Patent ID: 6902091

Claim:
An apparatus comprising a tape feed assembly, a tape transfer assembly, and means for coupling said tape feed assembly to said tape transfer assembly, wherein: said tape feed assembly comprises first and second nip rollers arranged to form a nip therebetween, said first nip roller comprising a first peripheral groove and said second nip roller comprising a second peripheral groove aligned with said first peripheral groove, opposing portions of said first and second grooves forming a passageway designed to allow passage of a slider when associated flanges of a zipper tape carrying said slider are passed through said nip; and said tape transfer assembly comprises a plurality of drive rollers and a shelf comprising a longitudinal groove, each of said drive rollers comprising a respective peripheral groove aligned with said longitudinal groove, opposing portions of each drive roller peripheral groove and said longitudinal groove forming a respective passageway designed to allow passage of interlocked parts of said zipper tape but not allow passage of said slider carried by said zipper tape.