Having Adhesive Fastener Patents (Class 24/304)
  • Patent number: 6385821
    Abstract: A strap or fastener for removably securing an oximeter probe to the appendage of a patient. The strap is made of an elastic material that wraps around the outside of the oximeter probe and is secured to the oximeter probe by attachment mechanisms such as Velcro that can be readjusted after initial application without producing excessive stress on the spring hinge of the oximeter probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: UDT Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Onkar S. Modgil, Christopher G. Chin
  • Patent number: 6357088
    Abstract: A hook fastener member having rows of molded hook-shaped fastener elements that lie in planes aligned with the rows, with generally planar plate portions at the outermost ends of at least some of the fastener elements, the plate portions lying generally parallel to the base of the fastener member. The plate portions can enhance engagement of the hook fastener members with mating loop fastener members, particularly with low loft non-woven loop fastener members. A method of making fastener members is provided. Molten resin is extruded and applied to a molding roller, creating preforms. The outermost portions of at least some of the preforms are flattened, thereby forming generally plate shaped portions. Disposable absorbent garments advantageously incorporate the hook fastener members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: George A. Provost, Mark J. Condon, A. Todd Leak, Apiromraj S. Roslansky, Paul J. Serbiak
  • Patent number: 6349452
    Abstract: The safety strap comprises a first strap portion and a second strap portion and two spaced projections extending upwardly from the safety strap for being received around and fixed to an electrical cord by one of an adhesive or a heat sealing, and the strap portions having mating releasable fastening structure thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Inventor: Gustavo A. Cisneros
  • Patent number: 6317939
    Abstract: A zipper assembly is provided having first and second interlocking members respectively on first and second base strips. A first connect strip is secured to the first base strip and a second connect strip is secured to the second base strip. An extension of the second connect strip extends beyond the first connect strip when the interlocking members are engaged and a peel-sealable material is provided on the extension. A bag incorporating the zipper has the first connect strip attached to a first bag wall, the second connect strip attached to an opposite bag wall and the peels sealable material sealed to the first bag wall. A slider may be provided about the interlocking members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Art Malin
  • Publication number: 20010000361
    Abstract: This invention relates to a clothing combination comprising a shirt and a pair of pants wherein the shirt and the pair of pants are fastened together by a self-releasing bond. Preferably, the bond is made using hook strips and loop strips that, in combination, form a hook and loop fastener. The self-releasing bond separates in a reformable manner when subjected to severe tensile strength or shear strength but has sufficient flexibility and bond strength to enable the clothing combination to be useful in sporting activities. Multicomponent kits and processes of making the same are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Publication date: April 26, 2001
    Inventor: Fred Alger
  • Patent number: 6212741
    Abstract: A tether based connector for locating, identifying, inventorying, controlling and helping to ensure the retrieval of one or more items packaged within a container loaded with potentially obscuring packaging materials. The connector terminates at a fastener at one end for releasably fastening to an item, and at an easily located terminus at the other end. The terminus may be formed as an anchorment for anchoring to the container. A single anchorment may be adapted to serve a plurality of tethers for fastening to a plurality of items. A badge carrying item identifying information can be associated with a connector. A dispenser or applicator dispenses multiple connectors. An oblong foam slab is separable into anchorment and fastener portions connected by the tether extendible from at least one of the portions. Also disclosed is an inventive method for packaging items with tethers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: James M. Cahill
  • Patent number: 6205623
    Abstract: A composite hook and loop fastener in the form of an elongated strip has an elongated loop component, a hook component permanently affixed to the loop component, and a backing layer disposed on a face of the wrap tie in a discrete region. The backing layer is used for permanent attachment of the wrap tie to a supporting surface. One end of the loop component is available for encircling an object to be wrapped and engaging the fastener elements of the hook component. The loop component has a self-supporting web of entangled fibers, the fibers forming both a sheet-form body and hook-engageable, free-standing loops extending from at least one surface of the body, and the hook component has fastener elements extending from a common base. The backing layer may be a pressure sensitive adhesive or a synthetic resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: William H. Shepard, William P. Clune
  • Patent number: 6195850
