Patents by Inventor Mitsuru Akeno

Mitsuru Akeno has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7350276
    Abstract: In a molded surface fastener (10) having engaging elements (2) of minute dimension of thermoplastic resin molded together with a base member (1) by continuous molding, each engaging element (2) comprises first and second engaging portions (22a, 22b) each having a different configuration extending in parallel to a surface of the base member from a top end of a pillar portion (21) rising from the base member (1) such that they intersect at right angle. The second engaging head (22b) has an ordinary hook shape structure while the first engaging head (22a) has a wing-like thin plate structure as seen in a plan view. The engaging elements having such a structure in which each engaging element has appropriate engagement force, shearing force and separation force so as to keep an excellent tactile feeling of a surface of the surface fastener, prevents itself from falling down against a pressing force, secures a high engagement ratio with mating pile pieces and satisfies a durability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Minato, Eiji Gonda, Mitsuru Akeno
  • Publication number: 20070034279
    Abstract: A core material for piping comprising a cord portion and a belt portion which are integrally molded from a synthetic resin material and further having a hook portion integrally formed on one surface of at least any one of the cord portion and the belt portion, the core material for piping being provided to a required position of a facing sheet material, wherein hardness of the hook portion is set higher than the hardness of the cord portion and the belt portion, thereby having a required engagement strength while securing easiness of bending of the cord portion and the belt portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Inventors: Mitsuru Akeno, Eiji Gonda
  • Publication number: 20060096072
    Abstract: In a molded surface fastener (10) having engaging elements (2) of minute dimension of thermoplastic resin molded together with a base member (1) by continuous molding, each engaging element (2) comprises first and second engaging portions (22a, 22b) each having a different configuration extending in parallel to a surface of the base member from a top end of a pillar portion (21) rising from the base member (1) such that they intersect at right angle. The second engaging head (22b) has an ordinary hook shape structure while the first engaging head (22a) has a wing-like thin plate structure as seen in a plan view. The engaging elements having such a structure in which each engaging element has appropriate engagement force, shearing force and separation force so as to keep an excellent tactile feeling of a surface of the surface fastener, prevents itself from falling down against a pressing force, secures a high engagement ratio with mating pile pieces and satisfies a durability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Publication date: May 11, 2006
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Minato, Eiji Gonda, Mitsuru Akeno
  • Patent number: 7022394
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fastener strip having magnetically attractable particles which are not located across the entire volume of the strip, but rather are incorporated in a discrete, distinct area of the strip. The fastener strip has a base and many hook pieces which rise from a fastening surface of the base. One embodiment has a magnetically attractable body in a row which rises from the surface of the base and is located along a substantially center line of the fastener strip. The magnetically attractable particles are incorporated in the magnetically attractable body and a part of the base located below the magnetically attractable body, and the magnetically attractable particles are not dispersed across the whole area of the base. A method of manufacturing such a strip is also described here.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuo Fujisawa, Craig Jay Graham, Tsuyoshi Minato, Ryuichi Murasaki, Mitsuru Akeno
  • Publication number: 20050160534
    Abstract: The invention provides a molded surface fastener and a cushion body formed integrally with it wherein a molded surface fastener has first resin invasion preventing means of an expandable resin material for molding a cushion body on each of right and left side edge portions along a longitudinal direction of a thermoplastic-resin base member surface, a number of engaging elements provided between the invasion preventing means, and second resin invasion preventing means for sectioning the engaging elements into desired number of regions along the longitudinal direction of the base member and extending in a width direction between adjacent sectioned regions, the second resin invasion preventing means comprising a function for engaging/disengaging a mating engaging element, thereby the molded surface fastener securing a required binding force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Publication date: July 28, 2005
    Inventors: Mitsuru Akeno, Tsuyoshi Minato, Eiji Gonda
  • Patent number: 6896759
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fastener strip having magnetically attractable particles which are not located across the entire volume of the strip, but rather are incorporated in a discrete, distinct area of the strip. The fastener strip has a base and many hook pieces which rise from a fastening surface of the base. One embodiment has a magnetically attractable body in a row which rises from the surface of the base and is located along a substantially center line of the fastener strip. The magnetically attractable particles are incorporated in the magnetically attractable body and a part of the base located below the magnetically attractable body, and the magnetically attractable particles are not dispersed across the whole area of the base. A method of manufacturing such a strip is also described here.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuo Fujisawa, Craig Jay Graham, Tsuyoshi Minato, Ryuichi Murasaki, Mitsuru Akeno
  • Patent number: 6720059
