Abstract: Various embodiments of a press-to-open zipper for reclosable packages are disclosed. In a first embodiment, extensions are formed obliquely on the consumer side the zipper profiles and are squeezed together to separate the zipper profiles and open the package. In a second embodiment, arched portions are formed on the product side of the zipper profile. These arched portions are squeezed together to separate the zipper profiles and open the package. In a third embodiment, one of the zipper profiles includes a rounded portion with a semi-circular cross section upon which interlocking elements are formed. By squeezing together the zipper profiles by the edges thereof, the profiles rotate with respect to each other about the rounded portion so as to release the interlocking of the interlocking elements and open the package.

Abstract: A snap-hook having a locking element and a gate, where the locking element cooperates with the gate to place stresses on the gate in tension instead of shear is disclosed. The tension loads are achieved by using mating generally cylindrical surfaces on the gate and on the lock.

Abstract: A fastening device is disclosed comprising at least a pair of hard hooks, each containing a gripping portion and a hacking portion, connected by a stretchable cord, preferably a bungee cord. The device is useful for easily and securely fastening a ladder or other lengthy equipment to a vehicle.

Abstract: A load binder for use in connection with a typical tie strap for securing a load for transport is provided. The load binder includes elements that are conformable to the shape of a particular load and which prevent the tie down from twisting upon itself. The load binder essentially comprises a body having and a handle pivotally attached to the body, a link pivotally attached to the handle, a first tie down engaging element attached to the link by a ball joint and a second tie down engaging element attached to the threaded shaft by a ball joint. The freely movable ball joints coupling the tie engaging elements to the binder allow the binder to conform to the shape of the load and also prevent the tie down from twisting upon itself. Additionally, a safety latch is incorporated into the binder which positively locks the handle in position relative to the body.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide an elongated hook and loop fastening strap with a slit defined therein for securing one or more objects together. The fastening strap includes an engaging portion, which is disposed generally above the slit, and an anchor portion, which is disposed generally below the slit. The engaging portion is peeled away from a base to which the anchor portion is attached and is wrapped around the objects to be secured. The engaging portion is then threaded through the slit and engaged onto the base. The engaging shear force between the anchor portion of the strap and the base is sufficient to hold the strap to the base when the engaging portion is peeled away from the base, alleviating the need for external bonding methods for securing the strap to the base and allowing a user to secure the strap using one hand.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a clasp for the connecting of two parts comprising a first (1) and a second (2) clasp part consisting of, against the first part (1) fixed, and from this extending part (3), in the second part (2) an opening (3) the shape of which closely connects to the outer shape of the extending part (3) so that the second part (2) can pass over the latter as well as the means, to restrain the second part on the extending part (3), in the spring-loaded means (8, 10, 11) and an edge or groove (5) arranged inside the second part's opening. The clasp consists of spring-loaded means (6, 7) designed to move the parts away from each other upon the parts being released. A button (4) arranged in the cylinder is placed for activation when the clasp's parts are to be released from each other.

Abstract: A web for use in applying a functional material is provided. The web includes a layer that has a plurality of elevated regions. The layer defines a plurality of cavities such that the cavities are located between adjacent elevated regions. A plurality of depressed regions are located on the layer intermediate the elevated regions. The layer has a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal mid-plane defined therethrough. A plurality of functional material members are located in the cavities of the layer. The functional material members are adapted for adhesion of particles or surfaces thereon. The layer is extendable in the longitudinal direction so that the elevated regions are moved in a direction towards the longitudinal mid-plane.

Abstract: Snap fasteners are attached to a fabric or substrate and resist water migration from one side of the fabric or substrate to an opposite side of the fabric or substrate. The water migration resistant snap fasteners resist water migration through the fabric to which the snap fastener is attached while maintaining secure attachment to the fabric. The water migration resistant snap fasteners have radially offset patterned circles of gripping protrusions which do not penetrate through the fabric. Also, the radial patterned circles of gripping protrusions securely grip the fabric and maintain the snap fasteners in the proper location on the fabric.

Abstract: A cord management device comprises a body (110) having a first end (111), a second end (112), a perimeter (113), and an interior (114) bounded by the perimeter. A cord (210) that is to be managed may be wrapped around the body of the cord management device in such a way as to control a length of a portion (211, 212) of the cord that is able to hang freely, thus protecting the entire cord. The cord management device further comprises an aperture (120) spaced apart from the perimeter and extending through the interior of the body, and still further comprises a recess (140) in the interior of the body capable of receiving and storing an object (410) attached to the cord. A cord management system including the cord management device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hook-connector includes a first hook part and a second hook part. Each of the first hook part and the second hook part include a first plate and a second plate, and a hub disposed between the first and second plates. The hub holds the first and second plates in essentially parallel, spaced apart relationship. The hub and the first and second plates define a cord opening there-through. The hook-connector further includes a hook member that is attached to a first end of the first and second plates. The hook member includes a hook element that defines a hook opening that is sized to receive the hub of a corresponding hook part. The hook member further defines a sloped portion configured to slidingly mate against the sloped portion of the corresponding hook part in one mating configuration of the first and second hook parts.

Abstract: A lace lock for releasably securing an end of a lace on an article. The lace lock may be mounted to the article and have least one channel for releasably securing a free end portion of the lace.

