Patents Assigned to Aplix, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8404326
    Abstract: A panel-forming assembly which is intended to be fixed to a surface of a vehicle or an aircraft, for example the floor of the trunk or a surface of the hatch of the spare-wheel compartment, and comprising, on the one hand, a panel of foam of expanded thermoplastic material, in particular expanded polypropylene or expanded polystyrene, which is constituted of an agglomeration of balls made of thermoplastic material and, on the other hand, hooks and/or loops issuing from the panel and intended to cooperate with loops and/or hooks issuing from the said one surface of a vehicle, characterized in that the assembly comprises an intermediate element (4) comprising a plate (5) from a face of which project the hooks (6) and/or the loops issuing from the panel that cooperate with the loops and/or the hooks (3) issuing from the surface of the vehicle, while from a face opposite the said one face of the plate there projects at least one piece (7) in the form of a fir tree comprising elements in the form of fir-tree branc
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignees: Aplix, Aplix, Inc.
    Inventors: Quresh Sachee, Jean-Philippe Billarant
  • Patent number: 7960008
    Abstract: A loop material for a hook and loop type fastener is a composite nonwoven. The composite nonwoven consists of a loop layer, a backing layer, and a plurality of bond regions. The loop layer may be a carded nonwoven of thermoplastic crimped staple fiber. The staple fiber may be between 1.5 to 6.0 dTEX. The loop layer may have a basis weight of between 10 and 35 g/m2. The backing layer may be a spunbond or spunmelt nonwoven having a basis weight of 5 to 30 g/m2. The loop layer may be superimposed face-to-face with the backing layer. The plurality of bond regions joins the loop layer to the backing layer and rendering said bond regions substantially air impermeable. The bond regions comprise between 35 to 55% of a surface area of the loop material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignees: Aplix, Inc., Dounor SAS
    Inventors: Donald H. Lester, Jr., Stephanie Hoyas
  • Patent number: 7794819
    Abstract: An elastic composite includes a first nonwoven, a second nonwoven, and two elastic films sandwiched between the first and second nonwoven. The elastic composite also includes a lateral edge portion where the first nonwoven is bonded to the second nonwoven, a lane between the elastic films that is free of the elastic films, and a first bond joining the first nonwoven to the elastic film, and a second bond joining the second nonwoven to the elastic film. The elastic composite may be used as a component of a disposable garment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Aplix, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Black, Dickie J. Brewer, Donald H. Lester, Jr., Thierry Marche
  • Patent number: 7790264
    Abstract: A loop material for a hook and loop type fastener is a composite nonwoven. The composite nonwoven consists of a loop layer, a backing layer, and a plurality of bond regions. The loop layer may be a carded nonwoven of thermoplastic crimped staple fiber. The staple fiber may be between 1.5 to 6.0 dTEX. The loop layer may have a basis weight of between 10 and 35 g/m2. The backing layer may be a spunbond or spunmelt nonwoven having a basis weight of 5 to 30 g/m2. The loop layer may be superimposed face-to-face with the backing layer. The plurality of bond regions joins the loop layer to the backing layer and rendering said bond regions substantially air impermeable. The bond regions comprise between 35 to 55% of a surface area of the loop material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignees: Aplix, Inc., Dounor SAS
    Inventors: Donald H. Lester, Jr., Stephanie Hoyas
  • Patent number: 6596371
    Abstract: A fastener member for being secured to the surface of a foam body during a molding process in a mold form. The fastener member includes an elongate base having upper and lower opposed faces with fixating elements positioned on the lower face of the base for being positioned within and protected by a mold cavity in a wall of the mold form against foam contamination during the molding process. First and second opposed, elongate sealing ramps positioned on the upper face of the base by respective proximal ends and diverge outwardly and upwardly at an angle oblique to the base and define respective outwardly-extending distal ends. The base is sized to fit within the mold cavity with outer surfaces of the respective first and second ramps engaging and sealingly contacting respective upper wall corners of the mold at points of contact intermediate the proximal and distal ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Aplix, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Billarant, Marc Woodling
  • Patent number: 5900303
    Abstract: A fastener assembly for being molded into a foamed structure. The fastener assembly includes a base having first and second opposed major surfaces, first and second opposed ends, and first and second opposed side edges. A multiplicity of attachment members are carried by the base and extend outwardly from the first major surface of the base for mating with complementary attachment members. First and second spaced-apart end seals are attached to respective first and second opposed ends of the base for preventing intrusion of liquid foam past the ends of the base and onto the attachment members during molding of the structure. Each of the end seals defines a solid mass within which the attachment members are embedded. A multiplicity of spaced-apart anchors are carried by the base, and extend outwardly from the second major surface of the base for permanently attaching the fastener assembly to the foamed structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1999
    Assignee: Aplix, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick J. Billarant
  • Patent number: 5840398
