Abstract: A musical instrument protection system includes a plurality of pad devices each having any shape, a body including an adhesive side, a contact side, and a thickness. The pad device is defined by the adhesive side and the contact side, separated by the thickness which can be any color or design. The contact side may be in contact with a hand of a user during an in-use installed condition, and the adhesive side is configured to be adhered to an outer surface of a musical instrument such that it provides a protective barrier for protecting finished outer surfaces, preserving and sometimes enhancing the acoustics of the musical instrument.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved fastening tabs, in particular to fastening tabs for disposable absorbent articles such as diapers or sanitary napkins. The fastening tab generally comprises a substrate and a first adhesive on the substrate. The substrate has at least one fastening region comprising one or more patches of a fastening material attached to the substrate. Each of the patches comprising a plurality of fastening elements, and exposed areas between the patches of fastening material that are free of fastening material. The first adhesive is adjacent to at least one fastening region. The first adhesive has a first tackiness and the exposed areas of the have a second tackiness. The second tackiness is lower than the first tackiness.

Abstract: A self-engaging fastener has a flexible base sheet and an array of discrete fastener elements projecting from a broad side of the base sheet. Each fastener element has a stem extending from the base sheet and a head at a distal end of the stem, the head overhanging the base sheet on multiple sides of the stem. The heads of the discrete fastener elements are arranged in a pattern of hexagonal groupings of fastener element heads bordering central regions void of fastener element heads, with each fastener element head spaced from edges of the array being part of three adjacent groupings. The product features a particularly high separation resistance for the area of the product covered by the heads.

Abstract: A wound cleansing assembly, which includes or is a wound cleansing cloth (1), having at least one carrier layer (2) and threads (3) disposed on the carrier layer (2) and protruding from the carrier (2), preferably made exclusively of synthetic fibers, preferably plastic fibers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fastening structure which enables objects to be easily coupled to or removed from each other, and which enables the relative positions between the objects to be changed in the longitudinal position of zipper rails. The fastening structure includes a first zipper rail unit which is provided on a planar portion of a first object and has zipper rails arranged parallel to each other, and a second zipper rail unit which is provided on a planar portion of a second object and has zipper rails arranged parallel to each other. While the zipper rails of the first zipper rail unit are individually coupled to the corresponding zipper rails of the second zipper rail unit in a female-male engagement manner, relative positions between the first object and the second object can be changed in the longitudinal direction of the zipper rails.

Abstract: A sheet having fastening elements, including a base strip made of thermoplastic material and at least one element made from the strip, the element including 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 mounting device with one metallic base plate, from which a plurality of mounting eyelets protrude. The mounting device is obtainable by incising a plurality of arc-shaped eyelet blanks while leaving two connection sections per eyelet blank into the surface of the base plate and production of the mounting eyelets by bending the eyelet blanks out of the base plate around a bending edge in the area of the connection sections. At least part of the eyelet blanks are arranged as groups of eyelet blanks with the latter being nested to each other. Preferably, the groups of eyelet blanks are arranged rotated relative to each other.

Abstract: A method of making a structured surface and a mechanical fastener precursor are disclosed. The method includes providing a thermoplastic backing with spaced-apart, upstanding posts with base portions attached to the thermoplastic backing and distal tips; deforming the distal tips to form caps on at least some of the spaced-apart, upstanding posts to provide capped posts, wherein at least some caps upon forming touch at least one adjacent cap; and separating the capped posts. Typically, the at least some caps upon forming are shaped at least partially by the at least one adjacent cap. The mechanical fastener precursor includes a thermoplastic backing and upstanding male fastening elements with bases attached to the thermoplastic backing and distal caps larger in area than the cross-sectional area of the bases, wherein the bases of the male fastening elements are spaced apart, wherein at least some of the distal caps touch at least one adjacent distal cap.

