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(11) | EP 4 414 088 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | EXPOSURE UNIT FOR A DEPOSITION TREATMENT OF A SURFACE COATING FILM |
| (57) An exposure unit (1) for exposing zipper teeth (100) to a treatment of depositing
a surface coating film, wherein the zipper teeth (100) have two opposite legs (101),
respectively (101 A, 101 B) connected by a bridge (102) which delimits a recess (103)
between the legs (101), the exposure unit comprising a metallic or metallised retaining
means (10) for retaining the zipper teeth (100) in specific positions, wherein the
metallic or metallised retaining means (10) is configured for a force connection by
elastic mechanical engagement in the recess (103) between the legs (101) of the zipper
teeth (100).
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[0001] The present invention relates to an exposure unit for a surface coating film deposition treatment, in particular for the exposure of zipper teeth.
[0002] As is well known, there are surface coating processes traditionally used in various sectors as a quality alternative to common surface finishing techniques (e.g. electroplating, painting, etc.), compared to which they have much higher physical and aesthetic characteristics.
[0003] It is, however, well known that such surface coating processes are not generally used for the coating of small parts, e.g. zipper teeth, which are traditionally treated by means of painting or galvanic plants, but which not only suffer from a reduced production capacity in the face of a significant encumbrance, but also result in a coating with mechanical, physical and chemical properties that are not always adequate.
[0004] There is therefore a need to improve the process structure for coating and protecting zipper teeth. The technical task that the present invention proposes is, therefore, to realise an exposure unit for the coating and protection of zipper teeth that eliminates the complained of technical drawbacks of the known technique.
[0005] Within the scope of this technical task, one aim of the invention is to realise an exposure unit for the coating and protection of zipper teeth in which the teeth are individually held in certain positions.
[0006] Another purpose of the invention is to make an exposure unit for coating and protecting zipper teeth in which the teeth are exposed to coating and protection on surfaces of specific interest. Another purpose of the invention is to realise an exposure unit for coating and protecting zipper teeth in which the teeth are evenly distributed in the exposure to the coating.
[0007] The technical task, as well as these and other purposes, according to the present invention are achieved by making an exposure unit for exposing zipper teeth to a treatment of depositing a surface coating film, wherein said zipper teeth have two opposite legs, respectively connected by a bridge which delimits a recess between said legs , characterised in that it comprises a metallic or metallised retaining means for retaining said zipper teeth in specific positions, wherein said metallic or metallised retaining means is configured for a force connection by elastic mechanical engagement in said recess between said legs of said zipper teeth .
[0008] In a preferred form of realisation, metallic or metallised retaining means is configured for an electrical connection of said zipper teeth.
[0009] In an embodiment, metallic or metallised retaining means comprises at least one filiform element. In one form of realisation, metallic or metallised retaining means comprises pairs of elastically deformable fingers.
[0010] In one form of realisation, the metallic or metallised retaining means comprises at least one disc along the outer circumference of which elastically deformable finger pairs are extended in overhang.
[0012] Further features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the exposure unit of zipper teeth to a surface coating film deposition treatment according to the invention, illustrated by way of illustration and not limitation in the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 shows an axonometric view of a tooth of a zipper;
Figures 2 A, 2 B, 2 C show schematically an assembly of a first form of execution and some details of the exposure unit according to a first form of execution of the exposure unit, where in particular figure 2 B shows the detail of figure 2 C sectioned along line A-A;
Figures 3 A, 3 B, 3 C, 3 D schematically show an assembly and some details of a second form of execution of the exposure unit, where in particular figure 3 B shows the detail of figure 3 C sectioned along line A-A;
Figures 4 A, 4 B, 4 C, 4 D schematically show some details of a third form of execution of the exposure unit, where in particular Figure 4 A shows the detail of Figure 4 B sectioned along line A-A;
Figure 5 A, 5 B, 5 C schematically show an assembly and some details a fourth form of execution of the exposure unit;
Figures 6 and 7 schematically show a perspective view, an overall view and some details of a fifth form of execution of the exposure unit;
Figure 8 schematically shows an overview of an exposure unit according to the present invention.
[0014] In drawings, similar reference numbers typically identify similar components, unless the context indicates otherwise.
[0015] The illustrative forms of realisation described in the detailed description and drawings are not intended in a limiting sense.
[0016] Other forms of realisation may be used, and other modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter depicted here.
[0017] The aspects of this description, as generally described in this context and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and are part of this description.
