Abstract: An active interlocking fastener system is adapted to control an interlock in response to an external stimulus. The interlocking fastener system includes a first element including a plurality of first interlocking fasteners. The interlocking fastener system also includes a second element including a plurality of second interlocking fasteners configured to couple to the first plurality of interlocking fasteners. The plurality of first interlocking fasteners or the plurality of second interlocking fasteners includes a reactive material configured to vary a mechanical engagement between the plurality of first interlocking fasteners and the plurality of second interlocking fasteners as a function of the external stimulus.

Abstract: A system and method for affixing barbs on a suture are provided. In one embodiment, the system includes a suture supply mechanism for selectively retaining a length of suture and a barb supply mechanism for operably engaging a barb supply assembly including at least one barb. At least one of the suture supply mechanism and the barb supply mechanism are configured to approximate towards the other of the barb supply mechanism and suture supply mechanism to engage the at least one barb of the barb supply assembly with the suture of the suture supply assembly. Also provided are a barb for use in forming a barbed suture and a suture including at least one barb.

Abstract: A surgical stapling instrument for use with an end effector that has an anvil that is movable relative to a staple cartridge supported in the end effector. The end effector is supported by an elongated shaft that extends from a handle assembly. The staple cartridge has a plurality of unformed staples therein that are formed when the anvil is moved into forming contact therewith. Movement of the anvil is controlled by a firing trigger on a handle assembly. The amount of staple formation achieved is dependent upon the degree to which the firing trigger has been actuated.

Abstract: A surgical instrument capable for use with an end effector supporting a staple cartridge therein. In various embodiments, the surgical instrument includes a firing system for applying firing motions to the end effector to form the unformed the staples supported in the staple cartridge. The surgical instrument further includes a tissue cutting system that may be optionally actuated after the staples have been formed.

Abstract: A mechanical fastening system having an engaging component and a receiving component. The receiving component has a first bond line, a second bond line, a bond zone, and a plurality of consecutive sweep regions. The second bond line is disposed adjacent to the first bond line such that a portion of the second bond line overlaps a portion of the first bond line. The bond zone circumscribes the first bond line and the second bond line. The plurality of consecutive sweep regions are disposed within the bond zone. At least one sweep region includes a portion of both the first bond line and the second bond line, and the remaining sweep regions include at least a portion of the first or the second bond lines. The receiving component has a bond ratio greater than or equal to about 1 and less than or equal to about 20.

Abstract: A fastening system for the releasable fixing of a second component (10) on a first component (12), such as the attachment of a covering component on a vehicle body component, has at least one spacer (20) fixed on one side of the first component (10) by a first fastener and provided on its opposite side with a first cling-fastener part (30). The first cling-fastener part can be brought into engagement releasably with a corresponding second cling-fastener part (32). The side of the second cling-fastener part facing away from the fastener elements (28, 34), can be fixed on the second component (12) by a second fastener (38). The spacer (20) can be fixed on the first component (10) by a screw connection forming the first fastener.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for teaching skills to a child includes a toy barn kit which has a plurality of structural elements including walls, gables, and roof panels which can be assembled into a completed toy barn. The structural elements have color coded connectors and mating connectors which assist the child in the assembly process. In performing the assembly, the child learns skills of (1) principles of construction, (2) spatial relationships, (3) sequential thinking, and (4) color recognition and matching.

Abstract: A surface fastener which includes a hook surface fastener (A) and a loop surface fastener (B), or a mixed surface fastener (C). The hook surface fastener (A) has hook fastener elements made of monofilaments on a surface of a base fabric. The loop surface fastener (B) has loop fastener elements made of multifilaments and capable of engaging with the hook fastener elements on a surface of a base fabric. The mixed surface fastener (C) has hook fastener elements made of monofilaments and loop fastener elements made of multifilaments on the same surface of a base fabric. The monofilaments are made from a polyethylene terephthalate-based polyester resin, and the multifilaments are made of a polybutylene terephthalate-based polyester resin.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a male surface fastener member configured for being molded onto a surface of a foaming resin mold body. The male surface fastener member includes a plurality of male surface fastener strips connected with each other in an end-to-end relationship via a connecting portion that is integrally formed with at least the end portions of each male surface fastener strips. Each male surface fastener strip includes a base material having a first surface from which a plurality of engaging elements extend upwardly and first and second substantially lateral resin intrusion prevention walls that upwardly from the first surface along a width direction of the base material between the first and second longitudinal resin intrusion prevention walls. Each of the lateral resin intrusion prevention walls comprises a plurality of engaging elements that are arranged in series in a width direction of the first surface.

