TWI851058B - Track zipper and manufacturing method thereof and double zipper - Google Patents

Abstract

In the rail zipper (100), the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion (11, 12) are configured such that when the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion (11, 12) are engaged, a first contact surface (71) of a first surface portion (41) (or the first engaging portion (11)) located on the outer side of the sheet relative to an inner edge (31a) of a first reinforcing sheet (31) and a second contact surface (72) of a second surface portion (42) (or the second engaging portion (12)) located on the outer side of the sheet relative to an inner edge (32a) of a second reinforcing sheet (32) are in pressure contact with each other between the first reinforcing sheet (31, 32).

Description

Track zipper and manufacturing method thereof and double zipper

The present disclosure relates to a rail zipper, a manufacturing method thereof and a double zipper.

Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a rail zipper that forms a vacuum seal by pressing a convex fitting portion into a concave fitting portion. The concave extrusion portion and the convex extrusion portion are formed by extrusion molding. The concave extrusion portion has a flat portion and a concave fitting portion rising from the flat portion. Similarly, the convex extrusion portion has a flat portion and a convex fitting portion rising from the flat portion.

Patent document 3 discloses that a loose sheet is supplied to the gap between a die wheel and a molten resin outlet of an injection mold to produce a hook and loop fastener equipped with a sheet. Examples of the sheet include fabrics, knitted fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, metal meshes, resin films, etc. (see paragraph 0024 of patent document 3). Patent document 4 discloses that a hard resin reinforcement layer is provided to ensure the snap-fitting force in a wide temperature range. Patent documents 5 and 6 disclose a slider for a track zipper. Patent Documents 7 and 8 disclose a double zipper formed by attaching a zipper chain including spiral chain teeth to a track zipper.

[Prior art literature]

[Patent Literature]

Patent document 1: U.S. Patent No. 8438706 Specification

Patent document 2: U.S. Patent No. 8646156 Specification

Patent document 3: Japanese Patent No. 3505030

Patent document 4: Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-154016

Patent document 5: Japanese Patent No. 6377641

Patent document 6: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2013-99425

Patent document 7: Specification of China Utility Model No. 201557648

Patent document 8: Specification of China Utility Model No. 2291813

When a rail zipper is formed using a resin having a certain degree of softness in order to heat-press a rail zipper to an object to be installed or to smoothly fit the fitting parts of the rail zipper together, there are concerns that it is difficult to suppress the thickness of the mounting sheet for mounting the rail zipper and to obtain an appropriate hardness, and that the sealing performance (e.g., watertightness, airtightness) of the rail zipper is not stable. Furthermore, when the mounting sheet is formed in the form of a thin layer of resin, there is a concern that the mounting sheet is too soft and it is difficult to handle during its installation (e.g., heat pressing and/or sewing). In this way, it is difficult to simultaneously achieve the appropriate hardness of the mounting plate of the rail zipper and the improvement of the sealing performance of the rail zipper.

The track zipper according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a first tooth chain belt, including a first mounting plate and a first engaging portion; and a second tooth chain belt, including a second mounting plate and a second engaging portion, wherein the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion engage to form a track portion. The first mounting plate includes: a first reinforcing plate with flexibility; and a first surface portion, which at least partially covers the first reinforcing plate and extends from the first engaging portion and includes the same resin as the resin of the first engaging portion. The second mounting plate includes: a second reinforcing plate with flexibility; and a second surface portion, which at least partially covers the second reinforcing plate and extends from the second engaging portion and includes the same resin as the resin of the second engaging portion. Satisfying any of the following conditions (i) and (ii): (i) the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are configured such that when the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged, a first contact surface of the first skin portion located on the outer side of the sheet relative to the inner edge of the first reinforcing sheet and a second contact surface of the second skin portion located on the outer side of the sheet relative to the inner edge of the second reinforcing sheet are mutually contacted between the first reinforcing sheet and the second reinforcing sheet. and (ii) the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are configured such that when the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion are engaged, the first contact surface of the first engaging portion, which is located on the outer side of the sheet relative to the inner edge of the first reinforcing sheet, and the second contact surface of the second engaging portion, which is located on the outer side of the sheet relative to the inner edge of the second reinforcing sheet, are in contact with each other in a compressive manner between the first reinforcing sheet and the second reinforcing sheet.

When condition (i) is satisfied, the first fitting portion may be a convex fitting portion including at least a convex protrusion, and the second fitting portion may be a concave fitting portion having a storage space for storing the convex protrusion and having a shape that prevents the convex protrusion from escaping from the storage space. Furthermore, the concave fitting portion may be provided in such a manner that the storage space is arranged on the second reinforcing sheet. In addition, further, the concave fitting portion may have a locking protrusion, and the locking protrusion is provided with a locking surface that prevents the convex protrusion from escaping from the concave fitting portion, and the locking surface is positioned on the second reinforcing sheet.

In some embodiments, the concave engaging portion includes a lower jaw and an upper jaw arranged opposite to each other for defining a storage space. The lower jaw includes a lower stop protrusion protruding upward with a lower stop surface, and the upper jaw includes an upper stop protrusion protruding downward with an upper stop surface. The convex protrusion is an arrow-shaped protrusion having a neck and a head, and the head has a lower stop portion protruding downward with a lower stop surface, and an upper stop portion protruding upward with an upper stop surface. The lower stop surface and the upper stop surface can be positioned on the second reinforcing sheet.

In some embodiments, the lower stop surface is inclined as it extends upward to approach the junction of the lower jaw and the upper jaw, the upper stop surface is inclined as it extends downward to approach the junction, the lower stop surface is inclined to contact the lower stop surface, and the upper stop surface is inclined to contact the upper stop surface.

In some embodiments, the first contact surface includes a convex surface that protrudes further outward from the inner edge of the first reinforcing sheet, and/or the second contact surface includes a convex surface that protrudes further outward from the inner edge of the second reinforcing sheet.

In some embodiments, the convex fitting part further includes a locking wall combined with a convex protrusion, and the convex fitting part and the concave fitting part are configured such that, when the convex fitting part and the concave fitting part are fitted, in addition to having one or more first contact parts between the convex protrusion and the concave fitting part, and a second contact part between the first contact surface and the second contact surface, a third contact part is provided on the side opposite to the second contact part of the convex protrusion, where the locking wall and the concave fitting part are in press contact with each other. The concave fitting part may include a lower jaw and an upper jaw arranged opposite to each other to define a storage space, and at the third contact part, the upper jaw and the locking wall are in press contact with each other.

In some embodiments, the convex protrusion is an arrow-shaped protrusion having a neck and a head, and the head includes an upper clamped portion and a lower clamped portion. The lower jaw includes a lower clamping protrusion for clamping the lower clamped portion, and the upper jaw includes an upper clamping protrusion for clamping the upper clamped portion. The one or more first contact portions may include a contact portion where the upper clamped portion and the upper clamping protrusion are in pressurized contact with each other, and a contact portion where the lower clamped portion and the lower clamping protrusion are in pressurized contact with each other.

In some embodiments, the length of the neck of the convex protrusion in the direction of insertion into the receiving space of the concave fitting portion is less than the following interval or the minimum value of the interval, wherein the interval is the interval between the contact point of the upper locking protrusion and the closing wall and the lowest point of the upper locking surface when the upper locking protrusion is sandwiched between the closing wall and the upper locked portion.

In some embodiments, any of the following conditions (a) to (c) are satisfied: (a) the first reinforcing sheet and the second reinforcing sheet each include at least one selected from the group consisting of paper, nonwoven fabric, fabric, and knitted fabric; (b) both sides of the first reinforcing sheet are covered by the first epidermis, and both sides of the second reinforcing sheet are covered by the second epidermis; and (c) the thickness of the first epidermis on at least one side of the first reinforcing sheet is less than the thickness of the first reinforcing sheet, and the thickness of the second epidermis on at least one side of the second reinforcing sheet is less than the thickness of the second reinforcing sheet.

In some embodiments, the rail zipper further includes a slider. The slider may include: a first wing plate; a second wing plate; a connecting column for connecting the first wing plate and the second wing plate and extending in the up-down direction between the first wing plate and the second wing plate; a first side wall and a second side wall extending in the up-down direction from both side edges of the first wing plate in the width direction of the slider toward the second wing plate; and a first insert piece and a second insert piece protruding from the first side wall and the second side wall in the width direction of the slider in a manner close to each other at a position away from the first wing plate. The first insert piece is inserted into the first guide groove of the first toothed chain band, and the second insert piece is inserted into the second guide groove of the second toothed chain band.

Preferably, based on the insertion of the first insert piece into the first guide groove and the insertion of the second insert piece into the second guide groove, (i) the position of the convex fitting part and the concave fitting part in the slider is restricted in the vertical direction, and/or (ii) the convex fitting part and the concave fitting part in the slider that have completed the fitting state are arranged with an upper space relative to the first wing plate, and with a lower space relative to the second wing plate. In addition or instead, based on the insertion of the first insert piece into the first guide groove and the insertion of the second insert piece into the second guide groove, the first mounting piece and the second mounting piece are positioned near the first wing plate.

In some embodiments, the concave engaging portion includes a pair of jaws disposed opposite to each other for defining a storage space. During the engagement process between the convex engaging portion and the concave engaging portion in the slider, each of the pair of jaws does not contact either the first wing plate or the second wing plate.

In some embodiments, the first insert sheet is arranged in contact with the first mounting sheet together with the top end surface of the top end portion of the first side wall, and the second insert sheet is arranged in contact with the second mounting sheet together with the top end surface of the top end portion of the second side wall.

In some embodiments, the slider further includes a third side wall and a fourth side wall extending from both side edges of the second wing plate in the width direction of the slider toward the first wing plate in the up-down direction.

In some embodiments, the convex engaging portion and the concave engaging portion are pressed between the first side wall and the second side wall and engage in the slider.

In some embodiments, the spacing between the first insert piece and the second insert piece is set in such a way that the convex fitting portion and the concave fitting portion will not be compressed between the first insert piece and the second insert piece when the slider moves.

In some embodiments, the connecting post is positioned further forward than the first side wall and the second side wall, and is positioned offset further rearward than each front end of the first wing panel and the second wing panel.

In some embodiments, the front end of the first wing has a first inclined surface that is inclined in a manner away from the second wing as it moves away from the connecting post, and the front end of the second wing has a second inclined surface that is inclined in a manner away from the first wing as it moves away from the connecting post.

In some embodiments, the concave fitting portion includes a pair of jaws disposed opposite to each other for defining a storage space. At least one of the first wing plate and the second wing plate has a storage groove, and the storage groove stores one of the pair of jaws displaced when the convex fitting portion and the concave fitting portion are fitted or released.

Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a double zipper including: any one of the various rail zippers; a zipper chain attached to the rail zipper; and a slider having a first wing plate, a second wing plate, and a connecting post for connecting the first wing plate and the second wing plate and extending in the vertical direction between the first wing plate and the second wing plate. The zipper chain includes a third toothed chain tape attached to the first toothed chain tape, and a fourth toothed chain tape attached to the second toothed chain tape. The third toothed chain tape and the fourth toothed chain tape respectively include a first spiral chain tooth and a second spiral chain tooth that are synchronously engaged with the convex engaging portion and the concave engaging portion when the slider moves forward.

In some embodiments, the concave fitting portion includes a lower jaw and an upper jaw that are arranged opposite to each other to define a storage space, and the upper jaw is positioned further away from the second mounting plate than the lower jaw. The first wing plate has a storage groove, and the storage groove stores the upper jaw that is displaced when the convex fitting portion and the concave fitting portion are fitted or released. The storage groove can extend linearly from a position adjacent to the rear end of the connecting column until it reaches the rear end surface of the first wing plate.

In some embodiments, the second wing plate has a convex partition extending rearward from the connecting column for limiting the vertical position of the first spiral chain teeth and the second spiral chain teeth in the engaged state, and the storage groove is wider than the partition or formed with the same width in the width direction of the slider.

In some embodiments, the slider further includes a first side wall and a second side wall extending in the vertical direction from both side edges of the first wing plate in the width direction of the slider toward the second wing plate. The slider has a first raised portion raised from the first side wall toward the second side wall, and a second raised portion raised from the second side wall toward the first side wall, and the first raised portion and the second raised portion are arranged facing each other with a space to allow deformation of the upper jaw.

In some embodiments, the slider includes: a first side wall and a second side wall, extending from both side edges of the first wing plate in the width direction of the slider toward the second wing plate in the vertical direction; and a third side wall and a fourth side wall, extending from both side edges of the second wing plate in the width direction of the slider toward the first wing plate in the vertical direction. The convex fitting portion and the concave fitting portion are pressed between the first side wall and the second side wall and fit into the slider. The first spiral chain tooth and the second spiral chain tooth are not pressed between the third side wall and the fourth side wall and are engaged and released therebetween.

In some embodiments, the maximum spacing between the first side wall and the second side wall in the width direction of the slider is set larger than the maximum spacing between the third side wall and the fourth side wall in the width direction of the slider at all positions further back than the connecting post.

In some embodiments, the first spiral chain teeth and the second spiral chain teeth are thinner than the convex fitting portion and the concave fitting portion, respectively.

Another aspect of the present disclosure involves a method for manufacturing a rail zipper, comprising the following steps: supplying a resin material to an extrusion molding machine and extruding a first toothed chain tape from a first die of the extrusion molding machine, wherein the first toothed chain tape includes a first mounting plate and a first engaging portion; and supplying a resin material to the extrusion molding machine and extruding a second toothed chain tape from a second die of the extrusion molding machine, wherein the second toothed chain tape includes a second mounting plate and a second engaging portion. The manufacturing method of the rail zipper further includes the following steps: supplying a first flexible reinforcing sheet to a first die and introducing the first reinforcing sheet into a first mounting sheet of a first toothed chain tape, wherein the first reinforcing sheet is at least partially covered by a first surface portion of the first mounting sheet extending from a first engaging portion and comprising a resin identical to that of the first engaging portion; and supplying a second flexible reinforcing sheet to a second die and introducing the second reinforcing sheet into a second mounting sheet of a second toothed chain tape, wherein the second reinforcing sheet is at least partially covered by a second surface portion of the second mounting sheet extending from a second engaging portion and comprising a resin identical to that of the second engaging portion. The position of the first reinforcing sheet at the discharge outlet of the first die and the position of the second reinforcing sheet at the discharge outlet of the second die are set in such a manner that a prescribed state is achieved when the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion are fitted to form a track portion. The prescribed state includes a state in which the first contact surface of the first fitting portion and/or the first skin portion and the second contact surface of the second fitting portion and/or the second skin portion are in pressure contact with each other between the first reinforcing sheet and the second reinforcing sheet.

In some embodiments, the first die is configured to form the first contact surface into a convex surface that protrudes further outward from the inner edge of the first reinforcing sheet, and/or the second die is configured to form the second contact surface into a convex surface that protrudes further outward from the inner edge of the second reinforcing sheet.

In some embodiments, the first fitting part is a convex fitting part including at least a convex protrusion and a locking wall coupled to the convex protrusion, and the second fitting part is a concave fitting part having a storage space for storing the convex protrusion and having a shape in a manner to prevent the convex protrusion from escaping from the storage space. The position of the second reinforcing sheet at the discharge port of the second die is set in a manner that the storage space of the concave fitting part is arranged on the second reinforcing sheet.

By using one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to simultaneously achieve the appropriate hardness of the mounting plate of the rail zipper and the improvement of the sealing performance of the rail zipper.