    Abstract: A closure system and method of making a closure system for a disposable article. A substantially continuous closure system web is provided. One face of the web is provided with first fastening region at terminal end portion(s) of the web. A second fastening region, engagable with the first fastening region, is provided on a second face of the web in a region adjacent the terminal end portion(s). The closure system tab elements are cut from the web and attached to a second web, used in producing the disposable article, at longitudinally spaced locations. This second web is then cut at transverse cut lines separating the closure system tab element into two functional elements. A first functional element has a fastening tab portion and the second functional element has an attachment portion, The attachment portion of one closure system tab element interacts with a fastening tab portion of an adjacent closure system tab element to form a functional closure system on a disposable article made using the second web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: William L. Melbye, Jayshree Seth
  • Patent number: 6192556
    Abstract: A simple and less expensive nonwoven female component for a mechanical refastenable fastening device (“touch and close fastener”) can be conveniently used in mostly disposable applications such as disposable diapers, disposable operating gowns, disposable underwear and other clothing. The nonwoven fabric female component includes projecting loops formed on one of the superficial sides of the nonwoven fabric. The nonwoven fabric comprises a hydroentangled web, and the loops are projectingly formed by needle punching on or at one of the superficial sides of the hydroentangled web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Japan Vilene Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiko Kikko, Hideo Kimura
  • Patent number: 6185745
    Abstract: This invention relates to a clothing combination comprising a shirt and a pair of pants wherein the shirt and the pair of pants are fastened together by a self-releasing bond. Preferably, the bond is made using hook strips and loop strips that, in combination, form a hook and loop fastener. The self-releasing bond separates in a reformable manner when subjected to severe tensile strength or shear strength but has sufficient flexibility and bond strength to enable the clothing combination to be useful in sporting activities. Multicomponent kits and processes of making the same are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Inventor: Fred Alger
  • Patent number: 6159596
    Abstract: A self mating adhesive fastener element is described. The self mating adhesive fastener element includes a plurality of posts each having a base, an extension, and a nontacky tip. The posts are arranged to provide a self mating pattern and fastener selectivity. An adhesive layer is provided having a first surface and a second surface. The first surface provides a tacky surface between the posts. The second surface provides for adhering the self mating adhesive fastener to a substrate. Additionally disclosed are articles which incorporate the self mating adhesive fastener element and methods for manufacturing and using the self mating adhesive fastener element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Clyde D. Calhoun, Jennifer M. Aamodt
  • Patent number: 6154934
    Abstract: A reclosable zipper comprised of a first profile interlockable with a second profile is provided. Each profile is provided with a fusible rib layer for sealing the zipper to package material. The fusible rib layer includes a plurality of rib portions separated by planar portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Matthews
  • Patent number: 6146728
    Abstract: A plurality of binder strips (2) are removably arranged successively one after another on a band-shaped carrier film (1), with the lengthwise direction of the binder strips arranged perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of the carrier film. Each binder strip (2) includes an adherent portion (3) having an adhesive on a bottom surface thereof, and a non-adherent portion (7) having holes punched therein suitable for being received on a ring binder or prong fastener or the like. The carrier film (1) has registration marks (6) provided thereon, so that the carrier film can be automatically advanced and sharply deflected over a release edge (14) in an apparatus, whereby the successive binder strips (2) are released from the carrier film (1) and adhered onto a page (16) of sheet goods being advanced through an adjacently located sheet folding machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Inventor: Christian Bay
  • Patent number: 6131248
    Abstract: A peelable seal includes four layers. The first layer includes first and second alternating ribs. The first ribs comprise a first material, and the second ribs comprise a second material. The first material bonds well with the closure profiles. The second material bonds well with the third and fourth layers. The first material does not bond well with the second material. Thus, the bond strength is lower between the first and second ribs and between the third and fourth ribs than between the first and third ribs and the closure profiles and between the second and fourth ribs and the third and fourth layers. In this process, the strength of the peelable seal is controlled during the extrusion process rather than being subjected to the variations in the manufacturing process. Alternatively, the peelable seal includes six layers. The first and second layers bond well with the closure profiles. The third and fourth layers bond well with the fifth and sixth layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Reynolds Consumer Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Mladomir Tomic
  • Patent number: 6115891
