Including Readily Dissociable Fastener Having Numerous, Protruding, Unitary Filaments Randomly Interlocking With, And Simultaneously Moving Towards, Mating Structure (e.g., Hook-loop Type Fastener) Patents (Class 24/442)
  • Patent number: 11898595
    Abstract: Provided is a surface fastener in which a decrease in engagement strength can be suppressed when a masking member is peeled off. This surface fastener includes a fastener member and a masking member. The fastener member includes a base portion and a plurality of engaging elements. The masking member covers at least a part of the engaging elements. At least one recess portion is provided on a masking outer surface of the masking member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2024
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Zhiyu Ren, Atsushi Nakaya, Yuta Inoue
  • Patent number: 11871816
    Abstract: This disclosure describes a releasable fastener having two portions that slide together to affix two portions of an article. For example, the two portions may include an elongated rail that slides into an elongated slot or tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Kimberly D. Baschak, Kyle Schepke
  • Patent number: 11872790
    Abstract: A resin sheet having hair-like bodies arranged regularly on at least one surface of a base layer containing a thermoplastic resin, the surface with the hair-like bodies having a coefficient of friction, as measured according to KES, of 0.5 or more and 1.0 or less, a deviation of the coefficient of friction, as measured by KES, of 0.010 or more and 0.025 or less, and a deviation of roughness, as measured by KES, of 0.2 or more and 1.5 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: DENKA COMPANY LIMITED
    Inventors: Hiroko Toyama, Keishi Maeda
  • Patent number: 11819091
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a molded surface fastener may include using, as a synthetic resin forming the molded surface fastener, a thermoplastic resin having a melt flow rate of 20 g/10 min or more and 60 g/10 min or less and a flexural modulus of 1000 MPa or more and 2300 MPa or less. Consequently, an engaging element in which a top end surface of an engaging head portion is flat, and at least a part of a back-side proximal end surface of the engaging head portion has an angle of 70° or more and 110° or less with respect to a height direction of the stem portion can be stably molded, and thus the molded surface fastener that has a high peel strength and a good texture can be obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Fukuhara, Hiroyuki Yamashita, Takahiro Fuse, Kyoichi Yuki, Ryosuke Tanimoto
  • Patent number: 11801624
    Abstract: Arrays of male fastener elements are formed by molding preforms in cavities defined in one or more adjacent plates and shaped to mold preform arms that extend to a plate side, such as in a cross-machine direction of a continuous molding process. The preforms may be deformed to flatten their upper surfaces and lengthen the arms. Stems of preforms have molded side surfaces and each have width, measured in the longitudinal direction of the strip, that narrows with distance from the strip surface, and also narrows with distance from a parting line extending from the strip surface to the head between the arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Velcro IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Luis Parellada Armela, Elm Aubà Gomis
  • Patent number: 11803821
    Abstract: There is disclosed a method for demanufacturing an electronic device in order to minimize an environmental impact. The demanufacturing method may comprise providing a motherboard and a display for manufacturing the electronic device, at least one of which is flexible. The method may further comprise attaching the motherboard and the display to an enclosure having a top portion and a bottom portion and one or more side walls for joining the top and the bottom portions. The method may further comprise the flexible boards or display being peelably removable at the end-of-life. The method may further comprise disposing at least two locking mechanisms on one of the one or more side walls, two of the at least two locking mechanisms being simultaneously releasable with one action of a recycling tool inserted into the two of the at least two locking mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: Sustronics LLC
    Inventor: Jose Reyes
  • Patent number: 11613674
    Abstract: This invention identifies important geometric parameters of an adhesive microfiber with mushroom-shaped tip for improving and optimizing adhesive ability. The magnitude of pull-off stress is dependent on a wedge angle ? and the ratio of the tip radius to the stalk radius ? of the mushroom-shaped fiber. Pull-off stress is also found to depend on a dimensionless parameter x, the ratio of the fiber radius to a length-scale related to the dominance of adhesive stress. Finally, the shape of edge tip, where the surface and sides of the mushroom-shaped tip join, is a factor that impacts strength of adhesion. Optimizing ranges for these parameters are identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Setex Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Metin Sitti, Burak Aksak
  • Patent number: 11559114
    Abstract: Provided is a molded surface fastener capable of stably having high engaging strength with respect to a loop member. The molded surface fastener of the present invention includes a base portion and a plurality of engaging elements provided with a stem portion and an engaging portion, and is formed of synthetic resin containing lubricant at 0.15 wt % or more and 1.00 wt % or less. A top end surface of the engaging element is formed to be flat, and the engaging portion has a hanging portion which hangs down obliquely downward toward the base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Takekawa, Yoshiyuki Fukuhara, Hiroyuki Yamashita, Kyoichi Yuki
  • Patent number: 11480527
    Abstract: Described are chromogenic sensors, methods of use, and kits including sensors. The sensors can have a polymer structure with a waveform cross-section in a programmed state. Upon exposure to a first liquid, the polymer structure in the programmed state changes to polymer structure in an activated state. Methods for measuring the presence of a liquid using the sensor are described, as are kits including the sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.
