Skin-friendly hook fastening component

US7162780B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Velcro Industries B.V. · NL

Inventors

• Timothy R. Martin · Alpharetta, US
• Alexander Neeb · Alpharetta, US
• Richard Schmidt · Appleton, US
• Brian Vanbenschoten · Rochester, US
• Heidi Tremblay · Fort Lauderdale, US
• Christopher M. Gallant · Nottingham, US
• Scott M. Filion · Newmarket, US
• Keith G. Buzzell · Limerick, US
• Joseph K. Parshley · Salem, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 26, 2001
• Grant date: Jan 16, 2007
• Expiry date: Sep 22, 2023

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T428/24017
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

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.