    Abstract: In manufacturing a continuous surface fastener tape on an injection molding machine, a male engaging portion is injection molded on one surface of a continuous substrate sheet of thermoplastic resin at one longitudinal margin, and an adhesive agent is applied to the other surface of the substrate sheet at the other longitudinal margin to form an adhesive layer. The surface fastener tape is stored in superposed form, such as in roll or in stack, and can be out into individual surface fastener pieces for use as it is demanded. In production, molten resin is continuously injected to the die wheel from an injection nozzle to mold the continuous surface fastener tape, and the adhesive layer is formed on the surface fastener tape using an adhesive-agent applicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Tomohiro Suenaga, Ryuichi Murasaki
  • Patent number: 6099516
    Abstract: A fastener system for use with personal care articles includes a substrate formed by a bodyside linear and an outer cover. Fastening tabs are secured to the substrate at opposing sides of the rear portion of the article. The fastening tabs include friction zones that, when the tabs are mounted to the article, provide substantially no securement to the article, and securing zones that secure the respective fastening tabs to the outer cover at a front portion of the article. The friction zones prevent surface-to-surface radial shifting or bending of the front portion with respect to the fastening tabs of the article during regular usage. In one embodiment, a tab substrate provides a mounting surface for a friction element and a securing element which form the respective friction zone and securing zone. In another embodiment, the friction element functions as a substrate supporting the securing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Jennifer Elizabeth Pozniak, Thomas Harold Roessler, John Philip Vukos, Georgia Lynn Zehner
  • Patent number: 6061879
    Abstract: A termination method and apparatus for a flexible flat rope having a plurality of load bearing cords therein wherein an individual cords are substantially equally tensioned and potted in epoxy around an insert instructed to increase the holding strength of the termination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Richard J. Ericson, Dennis J. Rehmer, Pedro S. Baranda
  • Patent number: 6039496
    Abstract: A device for connecting the bitter end of a cable to a product in a tethered product display. The display has a panel with a small hole sized slightly larger than the diameter of the cable, and the device is secured to the cable after the cable is extended through the hole from a cable retractor located behind the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Vulcan Spring & Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: J. Merrill Bishop
  • Patent number: 6021550
    Abstract: A tab for securing a napkin to a user. The tab has one adhesive surface for attaching to the user with a second adhesive surface for attaching to a napkin. The tabs adhesive surfaces have a protective covering that is peelable when used. The tab will have at least two adhesive surface areas, either opposing or on the same side of the tab. Each adhesive area will have a removable protective covering that is removed when the now exposed adhesive is to be used. The tabs are thin and flexible, with the two sides formiing substantially the entire exposed surface area of the tabs. The adhesive may be any suitable for the napkin material or the cloth or other material that the napkin is to protect. In addition, the tabs and the napkins may be made with shapes and/or logos suitable for promotional or special uses, for example, for children. The shapes and logos may be of character personalities, cartoon characters, animals and/or graphical designs of any sort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2000
    Inventor: Charles D. Welch
  • Patent number: 6018852
    Abstract: The invention features a textile fastener tape characterized by having, in the weft direction across the tape, one or more sections which exhibit elasticity and one or more sections which do not exhibit elasticity. The fastener tape can be a woven or a knitted fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: Giuliano Coslovi, Piero Rusconi Clerici
  • Patent number: 5991979
    Abstract: A skin mounted device holder for holding generally medical devices such as fluid reservoirs. The skin mounted device holder includes a base member comprised of a resilient cloth material and having a VELCRO attached to its top surface and a water based adhesive material coated onto the bottom of its surface, a securing flap having a VELCRO for mating with the VELCRO of the base means, and a connector loop having an attachment for attaching medical devices. The connector loop loops around the securing strap and thus connects the medical devices to the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: Alpine Partners
    Inventors: Patricia A. Moore, David A. Sheraton
  • Patent number: 5953797
    Abstract: A hook fastener member having rows of molded hook-shaped fastener elements that lie in planes aligned with the rows, with generally planar plate portions at the outermost ends of at least some of the fastener elements, the plate portions lying generally parallel to the base of the fastener member. The plate portions can enhance engagement of the hook fastener members with mating loop fastener members, particularly with low loft non-woven loop fastener members. A method of making fastener members is provided. Molten resin is extruded and applied to a molding roller, creating preforms. The outermost portions of at least some of the preforms are flattened, thereby forming generally plate shaped portions. Disposable absorbent garments advantageously incorporate the hook fastener members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.
