The anatomy of the zipper
All zipper parts
Zipper Elements (zipper teeth)
Elements (zipper teeth) accessories. A zipper consists of 2 rows of elements that you can attach to each other by means of a mechanism. These elements can be plastic or metal.
Zipper Bottom stops
This is the element at the bottom of a closed bottom (closed-end) zipper that prevents the slider from slipping off the zipper.
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Zipper Retaining box
This is the element at the bottom of a separating zipper which makes it possible to separate the 2 zipper parts.
Zipper Top stops
These are the 2 elements at the top of a zipper with a single slider that prevent the slider from slipping off the top of the zipper.
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Zipper tape
The tape is the material that the teeth are attached to and is usually made of polyester. Did you know that at YKK you have access to up to 600 colors of zipper tape?
Zipper Slider
The slider is the element that joins or separates the teeth of the zipper.
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Zipper Puller
The puller is the element that is attached to the slider and that you pull to close or open the zipper.
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A few zipper characteristic
Separating (open-end) and closed bottom (closed-end) zippers
A closed bottom (closed-end) zipper is a zipper where the bottom is secured with a bottom stop. A closed bottom zipper therefore always remains attached to each other at the bottom and can be used for trousers, bags, jacket pockets, among other things.
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A separating zipper (open-end) can be completely detached at the bottom and zipped together again. This function is desirable for a jacket, for example, so that it can be opened and closed.
See our range of separating zippers >
Locked and non-lock zipper sliders
The slider is the element that joins or separates the teeth of the zipper. The difference between locked and non-lock sliders is not visible from the outside. If we speak of a locked slider or zipper, the slider has a small pin on the inside. This hooks like a kind of anchor in the zipper when the puller is down. This prevents the slider from sagging and the zipper from opening due to tension on the tape or gravity. This is undesirable with, for example, a jacket, trouser fly or shoes. Due to the mechanism, locked sliders are usually supplied complete, including a puller (the element with which you move the zipper back and forth).
In many other applications, such as bags and inner pockets, this 'locking' is not desirable and a non-lock slider is the best solution. The non-lock slider can therefore also move down the zipper with the puller.
Single and double (head-to-head) zippers
At Leatherbox we speak of a single zipper if there is a single slider.
A head-to-head zipper, also known as an O-zipper, is a closed bottom zipper with two sliders. These two sliders meet in the middle and the ends of the elements end with a topstop. This zipper is often used with a bag, so that it can be opened from the middle.
One-way & two-way chain zippers
A one-way chain zipper has elements that face one direction. This is in the closing direction of the zipper. This is the only way the slider can move over the elements of the zipper. With a one-way chain zipper you can only make zippers with a single slider.
With a two-way chain zipper, it is possible for the slider to move in two directions over the elements. With this option you can make both a zipper with a single slider and a head-to-head zipper (or O-zipper) with two sliders. With the Excella zipper, the two-way chain also contains wider elements. This also gives the zipper a nice fuller appearance.
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Check out our full range of complete zippers, zippers on roll, custom made zippers and zipper parts.
