Apparatus for producing element-free gaps in a continuous fastener chain

An apparatus for producing element-free gaps in a continuous fastener chain having a carrier tape carrying along its one longitudinal edge a series of discrete fastener elements secured to a cord, said apparatus comprising:

• a bed;
• first guide means provided at said bed;
• a fastener chain support fixed to said bed for supporting the fastener chain with coupling heads of the fastener elements faced upwardly;
• a pair of element holding means horizontally slidable on said bed and normally urged to hold the fastener elements therebetween supported by said fastener chain support;
• punch holding means disposed in opposed relationship with and vertically reciprocable toward and away from said bed;
• second guide means provided at said punch holding means for coacting with said first guide means;
• a punch means fixed to and projecting downwardly from said punch holding means, said punch means being in vertical registry with said fastener chain support and adapted to thrust into the coupling heads toward the cord to sever the fastener elements supported by the fastener chain support;
• and remover means movably mounted in said punch holding means and adapted to remove the severed elements off from the fastener chain, said remover means cooperating with the vertical movement of said punch holding means in performing the function thereof.