Slide fastener chain

Abstract

A slide fastener chain includes a first tape and a second tape. A row of coupling elements is fixed along an inner edge of the first tape. A row of coupling elements is fixed along an inner edge of the second tape. The coupling elements of the first and second tapes being arranged such that the coupling elements of the first tape interdigitate with coupling elements of the second tape so as to secure the first and second tapes together. The chain includes a bottom stop. At least one of the tapes is provided with an extension portion which extends beyond a bottom stop portion of the tape. A width of the extension portion is less than a width of a portion of the tape which does not form part of the extension portion.

Claims

1. A slide fastener chain comprising: a first tape comprising an inner edge and an outer edge; and a second tape comprising an inner edge and an outer edge; wherein the first tape comprises a row of coupling elements fixed along the inner edge of the first tape; and the second tape comprises a row of coupling elements fixed along the inner edge of the second tape; wherein each of the first and second tape comprises a transverse edge; wherein the coupling elements of the first and second tapes are arranged such that the coupling elements of the first tape may interdigitate with the coupling elements of the second tape so as to secure the first and second tapes together; wherein the chain comprises a bottom stop; wherein the at least one of the tapes is provided with an extension portion which extends beyond the bottom stop; wherein the extension portion comprises a side edge; wherein a width of said extension portion is less than a width of a portion of said respective tape which does not form part of said extension portion; and wherein the transverse edge of each of the first and second tapes is adjacent to the bottom stop or a part of the bottom stop.

2. The slide fastener chain according to claim 1, wherein the first tape comprises a first bottom stop portion and the second tape comprises a second bottom stop portion detachably attachable to the first bottom stop portion, and wherein the bottom stop comprises the first and second bottom stop portions; and wherein the extension portion extends beyond the respective bottom stop portion of the at least one of the tapes.

3. The slide fastener chain according to claim 1, wherein the coupling elements are configured to receive a slider, the slider being movable in a coupling direction so as to cause the coupling elements of the first and second tapes to interdigitate, and being movable in an uncoupling direction substantially opposite the coupling direction so as to cause the coupling elements of the first and second tapes to disengage; and wherein the bottom stop limits movement of the slider beyond said bottom stop in the uncoupling direction.

4. The slide fastener chain according to claim 1, wherein the first tape further comprises a first cord located along the inner edge of the first tape and configured to fix the row of coupling elements to the first tape; wherein the second tape further comprises a second cord located along the inner edge of the second tape and configured to fix the row of coupling elements to the second tape; and wherein the one or both extension portions do not include a cord.

5. The slide fastener chain according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the tapes comprises strengthening material positioned adjacent the bottom stop.

6. The slide fastener chain according to claim 5, wherein the strengthening material is in contact with the bottom stop and extends away from said bottom stop and parallel to the width of the tape such that it does not contact the outer edge of the tape.

7. The slide fastener chain according to claim 5, wherein the strengthening material extends beyond the bottom stop and into the extension portion of the respective tape.

8. The slide fastener chain according to claim 1, wherein the side edge of the extension portion is generally parallel to the outer edge of the at least one of the tapes; wherein the transverse edge of the at least one of the tapes is perpendicular to said side edge of the extension portion; and wherein said side edge and said transverse edge are connected by an arcuate region of the extension portion.

9. The slide fastener chain according to claim 1, wherein the extension portion of the at least one of the tapes comprises: a first portion, part of which is aligned with the bottom stop in a width direction of the slide fastener chain, and a second portion adjacent to the first portion and spaced from the bottom stop in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the slide fastener chain; wherein the first portion has a first width and a first length in the direction of the longitudinal axis; wherein the second portion has a second width and a second axial length in the direction of the longitudinal axis; and wherein the first width of the first portion is less than the second width of the second portion.

10. The slide fastener chain according to claim 9, wherein the first axial length of the first portion is less than the second axial length of the second portion.

11. An article including the slide fastener chain according to claim 1.

12. The article according to claim 11 wherein the extension portion is folded, relative to a remaining portion of the tape which includes the extension portion, along an axis which is generally perpendicular to the outer edge of the tape.

