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The zipper is getting its first major upgrade in 100 years

wired.com

11–20 of 154 posts

Re: The zipper is getting its first major upgrade in 100 years

#12
post #4

After reading the article I have no idea what is different in the new version.

Apparently no tape, the zipper is bare, so special sewing machines are required and you plebs cannot just repair your clothes affordably (or yourself) anymore.

All the other zippers will still exist. Clothes without zippers will still exist. Roughly nobody does this anyway.

Re: The zipper is getting its first major upgrade in 100 years

#15
post #4

After reading the article I have no idea what is different in the new version.

Apparently no tape, the zipper is bare, so special sewing machines are required and you plebs cannot just repair your clothes affordably (or yourself) anymore.

Funny enough they mention that this new zipper cuts emisions but at the same time requires another (propietary) machine to sew them into clothing... are net emmisions actually going to be diminished?

Re: The zipper is getting its first major upgrade in 100 years

#18
post #10

So, uh, how is it attached to the garment? They talk about specialized sewing equipment, so it’s not bonded (although for polymer-based outerwear solvent bonding seems like the ultimate end-point)… but there’s no thru-holes or other obvious attachment points. Something boring but hidden (hole from the side to the bottom), or something more interesting?

Likely they will be heat welded to a polyethylene. You can sew this for extra strength. Which I think means a fully recyclable jacket!

Re: The zipper is getting its first major upgrade in 100 years

#19
post #4

After reading the article I have no idea what is different in the new version.

PDF catalog for the AiryString has a lot more details and technical information.

https://ykkdigitalshowroom.com/assets/AiryString_202507_en.p...

It looks like there is a core cord inside the zipper teeth. The specialized sewing machine stitches the cord to the fabric in between each teeth... tooth?

Re: The zipper is getting its first major upgrade in 100 years

#20
post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apparently no tape, the zipper is bare, so special sewing machines are required and you plebs cannot just repair your clothes affordably (or yourself) anymore.

All the other zippers will still exist. Clothes without zippers will still exist. Roughly nobody does this anyway.

> Roughly nobody does this anyway.

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof and at least here in this so-called "third world" country plenty of people makes their clothing to be repaired in any way or do it themselves (even me, sometimes)

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