Sofia Martinez
Plastic zippers are identical to metallic zippers, except that the teeth are made of plastic instead of metal. The first plastic zippers appeared in the 1930s, with early examples found on some 1930s Schiaparelli pieces at the Brooklyn Museum. By the 1950s, companies were busy trying to perfect a new plastic zip. Plastic zippers mostly use polyacetal resin, though other thermoplastic polymers are used as well, such as polyethylene. They are used most popularly for pencil cases, small plastic pouches, and other stationery.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of appearance on market | The term "zipper" was first used in 1923, when the B.F. Goodrich Company used Sundback's design on boots. Zippers became popular for children's clothing in the 1920s and 1930s. |
| Composition | Plastic zippers consist of two rows of plastic teeth designed to interlock and join the material to which they are attached. |
| Colors | Plastic zippers can be made in any color of plastic. |
| Use cases | Plastic zippers are used for pencil cases, small plastic pouches, and other stationery. They are also used for clothing, jackets, and luggage. |
| Types | Open-ended plastic zippers use a box and pin mechanism to lock the two sides of the zipper. Two-way open-ended zippers have a puller on each end of the zipper tape. Two-way closed-ended zippers are closed at both ends and usually have one or two pullers. |
| Manufacturers | YKK is the world's largest manufacturer of zippers and pioneered the development of the 56S aluminum alloy in 1958, leading to substantial technological progress in zipper manufacturing. |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic zippers were pioneered by YKK in the 1950s
Plastic zippers, consisting of a slider mounted on two rows of plastic teeth, were pioneered by YKK in the 1950s. The YKK Group, a Japanese manufacturing company, is the world's largest zipper manufacturer. The company was founded in 1934 by Tadao Yoshida in Tokyo, Japan. YKK initially operated as San-es Shokai, a zipper processing and selling company.
In 1938, Yoshida built his first industrial facility in Tokyo. However, it was destroyed during the Second World War. In 1942, the company reorganized as a limited corporation. In 1946, YKK registered its trademark, and in 1950, it purchased a chain machine from the US that automated the zipper-making process. This acquisition marked a significant technological shift for the company, as it previously produced zippers by hand.
The 1950s also witnessed YKK's expansion, with the company relocating its headquarters within Tokyo in 1951 and 1958. In 1955, YKK opened a new plant in Kurobe, Toyama, and in 1959, it established its first overseas location in New Zealand. During this period, YKK introduced its Conceal brand, which offered zippers without visible teeth.
Plastic zippers became increasingly important in the 1950s due to their strength and economic advantages. They can be made in any colour and are widely used in stationery, pencil cases, and small plastic pouches. The development of plastic zippers by YKK in the 1950s played a pivotal role in the company's growth and its position as a leader in the zipper market.
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They are made from polyacetal resin or other thermoplastic polymers
The term "zipper" was coined in 1923, referring to a fastening device for binding two edges of fabric or other flexible materials. While the earliest zippers were made of metal, plastic zippers were introduced later, offering greater flexibility in terms of colour and weight. Plastic zippers are primarily made from polyacetal resin, a type of thermoplastic polymer with several advantageous properties.
Polyacetal resin, also known as polyoxymethylene, boasts excellent mechanical strength, retaining its strength even at high temperatures. It exhibits superior tensile, compressive, and bending strength compared to other plastics like polyamide, ABS, and polycarbonate. This makes it ideal for zippers, as it can withstand the stress of repeated use without deforming or breaking. Additionally, polyacetal resin has good impact resistance, creep resistance, and temperature resistance. Its high thermal denaturation temperature ensures that it can maintain its performance even at elevated temperatures.
Beyond polyacetal resin, other thermoplastic polymers are also used in zipper construction. Thermoplastic polymers are a versatile class of materials that can be moulded or reshaped by heating. They soften when heated, allowing for multiple reheating and reshaping cycles until the perfect mould is achieved. Once cooled, thermoplastic polymers set into a new form with a smooth, hard finish. Examples of thermoplastic polymers include polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polyethylene, each with unique properties that lend themselves to various applications.
One commonly used thermoplastic polymer in zippers is nylon, known for its self-lubricating and abrasion-resistant properties. Nylon's strength and impact resistance make it suitable for applications beyond zippers, including fishing lines and ropes. Polyethylene, another thermoplastic polymer, is valued for its strength and impact resistance, making it ideal for toys and buckets. Additionally, PVC can be transformed into hose pipes, floor tiles, and cable coatings.
