Method and apparatus for gapping a continuous zipper chain

An apparatus for gapping a zipper having a pair of slide fastener stringers in interlocking arrangement, each fastener stringer having a continuous row of fasteners elements secured to an edge thereof, the apparatus comprising:

• a support having a substantially flat surface for supporting the pair of fastener stringers thereon in generally parallel alignment;
• an indexing wheel cooperating with said support, said indexing wheel having a plurality of serrations located along a periphery thereof for engaging the fastener elements of the pair of fastener stringers and for incrementally advancing the pair of fastener stringers a predetermined distance along said support;
• a chain splitter connected to said support in the path of the advancing fastener stringers for separating the interlocking fastener elements so as to separate the pair of fastener stringers;
• a hinged block connected to said support upstream of said indexing wheel, said hinged block having a pair of grooves formed along a surface thereof and positioned in the path of the advancing fastener stringers for respectively receiving the fastener stringers in at least the area to be gapped;
• a locator connected to said hinged block and movable relative thereto for being positioned between adjacent fastener elements so as to locate the pair of fastener stringers in a predetermined position relative to said hinged block;
• and
• pivoting means for pivoting said hinged block relative to said support so that the fastener elements positioned in said pair of grooves of said hinged block are removed seriatim from each of the pair of fastener stringers and to ensure that the fastener elements immediately adjacent a formed gap are undamaged and have an opposed relationship.

A process of gapping a zipper having a pair of slide fastener stringers, each fastener stringer having a continuous row of fasteners elements secured to an edge thereof, the process steps comprising:

• guiding each of the respective fastener stringers into corresponding grooves formed in a hinged block in at least the area to be gapped;
• engaging the fastener elements of the pair of fastener stringers by an indexing wheel having a plurality serrations located in spaced relation around a periphery thereof;
• advancing incrementally the pair of fastener stringers with said indexing wheel a predetermined distance along said support so as to position the fastener stringers into said grooves of said hinged block;
• positioning a locator connected to said hinged block between adjacent fastener elements to locate the pair of fastener stringers in a predetermined position relative to said hinged block;
• and
• pivotally moving said hinged block relative to said support so that the fastener elements are removed seriatim from each of the pair of fastener stringers so as to ensure that fastener elements immediately adjacent a formed gap are undamaged and have an opposed relationship.

A process of gapping a zipper having a pair slide fastener stringers, each fastener stringer having a continuous row of fasteners elements secured to an edge thereof, the process steps comprising:

• serially engaging a predetermined number of fastener elements by a plurality of serations located on a periphery of an indexing wheel and incrementally advancing the pair of fastener stringers a predetermined distance along a surface of a support thereby positioning the fastener stringers into grooves formed in a hinged block in at least the area to be gapped;
• positioning a locator connected to said hinged block between adjacent fastener elements to thereby locate a downstream end of the gap;
• clamping at least a portion of each of the pair of fastener stringers to said support adjacent said hinged block for preventing movement thereof;
• moving a punch relative to said support so as to remove at least one fastener element from each of the fastener stringers;
• and
• moving said hinged block relative to said support so that the fastener elements are removed seriatim from each of the pair of fastener stringers so as to ensure that fastener elements immediately adjacent a formed gap are undamaged and have an opposed relationship.