[0018] With reference to the above-mentioned figures, a unit for exposure of zipper teeth to a deposition treatment is shown of a surface-coating film indicated overall by reference number 1.
[0019] As depicted in figure 1, the tooth 100 of a zipper has two opposite legs 101, 101 A and 101 B respectively, connected by a bridge 102 that delimits between the opposite legs 101 a recess 103. For the formation of the finished zipper, the teeth 100 are arranged at predetermined distances along a webbing, typically made of flexible textile material, which passes through the recess 103 and is permanently engaged by a plastic mechanical deformation of the opposite legs 101.
[0020] The surfaces of tooth 100 inside the recess 103 therefore do not require mechanical and aesthetic surface treatment, as they are no longer visible and no longer operationally engaged in the finished zipper; all other surfaces, on the other hand, require surface treatment, both for the aesthetic quality of the zipper and for the continuous engagement in operation of opening/closing the zipper. Advantageously and innovatively, according to the present invention, the exposure unit 1 comprises means for retaining 10 of the teeth 100 in certain positions.
[0021] Advantageously and innovatively, the retaining means 10 is configured for a force connection by elastic mechanical engagement in the recess 103 between the opposing legs 101 of the single tooth 100.
[0022] Appropriately, the retaining means 10 is metallic or metallised and is configured for an electrical connection of the teeth 100.
[0024] In a first form of execution depicted in figures 2 A- 2 C, the exposure unit 1 is configured as a cylindrical metal cage formed by two bases 1a, 1b connected by a series of parallel rectilinear rods 1c placed on the outer circumference of the two bases 1a, 1b.
[0026] The filiform elements 11 are formed in this case directly from the parallel straight metal rods 1c of the cylindrical cage placed on the outer circumference of the bases 1a, 1b of the cylindrical cage.
[0027] The teeth 100 are positioned on the metal filiform elements 11 at uniform and suitably predetermined distances d to ensure maximum exposure of the surfaces of the individual teeth to be coated; with mechanical engagement in the elastic field, the opposite legs 101 of the teeth 100 are fixed on the filiform element 11.
[0028] In this case, the position of the teeth 100 along the filiform metal elements 11 and the distance d can be finely adjusted to optimise the number of treated teeth per unit length of the filiform metal elements 11.
[0029] Appropriately, the metal filiform elements 11 and the bases 1a, 1b of the metal cylindrical cage electrically connect the teeth 100 , which are thus all at the same electrical potential in the deposition chamber of the surface coating film: all surfaces of the teeth 100, except those inside the recess 103 for which no treatment is required, remain exposed for coating.
[0030] In a second form of execution, the filiform elements 11 are formed this time from electrically conductive flexible cords 12 of a cross-section and consistency appropriate to the elastic mechanical engagement in the recess 103 of the tooth 100.
[0031] The teeth 100 are positioned on the electrically conductive flexible cords 12 at uniform and suitably predetermined distances d to ensure maximum exposure of the surfaces of the individual teeth to be coated, and with a mechanical engagement in the elastic field the opposite legs 101 of the tooth 100 are fixed on the conductive flexible cord 12.
[0032] In this case, the flexible cords 12 can be stretched between two opposing tensile supports and can be arranged parallel and straight.
[0033] Alternatively, as illustrated in Figures 3 A - 3 D, the flexible cords 12 may be supported in an exposure unit 1 again configured as a cylindrical cage where each flexible cord 12 is spirally wound with pitch p1 around a corresponding rod 13 of the cylindrical cage and where, in order to hold each flexible cord 12 in position, it may be subjected to a certain tension and possibly arranged along a helical guide groove (not shown) provided on the surface of the rod 13.
[0034] Again, the cylindrical cage is metallic to simplify the electrical connection between all the teeth. In a more complex design variant, the cylindrical cage may be non-metallic, as the electrical connection between the teeth 100 may also be provided by connecting the ends of various flexible cords 12.
[0035] The flexible cords 12 can in fact be connected in series or in parallel and are thus all at the same electrical potential in the deposition chamber of the surface coating film: again, all surfaces of the tooth 100, except those inside recess 103 for which treatment is not required, remain exposed for coating.
[0036] Again, the position of the teeth 100 along the filiform metal elements 11 and the distance d can be finely adjusted as desired to optimise the number of treated teeth per unit length of the filiform metal elements 11.