    Abstract: A fastener assembly of the type for being molded into cushions, and including a base having first and second major surfaces defining first and second opposed ends and first and second opposed side edges. A multiplicity of attachment members are carried by the base and extend outwardly from the base for cooperating with complementary attachment members. First and second laterally-extending sealing gaps are respectively positioned adjacent the ends of the base. The sealing gaps are defined by areas of the first major surface of the base being devoid of the attachment members for permitting a sealing dam carried by a mold in which the foamed article is molded to fit into the sealing gaps and sealingly engage the first major surface of the base to form a foam-tight seal between the opposed ends of the base and the sealing dam of the mold to prevent intrusion of liquid foam past the ends of the base onto the attachment members of the base during molding of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1998
    Assignee: Aplix, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick J. Billarant
  • Patent number: 5795640
    Abstract: A fastener assembly of the type for being molded into cushions, and including a base having first and second major surfaces defining first and second opposed ends and first and second opposed side edges. A multiplicity of attachment members are carried by the base and extend outwardly from the base for cooperating with complementary attachment members. First and second laterally ending sealing gaps are respectively positioned adjacent the ends of the base. The sealing gaps are defined by areas of the first major surface of the base being devoid of the attachment members for permitting a sealing dam carried by a mold in which the foamed article is molded to fit into the sealing gaps and sealingly engage the first major surface of the base to form a foam-tight seal between the opposed ends of the base and the sealing dam of the mold to prevent intrusion of liquid foam past the ends of the base onto the attachment members of the base during molding of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1998
    Assignee: Aplix, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick J. Billarant
  • Patent number: 5664441
    Abstract: A fabric tape having loops for complementary attachment to a hook-carrying member of a hook-and-loop fastener assembly. The fabric tape includes a fabric backing having a front face and a rear face; and a multitude of elongated yarn loops formed on the front face of the backing, at least some of the loops defining a clockwise-extending axis with reference to the front face of the backing and at least some of the loops defining a counter-clockwise-extending axis with reference to the front face of the backing. The loops are positioned in uniform ranks and files on the front face of the backing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Aplix, Inc.
    Inventor: Piero Rusconi Clerici
  • Patent number: 5665449
    Abstract: A fastener assembly of the type for being molded into cushions, and including a base having first and second major surfaces defining first and second opposed ends and first and second opposed side edges. A multiplicity of attachment members are carried by the base and extend outwardly from the base for cooperating with complementary attachment members. First and second laterally-extending sealing gaps are respectively positioned adjacent the ends of the base. The sealing gaps are defined by areas of the first major surface of the base being devoid of the attachment members for permitting a sealing dam carried by a mold in which the foamed article is molded to fit into the sealing gaps and sealingly engage the first major surface of the base to form a foam-tight seal between the opposed ends of the base and the sealing dam of the mold to prevent intrusion of liquid foam past the ends of the base onto the attachment members of the base during molding of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Assignee: Aplix, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick J. Billarant
  • Patent number: 5654070
    Abstract: A fastener assembly of the type for being molded into cushions, and including a base having first and second major surfaces defining first and second opposed ends and first and second opposed side edges. Hooks are carried by the base cooperating with complementary loops carried on material when pressed against the attachment members on the base. Permanent anchors are carried by the base and are spaced apart sufficiently to allow foam intrusion between the anchors to attach the fastener assembly to a foamed article, such as, for example, a cushion. First and second magnetically-attractable side edge seals are attached to the base for being attracted to magnets positioned in a mold in which the cushion is molded. The side edge seals form a foam-tight seal between the side edges of the base and the mold to prevent intrusion of liquid foam during molding of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1997
    Assignee: Aplix, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick J. Billarant
  • Patent number: 5614045
    Abstract: A fastener assembly of the type for being molded into cushions, and including a base having first and second major surfaces defining first and second opposed ends and first and second opposed side edges. Hooks are carried by the base cooperating with complementary loops carried on material when pressed against the attachment members on the base. Permanent anchors are carried by the base and are spaced apart sufficiently to allow foam intrusion between the anchors to attach the fastener assembly to a foamed article, such as, for example, a cushion. First and second magnetically-attractable side edge seals are attached to the base for being attracted to magnets positioned in a mold in which the cushion is molded. The side edge seals form a foam-tight seal between the side edges of the base and the mold to prevent intrusion of liquid foam during molding of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Aplix, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick J. Billarant
  • Patent number: 5520021
    Abstract: A fabric tape having loops for complementary attachment to a hook-carrying member of a hook-and-loop fastener assembly. The fabric tape includes a fabric backing having a front face and a rear face; and a multitude of elongated yarn loops formed on the front face of the backing, at least some of the loops defining a clockwise-extending axis with reference to the front face of the backing and at least some of the loops defining a counter-clockwise-extending axis with reference to the front face of the backing. The loops are positioned in uniform ranks and files on the front face of the backing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Aplix, Inc.
