Zipper: how it is made and how it can be repaired.

What is a zipper?

Today I'm going to tell you a little about the zipper, often also known as a zipper or zip. Leaving aside its origins , I will try to explain the various characteristics of an object that has made the history of the clothing industry. Born in 1850 by an American inventor, the zipper has come a long way which led it to become what we all know today and to be present practically everywhere. Zippers are mainly divided into two types: divisible (or separable) closures and fixed closures . The divisible closures are suitable for jackets, down jackets, jackets and all those garments where it is essential to completely separate the two parts in order to wear them. Fixed closures, on the other hand, must not separate at the end of the cursor stroke and we find them on skirts, trousers, pillowcases, sofa covers, purses, beauty cases, shoes and boots and many other everyday objects.

But how is a zipper made?

The zipper is made up of a tape (also called tape, in polyester, cotton or vinyl) and a chain (in a nylon spiral, with die-cast plastic teeth or metal teeth). The chain can thus be closed or opened by a metal element, called a slider , designed to slide over it, which brings the teeth together or apart. At both ends, upper and lower stops prevent the slider from slipping off the chain. In particular, the lower stop of a divisible closure is in turn composed of two elements, the block and the pin , designed to remain united during the closure phase and to detach when the cursor reaches the end of its stroke, in the phase of total opening, as for example on a jacket.

What is a cursor and how is it made?

The cursor is an indispensable element for the functioning of a zip and allows the perfect closure of the teeth. It can be of the classic or double face type, suitable for reversible jackets or duvets, sleeping bags, camping tents and all those garments or objects where operation on both sides is necessary. The puller, on the other hand, is that part of the cursor that is pulled when it is used.

How does a slider prevent the latch from opening unintentionally?

Cursors can be of the "free" , "semi-free" or "self-locking" type. Free sliders have no restraint system. The self-locking cursors have a puller which, passing from one position to another, blocks or unlocks it on the chain. The self-locking cursors have a catch which is always locked in the rest position and, only when the puller is lifted, does it allows scrolling. The self-locking sliders can in turn have a closed bridge or an open bridge, depending on whether the upper part is already closed during the construction phase rather than later, perhaps during the assembly of a personalized puller, for example.

How many sliders can a zipper have?

The cursors can be one or two and, depending on the sliding direction, they divide a zipper into two other types called "O" or "X" . If the cursors close towards the center (as for example on a suitcase) we will speak of an "O" type while if the two cursors, moving away from the center towards the ends, tend to close the chain, we will speak of an "X" type (as in the case of a jacket with a double slider opening).

What is a double-sided cursor?

The reversible slider is designed to handle a zipper on reversible garments, either with two separate pullers or with a single sliding pull that can be moved from side to side.

Can you fix a jacket, down jacket or bag with a broken zipper?

Absolutely yes and there are two ways: replacing the sliders and replacing the entire zipper.

In the first case, that is when the teeth and the divisible terminals are in good condition, it is sufficient to remove the cursor from the chain, without having to undo the zip, and insert a new cursor. Unfortunately it is not a completely simple operation as experience is needed to understand which type of cursor is the most suitable for carrying out the operation. It is not enough, as many think, to read the number imprinted on the bottom of the old cursor, for it to perform its task perfectly. Regardless of the fact that there are different sliders for different chains and sizes, a model designed by one factory may not always be suitable for a chain with even similar characteristics but built by a different manufacturer. The problem becomes more complicated when we are dealing with a double-slider zipper. In this case, the problems relating to the fact that the two cursors must not only slide well on the chain but also perfectly close the two lower terminals, reduce the chances of success.

In the second case, i.e. when the teeth, the divisible fasteners or the tape are irreparably damaged, it is essential to replace the entire closure. The garment must be carefully unstitched and the new zip replaced with the utmost care and precision, respecting all those parameters that are necessary so that the final result does not appear cheesy. Merceria Rispoli has been a point of reference for decades for both types of repairs. Experience, competence, precision and passion are the elements that have allowed us to satisfy our most demanding customers. Contact us with confidence for quality work.