Abstract: A method of and an arrangement for producing a fixing part, for example in the form of a touch-and-close fastener part, includes the formation of a carrier structure (10) provided with stem-like fixing elements (12) connected to one another at least in pairs via intermediate elements (14) to form cramp-like, in particular U-shaped, fixing parts (16). The stem-like fixing elements (12) engage through the carrier structure (10) and project beyond it. Each intermediate element (14) extending between these fixing elements (12) is arranged on the carrier structure (10). The respective fixing part (16) is introduced as a whole into the carrier structure (10) which, for this purpose, is designed in the form of a cramp-like, in particular U-shaped, molding prior to introduction.

Abstract: A touch fastener product has a base strip of resin carrying both mechanical fastener projections and adhesive, in some cases disposed on raised portions of the base strip. The fastener projections are arranged in discrete fields with lanes between the fields, and the adhesive is disposed within the lanes. The adhesive in each lane is shorter, as measured perpendicularly from the base strip, than the projections nearest the lane, by a distance that is less than ten percent of the width of the lane. In some cases molded stems extend through the adhesive in the lanes. The fastening face of the molded base strip is treated to give the fastening face a higher surface energy than the back face, to resist adhesive delamination during unspooling.

Abstract: A mechanical fastening system having an engaging component and a receiving component. The receiving component has a first bond line, a second bond line, a bond zone, and a plurality of consecutive sweep regions. The second bond line is disposed adjacent to the first bond line such that a portion of the second bond line overlaps a portion of the first bond line. The bond zone circumscribes the first bond line and the second bond line. The plurality of consecutive sweep regions are disposed within the bond zone. At least one sweep region includes a portion of both the first bond line and the second bond line, and the remaining sweep regions include at least a portion of the first or the second bond lines. The receiving component has a bond ratio greater than or equal to about 1 and less than or equal to about 20.

Abstract: A reticulated mechanical fastening laminate is disclosed. The reticulated mechanical fastening laminate includes a loop material having a regular pattern of spaced apart geometric shaped openings joined to a carrier. At least the portion of carrier to which the loop material is joined has up to a ten percent elongation. A reticulated mechanical fastening web including the loop material is also disclosed, in which the loop material is not joined to an elastic or pleated extensible carrier. A method of making the mechanical fastener constructions is also disclosed. The method includes providing interrupted slits in a loop material, with each interrupted slit interrupted by at least one intact bridging region of the slit loop material; spreading the slit loop material to provide at least one opening; and fixing of the loop material in a spread configuration.

Abstract: A method, a kit and a system for providing removably attachable fasteners made of hooks and loops to guide rings of blinds such as Roman Shades. The Roman Shades are removably attached and secured to the guide rings by the hooks and loops fasteners.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a male surface fastener member configured for being molded onto a surface of a foaming resin mold body. The male surface fastener member includes a plurality of male surface fastener strips connected with each other in an end-to-end relationship via a connecting portion that is integrally formed with at least the end portions of each male surface fastener strips. Each male surface fastener strip includes a base material having a first surface from which a plurality of engaging elements extend upwardly and first and second substantially lateral resin intrusion prevention walls that upwardly from the first surface along a width direction of the base material between the first and second longitudinal resin intrusion prevention walls. Each of the lateral resin intrusion prevention walls comprises a plurality of engaging elements that are arranged in series in a width direction of the first surface.

Abstract: The cable caddie is an apparatus for organizing, storing and porting cables and is made from a durable flexible fiber strap piece between 3 and 6 feet long forming the base layer, a terminal or handle coupled to at least one end of the strap, and at least one Velcro strip piece with one end of the strip piece coupled on to the flexible strap base layer and the distal end having the mating Velcro fiber forming a loop when mated when the distal end is folded upon the coupled end. Wrapped or wound cable are held in the Velcro strip loop formed when the strip is folded over the wrapped cable loops and onto the mating Velcro side securing the cable loop to the base layer. Several such Velcro strips for easy looping about and securing the cables to the base strap carrier, can provide organization and allow easy porting of many cables, as the base strap can be rolled up and carried by the handles attached.

