Zippers

A zipper (zip fastener or zip in Oxford English) is a device for temporarily joining two edges of fabric together. It is widely used in clothing, bags and suitcases, purses, tents, sleeping bags and other textiles. more...

Alternatives that are also frequently used are buttons, Velcro, laces, buckles, and safety pins.

Description

The bulk of a zip consists of two strips of fabric tape, one permanently fixed to each of the two flaps to be joined, and each carrying tens or hundreds of specially shaped metal or plastic teeth. Another part, the slider, which is operated by hand, rides up and down the two sets of teeth. Inside the slider is a Y-shaped channel that pushes the opposing sets of teeth together or apart, depending on the slider's direction of travel. The friction of the slider against the teeth causes a characteristic buzzing noise which is probably the origin of the name 'zip'.

Some zips have slides on both sides, allowing one to vary not only the size, but also the position of the opening.

Applications of zips in clothing:

• to connect and disconnect the left and right front side (usually fitted vertically so that pushing the slider from top to bottom opens it, and pushing it from bottom to top closes it)
• to widen an opening to allow the garment to be put on / taken off:
• to open and close pockets
• for attaching/detaching a hood and legs of trousers
• for decoration

Zippers cost only a fraction of the total cost of the garment. However, if the zipper fails, the garment may be rendered unusable until the zipper can be replaced. Therefore, it is very important to choose a very good quality zipper, even if it costs a few cents more.

Read more at Wikipedia.org