[0037] In a third embodiment, the filiform elements 11 are formed of electrically conductive flexible cords 12 supported by electrically conductive flexible webs 14 of fabric, wherein the flexible cords 12 have a cross-section and consistency appropriate to the elastic mechanical engagement in the recess 103 of the tooth 100.
[0039] The webs 14 can already be configured in length and width as the final load-bearing elements of the finished zipper.
[0040] The teeth 100 are positioned and fixed on the flexible cords 12 at uniform distances d1 and already definitive of the position of the tooth 100 in the finished zipper, on a section of length D2 of a section of length D1 of the flexible web 14; the greater total length D1 has end sections D3 and D4 free of teeth 100 and suitable for completing the finished zipper with other accessory and functional elements.
[0042] In this case, the flexible webs 14 can be stretched between two opposing tension supports and can be arranged parallel and straight.
[0043] Alternatively, as illustrated in Figures 4 A - 4 D, the flexible webs 14 may be supported in an exposure unit 1 again configured as a cylindrical cage wherein each flexible web 14 is spirally wound with pitch p2 around a corresponding rod 13 of the cylindrical cage and wherein, in order to hold each flexible web 14 in position, the latter is arranged along a helical guide groove 40 provided on the surface of the rod 13.
[0044] Again, the cylindrical cage is metallic to simplify the electrical connection between all the teeth. In a more complex design variant, the cylindrical cage may be non-metallic, as the electrical connection between the teeth 100 may also be provided by connecting the ends of various flexible webs 14.
[0045] The flexible cords 12 and/or flexible webs 14 can thus be connected in series or in parallel and are thus all at the same electrical potential in the deposition chamber of the surface coating film: again, all surfaces of the teeth 100, except those inside the recess 103 for which no treatment is required, remain exposed for coating.
[0046] In a fourth form of execution, the filiform elements 11 are formed by elastically deformable finger pairs 21, where each finger pair 21 holds a single tooth 100.
[0048] Innovatively, according to the present invention, each rod 20 is metallic and straight and supports pairs of fingers 21, also metallic.
[0049] The pairs of fingers 21 are distributed with step g longitudinally along the rectilinear rod 20 from which they extend in overhang.
[0050] In this case, as is evident from Figures 5 A - 5 C, the exposure unit 1 is always configured as a metal cylindrical cage formed by two bases 1a, 1b connected by a series of parallel rectilinear rods 1c placed on the outer circumference of the two bases, and the rods 20 supporting the pairs of fingers 21 coincide with the rods 1c of the cylindrical cage.
[0051] The rods 20 are particularly flat and the finger pairs 21 project from a longitudinal edge of the rods 20.
[0052] The pairs of fingers 21 more precisely jut out diverging from each other orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the rods 20.
[0053] As mentioned, the teeth 100 are individually positioned and fixed on a pair of fingers 21, for a mechanically engaged force connection by elastically deforming the fingers of the pair as they approach the recess 103 of the tooth 100.
[0054] Fingers 21 and rods 20 electrically connect tooth 100, which are then all at the same electrical potential in the surface coating film deposition chamber: again, all surfaces of tooth 100, except those inside recess 103 for which no treatment is required, remain exposed for coating.
[0055] In a fifth form of execution depicted in Figures 6 A - 7, the filiform elements 11 are still formed by elastically deformable finger pairs 21, where each finger pair 21 holds a single tooth 100.
[0056] In this case, however, unlike the previous one, the elastically deformable, metallic finger pairs 21 are supported in overhang by the circumference outside of a metal disc 30 .
[0057] The finger pairs 21 are distributed with step s along the outer circumference of the metal disc 30. The pairs of fingers 21 more precisely project radially from disc 30 diverging from each other. The teeth 100 are individually positioned and fixed on a pair of fingers 21, for a mechanically engaged force connection by elastically deforming the fingers of the pair as they approach each other within the recess 103 of the teeth 100.
[0058] Appropriately, the fingers 21 and metal disc 30 electrically connect the teeth 100, which are then all at the same electrical potential in the deposition chamber of the surface coating film Innovatively and advantageously according to the present invention, the exposure unit 1 is configured as a plurality of coaxial metal discs 30, spaced and stacked along a Z axis, and electrically connected.
[0059] Innovatively and advantageously, the exposure unit 1 for the exposure of zipper teeth 100 to a surface coating film deposition treatment includes means of moving said teeth 100 with planetary motion.