Abstract: The invention relates to a film comprising individual anchored filaments. More specifically, the invention relates to the female part of a hook-and-loop self-adhering support, comprising a plastic film and independent filaments which are fixed to one of the faces of the film. The invention is characterized in that part of the length of each filament is anchored to the plastic film, while the remainder thereof is disposed at a distance from the film, such as to form loops. According to the invention, the film is made from a non-elastic and non-heat-shrinkable material and the filaments have a count of less than 10, preferably less than or equal to 7.7, for example between 2 and 5 decitex.

Abstract: A fastening strap and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The fastening strap includes a first band and a second band. The first band has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface has a plurality of hooks of special configuration. The second band has a third surface and a fourth surface. The third surface is directly adhered to the second surface of the first band, and the fourth surface has a plurality of loops for being mechanically latched by the hooks on the first surface. The second surface and/or the third surface is printed with at least one pattern. After the first band and the second band are adhered together, the pattern can be seen from the first surface of the first band.

Abstract: Composite webs having one or more polymeric structures located on a substrate, closure systems comprising composite webs, and methods of attaching articles are disclosed. The polymeric structures are formed using thermoplastic compositions and are attached to a surface of a substrate. The polymeric structures include an area that is attached to the substrate and a detached area that is not attached to a surface of a substrate.

Abstract: The novel combination of a hook-and-loop based fastening system with an elastic base that retains the advantages of both a secure re-appliable fastening system and the properties of elasticity.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fastener includes forming a preform sheet having a sheet-form base and an array of hook-shaped fastener elements extending from a broad side of the base, and securing a cover sheet with an aperture across the array of fastener elements, with fastener elements exposed for engagement in an engaging zone corresponding to the aperture of the cover sheet, and the engaging zone surrounded by a contiguous covered preform region. A fastener product includes a preform having a sheet-form base and an array of fastener elements extending from a broad side of the base, and a cover with and aperture secured across the array of fastener elements, the cover defining an aperture there through, with fastener elements exposed for engagement in an engaging zone corresponding to the aperture of the cover, and the engaging zone being surrounded by a contiguous covered preform region.

Abstract: An extruded hook fastener strip is created on a roll having hook forming cavities in its surface by extruding plastic material into the interface between the forming roll and a second strip carried by a backing roll. The second strip is firmly bonded to the fastener strip on that side opposite the formed hooks.

Abstract: A woven fastener product includes an array of hook elements and an array of loop elements that extend from the surface of different respective regions of a common fabric base. The arrays are formed by warp yarns, the arrays being separated in the warp direction of the fabric base. To form a self-engaged fastening, the fastener product is conformed so that the hook elements overlie the loop elements. Monofilament loops are shown sized and located to provide pin-receiving mounting sleeves as part of the woven structure.

Abstract: A segmented hook and loop type fastener accommodates molding contours. Each segment may be surrounded by a gasket barrier, or covered, or unprotected. On the fastening face of a base member are a plurality of fastening elements, either hook-type or loop-type. Between and joining each adjacent pair of fastening segments is a flexible neck that is narrower than the fastening segment. The flexible neck region is typically flexible around two or three orthogonal axes. Each segment may have a barrier for use during an operation to incorporate the fastener into a molded body. The barrier would prevent any liquid foaming material from contacting the fastening elements if the fastener is placed in the mold with the fastening elements pressed against the wall of the mold. The cover may be enveloping or space filling. Several different types of apparatus and methods for fabricating such a fastener are also disclosed.

Abstract: Hook-engagable loop materials are provided, which include high bulk yarns. Closure strips employing such materials, and methods of making such materials are also provided.

Abstract: A fastening system that has a first planar surface with a front side and a back side and a plurality of fasteners. Each fastener is engaged with the first planar surface. Each fastener has a stem or member with a body, preferably in the shape of a sphere, attached to one end of the stem and an anchor attached to the other end of the stem. The body of the fastener is inserted into holes in a second planar surface to secure the first planar surface to the second planar surface.

