Slide fastener element with decoration bearing portion

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12336601-B2
Application number	US-202318463712-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 8, 2023
Priority date	Sep 12, 2022
Publication date	Jun 24, 2025
Grant date	Jun 24, 2025

Abstract

A fastener element for a slide fastener includes: a head portion forming at least one coupling protrusion, and at least one receiving area configured for receiving, in a closed condition of the slide fastener, a coupling protrusion of an adjacent fastener element. A first leg and a second leg extend from the head portion. Each leg forms a respective proximal portion where each leg joins the head portion, and a distal portion extending away from the proximal portion to a free end of the respective leg. A decoration bearing portion is formed with the second leg on an outer side thereof. A connecting portion is located on the distal portion of the second leg and integrally connects the decoration bearing portion to the second leg.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A fastener element for a slide fastener, the element having, in an initially undeformed condition prior to being attached to a tape, an overall V-shape, the element comprising:
a head portion with at least two opposite first and second sides in a given direction, the head portion forming at least one coupling protrusion protruding in the given direction from at least the first side of the head portion, and at least one receiving area formed on at least the second side of the head portion opposite the first side and configured for receiving, in a closed condition of the slide fastener, a coupling protrusion of an adjacent fastener element attached to an opposite stringer of the slide fastener;
a first leg and a second leg which extend from the head portion and are adapted to be clamped over a cord or an edge of a fastener tape or both, to remain attached thereto and to cooperate in the formation of a stringer, each leg forming a respective proximal portion where each leg joins the head portion, and a distal portion, farther from the head portion and extending away from the proximal portion to a free end of the respective leg;
a decoration bearing portion formed with the second leg on an outer side thereof facing away from the first leg; and
a connecting portion located on the distal portion of the second leg and integrally connecting the decoration bearing portion to the second leg.

2. The fastener element according to claim 1 , wherein the decoration bearing portion extends along and beyond the connecting portion, forming a gap that separates the decoration bearing portion from the proximal portion of the second leg.

3. The fastener element according to claim 2 , wherein the gap has a transversal width of at least 0.5 mm.

4. The fastener element according to claim 1 , wherein the decoration bearing portion extends along but not beyond the connecting portion.

5. The fastener element according to claim 1 , wherein the proximal portions of the two legs have a same thickness.

6. The fastener element according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second legs each form free distal ends extending one towards the other.

7. The fastener element according to claim 6 , wherein the free distal ends of the two legs have different lengthwise lengths.

8. The fastener element according to claim 6 , wherein the free distal end of the second leg has a shorter lengthwise length than the free distal end of the first legs.

9. The fastener element according to claim 1 , wherein the legs provide mutually facing cord engaging protrusions extending towards one another, whereby the cord engaging protrusions define a through hole with the proximal portions of the two legs and the head portion when the fastener element is attached to a cord and a tape, forming a stringer.

10. A fastener stringer comprising:
a slide fastener tape;
a cord attached along one edge of the slide fastener tape; and
a row of slide fastener elements according to claim 1 , clamped along the cord or one side edge portion of the fastener tape or both.

11. A mold assembly for manufacturing the fastener element according to claim 1 , the mold assembly comprising at least two complementary molds:
a first mold forming a first molding chamber for casting at least the head portion, and the legs of the fastener element; and
a second, interchangeable mold separable from the first mold and forming a second molding chamber for casting at least the decoration bearing portion of the fastener element,
wherein the two molding chambers each have a relevant side opening configured for establishing fluid communication with the opening of the opposite mold.

Assignees

• Ykk Corp

Inventors

• Ii Haruaki

Classifications

• A44B19/34

  Stringer tapes (A44B19/40 takes precedence); Flaps secured to stringers for covering the interlocking members (A44B19/32 takes precedence {; setting slide or glide fastener elements on garments A41H37/06}) · CPC title

• B29L2005/00

  Elements of slide fasteners · CPC title

• B29C45/2673

  with exchangeable mould parts, e.g. cassette moulds (B29C45/1756 takes precedence) · CPC title

• A44B19/403

  Connection of separate interlocking members · CPC title

• B22D17/22

  Dies (manufacture, see the appropriate class, e.g. B23P15/24); Die plates; Die supports; Cooling equipment for dies; Accessories for loosening and ejecting castings from dies · CPC title