TECHNICAL FIELD

The present device relates to a slide zipper in which elements made of aluminum are attached to a tape. BACKGROUND ART

Elements which are engaging parts of a slide zipper, and stoppers can be made of metals. When a slide zipper having a color close to a gold color looking high-class is required, a slide zipper made of a copper-zinc alloy exhibiting a color close to a gold color as an alloy color has been widely utilized. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses that a desired color is provided by adjusting a composition of a copper alloy in order to provide a metal zipper having a light gold color (see Patent Literature 1).

A zipper using an aluminum alloy which is comparatively more inexpensive than a copper alloy also conventionally exists, but the copper alloy is provided on an aluminum alloy base material by plating in order to provide a tone close to that of the copper alloy (see Patent Literature 2).

CITATION LIST PATENT LITERATURE

Patent Literature 1: WO 2016/103505 A

Patent Literature 2: WO 2011/077567 A SUMMARY OF INVENTION TECHNICAL PROBLEM

However, the slide zipper described in Patent Literature 1 uses an expensive copper alloy containing zinc or nickel and the like, and is high-priced.

Similarly, since a process of plating the copper alloy to the aluminum alloy as described in Patent Literature 2 is complicated, and the copper alloy is used as a plating material, the process is high-priced.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive slide zipper looking high-class.

An aspect of the present invention is summarized as a slide zipper (13) includes: a pair of zipper tapes (1); and a plurality of elements (3) fixed to each of opposed core portions (2) of the zipper tapes (1) for every predetermined pitch; wherein the elements (3) are made of an aluminum alloy as a base material, and are subjected to a coating treatment specified by a color tone satisfying 0 < a* < 15 and 15 < b* < 50 in the CIELAB color space according to JIS Z8781-4 (2013).

In the slide zipper (13), the elements (3) can be subjected to a coating treatment specified by brightness satisfying 50 < L* < 85 in the CIELAB color space according to JIS Z8781-4 (2013).

The slide zipper (13) can further includes: a top stopper (4) disposed at an upper end of the plurality of elements (3), and fixed to the core portion (2) of the zipper tape (1); and a bottom stopper (5) disposed at a lower end of the plurality of elements (3), and fixed to the core portion (2) of the zipper tape (1), wherein the top stopper (4) and the bottom stopper (5) exhibit a color tone having the same color tone range as that of the elements (3). In the slide zipper (13), a range of a difference between two of values of a* in the elements (3), the top stopper (4), and the bottom stopper (5) can be set to 0 < Aa* < 12; and a range of a difference between two of values of b* in the elements (3), the top stopper (4), and the bottom stopper (5) can be set to 0 < Ab* < 20. In the slide zipper (13), the top stopper (4) and the bottom stopper (5) can be made of a copper alloy exhibiting a color tone having the same color tone range as that of the elements (3).

In the slide zipper (13), the top stopper (4) and the bottom stopper (5) can be made of an aluminum alloy as a base material, and are subjected to a coating treatment specified by a color tone having the same color tone range as that of the elements (3). In the slide zipper (13), the top stopper (4) and the bottom stopper (5) can be subjected to a coating treatment specified by brightness satisfying 50 < L* < 85 in the CIELAB color space according to JIS Z8781-4 (2013). In the slide zipper (13), a color difference between two of the elements (3), the top stopper (4), and the bottom stopper (5) can satisfy 0 < ΔΕ < 30.

The slide zipper (13) further includes a slider (6) which can move freely in order to engage or separate the elements (3), wherein the slider (6) can exhibit a color tone having the same color tone range as that of the elements (3).

In the slide zipper (13), a range of a difference between two of values of a* in the elements (3), the top stopper (4), the bottom stopper (5), and the slider (6) can be set to 0 < Aa* < 12; and a range of a difference between two of values of b* in the elements (3), the top stopper (4), the bottom stopper (5), and the slider (6) can be set to 0 < Ab* < 20.

In the slide zipper (13), the slider (6) can be made of a copper alloy exhibiting a color tone having the same color tone range as that of the elements (3).

In the slide zipper (13), the slider (6) can be made of an aluminum alloy as a base material, and subjected to a coating treatment specified by a color tone having the same color tone range as that of the elements (3). In the slide zipper (13), the slider (6) can be subjected to a plating treatment or coating treatment specified by a color tone having the same color tone range as that of the elements (3) using an iron material as a base material.