    Inventors: Peng Jiang, Zhuxiao Gu, Sin-Yen Leo
  • Patent number: 11373791
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a shape-changeable magnetic member comprising a plurality of segments with each segment being able to be magnetized with a desired magnitude and orientation of magnetization, to a method of producing a shape changeable magnetic member composed of a plurality of segments and to a shape changeable magnetic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Inventors: Guo Zhan Lum, Zhou Ye, Metin Sitti
  • Patent number: 11357955
    Abstract: A fluid delivery system including a first balloon and a second balloon at least partially positioned within the first balloon, wherein the second balloon has an inner surface, an outer surface, and at least one micro-needle extending outwardly from the outer surface of the second balloon. The delivery system can further include a fluid source in communication with at least one of the micro-needles of the second balloon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc.
    Inventors: Carrie L. Herman, Natalie A. Borgos, Kari L. Cierzan
  • Patent number: 11284681
    Abstract: Provided is a molding apparatus used for manufacturing a molded surface fastener wherein a die wheel driving rotationally has a concentric double cylinder structure provided with an outer side cylindrical body that has provided therethrough a plurality of penetrating holes, and an inner side cylindrical body that has formed, in the outer peripheral surface thereof, a plurality of grooved portions, the grooved portions located in the inner side cylindrical body include a use grooved portion that intersects with the penetrating hole of the outer side cylindrical body and a non-use grooved portion that is covered by the inner peripheral surface of the outer side cylindrical body. By using this molding apparatus obtained is a molded surface fastener in which a plurality of types of engaging elements having different shapes in a plan view are arranged cyclically in a reference direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Makoto Takekawa, Yoshiyuki Fukuhara, Hiroyuki Yamashita, Isamu Michihata, Yui Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 11246772
    Abstract: A bandage securing device composed of a first sheet part and a second sheet part, and optionally also a third sheet part. The first and second sheet parts are connected to each other along a connection line extending in a width direction and arranged to overlap each other, thereby forming a jaw-like structure in a longitudinal direction. At least one of the first and second sheet parts, and possibly both, are provided with at least one first adherent fastening layer on an internal surface facing the overlap. Further, the bandage securing device can include at least one second adherent fastening layer on an external surface, not facing the overlap, to detachably connect to the bandage. This second adherent fastening layer may be provided on one of the first and second sheet parts, and/or on the third sheet part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: PRESSCISE AB
    Inventors: Torbjörn Lundh, Jonatan Vasilis, Josefin Damm
  • Patent number: 11160334
    Abstract: A touch fastener product having a base sheet with a resin side surface and a male touch fastener element having a head disposed at a distal end of a resin stem and overhanging the base sheet. The head has an overall shape, as projected in a plane parallel to the base sheet, with a perimeter that defines spaced apart extremities corresponding to head sections of different engagement characteristics and disposed at different distances from a centroid of the overall shape. In one example, the head projection has a polygonal perimeter consisting of straight edges of differing lengths connected at radiused corners. In another, the perimeter comprises an unbroken series of at least three arc segments of different curvatures, with centers of the arc segments disposed at different distances from the centroid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Velcro IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Christopher M. Gallant, Luis Parellada Armela, Stephen R. Arata
  • Patent number: 11161283
    Abstract: A method of molding resin on a flexible substrate includes forming discrete regions of resin and forcing resin of at least some of the regions into molding cavities to form a respective array of resin projections extending from a resin base of the regions. Forming the discrete regions of resin includes depositing molten resin directly onto either the substrate or a surface in which the cavities are defined. The resin is deposited as the substrate moves in a processing direction, and the resin is deposited by resin sources spaced from each other along the processing direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2021
    Assignee: Velcro IP Holdings LLC
    Inventors: Gregory K. Kopanski, Paul M. Siemiesz
  • Patent number: 11013587
    Abstract: A surgical implant (20) comprises a flexible basic structure (22) having a face and a plurality of resorbable film pieces (26) attached to the face of the basic structure (22). Each film piece (26) comprises a plurality of solid protrusions (28) emerging from the respective film piece (26) is a direction away from the basic structure (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson & Johnson Medical GMBH