Abstract: An adhesive closure piece (10) includes a substrate part (12) and closure pieces (20a, 20b) of at least one type arranged upright on the substrate part. The closure pieces each have a head part (14a, 14b) having at its free end face at least one contact surface (22a, 22b) for detachably adhering to another component by adhesive force. The closure piece has at least one connection section (16a, 16b) on the edge of each head part (14a, 14b). The connection section protrudes beyond the edge of the head part (14a, 14b) in at least one direction (30, 36) such that the size of the contact surface (22a, 22b) of the corresponding head part (14a, 14b) is changed.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a male surface fastener member configured for being molded onto a surface of a foaming resin mold body. The male surface fastener member includes a plurality of male surface fastener strips connected with each other in an end-to-end relationship via a connecting portion that is integrally formed with at least the end portions of each male surface fastener strips. Each male surface fastener strip includes a base material having a first surface from which a plurality of engaging elements extend upwardly and first and second substantially lateral resin intrusion prevention walls that upwardly from the first surface along a width direction of the base material between the first and second longitudinal resin intrusion prevention walls. Each of the lateral resin intrusion prevention walls comprises a plurality of engaging elements that are arranged in series in a width direction of the first surface.

Abstract: A composite hook and loop fastener in the form of an elongated strip has an elongated loop component, a hook component permanently affixed to the loop component, and a backing layer disposed on a face of the wrap tie in a discrete region. The backing layer is used for permanent attachment of the wrap tie to a supporting surface. One end of the loop component is available for encircling an object to be wrapped and engaging the fastener elements of the hook component. The loop component has a self-supporting web of entangled fibers, the fibers forming both a sheet-form body and hook-engageable, free-standing loops extending from at least one surface of the body, and the hook component has fastener elements extending from a common base. The backing layer may be a pressure sensitive adhesive or a synthetic resin.

Abstract: A fastening fabric structure is disclosed to have a micro-fibriform loop fabric, fabricated by complex, textured micro-fiber yarn and split thereafter to recover more and smaller fibers, all of the fibers forming the micro-fibriform loops or pile loops between the inter-weaving or inter-knitting nodes, and a fibriform pile fabric, fabricated by spun yarn or synthetic filament yarn and sheared to form erected, dispersed non-hook fiber bundles of micro-fibriform pile for fastening the micro-fibriform loops of said micro-fibriform loop fabric. The erected, dispersed non-hook fiber bundles of micro-fibriform pile will not be tangled together, enhancing the fastening ability of the fastening fabric.

Abstract: Disclosed are adhesive systems and methods of making and using such systems. Exemplary adhesive systems include protrusions and/or grooves that can interleave to form a reversible adhesive interaction.

Abstract: A composite hook and loop fastener in the form of an elongated strip has an elongated loop component, a hook component permanently affixed to the loop component, and a backing layer disposed on a face of the wrap tie in a discrete region. The backing layer is used for permanent attachment of the wrap tie to a supporting surface. One end of the loop component is available for encircling an object to be wrapped and engaging the fastener elements of the hook component. The loop component has a self-supporting web of entangled fibers, the fibers forming both a sheet-form body and hook-engageable, free-standing loops extending from at least one surface of the body, and the hook component has fastener elements extending from a common base. The backing layer may be a pressure sensitive adhesive or a synthetic resin.

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: Provided is a molding hook and loop fastener, in which a barrier erected near left and right side edges of a substrate includes at least two rows of vertical wall arrays, and the vertical wall array includes a plurality of vertical walls disposed alternately. Between the two adjacent, rows of the vertical walls disposed alternately, each of the vertical walls disposed on one row is connected to two vertical walls disposed on the other row via a connecting part, and the connecting part connects one end portion of one vertical wall disposed on the adjacent row and the other end portion of the other vertical wall. Due to this, in the molding hook and loop fastener an outer side and an inner side of the barrier can be divided by the vertical wall array and the connecting part, and flexibility of the molding hook and loop fastener can be improved.

Abstract: A molded area fastener product, such as a self-engaging fastener, has a strip-form base of resin with a broad surface from which an array of discrete fastener elements extends. The fastener elements each include a molded stem extending from the broad surface of the base to a curved head that extends toward a front side of the fastener element, forms a crook and ends in a distal tip. In some examples the curved head protrudes beyond the stem on the back side of the fastener element to form an overhang defined by an overhang surface of the head directed toward the base, and the crook is defined in part by an underside head surface that overhangs a lower portion of the stem. In some examples the fastener elements are arranged to provide a high distension overlap when mated with an identical fastener product.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adhesive closure piece (10), comprising a substrate part (12) and closure pieces (20a, 20b) of at least one type arranged upright thereon, said closure pieces each having a head part (14a, 14b), which, at a free end face thereof has at least one contact surface (22a, 22b) for detachably adhering to another component by means of adhesive force, wherein said adhesive closure piece is characterized in that at least one connection section (16a, 16b) is present on the edge of at least one of the head parts (14a, 14b), wherein said connection section protrudes beyond the edge of said head part (14a, 14b) in at least one direction (30, 36) in such a way that the size of the contact surface (22a, 22b) of the corresponding head part (14a, 14b) is changed.