Abstract: The mold-in fastening member, that can be molded into a resin article, of the present invention comprises (a) a substrate having a front surface and a back surface; (b) a plurality of engaging elements provided on the front surface; (c) a plurality of anchoring elements provided on the back surface, the anchoring elements being embedded into the resin article to fix the mold-in fastening member thereto; (d) a ferrite-containing layer formed on the front surface; (e) marginal portions continuously extending along respective lengthwise edges of the substrate; and (f) grooves formed on the substrate, which extend along the respective marginal portions to render the marginal portions easily bending relative to the substrate.

Abstract: A fastening system that has a first planar surface with a front side and a back side and a plurality of fasteners. Each fastener is engaged with the first planar surface. Each fastener has a stem or member with a body, preferably in the shape of a sphere, attached to one end of the stem and an anchor attached to the other end of the stem. The body of the fastener is inserted into holes in a second planar surface to secure the first planar surface to the second planar surface.

Abstract: An extruded hook fastener strip is created on a roll having hook forming cavities in its surface by extruding plastic material into the interface between the forming roll and a second strip carried by a backing roll. The second strip is firmly bonded to the fastener strip on that side opposite the formed hooks.

Abstract: Molten resin material is continuously extruded from an extruding hole including a plurality of engaging-element-molding portions disposed with a constant pitch in a width direction of an extruding nozzle and a substrate-molding portion with which lower ends of the engaging-element-molding portions communicate. An ascending/descending member disposed at a front face of the extruding nozzle and made of a laterally long plank ascends and descends to vertically open and close the extruding hole of the extruding nozzle. As a result of such continuous molding, a surface fastener is continuously molded in which each of plurality engaging elements has stem and an engaging extruding head projecting at least toward one side from an end of the stem standing on a surface of a flat substrate. The engaging element thus molded has a thickness, in a direction perpendicular to a projecting direction of the engaging head, gradually increasing from a top portion of the engaging head to a base end of the stem.

Abstract: Adhesive film strip composite comprisinga) an adhesive film strip (2) which can be released by pulling in the direction of the bond plane (B), and whichb) on one of its adhesive sides is bonded to one side of a touch-and-close fastening (4,7), whilec) the other side of the touch-and-close fastening (4,7) is free and can be fastened.

Abstract: A fastening component of a separable fastener has some portion that is necessary for its fastening function, such as the space adjacent the fastening elements, the base to which the fastening elements are attached or a substrate that is used for another purpose, comprised of a magnetically attractive or electrically conductive porous metal containing layer. The fastening component may be the hook portion or the loop portion of a typical fastener. The fastening elements and the base may be unitary, or of different precursors. The porous metal layer may be embedded in the base portion of the fastening component, or any backing substrate, or therebetween. The porous metal layer may be fully or partially embedded. The porous metal may be an expanded, perforated, woven or non-woven structure.

Abstract: A hook-type fastener product for engaging loop elements is disclosed, having parallel rows of hooks having differently constructed first and second sides. The hooks are arranged such that, when engaged with loops, they resist disengagement from the loops more strongly when pulled in one sideways direction than when pulled in the opposite sideways direction. The product has a common base from which the hooks, which are not limited to J-type hooks, extend. The first sides of the hooks may be flat and the second sides convex. Methods and an apparatus for producing the product are also disclosed.

Abstract: A separable plastic male-to-male connector includes a pair of connector units each having a planar base and a plurality of protrusions extending outward from the base and being oriented on the base so as to form a matrix. The matrix has a plurality of lateral and longitudinal rows wherein a distance C.sub.L1 is between centers of laterally adjacent male protrusions, and wherein a distance C.sub.L2 is between centers of longitudinally adjacent male protrusions. Each protrusion includes a head portion and a stem portion. The head portion has a height K.sub.H equal to 0.50*(C.sub.L1 +C.sub.L2)/2 and a diameter K.sub.D equal to 0.75*(C.sub.L1 +C.sub.L2)/2. The stem portion has a first end attached to the base and a second opposed end attached to the head portion. The stem portion has a height S.sub.H equal to 0.63*(C.sub.L1 +C.sub.L2)/2 and a diameter S.sub.D equal to 0.56*(C.sub.L1 +C.sub.L2)/2. C.sub.L1, C.sub.L2, K.sub.H, K.sub.D, S.sub.H, and S.sub.D each have a tolerance of .+-.6%.

