Combined With Diverse Fastener Patents (Class 24/306)
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Patent number: 6256845Abstract: This invention relates to a closable loop keeper strap for securing, storing, and transporting household, garden, and industrial items. By forming a strap from an elongated length of material having a flexible, openable, and closable keeper at one end and a hanger element at the opposite end, one can produce an improved, low-cost, re-useable load-securing strap. By folding the end of the elongated length of material, having the flexible keeper attached thereto, around a load to be secured, a user can form an adjustable and releasable noose around the load. The adjustable and releasable noose is formed when the user wraps the flexible keeper around the unfolded portion of the length of material and fastens the keeper to form a closed keeper loop. The user can then slidably position the keeper loop along the length of the elongated length of material to tighten and loosen the noose. The closable loop keeper strap can accommodate loads of varying size, shape, and weight.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1999Date of Patent: July 10, 2001Inventor: James J. Tseng
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Patent number: 6253424Abstract: A closure for securement to an article of apparel and for use by a person having handicapped hands is described. The closure comprises a first fastener support member which has one or more fastener elements secured thereto. A second fastener support member is provided and has one or more fastener elements for interconnection with the fasteners of the first support member. The first and second fastener support members are adapted for securement to articles of apparel. The fasteners are removably interconnectable together with the support members overlapping. A first fabric loop is provided in a front face of one of the fastener support members and a second fabric loop is secured to a lower portion of the other fastener support member, and may depend therefrom or be concealed therebehind. The loops are of predetermined size and are disposed for engagement by a handicapped person for attaching and detaching the fasteners with one another with the support members overlapped with one another.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 1999Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Inventor: Francine Rainville-Lonn
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Patent number: 6247211Abstract: A medical tubing tethering device comprising a tether having a first proximal end and an opposed distal end. A first mechanism is supported adjacent the proximal end of the tether for securing the medical tubing tethering device to a desired object. The distal end of the tether has a second attachment mechanism for coupling a medical tube thereto to facilitate support of the medical tube once the medical tubing tethering device is supported by the desired object. The tether can be substantially helical so as to be capable of wrapping around the medical tube to tether the medical tube to the patient to prevent unwanted movement of the medical tube relative to the patient. The tether may also be a flexible strap with a pressure sensitive adhesive or a hook and loop touch fastener. The medical tubing tethering device can also be used in combination with a stand alone anchor to facilitate use with a wider range of coupling surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 1999Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: MedCare Medical Group, Inc.Inventor: Craig J. Bell
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Patent number: 6248419Abstract: An extruded hook fastener strip is created on a roll having hook forming cavities in its surface by extruding plastic material into the interface between the forming roll and a second strip carried by a backing roll. The second strip is firmly bonded to the fastener strip on that side opposite the formed hooks.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 1998Date of Patent: June 19, 2001Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.Inventors: William J. Kennedy, George A. Provest, Gerald F. Rocha
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Patent number: 6237198Abstract: A safe cord cover for securing electrical cords to looped carpeted flooring, the cover referred to by the inventor as “SAFCORD” consists of a strip of fabric material such as NYLON, CORDURA, having substantially two parallel longitudinal edges; two parallel strips of male hook latch material; each one of the strips of the hook latch material separated by a space from one another and sewn onto the strip of material having the longitudinal edges and along each of the two longitudinal edges of the strip of material; and the space between the two strips of hook latch material are without hook latch material and form a channel for accommodating electrical cords.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1999Date of Patent: May 29, 2001Inventor: Carlos Jimenez
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Patent number: 6235369Abstract: A dispenser for strip materials, e.g. hook and loop fastener material, which automatically finds formations in a continuous fastener strip during its dispensing and, at that point in the dispensing procedure, produces a resistance to the remaining supply, that enables parting of the lead unit from the remaining supply, thus dispensing a discrete unit. The dispenser has a receptacle to hold the supply of fastener strip material; it employs a retarding device to provide light drag against the motion of the strip as the leading strip unit moves from the dispenser in response to pull by a user. A detent downstream of the retarding device engages a corresponding formation in the strip material to resist movement of the remaining strip material, so that the strip ruptures along a line of weakness under a user's tension. Also disclosed are dispensable fastener strips of various forms, some advantageously formed by use of needled bat, and methods of forming the fastening strips.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1998Date of Patent: May 22, 2001Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.Inventors: William H. Shepard, Paul R. Erickson
