Abstract: The present invention relates to a mounting device having a metallic base plate, from which multiple projections project, and a method for manufacturing this mounting device. The mounting device may be obtained by cutting multiple hook preforms into the surface of the base plate while leaving at least one bending edge per hook preform. Furthermore, hook-like projections are manufactured by bending the hook preforms out of the base plate around the bending edge and possibly lateral protrusions are manufactured on the projections or these are twisted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hook and loop connector piece, comprising a support band (10) with hooking elements (12) arranged on one side thereof and at least one cover strip (20), forming at least one free lateral edge region (21) extending over the corresponding lateral edge (33) of the support band (10), whereby the respective free lateral edge region (21) of the respective cover strip (20) may be folded over itself, along a fold line (29), running in the longitudinal direction such that the terminal edge (31) of the respective free lateral edge region (21) of the cover strip (20) is turned towards the corresponding lateral edge (33) of the support band (10), whereby, on the side of the hook and loop connector piece away from the hooking elements (12), a connector means (36) for a moulded foam is provided, said connector means (36) being embodied as a number of projecting separate rods (38) which perform the adhesion of the foam without additional projections.

Abstract: Articles having cooperative fasteners are described. The cooperative fasteners comprise an elongated fastening strip with male fasteners extending from a first surface and foam disposed on the first surface, where at least a portion of the foam extends to a height greater than the height of the male fastener elements. In some instances the article is a hat, a mat, a bag, a garment, or a hair roller.

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: Clothlike materials may become abraded upon disengagement of mechanical fasteners. This abrasion may cause a decrease in aesthetic appeal, as well as a decrease in functionality of attachment systems. As a result, there has remained a need for improved fastening systems. Moreover, there has remained a need for improved fastening systems for disposable absorbent articles.

Abstract: A skin-friendly hook component of a hook and loop fastener that reduces or eliminates the occurrence of red-marking and/or irritation if brought into contact with a wearer's skin. In one embodiment, the hook component can have a relatively large top surface area among the hooks with respect to a surface area of the hook backing. In another embodiment, the hook backing is highly flexible, attributable to a flexible resin and/or modified topography. In yet another embodiment, a highly flexible polymer, or polymers, can be used to make individual hooks such that the hooks bend in response to a minimum amount of pressure. Various illustrated hook tapes have features along their edges to enhance skin-friendliness. A skin-friendly hook component results any combination of the disclosed embodiments. The hook component is particularly beneficial when used in absorbent articles.

Abstract: A strip-form touch fastener component includes a resin base having a front surface from which an array of molded plastic fastener elements project, and a reinforcing knit fabric directly laminated to a side of the resin base opposite the fastener elements, the fabric having float filament sections extending generally along an outer surface of a back side of the fastener component. The float sections are connected to the back side of the fastener component only at their ends, and otherwise lie against the back side of the fastener component to reinforce the resin base against tearing.

Abstract: In a molded surface fastener (10) having engaging elements (2) of minute dimension of thermoplastic resin molded together with a base member (1) by continuous molding, each engaging element (2) comprises first and second engaging portions (22a, 22b) each having a different configuration extending in parallel to a surface of the base member from a top end of a pillar portion (21) rising from the base member (1) such that they intersect at right angle. The second engaging head (22b) has an ordinary hook shape structure while the first engaging head (22a) has a wing-like thin plate structure as seen in a plan view. The engaging elements having such a structure in which each engaging element has appropriate engagement force, shearing force and separation force so as to keep an excellent tactile feeling of a surface of the surface fastener, prevents itself from falling down against a pressing force, secures a high engagement ratio with mating pile pieces and satisfies a durability.

Abstract: A reclosable pouch includes interlocking male and female closure elements having elongate hollow closure profiles. The male closure profile has a hollow shaft section, and the female closure profile has a channel with at least one hollow side. A set of pleated grip strips may be disposed adjacent the closure elements to aid in opening a pouch. A die plate for extruding the closure element includes an extrudate aperture that forms an intermediate closure profile including a gap between spaced apart base wall portions.

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: Molded male touch fastener components, and methods of making such components are disclosed. Components include multiple, discrete features that extend laterally from a common side of an upper end of a formation, for engagement of loops.