    Inventors: Jorg Priewe, Volker Harms
  • Patent number: 10981321
    Abstract: Aspects disclosed herein relate to forming on a substrate fastener elements suitable for use in touch fastener by employing vibration forming methods. The processes described provide for a greater flexibility in manufacturing than prior methods and overcome certain limitations in prior forming techniques. Further, the product made can embody a variety of different configurations suitable for a given application. Employing vibration forming methods, such ultrasonic forming methods, allows for the use of a wider variety of substrate material than materials used with convention methods of touch fastener formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2021
    Inventor: Gerald Rocha
  • Patent number: 10952510
    Abstract: There is provided a hook-and-loop fastener manufacturing method. Injection molding is performed to form a molded product in which a pillar group and a base plate having a surface from which the pillar group protrudes are integrated into a unified body. A tip part of the pillar group is cut to form a cut product in which a small pillar group shorter than the pillar group and the base plate are integrated into a unified body. A tip part of the small pillar group is melted to form pillar body portions which are non-melted portions and engaging portions which are melted portions and thicker than the pillar body portions from small pillars. The engaging portions are cooled to determine shapes of a plurality of engaging elements including the pillar body portions and the engaging portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Inventors: Tetsuya Fukuzawa, Yasuaki Funo, Yoshitomo Iyoda, Wanli Zhang
  • Patent number: 10807864
    Abstract: The invention includes a method of promoting interfacial mechanical bonding of two or more components through the use of suspended and/or freestanding structures fabricated using an atom-scale assembly process on at least a portion of the surfaces of such components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of Colorado, a body corporate
    Inventors: Joseph J. Brown, Victor M. Bright
  • Patent number: 10795725
    Abstract: An image processing device executes image processing by each object of an object group in which plural objects are connected to each other in a directed acyclic graph form. A processing unit performs updating processing and imparting processing, the updating processing for updating image processing which is executed by each object of the object group to partial processing which performs image processing on division image data representing a division image obtained by dividing an input image represented by input image data into plural partial regions, and the imparting processing for imparting a dependency relationship between pieces of the partial processing of the objects connected to each other. A controller performs control for causing plural computation devices to execute, in parallel, the updating processing and the imparting processing by the processing unit and the partial processing which becomes executable based on the dependency relationship.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignees: FUJI XEROX CO., LTD., FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Nagao, Kazuyuki Itagaki, Kosei Takemoto
  • Patent number: 10779681
    Abstract: A decorative decal for altering the aesthetics of a barbeque grill, with the decal comprising a flexible and heat resistant substrate having a visually discernible aesthetic element on its first surface and a smooth non-porous second surface, with the second surface suitable for attaching the substrate to the outer surface of the barbeque grill by use of static cling; and a method of use of the decal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Inventor: James T. Sheridan
  • Patent number: 10755844
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a shape-changeable magnetic member comprising a plurality of segments with each segment being able to be magnetized with a desired magnitude and orientation of magnetization, to a method of producing a shape changeable magnetic member composed of a plurality of segments and to a shape changeable magnetic member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Max-Plank-Gesellschaft-zur-Forderung der Wissenschaften e.V.
    Inventors: Guo Zhan Lum, Zhou Ye, Metin Sitti
  • Patent number: 10689549
    Abstract: This invention identifies important geometric parameters of an adhesive microfiber with mushroom-shaped tip for improving and optimizing adhesive ability. The magnitude of pull-off stress is dependent on a wedge angle ? and the ratio of the tip radius to the stalk radius ? of the mushroom-shaped fiber. Pull-off stress is also found to depend on a dimensionless parameter x, the ratio of the fiber radius to a length-scale related to the dominance of adhesive stress. Finally, the shape of edge tip, where the surface and sides of the mushroom-shaped tip join, is a factor that impacts strength of adhesion. Optimizing ranges for these parameters are identified.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: NanoGriptech, Inc.
