Touch-And-Close Nylon Fastener Made In N.Z.

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30092, 28 March 1963, Page 2

Touch-And-Close Nylon Fastener Made In N.Z.

The new touch-and-close nylon fastener known as Velcro, which has been used extensively in the United States, Canada and Europe for more than two years, is now being made in New Zealand. A director of the manufacturing company (Mr P. Hubble), who is prompting the many uses of the new closure device, said yesterday that it is already available in Christchurch.

Based on the clinging properties of biddybids, the new fastener consists of two nylon strips—one with thousands of tiny hooks and the other with the same number of tiny loops. Pressed lightly together, the hooks grip the loops to give a tight, secure closure, which can be easily opened by peeling the two strips apart.

When first launched in the United States and Canada in lim the self-sea! closure was billed mainly as a substitute for slide fasteners on garments. Now its possibilities seem to be almost limitless for holding materials together. It is still used on skirt plackets and all types at garments, and its uses have extended to soft furnishings. Cushion covers and loose furniture covers are easily removed when fastened with this type of holding tape. Drapes and other hangings can be affixed to supports with it. The over-lapping fastener can be used on children’s clothing instead of buttons, on diapers and waterproof pants instead of buttons. It is useful in making garments adjustable in size. Mr Hubble has tried it must successfully on waist-adjustment tabs and as a fly-fastener on trousers. He finds it ideal as a front closure on wind-proof jackets. For Brassieres An American foundation garment firm has introduced it on brassieres, made with a front cross-over tie held firmly in place by Velcro tabs. Dior, in Paris, uses it as a back fastener on brassieres. Many firms put it on

foundation garments instead of zippers. It is replacing buckle fastenings on men’s and women’s winter shoes and snow boots overseas, and for closing leather wallets, bags and tobacco pouches. New American belts often have tabs of the touch-closing tape to replace prongs and eyelet holes. New York women. keen to ring the changes in trims on coats and hats, are using it on detachable fur collars and hat bands.

Another use is on children’s school frocks to hold an often-washed white collar in place. Hospital Uses In overseas hospitals it is used for securing bandages and dressings, on protective orthopaedic shields and on splint boards. It is also used on hospital mattresses to hold sheets firmly, tp prevent bunching. The closure strips can be stitched to almost any fabric. The fastener is available with an adhesive back for sticking to glass, timber or plastic. It can also be spotwelded on to plastics. There is no limit to the number of times the fastener can be opened and closed without losing its power of adhesion. It can be washed, mangled, dry-cleaned and ironed (at nylon setting), preferably in the closed posi- ■ tion. It cannot jam or rust.

Produced from all-nylon yarn, the closure tape is being made in New Zealand in three widths and in 10 basic colours. The Auckland manufacturer is believed to be the only firm making it in the Southern Hemisphere.