Abstract: Molded surface fasteners are provided which include a fenestrated base structure with sets of at least three undercut segments extending laterally over at least one window, thereby allowing fastening elements of diverse designs to be precisely molded by a set of biparting dies, either as independent attachable products or as an integral part of a product component. Embodiments include fastener portions comprising singular fastening “buttons”, portions with recessed fastening zones, unitary double-sided fasteners, products incorporating multiple fastener types in different locations, and unique self-engaging fasteners. Methods for attaching and assembling various components, utilizing the present fastener types are also provided.

Abstract: Improved Fasteners of the Slidingly Engagable type are provided in uni-directional and multi-directional orientations, in single and double-sided configurations, and in a range of designs which also include provisions for attaching certain embodiments of such fasteners to a substrate material. A method of economically producing such fasteners and products incorporating such fasteners in diverse materials is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hook member is provided that is capable of engaging fibers. The hook member includes a stem extending upwardly from a sheet-form base to a distal end. The stem has leading and trailing edges that form an apex angle therebetween. A crook is integrally formed with and arches along a curved axis directly from the stem of the hook member to a tip. The crook has a width measured along a line tangent to the tip and perpendicular to a central axis that bisects the apex angle and intersects a plane substantially parallel to the sheet-form base that is less than about 20 percent of a height of the hook member measured along a line extending perpendicular to the base.

Abstract: A mushroom-type hook strip for a hook-and-loop fastener has a flexible backing of thermoplastic resin and, integral with backing, an array of upstanding stems distributed across at least one face of the backing, each having a mushroom head. The stems have a molecular orientation as evidenced by a birefringence value of at least 0.001. The mushroom-type hook strip can be produced continuously by injecting resin into cavities of a cylindrical mold while evacuating and cooling the cavities so that the cooled resin becomes molecularly oriented, thus affording to the stems excellent stiffness, durability, and tensile and flexural strength.

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.

Abstract: The present invention concerns breathable fasteners for use with hook fastener systems. The breathable fastening system comprises a first breathable mechanical fastener surface, which is generally a loop or fibrous type surface that can optionally be joined to a breathable backing loop, and a recon large area breathable hook type fastener. The hook type fastener generally has an integral film backing which film backing has a porosity of from 0.0001 to 0.005 cm3, a backing thickness of from 25 to 200 ?m, a stiffness of from 10 to 2000 Gurley units and a hook or projection containing surface area of at least 10 cm2.

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: A skin-friendly hook component of a hook and loop fastener that reduces or eliminates the occurrence of red-marking and/or irritation if brought into contact with a wearer's skin. In one embodiment, the hook component can have a relatively large top surface area among the hooks with respect to a surface area of the hook backing. In another embodiment, the hook backing is highly flexible, attributable to a flexible resin and/or modified topography. In yet another embodiment, a highly flexible polymer, or polymers, can be used to make individual hooks such that the hooks bend in response to a minimum amount of pressure. Various illustrated hook tapes have features along their edges to enhance skin-friendliness. A skin-friendly hook component results any combination of the disclosed embodiments. The hook component is particularly beneficial when used in absorbent articles.

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: Cooperative touch fasteners have a sheet-form base with an upper face and a lower face. Extending outwardly from, and integral with the upper face of the base is a plurality of fastener elements. Additionally, the lower face of the sheet-form base has a pressure adhesive property and is coated with a cross-linkable adhesive. The cooperative touch fasteners can be used to alter garments, hang window coverings and attach finishing covers. Additionally, the fasteners can be used in place of snaps and buttons, in medical devices, with diapers and in conjunction with a variety of manufacturing techniques.

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 present invention concerns an extrusion formed reticulated web, mesh or netting including reticulated hook fasteners for use with hook and loop fasteners the polymer netting comprising two sets of strands at angles to each other. The first set of strands are a plurality of oriented (molecular orientation created by stretching) strands extending in a first direction and are generally mutually parallel and linear. The second set of strands are a plurality of substantially parallel strands attached only to a first face of the first set of oriented strands. The first set of oriented strands occupy a first planar cross-sectional area in the thickness direction of the formed netting. Said second set of oriented strands occupy a second planar cross-sectional area in the thickness direction of the formed netting. Preferably, these first and second planar cross-sectional areas are substantially mutually exclusive and are abutting.