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 fastening member having a reinforced region is disclosed. The fastening member may have a first layer formed of a nonwoven and a second layer at its reinforced region formed of either a polymeric film or another nonwoven, bonded to the first layer by a plurality of bond sites arranged in a pattern. The polymer(s) forming the fibers of the first layer and the polymer(s) forming the film or fibers of the second layer may be of like chemistry to enhance thermal bonding between the layers at the bond sites. The fastening member may be imparted with enhanced appearance and tear resistance attributes and may be suitable for use as a fastening member of a wearable article such as a disposable diaper.

Abstract: A fastening product, in the form of a flexible, sheet-form substrate (102) having a surface (108); a plurality of walls (104) extending from the surface (108) and defining therebetween an array (114) of cells (116) bounded by the walls 122 (104) such that the walls separate adjacent cells of the array, the substrate (102) forming a floor (122) each cell; and a plurality of fastener elements (106) extending from the surface (108) and interspersed among the cells (116). The fastener elements having heads (130) spaced above the surface (108) to define loop engagement overhangs (134) disposed within the cells. The cells (116) of the array (114) are arranged in columns (124) and rows (126), each column and each row comprising at least three of the cells, such that there exists at least one closed path (136) within the substrate (102) that fully circumscribes at least one of the cells.

Abstract: A microhook and loop fastening and detaching assembly comprising a web including a plurality of malleable loops formed integral with one surface of the web, and a plurality of hooks attached to another surface of the web, wherein the loops are adapted to removably engage the hooks. The hooks are equidistantly-arrayed in a plurality of linear rows on the hook side of the web in a staggered manner across the width of the web, such that each hook in a given row is located between two hooks of an adjacent row. The centerline distance between hooks in adjacent rows in the machine direction of the web is greater than the equidistant centerline dimension between adjacent hooks in the same cross-web row. Each hook includes a pedestal attached to the hook side of the web, and a head portion forming part of the pedestal.

Abstract: A method of making a mechanical fastening strip and a reticulated mechanical fastening strip are disclosed. The method includes providing a backing having upstanding posts; providing interrupted slits through the backing, the interrupted slits being interrupted by at least one intact bridging region; spreading the slit backing to provide multiple strands separated from each other between at least some of the bridging regions to provide at least one opening; and fixing the multiple strands of the backing in a spread configuration. The reticulated mechanical fastening strip includes multiple strands of a backing attached to each other at bridging regions in the backing and separated from each other between the bridging regions to provide openings. Upstanding posts on each of the multiple strands have bases attached to the backing, and each of the multiple strands has a width that is greater than that of the bases of its attached upstanding posts.

Abstract: A molded area fastener product, such as a self-engaging fastener, has a strip-form base of resin with a broad surface from which an array of discrete fastener elements extends. The fastener elements each include a molded stem extending from the broad surface of the base to a curved head that extends toward a front side of the fastener element, forms a crook and ends in a distal tip. In some examples the curved head protrudes beyond the stem on the back side of the fastener element to form an overhang defined by an overhang surface of the head directed toward the base, and the crook is defined in part by an underside head surface that overhangs a lower portion of the stem. In some examples the fastener elements are arranged to provide a high distension overlap when mated with an identical fastener product.

Abstract: A fixturing apparatus 100, comprising a first fixturing surface 230, and a plurality of locking teeth 210 attached to and extending outwardly from that fixturing surface 230. Each locking tooth comprises a base 310 defined by a proximal end of a first side 320 that extends outwardly from the fixturing surface and a proximal end of a second side 340 that extends outwardly from the fixturing surface. A distal end 324 of the first side and a distal end 336 of the second side intersect at an intersection that does not overlie the base 310.