    Abstract: This invention provides a fastener strip in which fastening elements form a fastener layer on a front face of the fastener strip. Rows of vertical members are disposed along each of the side edges of the fastener layer and each row comprises vertical members formed with an appropriate interval between them for controlling the degree of foam penetration during the molding process. The vertical members anchor the fastener strip to an object during molding of the object and form an effective seal against fouling of the fastening elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuo Fujisawa, Craig Jay Graham, Tsuyoshi Minato, Ryuichi Murasaki, Mitsuru Akeno
  • Patent number: 6678924
    Abstract: An integral molded surface fastener is provided having minute and peculiar engaging elements, with which a desired plasticity and tearing strength of the flat substrate are secured. The molded surface fastener may be formed together with the substrate by continuous molding where the engaging elements are each comprised of a single column portion having a substantially cross-shaped section provided by intersection of a first column portion and a second column portion and rectangular thin plate-like engaging heads extended in the shape of wings in opposite directions along the width direction of the first column portion intersecting the second column portion around a top end of the column portion, and having substantially the same width dimension as the width dimension of a top end of the second column portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuichi Murasaki, Mitsuru Akeno, Shintaro Ohsugi
  • Publication number: 20030214068
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fastener strip having magnetically attractable particles which are not located across the entire volume of the strip, but rather are incorporated in a discrete, distinct area of the strip. The fastener strip has a base and many hook pieces which rise from a fastening surface of the base. One embodiment has a magnetically attractable body in a row which rises from the surface of the base and is located along a substantially center line of the fastener strip. The magnetically attractable particles are incorporated in the magnetically attractable body and a part of the base located below the magnetically attractable body, and the magnetically attractable particles are not dispersed across the whole area of the base. A method of manufacturing such a strip is also described here.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Applicant: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuo Fujisawa, Craig Jay Graham, Tsuyoshi Minato, Ryuichi Murasaki, Mitsuru Akeno
  • Patent number: 6604264
    Abstract: A multiplicity of pile-like engaging elements are fused integrally with top faces of each of elevated portions formed on a first surface of a flat plate-like substrate comprised of the first surface and a second surface such that more than ¼ of cross sectional areas of the entangled yarn are buried therein. The entangled yarns are fused integrally with the elevated portions firmly due to existence of the elevated portions regardless of a certain thickness of the flat plate-like substrate. In the meantime, it is permissible to form covering portions for covering the entangled yarn locally with component material of the flat plate-like substrate instead of the elevated portions. As a result, the female engaging member can be produced continuously without increase of equipment cost and the like. Further, a sufficient fixing strength can be provided to pile yarn rows bonded and fixed to the substrate surface although the pile yarns are fixed by fusion of the flat plate-like substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Naohara, Mitsuru Akeno, Hissai Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 6487759
    Abstract: The present invention provides an engaging member which enables a male member and a female member to be engaged with each other easily by sliding them relatively along the longitudinal direction and having a high engaging force, and a manufacturing method thereof. This engaging member includes the male member to be attached on one of components to be connected with each other and the female member to be attached on the other of the components. Engaging projecting portion with which the female member engages is provided on a side edge in the longitudinal direction of the male member. The female member includes an accommodating portion formed along the longitudinal direction so as to accommodate the male member. Hook-shaped portions with which the engaging projecting portion of the male member engages are formed along the longitudinal direction inside the accommodating portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Akeno, Ryoichiro Uehara, Shintaro Oosugi
  • Publication number: 20020164449
    Abstract: The present invention provides a fastener strip having magnetic powders which are not located across a whole volume of a strip but are incorporated in each discrete distinct area of the strip. The fastener strip has a base plate and many hook pieces which rise from a fastening surface of the base plate. Further, the fastener strip has a magnetic body in a row which rises from the surface of the base plate as well as is located below a substantially center line of the fastener strip. The magnetic powders are incorporated in the magnetic body and a part of the base plate located below the magnetic body, and the magnetic powders are not dispersed across the whole area of the base plate. A method of manufacturing such a strip is also described here.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Nobuo Fujisawa, Craig Jay Graham, Tsuyoshi Minato, Ryuichi Murasaki, Mitsuru Akeno
  • Publication number: 20020164451
    Abstract: This invention provides a fastener strip in which fastening elements form a fastener layer on a front face of the fastener strip. Vertical walls are disposed along each of side edges of the fastener layer and each vertical wall comprises wall portions formed with an appropriate interval for controlling the degree of foam penetration during the molding process. The wall portions fix the fastener strip to an object during molding of the object and form an effective seal against fouling of the fastening elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Nobuo Fujisawa, Craig Jay Graham, Tsuyoshi Minato, Ryuichi Murasaki, Mitsuru Akeno
