns used in the fastener tape for the chain stitch yarn disposed on the innermost edge wale furthest from the tape body portion of the element attaching portion.

The manufacturing method for the knitted fastener stringer according to the present invention includes inserting and knitting the fastener elements between a ground structure of the fastener tape and a fixing chain stitch yarn knitted in a single structure while knitting the ground structure of the fastener tape in a single structure by using the chain stitch yarn, a single satin stitch yarn alternately forms needle loops on two wales disposed at a position three rows distant from each other, and a weft insertion yarn inserted over a plurality of wales in a zigzag pattern. The method is further defined by the characterising features recited in method claim <NUM>.

In the knitted fastener stringer according to the present invention, the belt-shaped fastener tape formed long in one direction includes a plurality of the chain stitch yarns. Additionally, the thickest yarn of all the chain stitch yarns used in the fastener tape is used for the chain stitch yarn disposed on the innermost edge wale furthest from the tape body portion of the element attaching portion. This enables a position of the innermost edge wale in a tape width direction to be more distant from the tape body portion of the fastener tape compared to the case in which, for example, the chain stitch yarn disposed on the innermost edge wale is the same thickness as other chain stitch yarns. Thus, when a fastener chain or a slide fastener is formed by combining the two knitted fastener stringers, a distance of the gap formed between the left and right fastener tapes can be smaller, specifically, the distance of the gap can be small as <NUM> or less.

In the fastener stringer according to the present invention, the fastener tape includes the ground structure knitted in a single structure using the chain stitch yarn, the single satin stitch yarn, and the weft insertion yarn. Here, the single satin stitch yarn refers to a yarn alternately forming needle loops on two wales disposed three wales distant from each other (in other words, two wales with two wales disposed between them). This single satin stitch yarn is also simply called a satin stitch yarn. In the present invention, on knitting such a fastener tape, the fastener element is inserted and knitted one by one in a sequence between the ground structure of the fastener tape of a single structure, and the fixing chain stitch yarn of a single structure knitted by a different needle bed from that of the ground structure.

In the ground structure of the fastener tape of the present invention, tricot yarns and two needle stitch yarns are not knitted but the single satin stitch yarns described above are knitted. For this reason, the needle loops formed on two wales of each single satin stitch yarn are properly distant from each other, and thus the sinker loops of the single satin stitch yarns disposed between the needle loops of these distant wales can be made long. As a result, the knitted fastener stringer of the present invention can improve flexibility compared to the knitted fastener stringers including tricot yarns and two needle stitch yarns such as Patent Document <NUM> and Patent Document <NUM>. Furthermore, the knitted fastener stringer of the present invention has a high flexibility compared to, for example, a fastener stringer of which fastener elements are separately attached to a fastener tape (a knit tape) after knitting by sewing process (in other words, a non-knitted fastener stringer).

Additionally, it becomes newly discovered that below effect can be obtained in relation to the texture of the knitted fastener stringer. That is, in the knitted fastener stringer of the present invention, the sinker loops of the single satin stitch yarns are disposed long in an inclined direction to a course direction between each of the courses. A tape surface of the fastener tape on the side at which sinker loops appear can be formed into a smooth surface such as satin weave fabric by the fastener tape including such long sinker loops inclined to a course direction. Thus, the fastener tape of the knitted fastener stringer of the present invention can have a better texture than the knitted fastener stringers of such as Patent Document <NUM> and Patent Document <NUM>.

In such a knitted fastener stringer of the present invention, at least three of the single satin stitch yarns and at least two of the weft insertion yarns are disposed in directions crossing each other in an interval between the wales being a boundary portion of the tape body portion and the element attaching portion. For this reason, the tape strength of the fastener tape, especially the tape strength between the tape body portion and the element attaching portion of the fastener tape can be effectively enhanced.

The single satin stitch yarns of the present invention include the first single satin stitch yarn alternately forms needle loops on the wale of the element attaching portion and the wale of the tape body portion, and the second single satin stitch yarn alternately forms needle loops on two wales of the tape body portion. Additionally, the first single satin stitch yarn is thicker than the second single satin stitch yarn. For this reason, the tape strength of the element attaching portion and the tape strength between the tape body portion and the element attaching portion of the fastener tape can be more effectively enhanced.