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Patent number: 6230371Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for adapting a paintball pistol such that effective support via the holders hand to compensate for a forward center of gravity is shifted substantially completely from the holder's trigger finger to the back of the holder's hand.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1999Date of Patent: May 15, 2001Inventor: Stephen Chu
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Patent number: 6223400Abstract: The invention is a sealing device for connecting together at least first and second portions of a container, the second portion having first and second surfaces and an edge therebetween. The sealing device includes a first half of a hook and loop type fastener assembly, the first half having an adhesive coating for attaching to the first portion of the container. The device also includes a strip having first and second sections, the first section in the form of a forked end with first and second legs. The first and second legs include an adhesive coating for attaching the legs to the first and second surfaces, respectively, with the edge therebetween of the second portion of the container. A second half of a hook and loop type fastener assembly is mounted on the second section of the strip attachable to the first half of the hook and loop type fastener.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1999Date of Patent: May 1, 2001Inventor: Roger D. Lenack
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Patent number: 6216315Abstract: A floor covering anchor is used to secure a rug to a runner or other desired object and has a plate member that has a plurality of upwardly extending fingers, each finger being configured to have either a relatively releasable grip or a relatively secure grip. A first adhesive portion, which may have a double tack configuration, is disposed on the top surface of the plate while a second adhesive portion, which may also have a double tack configuration, is disposed on the bottom surface. An optional plurality of fingers extends downwardly from the plate. Spacers can be used with the device for relatively thin rugs.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 1999Date of Patent: April 17, 2001Inventor: Joe E. Fuzzell
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Patent number: 6212743Abstract: Laces for shoes, sneakers, or other wearing apparel that adjust easily, but stay tied. In one embodiment, the novel design is a flat lace having an upper and lower surface made from different materials. The surfaces have a relatively low coefficient of friction with respect to a shoe's eyelets. Upon being tied, the surfaces have a high coefficient of friction when they are in contact with one another. An alternative design includes a brush-like array of tiny fibers protruding from the lace surface. Another embodiment consists of a middle portion having material properties different from its end portions. An alternative design has two sets of opposing sides with different material properties. The inventive designs minimize the possibility of laces coming untied.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1999Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Inventor: Edwin Cohen
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Patent number: 6205623Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 6, 1998Date of Patent: March 27, 2001Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.Inventors: William H. Shepard, William P. Clune
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Patent number: 6195846Abstract: A block cradle fastener (10) having a strap (12) which comprises a top strap (12T) manufactured from hook material and a bottom strap (12B) manufactured from loop material. A block (14) securely mounted to the strap (12). The block (14) comprises a block top (14T) positioned on top of the top strap (12T) and a block bottom (14B) positioned on top of the bottom strap (12B). The top strap (12T) comprises a block top right (14TR) and a block top left (14TL) having a concave block top cradle (14TC) therebetween. The bottom strap (12T) comprises a block bottom right (14BR) and a block bottom left (14BL) having a concave block bottom cradle (14BC) therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 1999Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Inventors: Robert Douglas Studdiford, Michael B. Dunn
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Patent number: 6195850Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 14, 1999Date of Patent: March 6, 2001Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventors: William L. Melbye, Jayshree Seth
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Patent number: 6148487Abstract: A laminated tape including a self-gripping sheet with hook-fastening elements, characterized by a layer of plastic foam and a layer of metal which can be attracted by a magnet and which is inserted between the layer of plastic and the self-gripping sheet.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 1999Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Assignee: AplixInventor: Fabrice Billarant
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Patent number: 6148484Abstract: Clip has first and second elongate members, each with first and second opposing ends. The first ends of the members are in general registry, and the second ends of the members are in general registry. A pivoting spring connects the members under tension such that the members generally remain in a closed position with respect to each of their first ends and open with respect to each of their second ends. The members can be moved relative the pivoting spring such that the first ends are drawn open and the second ends are drawn to a more closed position. The first member has an attaching material thereon such that the clip can be attached to a suitable solid surface. In one case, the attaching material is non-magnetic. It may, however, be reversibly attaching, for an illustrative example, being part of a hook-and-loop material. The clip may contain advertisement or other indicia thereon.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 1999Date of Patent: November 21, 2000Inventor: Fred N. Andreae, Jr.