1: Toothed chain belt/first toothed chain belt

2: Tooth chain belt/second tooth chain belt

3: Fabric

4: Fabric

5: Convex fitting part

6: Concave fitting part

7: Zipper chain

8:Sewing

9: Slider

9a: First side wall

9a1: Top surface

9b: Second side wall

9b1: Top surface

9c: Third side wall

9c1: Top surface

9d: Fourth side wall

9d1: Top surface

10:Track Department

11: Fitting part/first fitting part

12: Fitting part/second fitting part

13: Third tooth chain belt

14: Fourth tooth chain belt

15: First spiral chain teeth/spiral chain teeth

16: Second spiral chain teeth/spiral chain teeth

17: Double zipper

21: Mounting plate/first mounting plate

21a: medial edge

21b: Outer edge

21m: Upper surface

21n: Lower surface

22: Mounting plate/Second mounting plate

22a: medial edge

22b: Outer edge

22m: Upper surface

22n: Lower surface

25: First raised part

25a: Non-pressing surface

26: Second raised part

26a: Non-pressing surface

27: Press the dough

28: Press the dough

31: Reinforcement sheet/first reinforcement sheet

31a: medial edge

32: Reinforcement sheet/Second reinforcement sheet

32a: medial edge

35: First foot

36: Second leg

37: Snap-on head

38: Flipping part

41: Epidermis/first epidermis

42: Epidermis/Second epidermis

45: Chain guide part

46: Chain guide part

51: Lock the wall

51f: Wall

51g: Top

51z: Wall

52: convex protrusion

52a: Neck

52a1: Upper surface

52a2: Lower surface

52b: Head

52b1: Upper surface

52b2: Lower surface

52c: Upper side locked portion

52d: Lower side stuck part

52e: Upper stuck surface

52f: Lower side stuck surface

52p: Upper storage slot

52q: Lower storage slot

52r: Upper side tilt/tilt

52s: Downward tilt/tilt

52t: Top end face

53: Guide protrusion/first guide protrusion

61: Mandible/Jaw

61e: top point

62: Upper jaw/jaw

62e: Top point

63: Lower side locking protrusion/locking protrusion

63j: Inclined surface

63k: Flat surface

63s: Lower side stop surface/stop surface

64: Upper locking protrusion

64j: inclined plane

64k: Flat surface

64s: Upper stop surface/stop surface

65: Storage space

66: Guide protrusion/second guide protrusion

68: Junction

69: Insertion port

71: First contact surface

72: Second contact surface

81: Gap

91: Connecting plate

92: flange wall

92a: concave part

93: flange wall

93a: concave part

94: First wing

94s: Inner surface

94t: Outer surface

95: Second wing

95s: Inner surface

95t: Outer surface

96: Connecting column

99a: First insert/insert

99b: Second insert/insert

100: Rail zipper

101: First inclined plane

102: Second inclined plane

117: First zipper strap

118: Second zipper strap

121: Toothbrush Belt

122: Toothbrush Belt

131:Separator

200: Extrusion molding machine

210: Rotating machine

220: Screw

230: Cylinder

240: Die opening

240a: Die opening

240b: Die opening

240m: outlet

240n: Exhaust port

250: Input port

260: Reel

302: Passageway

611: Convex surface

621: Convex surface

901: Gap

941:Front

942: Rear

943: Middle part

951:Front

952: Rear

953: Middle part

A1: Insertion direction

CL: Center Line

D, F, L, Re, Ri, U: double-headed arrow

D1, D1': length

D2, D2': interval

G1: Guide groove/first guide groove

G2: Guide groove/second guide groove

G3: Storage slot

G4: Slot

H9: Up and down height

L1, L2: plane

L6: Dashed line

L7: Dashed line/moving track

L8: Dashed line/moving track

L9: Dashed line

M1: First front port

M2: Second front port

M3: rear opening

N1: lowest point

N2: Contact point

P1: First contact point

P1a, P1b: Contact area/area

P2: Second contact point/contact point

P3: Third contact point/contact point

P6: rear position

PL1, PL2: plane

SP1: Upper space

SP2: Space below

SP5: Space

TH41, TH42: layer thickness

W2: Width/maximum spacing

W3: Maximum interval

W4: First width

W6, W7, W8: Interval

θ1: angle

FIG1 is a schematic three-dimensional diagram of a rail zipper according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and shows the state of being heat-pressed and sewn to clothing fabric.

FIG2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first toothed chain band of the rail zipper shown in FIG1.

FIG3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the second toothed chain belt of the rail zipper shown in FIG1.

FIG4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a rail zipper with a slider installed on the rail portion of the rail zipper.

Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the change in the reinforcement sheet exposed on the upper surface of the mounting sheet.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the change of the reinforcement sheet exposed on the lower surface of the mounting sheet.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a change in forming the lower jaw of the concave fitting portion thicker.

FIG8 is a schematic diagram of an extrusion molding machine used in a method for manufacturing a rail zipper according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 9 is a front view of the first die viewed from the downstream side of the extrusion molding machine.

Figure 10 is a front view of the second die viewed from the downstream side of the extrusion molding machine.

FIG11 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic cross-sectional structure of a rail zipper according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first toothed chain band of the rail zipper shown in FIG11.

FIG13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the second toothed chain band of the rail zipper shown in FIG11.

FIG14 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of the rail zipper shown in FIG11, and an enlarged representation of the fitting portion.

Figure 15 is a schematic diagram showing the movement of the rail zipper.

FIG16 is a schematic diagram of the first toothed chain belt of the rail zipper shown in FIG15.

FIG17 is a schematic diagram of the second toothed chain belt of the rail zipper shown in FIG15.

Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of a rail zipper with a slider, with the rear end of the slider viewed from the front, and the engagement state of the convex and concave engagement parts in the slider shown through a cross section.

Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of a rail zipper with a slider, showing the convex fitting part and the concave fitting part in the fitting process in the slider through a cross section.

Figure 20 is a three-dimensional diagram of the slider.

Figure 21 is a front view of the slider.

Figure 22 is a rear view of the slider.

Figure 23 is a side view of the slider.

Figure 24 is a schematic diagram showing the inner surface of the second wing of the slider, showing the connecting column through a cross section.

Figure 25 is a schematic diagram showing the inner surface of the first wing plate of the slider, showing the connecting column through a cross section.

Figure 26 is a schematic diagram of a rail zipper with a slider. Compared with Figure 18, the convex fitting part and the concave fitting part are arranged on the lower side, and the structure of the slider is changed accordingly.

Figure 27 is a schematic diagram of a double zipper with a slider, with the rear end of the slider viewed from the front, and the engagement state of the convex and concave engagement parts in the slider shown through a cross section.

Figure 28 is a schematic diagram of a double zipper with a slider, showing the convex fitting part and the concave fitting part in the fitting process in the slider through a cross section.

Figure 29 is a partial bottom view of a zipper chain attached to a track zipper.

Figure 30 is a three-dimensional diagram of the slider.

Figure 31 is a front view of the slider.

Figure 32 is a rear view of the slider.

Figure 33 is a side view of the slider.

Figure 34 is a schematic diagram showing the inner surface of the second wing plate of the slider, showing the passage width for the spiral chain teeth between the third side wall and the fourth side wall.

Figure 35 is a schematic diagram showing the inner surface of the first wing plate of the slider, showing the passage width for the convex fitting portion and the concave fitting portion between the first side wall and the second side wall.

Figure 36 is a schematic diagram of a double zipper with a slider. The positional relationship between the track zipper and the zipper chain is reversed, and the structure of the slider is changed accordingly.

Hereinafter, various embodiments and features are described with reference to the drawings. A person skilled in the art can combine various embodiments and/or features without excessive explanation, and can also understand the synergistic effect brought about by such combination. In principle, repeated descriptions between embodiments are omitted. The reference drawings are mainly for the purpose of describing the invention, and are simplified for the convenience of drawing. Each feature is not only effective for the rail zipper and its manufacturing method disclosed in this application, but can be understood as a general feature that is also common to various other rail zippers and their manufacturing methods that are not disclosed in this specification.

In the specification of this application, the terms first and second are sometimes used to distinguish components or parts with the same name. For example, the tooth chain belt 1, the tooth chain belt 2, the fitting part 11, the fitting part 12, the mounting plate 21, the mounting plate 22, the guide groove G1, the guide groove G2, the insertion plate 99a, and the insertion plate 99b can be respectively named as the first tooth chain belt 1 and the second tooth chain belt 2, the first fitting part 11 and the second fitting part 12, the first mounting plate 21 and the second mounting plate 22, the first guide groove G1 and the second guide groove G2, and the first insertion plate 99a and the second insertion plate 99b. In the specification, the first and second identification terms are sometimes omitted for simplicity.

In the specification of this application, the terms front and back, left and right, and up and down are sometimes used to describe the relative position relationship of components or parts. The front and back direction is consistent with the length direction of the rail zipper (the double-headed arrow between F and Re in Figure 1) or the moving direction of the slider, the left and right direction is consistent with the width direction of the rail zipper (the double-headed arrow between L and Ri in Figure 1), and the up and down direction is consistent with the thickness direction of the rail zipper (the double-headed arrow between U and D in Figure 1). Of course, the up and down direction does not necessarily have to be consistent with the plumb direction (gravity direction). That is, the terms indicating the direction referenced in the specification of this application should be understood according to the rail zipper standard, not according to the plumb direction (gravity direction) standard, and have nothing to do with the plumb direction (gravity direction).

The rail zipper 100 is a resin molded product (e.g., a resin extrusion molded product) and is a long strip extending in a specified direction with a specified width. The rail zipper 100 has a pair of first and second toothed strips 1 and 2 that can be separated on the left and right. The first and second toothed strips 1 and 2 are respectively long strips in the same direction as the rail zipper 100 and extend in the same direction with a specified width. When the rail zipper 100 is manufactured by extrusion molding, the length direction of the rail zipper 100 and each of the toothed strips 1 and 2 is equal to the extrusion direction.

The opening between the first and second toothed belts 1 and 2 can be closed by combining the first and second toothed belts 1 and 2, and an opening can be formed between the first and second toothed belts 1 and 2 by releasing the combination of the first and second toothed belts 1 and 2. The first and second toothed belts 1 and 2 are attached to the fabric 3 and fabric 4 respectively by heat pressing or sewing or a combination thereof. The fabric 3 and fabric 4 can be different parts of the garment (the left half and the right half of the front body). The object to which the track zipper 100 is attached can be, for example, clothing, a bag, or the like. Although not shown in FIG. 1 , the sprocket 1 and the sprocket 2 can be connected at one or both ends of the length direction of the rail zipper 100 using a connecting member not shown. Of course, the sprocket 1 and the sprocket 2 can be connected to each other without using a connecting member, but the sprocket 1 and the sprocket 2 can be completely separated.

The first tooth chain tape 1 has a first fitting portion 11 and a first mounting piece 21. The second tooth chain tape 2 has a second fitting portion 12 and a second mounting piece 22. The first fitting portion 11 and the second fitting portion 12 respectively maintain a predetermined cross-sectional shape and are continuously formed in the longitudinal direction of the rail zipper 100. The first mounting piece 21 and the second mounting piece 22 are flexible sheets (composite sheets as described later) of a predetermined thickness defined by upper surfaces 21m, upper surfaces 22m and lower surfaces 21n, lower surfaces 22n, respectively, and are continuously formed in the longitudinal direction of the rail zipper 100 with a predetermined width. The first fitting portion 11 is provided at an inner edge 21a of the first mounting piece 21 or a position close to the inner edge 21a. The second fitting portion 12 is provided at the inner edge 22a of the second mounting sheet 22 or at a position close to the inner edge 22a. Furthermore, when the first mounting sheet 21 and the second mounting sheet 22 are combined, they have inner edges 21a and 22a arranged adjacent to each other, and the outer edges 21b and 22b on the opposite sides of the inner edges 21a and 22a can be sewn to the fabric 3 and 4 by the stitches 8. Furthermore, a waterproof tape can be attached to the mounting sheet in a manner of blocking the stitches of the stitches 8 to improve its waterproofness. In addition, the method of combining the mounting sheet and the fabric is not limited to the method of using the stitches 8, and the two can also be combined by welding.

The first fitting part 11 and the second fitting part 12 fit together to form the track part 10. Like the first fitting part 11 and the second fitting part 12, the track part 10 is formed continuously in the length direction of the track zipper 100. The gap between the first fitting part 11 and the second fitting part 12 of the track part 10 is closed by the contact between the first fitting part 11 and the second fitting part 12, and the track zipper 100 exerts the desired sealing performance according to the degree. That is, the movement of the fluid (liquid or gas) through the gap of the track part 10 is suppressed or prevented.

The first fitting portion 11 is a convex fitting portion 5 (see FIG. 2 ), and the second fitting portion 12 is a concave fitting portion 6 (see FIG. 3 ). The first tooth chain tape 1 and the second tooth chain tape 2 are coupled by continuously fitting the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 in the width direction of the rail zipper 100 along the length direction of the rail zipper 100, and the first tooth chain tape 1 and the second tooth chain tape 2 are released by continuously releasing the fitting of the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 in the width direction of the rail zipper 100 along the length direction of the rail zipper 100. The fitting direction of the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 is not equal to the up-down direction but equal to the left-right direction. Furthermore, the width direction of the rail zipper 100 is a direction orthogonal to the length direction of the rail zipper 100 and to the thickness direction of the mounting pieces 21 and 22. The specific structure of the convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 can be arbitrarily designed by a person skilled in the art in addition to the structure shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. It is not limited to the combination of the convex fitting part and the concave fitting part, and the fitting part 11 and the fitting part 12 can also be formed by the combination of the convex fitting part and the convex fitting part.

The convex fitting part 5 is a convex fitting part including a convex protrusion 52 and a locking wall 51 to which the convex protrusion 52 is coupled (for example, at the base end of the convex protrusion 52). The locking wall 51 rises from the upper surface 21m of the mounting sheet 21 (preferably vertically). The convex protrusion 52 extends from the locking wall 51 to the sheet outer side with respect to the mounting sheet 21. The convex fitting part 5 may further have a guide protrusion 53 protruding from the locking wall 51 on the side opposite to the convex protrusion 52 (that is, the sheet inner side). Furthermore, the sheet outer side is a direction from a point on the sheet surface (upper surface or lower surface) of a sheet (for example, a mounting sheet, or a reinforcing sheet described later) toward a point outside the sheet surface with respect to a plane orthogonal to the up-down direction, and the sheet inner side is the opposite direction. The locking wall 51, the convex protrusion 52, and the guide protrusion 53 are all formed continuously in the length direction of the rail zipper 100, and the same is true for the included surfaces. The guide protrusion 53 is set according to the relationship with the slider 9 and can be omitted.

The locking wall 51 has a wall surface 51f facing the outer side of the mounting sheet 21 and opposite to the concave fitting portion 6, and is divided into an upper wall surface that is higher than the convex protrusion 52 and a lower wall surface that is lower than the convex protrusion 52. These upper wall surfaces and lower wall surfaces are flat vertical surfaces that are orthogonal to the width direction (left-right direction) of the rail zipper 100, and either or both of them may be inclined surfaces. A concave portion or a convex portion may be provided on either or both of the upper wall surface and the lower wall surface of the wall surface 51f. Furthermore, the lower wall surface of the wall surface 51f extends downward from the lower surface of the convex protrusion 52. The upper wall surface of the wall surface 51f extends upward from the upper surface of the convex protrusion 52 and reaches the top surface of the locking wall 51.

The convex protrusion 52 may be an arrow-shaped protrusion protruding toward the outer side of the sheet with respect to the mounting sheet 21 and having a neck 52a and a head 52b. The neck 52a is connected to the locking wall 51, and the head 52b is connected to the neck 52a. The neck 52a has a thickness defined by the upper surface 52a1 and the lower surface 52a2, and the head 52b has a thickness defined by the upper surface 52b1 and the lower surface 52b2. The head 52b is thicker than the neck 52a. The head 52b includes an upper side latching portion 52c and a lower side latching portion 52d. The upper latched portion 52c protrudes upward from the upper surface 52a1 of the neck portion 52a, and the lower latched portion 52d protrudes downward from the lower surface 52a2 of the neck portion 52a, and is provided with an upper latched surface 52e and a lower latched surface 52f, respectively. The upper latched surface 52e and the lower latched surface 52f are provided in a manner opposite to the upper wall surface and the lower wall surface of the wall surface 51f of the locking wall 51, respectively, and an upper receiving groove 52p and a lower receiving groove 52q are formed therebetween for respectively receiving an upper latching protrusion 64 and a lower latching protrusion 63 of the concave fitting portion 6 described later. The upper side stopper surface 52e and the lower side stopper surface 52f are flat vertical surfaces orthogonal to the width direction (left-right direction) of the rail zipper 100, and can also be set as inclined surfaces. Furthermore, the upper side storage groove 52p is defined by the upper wall surface of the wall surface 51f, the upper surface 52a1 of the neck 52a, and the upper side stopper surface 52e. The lower side storage groove 52q is defined by the lower wall surface of the wall surface 51f, the lower surface 52a2 of the neck 52a, and the lower side stopper surface 52f.

