Ideal Fastener Corporation

Columbia Sportswear North America, Inc.

Gary Davis

William Mayo

Michael “Woody” Blackford

Paul Blalock

Woody Blackford

William Garland Mayo

Michael "Woody" Blackford

A method of preparing a cut length of slide fastener chain for operational use includes: providing a system that includes first and second machines; providing a cut length of slide fastener chain; introducing a notch to one end of the cut length of slide fastener chain, using the first machine; orienting a slider body onto a positioning device, using the second machine, so that the slider body is in a fixed position; inserting the notched end of the cut length of slide fastener chain into a mouth of the slider body; and pulling the cut length of slide fastener chain through the slider body by a distance, thereby mounting the slider body to the cut length of slide fastener chain.

Methods for preparing a slide fastener for operational use on an article

Zippers components such as a traditional pin and box assembly may be affixed to zipper stringer tapes by a simple injection molding process. When a non-traditional magnetic alignment assembly is used in place of a traditional pin and box assembly, other means are needed to adequately affix the components of the magnetic alignment assembly to the zipper stringer tapes in order to provide a durable finished zipper.

Methods for manufacturing slide fastener with overmolded components

Zippers with two sliders used for certain applications function better if the tooth pitch of the zipper teeth is extremely precise, and the pin/box assembly mounted to each end of the zipper is mounted so that the pins of each pin/box assembly are mounted on one zipper stringer and the boxes of each pin/box are mounted on the other zipper stringer. A zipper of such construction is well-suited for use in fastening a mattress cover, a boat cover, an automobile soft-top, and similar articles.

Slide fastener

A conventional zipper is the preferred means for closure of many jackets and other outerwear. Conventional zippers are prone to jamming and snagging due to the introduction of the liner into the slider body as the zipper is opened and closed. Embodiments herein provide modified slider bodies with one or more features such as an elongated spring cap, a protrusion on the bottom plate and/or plate coupler of the slider body, and/or vertically offset side rails. These features may minimize introduction of loose fabric, such as the lining of a lined garment, into the tape slot of the slider body, thereby help reduce jamming of the slider body during operation of the slide fastener.

Snag resistant slide fastener

Slide fasteners (zippers) used for certain applications function better if the zipper tape can stretch in the lateral direction. When a zipper is used to close certain articles such as luggage, boots, or certain garments, it can be difficult to easily and fully close a zipper if there is a significant lateral load pulling at the tapes perpendicular to the direction that the slider is pulled. By using a zipper that includes a zipper tape that stretches in the lateral direction, it is possible to more easily close such articles while maintaining a neat appearance of the zipper on the article.

Stretchable slide fastener

Embodiments herein provide modified slider bodies with one or more features such as an elongated spring cap, a protrusion on the bottom plate and/or plate coupler of the slider body, and/or vertically offset side rails. These features may minimize introduction of loose fabric, such as the lining of a lined garment, into the tape slot of the slider body, thereby help reduce jamming of the slider body during operation of the slide fastener.

Embodiments provide a weather resistant slide fastener with a modified slider body including a top control rib and tightly controlled inner dimensions. In embodiments, a water-resistant coating and/or an adhesive may be applied to the zipper tape, resulting in a highly water-resistant zipper and finished garment. Embodiments further provide a slider body that may accommodate longitudinal edge portions of the outer layer of fabric, allowing the edges of the fabric to be brought into close proximity/contact, substantially covering the zipper teeth and minimizing ingress of water and/or wind through the zipper tape. Additional embodiments provide methods of manufacturing and installing weather resistant slide fasteners.

Growing community of inventors

Oxford, NC, United States of America

Gary Davis