Zipper

Zipper is a popular device which acts as fastener for temporarily joining two edge of fabric. Zipper is a part of everyday costume. Also called slide fastener. a device used for fastening clothing, valises, etc., consisting of two toothed tracks or spiral metal or plastic coils, each bordering one of two edges to be joined, and a piece that either interlocks or separates them when pulled.

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Zipper

Zipper Zipper is a popular device which acts as fastener for temporarily joining two edge of fabric. A zipper is made from three major components namely Tape, Slider and Elements. In most of daily needs there is usage of zippers. It is used in clothing, luggage, sporting goods, camping gear and other daily use items.

SLIDER
The slider joins or separates the elements when the zipper is opened or closed. Various types of sliders are available depending on use.

ELEMENTS
The teeth, also known as elements, are the parts on each side of a zipper that mesh, or engage, with each other when passed through the slider. When the left and the right side teeth are engaged they are called chain.

TAPE
The tape is manufactured exclusively for zippers. It is usually made of polyester, but depending on use, synthetic fiber tape, vinyl tape and cotton tape are also available.

Anatomy of Zippers

Name	Description
Automatic Lock Slider	A slider that can provide locking action on the chain
Bead	An enlarged section situated on the inner edge of the tape for the affixing of the interlockable elements
Bottom Assembly	The componenets located at the lowest of the slide fastener which can provide feasability to the slide fastener whether it is seperable or non seperable.
Bottom Stop	A component which fixed on both tapes , just below , or over the chain provides the functions to prevent the slider slipping away from the chain and to hold the tapes together at the bottom.
Bridge Top Stop	A component which locates just above the chain, provides a fuction to hold the tops of two stingers together and prevents the slider slipping away from chain.
Cam Lock Slider	A slider that can provide a locking action when the curled projection on the pull extends through the window and presses against the elements.
Chain Thickness	The distance measured from front to back of the chain.
Chain Width	The distance measured between the shoulders of elements or between the outside edges of the bead if the bead situates beyond the elements.
Continuous Element	A chian of elements formed continuously along with the monofilament.
Continuous Element Zipper	A zipper is made up of two continuously formed elements located on the opposite edges of the tapes along which the elements are engaged and disengaged by moving the slider up and down.
Cord	Several yarns are combined in form of a strand in producing a bead.
Exposed Tape Width	The distance of the tape measured from the shoulders of the elements to the outer edge of the tape.
Fixed Retainer	A component situated at the bottom of the tape is always affixed to the retainer pin.
Mouth	The opening of the slider of which the elements enter into or leave the slider
Mouth Width	The distance measured between the slider flanges<
Movable Retainer	A retainer which is similar to a fixed retainer except it can move along the tape. Thus, the tape can be separated by moving the retainer upwards from the bottom without moving the slider downwards from the top.
Nonseperable Zipper	A zipper of which the two stringers cannot be seperated due to the two stringers attached to each other at one or both ends.
Pin Lock Slider	A slider which has a projection on the pull and when the slider is in the locking position , the porjection will rest between two adjecent elements
Seperable Pin	A pin affixed on the bead at the bottom of one tape.
Seperable Zipper	A zipper equiped with the seperable pin and retainer at the bottom of the chain, thus the two stringers of the zipper can be completely disengaged and reengaged.
Stop	The components, located at the top and bottom of the chain, are used to prevent the slider slipping away from the chain.
Stringer	One side of the chain which composes of the tape, bead and elements.
Chain	The continuous piece that is formed when both halves of a zipper are meshed together.
Chain Size	Refers to the specific gauge of the chain, i.e. size of the teeth.
Teeth	The individual elements that make up the chain.It is affixed along the edge of the tape and is used for interlocking
Slider	The device that moves up and down the chain to open or close the zipper.
Pull Tab	The part of the slider that you hold to move the slider up or down
Material	Refers to the type of chain that is used in the construction of the zipper, such as metal chain, molded plastic chain or cull (nylon) chain.
Tape	The fabric part of the zipper.
Tape Width	Refers to the width of the fabric on one side only of the zipper chain.
Tape Ends	The fabric part of the zipper that extends beyond the teeth, at the top and or bottom of the chain.
Style	Refers to the manner in which the zipper is assembled for a particular application.
Top Stop	Two devices affixed to the bottom end of a zipper, to prevent the slider from coming off the chain.
Bottom Stop	A device similar to a bottom stop, used at the top end of a zipper to prevent each half of the zipper from separating.
Pin	A device used on aspirating (jacket type) zipper whose function is to allow the joining of the two zipper halves.
Box	A device used on a separating (jacket type) zipper whose function is to correctly align the pin.
Heat Seal Patch	The cotton any nylon laminated material fused to the bottom end of a separating zipper, used to reinforce the type.
Zipper	A slide fastener composed of two stringers with the interlockable elemtents attached on them. When the slider moves in one direction, it will cause the interlocakble elements on the two stringers engage together and when the slider moves in opposite direction, it will cause the engaged interlockable elements disengaged.

Care and precautions for zipper

Ironing : Durability of zipper will be maintained if using appropriate temperature of iron while ironing zipper. Zipper must be closed and slider at proper position and covered by a piece of cloth when ironing.

Staining : Copper alloy zippers may turn black due to ally oxidation after industrial washing and this can stain the fabric of garments. To avoid this, garment after industrial washing must be immediately rinsed and dried.

Cleaning : Zippers must be cleaned while closed. Strong alkaline detergents or chlorine bleaching agents must be used properly. A test must be done before bulk usage to avoid discoloration.

Anti Nickel : Zippers made from nickel alloy can cause irritation to skin to some depending on sensitiveness of their skin.

Bio-Treatments : some types can corrode if cleansed using bio-treatments therefore tests must be done prior using in bulk wash.

Industrial washing with usage of various chemicals and washing agents sometimes zipper teeth can change color. Tests must be done before bulk wash.

Color Migration : Sometimes if garments are not properly stored in normal conditions color migration can take place from zipper tape or elements to fabrics like PVC fabrics, synthetic leather or coated fabrics. A thin tissue paper must be inserted between zippers and fabric when packing or storing.

« Previous Topic Care Labels	Next Topic » Types of Zipper

Care labels are care instructions on garments. Symbols are written on care labels, attached to clothing to indicate how a particular item should best be cleaned. Textile and apparel labels can help you consider alternative choices and make better buying decisions if you take time to read them. Permanent Care Labels (PCL) use symbols to explain how to care for wearing apparel and home sewing fabrics, so consumers need to learn the basic symbols.	Zippers use two sets of interlocking teeth called chain zippers, or coils called coil zippers, each connected to a strip of fabric tape. The teeth or coils are formed of metal, plastic, or synthetic material. A slider with a tab, which may be purely functional or serve a decorative function as well, is used to open and close the zipper. Besides the details of the mechanism, there are several other ways of categorizing zippers.Like categorisation based on element or teeth material or based on the

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Zipper

Zipper

Anatomy of Zippers

Care and precautions for zipper

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