The head portion 52b is shaped to be tapered toward the top end, specifically, it has an upper side inclined surface 52r that is inclined downward toward its top end (top end surface 52t in the example shown), and a lower side inclined surface 52s that is inclined upward toward its top end (top end surface 52t in the example shown). The shape of the head portion 52b makes it easy to press the convex fitting portion 5 into the concave fitting portion 6 (between the lower jaw 61 and the upper jaw 62 described later). Furthermore, the neck portion 52a and the head portion 52b are formed continuously along the length direction of the rail zipper 100.

The guide protrusion 53 is disposed on the opposite side of the locking wall 51 from the convex protrusion 52. The guide protrusion 53 is disposed away from the upper surface 21m of the mounting sheet 21, and a guide groove G1 is formed between the guide protrusion 53 and the mounting sheet 21. The guide protrusion 53 is not limited to a rectangular cross-section, and may have other shapes such as a triangular or semicircular cross-section.

The concave fitting part 6 has a storage space 65 for storing the convex protrusion 52, and is shaped in a manner that prevents the convex protrusion 52 from escaping from the storage space 65. In some cases, the concave fitting part 6 has a lower jaw 61 and an upper jaw 62, and the storage space 65 is defined between them. The concave fitting part 6 has a substantially C-shaped cross-sectional shape formed by the lower jaw 61 and the upper jaw 62 being connected at the connection part 68, but is not limited to this cross-sectional shape. The storage space 65, the lower jaw 61, and the upper jaw 62 are all formed continuously in the length direction of the rail zipper 100. The lower jaw 61 has a lower stopper protrusion 63 protruding upward (for example, from the top end of the lower jaw 61) with a lower stopper surface 63s, and the upper jaw 62 has an upper stopper protrusion 64 protruding downward (for example, from the top end of the upper jaw 62) with an upper stopper surface 64s. The insertion port 69 of the convex protrusion 52 is defined by the lower stopper protrusion 63 and the upper stopper protrusion 64. The lower stopper surface 63s and the upper stopper surface 64s are arranged orthogonally or obliquely in the insertion direction A1 of the convex protrusion 52 into the storage space 65, and prevent the convex protrusion 52 from being separated from the concave fitting portion 6. Furthermore, the insertion direction A1 is equal to the width direction of the rail zipper 100. The lower locking protrusion 63 locks the lower locked portion 52d, and the upper locking protrusion 64 locks the upper locked portion 52c.

The lower stopper protrusion 63 has an inclined surface 63j that is inclined downward as it moves away from the upper end of the lower stopper surface 63s toward the outer side of the sheet (of the mounting sheet 22). The inclined surface 63j is divided into a gently inclined area and a steeply inclined area adjacent to the outer side of the sheet. Similarly to the lower stopper protrusion 63, the upper stopper protrusion 64 has an inclined surface 64j that is inclined upward as it moves away from the lower end of the upper stopper surface 64s toward the outer side of the sheet (of the mounting sheet 22). The inclined surface 64j is divided into a gently inclined area and a steeply inclined area adjacent to the outer side of the sheet. Thanks to the tapered inclined surfaces 63j and 64j of the lower locking protrusion 63 and the upper locking protrusion 64, the upper and lower widths of the insertion port 69 gradually decrease along the insertion direction A1, which facilitates the introduction of the head 52b between the lower jaw 61 and the upper jaw 62 and makes it easier to press it in. For this purpose, the thin line shape (inclined surface 52s, inclined surface 52r) of the head 52b is also useful.

The concave fitting portion 6 has a guide protrusion 66 protruding from the coupling portion 68 toward the inner side of the mounting piece 22. The guide protrusion 66 is arranged away from the upper surface 22m of the mounting piece 22, and a guide groove G2 is formed between the guide protrusion 66 and the mounting piece 22. The guide protrusion 66 is not limited to a rectangular cross-section, and may have other shapes such as a triangular or semicircular cross-section.

When the male fitting part 5 is fitted with the female fitting part 6, the head 52b of the male protrusion 52 of the male fitting part 5 is pressed between the lower locking protrusion 63 and the upper locking protrusion 64 of the female fitting part 6, and the upper and lower intervals between the two are expanded and passed therebetween. Thereafter, the lower jaw 61 and the upper jaw 62 move in a manner of returning to their original shapes, thereby sandwiching the neck portion 52a and/or the head 52b therebetween. At the same time, the upper locking protrusion 64 is received in the upper receiving groove 52p, and is sandwiched between the wall surface of the locking wall 51 and the upper locked surface 52e to be pressed. Similarly, the lower locking protrusion 63 is received in the lower receiving groove 52q and is sandwiched between the first contact surface 71 of the first skin portion 41 and the lower locked surface 52f to be pressed. At this time, the upper locked portion 52c and the upper locking protrusion 64 are pressed and contacted with each other at the contact position P1a (refer to FIG. 1) (in short, in the left-right direction), and the lower locked portion 52d and the lower locking protrusion 63 are pressed and contacted with each other at the contact position P1b (refer to FIG. 1) (in short, in the left-right direction). In this way, the sealing performance at each contact part P1a and contact part P1b is improved, and at the same time, the formation of the second contact part P2 (optional third contact part P3) described later can be promoted. Since the convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 contain resin (for example, soft resin), the fitting of the convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 is released when a large force is applied.

In the mating state of the male mating part 5 and the female mating part 6, a gap 81 may be formed between the top end portion of the male protrusion 52 (for example, the top end surface 52t, the upper side inclined surface 52r, and the lower side inclined surface 52s) and the joint portion 68 of the female mating part 6 (the bottom surface of the storage space 65 intersecting the insertion direction A1). In this case, the ease of deformation of the female mating part 6 (especially the lower jaw 61 and the upper jaw 62) can be ensured, and smooth mating and mating release can be promoted. With the formation of the gap 81, the sealing performance of the rail zipper 100 may be reduced, but this problem can be avoided or suppressed by using the pressure contact of the second contact part P2 described later. The left and right width of the gap 81 is the largest at the upper and lower center, and can gradually decrease as it moves upward or downward from the upper and lower center. The gap 81 is continuously formed in the length direction of the track zipper 100.

The engagement and release of the male engaging portion 5 and the female engaging portion 6 can be performed using a slider 9 (see FIG. 4 ) or by operation using a person's finger. The slider 9 is configured such that the male engaging portion 5 and the female engaging portion 6 engage with each other by advancing the slider 9, and the engagement of the male engaging portion 5 and the female engaging portion 6 is released by retreating the slider 9. A column (not shown) extending in the vertical direction at the center of the width direction is provided at the front end of the slider 9, and passages for the male engaging portion 5 and the female engaging portion 6 are branched and provided by the column.

The slider 9 has a connecting plate 91, a flange wall 92 and a flange wall 93 extending downward from the left and right side edges of the connecting plate 91, and each flange wall 92 and 93 is provided with a recess 92a and a recess 93a for accommodating the guide protrusion 53 and the guide protrusion 66. The flange wall 92 and the flange wall 93 are set in a tapered shape in such a way that the interval becomes wider at the front end of the slider 9 and narrows at the rear end of the slider 9, thereby appropriately setting a passage for the first fitting part 11 and the second fitting part 12 to fit and release the fitting together with the column. Furthermore, the flange wall 92 and the flange wall 93 are provided with an insertion piece 99a and an insertion piece 99b inserted into the guide groove G1 and the guide groove G2.

When the rail zipper 100 is opened and closed by a person's fingers, the convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 can be fitted together by pinching the convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 between the thumb and the index finger. In order to release the fitting of the convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6, one of the tooth chain tapes can be forcibly pulled away from the other tooth chain tape. By separating one of the tooth chain tapes from the other tooth chain tape, the fitting of the convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 can be continuously released along the length direction of the rail zipper 100.

As described above, the first mounting sheet 21 is a composite sheet and includes a flexible first reinforcing sheet 31 and a first skin portion 41. As described above, the second mounting sheet 22 is a composite sheet and includes a flexible second reinforcing sheet 32 and a second skin portion 42. The first skin portion 41 is used to at least partially cover the first reinforcing sheet 31 and extends from the first engaging portion 11 and includes the same resin as the resin of the first engaging portion 11. The second skin portion 42 is used to at least partially cover the second reinforcing sheet 32 and extends from the second engaging portion 12 and includes the same resin as the resin of the second engaging portion 12. The first engaging portion 11 and the first skin portion 41 are formed together from the same resin and are different parts of the same resin portion. The second engaging portion 12 and the second skin portion 42 are also formed together from the same resin and are different parts of the same resin portion. The fact that the fitting part and the surface part are different parts of the same resin part is the result of manufacturing each tooth chain band 1, 2 by extrusion molding as described later, and other molding methods can also be adopted.

In this embodiment, the first interlocking portion 11 and the second interlocking portion 12 are constructed as follows: when they are interlocked, the first contact surface 71 of the first surface skin portion 41 which is located on the outside of the sheet relative to the inner edge 31a of the first reinforcing sheet 31 and the second contact surface 72 of the second surface skin portion 42 which is located on the outside of the sheet relative to the inner edge 32a of the second reinforcing sheet 32 are in pressure contact with each other between the first reinforcing sheet 31 and the second reinforcing sheet 32. In the above case, the first reinforcing sheet 31 and the second reinforcing sheet 32 are introduced into the first mounting sheet 21 and the second mounting sheet 22 respectively to obtain the appropriate hardness thereof, and at the same time, the sealing performance of the rail zipper 100 is improved by the pressure contact between the resin parts of the first reinforcing sheet 31 and the second reinforcing sheet 32.

As shown in FIG2 , the boundary between the first mounting piece 21 and the first fitting part 11 is set at the position of the plane L1 orthogonal to the up-down direction. In this case, the first contact surface 71 can be said to be set on the surface of the first epidermis part 41. Similarly, as shown in FIG3 , the boundary between the second mounting piece 22 and the second fitting part 12 is set at the position of the plane L2 orthogonal to the up-down direction. In this case, the second contact surface 72 can be said to be set on the surface of the second epidermis part 42. Any plane L1 and plane L2 are set on the same plane as the upper surface 21m and upper surface 22m of the mounting piece 21 and the mounting piece 22.

Furthermore, when the first engaging portion 11 and the second engaging portion 12 are engaged, the first mounting sheet 21 and the second mounting sheet 22 can be arranged on the same plane, and similarly, the first reinforcing sheet 31 and the second reinforcing sheet 32 can be arranged on the same plane. Furthermore, the thickness of each sheet does not need to be equal when the sheets are arranged on the same plane.

The contact between the first contact surface 71 and the second contact surface 72 may be partial contact. For this purpose or a different purpose, the first contact surface 71 may be a convex surface that protrudes further outward from the inner edge of the first reinforcing sheet 31, and/or the second contact surface 72 may be a convex surface that protrudes further outward from the inner edge of the second reinforcing sheet 32. As shown in the example, one of the first contact surface 71 and the second contact surface 72 may be set as a convex surface and the other may be set as a flat surface. As shown in FIG. 3 , a convex surface 611 may be set on the second epidermis portion 42, and the first epidermis portion 41 that it contacts may be set as a flat surface. In this case, there will be no problem of alignment required when both the first contact surface 71 and the second contact surface 72 are set as convex surfaces.

In some cases, the convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 are configured such that, when the convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 are fitted, in addition to one or more first contact parts P1 (for example, two parts P1a, P1b) between the convex protrusion 52 and the concave fitting part 6 and a second contact part P2 between the first contact surface 71 and the second contact surface 72, a third contact part P3 (see FIG. 1 ) is provided where the locking wall 51 and the concave fitting part 6 (for example, the upper jaw 62) are in pressurized contact with each other on the side opposite to the second contact part P2 (for example, the upper side) of the convex protrusion 52. Thereby, the sealing performance of the rail zipper 100 is effectively improved. It is promoted to achieve sealing performance equal to or better than that of waterproof zippers at a low price. Furthermore, it is also possible to envision a form in which one of the contact parts P1a and P1b is omitted.

In order to promote the press contact at the three or more contact points (in some cases, as shown in FIG. 1, P1a, P1b, P2, and P3 in total are four points), the length D1 of the neck portion 52a in the width direction of the rail zipper 100 (see FIG. 2) is set to be smaller than the interval D2 in the same direction (see FIG. 3). The interval D2 represents the interval between the lowest point N1 of the stopper surface 64s of the upper jaw 62 in the width direction of the rail zipper 100 and the contact point N2 of the upper jaw 62 and the closing wall 51 when the convex protrusion 52 and the concave fitting portion 6 are fitted. Thereby, the press contact state between the surfaces at the contact point P1a and the contact point P3 is promoted. Furthermore, when the convex protrusion 52 is engaged with the concave engaging portion 6, when the locking wall 51 and the upper jaw 62 are in contact within a certain vertical range, the contact point N2 refers to the point closest to the engaging portion 68 along the insertion direction A1 (i.e., the lowest point of the vertical range). In short, when the interval D2 has a certain range, the minimum value of the interval D2 is referred to for comparison with D1. Furthermore, the contact point N2 may be located slightly below the top end of the upper jaw 62. Assume that the length D1 of the neck portion 52a is equal to the distance (or its maximum value) between the wall surface 51f of the locking wall 51 and the upper stop surface 52e of the head portion 52b, or the distance (or its maximum value) between the wall surface 51f of the locking wall 51 and the lower stop surface 52f of the head portion 52b.

By increasing the length D1, the first fitting portion 11 and the second fitting portion 12 are easier to fit together, but the degree of pressure contact is reduced. By reducing the length D1, the fitting of the first fitting portion 11 and the second fitting portion 12 requires greater force, but the degree of pressure contact is improved. Furthermore, the relationship between the length D1 and the interval D2 is also applicable to the relationship between the length D1 and the interval D2' shown in Figures 2 and 3, and repeated description is omitted. In this regard, the contact point N2 between the upper jaw 62 and the locking wall 51 is replaced by the contact point between the lower jaw 61 and the inner side surface of the first epidermis portion 41 (or the first contact surface 71). In addition, when the convex protrusion 52 is engaged with the concave engaging portion 6, when the lower jaw 61 and the inner side surface of the first epidermis portion 41 (or the first contact surface 71) are in contact within a certain upper and lower range, the contact point of the lower jaw 61 refers to the point closest to the engaging portion 68 along the insertion direction A1 (i.e., the highest point in the upper and lower range). When the length D1 is less than the interval D2', the surfaces at the contact portion P1b and the contact portion P2 are in a state of pressurized contact with each other. The top end points 61e and 62e of the lower jaw 61 and the upper jaw 62 are located at the positions closest to the outer side of the band with respect to the mounting sheet 22.

Similar to the contact between the first contact surface 71 and the second contact surface 72, the contact between the lock wall 51 and the concave fitting portion 6 (e.g., the upper jaw 62) may be partial contact. For this purpose or a different purpose, the lock wall 51 may have a convex surface that protrudes further outward from the inner edge 31a of the reinforcing sheet 31. Similarly, the concave fitting portion 6 (e.g., the upper jaw 62) may have a convex surface that protrudes further outward from the inner edge 32a of the reinforcing sheet 32 (see symbol 621 in FIG. 3 ). As shown in FIG. 3 , a convex surface 621 may be provided on the upper jaw 62, and the wall surface of the lock wall 51 that it contacts may be set as a flat surface. In this case, as described above, no alignment problems arise.