Abstract: Disclosed is a footwear lacing system comprising a lace attached to a tightening mechanism. The lace extends through a series of guide members positioned along two opposing footwear closure portions. The lace and guides preferably have low friction surfaces to facilitate sliding of the lace along the guide members so that the lace evenly distributes tension across the footwear member. The tightening mechanism allows incremental adjustment of the tension of the lace. A release mechanism allows a user to quickly loosen the lace. A safety mechanism inhibits unintentional and/or accidental loosing of the lace.

Abstract: A sock keeper holds clothing items together in the laundry. A flexible base extends between opposite first and second edges, and between opposite ends. One of the base ends has a first tab projecting outward adjacent the base first edge. The opposite base end has a second tab projecting outward adjacent the base second edge. The tabs are thereby spaced apart, allowing manual grasping of the tabs separately. A flexible tail extends from a proximal end adjacent the base first edge to an opposite distal end. The tail surface is made from the loop portion of hook-and-loop material, to ensure that the tail surface does not catch on any clothing items in the wash. The tail closely encircles the clothing items. A base panel on the base upper surface is made from the hook portion of hook-and-loop material, so as to releasably engage the tail surface, defining a primary fastener. The base panel ends releasably engage one another above the tail distal end, defining a secondary fastener.

Abstract: A combination logo pin holder and eyeglasses holder has a generally elliptical body portion that has a plurality of outwardly extending projections upon its perimeter. The projections have downwardly extending portions, and the body portion has an elongated slot in its middle with fastener openings at either end of the slot. A base portion extends outwardly from the bottom of the body portion and has elongated grooves therein. An eyeglass frame member is then inserted within the grooves so the hinge of an eyeglass frame rests upon the base portion at the body portion.

Abstract: A pouch includes an elongate closure mechanism having upper and lower pairs of opposing interlocking profiles and a slider for opening and closing the closure mechanism. The slider includes upper closure bars vertically and longitudinally spaced from lower closure bars for occluding the upper and lower opposing interlocking profiles, respectively, and a separator member for separating only the upper opposing interlocking profiles. The lower closure bars are disposed at the opening end, and the upper closure bars are disposed at a closing end of the slider opposite the opening end. A longitudinal retention member extends longitudinally from the separator finger toward the closing end below the upper closure bars, and a lateral retention member extends laterally outwardly from the separator member above the lower closure bars. The longitudinal retention member and the lateral retention member each engages an underside of the upper pair of interlocking profiles to help retain the slider on the closure mechanism.

Abstract: A pull tab of a slide fastener slider comprises a pull tab proper having a insert portion and a slider-attaching portion provided at a proximal end of the insert portion for attachment to the slider; and a cover made of flexible material and adapted to have the insert portion inserted thereinto. The insert portion includes a plurality of locking surface features for preventing the cover from being pulled off the insert portion.

Abstract: A fastening member used for, e.g., a disposable absorbent article is disclosed. The fastening member extends in a longitudinal direction and in a lateral direction and has a lateral centerline. The fastening member comprises a base panel and a shaped tab extending laterally from the base panel. The shaped tab has a longitudinal centerline, a lateral centerline, a distal portion and a proximal portion. The shaped tab has a contour edge comprising a shaped upper edge and a shaped lower edge. The shaped upper edge and the shaped lower edge are symmetric with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the shaped tab when relatively shifted in the longitudinal direction and are asymmetric with respect to the lateral centerline of the fastening member.

Abstract: A side release buckle includes a female buckle member, which has two female coupling arms each having a forwardly extending coupling hole and a side opening, a male buckle member, which has two forwardly extending spring arms and two male coupling arms respectively forwardly extending from the spring arms and insertable with the spring arms into the coupling holes of the female coupling arms for engagement with the side openings of the female coupling arms, and an adapter member, which has a mounting base that is inserted into a receiving space between the female coupling arms of the female buckle member before connection of the male buckle member and locked thereto after connection of the male buckle member and a coupling device at the top side for fastening to an external object.

Abstract: A frame (10) including lateral bars (11, 12) and vertical bars (13); a first belt holding section (20) provided on a lateral bar side of the frame, into which a length adjustable belt is inserted to be held; a second belt holding section (30) having a belt winding bar (31) around which a length adjustable belt (2) is wound and an abutment bar (33) for bending a folded portion of the length adjustable belt; and a finger-placing section (40) provided on the other lateral bar side of the abutment bar are provided. The finger-placing section has a through-hole (41) that is provided with a guide section (a curved surface 12A) for guiding fingers.

Abstract: A clip for fixing a mounting part with a boss portion provided on and suspended perpendicularly from the back surface thereof to a panel with a mounting hole formed therein, includes: a base body having a U-shaped section and including a pair of mutually opposed side walls; a pair of elastic arms respectively extended from the inner surfaces of their associated side walls of the base; a pair of securing shoulders respectively provided on and projected from the outer surfaces of their associated side walls of the base body; engaging pawl portions engageable with an engaging portion formed in the boss portion; recessed portions provided in one of the inner surfaces of the side walls of the base body and the outer surfaces of the elastic arms corresponding to the inner surfaces of the side walls, and projecting portions provided in the other.