13. The article according to claim 11, wherein the extension portion comprises a first fold portion and a second fold portion positioned in an outer side of the first fold portion; and wherein the first fold portion of the extension portion is folded, so as to be opposed to the second fold portion of the extension portion, along an axis which is generally parallel to the outer edge of the tape.

14. A method of producing a slide fastener chain, the slide fastener chain comprising: a first tape comprising an inner edge and an outer edge; and a second tape comprising an inner edge and an outer edge; wherein the first tape comprises a row of coupling elements fixed along the inner edge of the first tape; and the second tape comprises a row of coupling elements fixed along the inner edge of the second tape; wherein each of the first tape and second tapes comprises a transverse edge; wherein the coupling elements of the first and second tapes are arranged such that coupling elements of the first tape may interdigitate with coupling elements of the second tape so as to secure the first and second tapes together; wherein the chain comprises a bottom stop; wherein at least one of the tapes is provided with an extension portion which extends beyond the bottom stop; wherein the extension portion comprises a side edge; wherein the method comprises reducing the width of the extension portion such that said width of the extension portion is less than a width of a portion of the respective tape which does not form part of said extension portion; and wherein the transverse edge of each of the first and second tapes is adjacent to the bottom stop or a part of the bottom stop.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the first tape comprises a first bottom stop portion and the second tape comprises a second bottom stop portion detachably attachable to the first bottom stop portion, and wherein the bottom stop comprises the first and second bottom stop portions; and wherein the extension portion extend beyond the respective bottom stop portion of the at least one of the tapes.

16. The method of producing a slide fastener chain according to claim 14, wherein the first tape further comprises a first cord located along the inner edge of the first tape and configured to fix the row of coupling elements to the first tape; wherein the second tape further comprises a second cord located along the inner edge of the second tape and configured to fix the row of coupling elements to the second tape; and wherein the extension portion does not include a cord.

17. The method of producing a slide fastener chain according claim 14, wherein reducing the width of the extension portion such that said width of the extension portion is less than a width of a portion of the respective tape which does not form part of said extension portion comprises cutting the respective tape.

18. The method of producing a slide fastener chain according to claim 14, wherein reducing the width of the extension portion such that said width of the extension portion is less than a width of a portion of the respective tape which does not form part of said extension portion comprises folding the respective tape.

19. A method of incorporating a slide fastener into an article, the slide fastener comprising: a first tape comprising an inner edge and an outer edge; and a second tape comprising an inner edge and an outer edge; wherein the first tape comprises a row of coupling elements fixed along the inner edge of the first tape; and the second tape comprises a row of coupling elements fixed along the inner edge of the second tape; wherein each of the first and second tapes comprises a transverse edge; wherein the coupling elements of the first and second tapes are arranged such that the coupling elements of the first tape may interdigitate with the coupling elements of the second tape so as to secure the first and second tapes together; wherein the chain comprises a bottom stop; wherein the at least one of the tapes is provided with an extension portion which extends beyond the bottom stop; wherein the extension portion comprises a side edge; wherein a width of said extension portion is less than a width of a portion of said respective tape which does not form part of said extension portion; the method including: folding the extension portion, relative to a remaining portion of the respective tape, along an axis which is generally perpendicular to the outer edge of the tape; and attaching the first and second tapes to said article; and wherein the transverse edge of each of the first and second tapes is adjacent to the bottom stop or a part of the bottom stop.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the first tape comprises a first bottom stop portion and the second tape comprises a second bottom stop portion detachably attachable to the first bottom stop portion, and wherein the bottom stop comprises the first and second bottom stop portions; and wherein the extension portion extends beyond the respective bottom stop portion of the at least one of the tapes.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a plan view of a conventional slide fastener;

(2) FIG. 2 is a plan view of a slide fastener according a first embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 3 is an enlarged plan view of a region of the slide fastener shown in FIG. 3;

(4) FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of an alternative embodiment of a slide fastener according to the present invention; and

(5) FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an article including a slide fastener according to any of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and FIG. 4.

