Method for adapting separable fasteners for attachment to other objects

• US 4,933,224 A
• Filed: 11/25/1987
• Issued: 06/12/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Velcro Industries BV (Chartwell Industries Ltd)
• Original Assignee: Velcro Industries BV (Chartwell Industries Ltd)
• Inventors: Hatch, Richard N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomas, Alexander S.
• Application Number:
  US07/129,883
• Time in Patent Office: 930 Days
• Field of Search: 24/306, 24/444, 428/100, 428/900, 428/120, 428/308.4, 428/311.1, 428/317.1, 428/329, 428/192
• US Class Current: 428/100
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 18/0076 Adaptations for being fixed to a moulded article during moulding
• CPC Class Codes: A44D 2203/00 Fastening by use of magnets
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 33/16 using magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 37/0082 Mechanical anchoring B29C66/303 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 44/1261 Avoiding impregnation of a preformed part
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/08 using ultrasonic vibrations non-plastics element to plastics elements B29C65/645
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/086 using a rotary anvil
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/1122 Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/43 Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles B29C66/45 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/4722 Fixing strips to surfaces other than edge faces fixing strips to edge faces B29C63/0026
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/727 being porous, e.g. foam
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7392 characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/81427 comprising a single ridge, e.g. for making a weakening line; comprising a single tooth
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/83411 Roller, cylinder or drum types B29C66/83431 takes precedence; rollers, cylinders or drums moving relative to and tangentially to the parts to be joined B29C66/8362
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/83511 jaws mounted on rollers, cylinders or drums
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/836 Moving relative to and tangentially to the parts to be joined, e.g. transversely to the displacement of the parts to be joined, e.g. using a X-Y table B29C66/65 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 70/68 by incorporating or moulding on preformed parts, e.g. inserts or layers , e.g. foam blocks mould constructions therefor B29C33/12; joining preformed parts by moulding B29C65/70
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2025/06 PS, i.e. polystyrene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2027/06 PVC, i.e. polyvinylchloride
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2075/00 : Use of PU, i.e. polyureas or polyurethanes or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2105/04 : cellular or porous
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2705/00 : Use of metals, their alloys or their compounds, for preformed parts, e.g. for inserts
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/443 : Chairs
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/729 : Hook and loop-type fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5891 : characterised by the manufacturing process; manufacturing seat coverings not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/90 : Magnetic feature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2708 : Combined with diverse fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2725 : with feature facilitating, enhancing, or causing attachment of filament mounting surface to support therefor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24017 : Hook or barb
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24182 : Inward from edge of web or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24777 : Edge feature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249958 : Void-containing component is synthetic resin or natural rubbers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249962 : Void-containing component has a continuous matrix of fibers only [e.g., porous paper, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/257 : Iron oxide or aluminum oxide

Abstract

An adapted separable fastener and method of making the same for attachment to foam objects such as seat cushions. A separable fastener member of the hook and loop-type is attached, in back-to-back relation, to a second member. The second member has upstanding elements such as loops or hooking elements which elements are ultimately surrounded and encapsulated by the foam during polymerization. The adapted fastener is thereby attached to the foam member. The elements are positioned in order to allow venting of the gaseous byproducts of polymerization. This promotes superior adhesion to the foam material and prevents delamination at the fastener-foam interface. A metal strip may be disposed within the adapted fastener so it may be magnetically held in the foam mold. A method and apparatus for adapting the fastener is also disclosed.

