Abstract: Absorbent article, such as a sanitary towel, a panty liner, an incontinence pad or the like, which article has two transverse end edges, two longitudinal side edges, a liquid-permeable surface layer, an essentially liquidtight backing layer, and an absorbent core located between the liquid-permeable surface layer and the essentially liquidtight backing layer and also side flaps at the longitudinal side edges on both sides of the absorbent core, the side flaps being folded and detachably tacked to the surface layer, said tacking being mechanical.

Abstract: A fastening member used for, e.g., a disposable absorbent article is disclosed. The fastening member extends in a longitudinal direction and in a lateral direction and has a lateral centerline. The fastening member comprises a base panel and a shaped tab extending laterally from the base panel. The shaped tab has a longitudinal centerline, a lateral centerline, a distal portion and a proximal portion. The shaped tab has a contour edge comprising a shaped upper edge and a shaped lower edge. The shaped upper edge and the shaped lower edge are symmetric with respect to the longitudinal centerline of the shaped tab when relatively shifted in the longitudinal direction and are asymmetric with respect to the lateral centerline of the fastening member.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a material or have configurations that provide a shape changing capability and/or change in flexural modulus property to the hook elements. In this manner, the shape and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction in the shear and/or pull-off forces.

Abstract: A method for forming a unitary polymeric projection or fastener comprising a thin, strong flexible backing, and a multiplicity of thin spaced hook members projecting from the upper surface of the unitary backing the method generally including extruding a thermoplastic resin through a die plate which die plate is shaped to form a base layer and spaced ridges, ribs or hook elements projecting above a surface of the base layer. When the die forms the spaced ridges or ribs the cross sectional shape of the hook members are formed by the die plate while the initial hook member thickness is formed by transversely cutting the ridges at spaced locations along their lengths to form discrete cut portions of the ridges. Subsequently longitudinal stretching of the backing layer (in the direction of the ridges on the machine direction) separates these cut portions of the ridges, which cut portion then form spaced apart hook members.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a hook strand. These hook strands have a base layer with first top face and a second bottom face and two side faces. Hook elements on the strand extend from at least one face and the hook elements have engaging arms that extend at an angle of from 1 to 90 degrees relative to the longitudinal extent of the strands.

Abstract: This application relates to a micro-fastening system and, more particularly, to a mechanical micro-fastening system employing a plurality of mating nanoscale fastening elements (16, 18) and a method of manufacturing a micro-fastening system. The mating nanoscale fastening elements (16, 18) are formed by functionalizing nanotubes having an ordered array of hexagons with pentagons and heptagons at particular heterojunctions.

Abstract: A mechanical fastening system for an article wherein a first fastening component is secured to the article within an attachment region. A portion of the first fastening component within the attachment region is mechanically bonded to the article, with a ratio of an area of the bonded portion to an area of the attachment region defining a percent bonded area of the first fastening component. A second fastening component is secured to the article within an attachment region thereof. A portion of the second fastening component within the attachment region is mechanically bonded to the article, with a ratio of an area of the bonded portion to an area of the attachment region thereof defining a percent bonded area of the second fastening component. The percent bonded area of the first fastening component is substantially less than the percent bonded area of the second fastening component.

Abstract: Lightweight, hook-engageable materials capable of functioning as hook-engageable fasteners are treated and configured for use for economical and attractive displays and decorations. Laminates of the material with various substrates with associated printing are used to form visually attractive point of purchase, merchandise or trade show displays. Self-supporting or stable materials having lettering or designs on their surface are used to form banners or floor coverings. Non-woven materials with varied areal density of fibers perform those functions with particular economy. Low density knit fabrics are also useful according to broad features of the invention. Methods are shown to produce reinforced corrugated board and desirably laminated and printed materials having hook-engageable surfaces.

Abstract: A surface fastener and a product attached with the same surface fastener, having a structure for reducing a sound generated upon separation of a surface fastener member itself and capable of reducing a sound generated upon separation of the product attached with the same surface fastener. A sheet material is attached to a rear surface of a flat base material of a surface fastener member comprising an engaging-element-formation region having multiple engaging elements on a front surface of the flat base material and an engaging-element non-formation region having no engaging elements or comprising a sewing region and a non-sewing region. The sheet material has apparent density of 0.5 g/cm3 or less at least in a region corresponding to the engaging-element-formation region or the non-sewing region as sound transmission restricting means, or has at least one through hole as the sound transmission restricting means. Further, the apparent density of the flat base material is set to 0.5 g/cm3.

