A zip fastener (10) comprises two opposed sets of teeth (14) which are shaped such that those on one set (12a) can fit between those on the other set (12b). At least some adjacent teeth of opposed sets (12a, 12b) have facing surfaces (17a, 17b) shaped so as engage and to inhibit lateral separation of the sets, and such that each tooth can undergo at least limited angular movement relative to the adjacent tooth. The teeth (14) within a set (12) are held at a predetermined spacing along the set by linking strips (16) aligned generally along the center line of the set (12). Each tooth (14) defines a strip location (20) facing the opposed set of teeth, such that the linking strip (16) on one set (12a) fits in the strip location (20) on the other set (12b). Since the tooth spacing is set by the linking strips (16), the sets (12) of teeth (14) can lie on a curved path.

A method for manufacturing a waterproof fastener tape includes the steps of: forming a viscous waterproof layer on a releasable substrate; attaching the viscous waterproof layer formed on the releasable substrate to a fastener tape base fabric, and peeling the releasable substrate off the viscous waterproof layer that has been attached to the fastener tape base fabric; promoting curing of the viscous waterproof layer formed on the fastener tape base fabric to form a reduced-viscosity waterproof layer; and after the promoting of curing of the viscous waterproof layer, covering an exposed surface of the reduced-viscosity waterproof layer formed on the fastener tape base fabric with a releasable cover.

A slide fastener includes a right and left pair of first fastener stringers and second fastener stringer, and a slider. The first fastener stringer and the second fastener stringer each include a fastener tape, a fastener element array, and a restricting unit restricting displacement of right and left cover materials away from each other. The restricting unit is configured to form a space that receives a side periphery of each of the cover materials between the restricting unit and the fastener tape.

A slide fastener includes a right and left pair of first fastener stringers and second fastener stringer, and a slider. The first fastener stringer and the second fastener stringer each include a fastener tape, a fastener element array, and a restricting unit restricting displacement of right and left cover materials away from each other. The restricting unit is configured to form a space that receives a side periphery of each of the cover materials between the restricting unit and the fastener tape.

An element member includes a fixing member and a plurality of fastener elements attached to the fixing member, characterized in that the fastener element includes an element fixing portion fixed to the fixing member, a coupling portion extending from the element fixing portion in a width direction, and a fin portion extending from the element fixing portion to a side opposite to the coupling portion. The fastener element is fixed to the fixing member only at the element fixing portion. As a result, in a slide fastener-attached product manufactured by using the element member, the orientation of the fastener element is prevented from being tilted with respect to a fastener attached member and smooth sliding operation of a slider can be ensured.

There is provided a slide fastener stringer. A substrate tape includes a first main side having a rough surface structure perceptible to the eye and/or the touch and a second main side opposite to the first main side. A gripping member is affixed to a longitudinal edge of the first main side of the substrate tape. A cover sheet is made of an artificial flexible material and has a 5 top surface provided with a predetermined design and a bottom layer made of a thermoformable material having a predetermined thickness. The bottom layer is attached to the second main side of the substrate tape such that the surface structure of the second main side of the substrate tape is not perceivable through the cover sheet.

Stringers without fastener tape have continuous fastener elements and have element fixing members wherein the fastener elements are sewn together by a sewing thread. The element fixing members are inserted between upper and lower leg sections of the fastener elements. The sewing thread comes in contact with and straddles the upper and lower leg sections of each fastener element and pierces the element fixing members between the fastener elements. As a result of such stringers without fastener tape, the fastener elements can be held and the weight and cost of an article with a slide fastener can be reduced.

Stringers without fastener tape have continuous fastener elements and have element fixing members wherein the fastener elements are sewn together by a sewing thread. The element fixing members are inserted between upper and lower leg sections of the fastener elements. The sewing thread comes in contact with and straddles the upper and lower leg sections of each fastener element and pierces the element fixing members between the fastener elements. As a result of such stringers without fastener tape, the fastener elements can be held and the weight and cost of an article with a slide fastener can be reduced.

A wide top narrow bottom type double-layer zipper that the width of the interlocked bottom interlocking coils is smaller than the width of the interlocked top interlocking coils; the top interlocking coils and the bottom interlocking coils have the same spiral pitch; the top and bottom layers of the wide top narrow bottom type double-layer zipper are vertically aligned and sewed; the diameter of the polyester coils extend spirally around the respective filler cords of the respective bottom interlocking coils monofilament is about 0.02 mm0.1 mm smaller than the diameter of the polyester coils monofilament that extend spirally around the respective filler cords of the respective top interlocking coils; the engaged tooth line of the top interlocking coils at the top cover panel of the zipper slider and the engaged tooth line of the bottom interlocking coils at the bottom cover panel of the zipper slider exhibit a non-superimposed relationship.

A fastener stringer includes a row of elements on which cured coating film is formed at sites where it is difficult to be coated by a roll coating method, preferably over the entire exposed surface, without incorporating any conductive wire in a fastener tape. A fastener stringer includes a row of elements and a fastener tape, at least one side edge of the fastener tape having insulation properties, the row of the elements being attached to the one side edge of the fastener tape, wherein each element includes a pair of leg portions and a head portion, the head portion having an engaging region for engaging with an opposing element when constructing a fastener chain, and wherein cured coating film is formed at least at a center portion in a front and back direction of the fastener tape on an end surface of the head portions.