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Patent number: 6138882Abstract: A light weight and easy to use strap-like device (1) for carrying bottles (1) and other containers by securing them to a handle (2) of another object. The device has a buckle (8) at a proximal end. A first side of the strap near the proximal end has matching fastening means which is spaced apart a sufficient distance so when connected around a handle (2) it forms an attachment loop (5) for attaching the device to the handle (2) of another object. The second or opposite side of the strap contains fastening means, such as hook and loop fastening material (10,11), with the distal portion of the strap containing one component of the fastening means, such as hook fabric (11), and the remaining portion having loop fabric (10). After the device has been attached to a handle of another object, a bottle (4) or other object is wrapped in the first side of the loop (6) and the distal end of the strap is placed around the bottle and pulled through the buckle (8) until the bottle is securely held in place.Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 1999Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Inventor: Dale T. Buettner
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Patent number: 6138327Abstract: The present invention includes an elongated securement strap comprised of a plurality of joined segments. The strap preferably comprises of an elongated first webbed segment of material having a first end and a second end, an elongated second segment of material having a first end and a second end; and an elongated third webbed segment of material having a first end and a second end, wherein the segments are joined in an overlapping relationship to form the elongated strap. The second end of the first segment and the first end of the third segment have securement openings therein. The middle or second segment of the elongated strap is comprised of a stretchable material to permit ease of strapping and holding objects together.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1999Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Inventors: Andrew P. Powell, Michael J. Lamontagne
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Patent number: 6138331Abstract: A release resistant seat belt buckle cover is shown having a first side and second side for wrapping around a female buckle portion. A tongue is inserted through a belt slot of the male portion of the seat belt buckle. The tongue is then threaded through at least one loop as the male and female buckles are joined. The tongue is then attached to the buckle cover thereby discouraging access to the release button and discouraging untimely release of the seat belt buckle.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 1998Date of Patent: October 31, 2000Inventor: Diana L. Powers
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Patent number: 6134755Abstract: An iron-on hook-and-loop type fastener for effectively securing at least one portion of a hook-and-loop type fastener to a selected material using a heat-sensitive adhesive. The fastener of the present invention includes at least one cooperating portion of a conventional hook-and-loop type fastener and a base member. The base member is a fabric having a heat sensitive adhesive disposed on the bottom face thereof The cooperating portion of the hook-and-loop type fastener is secured to the top face of the base member in a conventional manner such as by sewing at least one row of stitches along the longitudinal center of the fastener portion. The base member defines a width greater than that of the fastener portion in order to provide a greater surface area of engagement between the base member and the material to which it is secured. In order to secure the fastener portion to a selected material, the free edge of the fastener portion is lifted and a hot iron is applied to the top face of the base member.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 1999Date of Patent: October 24, 2000Inventor: Judy Ann McDaniel
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Patent number: 6131249Abstract: The present invention provides a belt connecting device which can be applied to various uses, has an excellent design property, and can be safely and easily operated even by elderly people and infants. The belt connecting device comprises a belt connecting member fixed to one portion of an article and a belt including one end portion fixed to another portion of the article. A female surface fastener is sewn on the other end portion of the belt to constitute an engaging portion to be engaged with the belt connecting member. The belt connecting member has at one end thereof an inserting hole through and to which the portion of the article is inserted and fixed, at the other end an engaged portion of a male surface fastener and with which the engaging portion of the belt detachably engages, and between the inserting hole and the engaged portion a belt threading portion comprising an elongated hole which is slightly longer than a width of the belt.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1999Date of Patent: October 17, 2000Assignee: YKK CorporationInventor: Tomohiro Suenaga