In the knitted fastener stringer of the present invention, the needle loops that form the outermost edge wale of the tape body portion disposed on the most distant position from the element attaching portion, include only needle loops of the chain stitch yarn. Additionally, the needle loops that form the wales except the outermost edge wale of the tape body portion include needle loops of the chain stitch yarns and needle loops of the single satin stitch yarns. This secures an appropriate tape strength of the fastener tape, allows the number of the needle loops formed on the outermost edge wale of the fastener tape to be minimized, and enables the one tape side edge of the fastener tape of the opposite side of the element attaching portion to be thin. Thus, by making the one tape side edge of the fastener tape thin, it is easier to make the fastener tape felt thinner when touched with fingers.

Next, the fastener chain provided by the present invention comprises the two knitted fastener stringers including the forms described above. Such a fastener chain of the present invention can have a high flexibility and a good texture.

Additionally, in the fastener chain of the present invention, a distance of the gap between the two fastener tapes is small as <NUM> or less. Thus, a back use type slide fastener formed using the fastener chains of the present invention can make the fastener elements disposed on the back side of the fastener tapes difficult to be visible from the gap between the two fastener tapes compared to, for example, a back use type slide fastener formed using conventional fastener chains.

Additionally, in manufacturing a water repellent treated slide fastener by attaching the film member made of synthetic resin and by applying water repellent treatment to the back use type slide fastener described above, a white line between the left and right fastener tapes (that is, a part of the film member protruding from the fastener tape) as seen in a conventional water repellent treated slide fastener can be made difficult to appear.

Furthermore, in the fastener chain of the present invention, the fastener tape includes the first tape surface on the side which the fastener elements are knitted, and the second tape surface on the opposite side of the first tape surface, and the film member made of synthetic resin is attached on the second tape surface of the fastener tape. Thus, a water repellent treated slide fastener can be manufactured, for example, by applying water repellent treatment to the fastener chain.

Next, the method for manufacturing the knitted fastener stringer provided by the present invention comprises using the thickest yarn of all the chain stitch yarns used in the fastener tape for the chain stitch yarn disposed on the innermost edge wale furthest from the tape body portion of the element attaching portion. Thus, it is possible to stably manufacture the knitted fastener stringer, in which a distance of the gap formed between the left and right fastener tapes can be smaller in combining the two knitted fastener stringers to form the fastener chain or the slide fastener.

Additionally, the method for manufacturing the knitted fastener stringer of the present invention comprises inserting and knitting the fastener elements between the ground structure of the fastener tape and the fixing chain stitch yarn knitted in a single structure while knitting the ground structure of the fastener tape in a single structure by using the chain stitch yarn, the single satin stitch yarn, and the weft insertion yarn. This enables to stably manufacture the knitted fastener stringer with a high flexibility and a good texture.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail referring to the drawings. Note that, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described hereinafter at all, various modifications can be made if they have structures and functional effects substantially identical to the present invention. For example, in the present invention, thicknesses of each of the yarns and weft insertion yarns forming a fastener tape of a knitted fastener stringer are not particularly limited, and can be changed freely.

<FIG> is a plan view schematically showing a water repellent treated slide fastener of the embodiment. <FIG> is a structure diagram showing a knitting structure of the knitted fastener stringer of the embodiment, and <FIG> is a structure diagram of each yarn that forms the knitted fastener stringer. Note that, in <FIG> and <FIG>, weft insertion yarns are drawn bent for not overlapping with points of the structure diagram to make them easier to see.

In the following descriptions, a front and rear direction refers to a tape length direction of a fastener tape parallel to a sliding direction of a slider, in particular, a direction in which the slider slides to engage left and right element rows (a closing direction) refers to a front, a direction in which a slider slides to separate left and right element rows (a separating direction) refers to a rear.

A left and right direction refers to a tape width direction of the fastener tape, for example, perpendicular to the sliding direction of a slider, and parallel to a top surface (an upper surface) and a back surface (a lower surface) of the fastener tape. An upper and lower direction refers to a direction perpendicular to the front and rear direction and the left and right direction, for example, a tape top and back direction perpendicular to the top surface and the back surface of the fastener tape. In the following embodiment, in particular, a direction of a side of the fastener tape on which a tab of the slider is disposed refers to an upper, a direction of the opposite side refers to a lower.

Additionally, in the knitting structure of the knitted fastener stringer, a direction parallel to the length direction of the fastener tape refers to a wale direction, and a direction perpendicular to the wale direction refers to a course direction.

A slide fastener <NUM> of the embodiment shown in <FIG> includes a pair of left and right knitted fastener stringers <NUM>, and a slider <NUM> attached to left and right element rows <NUM> disposed on the knitted fastener stringers <NUM>. In this case, a fastener chain is formed by the element rows <NUM> of the left and right fastener stringers <NUM> being engaged with each other over the whole length direction.