    Inventors: Metin Sitti, Burak Aksak
  • Patent number: 10646770
    Abstract: A mounting device for snowboards and other snow glide boards that includes a puck assembly. The adjustment system can be adjusted with three degrees of freedom with respect to the snowboard: foot placement, foot angle, and heel and toe centering. The puck assembly can attach directly to the snowboard or can be built into the snowboard boot binding. The mounting device can include a slider block/snowboard binding base plate and a disk. The disk includes a series of projections. The slider block/snowboard binding base plate receives the disk in a recess indented in the slider block/snowboard binding base plate top surface. The recess is patterned with a series of detents sized and shaped to receive the projections from the disk. The detents arranged as a series of arcs, of equal radius, translated linearly on even increments. This combination allows for the foot angle and heel and toe centering adjustments to be made concurrently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Spark R&DIP Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: William J. Ritter
  • Patent number: 10624801
    Abstract: The invention relates to a looped layer in the form of a laminate including an inner supporting element (1), for example a non-woven fabric or a plastic film, and a plurality of fibres and/or filaments (3) attached to the outer surface of the supporting element so as to form loops for engaging with hooks, the attachment being carried out in a attachment region, while in at least one other so-called looped region the filaments and/or fibres are not attached to the supporting element so as to form loops, characterised in that at least in one area (5) of at least one attachment region the attachment is only carried out in a partial manner, while at least in one other area (4) of at least one attachment region the attachment is carried out in a complete manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: APLIX
    Inventor: Anthony Bertrand Mahe
  • Patent number: 10500370
    Abstract: A system of topographic patterns for the prevention of bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. The patterns may be provided on the surfaces of certain devices that are prone to bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, such as urinary catheters. To reduce bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation, and to remove existing biofilms, the patterns are induced to transform from a first topography to a second topography. For example, the surface patterns may be formed from a shape memory polymer and then heated to transform the patterns from the first topography to the second topography to dislodge bacteria and prevent fouling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Syracuse University
    Inventors: Dacheng Ren, Huan Gu
  • Patent number: 10471663
    Abstract: A bonding preparation patch for application to a resin treated surface is provided. The patch includes a strip having first and second portions, each of which has corresponding first and second sides. The strip is formed of resin porous material and is foldable such that the respective first sides of the first and second portions face each other. The patch further includes a resin barrier interposable between corresponding portions of the respective first sides and a tape including at least one adhesive side, which is securable relative to the first portion and disposable in contact with the second side of the second portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Allen E. Trudeau
  • Patent number: 10391685
    Abstract: Sheet having fastening elements, comprising a base strip made of thermoplastic material and at least one element made from the strip, the element consisting of a stem extending in a transverse, in particular vertical, direction to the plane of the base strip, and having a cross section which is substantially uniform or decreases from the base strip towards the apex of the stem, in particular as far as the apex of the stem, and a part forming a head which protrudes laterally from the apex of the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: APLIX
    Inventors: Lionel Picot, Jean-Pierre Ducauchuis
  • Patent number: 10390760
    Abstract: This disclosure concerns a carrier system for a medical device worn on the body comprising a flexible carrier plaster which has a flat carrier layer and an adhesive coating thereon consisting of a pressure sensitive adhesive which adheres on the skin of a body part, and further comprising a platform which is positioned on the upper side of the carrier layer for mounting the device, wherein the platform has a bottom joining area which is joined to the upper side of the carrier layer by means of a structural adhesive which is applied as a bead along predefined adherend tracks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care, Inc.
    Inventors: Oliver Kube, Helmut Walter
  • Patent number: 10377099
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a pneumatic tire with surface fastener according to the present technology includes, while engaging a surface fastener provided with a plurality of first engaging elements and a sheet-shaped protective member provided with a plurality of second engaging elements that engage with the first engaging elements of the surface fastener, disposing the surface fastener in an unvulcanized tire so that a surface on a side opposite that of a surface on which the engaging elements are provided is closely fitted to an inner surface of the tire, and vulcanizing the unvulcanized tire provided with the surface fastener using a vulcanizer equipped with a vulcanization bladder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., LTD.
