A zipper assembly for an enclosure includes a flange having an interlocking side and an opposite panel side. The interlocking side has interlocking members configured to releasably engage and release from other interlocking members to alternate between closed and open states of the enclosure. The panel side is configured to be sealed to panels of the enclosure to affix the zipper assembly to the enclosure. The zipper assembly includes posts protruding from the panel side of the flange. The posts are configured to prevent compression of the posts and maintain a spatial separation between the panel side of the flange and the interlocking side of the flange while the zipper assembly is wound onto a supply roll. The posts are configured to collapse upon compression of the posts during sealing of the panel side of the flange to the panels of the enclosure to allow the panel side of the flange to be sealed to the panels.

A waterproof zipper is provided with two halves, each including a half tape member and a row of protruding teeth along an inner edge of the half tape member; and a waterproof layer is secured to an inner surface of the halves. A process of manufacturing the waterproof zipper is also provided, including the steps of: (a) guiding the waterproof layer to a position above the two halves on a continuous flow production line, each half having a half tape member and a row of protruding teeth along an inner edge of the half tape member; (b) coating a waterproof layer on a releasing layer; (c) drying both the waterproof layer and the releasing layer in an oven.

A waterproof zipper is provided with two halves, each including a half tape member and a row of protruding teeth along an inner edge of the half tape member; and a waterproof layer is secured to an inner surface of the halves. A process of manufacturing the waterproof zipper is also provided, including the steps of: (a) guiding the waterproof layer to a position above the two halves on a continuous flow production line, each half having a half tape member and a row of protruding teeth along an inner edge of the half tape member; (b) coating a waterproof layer on a releasing layer; (c) drying both the waterproof layer and the releasing layer in an oven.

A fastening device is provided having a first magnetic aligning member comprising a first magnet and a female retention element, wherein the first magnetic aligning member is affixed to a first zipper track comprising a plurality of teeth; a second magnetic aligning member comprising a second magnet and a male retention element, wherein the second magnetic aligning member is affixed to a second zipper track comprising a plurality of teeth; and a sliding member. The sliding member slidably connects to the first zipper track, and lacks a locking pin.

A fastening device is provided having a first magnetic aligning member comprising a first magnet and a female retention element, wherein the first magnetic aligning member is affixed to a first zipper track comprising a plurality of teeth; a second magnetic aligning member comprising a second magnet and a male retention element, wherein the second magnetic aligning member is affixed to a second zipper track comprising a plurality of teeth; and a sliding member. The sliding member slidably connects to the first zipper track, and lacks a locking pin.

Woven and knit substrates having juxtaposed notches with finished edges are disclosed. Such substrates can be used as opposed fastener tapes and fastener elements can be formed, woven, or otherwise added to the opposed fastener tapes in a known fashion. The notched fastener tapes permit the resulting slide fastener to be curved in-plane without buckling either of the opposed the fastener tapes out-of-plane. The finished edges maintain structural integrity of the woven or knit substrates, in stark context to prior art substrates having cut notches. Also disclosed are panelized substrates having curved apertures and incorporating disclosed slide fasteners.

Woven and knit substrates having juxtaposed notches with finished edges are disclosed. Such substrates can be used as opposed fastener tapes and fastener elements can be formed, woven, or otherwise added to the opposed fastener tapes in a known fashion. The notched fastener tapes permit the resulting slide fastener to be curved in-plane without buckling either of the opposed the fastener tapes out-of-plane. The finished edges maintain structural integrity of the woven or knit substrates, in stark context to prior art substrates having cut notches. Also disclosed are panelized substrates having curved apertures and incorporating disclosed slide fasteners.

Provided is an aluminum alloy element for a slide fastener, which has improved strength and abrasion resistance. The element for the slide fastener includes a base material of an aluminum alloy having a composition represented by a general formula: Al.sub.aSi.sub.bCu.sub.cMg.sub.dTi.sub.eB.sub.f in which a, b, c, d, e and f each represents % by mass; a is a balance; 0.2b0.8, 0.8c1.8, 0.8d1.8, 0<e0.05, and 0<f0.01; and unavoidable impurity elements may be contained; the aluminum alloy comprising, dispersed therein, precipitates containing at least one element selected from a group consisting of Al, Si, Cu and Mg, the element for the slide fastener comprising a pair of leg portions and a head portion that connects the pair or leg portions and comprises a convex portion and a concave portion for engagement.

Provided is an aluminum alloy element for a slide fastener, which has improved strength and abrasion resistance. The element for the slide fastener includes a base material of an aluminum alloy having a composition represented by a general formula: Al.sub.aSi.sub.bCu.sub.cMg.sub.dTi.sub.eB.sub.f in which a, b, c, d, e and f each represents % by mass; a is a balance; 0.2b0.8, 0.8c1.8, 0.8d1.8, 0<e0.05, and 0<f0.01; and unavoidable impurity elements may be contained; the aluminum alloy comprising, dispersed therein, precipitates containing at least one element selected from a group consisting of Al, Si, Cu and Mg, the element for the slide fastener comprising a pair of leg portions and a head portion that connects the pair or leg portions and comprises a convex portion and a concave portion for engagement.

A slide fastener includes a pair of left and right fastener tapes; and a pair of element rows including a plurality of fastener elements that face edge portions of the fastener tapes on sides facing each other along a length direction of the fastener tapes, and to which a slider that engages with the pair of element rows is slidably attached. The fastener element is made of a metal, a water-repellent layer made of a water-repellent agent is provided on the fastener tape, and adhesion of water to the fastener tape is prevented by the water-repellent layer.