In the slide fastener <NUM> of the embodiment, a fastener tape <NUM> of the knitted fastener stringer <NUM> includes a tape top surface (a first tape surface), which is a surface of a side exposing outside, and a tape back surface (a second surface) disposed on the opposite side of the tape top surface. The element row <NUM> is disposed on the tape back surface side of the fastener tape <NUM>. Thus, the slide fastener <NUM> of the embodiment is formed as so-called a back use type slide fastener of which the element rows <NUM> are not visible or are difficult to be visible being hidden in the back side of the fastener tape <NUM> in a closed state of the slide fastener <NUM>.

The slider <NUM> of the embodiment is formed substantially the same as sliders used for conventional back use type slide fasteners. For this reason, detailed explanations of the slider <NUM> are omitted in the embodiment.

Each of the left and right fastener stringers <NUM> includes the fastener tape <NUM> that includes a tape body portion <NUM> and an element attaching portion <NUM>, and a plurality of coiled continuous fastener elements <NUM> knitted in the element attaching portion <NUM>. In this case, the element row <NUM> is formed along a length direction of the fastener tape <NUM> by a plurality of the fastener elements <NUM> knitted in the fastener tape <NUM>.

On the tape top surface of this fastener tape <NUM>, a film member made of synthetic resin (not shown in the drawings) is attached by adhesion. Furthermore, water repellent treatment is applied to the fastener tape <NUM> including the film member. Thus, the slide fastener <NUM> is provided with a water repellence property. Note that, the knitted fastener stringer of the present invention may be formed as a normal type knitted fastener stringer without a water repellence property by not applying water repellent treatment. The knitted fastener stringer of the present invention may also be formed without attaching the film member to the fastener tape <NUM>.

Each of the knitted slide fasteners <NUM> of the embodiment is knitted by a warp knitting machine (for example, a double raschel knitting machine) having two rows of needle beds comprising a back row B and a front row F. The back row B and the front row F of the needle beds are also respectively called a back needle row and a front needle row.

The fastener elements <NUM> of the embodiment are formed of one monofilament made of synthetic resin, and have substantially the same form as widely known fastener elements used in conventional knitted fastener stringers. Briefly described, each fastener element <NUM> of the embodiment includes a coupling head portion, an upper leg portion extending from an upper end portion of the coupling head portion in a tape width direction, a lower leg portion extending from a lower end portion of the coupling head portion in the tape width direction, and a connecting portion (also referred to a reversing portion) connecting the fastener elements <NUM> adjacent to each other in a tape length direction.

The fastener element <NUM> is fixed by knitting the upper leg portion and the lower leg portion in the element attaching portion <NUM> with the coupling portion protruding outward from a tape side edge of the element attaching portion <NUM> side of the fastener tape <NUM> at the same time as the fastener tape <NUM> is knitted. Note that, in the present invention, a tape side edge of the element attaching portion <NUM> side of the fastener tape <NUM> is referred to a tape inner side edge, and a tape side edge of the opposite side is referred to a tape outer side edge. In this case, the tape inner side edge of the fastener tape <NUM> is a facing side edge that faces the fastener tape <NUM> of the knitted fastener stringer of <NUM> of a coupling counterpart.

The fastener tape <NUM> of the embodiment has a warp knitting structure knitted by the warp knitting machine described above. This fastener tape <NUM> includes fourteen rows of wales, which are a first wale W1 to a fourteenth wale W14 from the tape inner side edge to the tape outer side edge. In this case, the wale disposed closest to the tape inner side edge of the fastener tape <NUM> refers to the first wale W1, and the second wale W2 to the fourteenth wale W14 are formed from the first wale W1 toward the tape outer side edge in a sequence in a course direction. Note that, in the present invention, the number of rows of wales formed on the fastener tape <NUM> is not limited, it can be increased or decreased according to such as usage of the knitted fastener stringer <NUM>.

The fastener tape <NUM> includes the tape body portion <NUM>, and the element attaching portion <NUM> extending in a tape width direction from an inner side edge portion of the tape body portion <NUM> toward the side of the coupling counterpart. In this case, the element attaching portion <NUM> of the fastener tape <NUM> is formed by three rows of wales, the first wale W1 to the third wale W3. The tape body portion <NUM> is formed by eleven rows of wales, the fourth wale W4 to the fourteenth wale W14. Additionally, an ear portion of the fastener tape <NUM> is formed by the three rows of wales, the twelfth wale W12 to the fourteenth wale W14, disposed close to the tape outer side edge of the tape body portion <NUM>.