Abstract: Fastener components, and method of making fastener components for securing loop-carrying members are disclosed. The fastener component includes a tubular structure, and a plurality of discrete projections extending from a surface of the tubular structure. Each projection includes a molded stem of resin integral with the surface from which the projection extends, and a loop-engageable head formed at a distal end of the stem to overhang the surface. A majority of the projections are directed away from a common, open longitudinal end of the tubular structure to allow longitudinal overlap of the fastener component with a complementary loop-carrying member received from the longitudinal end, but to resist subsequent removal of the loop-carrying member toward the longitudinal end due to engagement of the projections.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a material or have configurations that provide a shape changing capability and/or change in flexural modulus property to the hook elements. In this manner, the shape and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction in the shear and/or pull forces.

Abstract: A wearing article such as a disposable diaper is provided in predetermined regions of the article with hook members. These predetermined regions are elastically stretchable at least in one direction. Each of the hook members includes a plurality of hook assemblies which are, in turn, attached to each of the predetermined regions so as to be spaced apart one from another in the one direction.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a male element of mushroom shape for a self-fastening closure, particularly of the hook and loop type, comprising a cylindrical rod (2) having a longitudinal axis and a cross-section, a flange (5) projecting laterally from the rod (2) and extending substantially all around the rod, characterised in that the rod has a constant cross-section or one that decreases strictly from the bottom of the rod to its apex, and there is formed in the rod an auxiliary cavity (6) of which the largest section transversely of the rod axis is of a smaller dimension than that of the cross-section of the rod (2).

Abstract: The mold-in fastening member comprises a substrate having engaging elements on a top surface thereof and a foamed synthetic resin layer bonded to a rear surface of the substrate. The foamed synthetic resin layer has overhanging marginal portions or sealing portions extending outwardly beyond at least both lateral edges of the substrate. The foamed synthetic resin layer has a thickness of 1 to 10 mm and an initial compressive modulus of 0.02 to 1.0 MPa. The mold-in fastening member surely prevents a molding resin from entering through gaps between the mold-in fastening member and a recess formed in a mold.

Abstract: Touch fastener, molded articles having touch fasteners and methods of making such touch fasteners and articles are provided. The touch fasteners include a sheet form base having an upper face and a lower face; a plurality of male fastener elements, each fastener element having a stem molded integrally with and extending from the upper face of the sheet form base; and a foam or fibrous non-woven material adjacent to the upper face of the sheet form base, wherein at least a portion of the foam or fibrous non-woven material is disposed between at least a portion of the fastening elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement of a watch wrist strap, belt or similar band with an adjustable buckle (1) and a slidable, ring-shaped holder (3). In order to prevent the holder from sliding in an uncontrollable way the bottom side of the band connected with the buckle (1) is provided with a strip of a one member (5), preferably the female member, of a VELCRO fastening means, and the interior of the bottom part of the holder (3) is provided with a part of the other member (6) , the male member, of the VELCRO fastening means. This makes the holder (3) attachable in a detachable way along said one member (5) of the VELCRO fastening means.