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In the slide zipper (13), the slider (6) can be subjected to a coating treatment specified by brightness satisfying 50 < L* < 85 in the CIELAB color space according to JIS Z8781-4 (2013).

In the slide zipper (13), a color difference between two of the elements (3), the top stopper (4), the bottom stopper (5), and the slider (6) can satisfy 0 < ΔΕ < 30.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inexpensive slide zipper chain and slide zipper looking high-class. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a slide zipper according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 2 illustrates a method for attaching a bottom stopper, a top stopper, and elements to a zipper tape according to the present embodiment.

Fig. 3 shows a* and b* of a gold color of the slide zipper of the present embodiment.

Fig. 4 shows L* of the gold color of the slide zipper of the present

embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a slide zipper chain 7 will be specifically described as an example with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a slide zipper 13 according to the present embodiment.

The slide zipper 13 according to the present embodiment includes: a pair of zipper tapes 1, 1; a plurality of elements (3) attached at predetermined intervals along each of opposed core portions 2 of the zipper tapes (1); a top stopper 4 disposed at the upper end of an element line 3' including the plurality of elements 3 and fixed to the core portion 2 of the zipper tape 1; a bottom stopper 5 disposed at the lower end of the element line 3' including the plurality of elements 3, and fixed to the core portion 2 of the zipper tape 1 ; and a slider 6 moving along with the elements 3 to engage or separate the elements 3. The top stopper 4 is disposed at the upper end of the element line 3', and the bottom stopper 5 is disposed at the lower end of the element line 3' .

Note that a part in which the elements 3 have been attached to the core portion 2 of one zipper tape 1 is referred to as a slide zipper stringer. In addition, a pair of slide zipper stringers including the opposed elements 3 and capable of being engaged with each other are referred to as a slide zipper chain 7. Furthermore, the slide zipper chain 7 to which the slider 6 has been attached is referred to as the slide zipper 13. In addition, although not shown, the slider 6 as shown in Fig. 1 is produced by pressing a long plate- shaped body having a rectangular cross section in multiple steps, cutting the body at a predetermined interval to produce a slider body, and then attaching a spring and a pull tab to the slider body as necessary. Furthermore, the pull tab is produced from the plate- shaped body having a rectangular cross section by punching the plate-shaped body into a predetermined shape, and crimping and fixing it to the slider body. Note that the bottom stopper 5 may be an openable, closable and fittingly insertable tool formed of a separable pin, a retainer pin and a retainer box body, so that the pair of slide zipper chains can be separated by the disengagement operation of the slider.

Fig. 2 shows a method for producing the elements 3, the top stoppers 4 and the bottom stopper 5 of the slide zipper 13 shown in Fig. 1, and how to attach these members to the core portion 2 of the zipper tape 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the elements 3 are formed by cutting a deformed wire 8 having a substantially Y-shaped cross section into pieces having a predetermined dimension, and pressing the pieces to form an engaging head portion 9, and are then attached to the core portion 2 by crimping both leg portions 10 onto the core portion 2 of the zipper tape 1.

The top stopper 4 is formed by cutting a rectangular wire 11 (rectangular wire) having a rectangular cross section into pieces having a predetermined dimension, and bending the pieces to form a substantially C-shaped cross section, and is then attached to the core portion 2 by crimping the piece onto the core portion 2 of the zipper tape 1. The bottom stopper 5 is formed by cutting a deformed wire 12 having a substantially X-shaped cross section into pieces having a predetermined dimension, and is then attached to the core portion 2 by crimping the piece onto the core portion 2 of the zipper tape 1. Note that the bottom stopper 5 is not limited to one having the substantially X-shaped cross section. The bottom stopper 5 may be attached by punching a plate material to form a piece, and crimping the piece.