    Inventor: Pierro R. Clerici
  • Patent number: 5500268
    Abstract: A fastener assembly of the type for being molded into cushions, and including a base having first and second major surfaces defining first and second opposed ends and first and second opposed side edges. Hooks are carried by the base cooperating with complementary loops carried on material when pressed against the attachment members on the base. Permanent anchors are carried by the base and are spaced apart sufficiently to allow foam intrusion between the anchors to attach the fastener assembly to a foamed article, such as, for example, a cushion. First and second magnetically-attractable side edge seals are attached to the base for being attracted to magnets positioned in a mold in which the cushion is molded. The side edge seals form a foam-tight seal between the side edges of the base and the mold to prevent intrusion of liquid foam during molding of the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1996
    Assignee: Aplix, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick J. Billarant
  • Patent number: 5422156
    Abstract: A fastening member of the type characterized by having a base carrying on one side thereof gripping fastener hooks for mating connection with complementary gripping fastener fibrous patches. A protective cover engages the base for enclosing the hooks against leakage of molding liquid past the film onto the hooks to protect the hooks against clogging by a molding liquid when molding the fastening member into a molded article in a mold. In the improvement according to the invention, a flexible, granular ferromagnetic attachment strip is provided, and is positioned in overlying relation on top of the hooks. The attachment strip extends along the length of the fastening member within the area enclosed by the temporary thin protective film for being attracted to a magnet in the mold. The ferromagnetic attachment strip temporarily holds the fastening member by magnetic attraction in the mold during the molding process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1995
    Assignee: Aplix, Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick J. Billarant
  • Patent number: RE44842
    Abstract: A loop material for a hook and loop type fastener is a composite nonwoven. The composite nonwoven consists of a loop layer, a backing layer, and a plurality of bond regions. The loop layer may be a carded nonwoven of thermoplastic crimped staple fiber. The staple fiber may be between 1.5 to 6.0 dTEX. The loop layer may have a basis weight of between 10 and 35 g/m2. The backing layer may be a spunbond or spunmelt nonwoven having a basis weight of 5 to 30 g/m2. The loop layer may be superimposed face-to-face with the backing layer. The plurality of bond regions joins the loop layer to the backing layer and rendering said bond regions substantially air impermeable. The bond regions comprise between 35 to 55% of a surface area of the loop material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignees: Aplix, Inc., Dounor SAS
    Inventors: Donald H. Lester, Jr., Stephanie Hoyas
  • Patent number: RE45946
    Abstract: A loop material for a hook and loop type fastener is a composite nonwoven. The composite nonwoven consists of a loop layer, a backing layer, and a plurality of bond regions. The loop layer may be a carded nonwoven of thermoplastic crimped staple fiber. The staple fiber may be between 1.5 to 6.0 dTEX. The loop layer may have a basis weight of between 10 and 35 g/m2. The backing layer may be a spunbond or spunmelt nonwoven having a basis weight of 5 to 30 g/m2. The loop layer may be superimposed face-to-face with the backing layer. The plurality of bond regions joins the loop layer to the backing layer and rendering said bond regions substantially air impermeable. The bond regions comprise between 35 to 55% of a surface area of the loop material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignees: Aplix, Inc., Dounor SAS
    Inventors: Donald H. Lester, Jr., Stephanie Hoyas