    Inventors: Ayako Joza, Atsushi Tanno, Shiro Ogawa, Akira Fujita
  • Patent number: 10306952
    Abstract: A surface bonding fastener includes first and second members that can be fastened with each other. Each of the first and second members includes a base sheet and a plurality of fastening units on and integrally molded with the base sheet. Each of the fastening units has first and second hooks. The first hook has a first body and a first hook portion. The second hook has a second body and a second hook portion. The first and second bodies are adjacent to each other in a transverse direction and integrally formed on the base sheet. The first and second hook portions are respectively extend from the first and second bodies and bended toward opposite directions. An overlapping degree between the first and second bodies in a longitudinal direction is configured to be determined by a desired fastening strength between the first and second members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: TAIWAN PAIHO LIMITED
    Inventor: Allen Cheng
  • Patent number: 10307941
    Abstract: Methods of forming dry adhesives including a method of making a dry adhesive including applying a liquid polymer to the second end of the stem, molding the liquid polymer on the stem in a mold, wherein the mold includes a recess having a cross-sectional area that is less than a cross-sectional area of the second end of the stem, curing the liquid polymer in the mold to form a tip at the second end of the stem, wherein the tip includes a second layer stem; corresponding to the recess in the mold, and removing the tip from the mold after the liquid polymer cures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Metin Sitti, Michael Murphy, Burak Aksak
  • Patent number: 10309378
    Abstract: Discloses is a smart opening and closing apparatus. More particularly, the smart opening and closing apparatus includes an opening/closing means configured to be opened or closed depending upon application of a stimulus, a fixation means configured to maintain an open state of the opening/closing means by selectively interfering with the opening/closing means depending upon application of a stimulus, and a controller configured to control opening/closing of the opening/closing means by applying a stimulus to the opening/closing means and the fixation means and, in a state in which the stimulus is released, to control the fixation means to interfere with the opening/closing means so as to maintain a shape of the opening/closing means. In accordance with such a configuration, the shape of the opening/closing means may be maintained also in state in which a stimulus is not applied, whereby low-power operation may be accomplished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY-INDUSTRY COOPERATION GROUP OF KYUNG HEE UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Shin Jung Yoo, Sang Gu Kim
  • Patent number: 10273057
    Abstract: Device for closing the opening of a sack, in particular a sack made of flexible material, including a first element with hooks and a second element with hooks, the hooks (9) of the two elements engaging into one another to achieve the closure of the opening, each element with hooks including a base strip (7, 8) and hooks coming from the strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: APLIX
    Inventors: Arnaud Thierry Jean-Marie Freulon, Anthony Bertrand Patrick Mahe
  • Patent number: 10209213
    Abstract: A flexible sensor patch includes a flexible base having outer and inner surfaces and a periphery, an adhesive layer disposed on at least a portion of the outer surface, a flexible porous cover secured to the flexible base along at least major portion of the periphery. The flexible porous cover and the flexible base collectively enclose at least a major portion of a sensor. The sensor comprises a capacitive sensor element. The capacitive sensor element comprises first and second conductive electrodes and a dielectric microporous material disposed therebetween. Methods of using the flexible sensor patch are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
    Inventors: Myungchan Kang, Stefan H. Gryska, Michael C. Palazzotto
  • Patent number: 10149516
    Abstract: There is provided a hook-and-loop fastener manufacturing method. Injection molding is performed to form a molded product in which a pillar group and a base plate having a surface from which the pillar group protrudes are integrated into a unified body. A tip part of the pillar group is cut to form a cut product in which a small pillar group shorter than the pillar group and the base plate are integrated into a unified body. A tip part of the small pillar group is melted to form pillar body portions which are non-melted portions and engaging portions which are melted portions and thicker than the pillar body portions from small pillars. The engaging portions are cooled to determine shapes of a plurality of engaging elements including the pillar body portions and the engaging portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Tetsuya Fukuzawa, Yasuaki Funo, Yoshitomo Iyoda, Wanli Zhang
  • Patent number: 10132086
    Abstract: A wall surface covering system comprising: a wall surface covering for covering an underlying vertical support surface constituted by a wall, said wall surface covering comprising a rigid body; a first component of a hook-and-loop fastener fixable to the rigid body of the wall surface covering; and a second component of the hook-and-loop fastener that is fixable to the underlying vertical surface. The first and second components are cooperable such that, when the first component is fixed to the surface covering and the second component is fixed to the underlying vertical surface, the first and second components can be engaged to cause the wall surface covering to grip the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Norcross Group (Holdings) Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan Wood, Stephen Dixon
  • Patent number: 10123919