Abstract: A strap to hold wires or other components permanently or semi-permanently, using a flexible high strength carrier member as the main component of the strap. The strap replaces mechanically retained wire clips. To apply the wire strap, first the back liner is removed and the adhesive or tape member is attached to a substrate. Then the main member is folded over the object to be held and is placed against adhesive, or a hook and loop fastener is employed.

Abstract: A laminate suitable for use as the hook component of a hook-and-loop fastener. The laminate comprises a first extensible substantially non-elastic layer and a second layer comprising a nonwoven material. The nonwoven material is prebonded by a number of first spaced-apart bond sites to form first bonded and first unbonded areas. The second layer is attached to the first layer by a plurality of second spaced-apart bond sites to form a bulked laminate having a plurality of second bonded and second unbonded areas. The second bonded and second unbonded areas together define a surface area of said bulked laminate with said second bonded areas covering from about 5 to about 20 percent of the surface area. At least 50 percent of the second bonded areas have an area of less than about 4 square millimeters and have a density of greater than about 2 bonds per square centimeter.

Abstract: Molten resin is continuously extruded from an injection die or an extrusion die toward the circumferential surface of a die wheel having in its circumferential surface a multiplicity of hook-element-forming cavities and, at the same time, one or more yarns are introduced between the molten resin and the circumferential surface of the die wheel into an inter-element portion of a substrate sheet between a desired adjacent rows of hook elements in parallel to the hook element rows. The yarns are embedded in and integrally molded with the inter-element portion of the substrate sheet and at the same time, hook elements are molded on the circumferential surface of the die wheel as the hook-element-forming cavities are filled with part of the molten resin.

Abstract: A loop material for a hook and loop fastening system composed of: 1) a backing material; and 2) a layer of a nonwoven spunbond web attached to the backing material, the nonwoven spunbond web comprising a plurality of continuous intertwined filaments, each having a diameter of about 25 to about 100 microns, the plurality of filaments laid randomly to define a plurality of intertwined loop springs, each having a diameter of about 0.5 to about 3 millimeters.

Abstract: In a structure of the surface fastener of this invention, a substrate sheet has on its surface a plurality of dimples each defining a hollow large enough to receive a companion loop, and engaging elements are integrally molded and stand from the bottom surface of the dimple. With the surface fastener of this invention, the height of the hooks in appearance is short and the flexibility of the molded surface fastener is secured, and the hooks are prevented from falling laterally and forwardly excessively so that an adequate degree of durability for repeated use can be achieved and the flexibility of the substrate sheet and reliability of molding can be improved while securing engaging strength and a high rate of engagement with a loop of the companion surface fastener.

Abstract: A female component for a refastenable fastening device having an elastomeric adhesive backing and a multiplicity of fibrous elements extending from the backing. The female fastening component is formed by a method comprising the steps of: providing a first lamina comprising an elastomeric, pressure-sensitive adhesive film having a first adhesive surface and a second adhesive surface opposed to said first adhesive surface, a relaxed orientation, an elongated orientation and preferably at least two regions of differential elongation; stretching said first lamina from said relaxed orientation to said elongated orientation; contacting a second lamina comprising a nonwoven web with said first surface of said first lamina in said elongated orientation, thereby directly joining said second lamina and said first lamina to form a laminate; and relaxing said first lamina such that said second lamina is shirred to form catching regions capable of entangling the hooks of a complementary male fastening component.

Abstract: An interengaging fastener member 10 having a base 12 and a plurality of headed elements 14 arranged on the base 12. A plate member 26 is connected to the base 12 as fixing means. The plate member 26 includes a baseplate section 30 embedded in a back surface 28 of the base 12, and a plurality of protruding sections 32 formed on the baseplate section 30 and protruding from the back surface 28 of the base 12. The plate member 26 is disposed as an insert within a mold in an injection molding process of the fastener member 10, and is fixedly connected to the base 12 while the base 12 is integrally molded with the headed elements 14.