A ground structure of the fastener tape <NUM> (that is, a ground structure of the tape body portion <NUM> and a ground structure of the element attaching portion <NUM>) is knitted in a single structure by the back row B of the warp knitting machine. A fixing chain stitch yarn <NUM>, which is described later, disposed on the element attaching portion <NUM> is knitted in a single structure by the front row F of the warp knitting machine to interlace with the ground structure of the element attaching portion <NUM>.

The ground structure of the fastener tape <NUM> is knitted using three kinds of yarns, a chain stitch yarn <NUM>, a single satin stitch yarn <NUM>, and a weft insertion yarn <NUM>.

The chain stitch yarns <NUM> are knitted in a knitting structure of (<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>), and disposed on each wale from the first wale W1 to the fourteenth wale W14. The chain stitch yarn <NUM> of each wale has open needle loops formed on each course, and sinker loops connecting needle loops adjacent to each other in a wale direction, a plurality of needle loops are connected to each other by sinker loops, and are formed in a chain shape along a wale direction on each wale.

In the knitted fastener stringer <NUM> of the embodiment, the thickest yarn of all the chain stitch yarns <NUM> disposed on the first wale W1 to the fourteenth wale W14 is disposed as a chain stitch yarn 31a disposed on the first Wale W1 of the tape inner side edge. In the case of the embodiment, for example, the chain stitch yarn 31a disposed on the first wale W1 is <NUM> to <NUM> times thicker, preferably <NUM> times thicker, than the other chain stitch yarns 31b disposed on the element attaching portion <NUM> (in the case of the embodiment, the chain stitch yarns 31b disposed on the second wale W2 and the third wale W3). Specifically, the chain stitch yarn 31a disposed on the first wale W1 has a thickness of <NUM> decitex, and the chain stitch yarns 31b disposed on the second wale W2 and the third wale W3 have a thickness of <NUM> decitex.

Thus, for example, the chain stitch yarns 31b disposed on the second wale W2 and the third wale W3, which practically fix the fastener element <NUM>, do not need to be made thick, and a dimension in a tape width direction (a width dimension) from a boundary portion <NUM> between the element attaching portion <NUM> and the tape body portion <NUM> of the fastener tape <NUM> to the tape inner side edge of the element attaching portion <NUM> can be easily secured large. As a result, in a closed state of the slide faster <NUM>, a distance of a gap formed between the left and right fastener tapes <NUM> can be small as <NUM> or less, preferably <NUM> or less.

Additionally, in the embodiment, the chain stitch yarns 31c disposed on the twelfth wale W12 to the fourteenth wale W14 forming the ear portion of the tape body portion <NUM> are formed thicker than the chain stitch yarns 31d disposed on other than the ear portion of the tape body portion <NUM> (in the case of the embodiment, the chain stitch yarns 31d disposed on the fourth wale W4 to the eleventh wale W11).

In the embodiment, for example, the chain stitch yarns 31d disposed on the fourth wale W4 to the eleventh wale W11 have a thickness of <NUM> decitex, the chain stitch yarns 31c disposed on the twelfth wale W12 to the fourteenth wale W14 is formed by pulling together two yarns having a thickness of <NUM> decitex. That is, the chain stitch yarns 31c disposed on the twelfth wale W12 to the fourteenth wale W14 have a thickness of <NUM> decitex. Thus, a long and narrow belt-shape of the fastener tape <NUM> can be stably maintained by using such thick yarns for the chain stitch yarns 31c disposed on the ear portion.

The single satin stitch yarns <NUM> are knitted in a knitting structure of (<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>). Each single satin stitch yarn <NUM> is disposed over four adjacent rows of wales. Additionally, the single satin stitch yarn <NUM> has closed needle loops alternately formed on two rows of wales, which are both the left and right ends of four rows of wales, and has sinker loops connect between needle loops of the wales of both ends.

The needle loops of the single satin stitch yarn <NUM> are alternately formed in a wale direction on two wales disposed at a position three rows distant from each other in a course direction. That is, two wales on which the needle loops are not formed by the single satin stitch yarns <NUM> are disposed between the two wales on which the needle loops of the single satin stitch yarn <NUM> are formed.