The versatility of thermoplastic polymers, coupled with the superior mechanical properties of polyacetal resin, has revolutionized the zipper industry. By utilizing these materials, manufacturers like YKK have been able to develop innovative zipper designs, such as the VISLON® zipper, which offers enhanced lightness and colour customization.
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Plastic zippers can be made in any colour
The history of the zipper is a short but fascinating one. The device, which was technically invented in 1917, only became known as the 'zipper' in 1923 when the B.F. Goodrich Company used the product for a new type of rubber boots. The company coined the term based on the "zip" sound the device made when fastened.
Zippers became popular for children's clothing in the 1920s and 1930s, as they were marketed as a way to improve kids' independence by letting them dress themselves. From there, zippers became popular in adults' fashion, starting with men's pants and later moving into womenswear.
While metal zippers were initially the norm, plastic zippers began to emerge in the 1950s. Plastic zippers are identical to metallic zippers, except that the teeth are plastic instead of metal. One of the key benefits of plastic zippers is that they can be made in any colour. Plastic zippers mostly use polyacetal resin, although other thermoplastic polymers such as polyethylene are also used. They are commonly used for pencil cases, small plastic pouches, and other stationery.
In addition to plastic zippers, there are also nylon coil zippers, metal zippers, invisible zippers, reversible zippers, and reverse coil zippers. Zippers can be open-ended or closed-ended, and they can have one or two pullers on the zipper tape. The variety of zipper types and designs showcases the innovation and development that has occurred in the zipper industry since its early beginnings.
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They are best suited for stationery and small pouches
Plastic zippers are made from plastic teeth moulded into a coil shape. They are identical to metallic zippers, except that the teeth are plastic instead of metal. Plastic zippers mostly use polyacetal resin, although other thermoplastic polymers like polyethylene are also used. Polyethylene is the most common type of plastic bag globally, used for many applications.
Plastic zippers are best suited for stationery and small pouches because they can be made in any colour of plastic. They are often used for pencil cases, small plastic pouches, and other stationery. They are also useful for small items that need to be kept secure and organised, such as coupons, tickets, bills, receipts, craft projects, small toys, and gift cards.
The flexibility and low cost of plastic zippers make them a great alternative to cardboard or other rigid packaging. They are also FDA-approved, easy to handle, and can be produced faster than other types of zippers because they require less material. The longer lip above the zipper provides more room for the customer to tear the pouch open without ruining the zipper, adding a nicer look to the bag.
Plastic zippers are also used in jackets and similar garments, although they may not be as strong as metal zippers for these applications. Metal zippers can be painted to match the surrounding fabric, whereas plastic zippers are better suited for small pouches and stationery, where colour customisation is often desired.
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Plastic zippers are identical to metallic zippers, except the teeth are plastic
The history of the zipper is a short but fascinating one. The device was technically invented in 1917, but it wasn't until 1923 that the name "zipper" was first used. The B.F. Goodrich Company used Gideon Sundback's design on boots and coined the term, inspired by the "zip" sound the device made when fastened.
Zippers were initially used in footwear, but in the 1930s they started to be added to children's clothing, marketed as a way to improve kids' independence by letting them dress themselves. From there, zippers became popular in adult fashion, first in men's clothing and then in women's.
The classic metal zipper was manufactured according to a process developed by Catharina Kuhn-Moos and Henri Forster in 1912 and improved upon by Gideon Sundback in 1913. This process involved replacing the blocks of the Kuhn-Moos zipper with lamellas punched out from a metal strip.
Plastic zippers are identical to metallic zippers, except that the teeth are made of plastic instead of metal. Plastic zippers typically use polyacetal resin, although other thermoplastic polymers such as polyethylene are also used. They are more flexible in terms of colour options, as they can be made in any colour of plastic, whereas metal zippers need to be painted to match the surrounding fabric. Plastic zippers are also ideal for stationery items such as pencil cases and small plastic pouches, as well as airtight applications like NASA's spacesuits.
In the 1950s, plastics began to become increasingly important in many areas, including zippers, due to their strength and economic advantages. Japanese manufacturer YKK, which grew to dominate the zipper market from the 1960s onwards, played a key role in this shift. In 1958, YKK developed the 56S aluminium alloy, enabling significant technological advances in zipper production.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic zippers were first introduced in the 1950s.
The zipper was invented by Whitcomb L. Judson in 1891. He referred to it as the "Slide Fastener" or "Clasp Locker."
The first zippers were made of metal.
The term "zipper" was coined in 1923 when the B. F. Goodrich Company used the fastener for a new type of rubber boot. The company began referring to the product as a zipper due to the "'zip' sound it made when fastened".