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Patent number: 6129964Abstract: A storage/dispensing assembly, e.g., a roll or stack, of non-woven pressure sensitive adhesive tape comprising one or more multilayer sheets of pressure sensitive adhesive tape arranged such that the adhesive layer in the assembly of an overlying non-woven pressure sensitive adhesive tape is in direct contact with the underlying nonwoven backing layer of non-woven pressure sensitive adhesive tape. The non-woven backing layer is formed at least in part of fibers having a denier of greater than 15 so as to decrease the level of fibers disengagement when an overlying nonwoven pressure sensitive adhesive tape is removed from the assembly.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1997Date of Patent: October 10, 2000Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties CompanyInventor: Jayshree Seth
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Patent number: 6123601Abstract: A bra arrangement having a pair of straps which extend about the torso of the wearer and a closure element which allows a person with decreased hand dexterity to more easily take the bra on and off. The closure element includes a fastening member associated with a free end of one of the bra straps and a strap part associated with the free end of the other bra strap. The strap part defines a pair of opposed pressure sensitive fastening areas thereon which are releasably attachable to one another.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 1999Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Inventor: Cynthia K. Hildebrandt
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Patent number: 6112377Abstract: A fastening device comprising a pair of attachment pads, each pad having at least two faces with one face having a plurality of mushroom-shaped interlocking members. The interlocking members are uniformly spaced so that the mushroom-shaped members of one attachment pad interlock with the mushroom-shaped members of the opposing attachment pad. A screen material has a mesh corresponding substantially with the spaced relationship of the mushroom-shaped interlocking members of the pair of attachment pads. The screen material is securely engaged by the mushroom-shaped interlocking members of the attachment pads.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1999Date of Patent: September 5, 2000Inventor: Eric P. Wilson
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Patent number: 6108876Abstract: A watchband or decorative wristband is structured with a concealed money-retaining compartment which allows the wearer to store money on the wearer's person without having to remove articles of clothing or otherwise partially disrobe in an effort to retrieve the money, as is typically required with known devices for carrying concealed money on one's person. The watchband of the present invention is adaptable to any variety of watch type or style.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 1999Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Chisco, Inc.Inventor: Gary Hubbert
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Patent number: 6086973Abstract: Adhesive film strip composite comprisinga) an adhesive film strip (2) which can be released by pulling in the direction of the bond plane (B), and whichb) on one of its adhesive sides is bonded to one side of a touch-and-close fastening (4,7), whilec) the other side of the touch-and-close fastening (4,7) is free and can be fastened.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 1998Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: Beiersdorf AGInventor: Hans Hazes
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Patent number: 6083596Abstract: Carpet tape for use with a carpet construction which uses a loop back and hook tape for installation. The tape includes a substrate having pressure sensitive adhesive on one of its surfaces and there are hooked areas on the same surface. The hooked areas are located on either side of the pressure sensitive adhesive for engagement of the loops of pieces of the carpet. The adhesive is located on an area of the substrate substantially free of hooks, and the hooked areas are spaced apart from each other, for adhesion to the underside of the carpet pieces along neighboring edges for formation of a seam between the carpet pieces.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 1998Date of Patent: July 4, 2000Assignee: TAC-FAST Georgia, L.L.C.Inventor: Joseph Rocco Pacione
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Patent number: 6058577Abstract: In an attachment structure for attaching a fastener member to the wrist of a glove body, a first attachment is to be mounted on and along an open edge of the glove wrist and has a plurality of longitudinally arranged socket holes, and a second attachment is to be mounted on and along an edge of the fastener member and has a locking portion to be removably fitted in the respective socket holes to be engageable with a locking hole of the first attachment. The fastener member can be attached to the glove body by snap action as the locking portion of the second attachment is inserted into the respective socket hole of the first attachment.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 1998Date of Patent: May 9, 2000Assignee: YKK CorporationInventors: Kazuo Ida, Yoshihiro Kanzaka, Hirokazu Watanabe
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Patent number: 6049953Abstract: A strap 10 employing at opposite ends thereof respective fastener assemblies 11, each flexible fastener assembly comprising a rigid or a semi-flexible hook member 12 and a locking means in the form of a flexible strap section 13, each hook member 12 has an outer surface covered with a hook fastener material 14 while the inner surface of each of the straps 13 includes a complimentary loop fastener material 15 adapted to engage and hold onto the hook material 14 to form a closed loop.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 1998Date of Patent: April 18, 2000Assignee: McCay Holdings PTY., Ltd.Inventors: Gary Jeffrey McCay, Lynda Gasbarri
