The inventor of the original zipper has been awarded a patent for a textile technology that promises to put an end to tight shirt collars. Talon International Inc., an apparel accessories and textiles manufacturer headquartered in Woodland Hills, announced Friday that it has received a U.S. patent for its “Flex Collar,” a shirt collar made with a material that allows it to stretch between one-half and more than an inch. Fashion firms Calvin Klein Inc., Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Kors Holdings Ltd. and others have already integrated the technology into their products, Talon said. “At Talon we are all about innovation,” Herman Roup, president of the company’s Tekfit division, said in a statement. “We have an amazing history, including the inventor of the original Zipper, (the) first zipper to be used in outer space, and now, innovators of various stretch technologies.” Talon’s Tekfit division is focused on the procurement and development of advanced fabric technologies. The company has also been awarded a patent for its invisible, expanding waistband, of which the company claims to have sold tens of millions globally. Shares of Talon (TALN) closed flat Friday at 7.7 cents on the over-the-counter market.