EMBODIMENTS

(6) In FIG. 1 there is shown a slide fastener 10 which comprises a chain including a first stringer tape 11 and a second stringer tape 12. The tapes carry rows of continuous coupling elements 20a and 20b secured to longitudinal cords 13 and 14 respectively along inner edges 11a and 12a of the tapes 11 and 12 respectively. In other embodiments the coupling elements may be discrete to one another. A slider 15 is also shown. The slider is reciprocally movable along the rows of coupling elements and causes the coupling elements 20a, 20b to either interdigitate or disengage, and thereby either close or open the slide fastener 10 as the slider moves over the coupling elements in a manner well known in the art. The slider moves along the chain relative to the tapes in a first sliding direction to cause the coupling elements to interdigitate; and in a second sliding direction, opposite to the first sliding direction to cause the coupling elements to disengage.

(7) Also shown are pieces of strengthening material 28a and 28b, provided on each of the tapes 11 and 12 of the chain respectively. The strengthening material 28a, 28b is applied to the slide fastener tapes at one or both ends of the coupling elements 20a, 20b. In the case shown in FIG. 1, the strengthening material 28a, 28b is applied only at one end of the tapes. The purpose of the strengthening material 28a, 28b is to reinforce the tape in the vicinity of the bottom stop portions, as these are the regions of the slide fastener chain which will most frequently be handled by a user. As such, the strengthening material 28a, 28b may be composed of any suitable material having comparable or higher strength than the tape material, such as (by way of example only) taffeta, or nylon. Although, in the present embodiment, the strengthening material is applied to reinforce the tape in the vicinity of the bottom stop portions, in other embodiments, in addition or in the alternative, the strengthening material may be applied to reinforce the tape in the vicinity of the top stop portions.

(8) The chain of FIG. 1 further comprises a bottom stop 127 which includes bottom stop pins 23a, 23b and a box 27. In order to produce the slide fastener shown in FIG. 1, the box is non-releasably attached to one of the bottom stop pins 23a. The box 27 is arranged to releasably receive the other of the bottom stop pins 23b. The one of the bottom stop pins 23a and attached box 27 may be said to form a first bottom stop portion 123a, and the other of the bottom stop pins 23b may be said to form a second bottom stop portion 123b. The bottom stop pin 23b is arranged to fit within an aperture of the box 27 so as to secure the first and second bottom stop portions to one another (thereby securing the bottom of the first stringer 11 to the bottom of the second stringer 12). Another purpose of the bottom stop portions (and in particular the purpose of the box 27 of the first bottom stop portion) is to prevent movement of the slider beyond the end of the coupling elements 20a, 20b in the uncoupling direction.

(9) The bottom stop portions (e.g. the box 27 and bottom stop pin 23b) are detachable. That is to say the bottom stop portion of one tape can be separated from the bottom stop portion of the other tape. In this way, the two tapes can be separated from one another at the bottom stop. The bottom stop portions can, if desired, subsequently be re-attached to one another such that the tapes are once more joined together at the bottom stop.

(10) As is common for an open end slide fastener of the type shown in FIG. 1, the stringer tapes 11 and 12 have been cut below the bottom stop pins 23a, 23b to form the bottom edges 31a, 31b of the tapes 11, 12. Strengthening material 28a, 28b is located at the bottom edges 31a and 31b to prevent fraying of the tapes 11, 12 at the cut bottom edges 31a, 31b.

(11) FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a slide fastener (a slide fastener chain) 50 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As with the conventional slider fastener illustrated in FIG. 1, the slide fastener of the present invention comprises chain tapes 11 and 12 which extend along a longitudinal axis L of the chain (and hence stringers). The tapes have rows of coupling elements 20a and 20b extending along respective longitudinal edges of cords 13 and 14. As in known slide fasteners a slider 15 is also present and can be moved reciprocally along the rows of coupling elements to interdigitate or disengage the coupling elements and thereby open or close the slide fastener. In more detail, if the slider is slid along the tapes (and hence coupling elements) in a first sliding direction A then this will cause the coupling elements of the tapes to disengage/separate. If the slider is slid along the tapes in a second sliding direction B (opposite the first sliding direction) then this will cause the coupling elements of the tapes to interdigitate/engage. Both the first and second sliding directions are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stringer/chain/slide fastener.

