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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: A fastening strip for touch fasteners is provided which includes a corrugated portion as well as fastening elements. The corrugated portion allows the strip to be bent in a plane perpendicular as well as parallel with the longitudinal axis of the strip such that it may be applied to curved surfaces and remain substantially flat. Fastening elements such as hooks, loops, mushroom-shaped, bulbous and double hooks may be included on both sides of the strip and on the walls of the channels that form the corrugations as well as between the corrugations. The corrugated fastening strips may be useful for automotive seating and diaper applications. Processes for forming the corrugated fastening strip area also disclosed.

Abstract: A cover anchor clip comprising a base section; an anchor portion including a pair of extension portions that stands up from the base section so as to face each other, a pair of anchor claws that is formed at respective leading ends of the pair of extension portions and that projects out toward sides where the extension portions mutually face each other, and a protrusion that is formed at each leading end of the extension portions and that projects out to the opposite side to the mutually facing sides of the extension portions; and upstanding portions standing up from the base section, each of the upstanding portions can make contact with either one of the protrusions in the event that either one of the extension portions is elastically deformed and the pair of anchor claws move away from each other.

Abstract: Systems and methods for joining two or more pieces of hook fastener tape. In some embodiments, the two or more pieces of tape are spliced together using ultrasonic welding. At least one of the splicing components used to splice the tapes together may be configured so that the component influences the profile of a connecting portion along which the two tapes are welded together. In some cases, at least one of the splicing components may be configured to minimize deformation of the tapes as they are welded together.

Abstract: A reclosable gusseted bag is disclosed wherein a single web multiple alignment zipper is placed around the interior of the mouth of the bag, downwardly adjacent from the upper edge of the front panel, rear panel and side gussets thereby resulting in an increased size of opening as the mouth of the gusseted bag. The use of a single web multiple alignment zipper allows opposing portions of the web to engage each other within a range of alignments thereby allowing for simplified use by the consumer.

Abstract: A stent having an axial end to which is attached a ring of spoons of a material different from that of the stent. In one aspect, the ring of spoons is connected to the axial end through a plurality of complementary male-female form-fitting portions. In one aspect, the ring of spoons include parallel straight side edges. In one aspect, each of the side edges lies within a first distance from a facing side edge of an adjacent spoon in a stent delivery configuration, and each of the side edges lies within a second distance, greater than the first distance, from the facing side edge of an adjacent spoon in a stent deployed configuration.

Abstract: Fasteners for producing double blind joints where the fastener is not visible or accessible are provided. The fasteners comprise a shape memory polymer that may be used to fasten workpieces by heating the fasteners, inducing recovery of the original, permanent shape of the fasteners.