Abstract: A Velcro closure comprising at least one set of a first and a second surface each having a front side, in which the front sides, when placed against each other, stick to close the closure, in which the closure can be opened by pulling apart the front sides placed against each other, in which at least the first surface is of bendable design and is provided with a first longitudinal edge connected to a pulling part, in which the first surface is provided with a second longitudinal edge of fixed design located substantially opposite the first longitudinal edge, while the pulling part and the first surface are included in a hem provided with at least one recess for being able to place the first surface therein; and a first open end, while the pulling part projects outside the first open end and the second longitudinal edge is fixedly connected to the inside of the hem.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fastener includes forming a preform sheet having a sheet-form base and an array of hook-shaped fastener elements extending from a broad side of the base, and securing a cover sheet with an aperture across the array of fastener elements, with fastener elements exposed for engagement in an engaging zone corresponding to the aperture of the cover sheet, and the engaging zone surrounded by a contiguous covered preform region. A fastener product includes a preform having a sheet-form base and an array of fastener elements extending from a broad side of the base, and a cover with and aperture secured across the array of fastener elements, the cover defining an aperture there through, with fastener elements exposed for engagement in an engaging zone corresponding to the aperture of the cover, and the engaging zone being surrounded by a contiguous covered preform region.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof. The hook portion generally includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises a first portion fabricated from a shape memory material and at least one additional portion fabricated from a different shape memory material. An activation device is coupled to the plurality of hook elements, the activation device being operable to selectively provide an activation signal to the plurality of hook elements to change a shape orientation, a yield strength property, a flexural modulus property, or a combination thereof to reduce a shear force and/or a pull-off force of an engaged hook and loop portion. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fastener strip having magnetically attractable particles which are not located across the entire volume of the strip, but rather are incorporated in a discrete, distinct area of the strip. The fastener strip has a base and many hook pieces which rise from a fastening surface of the base. One embodiment has a magnetically attractable body in a row which rises from the surface of the base and is located along a substantially center line of the fastener strip. The magnetically attractable particles are incorporated in the magnetically attractable body and a part of the base located below the magnetically attractable body, and the magnetically attractable particles are not dispersed across the whole area of the base. A method of manufacturing such a strip is also described here.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a magnetorheological elastomer that provides a change in shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements. In this manner, the shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces in addition to providing variable damping capabilities to the fastener system.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof. The hook portion generally includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. A selected one of the hook elements or the loop material is formed from a thermally and/or electrically conductive material. The other one is formed of a material adapted to melt, flow or volatize at a defined temperature. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. Introducing an activation signal to the thermally and/or electrically conductive hook elements or loop material, causes the opposing material to melt, flow, soften, or volatize upon contact therewith.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises two hook portions. The hook portions each include a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the two hook portions are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The head elements of the hook elements are formed of a material that provides a change in directional orientation of the head elements. In this manner, the directional orientation of the head elements of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces.

Abstract: A releasable fastening system comprises a knob portion comprising a knob element, a cavity portion comprising a cavity configured to receive the knob element, and an ionic polymer metal composite actuator disposed at the knob element. The ionic polymer metal composite actuator is operable to mechanically interlock the knob element with the cavity. A method of operating a releasable fastening system comprises contacting a knob portion with a cavity portion to form a releasable engagement, wherein the knob portion comprises a knob element disposed on a first support, and wherein the cavity portion comprises a cavity disposed at a second support; maintaining constant shear forces and constant pull-off forces between the knob portion and the cavity portion; and activating an ionic polymer metal composite actuator at the knob portion to facilitate the interlocking of the knob portion and the cavity portion.

Abstract: A releasable fastening system comprises a loop portion comprising a loop material, a hook portion comprising a plurality of hook elements, and an actuation device disposed in electrical communication with the loop portion and the hook portion. The actuation device is operable to provide electrostatic charges to the loop material and the hook elements.

Abstract: A fastener is disclosed with a fiber-covered element for anchoring the fastener in a finished foam seat cushion, and/or a fiber-covered element for sealing the fastening members of the fastener against fouling during the seat cushion molding process. The fiber-covered elements can additionally be magnetically attractable, and serve to temporarily secure the fastener to the forming mold during the molding process.

Abstract: A tool is provided and includes a hook member which is attached to an extendable and retractable pole member, and a retainer which can retain the pole member in a collapsed position. The hook member is used to twist a short portion of a workpiece around a long portion of a workpiece in order to secure the short portion to the long portion when the workpiece is hung from an overhead support member. The retainer retains an inner pole of the pole member within an outer pole of the pole member when the pole member is in a collapsed position.

Abstract: A fastening tape has a sheet-form base carrying an array of hooking members (10,22,24,34) each having a height (h) of about 0.008 inch (0.2 millimeter) or less, as measured from the base, and fiber-engaging features, such as re-entrant tips (18,32), disposed less than about 0.003 inch (0.08 millimeter) from their upper surfaces, as measured normal to the base. Such hooking members are employed to releasably engage directly into foams and fine denier non-woven materials, such as those of insulation, filters, construction moisture barriers, disposable gowns and diapers.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a magnetorheological elastomer that provides a change in shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements. In this manner, the shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces in addition to providing variable damping capabilities to the fastener system.

Abstract: A fabricated microstructure comprising at least one protrusion capable of providing an adhesive force at a surface of between about 60 and 2,000 nano-Newtons. A stalk supports the protrusion at an oblique angle relative to a supporting surface. The microstructure can adhere to different surfaces.