    Inventors: George A. Provost, Mark J. Condon, A. Todd Leak, Apiromraj S. Roslansky, Paul J. Serbiak
  • Patent number: 5930877
    Abstract: A peel seal zipper tape for reclosable plastic bags or packages includes a first and a second mutually interlocking zipper profile disposed on a top surface of a laminated film strip. The top surface is formed by a layer of a sealant material. The laminated film strip also has a middle layer, or core, of a material stiffer than the first and second mutually interlocking zipper profiles, and may also have a bottom layer of a sealant material. In use, the laminated film strip is folded over, and the zipper profiles are interlocked with one another. In doing so, portions of the top surface of the laminated film strip face inwardly, so that the folded film strip may be closed with a heat seal. The outside of the folded peel seal zipper tape, that is, the bottom layer of sealant material is bonded to plastic sheet material from which reclosable plastic bags or packages are made. In the production of the bags or packages, the mutually facing portions of the laminated film strip are sealed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C. Thorpe, Gregory J. Pagnier, Lawrence Share
  • Patent number: 5927580
    Abstract: A quick release connector system is provided for interconnecting a frequently used portable accessory item with a support body. The system utilizes a clasp having a back wall spaced apart from a stationary wall. The stationary wall includes an enlarged opening from which extends a slot. A deflectable wall overlies the enlarged opening. A connector part forms the quick release connection with the clasp. It is attached to the portable accessory item via a post with an enlarged head. The post has a diameter less than the width of the slot and the head has a diameter greater than the width of the slot, but less than the enlarged opening. When the deflectable wall is flexed away from the enlarged opening, the head of the connector part will pass through the opening and slide behind the slot as the post is moved into the slot. The enlarged head behind the slot will prevent axial disengagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Inventor: Terence P. Ward-Llewellyn
  • Patent number: 5913480
    Abstract: Redetachable, self-adhesive fastening device having a base plate, the front side of which serves for fastening and the rear side of which has a strip of an adhesive film which is adhesive on both sides and is adhesively attached in such a way that one end of the adhesive film protrudes beyond the base plate as a grip, the adhesive film being of such a kind that the adhesive bond achieved with it can be released again by pulling in the direction of the adhesive bonding plane, stretching the strip, characterized in that the rear side of the base plate has duct-like depressions in the region in which the strip of adhesive film is adhesively attached, these depressions extending at least partially beyond the region of the strip of adhesive film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1999
    Assignee: Beiersdorf AG
    Inventors: Bernd Luhmann, Ralf Dicks, Alexander Schwade
  • Patent number: 5901419
    Abstract: A fastener for absorbent articles, such as pants-type diapers or incontinence guards, includes a first fastener element and a second fastener element (1, 4) which are intended to be hooked together when donning the article. The first element (1) includes an elastic structure (2) which includes openings (6) and is so constructed that the openings (6) will widen when the elastic structure (2) is stretched and closed together when the elastic structure contracts. The second element (4) includes hook devices (5). When the elastic structure (2) is sufficiently stretched, the hook devices (5) can be inserted into the widened openings (6), wherein subsequent contraction of the elastic structure (2) will cause the first and the second elements (1, 4) to be joined together with the opening (6) surrounding the hook device (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1999
    Assignee: SCA Hygiene Products AB
    Inventors: Urban Widlund, Anna Karin Jonbrink
  • Patent number: 5897545
    Abstract: Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants and the like, having elastomeric ear panels and a fastening system that provides the user with different options as to how the absorbent article may be fitted to and removed from the wearer. The absorbent articles allow the wearer to choose between conventional and pull-on diaper configurations, or combinations thereof, and properly and comfortably fit a large range of wearer sizes. Further, the absorbent articles can be pulled on and/or off as a pant. This feature is provided by the ear panels which maintain sufficient tension to hold the diaper on the wearer throughout the period of use without harming the wearer's skin, while providing enough stretch to allow the diaper to be pulled up or down over the wearer's hips. The fastening system is refastenable for convenience yet strong enough to maintain the diaper in a fastened configuration without becoming detached if the diaper is pulled on or off the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1999
