See also: Zip, Closing

The zipper , or closing with toothed rack , is a mechanical device allowing the opening and the fast closing of a clothing or a bag, or the connection and the fast separation of fabric parts (Tente carries for example).

The zipper was invented in the United States by Whitcomb L. Judson in 1891.

In France, one often uses the term zipper , which is a registered trademark of the company Éclair Prestil SN. This term must, for this reason, be written with an initial capital . One uses sometimes the term Zip. In Belgium, one finds the term pull knob . The term Fly, as for him, indicates the opening of pants, which it is made with a zipper, buttons or any other device.

Principle

Closing is composed of two fabric bands comprising of the teeth (within the meaning of tooth of Engrenage). The bands are put one against the other, the teeth are shifted. The passage of a shuttle makes it possible to encase the teeth or to separate them. One opens and firm using metal teeth.

The shuttle is a part comprising two throats which meet on a side. The throats are used to guide the teeth when one makes slip the shuttle.

Evolution

Initially, the teeth, the variations and the shuttle were metal. One uses now sometimes matters plastic S.

For certain applications, the zipper was replaced by the Velcro.