Method of and apparatus for continuously manufacturing slide fastener coupling elements
AssigneeYoshida Kogyo K. K.
InventorsKihei Takahashi, Kiyoshi Takeshima
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Abstract
Slide fastener coupling elements are continuously manufactured from a molded strip of coupling element blanks at a speed which is substantially the same as the speed at which the molded strip is produced on a die wheel. The strip of coupling element blanks, as it is withdrawn from the die wheel, is folded about its longitudinal axis into a U-shape while the strip is being heated, and then is heated by hot air before it is shaped into slide fastener coupling elements of a finalized shape as they are heat-set. Then, the coupling elements thus formed are cooled and discharged at a speed equal to the peripheral speed of the die wheel.
Claims14
A method of continuously manufacturing molded slide fastener coupling elements, comprising the steps of:
- (a) introducing thermoplastic synthetic resin successively into cavities around a circumferential surface of a die wheel while the latter is rotating, to mold a strip of coupling element blanks;
- (b) removing said strip of coupling element blanks continuously out of said cavities;
- (c) continuously folding said strip of coupling element blanks about its longitudinal axis while still hot into a U-shaped cross-section while being further heated by the folding means to provide semi-finished coupling heads with legs on each side thereof;
- (d) heat-setting and forming the still hot folded coupling element blanks into slide fastener coupling elements of a finalized shape and dimensions, the legs thereof being still further heated, and the strip being continuously fed along;
- and
- (e) discharging said slide fastener coupling elements continuously at a speed which is substantially the same as the speed at which the strip of coupling element blanks is molded continuously on said die wheel.
An apparatus for continuously manufacturing slide fastener coupling elements comprising:
- (a) a frame;
- (b) a die wheel mounted on said frame for continuous rotation at a peripheral speed and having on and around a circumferential surface thereof a plurality of die cavities for molding a strip of coupling element blanks having central coupling heads with legs on each side thereof;
- (c) an extruder nozzle mounted on said frame and directed toward said circumferential surface of the die wheel for injecting hot thermoplastic synthetic resin successively into said die cavities;
- (d) a folder unit mounted on said frame for folding said strip of coupling element blanks about its longitudinal axis as the strip is continuously withdrawn from said die wheel, said folder unit including a first heater for adding heat to said strip while it is being folded;
- (e) a second heater unit for further heating said folded strip of coupling element blanks;
- (f) an element-forming die mounted on said frame and mounting said second heater unit for shaping said folded strip of coupling element blanks, heated by said second heater, into slide fastener coupling elements;
- (g) a cooling unit mounted on said frame for cooling said strip of coupling elements;
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- (h) a discharging unit located adjacent to said cooling unit for discharging said strip of coupling elements at a speed which is substantially the same as said peripheral speed of said die wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.