Abstract: A flexible and extensible closure apparatus for use in apparel is disclosed. The flexible and extensible closure apparatus provides continuity to securely join different pieces of material.

Abstract: A clip includes a grommet, a pin, and a thin connection portion integrally connecting the grommet and the pin. The grommet includes a pair of expandable leg pieces and has a V-shape. The pin can relatively move inside the grommet. A through hole for guiding a top portion of the pin is defined at a tip of the V-shape of the grommet. The thin connection portion is located between an edge of the top portion of the pin and an edge of the through hole. The thin connection is cut when the pin is pushed into the inside of the grommet.

Abstract: A method for forming a unitary polymeric projection or fastener comprising a base layer, and a multiplicity of spaced projections or hook members projecting from the upper surface of the unitary base layer the method generally including extruding of forming a thermoplastic resin through a die plate or mold. A die plate, if used, is shaped to form a base layer and spaced ridges, projecting above a surface of the base layer. When the die forms the spaced ridges or ribs the cross sectional shape of the projections are formed by the die plate. The ridges are then cut at spaced locations along their lengths to form discrete cut portions of the ridges. The cut portions are then heat treated resulting in shrinkage of at least a portion of at least the cut portion thickness by from 5 to 90 percent, preferably 30 to 90 percent thereby forming discrete upstanding projections.

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 surface of the overhang portion of the primary engagement hook.

Abstract: An absorbent article such as infant training pants is provided with a mechanical hook-and-loop type fastening system in which at least the loop material is made of a laminate with a facing having a bond density of greater than 225 points per square inch.

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 releasable touch fastener has an engagement area configured to produce a twisting about a centroid of the engagement area in the plane of engagement, in response to a unidirectional shear load acting within the plane of engagement. One fastener component has a flexible web carrying a multiplicity of loop-engageable fastener elements, or a region of adhesive, defining the engagement area. Elasticity of the engaged materials enhances the twisting effect.

Abstract: The present invention concerns breathable fasteners for use with hook fastener systems. The breathable fastening system comprises a first breathable mechanical fastener surface, which is generally a loop or fibrous type surface that can optionally be joined to a breathable backing loop, and a recon large area breathable hook type fastener. The hook type fastener generally has an integral film backing which film backing has a porosity of from 0.0001 to 0.005 cm3, a backing thickness of from 25 to 200 &mgr;m, a stiffness of from 10 to 2000 Gurley units and a hook or projection containing surface area of at least 10 cm2.

Abstract: A method of forming a fastener product is provided that includes providing a continuous, sheet-form base having an array of fastener elements including molded stems that extend outwardly therefrom. The sheet-form base is split between adjacent rows of the molded fastener elements to form elongated fastener filaments. The fastener filaments are twisted individually to reorient the fastener elements to extend in multiple directions from a common core.

Abstract: An attachment device is provided comprising at least one fluid filled cavity formed therein. The attachment device is preferably in the form of a carabiner in which at least a portion of the carabiner body is formed of a transparent material such that the fluid filled cavity is visible. In a preferred embodiment an indicia bearing means is visibly disposed within said cavity.

Abstract: A male fastener element has loop-engageable structures with a primary structure and associated engageable secondary structures.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming preferably a unitary polymeric hook fastener comprising a flexible backing, and a multiplicity of spaced hook members projecting from the upper surface of the unitary backing wherein each hook member comprises a multiplicity of hook head elements projecting in substantially the same direction. The hook members each comprise a stem portion attached at one end to the backing, and a head portion at the end of the stem portion opposite the backing. The head portion can also extend from a side of a stem portion or be omitted entirely to form alternative projections which can be other forms than a hook member. The head portion preferably projects past the stem portion on at least one of two opposite sides. At least the hook head portions have two or more hook head elements on at least one of the two opposing sides of the stem.