Note that, in Fig. 2, the elements 3, the top stopper 4 and the bottom stopper 5 are simultaneously attached to the zipper tape 1. However, actually, the elements 3 are first attached continuously to the zipper tape 1 to form a zipper chain, and the elements 3 attached in the regions for attaching the stoppers in the zipper chain are removed and the predetermined top or bottom stopper 4, 5 is then attached in the regions adjacent to the elements 3. Since the production and attachment are performed in such a way, the elements and the stoppers as the construction parts of the slide zipper are preferably made of a material having excellent cold workability. The slide zipper 13 can be attached to various articles, and particularly functions as an opening/closing tool. The articles to which the slide zipper 13 is attached include, but are not particularly limited to, daily necessities such as clothes, bags, shoes and miscellaneous goods, as well as industrial goods such as water storage tanks, fishing nets and space suites.

In the slide zipper 13 of the present embodiment, at least the elements 3 are made of an aluminum alloy subjected to a coating treatment providing a gold color. The aluminum alloy preferably contains 0.15 to 0.8% by mass of Cu, 0.8 to 2% by mass of Mg, and 0.4 to 0.9% by mass of Si or 0.35% by mass or less of Cu, 0.4 to 0.8% by mass of Mg, and 0.4 to 0.9% by mass of Si, with the remainder containing Al and unavoidable impurities. However, the composition of the aluminum alloy is not limited thereto, and the aluminum alloy may be the other alloy containing aluminum as a base material.

In the slide zipper 13 of the present embodiment, the whole element portion is subjected to electrodeposition coating as the coating treatment in a long continuous zipper chain state. Note that a coating method may be performed by coating using a roller, coating using a spray, and electrostatic coating, and the like.

Fig. 3 shows a* and b* of a gold color of the slide zipper 13 of the present embodiment, a* and b* are color tones specified in the CIELAB color space according to JIS Z8781-4 (2013). a* represents a magenta-green color tone (plus (+) is closer to magenta, minus (-) is closer to green), b* represents a yellow-blue color tone (plus (+) is closer to yellow, minus (-) is closer to blue). Quadrangular plots of Fig. 3 are "data obtained by measuring the color of a fastening member containing red brass obtained by changing the blending ratio of copper and zinc as a base material." Round plots are "data obtained by measuring the color of a fastening member obtained by changing coating blending and applying a coating film providing a desired gold color." Triangular plots are "data obtained by measuring the color of a fastening member subjected to brass plating. Note that a fastening member subjected to a smoothing treatment is subjected to color measurement using RTC-21 manufactured by IKEGAMI TSUSHINKI CO., LTD. A light source is an LED lamp.

As shown in Fig. 3, the gold colors of the elements 3, the top stopper 4, the bottom stopper 5, and the slider 6 are specified by color tones satisfying 0 < a* < 15 and 15 < b* < 50 in the CIELAB color space according to JIS Z8781-4 (2013). Note that the gold colors of the elements 3, the top stopper 4, the bottom stopper 5, and the slider 6 are more preferably specified by color tones satisfying 3 < a*

< 12 and 25 < b* < 38 in the CIELAB color space according to JIS Z8781-4 (2013).

In addition, the gold colors of the elements 3, the top stopper 4, the bottom stopper 5, and the slider 6 are still more preferably specified by color tones satisfying 3

< a* < 7 and 27 < b* < 32 in the CIELAB color space according to JIS Z8781-4 (2013). When a continuous zipper chain 7 is subjected to finish processing in a state where the elements 3 are coated in the slide zipper 13 of the present embodiment, the slide zipper 13 having a color tone having the same tone range as that of the color tone of the elements 3, the top stopper 4, and the bottom stopper 5 is provided by attaching the top stopper 4 and the bottom stopper 5 made of a copper alloy. The color tone having the same tone range is a color tone satisfying 0 < a* < 15 and 15 < b* < 50 in the CIELAB color space according to JIS Z8781-4 (2013). The copper alloy is, for example, red brass.

Note that the top stopper 4 and the bottom stopper 5 can also be made of a coated aluminum material. It is advantageous to use the aluminum material in respects of weight saving or cost reduction. However, defects such as damage, easy peeling off, and breaking of coating may occur when the top stopper 4 and the bottom stopper 5 are crimped and fixed after coating. This makes it necessary to devise the method of crimping and fixing or to perform an inspection process after crimping and fixing, as burdens. In that regard, the top stopper 4 and the bottom stopper 5 are advantageously made of a copper alloy.