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: An engaging member for attaching an upholstery material to a cushion member, which has a positioning member at least one lengthwise terminal end. The positioning member places the starting end of loop engaging element portion in precise position in the groove of the cushion member. The engaging member is long and flexible and bends in conformity with the complicated shape of the curved groove. The method of producing an upholstered cushion molding using the engaging member improves the working efficiency.

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 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: To provide a female part of a hook and loop fastener exhibiting excellent engaging force, where the left-right difference of engaging force is small. A female part of a hook and loop fastener having a knitted fabric composed of warps, wefts and loop yarns, and a substrate, wherein a structure of the warps is a chain stitch on which open and close nodes are alternately arranged, and the loop yarns are only fixed to the close nodes of the warps with open nodes of the loop yarns, and the loop yarns project in left and right directions alternately from only one surface of the knitted fabric.

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 touch fastener includes a loop component and a hook component, with a particularly small overall engaged thickness in combination with a high fastening strength, both in peel and shear. The loop component is a woven material, while the hook component may be woven or molded. The molded hook component includes a scrim reinforcement for tear resistance and sewability. The fastener is useful for high cycle applications, such as on non-disposable garments, footwear and luggage.

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: The present disclosure provides embodiments of a releasable fastening arrangement that can include a first fastening strip secured to and extending over a substrate surface and having a first surface carrying first fastening elements extending from the surface. The releasable fastening arrangement can also include a second fastening strip having a second surface carrying second fastening elements that are engageable by the first fastening elements to form a releasable fastening. The first surface can include a flexible flap that is formed therein, and that is surrounded by other portions of the first surface. The flap can carry at least one of the first fastening elements, and can flap have a distal edge that is displaceable from the substrate surface under peel loads applied to the at least one first fastening element carried by the flap.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a male surface fastener member configured for being molded onto a surface of a foaming resin mold body. The male surface fastener member includes a plurality of male surface fastener strips connected with each other in an end-to-end relationship via a connecting portion that is integrally formed with at least the end portions of each male surface fastener strips. Each male surface fastener strip includes a base material having a first surface from which a plurality of engaging elements extend upwardly and first and second substantially lateral resin intrusion prevention walls that upwardly from the first surface along a width direction of the base material between the first and second longitudinal resin intrusion prevention walls. Each of the lateral resin intrusion prevention walls comprises a plurality of engaging elements that are arranged in series in a width direction of the first surface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for maintaining a fastening system and a fastening kit for providing variable fastening ability and structural longevity. The interrelationships between surfaces bearing strong closure deformations and weak closure deformations permit displacement of multiple member systems with reliable displacement generally between a single pair of members.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to adhesive systems and methods of making and using such systems. Exemplary adhesive systems comprise protrusions and/or grooves that can interleave to form a reversible adhesive interaction.

Abstract: A towel system, assembly, and method enable a user to quickly identify, retrieve, and replace a moisture-absorbent medium. The towel system comprises, in combination, a circular towel, a support structure, and certain fastening structure. The towel is constructed from a moisture-absorbent medium and comprises a circular periphery, an anterior surface, and a posterior surface. The support structure comprises a vertical support surface. The fastening structure has a fastened thickness and is cooperable with the towel and the support surface for enabling a user to removably fasten the towel to the support surface. The fastening structure comprises towel-based and support-based structures. The fastening structure enables the user to removably fasten the towel adjacent the support surface a distance substantially equal to the fastened thickness for preventing contact between the towel and support surface and enabling the towel to hang within an air space surrounding the anterior and posterior surfaces.

Abstract: Mechanically interlocking releasable fastener systems include a reinforced shape memory polymer for forming one of the interlocking components. The reinforced shape memory polymer includes a filler material in the form of a fiber and/or platelet. The filler can include an electrically conductive filler, a thermally conductive filler, a dielectric fillers, and mixtures thereof. Also disclosed herein are processes for using the releasable fastener systems.

Abstract: A web for use in applying a functional material is provided. The web includes a layer that has a plurality of elevated regions. The layer defines a plurality of cavities such that the cavities are located between adjacent elevated regions. A plurality of depressed regions are located on the layer intermediate the elevated regions. The layer has a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal mid-plane defined therethrough. A plurality of functional material members are located in the cavities of the layer. The functional material members are adapted for adhesion of particles or surfaces thereon. The layer is extendable in the longitudinal direction so that the elevated regions are moved in a direction towards the longitudinal mid-plane.