The reinforcing sheets 31 and 32 include a raw material different from the resin of the fitting parts 11 and 12 and the skin parts 41 and 42, and in short, include any one or a combination of paper, nonwoven fabric, fabric, and knitted fabric. The resin of the fitting parts 11 and 12 and the skin parts 41 and 42 includes a thermoplastic polymer, and more preferably includes a thermoplastic elastomer, such as thermoplastic polyurethane, polyester elastomer, olefin elastomer, polyvinyl chloride, etc. By introducing the reinforcing sheets 31 and 32 into the mounting sheets 21 and 22, the hardness of the mounting sheets 21 and 22 is increased, and the shape stability thereof is improved. At the same time, the amount of resin used is reduced. Furthermore, since the reinforcing sheets 31 and 32 are flexible, the flexibility of the mounting sheets 21 and 22 is also ensured. When the reinforcing sheets 31 and 32 are woven or knitted fabrics or a mixture thereof, minute undulations (corresponding to the weaving or knitting) are formed on both sides thereof, thereby improving the adhesion with the resin of the epidermis 41 and 42.

The first reinforcing sheet 31 can be provided in a manner to support the convex fitting portion 5. Thus, the shape stability of the convex fitting portion 5 is improved. The second reinforcing sheet 32 can be provided in a manner to support the concave fitting portion 6. Thus, the shape stability of the concave fitting portion 6 is improved. When a soft resin (e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane, polyester elastomer, olefin elastomer, polyvinyl chloride, etc.) is used to manufacture the rail zipper 100, the shape of the convex fitting portion 5 and the shape of the concave fitting portion 6 are prone to change during the hardening process, but thanks to the reinforcing sheets 31 and 32, the shape change is suppressed.

The convex fitting portion 5 may be provided in such a manner that at least a part thereof is provided on the first reinforcing piece 31. The guide protrusion 53 may be provided on the first reinforcing piece 31. In addition or instead of this, at least a part (preferably the entire surface) of the wall surface 51z of the closing wall 51 provided with the guide protrusion 53 may be provided on the first reinforcing piece 31. This promotes more stable support of the closing wall 51 by the first reinforcing piece 31. The inner edge 31a of the first reinforcing piece 31 is located at a position closer to the sheet outer side with respect to the first mounting piece 21 than the guide protrusion 53 or the wall surface 51z of the closing wall 51, and may be located directly below the top surface 51g of the closing wall 51 as the case may be. Furthermore, in the example shown in the figure, the wall surface 51z of the locking wall 51 includes an inclined surface located above the guide protrusion 53 and a vertical surface located below the guide protrusion 53, and both are located above the first reinforcing sheet 31.

The concave fitting portion 6 can be arranged in a manner that the storage space 65 for storing the convex fitting portion 5 is arranged on the second reinforcing sheet 32. Preferably, a portion of the second reinforcing sheet 32 is buried directly below the lower jaw 61. As is clear from FIG. 3 , the lower side stop protrusion 63 and the upper side stop protrusion 64 (the lower side stop surface 63s and the upper side stop surface 64s are also the same) are also positioned on the second reinforcing sheet 32 (on its upper surface). It is believed that the flexibility of the lower side stop protrusion 63 is reduced by the reinforcing sheet 32, thereby improving its stop force. The inner edge 32a of the second reinforcing sheet 32 can be positioned closer to the second contact surface 72 than the lower side stop surface 63s of the lower side stop protrusion 63. Additionally or alternatively, the inner edge 32a of the second reinforcing sheet 32 may be positioned directly below the inclined surface 63j (directly below the boundary between the gently inclined area and the steeply inclined area of the inclined surface 63j).

In order to improve the waterproofness of the rail zipper 100, it is preferred that both sides of the reinforcing sheet 31 and the reinforcing sheet 32 are covered by the epidermis 41 and the epidermis 42. Of course, the upper surface of the reinforcing sheet 32 can be exposed (see FIG. 5), or the lower surface of the reinforcing sheet 32 can be exposed (see FIG. 6). In addition, the thickness of the rail zipper 100 and the amount of resin used will increase, but as shown in FIG. 7, it is also conceivable to form the lower jaw 61 thick.

Since the reinforcing sheets 31 and 32 have appropriate strength, the mounting sheets 21 and 22 can be sewn to the mounting object by the seam 8. Even if the needle penetrates the reinforcing sheets 31 and 32, cracks in the reinforcing sheets 31 and 32 are suppressed from the needle. Sewing is a method that cannot be used when the mounting sheets 21 and 22 contain a single layer of resin.

In order to ensure the same flexibility of the mounting sheet 21 and the mounting sheet 22, or to perform sewing using the seam 8, the outer edges of the reinforcing sheets 31 and 32 can be positioned near the outer edges 21b and 22b of the mounting sheet 21 and the mounting sheet 22. That is, the reinforcing sheets 31 and 32 are introduced into the mounting sheet 21 and the mounting sheet 22 in such a positional relationship.

By introducing the reinforcing sheets 31 and 32 into the mounting sheets 21 and 22, the thickness of the epidermis 41 and 42 (the upper layer of the epidermis covering the upper surface of the mounting sheets 21 and 22 or the lower layer of the epidermis covering the lower surface of the mounting sheets 21 and 22) can be made sufficiently thin. In some cases, the layer thickness TH41 and layer thickness TH42 of the epidermis 41 and 42 (refer to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3) are respectively smaller than the thickness of the reinforcing sheets 31 and 32, and are preferably 0.3 mm or less or 0.2 mm or less. That is, the strength or flexibility of the mounting sheets 21 and 22 is mainly ensured by the reinforcing sheets 31 and 32, and the waterproofness of the mounting sheets 21 and 22 is mainly ensured by the epidermis 41 and 42. Furthermore, the thickness of the epidermis 41 and the epidermis 42 may be changed in the upper and lower layers of the reinforcing sheets 31 and 32. The portions other than the front and rear end surfaces of the reinforcing sheets 31 and 32 may be covered by the epidermis 41 and the epidermis 42.

In order to improve the adhesion between the reinforcing sheets 31, 32 and the epidermis 41, 42, a plurality of through holes may be formed in the reinforcing sheets 31, 32. By filling the through holes of the reinforcing sheets 31, 32 with resin, the upper layer of the epidermis 41, 42 on the upper surface of the reinforcing sheets 31, 32 is connected to the lower layer of the epidermis 41, 42 on the lower surface of the reinforcing sheets 31, 32.

Each toothed chain band 1, 2 can be manufactured by extrusion molding. As shown in FIG8, the extrusion molding machine 200 has a rotating machine 210, a screw 220 rotated by the rotating machine 210, a barrel 230 accommodating the screw 220, a die 240, a resin material inlet 250, and a reel 260 wound with a reinforcing sheet 31. Furthermore, when the solid resin is introduced into the barrel 230, a heater is provided in the barrel 230 to melt it. Various structures can be adopted for the extrusion molding machine 200, and the structure shown in FIG8 is only an example.

The die 240 is appropriately used according to the cross-sectional shapes of the toothed chain tape 1 and the toothed chain tape 2. Fig. 9 shows the die 240a used for the toothed chain tape 1. Fig. 10 shows the die 240b used for the toothed chain tape 2. As described above, the position of the reinforcing sheet 31 at the discharge port 240m of the die 240a and the position of the reinforcing sheet 32 at the discharge port 240n of the die 240b are set so that the first contact surface 71 and the second contact surface 72 are in a state of pressurized contact with each other when the first fitting portion 11 and the second fitting portion 12 are fitted. In other words, as described above, the travel paths of the reinforcing sheets 31 and 32 at the die openings 240a and 240b are set in such a way that the first contact surface 71 and the second contact surface 72 are in a state of pressure contact with each other when the first engaging portion 11 and the second engaging portion 12 are engaged. According to the structure, the same effect as described above can be achieved.

Regarding the manufacture of the toothed chain band 1 and the toothed chain band 2, the following steps are performed: (a) supplying a resin material to the extrusion molding machine 200 and extruding the toothed chain band 1 from the die 240a of the extrusion molding machine 200; (b) supplying a resin material to the extrusion molding machine 200 and extruding the toothed chain band 2 from the die 240b of the extrusion molding machine 200; (c) supplying a flexible reinforcing sheet 31 to the die 240a and introducing the reinforcing sheet 31 into the mounting sheet 21 of the toothed chain band 1; (d) supplying a flexible reinforcing sheet 32 to the die 240b and introducing the reinforcing sheet 32 into the mounting sheet 22 of the toothed chain band 2.

In step (a) and step (c), the extrusion molding machine 200 is operated (for example, the screw 220 is rotated) and the reinforcing sheets 31 and 32 are supplied (for example, the reinforcing sheets 31 are fed from the reel 260). The resin flows in the barrel 230 by the rotation of the screw 220, reaches the die 240a and is extruded from its discharge port 240m. The reinforcing sheet 31 fed from the reel 260 moves in a predetermined moving path of the die 240a, and is discharged from the discharge port 240m of the die 240a while being buried in the resin (mounting sheet 21). The same is true for step (b) and step (d). By the rotation of the screw 220, the resin flows in the barrel 230, reaches the die 240b and is extruded from its discharge port 240n. The reinforcing sheet 32 sent from the reel 260 moves in the prescribed travel path of the die 240b, and is discharged from the discharge port 240n of the die 240b while being buried in the resin (mounting sheet 22). Furthermore, the unhardened toothed chain band 1 and the toothed chain band 2 discharged from the die 240a and the die 240b are supplied to the cooling machine and forcedly cooled by water cooling or air cooling. A support member or a winding device for supporting the toothed chain band 1 and the toothed chain band 2 is provided on the downstream side of the extruder and the cooling machine.

The travel paths of the reinforcing sheets 31 and 32 in the die openings 240a and 240b individually (before being buried in the resin) can be designed in such a way that the die openings 240a and 240b terminate just before reaching the discharge outlets 240m and 240n of the die openings 240a and 240b. The distance between the end points of the travel paths of the reinforcing sheets 31 and 32 individually and the discharge outlets 240m and 240n of the die openings 240a and 240b can be appropriately ensured, and the reinforcing sheets 31 and 32 can be securely buried in the resin (mounting sheets 21 and 22).

The die openings 240a and 240b are configured to embody one or more of the features described above with respect to the rail zipper 100. For example, the die opening 240a is configured to form the first contact surface 71 into a convex surface that protrudes further toward the outside of the sheet than the inner edge of the reinforcing sheet 31. The die opening 240b can also be configured in the same manner. In addition, the position of the reinforcing sheet 32 at the discharge port 240n of the die opening 240b can be set in such a manner that the storage space 65 of the concave fitting portion 6 is arranged on the reinforcing sheet 32. Furthermore, the die opening 240b can be configured to bury a portion of the reinforcing sheet 32 directly below the lower jaw 61. In this way, in order to realize various features of the rail zipper 100, the die openings 240a and 240b can be constructed.

As can be understood from FIGS. 11 to 14 , the lower locking protrusion 63 and the upper locking protrusion 64 of the concave fitting part 6 can be respectively set as folding structures, and similarly, the lower locked part 52d and the upper locked part 52c of the convex protrusion 52 can be respectively set as folding structures (capable of being engaged with the folding structures of the locking protrusions). In this case, the holding force of the concave fitting part 6 on the convex protrusion 52 can be effectively improved. Furthermore, the contact area between the concave fitting part 6 and the convex protrusion 52 is increased, and the sealing performance of the track zipper 100 is also improved. Among them, when the track zipper 100 is opened and closed, the concave fitting part 6 may need to be deformed to a greater extent. As described above, if the concave fitting portion 6 is supported by the second reinforcing sheet 32, the concave fitting portion 6 is given sufficient mechanical strength to withstand the deformation.

Specifically, the lower stop surface 63s is inclined as it extends upward to approach the joint 68 of the lower jaw 61 and the upper jaw 62, and the upper stop surface 64s is inclined as it extends downward to approach the joint 68. The lower stop surface 52f is inclined to be suitable for contact with the lower stop surface 63s. In short, it approaches the first mounting piece 21 or the lock wall 51 as it extends downward. The upper stop surface 52e is inclined to be suitable for contact with the upper stop surface 64s. In short, it approaches the first mounting piece 21 or the lock wall 51 as it extends upward.

The lower stopper surface 63s, the upper stopper surface 64s, the lower stopper surface 52f, and the upper stopper surface 52e can be formed in the following manner: the plane PL1 and the plane PL2 which are parallel to the insertion direction A1 of the convex protrusion 52 into the storage space 65 of the concave fitting portion 6 intersect at the same angle θ1. In this case, it is facilitated to ensure a sufficient contact area. Furthermore, the angle formed by the upper surface 52b1 of the head 52b and the upper stopper surface 52e can also be the angle θ1. The same is true for the angle formed by the lower surface 52b2 of the head 52b and the lower stopper surface 52f. The upper stopper protrusion 64 can include a flat surface 64k included in the plane PL1, and form an inclined surface 64j adjacent to it. Similarly, the lower locking protrusion 63 may include a flat surface 63k included in the plane PL2, and form an inclined surface 63j adjacent thereto.

Similarly to the above, the length D1 of the neck portion 52a in the insertion direction A1 of the convex protrusion 52 into the storage space 65 of the concave fitting portion 6 can be smaller than the minimum value of the interval D2 between the lowest point N1 of the upper stop surface 64s and the contact point N2 between the upper stop protrusion 64 and the locking wall 51. In this way, the surfaces at the contact part P1a and the contact part P3 are pressed against each other. The relationship between the length D1' and the interval D2' is also applicable.

As shown in FIG. 14 , the locking wall 51 can be made lower than the concave fitting portion 6. Specifically, the top surface 51g of the locking wall 51 is lower than the upper surface of the upper jaw 62, and a step is formed between the two when the concave fitting portion 6 and the convex protrusion 52 are fitted. In this way, the width of the track portion 10 of the track zipper 100 can be made to appear narrow. It is appropriate to set the locking wall 51 to the height between the upper surface of the upper jaw 62 and the lower end of the upper locking protrusion 64 in order to ensure the contact portion P3.

In Figures 15 to 17, differently from the above-described embodiment, the first engaging portion 11 and the second engaging portion 12 are configured as follows: when the first engaging portion 11 and the second engaging portion 12 are engaged, a first contact surface 71 of the first engaging portion 11 which is located on the outside of the sheet relative to the inner edge of the first reinforcing sheet 31 and a second contact surface 72 of the second engaging portion 12 which is located on the outside of the sheet relative to the inner edge of the second reinforcing sheet 32 are in pressure contact with each other between the first reinforcing sheet 31 and the second reinforcing sheet 32. In this case, as described above, reinforcing sheets 31 and 32 are introduced into the mounting sheets 21 and 22 to obtain appropriate hardness, and the sealing performance of the rail zipper 100 is improved by the pressure contact between the resin parts of the reinforcing sheets 31 and 32.

The first fitting part 11 and the second fitting part 12 can have various shapes. In the case shown in Figures 15 to 17, the first fitting part 11 is a concave fitting part 6, and the second fitting part 12 is a convex fitting part 5. The convex fitting part 5 is a column with a roughly circular cross-section extending along the length direction of the rail zipper 100. A core wire is provided on the inner edge of the reinforcing sheet 32 and buried in the column. On the outer peripheral surface of the column, notches 901 are provided on the upper and lower sides of the mounting sheet 22, thereby forming an upper stopper surface 52e and a lower stopper surface 52f.