In the slide zipper of the present embodiment, a slider obtained by subjecting an iron material as a base material to brass plating is used as the slider 6 shown in Fig. 1. The iron material is advantageous in that it is more expensive than a copper alloy. The slider 6 is advantageous in that it can be produced in large quantity in a qualitatively stable state by barrel plating and the like. Of course, the slider 6 shown in Fig. 1 may also be made of an aluminum alloy subjected to a coating treatment providing a gold color, or may be produced from a copper alloy. This provides the slide zipper 13 having a color tone having the same tone range as that of the color tone of the elements 3, the top stopper 4, and the bottom stopper 5. The color tone having the same tone range is a color tone satisfying 0 < a* < 15 and 15 < b* < 50 in the CIELAB color space according to JIS Z8781-4 (2013). Herein, in order to apply higher unity to the color tones of the elements 3, the top stopper 4, the bottom stopper 5 and the slider 6, it is preferable that a range of a difference between two of values of a* in the elements 3, the top stopper 4, the bottom stopper 5, and the slider 6 is set to 0 < Aa* < 12, and a range of a difference between two of values of b* in the elements 3, the top stopper 4, the bottom stopper 5, and the slider 6 is set to 0 < Ab* < 20. More preferably, the range of the difference between two of values of a* is set to 0 < Aa* < 1, and the range of the difference between two of values of b* is set to 0 < Ab* < 17.

Fig. 4 shows L* of the gold color of the slide zipper of the present embodiment. L* represents brightness specified in the CIELAB color space according to JIS Z8781-4 (2013), and the larger the value of L* is, the higher a gloss feeling is. Quadrangular plots of Fig. 4 are "data obtained by measuring the brightness of a fastening member containing red brass obtained by changing the blending ratio of copper and zinc as a base material." Round plots are "data obtained by measuring the brightness of a fastening member obtained by changing coating blending and applying a coating film providing a desired gold color." Triangular plots are "data obtained by measuring the brightness of a fastening member subjected to brass plating.

As shown in Fig. 4, the gold colors of the elements 3, the top stopper 4, the bottom stopper 5, and the slider 6 are specified by brightness satisfying 50 < L* < 85 in the CIELAB color space according to JIS Z8781-4 (2013).

Note that the gold color of the elements 3 is more preferably specified by brightness satisfying 50 < L* < 65 in the CIELAB color space according to JIS Z8781-4 (2013). In addition, the gold colors of the top stopper 4 and the bottom stopper 5 are more preferably specified by brightness satisfying 65 < L* < 75 in the CIELAB color space according to JIS Z8781-4 (2013). Furthermore, the gold color of the slider 6 is still more preferably specified by brightness satisfying 75 < L* < 80 in the CIELAB color space according to JIS Z8781-4 (2013).

Herein, in order to apply higher unity to the color tones of the elements 3, the top stopper 4, and the bottom stopper 5, it is preferable that the range of a color difference ΔΕ between two of the elements 3, the top stopper 4, and the bottom stopper 5 is set to 0 < ΔΕ < 30. It is more preferable that the range of the color difference ΔΕ is set to 0 < ΔΕ < 20. Note that the color difference ΔΕ means a distance between two colors represented by coordinates including a*, b*, and L*. In addition, in order to apply higher unity to the color tones of the elements 3, the top stopper 4, the bottom stopper 5, and the slider 6, the range of the color difference ΔΕ between two of the elements 3, the top stopper 4, the bottom stopper 5, and the slider 6 is preferably set to 0 < ΔΕ < 30. The range of the color difference ΔΕ is more preferably set to 0 < ΔΕ < 20.

As described above, the slide zipper 13 of the present embodiment includes the pair of zipper tapes 1; and the plurality of elements 3 fixed to each of opposed core portions 2 of the zipper tapes 1 for every predetermined pitch. The elements 3 are made of an aluminum alloy as a base material, and are subjected to a coating treatment specified by a color tone satisfying 0 < a* < 15 and 15 < b* < 50 in the CIELAB color space according to JIS Z8781-4 (2013). Therefore, the present embodiment can provide the inexpensive slide zipper 13 looking high-class.

In the slide zipper 13 of the present embodiment, the elements are subjected to a coating treatment specified by brightness satisfying 50 < L* < 85 in the CIELAB color space according to JIS Z8781-4 (2013). Therefore, the present embodiment can provide the slide zipper 13 looking higher-class.