Abstract: A closure system comprises a hook and pile material having hooks on one side and pile on the other side. With regard to footwear, the present invention is a shoe comprising this material allowing a wearer to adjust the point of attachment of closure straps on the exterior of the outer member of the shoe, thereby allowing every shoe wearer to wear the strap across the throat of the shoe at a different location. With regard to apparel, the present invention is a closure system comprising a single-ply hook and pile material in which the overlapped piece, or the exterior piece attaches to the underlapped piece, or the interior piece that provides the wearer with the ability to customize the fitting of the apparel, including the tightness of the apparel around an individual.

Abstract: The female component for engaging a complementary hook component in a refastenable fastening device is capable of engaging a hook component that has flexible, resilient individual hook elements. The female component comprises at least two, and preferably three zones or layers. These include a first zone for admitting and engaging at least some of the hooks of the complementary hook component (the “entanglement” zone), a second zone for providing space for the hooks to occupy after they have been admitted by the entanglement zone (referred to as the spacing zone), and a backing adjacent to the spacing zone. The present invention also provides a fastening device having a hook fastening component and a female component that comprises the multi-layer female component of the present invention. The present invention also relates to disposable articles and more particularly to a disposable diaper having such an improved fastening device.

Abstract: A fastener secures a trim cover to a foam pad. The fastener is positionable within a mold trench, which extends between a plurality of ends having stepped regions. The fastener includes a base having a mold surface and a foam surface opposite to the mold surface. The base extends between a plurality of base ends and longitudinal sides. The fastener also includes a plurality of trim cover attachment members extending outwardly from the mold surface for securing the trim cover thereto. In addition, the fastener includes a plurality of sealing flats that sealingly engage each of the stepped regions to prevent foam from flowing past the stepped regions and onto the plurality of trim cover attachment members on the mold surface.

Abstract: Connected fastening members and method for mold-in articles. The connected fastening members include a plurality of mold-in fastening members each having a substrate and a predetermined number of engaging elements formed on a first or front surface of the substrate. The mold-in fastening members are connected with each other by a connecting member that is disposed on a second or the back surface thereof. Using the connected fastening members, a plurality of the fastening members can be easily fit to a recessed portion of a mold in a single operation, resulting in improved working efficiency.

Abstract: A fastener which allows to distinguish a genuine fastener from a forged one. An identification yarn containing substance with different optical reactions to irradiation of visible light and to irradiation of infrared rays of a specific wavelength is disposed at a specified position in the tape which is a component of the fastener. As a result, discrimination between genuine and false fasteners can be done safely without damaging the human health.

Abstract: Fastener products having a multiplicity of fastener elements extending from a strip-form base, the base including first and second attachment members for attachment of a substrate therebetween, are formed by continuously introducing molten resin to a gap defined adjacent a peripheral surface of a rotating mold roll. The resin forms part of the strip-form base of the product at the peripheral mold roll surface and fills an array of fixed cavities defined in the rotating mold roll to form portions of the fastener elements as projections extending from a first side of the sheet-form base. While the resin is on the mold roll, a sheet material is introduced.

Abstract: A two-sheet fascial expander prosthesis for temporary use and method of using it to treat abdominal hypertension and associated organ system function impairment, in which each flat sheet is attached to the fascia only at opposite sides of an incision. One side of each sheet is armed with mating fastening elements that bond when united to bring about high tensile shear strength and low tensile peeling-off resistance permitting easy separation for diagnostic and therapeutic abdominal entry. The invention is useful because it expands the fascia and adds compliance to the envelope of the abdominal cavity by bridging the gap between free borders of the incised fascia containing intra-abdominal organs without strangulating their blood supply and retaining some tension on the fascia to prevent retraction and bringing the edges closer together as healing progresses, and permitting final removal of the patch and fascia-to-fascia closure.

Abstract: A sheet material which may be used for a closure system adapted to receive surface fasteners. The sheet material may be used for the manufacture of containers, such as bags and provides a primary form of closure as well as a secondary form of closure which allows for tamper proofing an packaged product prior to its initial opening followed by a one or two part secondary closure system.