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 plastic male touch fastener component has a sheet-form base and an array of male fastener elements, each including a stem extending outwardly from and integrally with the sheet-form base, and two heads extending in essentially opposite directions in an engagement plane from a distal end of the stem to corresponding tips, the fastener element having an upper surface that defines a well between the heads. The fastener element is dimensioned with proportionately large heads for the size of the fastener, that nevertheless have clearance to distend to release loops. The shape of the fastener element also allows for demold from closed mold cavities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fastening film system 1 comprising a backing 7 and an adhesive layer 6 on one of the two major surfaces of the backing 7, the backing 7 bearing on its exposed major surface 3a opposite to the adhesive layer 6 a plurality of male fastening elements 4 capable of engaging with fibrous materials 32 having a plurality of complementary female fastening elements, and a plurality of through-holes 2 extending through the thickness 11 of the backing 7 so that the adhesive layer 6 attached to the backing 7 is exposed through such through-holes 2 wherein at least one of said through-holes 2 is encompassed by the backing 7, and wherein the fastening film system 1 releasably adheres to said fibrous materials 32 through a combination of a mechanical and an adhesive bonding mechanism.

Abstract: A web for use in applying a functional material is provided. The web includes a layer that has a plurality of elevated regions. The layer defines a plurality of cavities such that the cavities are located between adjacent elevated regions. A plurality of depressed regions are located on the layer intermediate the elevated regions. The layer has a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal mid-plane defined therethrough. A plurality of functional material members are located in the cavities of the layer. The functional material members are adapted for adhesion of particles or surfaces thereon. The layer is extendable in the longitudinal direction so that the elevated regions are moved in a direction towards the longitudinal mid-plane.

Abstract: Loop materials are provided for touch fastening. The loop materials include a web of nonwoven fibrous material defining a plane, the web including: (a) raised areas, elevated above the plane of the web, defining loops constructed for engagement with male touch fastener elements; (b) rib areas surrounding the raised areas to anchor the loops; and (c) between the rib areas, either open areas, or planar areas that are substantially in the plane of the web.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a reticulated web, mesh or netting the polymeric netting comprising two sets of strands at angles to each other and formed from a profile extruded three dimensional film having a first face and a second face. The profile extruded film is cut in regular intervals along the X-dimension on one or more faces or alternatively in alternating fashion on the first face and the second face. The cut film is then stretched (oriented) in the lengthwise dimension creating a nonplanar netting characterized by land portions on the top and bottom surfaces with connecting leg portions extending between the land portion on the top and bottom surfaces.

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: An aqueous resin composition satisfying the following criteria (I)–(III). (I) The aqueous resin composition contains (a) an aqueous dispersion of a polyurethane resin obtained from a macromolecular polyol, organic polyisocyanate, chain extending agent and 2,2-dimethylolbutanoic acid, and, if required, (b) an aqueous dispersion of an acrylic resin. (II) When the resin comprising this aqueous resin composition contains mainly a polyurethane resin, the inherent viscosity (?inh) of the polyurethane resin measured at a concentration of 0.5 g/dL in dimethylformamide solution is in the range of 0.2–0.7 dL/g. After this aqueous resin composition is dried, the elastic modulus at 25° C. of the film obtained by heat treatment at 80° C. for 8 hours is in the range of 8.0×106–5.0×108 Pa, and the elastic modulus at 80° C. is 8.0×107 Pa or less.

Abstract: A male fastener element extends integrally from a planar base and includes a primary engagement hook and a secondary engagement structure (e.g., a hook). The primary engagement hook has a stem portion that is integrally molded with the planar base and that extends from the planar base to a distal end. The primary engagement hook also has an overhang portion that extends from the distal end of the stem portion and that has an underside surface overhanging an open volume for receiving loops. The secondary engagement structure, which is shorter than the primary engagement hook, is disposed immediately adjacent the primary engagement hook and extends from a side surface of the primary engagement hook. The secondary engagement structure extends from the base to a distal end that is disposed, in side view, below the underside surface of the overhang portion of the primary engagement hook.

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.