The slide zipper 13 of the present embodiment further includes: the top stopper 4 disposed at the upper end of the plurality of elements 3, and fixed to the core portion 2 of the zipper tape 1; and the bottom stopper 5 disposed at the lower end of the plurality of elements 3, and fixed to the core portion 2 of the zipper tape 1. The top stopper 4 and the bottom stopper 5 exhibit a color tone having the same color tone range as that of the elements 3. Therefore, the present embodiment makes it possible to easily use the slide zipper 13 as a product.

In the slide zipper 13 of the present embodiment, a range of the difference between two of the values of a* in the elements 3, the top stopper 4, and the bottom stopper 5 is set to 0 < Aa* < 12; and a range of the difference between two of the values of b* in the elements 3, the top stopper 4, and the bottom stopper 5 is set to 0 < Ab* < 20. Therefore, the present embodiment makes it possible to provide the slide zipper 13 having higher unity.

In the slide zipper 13 of the present embodiment, the top stopper 4 and the bottom stopper 5 are made of a copper alloy exhibiting a color tone having the same color tone range as that of the elements 3. Therefore, the present embodiment makes it possible to provide the slide zipper 13 having higher unity. In the slide zipper 13 of the present embodiment, the top stopper 4 and the bottom stopper 5 are made of an aluminum alloy as a base material, and are subjected to a coating treatment specified by a color tone having the same color tone range as that of the elements 3. Therefore, the present embodiment makes it possible to provide the slide zipper 13 having higher unity.

In the slide zipper 13 of the present embodiment, the top stopper 4 and the bottom stopper 5 are made of a copper alloy specified by brightness satisfying 50 < L* < 85 in the CIELAB color space according to JIS Z8781-4 (2013). Therefore, the present embodiment makes it possible to provide the slide zipper 13 looking high-class.

In the slide zipper 13 of the present embodiment, the color difference between two of the elements 3, the top stopper 4, and the bottom stopper 5 satisfies 0 < ΔΕ < 30. Therefore, the present embodiment makes it possible to provide the slide zipper 13 having higher unity.

The slide zipper 13 of the present embodiment further includes the slider 6 which can move freely in order to engage or separate the elements 3, and the slider 6 exhibits a color tone having the same color tone range as that of the elements 3.

Therefore, the present device makes it possible to easily use the slide zipper 13 as a product.

In the slide zipper 13 of the present embodiment, a range of the difference between two of values of a* in the elements 3, the top stopper 4, the bottom stopper 5, and the slider 6 is set to 0 < Aa* < 12; and a range of the difference between two of values of b* in the elements 3, the top stopper 4, the bottom stopper 5, and the slider 6 is set to 0 < Ab* < 20. Therefore, the present embodiment makes it possible to provide the slide zipper 13 having higher unity.

In the slide zipper 13 of the present embodiment, the slider 6 is made of a copper alloy exhibiting a color tone having the same color tone range as that of the elements 3. Therefore, the present embodiment makes it possible to provide the slide zipper 13 having higher unity.

In the slide zipper 13 of the present embodiment, the slider 6 is made of an aluminum alloy as a base material, and subjected to a coating treatment specified by a color tone having the same color tone range as that of the elements 3. Therefore, the present embodiment makes it possible to provide the slide zipper 13 having higher unity. In the slide zipper 13 of the present embodiment, the slider 6 is subjected to a plating treatment or coating treatment specified by a color tone having the same color tone range as that of the elements 3 using an iron material as a base material.

Therefore, the present embodiment makes it possible to provide the slide zipper 13 having higher unity.

In the slide zipper 13 of the present embodiment, the slider 6 is subjected to a coating treatment specified by brightness satisfying 50 < L* < 85 in the CIELAB color space according to JIS Z8781-4 (2013). Therefore, the present embodiment makes it possible to provide the slide zipper 13 looking high-class.

In the slide zipper 13 of the present embodiment, the color difference between two of the elements 3, the top stopper 4, the bottom stopper 5, and the slider 6 satisfies 0 < ΔΕ < 30. Therefore, the present embodiment makes it possible to provide the slide zipper 13 having higher unity.

Note that, although various embodiments of the present device have been described, the present device is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and accordingly, any other embodiments constructed by appropriately combining configurations of the foregoing embodiments are intended to be encompassed by the scope of the present device.