Top stop for slide fastener chain and method of disengaging slider from slide fastener

A method of disengaging a slider from a slider fastener, the method comprising:

• translating a portion of a slider into a channel provided in a top stop of the slide fastener, the channel being defined by a channel first side wall and a channel second side wall;
• abutting the portion of the slider against an abutment protrusion provided on the channel second side wall;
• pivoting the slider about a pivot point on the channel first side wall at an outlet of the channel, such that the portion of the slider is rotated through a release point defined on the abutment protrusion;
• translating the portion of the slider through a remaining portion of the channel to an inlet of the channel, such that the slider is removed from the top stop;
• and
• rotating the slider such that the portion of the slider can rotate through an outlet protrusion provided on the channel second side wall adjacent the outlet of the channel.

A top stop for a slide fastener comprising:

• a first body portion comprising a channel having an inlet at a first side of the top stop and an outlet at a second side of the top stop, the second side being opposite the first side,
• wherein the channel is configured to receive a portion of a slider of the slide fastener, the channel being defined by a channel first side wall and a channel second side wall, and a channel bottom surface therebetween,
• wherein the channel second side wall comprises a protruding portion defining an abutment protrusion in the channel,
• wherein the top stop comprises a longitudinal axis that is parallel to an axis of operation of the slider, and a distance parallel to the longitudinal axis of the top stop between the channel first side wall and the channel second side wall defines a channel width,
• wherein the channel width extending from the abutment protrusion to the channel first side wall is less than the channel width at the inlet and the channel width at the outlet,
• wherein the channel second side wall comprises a second protruding portion defining an outlet protrusion adjacent the outlet of the channel, and
• wherein the outlet protrusion is configured to prevent the portion of the slider from entering the outlet of the channel.