The concave fitting part 6 is a C-shaped part having a lower jaw 61 and an upper jaw 62 so as to accommodate the column of the convex fitting part 5. A core wire is provided at the inner edge of the reinforcing sheet 31 and is buried in the joint of the lower jaw 61 and the upper jaw 62. A passage 302 communicating with the storage space 65 is formed between the top end of the lower jaw 61 and the top end of the upper jaw 62. At the top end of the lower jaw 61, a lower locking protrusion 63 protruding toward the inner side of the storage space 65 is provided to fit with the notch 901 of the column of the convex fitting part 5. Similarly, at the top end of the upper jaw 62, an upper stopper protrusion 64 is provided, which protrudes toward the inner side of the storage space 65 and is used to engage with the notch 901 of the column of the convex fitting part 5. The lower stopper protrusion 63 and the upper stopper protrusion 64 are provided with a lower stopper surface 63s and an upper stopper surface 64s, which respectively contact the lower stopper surface 52f and the upper stopper surface 52e when the fitting parts 11 and 12 are fitted. In the case shown in Figures 15 to 17, the first contact surface 71 is a surface for defining the storage space 65 of the concave fitting part 6. The second contact surface 72 is the outer peripheral surface of the column.

The following description is further described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 26. In the description, a slider 9 is attached to the track portion 10 of the track zipper 100 with reference to FIG. 4. The slider 9 shown in FIG. 4 has an insertion piece 99a inserted into the guide groove G1 of the first toothed chain tape 1 and an insertion piece 99b inserted into the guide groove G2 of the second toothed chain tape 2, thereby preventing the slider 9 from falling off the track portion 10. The convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 have both appropriate hardness and appropriate flexibility to facilitate fitting and release of the two, so there is a possibility that the slider 9 falls off the track portion 10 due to the flexibility of the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6. Of course, even if the slider 9 falls off from the track 10, the slider 9 can be attached to the track 10 again, but this will cause the burden of attachment work and there is also a risk of losing the slider 9. Furthermore, as disclosed in Patent Document 4, when the slider body is formed into a cylindrical shape, the sliding of the slider is easy to become heavier.

In this embodiment, the slider 9 has a first insert piece 99a inserted into the guide groove G1 of the first toothed chain band 1 and a second insert piece 99b inserted into the guide groove G2 of the second toothed chain band 2 in addition to the first wing plate 94, the second wing plate 95, and the connecting column 96 (refer to Figures 18 and 19). The slider 9 has the first wing plate 94 and the second wing plate 95 to prevent the slider 9 from falling off the self-tracking zipper 100. Furthermore, according to the insertion of the first insert piece 99a into the guide groove G1 and the insertion of the second insert piece 99b into the guide groove G2, the positions of the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 in the slider 9 are restricted in the vertical direction. The slider 9 can be more firmly prevented from falling off, and at the same time, the freedom of shape design of the slider 9 can be increased with respect to the slider portion other than the first insert piece 99a and the second insert piece 99b. Although not limited to this, for example, the upper and lower intervals between the first wing plate 94 and the second wing plate 95 can be increased to avoid or reduce the contact between the first wing plate 94 and the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6, and/or avoid or reduce the contact between the second wing plate 95 and the first mounting plate 21 and the second mounting plate 22. Depending on the situation, it can also promote the provision of a slider appearance design that meets the needs of individual and various users.

The guide groove G1 of the first toothed chain band 1 does not need to be defined between the guide protrusion 53 and the first mounting plate 21. Similarly, the guide groove G2 of the second toothed chain band 2 does not need to be defined between the guide protrusion 66 and the second mounting plate 22. The guide groove G1 may be recessed in the wall surface 51z of the locking wall 51 of the convex fitting portion 5. Similarly, the guide groove G2 may be recessed in the coupling portion 68 of the concave fitting portion 6. In either case, the guide groove G1 and the guide groove G2 are portions that are recessed toward the center axis of the rail zipper 100 that is consistent with the center line CL of the slider 9. Furthermore, by providing the guide protrusions 53 and 66, the contact area between the convex fitting portion 5 and the slider 9 and the contact area between the concave fitting portion 6 and the slider 9 are reduced.

The first mounting plate 21 and the second mounting plate 22 respectively include the first reinforcing plate 31 and the second reinforcing plate 32, and the same effect as described above can be obtained. However, the first reinforcing plate 31 and the second reinforcing plate 32 can also be omitted, and the same applies to all the forms or features described below.

The first wing plate 94 exists on a plane orthogonal to the up-down direction, and the second wing plate 95 exists on another plane orthogonal to the up-down direction, and the two are arranged opposite to each other. The first wing plate 94 has an outer surface 94t and an inner surface 94s, and the thickness is defined by these. The second wing plate 95 has an outer surface 95t and an inner surface 95s, and the thickness is defined by these. The upper and lower heights H9 of the moving path in the slider 9 are defined by the inner surface 94s of the first wing plate 94 and the inner surface 95s of the second wing plate 95. Although the first wing plate 94 is provided with a pull-tab mounting column, the pull-tab mounting column may also be provided on the second wing plate 95 as an addition or replacement.

As shown in FIG. 20 , the first wing plate 94 and the second wing plate 95 are respectively arranged at the front portion 941 and the front portion 951 with relatively wide width, the rear portion 942 and the rear portion 952 with relatively narrow width, and the middle of these portions, and have the middle portion 943 and the middle portion 953 whose width gradually increases from the rear portion 942 and the rear portion 952 toward the front portion 941 and the front portion 951. In the front portion 941 and the front portion 951, the up-and-down positions of the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 are controlled. In the middle portion 943 and the middle portion 953 and the rear portion 942 and the rear portion 952, in addition to the up-and-down positions of the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6, their left-and-right positions are also controlled. Preferably, the front-to-back length of the front portion 941, 951 is longer than the front-to-back length of the rear portion 942, 952. Furthermore, the front-to-back length of the middle portion 943, 953 is shorter than the front-to-back length of the front portion 941, 951 and the front-to-back length of the rear portion 942, 952.

The connecting post 96 is positioned offset to the rear from the front end of the first wing plate 94 and the front end of the second wing plate 95. The front end of the first wing plate 94 and the front end of the second wing plate 95 respectively have facing surfaces spaced apart in the upward direction. The facing surface of the first wing plate 94 may include a first inclined surface 101 inclined in a manner of leaving the second wing plate 95 as it leaves the connecting post 96. Similarly, the facing surface of the second wing plate 95 may include a second inclined surface 102 inclined in a manner of leaving the first wing plate 94 as it leaves the connecting post 96. The first inclined surface 101 and the second inclined surface 102 are arranged to face each other and define a conical shape. A flat surface may be formed between the first inclined surface 101 and the connecting post 96. A flat surface can be formed between the second inclined surface 102 and the connecting column 96. By providing the first inclined surface 101 and the second inclined surface 102, the collision between the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 and the first wing plate 94 or the second wing plate 95 is avoided, thereby avoiding or suppressing the situation that the slider 9 stops unexpectedly.

The connecting post 96 is used to connect the first wing plate 94 and the second wing plate 95 and extends in the up-down direction between the first wing plate 94 and the second wing plate 95. The connecting post 96 preferably connects the front portion 941 and the front portion 951, and more preferably connects the front portion 941 and the front portion 951 at a position adjacent to the middle portion 943 and the middle portion 953. The connecting post 96 is positioned offset further rearward than the front ends of the first wing plate 94 and the second wing plate 95, and a space SP5 is formed in front of the connecting post 96. The space SP5 is spatially restricted between the first wing plate 94 and the second wing plate 95, but is not restricted by the first side wall 9a and the second side wall 9b described later. The reason is that the space SP5 is located further forward than the connecting column 96, and the first side wall 9a and the second side wall 9b described later are located further backward than the connecting column 96. By providing the space SP5, it is possible to prevent the convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 from colliding with the connecting column 96 and causing the slider 9 to stop.

On both sides of the connecting column 96, a first front opening M1 and a second front opening M2 are provided. The convex fitting portion 5 enters and exits the slider 9 through the first front opening M1. The concave fitting portion 6 enters and exits the slider 9 through the second front opening M2. In addition to the first front opening M1 and the second front opening M2, the slider 9 also has a rear opening M3 (see FIG. 22). The convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 in the fitting state enter and exit the slider 9 through the rear opening M3.

The slider 9 has a first side wall 9a and a second side wall 9b (also referred to as a left side wall and a right side wall) extending in the vertical direction from both side edges (left side edge and right side edge) of the first wing plate 94 in the width direction of the slider 9 toward the second wing plate 95. Similarly, the slider 9 has a third side wall 9c and a fourth side wall 9d (also referred to as a left side wall and a right side wall) extending in the vertical direction from both side edges of the second wing plate 95 in the width direction of the slider 9 toward the first wing plate 94. Preferably, the vertical length of the first side wall 9a and the second side wall 9b is longer than the vertical length of the third side wall 9c and the fourth side wall 9d, and is more than twice the vertical length. Among them, it is also possible to envision a form in which the third side wall 9c and the fourth side wall 9d are omitted.

The first side wall 9a and the second side wall 9b are provided for the engagement of the male engagement portion 5 and the female engagement portion 6. The male engagement portion 5 and the female engagement portion 6 are sandwiched between the first side wall 9a and the second side wall 9b and are pressed so as to engage in the slider 9. The guide protrusion 53 is pushed by the first side wall 9a, and the male protrusion 52 is also pushed in the same direction. When the male protrusion 52 is about to enter between the lower jaw 61 and the upper jaw 62, the female engagement portion 6 is pushed in the direction of the male protrusion 52, but the displacement is prevented by the contact between the guide protrusion 66 and the second side wall 9b. Therefore, the lower jaw 61 is pushed downward by the convex protrusion 52, and the upper jaw 62 is displaced upward, and the convex fitting portion 5 is fitted with the concave fitting portion 6. The third side wall 9c and the fourth side wall 9d are provided for purposes other than fitting of the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 (for example, supporting the first mounting piece 21 and the second mounting piece 22, and/or preventing foreign matter from entering the slider 9).

The first side wall 9a and the second side wall 9b are provided in the middle portion 943 and the rear portion 942 of the first wing plate 94 (in other words, they are not provided in the front portion 941). The first side wall 9a and the second side wall 9b have a pressing surface 27 and a pressing surface 28 for pressing the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6, respectively. The pressing surface 27 and the pressing surface 28 approach each other in the middle portion 943 as they move away from the connecting post 96. The pressing surface 27 and the pressing surface 28 extend in parallel in the direction away from the connecting post 96 in the rear portion 942. In the rear portion 942, the interval between the pressing surface 27 and the pressing surface 28 is set slightly wider than the maximum width of the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 in the fitted state. This prevents the slider 9 from sliding and becoming heavier.

The front end positions of the first side wall 9a and the second side wall 9b are set at the rear end position P6 of the connecting column 96 or slightly behind it (refer to Figure 23). In this way, while ensuring the appropriate guiding ability of the first side wall 9a and the second side wall 9b, the first front opening M1 and the second front opening M2 are set larger (more open), promoting smoother movement of the slider 9. For the structural symmetry of the slider 9, the third side wall 9c and the fourth side wall 9d can also be set at the same position and range.

The first side wall 9a and the second side wall 9b have a base end connected to the first wing plate 94 and a top end separated from the first wing plate 94. Similarly, the third side wall 9c and the fourth side wall 9d have a base end connected to the second wing plate 95 and a top end separated from the second wing plate 95. The top end of the first side wall 9a and the top end of the third side wall 9c are arranged opposite to each other, and an insertion path of the first mounting piece 21 is defined therebetween. The top end of the second side wall 9b and the top end of the fourth side wall 9d are arranged opposite to each other, and an insertion path of the second mounting piece 22 is defined therebetween. Preferably, each top end portion of the first side wall 9a and the second side wall 9b has a top end surface 9a1 and a top end surface 9b1 contained in a common plane perpendicular to the up-down direction (see FIG. 21). Preferably, each top end portion of the third side wall 9c and the fourth side wall 9d has a top end surface 9c1 and a top end surface 9d1 contained in a common plane perpendicular to the up-down direction.

The first insert piece 99a and the second insert piece 99b protrude from the first side wall 9a and the second side wall 9b in the width direction of the slider 9 in a manner close to each other at a position away from the first wing plate 94. Preferably, the first insert piece 99a and the second insert piece 99b protrude from the front end of the first side wall 9a and the second side wall 9b away from the first wing plate 94 in the width direction of the slider 9 in a manner close to each other (in other words, toward the center line CL of the slider 9). The first insert piece 99a is connected to the front end of the first side wall 9a and constructs a wall portion with a substantially L-shaped cross section. Similarly, the second insert piece 99b is connected to the front end of the second side wall 9b and constructs a wall portion with a substantially L-shaped cross section (refer to Figures 21 and 22).

The first insert piece 99a is arranged so as to contact the first mounting piece 21 (e.g., its upper surface 21m) together with the top end surface 9a1 of the top end portion of the first side wall 9a. Similarly, the second insert piece 99b is arranged so as to contact the second mounting piece 22 (e.g., its upper surface 22m) together with the top end surface 9b1 of the top end portion of the second side wall 9b. In the illustrated example, the first insert piece 99a is arranged so as to have a flush surface with the top end surface 9a1 of the top end portion of the first side wall 9a. The second insert piece 99b is arranged so as to have a flush surface with the top end surface 9b1 of the top end portion of the second side wall 9b. Furthermore, the first insertion piece 99a can be slightly shifted upward from the top end surface 9a1 of the first side wall 9a to reduce the contact area of the first mounting piece 21. The same is true for the second insertion piece 99b.

In some cases, the first insertion piece 99a is snugly embedded in the guide groove G1, and/or the second insertion piece 99b is snugly embedded in the guide groove G2. That is, the upper and lower intervals between the first guide protrusion 53 and the first mounting piece 21 are set to allow the insertion piece 99a in the guide groove G1 to be snugly embedded. In short, they are set to be equal to or slightly larger than the thickness of the first insertion piece 99a. The convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 are parts formed by extrusion, and their shape accuracy is not very high. Therefore, excessive pressing is avoided by the above design. The upper and lower intervals between the second guide protrusion 66 and the second mounting piece 22 are also set in the same way.

In some cases, the insert piece 99a is pressed into the guide groove G1, and/or the insert piece 99b is pressed into the guide groove G2. That is, the upper and lower intervals between the first guide protrusion 53 and the first mounting piece 21 are set to allow the insert piece 99a to be pressed into the guide groove G1. In short, it is set to be equal to or slightly smaller than the thickness of the insert piece 99a. In this way, although the sliding of the slider 9 becomes heavier, the convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 can be more accurately positioned at the target upper and lower positions in the slider 9. The upper and lower intervals between the second guide protrusion 66 and the second mounting piece 22 are also set in the same way.

The first insert piece 99a and the second insert piece 99b have a substantially constant thickness in the vertical direction, but are not limited thereto. In some cases, the thickness of the first insert piece 99a and the second insert piece 99b becomes thinner toward the center line CL of the slider 9. That is, the vertical spacing between the insert piece 99a and the first wing plate 94 gradually increases toward the center line CL of the slider 9, and/or the vertical spacing between the insert piece 99a and the second wing plate 95 gradually increases toward the center line CL of the slider 9. The same description also applies to the insert piece 99b, and redundant descriptions are omitted. As a non-limiting example, the effect of promoting the insertion of the first insert piece 99a into the first guide groove G1 and the insertion of the second insert piece 99b into the second guide groove G2 can be listed.

Based on the insertion of the first insertion piece 99a into the first guide groove G1 and the insertion of the second insertion piece 99b into the second guide groove G2, the convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 in the slider 9 are arranged with an upper space SP1 relative to the first wing plate 94, and are arranged with a lower space SP2 relative to the second wing plate 95. In other words, the convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 in the slider 9, and the first mounting piece 21 and the second mounting piece 22 are non-contactly positioned on the inner surface 94s of the first wing plate 94 and the inner surface 95s of the second wing plate 95. Thereby, the contact area between the rail zipper 100 and the slider 9 is reduced, promoting the smooth movement of the slider 9.

Based on the insertion of the first insertion piece 99a into the first guide groove G1 and the insertion of the second insertion piece 99b into the second guide groove G2, the first mounting piece 21 and the second mounting piece 22 can be positioned near the first wing plate 94. The first mounting piece 21 and the second mounting piece 22 are in a state of floating from the second wing plate 95 and the third side wall 9c and the fourth side wall 9d provided thereon, and the sliding of the slider 9 becomes lighter than in the case of being in the same state. Among them, the top end surface 9a1 and the top end surface 9b1 (refer to Figure 21) of the first side wall 9a and the second side wall 9b can be maintained in a state of contact with the upper surface 21m and the upper surface 22m of the first mounting piece 21 and the second mounting piece 22, respectively.