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Mark James Kline, Miguel Alvaro Robles, Thomas Henrich
  • Patent number: 5888335
    Abstract: A multi-cycle refastenable contact responsive non-tacky fastener system and method of use with a field of a contact responsive fastening layer having essentially no surface tack. The fastening layer is multiply releasable and refastenable against a non-tacky target surface, and has substantially constant 90.degree. peel strength of less than about 5 kN/m when in contact with the target surface. A mounting layer comprises a field of a pressure sensitive adhesive onto which the field of the contact responsive layer is directly attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: James J. Kobe, Maurice E. Freeman, Bradley D. Zinke, Shih-Lai Lu
  • Patent number: 5855591
    Abstract: An anchoring system includes a simply-structured suture-like device which permits a fluid tube or similar medical article to be easily attached to the patient without the use of needles and without suturing anything to the patient. The anchoring device desirably includes two threads or filaments and two corresponding receptacles. The filaments include protuberances which cooperate with apertures of the receptacles to permit easy insertion of the distal ends of the filaments into the receptacles, but inhibit retraction of the filament distal ends from the receptacles. A health care provider simply wraps the filament around the fluid tube or threads the filament through a suture hole in the medical article, and then threads the distal end of the filament through the receptacle aperture until the filament holds the medical article tightly against an anchor pad of the anchoring system. The anchor pad in turn includes an adhesive bottom surface which can be attached to the patient's skin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1999
    Assignee: Venetec International, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven F. Bierman
  • Patent number: 5832570
    Abstract: A peel seal zipper tape for reclosable plastic bags or packages includes a first and a second mutually interlocking zipper profile disposed on a top surface of a laminated film strip. The top surface is formed by a layer of a sealant material. The laminated film strip also has a middle layer, or core, of a material stiffer than the first and second mutually interlocking zipper profiles, and may also have a bottom layer of a sealant material. In use, the laminated film strip is folded over, and the zipper profiles are interlocked with one another. In doing so, portions of the top surface of the laminated film strip face inwardly, so that the folded film strip may be closed with a heat seal. The outside of the folded peel seal zipper tape, that is, the bottom layer of sealant material is bonded to plastic sheet material from which reclosable plastic bags or packages are made. In the production of the bags or packages, the mutually facing portions of the laminated film strip are sealed together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1998
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C. Thorpe, Gregory J. Pagnier, Lawrence Share
  • Patent number: 5802612
    Abstract: A removable clothing conjoiner to attach the waistband of a pants or skirt to a user's shirt or blouse. The base of the conjoiner is made of a material or dimensioned so that it is stiffer in one direction than the other, with the stiffer direction being aligned vertically, thereby preventing rolling, folding, or bunching of the material during use while allowing flexibility in the horizontal direction. The base is coated with adhesive, and the adhesive is covered by removable liners which the user peels off when applying the conjoiner to his/her clothing. The removal tab permits easy separation of the liners from the conjoiner and also permits easy removal of the conjoiner from the clothing so that it can be discarded after use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Inventor: Louis R. Hosking
  • Patent number: 5799426
    Abstract: An identification bracelet includes an integral adhesive closure which permits the bracelet to be formed in a virtually uniform thickness. The bracelet is formed of laminates that are relatively permanently bonded to each other over a majority of the body of the bracelet, with a movable cover portion formed as part of one or more of the laminates. The cover portion is adapted to be moved from a covering relationship to a non-covering relationship with respect to an adhesive disposed between two or more of the laminates. The cover may be removable from the bracelet, and may be configured with gripping portions to permit ready manipulation of the cover from the aforesaid covering relationship to the non-covering relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Precision Dynamics Corporation