The sinker loops of the single satin stitch yarn <NUM> connect needle loops formed on one wale and needle loops formed on the other wale. For this reason, the sinker loops of the single satin stitch yarn <NUM> are disposed long over a distance of three stitches to across the two wales, in each interval between courses. In the embodiment, the sinker loops of each single satin stitch yarn <NUM> appear on the tape back surface (a tape surface of a side on which the film member is not attached) of the fastener tape <NUM>.

In the embodiment, ten single satin stitch yarns <NUM> are disposed so that the needle loops of the single satin stitch yarns <NUM> are formed on each wale from the first wale W1 to the thirteenth wale W13. For this reason, the needle loops form each wale from the first wale W1 to the thirteenth wale W13 include both needle loops of the needle loops of the chain stitch yarn <NUM> and the needle loops of the single satin stitch yarn <NUM>. On each wale from the fourth wale W4 to the thirteenth wale W <NUM> forming the tape body portion <NUM>, in particular, in all knitted loops formed by the back row B, both needle loops of the needle loops of the chain stitch yarn <NUM> and the needle loops of the single satin stitch yarn <NUM> are formed. This enables the fastener tape <NUM> to stably have an appropriate tape strength.

On the fourteenth wale W14 formed on the outermost edge of the fastener tape <NUM>, the needle loops of the single satin stitch yarn <NUM> are not formed, and only the needle loops of the chain stitch yarn <NUM> are formed. For this reason, when the knitted fastener stringer <NUM> is seen, the fastener tape <NUM> is more likely to give an impression of being thin or an impression of being light because an outer edge portion of the fastener tape <NUM> can be formed thin. It is also easier to make the fastener tape <NUM> felt thin when touched with fingers. Furthermore, by reducing the number of the needle loops formed on the fourteenth wale W14 compared to the number of the needle loops formed on the other wales of the tape body portion <NUM>, the flexibility of the fastener tape <NUM> can be improved.

The single satin stitch yarns <NUM> of the embodiment include first single satin stitch yarns 32a alternately form needle loops on the wales of the element attaching portion <NUM> (the first wale W1, the second wale W2 or the third wale W3) and the wales of the tape body portion <NUM> (the fourth wale W4, the fifth wale W5 or the sixth wale W6), and second satin stitch yarns 32b form needle loops only on wales of the tape body portion <NUM>.

In this case, the sinker loops of the first single satin stitch yarns 32a are disposed across the boundary portion <NUM> of the tape body portion <NUM> and the element attaching portion <NUM>. Note that, the boundary portion <NUM> of the tape body portion <NUM> and the element attaching portion <NUM> is placed between the third wale W3 and the fourth wale W4. That is, in the embodiment, the sinker loops of the three first single satin stitch yarns 32a and the two weft insertion yarns <NUM> are disposed across the boundary portion <NUM> of the tape body portion <NUM> and the element attaching portion <NUM> in each interval between courses. Furthermore, in this case, the sinker loops of the first single satin stitch yarn 32a and the two weft insertion yarns <NUM> are crossed in each interval between courses as described later. Thus, the tape strength of the boundary portion <NUM> of the tape body portion <NUM> and the element attaching portion <NUM>, and the tape strength of a part close to the boundary portion <NUM> are enhanced.

Furthermore, in the embodiment, each of the first single satin stitch yarns 32a runs across the boundary portion <NUM> is formed thicker than the second single satin stitch yarn 32b. For example, the first single satin stitch yarn 32a is <NUM> to <NUM> times thicker, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> times thicker than the second single satin stitch yarn 32b. Specifically, the first single satin stitch yarn 32a of the embodiment has a thickness of <NUM> decitex, the second single satin stitch yarn 32b has a thickness of <NUM> decitex.

Thus, the tape strength of the boundary portion <NUM> of the tape body portion <NUM> and the element attaching portion <NUM> and the tape strength of a part close to the boundary portion <NUM> are more effectively enhanced. Such a part of which the tape strength is enhanced by the first single satin stitch yarns 32a is a part a flange portion of the slider <NUM> is easy to contact in the slide fastener <NUM>. For this reason, even if the sliding operations of the slider <NUM> are repeated, the fastener tape <NUM> is less likely to be damaged thanks to the above-described high tape strength of the fastener tape including the first single satin stitch yarns 32a.