    Abstract: A disposable absorbent article having a fastening system with male and female components is disclosed. The female component may include a fibrous material having an overall thickness and an overall fiber cross-sectional dimension. The male component may include a plurality of hooks configured to engage the female component, the hooks having features with dimensions relating to the overall thickness and/or the overall fiber cross-sectional dimension of the fibrous material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Nayda Liz Ramos-Medina, Michael Timothy Looney, Arman Ashraf, Mark James Kline, Thomas Alexander Horn, Thierry J. Marche, Olivier J. Blanc
  • Patent number: 10111501
    Abstract: A bi-stable spring band device that is covered substantially along its entire length with Velcro® or similar fastening material, where one side of the device is covered substantially along its length with Velcro® “hook” material and the opposing side of the device is covered substantially along its length with corresponding Velcro® “loop” material. When the device is curled into a rolled-up configuration by application of the bi-stable band, its opposing Velcro® “hook” and “loop” surfaces can fasten together to form a secure strap that is strong enough to hold weighted articles in the air or to securely connect one article to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Inventor: Michael Script
  • Patent number: 10080404
    Abstract: A fastening fabric having a restraining fabric structure, including a first base structure and plural fiber bundles protruding from a surface of the first base structure, wherein each of the fiber bundles has plural inclined restraining fibers, and the plural inclined restraining fibers are formed with a rigidity and inclined towards a same direction, and respectively formed with an included angle with respect to the surface of the first base structure; and a loop fabric structure, including a second base structure and plural loop bundles protruding from a surface of the second base structure, wherein each of the loop bundles has plural fibriform loops; when the restraining fabric structure and the loop fabric structure are in contact for being mutually adhered, the inclined restraining fibers and the fibriform loops are tangled with each other to provide an adhering and fastening effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Inventors: Chao-Mu Chou, Shiu-Yin Cheng
  • Patent number: 10076152
    Abstract: An article of footwear with an inner bootie that fits into and is strapped into an external shell to form the article of footwear. The inner bootie may have specially-treated regions that together allow the bootie to slip readily into the external shell and to be held firmly in place. When the inner bootie is in place in the external shell, cable loops woven into the lateral side and the medial side of the inner bootie protrude from corresponding openings in the external shell. A lace may then be laced through the cable loops to fasten the throat opening of the external shell over a wearer's foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: NIKE, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadia M. Panian, Tobie D. Hatfield, Elizabeth Langvin
  • Patent number: 10076686
    Abstract: A method for making a golf ball having fiber flock bonded to a core is provided. The fiber flock preferably has high color vibrancy to provide high quality aesthetics. Preferably, the fiber flock comprises fiber segments having a length less than one inch. The fiber segments may have substantially equal dimensions. In other instances, the fiber segments are of unequal dimensions. The golf ball includes a translucent cover layer surrounding the core. Thus, the fiber flock is visible from the exterior of the ball. Special decorative effects can be achieved using colored fiber flock and reflective particulate such as pearlescent pigment in the layers surrounding the core.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Michael J. Sullivan, William E. Morgan
  • Patent number: 10051926
    Abstract: Described is a fastening tape that includes a plurality of attachment portions extending upwardly from a bottom portion of the fastening tape. The fastening tape also includes at least one inner wall disposed adjacent to at least some of the plurality of attachment portions and at least one outer wall offset from the at least one inner wall such that a cavity is disposed between the at least one inner wall and the at least one outer wall. Finally, the fastening tape includes an injected foam member disposed in the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: David Smith, Zhiyu Ren, Tsuyoshi Minato
  • Patent number: 10011244
    Abstract: A seat belt buckle holding apparatus configured to receive and retain a female portion of a seat belt buckle so as to provide improved access thereto when adjacent a child booster seat. The seat belt buckle holding apparatus includes a housing being rectangular in shape having an exterior wall. The housing includes an upper end and a lower end. A central passage is centrally formed in the housing and extends intermediate the upper end and the lower end. The central passage includes an interior wall wherein the interior wall has gripping members formed thereon. The gripping members extend substantially the length of the central passage and are tapered in shape having a greater width proximate the upper end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Inventors: Mike Puma, Anthony Wolf
  • Patent number: 10010141
    Abstract: A safety belt buckle includes a base, a latch, two positioning members, and two elastic members. The base is formed by two symmetrically combined cases, wherein each case includes a first metal core partially clad in a first insulating layer. The latch includes a second metal core, a second insulating layer, and a tongue adapted to insert into a chamber of the base. The two positioning members are pivotally provided on the base and partially located in the chamber. When each positioning member is moved to the first position, a stopper thereof confines the tongue in a locking position to prevent the latch from being separated from the base; when each positioning member is moved to the second position, the stopper thereof is away from the tongue, allowing the latch to be disengaged from the base. The two elastic members push the positioning members toward the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: YOKE INDUSTRIAL CORP.