    Inventor: Dean D. Peterson
  • Patent number: 5786062
    Abstract: Attachment strips that can be withdrawn from an enclosure, each comprising a flexible backing layer, a field of hooks along and projecting from one of its surfaces; and a first layer of pressure sensitive adhesive along one of its surfaces. The strips can be releasably adhered to each other by their layers of adhesive to form a stack in which first and second ends of successive strips are adjacent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 28, 1998
    Assignee: Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Joseph P. Callahan, Jr., Kevin M. Hamer, Patricia R. Konsti, David C. Windorski
  • Patent number: 5774954
    Abstract: A peel seal zipper tape for reclosable plastic bags or packages includes a first and a second mutually interlocking zipper profile disposed on a top surface of a laminated film strip. The top surface is formed by a layer of a sealant material. The laminated film strip also has a bottom surface formed by a layer of a non-peel-seal material. In use, the laminated film strip is folded over enabling the zipper profiles to be interlocked with one another. In so doing, portions of the top surface of the laminated film strip face one another, so that they may be joined with a heat seal. The outside of the folded peel seal zipper tape, that is, the bottom surface of non-peel-seal material, is bonded to plastic sheet material from which reclosable plastic bags or packages are made. In the production of the bags or packages, the mutually facing portions of the laminated film strip are sealed together. The resulting seal gives a visual indication of having been broken when initially opened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald L. Ramsey, Lawrence Share
  • Patent number: 5775876
    Abstract: A ceiling-fan-blade-mounted air freshener apparatus includes a housing assembly which includes a lower housing portion and an upper housing portion projecting upward from the lower housing portion. The upper housing portion includes a plurality of vent apertures. An air freshener/matrix assembly is housed within the housing assembly. A housing-to-blade connector connects the housing assembly to a ceiling fan blade. In one embodiment, the housing-to-blade connector is comprised of a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive bonded to a bottom side of the lower housing portion. The housing-to-blade connector further includes a peel strip removably adhered to a bottom surface of the layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive. The housing assembly includes a pointed end, and the air freshener/matrix assembly includes a complementary pointed end. The pointed end of the air freshener/matrix assembly is wedged into the pointed end of the housing assembly under an influence of centrifugal force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Inventors: Qwan James Walker, Christopher Williams
  • Patent number: 5769683
    Abstract: A method of attaching a tether to a balloon is described. The method comprises pinching or flexing a metalized sheet balloon attached to one or more adhesive layers, or one more double-sided adhesive strips. The flexing causes outward-facing pressure sensitive adhesive layers disposed on the balloon, or on the strips, to oppose each other in a pincers movement, so as to surround and grip the tether. The strips themselves are previously attached to the balloon by inward-facing adhesive layers through a simple slapping motion. The removable sheet is easily peeled away prior to the flexing. The invention is also a fastener for attaching a balloon to a tether, and a balloon system including the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Inventor: Young-ho Park
  • Patent number: 5769995
    Abstract: An adhesive-backed patch of reinforcement material has a central aperture and is applied to the pierced earlobe of a person's ear in position with the aperture aligned with the orifice of the earlobe to support the weight of the pierced earring installed in the orifice and distribute that weight to the tissue of the earlobe surrounding the orifice to which the patch is adhered. The patch may be used as a preventative measure to prevent damage to a person's earlobe as a result of wearing pierced earrings or may be used to reconstruct a torn or damaged orifice to regain usage of the earlobe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1998
    Inventor: MaryAnne Greyerbiehl
  • Patent number: 5762645