In the fastener tape <NUM> of the embodiment, a plurality of the weft insertion yarns <NUM> are inserted on the whole part of wales, the first wale W1 to the fourteenth wale W14. Each weft insertion yarn <NUM> is respectively inserted over three wales in a zigzag pattern. By inserting the weft insertion yarn <NUM> over three wales as such, the speed of knitting process to knit the knitted fastener stringer <NUM> can be improved compared to, for example, inserting weft insertion yarns over four wales, and this enables to improve productivity and production efficiency of the slide fastener <NUM>.

The weft insertion yarns <NUM> of the embodiment are inserted in a direction crossing the sinker loops of the single satin stitch yarns <NUM> in each interval between courses. Here, the fact the weft insertion yarns <NUM> and the sinker loops of the single satin stitch yarn <NUM> are crossed each interval between courses means a direction in which the weft insertion yarns <NUM> are folded back at the needle loops and a direction in which the sinker loops of the single satin stitch yarns <NUM> extend from the needle loops are shifted by one course in a wale direction. The fastener tape <NUM> can be reinforced by such weft insertion yarns <NUM> inserted in the fastener tape <NUM> while the flexibility and the texture of the fastener tape <NUM> are maintained properly.

In this case, the weft insertion yarn 33a folded back on the first wale W1 and disposed closest to the tape inner side edge is formed thinner than the other weft insertion yarns <NUM> disposed on the fastener tape <NUM>. For this reason, it is possible to weaken the strength (tension) of pulling the thick chain stitch yarn 31a disposed on the first wale W1 in a direction approaching the tape body portion <NUM> by this weft insertion yarn 33a. Thus, it is easier to secure a dimension in the tape width direction large from the boundary portion <NUM> to the tape inner side edge of the element attaching portion <NUM>. As a result, a distance of the gap formed between the left and right fastener tapes <NUM> can be smaller.

The fixing chain stitch yarns <NUM> are knitted in the second wale W2 and the third wale W3 of the element attaching portion <NUM> in a knitting structure of (<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM>-<NUM>) by the front row F of the warp knitting machine as described above. That is, the ground structure of the fastener tape <NUM> and a knitting part of the fixing chain stitch yarns <NUM> are knitted in different single structures from each other respectively by the back row B and the front row F of the warp knitting machine. For this reason, the flexibility of the fastener tape <NUM> can be improved, and the weight reduction and the productivity of the knitted fastener stringer <NUM> can be enhanced.

The upper leg portions and the lower leg portions of the fastener elements <NUM> are inserted so that they are sandwiched between the ground structure of the element attaching portion <NUM> and the fixing chain stitch yarns <NUM>. Additionally, the sinker loops of the fixing chain stitch yarns <NUM> are crossed and interlaced with the ground structure of the element attaching portion <NUM>. More specifically, the sinker loops of the fixing chain stitch yarns <NUM> are interlaced and knitted with the sinker loops at least one of the chain stitch yarns <NUM> and the single satin stitch yarns <NUM> forming the ground structure. Thus, the fixing chain stitch yarns <NUM> are integrated into the ground structure of the element attaching portion <NUM>. Furthermore, the fastener elements <NUM> are knitted with the fixing chain stitch yarns <NUM> and firmly fixed in the element attaching portion <NUM>. In this case, the fastener elements <NUM> are fixed by holding the upper leg portions and the lower leg portions of the fastener element <NUM> between the fixing chain stitch yarns <NUM> and the ground structure of the element attaching portion <NUM>.

In the embodiment, the fixing chain stitch yarns <NUM> include a first fixing chain stitch yarn 34a close to the tape inner side edge disposed on the second wale W2, and a second fixing chain stitch yarn 34b close to the tape body portion <NUM> disposed on the third wale W3. The thickest yarns of all the yarns forming the ground structure of the fastener tape <NUM> are used for the first fixing chain stitch yarn 34a and the second fixing chain stitch yarn 34b. In the embodiment, for example, the first fixing chain stitch yarn 34a and the second fixing chain stitch yarn 34b are formed by pulling together two yarns having a thickness of <NUM> decitex. Thus, the fastener elements <NUM> can be firmly fixed in the element attaching portion <NUM> so that the positions of the fastener elements <NUM> are not shifted.

Furthermore, the second fixing chain stitch yarn 34b of the embodiment is formed including two yarns having a thickness of <NUM> decitex and auxiliary fibers to be removed in knitting process of warp knitting of the knitted fastener stringer <NUM> as described later. These auxiliary fibers are pulled out from the fastener tape <NUM> and no longer exist after the knitting process. For this reason, in the manufactured knitted fastener stringer <NUM>, the second fixing chain stitch yarn 34b is formed by the two yarns having a thickness of <NUM> decitex. Note that, in relation to the first fixing chain stitch yarn 34a of the embodiment, knitting process of the knitted fastener stringer <NUM> is performed without auxiliary fibers.