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Patent number: 6044525Abstract: A fastener strap sheet is provided that includes (a) a sheet material having a first surface and a second surface substantially opposite the first surface, the first surface being constructed for face-to-face cooperating engagement with the second surface; and (b) a pattern of cuts extending through the sheet material, the cuts defining an array of fastener straps, each fastener strap including an elongated body having a predetermined width, and a head portion at one end of the body having a width greater than the predetermined width and defining an opening through which the strap body can be pulled. The array of straps define a first set of straps and a second set of straps, the heads of the first set, being located on a first side of the array and the heads of the second set being located on a second, opposite side of the array, and the bodies of the first set being directly bordered by and parallel with the bodies of the second set, in an interdigitated arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1998Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.Inventors: Jordi Blade Sastre, Mireia Musquera Ferrer, William Clune, Samuel W. Pollard, Clifton Wall
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Patent number: 6038749Abstract: A combined shower curtain and liner construction held together by hook and loop strips, wherein the liner sheet is attached below the hook apertures of the shower curtain sheet.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 1999Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Inventor: Stephanie A. Eberhardt
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Patent number: 6038743Abstract: A wrist-mounted tag holder is provided including a plurality of clothing tags and a wrist mount removably secured on a wrist of a user. A hook is connected to the wrist mount for coupling with the tags.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 1998Date of Patent: March 21, 2000Inventor: Cheryl C. Chapman
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Patent number: 6029321Abstract: A support strap for hand tools, hand guns and other hand-held implements having a pistol grip-type handle includes an elongated strip of flexible material having a ring attached to a first transverse end of the strip. A first fastener member is attached to the lower surface of the strip, proximate the second transverse end or tip of the strip, and a second fastener member releasably engageable with the first fastener member is attached to the upper surface of the strip. The strap is used by inserting the tip of the strap through the ring to form a first, wrist loop, into which loop the hand is inserted, and the free end pulled with a tension sufficient to tighten the loop to a desired tightness around the wrist of a user. The inner diameter of the loop is preferably slightly less than the width of the strip, thereby frictionally gripping the edges of the strap.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 1998Date of Patent: February 29, 2000Inventor: Dale P. Fisher
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Patent number: 6027079Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for repairing damaged screening. In use, a one part self attaching standalone hook tape patch providing for ventilation and light transmission, is installed in an overlaying interlocking relationship with the screening as to effectively overlap and patch the damage.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 1998Date of Patent: February 22, 2000Inventor: Charles Richard Santoro
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Patent number: 6018852Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 2, 1998Date of Patent: February 1, 2000Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.Inventors: Giuliano Coslovi, Piero Rusconi Clerici
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Patent number: 5996190Abstract: A retainer to attach a table cover and table skirt to a banquet table. Comprising a series of c-clamp type retainers to grippingly hold the table cover in place and provide a connection for a supporting pin and a supporting loop. The supporting pin mounted on the vertical face of the c-clamp retainer to support the vertical component of weight of an attached table skirt. A supporting loop in the upper leg of the c-clamp retainer to accept wire or string to then bind floral arrangement, etc. to be displayed in front of the table. A spring clip assembly to grippingly engage the supporting pin and hold the skirt in place horizontally. A free surface on the spring clip assembly to exhibit decorative or commercial designs.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1999Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Inventor: Rita Rae Peterson
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Patent number: 5997981Abstract: A composite material adapted for mechanical fastener use as a loop fastener component with a complementary hook component is made by laminating a film with an amorphous polymer layer to a prebonded nonwoven web under conditions producing laminate bonds corresponding to the prebond locations, and loose filaments or fibers between the bonds. The composite also desirably has a MVTR of at least about 100 g/m.sup.2 /24 hours and a hydrohead of at least about 50 mbar. In use as a component of a disposable personal care product such as a disposable diaper, the loop fastener component may be substantially the entire backing, providing comfort, protection and highly variable fit.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 1997Date of Patent: December 7, 1999Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.Inventors: Ann Louise McCormack, William Bela Haffner, Wanda Walton Jackson