(12) In contrast to a conventional slide fastener, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the stringer tapes 11 and 12 extend beyond the strengthening material 28a, 28b; the coupling elements 20a, 20b; and the bottom stop 127 (and hence bottom stop portions 123a, 123b) to form elongate regions (also referred to as extension portions) 60a, 60b. The elongate regions 60a, 60b may be folded back along the length of the slide fastener before the slide fastener is sewn into place (i.e. the elongate regions may be folded along an axis C generally perpendicular to the length of the tapes in an axial direction, i.e. along an axis C generally perpendicular to axis L).

(13) A suitable portion of the tape and cord on each of the stringer tapes 11 and 12 is removed along their respective lengths to form the extension portions 60a and 60b. That is, both tape and cord have been removed below bottom stop portions 123a, 123b on each stringer tape to form the extension portions 60a and 60b. The tape and cord removed below the bottom stop portions has reduced the width y of the extension portions 60a, 60b as compared to the width x of the portions of the respective tapes which do not form part of the extension portions. In other embodiments only cord on each of the stringer tapes may be removed along their respective lengths to form the extension portions.

(14) In a similar manner to that discussed above in relation to FIG. 1, the slide fastener shown in FIG. 2 is such that one of the bottom stop portions 123a is provided with a box 127. The structure and operation of the bottom stop 127 as shown in FIG. 2 is the same as that discussed above in relation to FIG. 1. Consequently, to avoid repetition, this is not set out again here.

(15) In FIG. 3 there is shown an expanded view of region RA in FIG. 2, in which the extension portions 60a, 60b are visible along with strengthening material 28a, 28b and bottom stop portions 123a and 123b on each tape 11, 12 of the slide fastener 50. Extension portions 60a, 60b comprise side edges, 61a, 61b generally perpendicular to transverse edges 63a, 63b the tapes 11, 12 respectively. The transverse edges 63a, 63b are so named as they are generally perpendicular to the axial length of the slide fastener 50. The respective transverse edges 63a, 63b and side edges 61a, 61b (which may also be referred to as inner side edges) are connected by arcuate regions 65a and 65b. The shape of the extension portions 60a, 60b are formed when the tape, cord and strengthening material are severed on each side of the chain (so as to remove material along the edges of the extension portions as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). That is, the extension portions 60a, 60b are formed by cutting regions including the inner edges 11a, 12a of the tapes 11 and 12 in a state where the cords 13 and 14 and the strengthening material 28a, 28b are disposed on the pair of tapes 11 and 12. In some examples, when the coupling elements 20a, 20b are fixed to the pair of tapes 11 and 12 and the strengthening material 28a, 28b are not disposed on the pair of tapes 11 and 12, regions including the inner edges 11a, 12a of the tapes 11 and 12 and the coupling elements 20a, 20b may be cut. The bottom stop pins 23a, 23b may be attached to the respective tapes 11 and 12 before the cutting and the box 27 may be attached to the one of the bottom stop pins 23a at a position below end portions of the bottom stop pins 23a, 23b after cutting the regions. In other examples, after cutting the regions, the bottom stop pins 23a, 23b may be attached to the respective tapes 11 and 12 and the box 27 may be attached to the one of the bottom stop pins 23a.

(16) The arcuate region 65a, 65b may be of a constant or varying radius. Whilst it will be appreciated that, in accordance with the present invention, the angle subtended by the arcuate region may vary, it is advantageous if the arcuate region does not subtend a right angle. Use of an arcuate region provides a more aesthetically pleasing alignment of the extension portions when folded about fold lines 62a and 62b (which lie on axis C) and also avoids sharp protrusions, which may engage with a wearer of the garment when closing or opening the slide fastener. When it is desired to integrate the slide fastener chain 50 into a garment, the extension portions 60a, 60b may be folded back upon themselves along an axis preferably collinear to a transverse edge 63a, 63b before being sewn in place. The fold lines for this and other described embodiments are generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the chain.

(17) Whilst the strengthening material 28a, 28b is illustrated on each tape of the slide fastener depicted in FIG. 2, it will be appreciated that the strengthening material may be present adjacent the bottom stop pins on each side of both tapes 11, 12. The strengthening material usually extends across the tapes and beyond the bottom stop pins and over part of the extension portions. However, in some embodiments, the strengthening material may not extend to the outer edge of at least one of the tapes (or extension portion).