In the knitted fastener stringer <NUM> of the embodiment including the second fixing chain stitch yarns 34b from which such auxiliary fibers are removed, the strength to hold down the fastener elements <NUM> by the second fixing chain stitch yarn 34bs can be weaker than the strength to hold down the fastener elements <NUM> by the first fixing chain stitch yarns 34a. For this reason, in the case of the embodiment, for example, the motion of each fastener element <NUM> knitted in the fastener tape <NUM> is easier to be allowed compared to the case in which knitting process is performed without including fibers to be removed in the first fixing chain stitch yarns 34a and second fixing chain stitch yarns 34b. As a result, in the embodiment, the flexibility of the knitted fastener stringer <NUM> can be more effectively enhanced, and the slidability of the slider <NUM> of the slide fastener <NUM> can be more improved.

Additionally, in this case, since the knitted fastener stringer <NUM> is knitted without including the auxiliary fibers in the first fixing yarns 34a, the fastener elements <NUM> can be stably fixed in the element attaching portion <NUM>. Thus, the coupling strength (the strength against pulling in width direction) of the fastener chain and the coupling strength (the strength against bending) in bending the fastener chain in the tape top and back direction can be properly secured.

Next, a manufacturing method for the knitted fastener stringer <NUM> of the embodiment is described.

First, knitting process of warp knitting for knitting the knitted fastener stringer <NUM> is performed using a warp knitting machine having two rows of needle beds comprising a back row B and a front row F. In this knitting process, while knitting the ground structure of the fastener tape <NUM> in a single structure by the back row B of the warp knitting machine, the needle loops of the fixing chain stitch yarns <NUM> are formed and the sinker loops of the fixing chain stitch yarns <NUM> are interlaced with the ground structure of the fastener tape <NUM> by the front row F. At the same time, the fastener elements <NUM> molded by monofilament are inserted between the ground structure of the fastener tape <NUM> and the fixing chain stitch yarns <NUM>.

At this time, the ground structure of the fastener tape <NUM> is knitted using the chain stitch yarns <NUM>, the single satin stitch yarns <NUM>, and the weft insertion yarns <NUM> described above. Additionally, the fastener elements <NUM> are knitted in the fastener tape <NUM> using the first fixing chain stitch yarn 34a formed by pulling together the two yarns having a thickness of <NUM> decitex, and the second fixing chain stitch yarn 34b includes the pulled together two yarns having a thickness of <NUM> decitex and auxiliary fibers, as the fixing chain stitch yarns <NUM>.

Thus, there is obtained the knitted fastener stringer <NUM> of which a plurality of the fastener elements <NUM> are knitted in the element attaching portion <NUM> of the fastener tape <NUM> at a certain interval. The knitted fastener stringer <NUM> thus obtained includes such a warp knitting structure as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. Note that, in this knitting process, one knitted fastener stringer <NUM> may be continuously manufactured, or a fastener chain may be continuously manufactured by knitting the two knitted fastener stringers <NUM> in a state that the left and right element rows <NUM> are coupled with each other.

Next, a pair of the obtained knitted fastener stringers <NUM> are combined and formed into a fastener chain, the auxiliary fibers included in the second fixing chain stitch yarn 34b are removed. And then, adhesive is applied to the tape top surface of the left and right fastener tapes <NUM> of the fastener chain. Subsequently, one film member made of synthetic resin is overlapped and attached to the tape top surface on which the adhesive is applied. Thus, the film member is bonded to the fastener tape <NUM>.

Note that, in the present invention, type and material of the adhesive to bond the film member is not limited. A method and means to bond the film member to the fastener tape <NUM> are also not limited, and the film member may be attached to the fastener tape <NUM> by a method or means other than bonding.

After bonding of the film member, water repellent treatment is applied to the fastener chain on which the film member is attached. Then, by cutting the film member at a boundary portion of the left and right fastener tapes <NUM> along a length direction of the fastener chain, the fastener chain with a water repellence property is manufactured.

Furthermore, by attaching the slider <NUM> to the left and right element rows <NUM> of the manufactured faster chain, the slide fastener <NUM> with a water repellence property shown in the <FIG> is manufactured.