Depending on the situation, the top end surfaces of the top ends of the third side wall 9c and the fourth side wall 9d separated from the second wing plate 95 are arranged opposite to the first mounting piece 21 and the second mounting piece 22 with a gap. Furthermore, by providing the third side wall 9c and the fourth side wall 9d, the insertion path diameter for the mounting piece is narrowed.

It is suitable that, during the engagement process of the convex engagement portion 5 and the concave engagement portion 6 in the slider 9, each of the lower jaw 61 and the upper jaw 62 of the pair of jaws does not strongly contact any of the first wing plate 94 and the second wing plate 95, or does not contact at all. During the engagement process of the convex engagement portion 5 and the concave engagement portion 6, when the convex protrusion 52 is pressed between the lower jaw 61 and the upper jaw 62, the convex protrusion 52 pushes the lower jaw 61 downward, and the convex protrusion 52 pushes the upper jaw 62 upward, so that the lower jaw 61 approaches the second wing plate 95, and the upper jaw 62 approaches the first wing plate 94. Before the upper jaw 62 is displaced toward the first wing plate 94, the upper space SP1 exists between the first wing plate 94 and the upper jaw 62. Therefore, even if the two are in contact, the contact is weakened compared to the case without the upper space SP1. Before the lower jaw 61 is displaced toward the second wing plate 95, the lower space SP2 exists between the second wing plate 95 and the lower jaw 61. Therefore, even if the two are in contact, the contact is weakened compared to the case without the lower space SP2. In this way, due to the upper space SP1 and the lower space SP2, the male fitting portion 5 and the female fitting portion 6 are smoothly fitted, and the sliding of the slider 9 becomes lighter. Furthermore, in order to obtain this effect more surely, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 19, the storage groove G3 and/or the groove G4 may be provided in the first wing plate 94 and/or the second wing plate 95, and the storage groove G3 and/or the groove G4 may accommodate the top ends of the jaws 61 and 62 (ends on the outer side of the mounting piece 22) that are displaced when the convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 are fitted or released. The upper space SP1 is preferably provided in a vertical range of more than 1/10 of the vertical height H9 of the moving path in the slider 9. The vertical range of the lower space SP2 is larger than that of the upper space SP1.

The interval W6 between the first insert piece 99a and the second insert piece 99b can be set in a way that the convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 are not pressed between the two when the slider 9 moves. In this way, the slider 9 is prevented from sliding too heavily. Typically, a gap W7 is set very small between the insert piece 99a and the convex fitting part 5 (for example, its locking wall), and similarly, a gap W8 is set very small between the insert piece 99b and the concave fitting part 6. These gaps W7 and W8 are very small, so according to the shape deviation of the rail zipper 100, it is also conceivable that one of the insert piece 99a and the insert piece 99b contacts either the convex fitting part 5 or the concave fitting part 6.

Additional explanation is provided with reference to Figures 24 and 25. The first insert piece 99a is connected to the top end of the first side wall 9a, and the second insert piece 99b is connected to the top end of the second side wall 9b. The first insert piece 99a and the second insert piece 99b exist in the same plane, and the passage width in the width direction of the slider 9 becomes narrower. The first insert piece 99a is sandwiched between the first guide protrusion 53 and the first mounting piece 21. The second insert piece 99b is sandwiched between the second guide protrusion 66 and the second mounting piece 22. The first guide protrusion 53 is arranged in the space between the first insert piece 99a and the first wing plate 94, and the second guide protrusion 66 is arranged in the space between the second insert piece 99b and the first wing plate 94.

When the slider 9 retreats, the convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 in the fitting state enter the slider 9 linearly from the rear opening of the slider 9. The first insertion piece 99a is inserted into the guide groove G1, so the convex fitting part 5 is positioned at a certain height in the slider 9. The second insertion piece 99b is inserted into the guide groove G2, so the concave fitting part 6 is positioned at a certain height in the slider 9.

The convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 are separated and opened at a predetermined position further back than the connecting column 96. At the positions on the left and right sides of the connecting column 96, the convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 have been separated and opened, so when the slider 9 retreats, the convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 move away from each other diagonally forward relative to the slider 9. In this process, the upper jaw 62 is pushed upward by the convex protrusion 52, and the lower jaw 61 is pushed downward. When these displacements become sufficient, the convex protrusion 52 is disengaged from the concave fitting part 6.

When the slider 9 moves forward, the male fitting portion 5 enters the slider 9 obliquely from the first front opening M1 of the slider 9. Similarly, the female fitting portion 6 enters the slider 9 obliquely from the second front opening M2 of the slider 9. The male fitting portion 5 and the female fitting portion 6 are in a separated state of releasing the fitting. The male fitting portion 5 and the female fitting portion 6 are restricted in position between the first wing plate 94 and the second wing plate 95. In the range behind the connecting column 96, the rail zipper 100 is restricted in height in the slider 9 by inserting the first insertion piece 99a into the first guide groove G1 and the second insertion piece 99b into the second guide groove G2. Therefore, at a position further forward than the connecting column 96, the heights of the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 that have not yet been fitted are also limited due to the continuity of each toothed chain band.

By inserting the first insert piece 99a into the first guide groove G1 and the second insert piece 99b into the second guide groove G2, the upper and lower intervals between the first wing plate 94 and the second wing plate 95 can be increased, but by providing the first inclined surface 101, the collision between the convex fitting part 5 (for example, the top of the locking wall) and the first wing plate 94 and the collision between the concave fitting part 6 (for example, the upper jaw 62) and the first wing plate 94 can be further promoted. When the track zipper 100 is installed between the left and right halves of the front body of the clothing, the track zipper 100 may sometimes bend greatly in any direction following the softness of the clothing. The above feature is one of the countermeasures to this situation.

The convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 are fitted at a predetermined position further back than the connecting column 96. The convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 approach each other during the fitting process. In short, the convex protrusion 52 is inserted between the lower jaw 61 and the upper jaw 62, the lower jaw 61 is pushed downward, and the upper jaw 62 is pushed upward. When the displacement of the two jaws becomes sufficient, the convex protrusion 52 completely enters the storage space of the concave fitting part 6 (at the same time, the lower jaw 61 and the upper jaw 62 return to a flat position from a tilted position). In the range behind the connecting column 96, the first insertion piece 99a is inserted into the first guide groove G1 and the second insertion piece 99b is inserted into the second guide groove G2, so that the rail zipper 100 is restricted in height in the slider 9. When the vertical displacement of the convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 is restricted, the convex protrusion 52 is pressed between the lower jaw 61 and the upper jaw 62, thereby promoting smooth fitting of them.

In some cases, the front ends of the first insert piece 99a and the second insert piece 99b are positioned in the direction along the center line CL of the slider 9 at a position further forward than the intersection of the moving track L7 of the top end of the convex fitting portion 5 (for example, the top end of the convex protrusion 52 located on the side of the concave fitting portion 6) and the moving track L8 of the top end of the concave fitting portion 6 (for example, the top end of the lower jaw 61 and the upper jaw 62 located on the side of the convex fitting portion 5). Thereby, the stable and smooth fitting of the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 is promoted. Furthermore, the intersection corresponds to the position of the fitting process of the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 (before the fitting is completed). The dashed line L6 and dashed line L7 together describe the width of the convex fitting part 5 during the movement. The dashed line L9 and dashed line L8 together describe the width of the concave fitting part 6 during the movement.

Refer to Figure 26 for explanation. As shown in Figure 26, the first wing plate 94 and the second wing plate 95 can be turned upside down. The positions of the first side wall 9a to the fourth side wall 9d are also changed accordingly. In this case, the same effect as described above can also be expected. In the case shown in Figure 26, the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 are arranged on the inner side of the clothing (for example, a waterproof coat or a windbreaker), and are not obvious on the appearance of the clothing. In addition, when the rail zipper 100 is closed, the locking line formed at the contact portion P2 between the first mounting piece 21 and the second mounting piece 22 appears on the appearance of the clothing. This situation is particularly advantageous in terms of helping to hide the existence of the rail zipper 100 on the appearance of the clothing.

Refer to Figures 27 to 36 for further explanation. Furthermore, the features related to the slider described with reference to Figures 18 to 26 can also be applied to the slider described below within the scope of non-contradiction (for example, except for the aspects that are difficult to take into account), and vice versa. For example, the first insert piece 99a and the second insert piece 99b can also be applied to the slider for the double zipper described below.

The double zipper 17 comprises: a rail zipper 100 having one or any combination of the above-mentioned multiple features; and a zipper chain 7 attached to the rail zipper 100. The zipper chain 7 is fixed and laminated to the rail zipper 100 by, for example, an adhesive, heat pressing, or heat welding. The zipper chain 7 includes a third toothed chain 13 attached to the first toothed chain 1, and a fourth toothed chain 14 attached to the second toothed chain 2. The third toothed chain 13 and the fourth toothed chain 14 respectively include a first spiral chain tooth 15 and a second spiral chain tooth 16 that are synchronously engaged with the male fitting portion 5 and the female fitting portion 6 when the slider 9 moves forward. In the rail zipper 100, even if the male fitting part 5 and the female fitting part 6 are fitted, there is still a concern that one of the male fitting part 5 and the female fitting part 6 may be misaligned relative to the other in the front-rear direction due to external force. In order to compensate for this shortcoming, the rail zipper 100 is adopted. The zipper chain 7 includes a first spiral chain tooth 15 and a second spiral chain tooth 16, and the problem of misalignment is eliminated by the engagement of the two.

The third and fourth toothed chain tapes 13 and 14 respectively include a first zipper tape 117 and a second zipper tape 118 formed by sewing a first spiral chain element 15 and a second spiral chain element 16 to opposite side edges. The first spiral chain element 15 and the second spiral chain element 16 are arranged on opposite sides of the male fitting portion 5 and the female fitting portion 6. That is, when the male fitting portion 5 and the female fitting portion 6 are arranged on the upper side of the double zipper 17, the first spiral chain element 15 and the second spiral chain element 16 are arranged on the lower side thereof, and vice versa. The first spiral chain tooth 15 and the convex fitting part 5 are located on opposite sides of the laminated body of the first mounting plate 21 and the first zipper tape 117, and are stacked in the vertical direction across the laminated body. The second spiral chain tooth 16 and the concave fitting part 6 are located on opposite sides of the laminated body of the second mounting plate 22 and the second zipper tape 118, and are stacked in the vertical direction across the laminated body.

Typically, the first spiral chain tooth 15 and the second spiral chain tooth 16 are formed of a spiral monofilament formed in a manner to form a snap-fit head 37 at a certain interval (see Figures 27 to 29). The spiral monofilament includes a first leg 35, a second leg 36, a snap-fit head 37, and a turning portion 38 as a spiral unit (in short, a snap-fit assembly), and the spiral unit (snap-fit assembly) is formed continuously. The snap-fit head 37 is a portion where the monofilament is formed in a wide width, and the wide width portion is oriented along the length direction of the zipper tape.

When the male fitting part 5 and the female fitting part 6 are fitted and the first spiral chain tooth 15 and the second spiral chain tooth 16 are engaged (see FIG. 27 ), a very small gap is formed between the first zipper tape 117 and the second zipper tape 118, and the gap is closed by the fitting of the male fitting part 5 and the female fitting part 6, or more simply, by the lower jaw 61 of the female fitting part 6. Specifically, when the male fitting part 5 and the female fitting part 6 are fitted, the lower jaw 61 is inserted between the male protrusion 52 and the first spiral chain tooth 15 (more strictly speaking, between the male protrusion 52 and the first zipper tape 117). Thereby, the gap between the first zipper tape 117 and the second zipper tape 118 is closed, and the movement of the fluid through the gap is blocked by the lower jaw 61.

In some cases, the width W2 of the first spiral chain teeth 15 and the second spiral chain teeth 16 in the engaged state (in the width direction of the double zipper 17) is smaller than the maximum width of the male fitting portion 5 and the female fitting portion 6 in the engaged state (in the width direction of the double zipper 17). By making the size of the spiral chain teeth small, the degree of the misalignment can be reduced. Furthermore, the number of spiral units (engagement components) of the spiral chain teeth per unit length in the length direction of the double zipper 17 is increased, thereby promoting the smooth engagement of the first spiral chain teeth 15 and the second spiral chain teeth 16.

One of the double zipper 17 includes a laminate of the first zipper 1 and the third zipper 13, and the other zipper 122 includes a laminate of the second zipper 2 and the fourth zipper. When the first mounting sheet 21 includes the first reinforcing sheet 31, the first mounting sheet 21 may have a thickness greater than that of the first zipper 117. Similarly, when the second mounting sheet 22 includes the second reinforcing sheet 32, the second mounting sheet 22 may have a thickness greater than that of the second zipper 118. The first zipper tape 117 and the second zipper tape 118 are typically fabrics or woven fabrics or a mixture of these, and more preferably woven fabrics with higher flexibility than fabrics, thereby reducing the degree of reduction in flexibility caused by the overlap of the tooth chain tapes. Preferably, the first spiral chain teeth 15 and the second spiral chain teeth 16 are thinner than the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6, respectively, thereby reducing the degree of increase in thickness accompanying the adhesion of the zipper chain 7 to the rail zipper 100.

The slider 9 is commonly provided on the male fitting portion 5 and the female fitting portion 6, and the first spiral chain teeth 15 and the second spiral chain teeth 16. The male fitting portion 5 and the female fitting portion 6 are sandwiched between the first side wall 9a and the second side wall 9b, and are pressed and fitted together in the same manner as described above, and repeated description is omitted. Unlike the first spiral chain teeth 15 and the second spiral chain teeth 16, the upper jaw 62 of the female fitting portion 6 is displaced upward when the male fitting portion 5 and the female fitting portion 6 are fitted together. By forming a storage groove G3 for accommodating the upper jaw 62 in the first wing plate 94, interference between the upper jaw 62 and the first wing plate 94 can be avoided or reduced. The storage groove G3 can also be formed by limiting the position and range where the upper jaw 62 is out of the flat posture and takes a tilted posture. However, it is advantageous that the storage groove G3 extends linearly from the position adjacent to the rear end of the connecting column 96 until it reaches the rear end surface of the first wing plate 94. In this way, the structure of the mold for forming the slider 9 can be simplified.

The slider 9 has a first wing plate 94, a second wing plate 95, and a connecting post 96, but the connecting post 96 connects the front end of the first wing plate 94 and the front end of the second wing plate 95, and the space SP5 shown in FIG. 20 is not formed in front of the connecting post 96. Since the zipper chain 7 is attached to the rail zipper 100, the rails of the first and second toothed chain tapes 1 and 2 of the rail zipper 100 are also appropriately formed, which is a main reason for omitting the space SP5.

The front end positions of the first side wall 9a and the second side wall 9b are set slightly behind the rear end position P6 of the connecting column 96 (see Figure 33). Similarly, the front end positions of the third side wall 9c and the fourth side wall 9d are set slightly behind the rear end position P6 of the connecting column 96. While ensuring the proper guiding ability of the side walls, the first front opening M1 and the second front opening M2 are set larger (more open) to promote smoother movement of the slider 9.

The slider 9 does not include the first insert piece 99a and the second insert piece 99b. The first mounting piece 21 and the stacked portion of the first zipper tape 117 are loosely inserted between the first side wall 9a and the third side wall 9c. Similarly, the second mounting piece 22 and the stacked portion of the second zipper tape 118 are loosely inserted between the second side wall 9b and the fourth side wall 9d. By omitting the first insert piece 99a and the second insert piece 99b, the structure of the molding die of the slider 9 can be simplified, but the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 in the slider 9 can be more freely displaced in the up and down directions.