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Patent number: 5991979Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 29, 1997Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: Alpine PartnersInventors: Patricia A. Moore, David A. Sheraton
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Patent number: 5985406Abstract: Disclosed is a separable fastener which can be appropriately used as a fastening means for disposable products. In a separable fastener composed of a base part and a multiplicity of engaging elements raised from the obverse side of the base part, a water-soluble resinous material is present at least on the reverse side of the base part. Advantageously, a resin which manifests adhesiveness on absorbing water is used for the water-soluble resinous material. In another mode of the separable fastener, the base part and the engaging elements are made of a water-soluble resinous material and/or a biodegradable resin.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 1997Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: YKK CorporationInventors: Toshiaki Takizawa, Tsuyoshi Minato
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Patent number: 5960520Abstract: A clip assembly for holding a towel, sheet or the like relative to an item such as a chair, table or bed so as to prevent undesirable movements thereof relative to such item due to wind, occupant movements, or tilting or upsetting of the item. The clip assembly in all forms has a clip having sections each having a handle at one end and toothed gripping formations at the other end, the clip sections being pivotally movable relative to each other about a pivot axis and being spring biased by a spring to continually urge the handles arcuately apart and the toothed gripping formations arcuately toward each other. The clip assembly is arranged to be able to be attached to a suitable portion of such item as well as to grip the towel or sheet material.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1998Date of Patent: October 5, 1999Inventors: Suzanne K. Conway, Diane M. Phillips
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Patent number: 5956918Abstract: An automobile door protection device including an elongated cushion, the ends of which are connected to flexible stop through a pair of elastic straps. The straps which have VELCRO hook and loop fasteners attached to them near the flexible stops that work with corresponding VELCRO hook and loop fasteners permanently attached to the inside edge of the automobiles door to allow the cushion to fit tightly against the outside surface of the automobiles door. These VELCRO hook and loop fasteners also work to hold the cushion in a set position. The VELCRO hook and loop fasteners and flexible stops are placed on the inside edge of the automobiles door in the space between the automobile door and automobile side body panel. The automobiles door is then closed, trapping the flexible stops so that the device can not be removed.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1997Date of Patent: September 28, 1999Assignee: Kevin Wayne WiseInventor: Kevin Wayne Wise
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Patent number: 5945193Abstract: A fastening component of a separable fastener has some portion that is necessary for its fastening function, such as the space adjacent the fastening elements, the base to which the fastening elements are attached or a substrate that is used for another purpose, comprised of a magnetically attractive or electrically conductive porous metal containing layer. The fastening component may be the hook portion or the loop portion of a typical fastener. The fastening elements and the base may be unitary, or of different precursors. The porous metal layer may be embedded in the base portion of the fastening component, or any backing substrate, or therebetween. The porous metal layer may be fully or partially embedded. The porous metal may be an expanded, perforated, woven or non-woven structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 1995Date of Patent: August 31, 1999Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.Inventors: Samuel White Pollard, Donald L. Banfield, Peter E. Leach, Carol A. Watts, Lawrence E. Lacombe
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Patent number: 5920965Abstract: A cinching strap for retaining cord, rope, or other coiled matter is disclosed, comprising a first strap including means (such as a hook-and-loop material) for releasably retaining the first strap around the coiled matter in a coiled configuration, and a second strap fixed to one side of the first strap, the second strap including means (such as a buckle) for joining the ends of the strap and for cinching the first and second straps around the coiled matter.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1997Date of Patent: July 13, 1999Inventor: David J. Kleban
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Patent number: 5922436Abstract: A fastener of the hook and loop type intended to be incorporated into plastic articles by plastic molding processes is formed of a known separable fastener member having a base member and a plurality of engaging elements upstanding from one surface thereof. A vinyl plastisol, thermoplastic, or rubber encasement which intimately surrounds the individual engaging elements protects the elements when they are exposed to the harsh environment of a molding process. The fastener is placed in a mold and molded into, as an integral part thereof, a plastic part. The encasement is removable from the engaging elements after the molding process, to expose the engaging elements, without permanently deforming or substantially destroying the fastening performance thereof.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 1998Date of Patent: July 13, 1999Assignee: Velcro Industries B.V.Inventors: Donald L. Banfield, Gerald F. Rocha, Martin I. Jacobs, Randall B. Kenney
