Hook and loop fastener
US7052638B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 2003 |
| Grant date | May 30, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 4, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T24/2792
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
Forming a fastener component having heads constructed to engage loops formed e.g. of fibers of a mating component, comprises forming, from a thermoformable material, a preform product having a sheet-form base and an array of preform stems integrally molded with and extending from the base to corresponding terminal ends, by a process having a machine direction and a cross-machine direction. Each molded stem has at least two terminal features spaced from one another in the cross-machine direction, the features having a transverse shape about which engaging fibers can bend, the features having a thickness of about 0.25 mm (0.010 inch) or less, preferably about 0.20 mm (0.008 inch), and for personal care products and the like preferably about 0.1 mm (0.004 inch) or less. The terminal ends of the features are heated to a predetermined softening temperature and the terminal ends are contacted to reform the terminal ends to form heads therefrom that overhang the sheet-form base sufficiently to engage loops.Also shown are molded stems that have at least two terminal features spaced from one another in the machine direction; molded preform having substantially parallel side surfaces on all …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.