In order to solve the above problem, a storage groove G3 can be provided in the first wing plate 94, thereby making the upper and lower intervals between the first wing plate 94 and the second wing plate 95 relatively narrow, and at the same time avoiding or reducing the interference between the first wing plate 94 and the upper jaw 62. In short, during the engagement process of the convex engaging portion 5 and the concave engaging portion 6, the upper jaw 62 is received by the storage groove G3, thereby avoiding or suppressing the sliding weight of the slider 9.

The slider 9 has a first raised portion 25 raised from the first side wall 9a toward the second side wall 9b, and a second raised portion 26 raised from the second side wall 9b toward the first side wall 9a, which are arranged opposite to each other with a space allowing deformation of the upper jaw 62. In this way, the displacement of the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 to the side of the first wing plate 94 can be restricted while avoiding or suppressing interference with the upper jaw 62. Preferably, the first raised portion 25 is arranged with a gap just above the first guide protrusion 53 and connected to the first wing plate 94. The second raised portion 26 is arranged with a gap just above the second guide protrusion 66 and connected to the first wing plate 94. By providing the first raised portion 25 and the second raised portion 26, the rear opening M3 of the slider 9 becomes narrower, so in order to reduce this effect, it is also desirable to provide a gap as described above.

To further explain, the first raised portion 25 is raised from the pressing surface 27 of the first side wall 9a toward the second side wall 9b, and in short, has a non-pressing surface 25a that is located closer to the center line CL of the slider 9 than the pressing surface 27. The second raised portion 26 is raised from the pressing surface 28 of the second side wall 9b toward the first side wall 9a, and in short, has a non-pressing surface 26a that is located closer to the center line CL of the slider 9 than the pressing surface 28. A first width W4 is defined between the non-pressing surfaces 25a and 26a, and is smaller than the maximum interval W3 between the first side wall 9a and the second side wall 9b. Since the first raised portion 25 and the second raised portion 26 are provided, the interval between the first side wall 9a and the second side wall 9b in the width direction of the slider 9 becomes narrower at the first position closer to the first wing plate 94 than at the second position farther from the first wing plate 94. Furthermore, the first raised portion 25 and the second raised portion 26 can be formed to extend over the total length of the first side wall 9a and the second side wall 9b along the center line CL of the slider 9, respectively. In addition, the first raised portion 25 and the second raised portion 26 can be formed to be mirror-symmetrical with respect to the center line CL of the slider 9, respectively.

It is appropriate that the maximum distance W3 between the first side wall 9a and the second side wall 9b in the width direction of the slider 9 is set larger than the maximum distance W2 between the third side wall 9c and the fourth side wall 9d in the width direction of the slider 9 at all positions further back than the connecting column 96. This promotes the use of small spiral chain teeth to achieve the same effect as described above (for example, reducing the degree of misalignment).

The second wing plate 95 may have a convex partition 131 extending rearward from the connecting column 96 to limit the position of the first spiral chain tooth 15 and the second spiral chain tooth 16 in the engaged state in the vertical direction. At the position above the partition 131, the engaging heads 37 of the first spiral chain tooth 15 and the second spiral chain tooth 16 are engaged and disengaged. The partition 131 extends at a position between the third side wall 9c and the fourth side wall 9d. The partition 131 is formed to be shorter than the third side wall 9c and the fourth side wall 9d. As described above, by providing the storage groove G3 on the first wing plate 94, the upper and lower intervals between the first wing plate 94 and the second wing plate 95 can be narrowed, and the partition 131 can also be provided on the second wing plate 95 within the upper and lower dimensions of the slider 9 within the allowable range. Furthermore, the storage groove G3 is wider than the partition 131 or is formed with the same width in the width direction of the slider 9, thereby effectively avoiding or suppressing the interference between the first wing plate 94 and the upper jaw 62.

The convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 are pressed between the first side wall 9a and the second side wall 9b and fit into the slider 9. On the other hand, the first spiral chain teeth 15 and the second spiral chain teeth 16 are not pressed between the third side wall 9c and the fourth side wall 9d and are engaged and disengaged therebetween. The first spiral chain teeth 15 and the second spiral chain teeth 16 are engaged and disengaged without external force by moving along a predetermined moving trajectory. Therefore, the sliding of the slider 9 will not become heavier than the allowable range due to the addition of the spiral chain teeth.

The connecting post 96 maintains a substantially identical cross-sectional shape between the first wing plate 94 and the second wing plate 95, which can simplify the mold for forming the slider 9. The convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 are fitted at a position away from the rear end position P6 of the connecting post 96 by a first distance. Similarly, the first spiral chain tooth 15 and the second spiral chain tooth 16 are fitted at a position away from the rear end position P6 of the connecting post 96 by a first distance or a second distance different from the first distance.

When the second distance is shorter than the first distance, when the slider 9 is advanced, the engagement of the spiral chain teeth 15 and 16 is earlier than the engagement of the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6. When the slider 9 is retracted, the release of the former is later than the release of the latter. By performing the engagement of the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 and the engagement of the spiral chain teeth 15 and 16 at substantially the same time, the spiral chain teeth 15 and 16 are prevented from being mistakenly engaged or unable to engage with each other due to the engagement of the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6. For example, it can avoid the situation where the engaging head 37 of the spiral chain tooth 15 and the engaging head 37 of the spiral chain tooth 16 collide with each other and fail to engage smoothly.

The slider 9 may include a tooth guide portion 45 having a shape complementary to the curved surface of the turning portion 38 of the first spiral tooth 15, and may include a tooth guide portion 46 having a shape complementary to the curved surface of the turning portion 38 of the second spiral tooth 16. The tooth guide portion 45 and the tooth guide portion 46 are connected to the third side wall 9c and the fourth side wall 9d, respectively, and are positioned closer to the center line CL of the slider 9. Each of the tooth guide portions 45 and 46 has a semi-concave curved surface. The first spiral chain tooth 15 and the second spiral chain tooth 16 are supported by the chain tooth guides 45 and 46 located on both sides of the center line CL of the slider 9, so that they are set to an appropriate height in the slider 9.

Refer to Figures 34 and 35 for additional explanation. When the slider 9 retreats, the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 in the fitting state enter the slider 9 linearly from the rear opening of the slider 9. The first insertion piece 99a and the second insertion piece 99b are not inserted into the guide groove G1 and the guide groove G2 respectively, so the upper and lower positions of the convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 in the slider 9 may slightly change between the first wing plate 94 and the second wing plate 95.

The male fitting part 5 and the female fitting part 6 are separated and opened at a predetermined position further away from the connecting post 96. At the positions on the left and right sides of the connecting post 96, the male fitting part 5 and the female fitting part 6 have been separated and opened, so that the male fitting part 5 and the female fitting part 6 can be separated and opened smoothly without applying a large force to the slider 9 (to the predetermined position away from the rear of the connecting post 96). When the slider 9 retreats, the male fitting part 5 and the female fitting part 6 move away from each other diagonally forward relative to the slider 9. During this process, the upper jaw 62 is pushed upward by the convex protrusion 52, and the lower jaw 61 is pushed downward. When these displacements become sufficient, the convex protrusion 52 is disengaged from the concave fitting portion 6.

The spiral chain teeth 15 and 16 are disengaged at a predetermined position further away from the connecting post 96. At the positions on the left and right sides of the connecting post 96, the spiral chain teeth 15 and 16 have been disengaged, so the spiral chain teeth 15 and 16 can be disengaged smoothly without applying a large force to the slider 9 (toward the predetermined position away from the rear of the connecting post 96).

When the slider 9 moves forward, the convex fitting portion 5 enters the slider 9 obliquely from the first front opening M1 of the slider 9. Similarly, the concave fitting portion 6 enters the slider 9 obliquely from the second front opening M2 of the slider 9. The convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 are in a separated state of releasing the fitting. The convex fitting portion 5 and the concave fitting portion 6 are restricted in position between the first wing plate 94 and the second wing plate 95.

The convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 are sandwiched between the first side wall 9a and the second side wall 9b and pressed in the process of reaching a predetermined position further back than the connecting column 96. The convex protrusion 52 is inserted between the lower jaw 61 and the upper jaw 62, pushing the lower jaw 61 downward and the upper jaw 62 upward. When these displacements become sufficient, the convex protrusion 52 completely enters the storage space of the concave fitting part 6 (at the same time, the lower jaw 61 and the upper jaw 62 return to a flat position from a tilted position). Due to the storage groove G3 formed in the first wing plate 94, the interference between the upper jaw 62 and the first wing plate 94 is avoided or the interference degree is reduced, and the sliding weight of the slider 9 is avoided or suppressed. This aspect is particularly advantageous when the slider 9 moves forward, when the sliding weight of the slider 9 becomes heavier than when the slider 9 moves backward.

When the spiral chain teeth 15 and 16 reach a predetermined position further back than the connecting post 96, they are not pressed between the third side wall 9c and the fourth side wall 9d, but are engaged by moving along their moving tracks.

Refer to Figure 36 for explanation. In Figure 36, the positional relationship between the rail zipper and the zipper chain is reversed, and the structure of the slider is changed accordingly. In this case, the same effect as described above can also be expected. In the case shown in Figure 36, the spiral chain teeth 15 and the spiral chain teeth 16 are arranged on the outside of the clothing (for example, a waterproof coat or a windbreaker), and the convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 are arranged on the inside of the clothing. The convex fitting part 5 and the concave fitting part 6 are arranged on the inside of the clothing (for example, a waterproof coat or a windbreaker) and are not obvious on the appearance of the clothing. In addition, when the rail zipper 100 is closed, the spiral chain teeth 15 and the spiral chain teeth 16 appear on the appearance of the clothing. This helps to make the appearance of the double zipper 17 look the same as a general zipper product in terms of the appearance of the garment.

The following inventions are also disclosed in this specification.

[1]

A slider is used to engage and release a convex engaging portion (5) and a concave engaging portion (6) and is installed on a first toothed chain belt (1) including the convex engaging portion (5) and a second toothed chain belt (2) including the concave engaging portion (6), wherein the slider (9) includes: a first wing plate (94); a second wing plate (95); a connecting column (96) for connecting the first wing plate (94) and the second wing plate (95) and extending in the vertical direction between the first wing plate (94) and the second wing plate (95); a first side wall and a second side wall (9a, 9b) extending from the two side edges of the first wing plate (94) in the width direction of the slider (9) The first insert piece and the second insert piece (99a, 99b) extend in the up-down direction toward the second wing plate (95); and the first insert piece and the second insert piece (99a, 99b) protrude from the first side wall and the second side wall (9a, 9b) toward the width direction of the slider (9) in a manner close to each other at a position away from the first wing plate (94), the first insert piece (99a) is inserted into the first guide groove (G1) of the first toothed chain band (1), and the second insert piece (99b) is inserted into the second guide groove (G2) of the second toothed chain band (2), and accordingly, the positions of the convex fitting part (5) and the concave fitting part (6) in the slider (9) in the up-down direction are restricted.

[2]

The slider as described in [1], wherein the convex fitting portion (5) and the concave fitting portion (6) that are in a fitted state in the slider (9) are arranged with an upper space (SP1) relative to the first wing plate (94) and with a lower space (SP2) relative to the second wing plate (95) based on the insertion of the first insertion piece (99a) into the first guide groove (G1) and the insertion of the second insertion piece (99b) into the second guide groove (G2).

[3]

The slider as described in [2], wherein based on the insertion of the first insertion piece (99a) into the first guide groove (G1) and the insertion of the second insertion piece (99b) into the second guide groove (G2), the first mounting piece (21) of the first toothed chain band (1) and the second mounting piece (22) of the second toothed chain band (2) are positioned near the first wing plate (94).

[4]

A slider as described in any one of [1] to [3], wherein the concave fitting portion (6) comprises a pair of jaws (61, 62), and during the fitting process of the convex fitting portion (5) and the concave fitting portion (6) in the slider (9), each of the pair of jaws (61, 62) does not contact either the first wing plate (94) or the second wing plate (95).

[5]

The slider as described in [4], wherein at least one of the first wing plate (94) and the second wing plate (95) has a receiving groove (G3), and the receiving groove (G3) receives one of the pair of jaws (61, 62) that are displaced when the convex fitting portion (5) and the concave fitting portion (6) are fitted or released.

[6]

A slider as described in any one of [1] to [5], wherein the first insert piece (99a) is arranged in a manner to contact the first mounting piece (21) of the first toothed chain belt (1) together with the top end surface (9a1) of the top end portion of the first side wall (9a), and the second insert piece (99b) is arranged in a manner to contact the second mounting piece (22) of the second toothed chain belt (2) together with the top end surface (9b1) of the top end portion of the second side wall (9b).

[7]

A slider as described in any one of [1] to [6], wherein the third toothed chain tape (13) is attached to the first toothed chain tape (1), and the fourth toothed chain tape (14) is attached to the second toothed chain tape (2), and the third toothed chain tape and the fourth toothed chain tape (13, 14) respectively include a first spiral chain tooth and a second spiral chain tooth (15, 16) that are synchronously engaged with the convex engaging portion (5) and the concave engaging portion (6) when the slider (9) moves forward.

[8]

A slider as described in any one of [1] to [7], wherein the slider (9) further comprises a third side wall and a fourth side wall (9c, 9d) extending from both side edges of the second wing plate (95) in the width direction of the slider (9) toward the first wing plate (94) along the up-down direction.

[9]

The slider as described in [8], wherein the maximum spacing between the first side wall and the second side wall (9a, 9b) in the width direction of the slider (9) is set larger than the maximum spacing between the third side wall and the fourth side wall (9c, 9d) in the width direction of the slider (9) at all positions further back than the connecting column (96).

Based on the above teachings, technicians in this field can make various changes to each implementation form and each feature. Regarding the interlocking part 11 and the interlocking part 12, various shapes other than the shapes disclosed in this application can be adopted. The reinforcing sheet is not limited to a single layer, and can also be set as a multi-layer. For example, the reinforcing sheet is a laminate of fabric and paper. The symbols added in the scope of the patent application are for reference and should not be referred to for the purpose of limiting the scope of the patent application.