In the water repellent treated slide fastener <NUM> of the embodiment manufactured as above, the ground structures of the left and right fastener tapes <NUM> are knitted using the single satin stitch yarns <NUM> that forms sinker loops in each interval long between courses. For this reason, the left and right knitted fastener stringers <NUM> have a high flexibility.

Additionally, in the embodiment, the sinker loops of the single satin stitch yarns <NUM> appear long in a direction inclined to a tape width direction of the fastener tape <NUM> on the tape back surface in which the fastener elements <NUM> are knitted (in other words, the tape surface on which the film member is not attached). For this reason, the tape back surface of the fastener tape <NUM> is formed into a smooth surface that can obtain a pleasant hand feeling. The fastener tape <NUM> can also have a good texture by the single satin yarns <NUM>.

Furthermore, in the knitted fastener stringer <NUM> of the embodiment, the tape strength of the boundary portion <NUM> between the tape body portion <NUM> and the element attaching portion <NUM> of the fastener tape <NUM>, and a part close to the boundary portion <NUM> are enhanced by the three thick first single satin stitch yarns 32a and the two weft insertion yarns <NUM> as described above. Thus, the fastener tape <NUM> can be suppressed from damage caused by such as friction against the slider <NUM>.

Such a slide fastener <NUM> of the embodiment that is soft, good in texture, and has a proper tape strength is preferred for such clothing that has a direct contact with the skin, clothing that is formed of thin cloth, and the like.

Additionally, in the embodiment, by the thickest chain stitch yarn 31a being disposed on the first wale W1, a distance of the gap formed between the left and right fastener tapes in a closed state of the slide fastener <NUM> can be made to be <NUM> or less, preferably <NUM> or less. Thus, the coupled left and right element rows <NUM> can be made difficult to be visible from the tape top surface side of the fastener tape <NUM> through the gap between the left and right fastener tapes <NUM>.

A length of the film member bonded to the fastener tape <NUM> extending from the inner side edge of the fastener tape <NUM> to the coupling head portion side in a tape width direction can be made short because a distance of the gap between the left and right fastener tapes <NUM> becomes smaller. Thus, an appearance defect such as a white line seen between the left and right fastener tapes in conventional water repellent treated slide fasteners, for example, can be made difficult to occur. As a result, an appearance quality of the water repellent treated slide fastener <NUM> can be improved. Furthermore, the slide fastener <NUM> can have a good and stable water repellence property because a distance of the gap between the left and right fastener tapes <NUM> becomes smaller.

Note that, although the knitted fastener stringer <NUM> of the embodiment described above is used for a back use type slide fastener <NUM>, the knitted fastener stringer of the present invention can also be applied to a normal type slide fastener of which element rows expose outside.

Claim 1:
A knitted fastener stringer (<NUM>), comprising
a fastener tape (<NUM>) including a warp knitting structure, and a plurality of fastener elements (<NUM>) formed of monofilament made of synthetic resin, wherein the fastener tape (<NUM>) includes a tape body portion (<NUM>), and an element attaching portion (<NUM>) extending from one side edge portion of the tape body portion (<NUM>) in a tape width direction and in which a part of the fastener element (<NUM>) is knitted, wherein the fastener tape (<NUM>) includes a plurality of chain stitch yarns (<NUM>) forming a plurality of needle loops in a chain shape along a wale direction,
wherein the fastener tape (<NUM>) includes a ground structure knitted in a single structure by the chain stitch yarn (<NUM>), and a weft insertion yarn (<NUM>) inserted over a plurality of wales in a zigzag pattern,
wherein the fastener element (<NUM>) is inserted and knitted between the ground structure of the fastener tape (<NUM>) and a fixing chain stitch yarn (<NUM>) knitted in a single structure,
and wherein the chain stitch yarn (<NUM>) disposed on the innermost edge wale (W1) of the element attaching portion (<NUM>) furthest from the tape body portion (<NUM>) is the thickest of all the chain stitch yarns (<NUM>) used in the ground structure of the fastener tape (<NUM>),
characterised in that a single satin stitch yarn (<NUM>) alternately forms needle loops on two wales disposed at a position three wales distant from each other, and
the needle loops that form the outermost edge wale (W14) of the tape body portion (<NUM>) disposed on the most distant position from the element attaching portion (<NUM>), include only needle loops of the chain stitch yarn (<NUM>), and the needle loops that form wales (W1~W13) except the outermost edge wale (W14) of the tape body portion (<NUM>) include the needle loops of the chain stitch yarn (<NUM>) and the needle loops of the single satin stitch yarn (<NUM>).