Abstract: A fastening element for hygiene articles. The fastening element presents a first longitudinal direction and a second transverse direction in the form of a longitudinal section. The fastening element includes mechanically adhering clip elements, a first section corresponding to a first support layer and a second section corresponding to a second support layer. The first section contains a first zone by which the fastening elements are attached to the hygiene article. The second section contains a second zone arranged outside of the first section in the transverse direction in which the clip elements are provided. The element is folded in a zigzag manner along longitudinal folding lines and the second zone with the mechanically adhering clip elements lies outside of the zigzag folded configuration in the transverse direction.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a magnetorheological elastomer that provides a change in shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements. In this manner, the shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces in addition to providing variable damping capabilities to the fastener system.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a fastener includes forming a preform sheet having a sheet-form base and an array of hook-shaped fastener elements extending from a broad side of the base, and securing a cover sheet with an aperture across the array of fastener elements, with fastener elements exposed for engagement in an engaging zone corresponding to the aperture of the cover sheet, and the engaging zone surrounded by a contiguous covered preform region. A fastener product includes a preform having a sheet-form base and an array of fastener elements extending from a broad side of the base, and a cover with and aperture secured across the array of fastener elements, the cover defining an aperture there through, with fastener elements exposed for engagement in an engaging zone corresponding to the aperture of the cover, and the engaging zone being surrounded by a contiguous covered preform region.

Abstract: A loop member for a mechanical fastener comprises a nonwoven web, the nonwoven web having a pattern of intersecting bond lines. The pattern is characterized in that at least a portion comprises a first plurality of non-intersecting continuous bond lines and a second plurality of non-intersecting continuous bond lines, each non-intersecting continuous bond line of the first plurality intersecting each non-intersecting continuous bond line of the second plurality. The intersecting bond lines define unbonded pattern elements, each of the pattern elements being at least partially bounded by non-linear segments of the bond lines. The bond pattern for a nonwoven web is suitable for use as a loop member of a mechanical fastener.

Abstract: A method of providing complementary fastener strips for securing one item to another item is disclosed. A dispenser allows for complementary fastener strips in a prebound configuration, to be dispensed and used in applications such as the manufacture of outdoor furniture cushions. The invention facilitates the efficient and cost effective manufacture of articles which utilize multiple strips of complementary fastener strips.

Abstract: The fastener of the present invention comprises a male material, having many hooks, of a mechanical fastener and a female material, made of nonwoven fabric, of the mechanical fastener, the male material engaging said female material, wherein many hooks (3) in the male material (1) have a density of 100 to 1000 pieces/cm2, a height of 300 to 1500 &mgr;m and a width of 100 to 500 &mgr;m, and the nonwoven fabric composing the female material has a basis weight of 20 to 80 g/m2 and a fineness, of 4 to 15 deniers, of a composite fiber thereof. The fastener of is used, for example, in a disposable diaper of absorbent articles.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof. The hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises a fiber and a shape memory alloy coating deposited onto the fiber, and wherein the fiber and the shape memory alloy coating comprises a non-axisymmetric coating or deposition of the shape memory alloy about a portion of the fiber. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces.

Abstract: A fastening kit comprises an injection molded pallet having a field of integrally molded hooks on a surface, and a cooperative loop-bearing member. When the pallet is fastened to a first object and the cooperative loop bearing member is attached to a second object, the first and second objects can be releasably attached to one another by contacting the loops of the loop bearing member with the field of integrally molded hooks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a touch-and-close fastener element (16) comprising a multitude of hook means (26), which are provided with a support as one piece and in the shape of stems (28) with hook heads (30) located at the ends thereof. Each of the hook heads (30) is provided, at least in part, with an additional head part (36) made of an additional material. A touch-and-close fastener system is created in which the respective head part (36) is made from the duroplastic molding compound serving as the additional material. One the one hand, the touch-and-close fastener system can withstand high temperature and mechanical stresses and, on the other hand, leads to improved adhesion values and peel strength values in a corresponding embodiment.

Abstract: An injection molded insert having a field of integrally formed hooks on a surface can be used as a component of a molded article, such that the field of hooks will be on a surface of the molded article. The molded article having the mold insert as a component can be formed by various molding processes such as injection molding, compression molding, blow molding or rotational molding, or by forming from a moldable mass such as sprayable resins, epoxy-based resins, or fiberglass-based resins.

Abstract: A loop component of a hook and loop fastener made of a fibrous, thermally retracted material. A method of making the loop component includes heating one side of a fibrous, thermally retractable material to a high enough temperature to cause the material to retract, thereby bonding the fibers on that side while allowing the fibers on the opposite side to gather into loops.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof. The hook portion generally includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises or incorporates a shape memory polymer. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. Introducing a thermal activation signal to the plurality of hook elements causes a change in shape orientation and/or flexural modulus that effectively reduces the shear and/or pull off forces in the releasable engagement. In this manner, disengagement of the releasable fastener system provides separation of the hook portion from the loop portion under controlled conditions.