(18) It will be seen from FIG. 2 that the stringer tapes 11, 12 each define a width x measured between the inner edges 11a, 12a and the outer edge 11b, 12b of each tape respectively. The width x is the width of a portion of tape which does not form part of an extension portion. Furthermore, the extension portions 60a, 60b each define a width y measured between the outer edges 11b, 12b and the side edges 61a, 61b of each tape respectively. In accordance with the present invention it is preferred that the width y of the extension portions is about 20% to 70% of the width x of the stringer tapes 11, 12. More preferably, the extension portions on one or both tapes have a width y that is about 20% to 60% of the width x; about 40% to 60% of the width x; or most preferably about 47% to 60% of the width x. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments the width of the extension portion of at least one of the tapes may be any appropriate proportion (for example, less than 20% or more than 70%) of the width of the tape.

(19) The widths are measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the chain.

(20) FIG. 4 shows a slide fastener (a slide fastener chain) 50 according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. The tapes 11, 12 comprise extension portions 60a and 60b respectively. Each extension portion 60a, 60b comprises a first portion P1 axially aligned with a transverse edge 63a, 63b of the tapes 11, 12. The first portion P1 is also axially aligned with the bottom stop 127 (and hence bottom stop portions 123a, 123b of the tapes 11, 12). Each extension portion 60a, 60b further comprises a second portion P2 located adjacent to the first portion P1 and axially spaced from the bottom stop portions 123a, 123b. That is to say, the second portion P2 is located further along the tapes 11, 12 than the first portion P1, such that the first portion P1 interposes the second portion P2 and the bottom stop portions 123a, 123b.

(21) It will be seen from the figure that each of the first and second portions P1, P2 define an axial length (i.e. parallel to the direction of movement of the slider 15, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the chain). In a preferred embodiment, the axial length of the first portion P1 is less than the axial length of the second portion P2.

(22) It will further be seen from the figure that the second portions P2 define a width x measured between an inner edge 61a, 61b of the respective extension portions 60a, 60b of the tapes 11, 12 and the outer edge 11b, 12b of the tapes 11, 12. Whereas, the first portions P1 define a width y, extending substantially parallel to the width y, defined between an edge 66a, 66b of the respective extension portions 60a, 60b of the tapes 11, 12 and the outer edge 11b, 12b of the tapes 11, 12. In a preferred embodiment, the widths y of the first portions P1 are less than the widths x of the second portions P2.

(23) When the slide fastener including the slide fastener chain 50 is desired to be integrated into a garment, either of the extension portions 60a, 60b may be folded along respective axes A1, A2 collinear to respective edges 66a, 66b of the first portion P1. In this way first fold portions F1 of the extension portions 60a, 60b are folded, so as to be opposed to respective second fold portions F2 of the extension portions 60a, 60b, along a respective axis A1, A2 generally parallel to the outer edge 11b, 12b of the tapes 11, 12. The extension portions 60a, 60b may also be folded along respective axes B1, B2 collinear with respective transverse edges 63a, 63b. Folding the extension portions in this way (as with other embodiments of the invention) helps to minimise fraying of the tapes, particularly along edges of the tape which have been cut.

(24) It will be appreciated that the embodiment of the present invention depicted in FIG. 4 also defines a width x of the tapes 11, 12 in an identical manner to the width x defined with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3. Furthermore, as described above with respect to the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, it is preferred that the width y of the extension portions is about 20% to 70% of the width x of the stringer tapes 11, 12. More preferably, the extension portions on one or both tapes have a width y that is about 20% to 60% of the width x; about 40% to 60% of the width x; or most preferably about 47% to 60% of the width x. It will be appreciated that in some embodiments the width of the extension portion of at least one of the tapes may be any appropriate proportion (for example, less than 20% or more than 70%) of the width of the tape. For example, in some embodiments an extension portion may have a width of about 1% of the width of the rest of the tape, which may, for example be about 1 m.