Abstract: A plastic surface fastener whose surface fastener members can be engaged by a small force includes two surface fastener members each having a plastic base and multiple projecting members having identically sized engagement heads and standing upright on the base as arranged in a matrix of prescribed pitch. The shape of the engaging heads of both surface fastener members as viewed from the top is that obtained by cutting off segments from four sides of a circle, and selected projecting members of one surface fastener member are removed in an appropriate pattern for providing room for the projecting members of the other surface fastener member to escape when the projecting members of the one fastener member are forced into spaces enclosed by the projecting members of the other fastener member.

Abstract: A fastening device of the invention is formed of two fastening members. Each fastening member has a flat base portion, and a plurality of engaging projections fixed on the base portion laterally and vertically. Each engaging projection has at least one leg fixed to the base portion at one side and an engaging head portion fixed to the other side of the leg. The engaging head portion has a lateral size greater than that of the leg. Non-engaging projections are integrally formed on at least one of the fastening members. Each non-engaging projection has a height less than the engaging projection.

Abstract: An extruded hook fastener strip is created on a roll having hook forming cavities in its surface by extruding plastic material into the interface between the forming roll and a second strip carried by a backing roll. The second strip is firmly bonded to the fastener strip on that side opposite the formed hooks.

Abstract: A strip material from which portions may be severed and used together as a releasably engageable fastener. The strip material comprises a bonding layer in which are embedded a plurality of U-shaped monofilaments. Each U-shaped monofilament includes two headed stem portions adapted to engage the headed stem portions of another portion of the strip material. The U-shaped monofilaments are disposed in generally straight rows longitudinally of the strip material with a percentage of the center to center spacing dimensions between adjacent longitudinal rows being less than a maximum dimension equal to the diameter of the heads plus the diameter of the stems so that slippage of heads longitudinally of the strip material between these closely spaced rows will be restricted, and with the center to center spacing dimension between the rest of the adjacent rows being greater than the maximum dimension and being selected to help provide a desired level of engagement and disengagement forces between the portions.

Abstract: A hook or male element for surface fasteners has peripheral surface irregularities in the form of protuberances and/or grooves, affording increased surface area for a given material. This hook element is capable of holding itself in the shape and posture desired for effective engagement with its female counterpart, a loop element.

Abstract: A method for assembling and soldering pieces of stained glass involves placing a template to outline a mosaic fit of glass pieces on a workboard by nailing flat sided nails to the outer perimeter of the glassware as defined by the template in which glass pieces are cut and wrapped with copper foil positioned on the template with attaching the support assembly to a rotatable workboard which is positioned to solder the glassware together in which the template is subsequently removed and the glassware turned and rotated on the workboard and the glassware is soldered together.

Abstract: An attachment assembly for releasably attaching an object such as a wire bundle to a surface such as on the firewall of an automobile. The assembly comprises a flexible polymeric strap, fastener portions adapted for releasable engagement attached at the ends of the strap which can secure the strap around an object, and attachment means comprising a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive along the strap for attaching the strap to a surface. The fastener portions are positioned or attached so that forces applied by the object tending to separate them place interacting parts of the fastener portions in shear or tension rather than in peel.

Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasonically providing selvedge on separable fasteners of the hook and loop-type. Portions of the separable fastener member are ultrasonically softened or melted and pressed toward the surface of the base member so as to be combined, or in some instances, consolidated therewith. The portions may be given a textured appearance by use of a textured anvil having either a simulated selvedge surface or even a trademark or logo impressed, machined or etched thereon. The tape may be provided with several selvedge portions and then slit medially of the portions to provide at least two separable fasteners of smaller width from a separable fastener of wider width.

Abstract: A hooked fabric fastener tape has on one surface of a foundation structure a number of material engaging hooks which have been produced from and by cutting one of loops of synthetic resin threads woven into the foundation structure. One of the hooks is larger in height than the other hook so as to provide a large opening between the respective end portions thereof for easy reception of cooperating loops of mating looped fabric fastener tape. The hooks of different height are reliably engageable with any of the cooperating loops fanned apart on the looped fabric fastener tape.