  • Patent number: 6463634
    Abstract: A fastening body having a flat substrate made of synthetic resin. The flat substrate has two synthetic resin layers having different molding shrinkage rates. With the two synthetic resin layers, the flat substrate can have a desired curvature in width direction. The fastening body is fixed by engagement in each of engaging groove portions of a mounting body. The mounting body has a substantially U-shaped section, formed along both side edges in a width direction, so that openings formed by the U-shaped section oppose each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Masayuki Naohara, Shintaro Oosugi, Mitsuru Akeno
  • Publication number: 20020124359
    Abstract: An integral molded surface fastener having minute and peculiar engaging elements, which engage with minute, thickly wooded fiber piles securely while each engaging element secures appropriate engagement strength, shearing strength and separation strength is provided. Further, texture of a surface of the surface fastener is improved and a height of the engaging elements protruded from a surface of a substrate is lower than a conventional type, thereby preventing the engaging elements from being fallen down by a pressing strength. At the same time, a high engaging ratio with a mating pile piece is secured and a durability required for this kind of fastener is satisfied. Preferably, a desired plasticity and tearing strength of the flat substrate are secured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Applicant: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuichi Murasaki, Mitsuru Akeno, Shintaro Ohsugi
  • Patent number: 6423049
    Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable diaper, which is easy to put on the wearer, and which is possible to be put on easily while the wearer is standing on both legs. The disposable diaper according to the present invention includes a diaper body having a hip portion and a belly portion, which are spread out with a crotch portion between them. The diaper further includes male members which are protrusively arranged from side portions of one of the hip portion and said belly portion in a face direction and female members, which are arranged on side portions of the other and in which the male members engage in a face direction of the side portions. The female members are provided with receiving portions in which the male members are inserted in a face direction of the side portions. Engaged surfaces perpendicular to the inserting direction of the male member are formed on the inner walls of the receiving portions and the male members are provided with engaging surfaces opposing to the engaged surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Tominaga, Toshiaki Takizawa, Mitsuru Akeno, Ryoichiro Uehara
  • Patent number: 6379236
    Abstract: This invention provides a fixture for an abrasive cloth paper in which a surface fastener does not have to be bonded prior to fixing of the abrasive cloth paper onto the fixture and in which hook-shaped engaging elements are disposed accurately at portions directly related to polishing by an abrasive cloth paper fastening portion of the fixture with precedence. A fixture made of synthetic resin comprises a mounting portion which is engaged with/disengaged from a base plate of a sander and a fastening portion on which an abrasive cloth paper is wound and fastened. In the fastening portion, a plurality of surface fastener engaging element rows which are parallel to a direction of winding of the abrasive cloth paper are formed integrally so as to form a fastening surface. A hollow portion is formed in the fastening portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Takizawa, Mitsuru Akeno
  • Patent number: 6375647
    Abstract: The present invention provides a disposable diaper, which is easy to put on the wearer, and which is possible to be put on easily when the wearer is standing on both legs. The disposable diaper including a diaper body having a hip portion and a belly portion, which are spread out with a crotch portion between them. The disposable diaper includes engaging means, which are arranged to be attachable/detachable, on the both side portions of the hip portion and the belly portion. The engaging means have hook elements which are disposed on the hip portion and projecting toward the belly portion, engaging faces disposed on the hook elements and facing to the hip portion, hook elements which are disposed on the belly portion and projecting toward the hip portion and engaging faces disposed on the hook elements and which are facing to the belly portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Akeno, Yutaka Tominaga, Toshiaki Takizawa
  • Patent number: 6254304
    Abstract: A fastening surface body which can mount a sheet-like fastening body to a sheet-like mounting body having various kinds of cross-sectional shapes with no play. The fastening surface body can securely engage a surface fastener of a sheet member to which a female surface fastener is mounted, where the fastening body includes a flat substrate having a surface comprising male engaging elements. The fastening body is structured so as to be fitted and fixed to fitting groove portions of the mounting body so as to bond and fix various kinds of sheet members. Each fitting groove portion of the of the mounting body generally has a C-shaped cross section formed with openings along both end edges of a widthwise direction. The fastening body has at least a protrusion having a height so that that the protrusion contacts a surface of the mounting body when the fastening body is fitted and fixed to the mounting body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Toshiaki Takizawa, Mitsuru Akeno, Tsuyoshi Minato
  • Patent number: D457053
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuru Akeno, Tsuyoshi Minato