Abstract: A sheet material which may be used for a closure system adapted to receive surface fasteners. The sheet material may be used for the manufacture of containers, such as bags and provides a primary form of closure as well as a secondary form of closure which allows for tamper proofing an packaged product prior to its initial opening followed by a one or two part secondary closure system.

Abstract: A method of providing complementary fastener strips for securing one item to another item is disclosed. A dispenser allows for complementary fastener strips in a prebound configuration, to be dispensed and used in applications such as the manufacture of outdoor furniture cushions. The invention facilitates the efficient and cost effective manufacture of articles which utilize multiple strips of complementary fastener strips.

Abstract: The invention is a fastener strip (10) with vent holes (12) through the base layer (15), underneath hooks (11) or other fastening elements, to prevent air from being trapped beneath fastener strip (10) when it is placed on a forming mold (16) in a foam object molding process. Side sealing means (13), end sealing means (14), and magnetic or other holding means may also be incorporated into fastener strip 10.

Abstract: A safety buckle assembly including a male member and a female member that interlockingly and releasably engages the male member. The buckle male member is disengaged from the female member by squeezing the side latches towards each other, to disengage the same from the side catches, while simultaneously pressing the push release button such that the central latch is disengaged from the central catch formed in the female member.

Abstract: The invention is a deep-groove fastener which securely retains a seat cover within the groove of a deeply contoured seat bun. The fastener comprises an elongated body generally concave in cross section and having an interior cavity. A plurality of notched ridges are located on the surface of the interior cavity. The notched ridges serve as fastening elements for engaging loop or other material attached to the underside of a seat cover. Anchor elements are located on the exterior, non-cavity surface of the main body, to aid in anchoring the invention within a foam seat bun. The main body additionally comprises two flange-like sealing legs having a relatively flat bottom surface, to seal the sides of the invention against fouling during the seat bun molding process. Magnetically attractable particles are incorporated into the sealing legs, to hold the invention securely to a magnetized seat bun forming mold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching a slider to a zipper chain having cords with intervals of zipper teeth along a predetermined length of the cords separated by gaps is disclosed. First the zipper chain is pulled along a predetermined path. A gap in the zipper chain is then detected. Once detected, the zipper chain is substantially stopped. A slider is then held in place in the gap of the zipper chain. Once the slider is in place, resistance is provided as the zipper chain motion is restarted. This causes the cords of the zipper chain to tighten and attach to the slider as the zipper chain moves along the predetermined path.

Abstract: A bundling strap for bundling objects is disclosed. The bundling strap has a generally trapezoidal shape and includes a first surface with loops and a second surface with hooks. The strap also have a narrow end and a wide end with an aperture. Methods of producing the strap are also disclosed. These methods includes laminating a sheet of hooks to a sheet of loops and either directly cutting the composite sheet into bundling straps and/or lining the hooks with a second sheet of loops and cutting the lined composite sheet into bundling straps.

Abstract: A machine for continuously manufacturing tape strips having at least at one end a portion folded through an aperture of a workpiece is provided. A tape supply section supplies tape to a tape feed unit which is adapted intermittently supply a first predetermined length of tape through an aperture of a workpiece and a second predetermined length of tape not through an aperture. Work pieces are supplied to and received by a workpiece receiving device adapted to hold the workpiece and position the aperture of the workpiece in the tape traveling path. Tape folders operate to fold a tape towards a fusing member positioned above the workpiece. Tape gripping arms further fold a tape into a fusing member. A tape cutter cuts the tape after a second predetermined length of tape is fed from a tape supply section. Tape gripping arms then operate to eject the finished strap from the machine.

Abstract: A locking retainer includes a flexible band including an outer surface, an inner surface substantially parallel to and spaced from the outer surface, a first end, and a second end. A first plug member is integrally attached to the first end of the flexible band and includes an extending member having a first end, a second end, and top and bottom surfaces. The first plug member includes a first prong extending from the top surface of the extending member, and a second prong extending from the bottom surface of the extending member. A second plug member integrally attached to the second end of the flexible band comprises a first and second leg that each has a first end and a second end, wherein the second leg is substantially parallel to and spaced from the first leg. A cavity is defined between the first ends of the first and the second legs. The second ends of the first leg and the second leg are joined.