    Abstract: A fastening system including a male component and a female component. The male component includes a base having a first fastening surface and an opposed first nonfastening surface. The first fastening surface has a plurality of engaging elements extending, each engaging element having a proximal end adjacent the first fastening surface, a stem extending outwardly from the proximal end and distal end spaced apart from the proximal end by the stem. The female component includes a backing having a second fastening surface and an opposed second nonfastening surface; and a receiving material joined to said second fastening surface. At least a portion of the second fastening surface includes a bonding element such that when the fastening system is in a closed, fastened configuration, at least a portion of the distal end of some of the engaging elements of the male component pass through the receiving material and are joined to the second fastening surface with the bonding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Daniel Charles Peck, Patrick Jay Allen
  • Patent number: 5758808
    Abstract: A strap for positioning a cane when it is not in use includes a retaining strap adapted to be secured around a cane and a flexible sling strap secured to the retaining strap and defining a sling for positioning or retrieving the cane. A releasable fastening member is secured to the retaining strap and adjustable between an open and closed position wherein the retaining strap is secured around the cane in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Inventors: Roselyn Payne Epps, Roselyn E. Epps
  • Patent number: 5756185
    Abstract: A gluable fixing element for holding structural or functional components to essentially flat surfaces of carrier parts. It consists of a bonding portion for producing an adhesive bond with the surface of the carrier part and at least one further holding portion for producing a positive or non-positive connection with the component. The bonding portion has a bonding surface which is provided with a curable and/or crosslinkable, reactive hot-melt adhesive that when dry is wear-resistant and non-adhesive at temperatures up to 80.degree. C. but that can be reactivated within a very short time when heated by thermal or other energy to a temperature sufficient to melt the adhesive to produce a durable adhesive bond between the element and the carrier parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: A. Raymond & GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Hans-Jurgen Lesser
  • Patent number: 5745962
    Abstract: In a roller clip with a U-shaped body having resilient top and bottom legs, the top leg has an opening capturing a rolling means between the two legs and rotatably supporting the rolling means to permit insertion of a slip between the rolling means and the bottom leg for holding the slip. The bottom leg is provided with means for attaching the roller clip to a support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1998
    Inventor: Herbert Richter
  • Patent number: 5722127
    Abstract: A tailored diaper or diaper cover is constructed of a waterproof diaper shell enclosing an elongated sling of waterproof or non-waterproof material having its upper and lower ends attached to, and its opposite sides free and floating on, the shell. A fluid absorbent pad on the inner surface of the sling is circumscribed by the waterproof material of the sling so as to establish a channel to entrap and isolate fluid from the shell. The lines of attachment between the waterproof and fluid absorbent materials at the upper and lower ends of the sling are arcuate, and the periphery of the sling is covered by elastic trim, causing the sling and pad to cup the pubis of a user when the diaper is worn. Entrapment of fluid within the sling may be enhanced by different pad inserts. A washable pad of novel "butterfly" construction within the diaper or diaper cover enhances fluid absorption and drying.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Tailored Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Fredrica Coates
  • Patent number: 5699591
    Abstract: A security anchor attaches a cable to an article in order to prevent theft of the article. The security anchor includes a disk having a central area and radially extending slots that form wing portions of the disk. The wing portions are rotatable relative to each other to allow the disk to conform to curved surfaces. The security anchor further includes a dome attached to the central area of the disk. The dome houses an end of a cable so that when a force is applied to the cable the force is distributed evenly on the wing portions of the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1997
    Inventor: Roger Kane
  • Patent number: 5649398
    Abstract: A method is provided for reinforcing the face or faces of walls so as to prevent or reduce the likelihood of failure when such walls are subjected to atypical loadings such as are encountered during earthquakes. The method includes the step of applying a resin-impregnated fabric layer over a portion of an exposed face of a wall to be reinforced. The method includes the further step of anchoring the resin-impregnated fabric layer to a structural member of the wall using fabric fasteners, adhesives, or a combination thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Hexcel-Fyfe L.L.C.
