The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 06, 2005
Filed:
Jul. 18, 2003
Lewis Albert Haws, Duluth, GA (US);
David C. Wallace, Lilburn, GA (US);
Lewis Albert Haws, Duluth, GA (US);
David C. Wallace, Lilburn, GA (US);
Illinois Tool Works Inc., Glenview, IL (US);
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for automated insertion of sliders on continuous zipper material. The method involves the following steps: (a) advancing a section of zipper material past a leading edge of a splitter plate that pries the zipper strips of the zipper material apart; (b) clamping a first portion of one zipper strip against one side of the splitter plate, while clamping a first portion of the other zipper strip against an opposite side of the splitter plate, the first portions of the zipper strips being disposed on an upstream side of a slider insertion zone; (c) closing a portion of the zipper comprising respective second portions of the zipper strips disposed on a downstream side of the slider insertion zone; and (d) inserting a slider onto the zipper in the slider insertion zone. A plow of the slider is disposed between respective third portions of the zipper strips. The proximity of closed zipper to the closing end of the slider and the presence of open zipper at the opening end of the slider and adjacent the plow facilitates insertion of the slider onto the zipper.