Abstract: The invention is a hook fastener strip (10), having magnetically attractable wires (13a,b,c,&d) which are located between, and retained by, hook members (11) on the front face of the fastener strip (10). Each hook member (11) is comprised of a shaft (14) and a split-mushroom-shaped head (15). The outer edges of head (15) protrude beyond the sides of shaft (14), and the undersides of the outer edges form ledges (16a&b) which serve to retain the magnetically attractable wires (13a,b,c,&d) within the hook layer of the fastener strip (10). The magnetically attractable wires (13a,b,c,&d) within the fastener strip allow it to be secured to a correspondingly magnetically attractive object.

Abstract: A method of providing complementary fastener strips for securing one item to another item is disclosed. A dispenser allows for complementary fastener strips in a prebound configuration, to be dispensed and used in applications such as the manufacture of outdoor furniture cushions. The invention facilitates the efficient and cost effective manufacture of articles which utilize multiple strips of complementary fastener strips.

Abstract: The invention is a seat bun mold (10) with a recess (12) suitable for containing a fastener strip (18) to be molded into the seat bun, the recess (12) having an end wall (14) shaped so as to provide a snap-fit seal against the end of the fastener strip (18), in order to prevent fouling of the fastener strip (18) during the seat bun molding process. End wall (14) extends from the bottom to the top of the recess (12), and substantially curves inward along its lower extent and outward along its upper extent. The end of fastener strip (18) is snapped into recess (12) by first aligning fastener strip (18) over recess (12) and then exerting downward pressure. The tension of the end of fastener strip (18) against end wall (14) forms a seal to prevent intrusion of liquid molding material through end wall (14) of recess (12).

Abstract: The invention is a glazing panel wall system having unique and advantageous glazing clips. The clips, several different embodiments of which are described, serve to hold the glazing panels and frame member face covers in place. The system comprises the various glazing clips; interconnected frame members, each frame member having recesses adapted for containing glazing panels and a channel adapted for engaging the clips; and face covers which are placed over the front face of the frame members. The invention thus provides a convenient, time-saving, and very effective way of constructing a glazing panel wall.

Abstract: A fastener assembly is disclosed which includes a first fastener strip having on at least one side a first fastening surface. Also provided is a second fastener strip having on at least one side a second fastening surface that is complementary to the first fastening surface. The first fastener strip overlies the second fastening surface of the second fastener strip with the first fastening surface not facing the second fastening surface. The first and second fastener strips are releasably connected.

Abstract: A method for making loop material for hook and loop fasteners comprising the steps of forming a nonwoven web of randomly deposited nonelastomeric thermoplastic fibers, wherein the nonwoven web has a front side and a back side. Wherein the web is the consolidated by stretching the web in an x direction and then stretching the nonwoven web in a y direction thereby creating looped fibers, a majority of which are in an “x-y” plane. And wherein fluid is passed through the nonwoven web in a “z” direction and then stabilized in the “z” direction.

Abstract: As tape drawer rollers are driven for intermittent rotation, a continuous tape is intermittently fed along a tape traveling path with a leading end portion of the tape inserted through a ring at a tape folding section. When the continuous tape has been fed by a predetermined length, the feeding of the tape is stopped and then the lower end portion of the tape inserted through the ring is bent about the ring by a first bending member. Then a cutting device severs a predetermined length of tape strip off the continuous tape, whereupon the an upper half of the severed tape strip is bent about the ring by a second bending member, thus providing a folded tape strip having a laminate portion. Finally the folded tape strip is discharged out of a machine after part of its laminate portion is fused by a fusing device.

Abstract: A one-piece, tamper-resistant fastener for attaching one item to another is described. The fastener is particularly suited for attaching an item such as a ski coupon to a skier's garment. The attachment mechanism of the fastener is designed to allow a user to attach both items to the fastener, and thus the items to each other, in one action. The fastener is made of a single piece of plastic material, preferably polypropylene, which is easily recycled, even with a typical ski coupon attached. The one-piece fastener may alternatively be made using a biodegradable material.