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Patent number: 5913483Abstract: A shoelace securing device is in the form of an elongated strip of material with enlarged circular end portions that overlap upon assembly to cover the knot of a user's shoelaces. A rear side of the strip is completely covered with hook material to aid in gripping both the knot and adjacent shoelace material. The front surface has a loop patch at one end, the remainder of the front surface carrying an artistic design, other indicia, or logo. In one embodiment, the device includes two connectable, foldable strips of material. In each embodiment, a smooth surface is presented that can carry artwork, a slogan, words, a logo, or the like.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 1998Date of Patent: June 22, 1999Inventor: Jessie M. Polk
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Patent number: 5911521Abstract: A fitting for an appliance such as a sink extends between an anchor means (16,112) on the appliance and another anchor means (32,114) on a worktop. The appliance can be fitted easily to the worktop, and can also be removed quickly.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1997Date of Patent: June 15, 1999Assignee: YKK CorporationInventors: Klaus Steinmetz, Joachim NieHaus, Hisanori Kato, Ryunosuke Takahashi
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Patent number: 5898975Abstract: A multi-purpose holder with a flexible block having a guide surface for securement and for attachment to a variety of surfaces, including similar surfaces of others of the same multi-purpose holder and as a guide for a strap and an opposite gripping surface with a central, wide V-groove and parallel, narrow side V-grooves adjacent wings forming a continuation of the gripping surface of the block and having gripping surfaces thereon to engage an object positioned in the central, wide V-groove as the strap is tightened around the flexible block, the wings and the object.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1998Date of Patent: May 4, 1999Inventor: Dennis Hancock
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Patent number: 5897545Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 2, 1996Date of Patent: April 27, 1999Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Mark James Kline, Miguel Alvaro Robles, Thomas Henrich
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Patent number: 5894640Abstract: A shoe fastening device designed to replace the laces of a shoe, made up of an eyelet member and an insert member, both being attachable to the eyelet tabs of a shoe using locking nylon cable ties. The eyelet member further has a slotted aperture for receiving a foldable insert tab of the insert member. Hook-and-loop-type fastening material is present along the upper surface of the insert member, whereby the insert tab may be inserted through the eyelet member and then folded upon itself, thereby allowing the shoe to be removably fastened without the complication of shoelaces.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 1998Date of Patent: April 20, 1999Inventor: Sharon L. Dewey
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Patent number: 5870849Abstract: A non-stretchable wrapping device particularly suitable for tubular members having a smooth surface such as rod components of a rod and reel system, which would include a substantially planar member having first and second surfaces, with at least a portion of the first surface securable to a portion of the second surface of the planar member. A second portion of the second surface of the member would be covered with a non-slip rubber-like material with the rubberized-like material frictionally adhereable to the smooth surface of the tubular member such as a fishing rod, so that the planar member may be wrapped around the fishing rod, and the portion of the first surface would adhere to the portion of the second surface for maintaining the planar member tightly wrapped around the rod.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 1996Date of Patent: February 16, 1999Inventor: Curtis P. Colson, Jr.
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Patent number: 5868369Abstract: A hanger holder provided for being carried on a conventional laundry basket and for carrying a plurality of conventional clothes hangers in such a manner as to not allow any of the hangers to fall therefrom, and such that the hangers retained thereby are prevented from becoming entangled one with another. The hanger holder of the present invention includes at least two loop members secured to each other or to a base. Each loop member is provided with a fastener for fastening the distal end thereof to either the proximal end of one of the loops, or to the base. In one embodiment, a first loop is provided for being mounted on a conventional laundry basket, a wire-type shelving unit, or a clothes rod in a closet. Second and third loops are provided for encircling either side of at least one conventional hanger, with the hook of each hanger being disposed between the second and third loops.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 1996Date of Patent: February 9, 1999Inventor: Kevin D. Montgomery