1: Sprocket/First Sprocket 2: Sprocket/Second Sprocket 3: Fabric 4: Fabric 8: Seam 10: Track 11: Fitting/First Fitting 12: Fitting/Second Fitting 21: Mounting Plate/First Mounting Plate 21a: Inner Edge 21b: Outer Edge 22: Mounting Plate/Second Mounting Plate 22a: Inner Edge 22b: Outer Edge 31: Reinforcement Plate/First Reinforcement Plate 32: Reinforcement Plate/Second Reinforcement Plate 41: Surface/First Surface 42: Surface/Second Surface 71: First Contact Surface 72: Second Contact Surface 81: Gap 100: Track zipper D, F, L, Re, Ri, U: Double-headed arrow P1: First contact part P1a, P1b: Contact part/part P2: Second contact part/contact part P3: Third contact part/contact part

Claims (34)

A rail zipper comprises: a first toothed chain belt (1) including a first mounting plate (21) and a first engaging portion (11); and a second toothed chain belt (2) including a second mounting plate (22) and a second engaging portion (12), wherein the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion (11, 12) are engaged to form a rail portion (10), wherein in the rail zipper (100), the first mounting plate (21) includes: a first reinforcing plate (31) having flexibility; and a first surface portion (41) for at least partially covering the first reinforcing plate (31) and extending from the first engaging portion (11) and including a resin identical to that of the first engaging portion (11), and the second mounting plate (22) includes: a second reinforcing plate (32) having flexibility; and a second surface portion (42) for The second reinforcing sheet (32) at least partially covers the second reinforcing sheet (32) and extends from the second fitting portion (12) and includes the same resin as the resin of the second fitting portion (12), and the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion (11, 12) are configured such that when the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion (11, 12) are fitted, the first surface portion (41) or the first fitting portion (11) located on the outer side of the sheet relative to the inner edge (31a) of the first reinforcing sheet (31) and the second surface portion (42) or the second fitting portion (12) located on the outer side of the sheet relative to the inner edge (32a) of the second reinforcing sheet (32) are in pressure contact with each other between the first reinforcing sheet and the second reinforcing sheet (31, 32). The rail zipper as described in claim 1, wherein when the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion (11, 12) are engaged, the first contact surface (71) of the first surface portion (41) and the second contact surface (72) of the second surface portion (42) are in contact with each other between the first reinforcing sheet and the second reinforcing sheet (31, 32), and the first engaging portion (11) is a convex engaging portion (5) at least including a convex protrusion (52), and the second engaging portion (12) is a concave engaging portion (6) having a storage space (65) for storing the convex protrusion (52) and having a shape that prevents the convex protrusion (52) from escaping from the storage space (65). The rail zipper as described in claim 2, wherein the concave fitting portion (6) is arranged in such a way that the storage space (65) is arranged on the second reinforcing sheet (32). The rail zipper as described in claim 3, wherein the concave fitting portion (6) has a locking protrusion (63), the locking protrusion (63) is provided with a locking surface (63s) for preventing the convex protrusion (52) from detaching from the concave fitting portion (6), and the locking surface (63s) is positioned on the second reinforcing sheet (32). A rail zipper as described in claim 3 or 4, wherein the concave fitting portion (6) includes a lower jaw (61) and an upper jaw (62) arranged opposite to each other for demarcating the storage space (65), the lower jaw (61) includes a lower stop protrusion (63) protruding upward and having a lower stop surface (63s), the upper jaw (62) includes an upper stop protrusion (64) protruding downward and having an upper stop surface (64s), and the convex protrusion (52) is an arrow-shaped protrusion having a neck (52a) and a head (52b), wherein the head (52b) has a lower side stopper (52d) protruding downward and having a lower side stopper surface (52f), and an upper side stopper (52c) protruding upward and having an upper side stopper surface (52e), wherein the lower side stopper surface (63s) and the upper side stopper surface (64s) are positioned on the second reinforcing sheet (32). The rail zipper as described in claim 5, wherein the lower stop surface (63s) is inclined in a manner close to the joint (68) between the lower jaw (61) and the upper jaw (62) as it extends upward, the upper stop surface (64s) is inclined in a manner close to the joint (68) as it extends downward, the lower stop surface (52f) is inclined in order to contact the lower stop surface (63s), and the upper stop surface (52e) is inclined in order to contact the upper stop surface (64s). The rail zipper as described in any one of claims 2 to 4 further includes a slider (9), wherein the slider (9) includes: a first wing plate (94); a second wing plate (95); a connecting column (96) for connecting the first wing plate (94) and the second wing plate (95) and extending in the up-down direction between the first wing plate (94) and the second wing plate (95); a first side wall and a second side wall (9a, 9b) extending from the two side edges of the first wing plate (94) in the width direction of the slider (9) toward the first side wall; The two wings (95) extend along the up-down direction; and the first insert piece and the second insert piece (99a, 99b) protrude from the first side wall and the second side wall (9a, 9b) toward the width direction of the slider (9) in a manner close to each other at a position away from the first wing (94), the first insert piece (99a) is inserted into the first guide groove (G1) of the first toothed chain belt (1), and the second insert piece (99b) is inserted into the second guide groove (G2) of the second toothed chain belt (2). The rail zipper as described in claim 7, wherein based on the insertion of the first insertion piece (99a) into the first guide groove (G1) and the insertion of the second insertion piece (99b) into the second guide groove (G2), (i) the position of the convex fitting part (5) and the concave fitting part (6) in the slider (9) in the vertical direction is restricted, and/or (ii) the convex fitting part (5) and the concave fitting part (6) in the slider (9) are arranged with an upper space (SP1) free from the first wing plate (94) and with a lower space (SP2) free from the second wing plate (95). The rail zipper as described in claim 7, wherein the first mounting piece (21) and the second mounting piece (22) are positioned near the first wing plate (94) based on the insertion of the first insertion piece (99a) into the first guide groove (G1) and the insertion of the second insertion piece (99b) into the second guide groove (G2). The rail zipper as described in claim 7, wherein the concave fitting portion (6) includes a pair of jaws (61, 62) arranged opposite to each other for defining the storage space (65), and during the fitting process of the convex fitting portion (5) and the concave fitting portion (6) in the slider (9), each of the pair of jaws (61, 62) does not contact any of the first wing plate (94) and the second wing plate (95). A rail zipper as described in claim 7, wherein the first insertion piece (99a) is arranged in a manner to contact the first mounting piece (21) together with the top end surface (9a1) of the top end portion of the first side wall (9a), and the second insertion piece (99b) is arranged in a manner to contact the second mounting piece (22) together with the top end surface (9b1) of the top end portion of the second side wall (9b). The rail zipper as described in claim 7, wherein the slider (9) further comprises a third side wall and a fourth side wall (9c, 9d) extending from the two side edges of the second wing plate (95) in the width direction of the slider (9) toward the first wing plate (94) along the up-down direction. The rail zipper as described in claim 7, wherein the convex fitting portion (5) and the concave fitting portion (6) are pressed between the first side wall and the second side wall (9a, 9b) and fit into the slider (9). The rail zipper as described in claim 7, wherein the interval between the first insertion piece (99a) and the second insertion piece (99b) is set in such a way that the convex fitting portion (5) and the concave fitting portion (6) will not be compressed between the first insertion piece (99a) and the second insertion piece (99b) when the slider (9) moves. A rail zipper as described in claim 7, wherein the connecting post (96) is positioned further forward than the first side wall and the second side wall (9a, 9b), and is positioned more rearward than the front ends of the first wing plate (94) and the second wing plate (95). A rail zipper as described in claim 7, wherein the front end of the first wing plate (94) has a first inclined surface (101) that is inclined in a manner of leaving the second wing plate (95) as it leaves the connecting post (96), and the front end of the second wing plate (95) has a second inclined surface (102) that is inclined in a manner of leaving the first wing plate (94) as it leaves the connecting post (96). A rail zipper as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the concave fitting portion (6) includes a pair of jaws (61, 62) arranged opposite to each other for defining the storage space (65), wherein the rail zipper (100) further includes a slider (9), wherein the slider (9) has a first wing plate (94), a second wing plate (95), and a connecting column (96) connecting the first wing plate (94) and the second wing plate (95), and at least one of the first wing plate (94) and the second wing plate (95) has a storage groove (G3), and the storage groove (G3) stores one of the pair of jaws (61, 62) that are displaced when the convex fitting portion (5) and the concave fitting portion (6) are fitted or released. A rail zipper as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first contact surface (71) includes a convex surface that protrudes further outward from the sheet than the inner edge (31a) of the first reinforcing sheet (31), and/or the second contact surface (72) includes a convex surface that protrudes further outward from the sheet than the inner edge (32a) of the second reinforcing sheet (32). A rail zipper as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the convex fitting portion (5) further comprises a locking wall (51) coupled to the convex protrusion (52), and the convex fitting portion (5) and the concave fitting portion (6) are configured such that when the convex fitting portion (5) and the concave fitting portion (6) are fitted together, in addition to the convex protrusion (52) and the concave fitting portion (6), a locking wall (51) is provided between the convex protrusion (52) and the concave fitting portion (6). In addition to the one or more first contact parts (P1) and the second contact part (P2) between the first contact surface (71) and the second contact surface (72), the locking wall (51) and the concave fitting part (6) are in pressurized contact with each other on the side opposite to the second contact part (P2) with respect to the convex protrusion (52). The rail zipper as described in claim 19, wherein the concave fitting portion (6) includes a lower jaw (61) and an upper jaw (62) arranged opposite to each other for defining the storage space (65), and at the third contact position (P3), the upper jaw (62) and the locking wall (51) are in pressure contact with each other. A rail zipper as described in claim 20, wherein the convex protrusion (52) is an arrow-shaped protrusion having a neck portion (52a) and a head portion (52b), the head portion (52b) includes an upper side clamping portion (52c) and a lower side clamping portion (52d), the lower jaw (61) includes a lower side clamping protrusion (63) for clamping the lower side clamping portion (52d), and the upper jaw (62) includes a lower side clamping protrusion (63) for clamping the lower side clamping portion (52d). The upper locking protrusion (64) is locked by the upper locking portion (52c), and the one or more first contact parts (P1) include a contact part (P1a) where the upper locking portion (52c) and the upper locking protrusion (64) are pressed into contact with each other, and a contact part (P1b) where the lower locking portion (52d) and the lower locking protrusion (63) are pressed into contact with each other. A rail zipper as described in claim 21, wherein the length (D1) of the neck portion (52a) in the direction of insertion of the convex protrusion (52) into the storage space (65) of the concave fitting portion (6) is less than the following interval (D2) or the minimum value of the interval (D2), wherein the interval (D2) is the interval between the contact point (N2) between the upper locking protrusion (64) and the locking wall (51) and the lowest point (N1) of the upper locking surface (64s) when the upper locking protrusion (64) is sandwiched between the locking wall (51) and the upper locked portion (52c). A rail zipper as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein any one of the following conditions (a) to (c) is satisfied: (a) the first reinforcing sheet and the second reinforcing sheet (31, 32) respectively comprise at least one selected from the group consisting of paper, nonwoven fabric, fabric, and knitted fabric; (b) both sides of the first reinforcing sheet (31) are covered by the first epidermis (41), and both sides of the second reinforcing sheet (32) are covered by the second epidermis (42); and (c) the layer thickness of the first epidermis (41) on at least one side of the first reinforcing sheet (31) is less than the thickness of the first reinforcing sheet (31), and the layer thickness of the second epidermis (42) on at least one side of the second reinforcing sheet (32) is less than the thickness of the second reinforcing sheet (32). A double zipper, comprising: a rail zipper (100) as described in any one of claims 2 to 17; a zipper chain (7) attached to the rail zipper (100); and a slider (9) having a first wing plate (94), a second wing plate (95), and a connecting column (96) for connecting the first wing plate (94) and the second wing plate (95) and extending in the vertical direction between the first wing plate (94) and the second wing plate (95), wherein the double zipper (100) is provided with a first wing plate (94), a second wing plate (95), and a connecting column (96) for connecting the first wing plate (94) and the second wing plate (95). In the zipper (17), the zipper chain (7) includes a third toothed chain (13) attached to the first toothed chain (1), and a fourth toothed chain (14) attached to the second toothed chain (2), and the third toothed chain and the fourth toothed chain (13, 14) respectively include a first spiral chain tooth and a second spiral chain tooth (15, 16) which are synchronously engaged with the convex engaging portion (5) and the concave engaging portion (6) when the slider (9) moves forward. A double zipper as described in claim 24, wherein the concave fitting portion (6) includes a lower jaw (61) and an upper jaw (62) arranged opposite to each other for defining the storage space (65), the upper jaw (62) being positioned further away from the second mounting plate (22) than the lower jaw (61), wherein in the double zipper (17), the first wing plate (94) has a storage groove (G3), and the storage groove (G3) stores the upper jaw (62) displaced when the convex fitting portion (5) and the concave fitting portion (6) are fitted or released. A double zipper as described in claim 25, wherein the receiving groove (G3) extends linearly from a position adjacent to the rear end of the connecting column (96) until reaching the rear end surface of the first wing plate (94). A double zipper as described in any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the second wing plate (95) has a convex partition (131) extending rearward from the connecting column (96) for limiting the positions of the first spiral chain teeth and the second spiral chain teeth (15, 16) in the engaged state in the vertical direction, and the storage groove (G3) is wider than the partition (131) or is formed with the same width in the width direction of the slider (9). A double zipper as described in any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the concave fitting portion (6) includes a lower jaw (61) and an upper jaw (62) arranged opposite to each other for defining the storage space (65), the upper jaw (62) being positioned further away from the second mounting plate (22) than the lower jaw (61), and the slider (9) further includes two side edges of the first wing plate (94) in the width direction of the slider (9) extending toward the second wing plate (95). The first side wall and the second side wall (9a, 9b) extend in the up-down direction, the slider (9) has a first raised portion (25) raised from the first side wall (9a) toward the second side wall (9b), and a second raised portion (26) raised from the second side wall (9b) toward the first side wall (9a), and the first raised portion (25) and the second raised portion (26) are arranged facing each other with a space allowing the upper jaw (62) to be deformed. A double zipper as described in any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the slider (9) comprises: a first side wall and a second side wall (9a, 9b) extending from both side edges of the first wing plate (94) in the width direction of the slider (9) toward the second wing plate (95) along the up-down direction; and a third side wall and a fourth side wall (9c, 9d) extending from both sides of the second wing plate (95) in the width direction of the slider (9). The edge of the first wing plate (94) extends along the up-down direction, the convex fitting portion (5) and the concave fitting portion (6) are pressed between the first side wall and the second side wall (9a, 9b) and fit into the slider (9), and the first spiral chain teeth and the second spiral chain teeth (15, 16) are not pressed and are engaged and released between the third side wall and the fourth side wall (9c, 9d). A double zipper as described in claim 29, wherein the maximum spacing between the first side wall and the second side wall (9a, 9b) in the width direction of the slider (9) is set larger than the maximum spacing between the third side wall and the fourth side wall (9c, 9d) in the width direction of the slider (9) at all positions further back than the connecting post (96). A double zipper as described in any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein the first spiral chain teeth and the second spiral chain teeth (15, 16) are thinner than the convex fitting portion and the concave fitting portion (5, 6), respectively. A method for manufacturing a rail zipper comprises the following steps: supplying a resin material to an extrusion molding machine (200) and extruding a first toothed chain tape (1) from a first die (240a) of the extrusion molding machine (200), wherein the first toothed chain tape (1) comprises a first mounting plate (21) and a first engaging portion (11); and supplying a resin material to the extrusion molding machine (200) and extruding a second toothed chain tape (2) from a second die (240b) of the extrusion molding machine (200), wherein the second toothed chain tape (2) comprises a second mounting plate (22) and a first engaging portion (11). The manufacturing method of the rail zipper further comprises the following steps: supplying a first flexible reinforcing sheet (31) to the first die (240a) and introducing the first reinforcing sheet (31) into the first mounting sheet (21) of the first toothed chain (1), wherein the first reinforcing sheet (31) is at least partially covered by a first epidermis (41) of the first mounting sheet (21) extending from the first fitting portion (11) and containing the same resin as the first fitting portion (11); and The step of supplying a reinforcing sheet (32) to the second die (240b) and introducing the second reinforcing sheet (32) into the second mounting sheet (22) of the second toothed chain band (2), wherein the second reinforcing sheet (32) is at least partially covered by a second epidermis (42) of the second mounting sheet (22) extending from the second engaging portion (12) and comprising the same resin as the resin of the second engaging portion (12), and is set in a manner such that a predetermined state is achieved when the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion (11, 12) are engaged to form a track portion (10). The position of the first reinforcing sheet (31) at the outlet (240m) of the first die (240a) and the position of the second reinforcing sheet (32) at the outlet (240n) of the second die (240b), the specified state includes a state in which the first contact surface (71) of the first fitting portion (11) and/or the first skin portion (41) and the second contact surface (72) of the second fitting portion (12) and/or the second skin portion (42) are in pressure contact with each other between the first reinforcing sheet and the second reinforcing sheet (31, 32). A method for manufacturing a rail zipper as described in claim 32, wherein the first die (240a) is configured to form the first contact surface (71) into a convex surface that protrudes further outward from the inner edge (31a) of the first reinforcing sheet (31), and/or the second die (240b) is configured to form the second contact surface (72) into a convex surface that protrudes further outward from the inner edge (32a) of the second reinforcing sheet (32). A method for manufacturing a rail zipper as described in claim 32 or 33, wherein the first fitting portion (11) is a convex fitting portion (5) including at least a convex protrusion (52) and a locking wall (51) coupled to the convex protrusion (52), the second fitting portion (12) is a concave fitting portion (6) having a storage space (65) for storing the convex protrusion (52) and having a shape to prevent the convex protrusion (52) from escaping from the storage space (65), and the position of the second reinforcing sheet (32) at the discharge port (240n) of the second die (240b) is set in such a way that the storage space (65) of the concave fitting portion (6) is arranged on the second reinforcing sheet (32).

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