(25) It will be appreciated that whilst the strengthening material illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 is not present in FIG. 4, the embodiment of FIG. 4 may comprise such strengthening material. It will be appreciated that the strengthening material has been omitted from FIG. 4 simply for reasons of clarity and is not limiting on the embodiment depicted by the figure.

(26) In any of the embodiments previously discussed, the width of the extension portion may be chosen such that, when the extension portion is folded back along the length of the slide fastener in a manner such that the outer edge of the extension portion rests on the outer edge (11b, 12b) of the tape of which the extension portion forms part, the inner edge of the extension portion does not lie within the region of the tape along which the slider passes as the slider moves relative to the tapes in either of the sliding directions. In other words, the width of the extension portion may be chosen such that, when the extension portion is folded back along the length of the slide fastener in a manner such that the outer edge of the extension portion rests on the outer edge (11b, 12b) of the tape of which the extension portion forms part, the slider will not collide with the extension portion as the slider moves relative to the tapes in either of the sliding directions.

(27) FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of an article 70 including a slide fastener 50 including a chain according to any of the embodiments of the invention discussed above. Although only shown schematically in FIG. 5, the bottom stop 27 is of the separable type as discussed above in relation to the earlier figures. In the embodiment shown, the slide fastener 50 is an open end slide fastener, although this need not be the case in other applications. The article 70 includes first and second portions 70a and 70b. The slide fastener is used to open and close a separation between the first and second portions 70a and 70b. In this way, when the slide fastener is in a closed configuration, the slide fastener closes the separation between the first and second portions 70a and 70b and attaches the first and second portions 70a and 70b together. The slide fastener 50 is aligned with the article 70 such that the bottom stop 27 and/or fold lines 62a and 62b (which lie on axis C) are generally aligned with an edge 72 of the article. In one example the edge of the article may be the bottom edge of the front of a jacket.

(28) The slide fastener is attached to the article by any appropriate method, including, but not limited to stitching, welding and adhesive. The first tape 11 is attached to the first portion 70a of the article, and the second tape 12 is attached to the second portion 70b of the article. Before attaching the tapes to the article, the extension portions of the tapes are folded back (e.g. along fold lines 62a, 62b) as previously discussed.

(29) In some embodiments of the present invention the slide fastener may be provided to the customer in a state in which the extension portions of the tapes have been pre-folded in any of the manners discussed above. The pre-folded tapes may be such that the extension portions are secured to the rest of their respective tape, once folded, in any appropriate manner, including, but not limited to gluing, welding, stitching or other appropriate method.

(30) The extension portions may be of a sufficient width to allow the chain to be neatly sewn into a garment when the extension portions are folded backwards along a fold line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the chain and aligned with the tapes above the bottom stop portions, and are also of a narrow enough width and shape to provide a non-bulky appearance to the garment when the slide fastener is in place.

(31) The inventors have found that by creating narrow extension portions 60a and 60b, when the slide fastener is sewn into a garment composed of lightweight or fine material such as eveningwear and sportswear garments, the reduced width of folded stringer tape in the vicinity of the bottom stop portions leads to an improved aesthetic appearance of the stringer/chain in the finished product.

(32) It will be appreciated that a portion of the tape, cord and strengthening material may be severed on each tape of the chain to form extension portions 60a, 60b.

(33) In addition, in accordance with the present invention it is now possible to prepare improved slide fastener stringers and chains in which the size of the extension portions is reduced and which readily allow the extension portions to be folded back against the slide fastener tapes thereby providing a slide fastener of reduced thickness for sewing into a garment.

(34) The slide fastener of the present invention with extension portions of reduced width as described above therefore allows for the creation of much smoother lines on a garment when the slide fastener is sewn in place.

(35) Whilst specific bottom stop portions have been described above, it will be appreciated that an embodiment of the invention may include any appropriate bottom stop portions which are detachably attachable to one another.

(36) Furthermore, although the embodiments of the invention described above relate to slide fasteners which are open endi.e. which include a bottom stop having first and second detachably attachable bottom stop portions, in other embodiments, the bottom stop may be any appropriate bottom stop. For example, in some embodiments the bottom stop may permanently attach the tapes of the chain of the slide fastener together. It follows that the invention is equally applicable to closed end slide fasteners.