[0060] As illustrated in Figure 8, a plurality of exposure units 1 are circumferentially placed on a turntable 200, rotating about its own central axis Z1, within the deposition chamber: each exposure unit 1 is equipped with its own means of movement, not shown in the figures, which activate a rotation of exposure unit 1 about its own vertical axis Z, parallel to the axis Z1.
[0061] A law of motion superintends and determines the rotations of the plurality of exposure units 1 and turntable 200, giving the teeth 100 an epicyclic motion in the deposition chamber for continuous and effective exposure to surface treatment.
[0062] The present invention also discloses and protects a method for deposition of a surface coating film on teeth 100 for zippers, comprising arranging an exposure unit having metallic or metallised retaining means 10 of individual teeth 100 in specified positions, arranging the teeth 100 on the exposure unit 1 by means of a force connection engagement of the metallic or metallised retaining means 10 in the recess 103 between the legs 101 of the teeth 100, placing the exposure unit 1 in a deposition chamber, applying the surface coating film on the teeth 100 while the exposure unit 1 is moved with a determined law of motion.
[0063] The operation of the exposure unit for exposing zipper teeth to a surface coating film deposition treatment according to the invention is apparent from what is described and illustrated.
[0064] In practice, it has been found that a exposure unit for exposing zipper teeth to a surface coating film deposition treatment according to the invention is particularly advantageous for retaining the teeth individually in certain positions.
[0065] Another advantage of the invention is that it exposes the teeth to coating and protection on surfaces of specific interest.
[0066] Another advantage of the invention is to evenly distribute the teeth in the coating exposure.
[0067] An exposure unit for exposing zipper teeth to a surface coating film deposition treatment thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept; moreover, all details are replaceable by technically equivalent elements.
1. An exposure unit (1) for exposing zipper teeth (100) to a treatment of depositing
a surface coating film, wherein said zipper teeth (100) have two opposite legs (101),
respectively (101 A, 101 B) connected by a bridge (102) which delimits a recess (103)
between said legs (101), characterised in that it comprises a metallic or metallised retaining means (10) for retaining said zipper
teeth (100) in specific positions, wherein said metallic or metallised retaining means
(10) is configured for a force connection by elastic mechanical engagement in said
recess (103) between said legs (101) of said zipper teeth (100).
2. The exposure unit (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said metallic or metallised retaining means (10) is configured for an electrical
connection of said zipper teeth (100).
3. The exposure unit (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said metallic or metallised retaining means (10) comprises at least one filiform
element (11).
4. The exposure unit (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said at least one filiform element (11) is formed by at least one rod for retaining
a plurality of teeth (100).
5. The exposure unit (1) according to the preceding claim 3, characterised in that said at least one filiform element (11) is formed by at least one flexible cord (12)
for retaining a plurality of teeth (100).
6. The exposure unit (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said flexible cord (12) is wound spirally around a rod (13).
7. The exposure unit (1) according to either of claims 5 and 6, characterised in that said flexible cord (12) is supported by a flexible fabric strip (14).
8. The exposure unit (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that said at least one filiform element (11) is formed by a plurality of pairs of elastically
deformable fingers (21), wherein each pair of fingers (21) is configured to retain
a single tooth (100).
9. The exposure unit (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said plurality of pairs of elastically deformable fingers (21) is supported by at
least one straight metal bar (20) from which said plurality of pairs of elastically
deformable fingers (21) extends outwardly.
10. The exposure unit (1) according to claim 8, characterised in that said plurality of pairs of elastically deformable fingers (21) is supported by at
least one metal disc (30) along whose outer circumference said pairs of fingers (21)
extend outwardly.
11. The exposure unit (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of said metal discs (30), which are coaxial, spaced apart,
set one above the other and electrically connected.
12. The exposure unit (1) according to any preceding claim, characterised in that it comprises a means for moving said zipper teeth (100) with epicycloidal motion.
13. A method for depositing a surface coating film on zipper teeth (100), wherein said
zipper teeth (100) have two opposite legs (101) connected by a bridge (102) that delimits
a recess (103) between said legs (101), characterised by providing an exposure unit (1) having a metallic or metallised retaining means (10)
for retaining said zipper teeth (100) in specific positions, arranging said zipper
teeth (100) on said metallic or metallised retaining means (10) by means of a force
connection by engagement of said metallic or metallised retaining means (10) in said
recess (103) between said legs (101) of said teeth (100), placing said exposure unit
(1) in a treatment chamber for the deposition of a surface coating film, and applying
said surface coating film on said zipper teeth (100), while said exposure unit (1)
is moved according to a specific law of motion.