Abstract: A method for forming a unitary polymeric projection or fastener comprising a base layer, and a multiplicity of spaced projections or hook members projecting from the upper surface of the unitary base layer the method generally including extruding of forming a thermoplastic resin through a die plate or mold. A die plate, if used, is shaped to form a base layer and spaced ridges, projecting above a surface of the base layer. When the die forms the spaced ridges or ribs the cross sectional shape of the projections are formed by the die plate. The ridges are then cut at spaced locations along their lengths to form discrete cut portions of the ridges. The cut portions are then heat treated resulting in shrinkage of at least a portion of at least the cut portion thickness by from 5 to 90 percent, preferably 30 to 90 percent thereby forming discrete upstanding projections.

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: Web constructions with severed elongate strands located on at least one surface are described. The severed elongate strands are attached to one or both major surfaces of a web and may be arranged in rows and columns. The elongate strands may be formed by extruding continuous strands onto a web construction, followed by selective attachment of the strands to the web at intervals. After attachment, the elongate strands may be severed at locations between the points of attachment. The severed elongate strands may be used as fastening elements on a web backing. When used as fastening elements, the webs may be used in, e.g., garments (gowns diapers, training pants, etc.), bedding, etc. Other uses may also be envisioned for the webs with severed elongate strands, e.g., personal care products (skin debridement articles, etc.), abrasive articles, polishing articles, filters constructions (where, e.g., the severed elongate strands serve as filtering elements and/or spacers), etc.

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: The invention is a mating film. The mating film comprises a base sheet having a first major surface. A plurality of generally parallel ridges project from the first major surface. The ridges comprise a stem portion attached to the base sheet and generally upright from the base sheet. A head portion of each ridge is spaced from the first major surface and extends generally laterally from the stem portion so as to define a lateral distance. The center of each stem portion of each ridge is spaced from the center of each adjacent ridge stem portion by a distance greater than about 2 times lateral distance defined by the head portion.

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 method for forming a unitary polymeric projection or fastener comprising a base layer, and a multiplicity of spaced projections or hook members projecting from the upper surface of the unitary base layer the method generally including extruding of forming a thermoplastic resin through a die plate or mold. A die plate, if used, is shaped to form a base layer and spaced ridges, projecting above a surface of the base layer. When the die forms the spaced ridges or ribs the cross sectional shape of the projections are formed by the die plate. The ridges are then cut at spaced locations along their lengths to form discrete cut portions of the ridges. The cut portions are then heat treated resulting in shrinkage of at least a portion of at least the cut portion thickness by from 5 to 90 percent, preferably 30 to 90 percent thereby forming discrete upstanding projections.

Abstract: A segmented hook and loop type fastener accommodates molding contours. Each segment may be surrounded by a gasket barrier, or covered by another sort of cover, or left unprotected. The fastener component is a plurality of fastening segments. Carried on the fastening face of a base member are a plurality of fastening elements, either hook-type or loop-type. Located between and joining each adjacent pair of fastening segments is a flexible neck that is narrower than the fastening segment. The flexible neck region is typically flexible around two or three orthogonal axes. Each segment may have a barrier for use during an operation to incorporate the fastener into a molded body. The barrier would prevent any liquid foaming material from contacting the fastening elements if the fastener is placed in the mold with the fastening elements pressed against the wall of the mold. The cover may be enveloping or space filling.

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 comprise a magnetic material that provides a change in shape orientation of the hook elements in response to an activation signal. In this manner, the shape orientation of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces.

Abstract: An extruded hook fastener strip is created on a roll having hook forming cavities in its surface by extruding plastic material into the interface between the forming roll and a second strip carried by a backing roll. The second strip is firmly bonded to the fastener strip on that side opposite the formed hooks.

Abstract: A woven fastener product includes an array of hook elements and an array of loop elements that extend from the surface of different respective regions of a common fabric base. The arrays are formed by warp yarns, the arrays being separated in the warp direction of the fabric base. To form a self-engaged fastening, the fastener product is conformed so that the hook elements overlie the loop elements. Monofilament loops are shown sized and located to provide pin-receiving mounting sleeves as part of the woven structure.

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: A plastic molded hook for use with a hook and loop fastening system especially adapted for use with low profile loops. The hook design includes a base, a stem and a crook whereby the volume of the portion of the hook penetrating into a pile of loops is defined as the displacement volume. Hooks especially adapted for use with low profile loops have a displacement volume of less than 6×10−6 cubic inches.