    Inventor: Wei-Chieh Hung
  • Patent number: 9918526
    Abstract: A male touch fastener strip includes an elongated base and a field of male fastener elements each having a stem extending from a broad face of the base and a head for engaging fibers. The fastener element stems and broad face of the base together form a unitary mass of resin, such as a resin containing a magnetically attractable substance. Wings extend from respective longitudinal edges of the base and define discrete corrugations extending in a series along the fastener strip and forming corresponding undulations in the rear face of the strip along its longitudinal edges. The corrugated wings can also support a foam gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Velcro BVBA
    Inventors: Karl S. Mascarenhas, Michael Cina, Paul Joseph Voigt
  • Patent number: 9908266
    Abstract: A method of forming synthetic dry adhesives is provided that includes using a combined wedge indenting and orthogonal machining process to form tapered mold cavities in a mold, filling the tapered mold cavities with an elastomeric adhesive, curing the elastomeric adhesive in the tapered mold cavities, and removing the elastomeric adhesive from the mold, where a plurality of tapered lamellar ridges extend from a surface of the elastomeric adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University
    Inventors: Mark R. Cutkosky, Paul S Day, Eric V. Eason
  • Patent number: 9908270
    Abstract: Sheet having fastening elements, comprising a base strip made of thermoplastic material and at least one element made from the strip, the element consisting of a stem extending in a transverse, in particular vertical, direction to the plane of the base strip, and having a cross section which is substantially uniform or decreases from the base strip towards the apex of the stem, in particular as far as the apex of the stem, and a part forming a head which protrudes laterally from the apex of the stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: APLIX
    Inventors: Lionel Picot, Jean-Pierre Ducauchuis
  • Patent number: 9888746
    Abstract: This surface fastener has a substrate portion and a plurality of engaging elements, each of the engaging elements being provided with a stem portion standing from the substrate portion and a hook portion extending in the fastener width direction from the stem portion. The engaging element has a narrow width tip end portion provided with at least a hook portion and an enlarged width portion provided with only the stem portion, separated by a reference surface along the fastener length and height directions as a boundary. This makes an undercut hardly formable in the molding of the engaging element, and deficiencies such as deformation and the like of the engaging element can be prevented. Further, the strength of the stem portion can be increased, and a damage which a loop-shaped engaging element and the engaging element receive when the loop-shaped engaging element is attached or pulled out can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Ryuichi Murasaki, Tomonari Yoshida, Yoshitomo Iyoda, Toshiaki Takizawa
  • Patent number: 9876298
    Abstract: A flexible connector includes a flexible substrate having a plurality of conductive pads and a plurality of conductive polymer springfingers. Each conductive polymer springfinger extends between a first end and a second end. The conductive polymer springfingers are mechanically and electrically connected to corresponding conductive pads at the corresponding second ends and the conductive polymer springfingers are configured to be mechanically and electrically connected to conductors of an electrical component at the corresponding first ends. The conductive polymer springfingers are internally conductive and compressible between the first and second ends. The conductive polymer springfingers are discrete and separated by gaps. The flexible substrate is flexible to allow the second ends of the conductive polymer springfingers to be non-coplanar and to allow the first ends of the conductive polymer springfingers to be non-coplanar for electrical connection with the electrical component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: TE Connectivity Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Mason, Wayne Stewart Alden, III, Chuan Yue