    Inventors: Frederick P. Isley, Jr., Edward R. Fyfe, John D. Neuner
  • Patent number: 5649436
    Abstract: A security device is described that is simple and reliable. It includes a base member which is adhesively attached to the surface of a large object such as a motor vehicle. A protective knife-edged boss surrounds and protects the adhesive to defeat attempts to pry the base member off the vehicle. Housed within the base member is a steel tube, and a locking cable extends through the tube to secure personal property. A cavity is provided for easy installation of the tube within the base member, and a flange is attached to the tube for preventing extraction of the tube from the base member, as well as defeating removal of the base member from the vehicle. A three-way system of adhesion is employed which provides superior results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Assignee: Tortoise Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory Marc Davidge
  • Patent number: 5636414
    Abstract: An economical, reusable primary two mechanism fastener system useable with disposable absorbent products is provided. The fastening system comprises a first and second fastening portion. The first fastener portion comprises a hook fastening material and a first cohesive portion. The second fastening portion comprises a nonwoven fibrous portion engageable with the hook fastening material and a second cohesive portion engageable with the first cohesive portion. The hook fastening material has base and hook surface areas. Various embodiments of the first fastening portion include the first cohesive portion being coated on a portion of the hook fastening material. For example, the cohesive may be coated on the base surface area alone, the hook surface area alone or a portion of both the hook and surface area portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1997
    Inventor: John J. Litchholt
  • Patent number: 5626573
    Abstract: A pants type disposable diaper having elastic ribbons around a waist-portion and a pair of leg-portions of said diaper, respectively, is provided on a transversely central zone of a crotch section on a front or rear side of said diaper, respectively, with a vertically extending fastening tape having an adhesive section provisionally bonded to the outer surface of a backsheet of said diaper and an upper end or a lower end permanently bonded to the outer surface of said backsheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Uni-Charm Corporation
    Inventors: Takamitsu Igaue, Tohru Sasaki, Hiroyuki Soga
  • Patent number: 5623842
    Abstract: A security device is described that is simple and reliable. It includes a base member which is adhesively attached to the surface of a large object such as a motor vehicle. A protective knife-edged boss surrounds and protects the adhesive fastener to defeat attempts to pry the base member off the vehicle. Housed within the base member is a steel tube or band, and a locking cable extends through the tube or band to secure personal property. A cavity is provided for easy installation of the tube or band within the base member, and one or more flanges are attached to the tube or band for preventing extraction of the tube from the base member, as well as defeating removal of the base member from the vehicle. The band and flanges may be formed from a single stamping. A three-way system of adhesion is employed which provides superior results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Tortoise Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory M. Davidge
  • Patent number: 5603145
    Abstract: A sheet-form hook capable of hooking to a material to be hooked, comprising a sheet-form substrate having thereon at least one projected portion formed by bending at least one piece notched in the substrate to at least one surface side of the substrate, the height of the projected portion from the surface of the substrate being at least 0.3 mm, and a fastening system using the sheet-form hook. The sheet-form hook can be utilized in the field of fastening systems in place of pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes and has a high resistance to staining, which is a weak point of a pressure-sensitive adhesive tape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1997
    Assignee: Nitto Denko Corporation
    Inventors: Masaaki Arakawa, Kenitirou Arakawa, Masayuki Mizohata
  • Patent number: 5595014
    Abstract: A hook-and-loop fastener for holding the pieces of multi-piece fishing rods together, when the rods are being stored or transported. The fastener is in the form of a strip with a hook portion and a loop portion. An adhesive backing is provided on either the loop portion or the hook portion, whichever is shorter in length. The adhesive is used to attach the shorter portion of the fastener to the fishing rod handle and the other longer portion of the fastener is looped around the other pieces of the fishing rod to hold the bundle together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Inventor: Clifton H. Moore