Claims

1. An adapted separable fastener for attachment to a foam plastic article comprising:

(a) a separable fastener member having a base member and a plurality of one portion of engaging elements upstanding from one surface thereof;

(b) a second member attached to said separable fastener member in back to back engaged relation on the side of said separable fastener member opposite the side having said plurality of upstanding engaging elements; and

(c) a plurality of generally parallel spaced apart non-overlapping rows of individual spaced apart non-overlapping monofilamentary loop elements upstanding from the surface of said second member opposite the surface in engagement with said separable fastener member, said spaced apart monofilamentary loop elements each defined by two leg portions each attached at one end to said base member and connected to each other at the other end by a connecting portion which completes said loop each of said spaced apart rows being sufficiently spaced from all adjacent rows and each said loop element being so dimensioned and spaced with respect to adjacent loop elements that they may be substantially completely surrounded and encapsulated by foam plastic material which forms at least part of said foam plastic article thereby firmly attaching said separable fastener member to said foam plastic article without the existence of delaminated portions or trapped gases formed during foaming.

2. The adapted separable fastener according to claim 1 wherein said second member is woven separable fastener tape prior to cutting the loops to form hooks.

3. The adapted separable fastener according to claim 1 wherein said second member is adhesively attached to said separable fastener.

4. The adapted separable fastener according to claim 3 wherein said adhesive is a hot-melt adhesive.

5. The adapted separable fastener according to claim 3 wherein said adhesive is liquid based.

6. The adapted separable fastener according to claim 5 wherein said adhesive is a solvent based adhesive.

7. The adapted separable fastener according to claim 5 wherein said adhesive is a water based resin.

8. The adapted separable fastener according to claim 3 wherein said adhesive is an epoxy resin.

13. The adapted separable fastener member according to any one of the claims 1-12 further comprising a metal strip disposed between the separable fastener member and said second member.

16. The adapted separable fastener as in any one of claims 1, 2, 9, 14 and 15, wherein said engaging elements of said separable fastener member are of a shape selected from the group consisting of:

hooks, spears, and mushrooms.

9. An adapted separable fastener for attachment to a foam plastic article comprising:

(a) a separable fastener member having a base member and a plurality of one portion of engaging elements upstanding from one surface thereof;

(b) a second member attached to said separable fastener member in back to back engaged relation to the side of said separable fastener member opposite the side having said plurality of upstanding engaging elements; and

(c) a plurality of generally parallel spaced apart non-overlapping rows of individual spaced apart non-overlapping monofilamentary loop elements upstanding from the surface of said second member opposite the surface in engagement with said separable fastener member, said spaced apart monofilamentary loop elements each defined by two leg portions each attached at one end to said base member and being connected at the other end by a connecting portion which completes said loop, each of said spaced apart rows being sufficiently spaced from all adjacent rows and each loop element being spaced with respect to all adjacent loop elements so as to be capable of being surrounded and encapsulated by plastic foam forming components while facilitating the free escape of gas by-products produced by polymerization of the components thereby permitting substantial attachment of said second member and said separable fastener member to the finished foam article.

10. The adapted separable fastener according to claim 9 wherein said plurality of elements comprises spaced upstanding loop elements extending from the surface of said second member opposite the surface attached to said separable fastener member.

11. The adapted separable fastener according to claim 10 wherein said loops are between about one-eighth inch and about three-eighths inch in height.

12. The adapted separable fastener according to claim 9 wherein said second member and said elements are hook-shaped separable fastener members.

14. An adapted separable fastener for attachment to a foam plastic article comprising:

(a) a separable fastener member having a base member and a plurality of one portion of engaging elements upstanding from one surface thereof;

(b) a second member attached to said separable fastener member in back to back engaged relation on the side of said separable fastener member opposite the side having said plurality of upstanding engaging elements; and

(c) a plurality of generally parallel spaced apart non-overlapping rows of freestanding substantially rigid individual spaced apart non-overlapping monofilamentary loop elements upstanding from the surface of said second member opposite the surface in engagement with said separable fastener, said spaced apart monofilamentary loop elements each defined by two leg portions each attached at the lower end to said base member and connected to each other at the upper end by a connecting portion which completes said loop, each row of said monofilament loop elements being so spaced with respect to adjacent rows of loop elements and each loop element being sufficiently spaced from all adjacent elements so that each loop element may be substantially completely surrounded and encapsulated by foam plastic material during foam formation by liquid plastic foam forming components which form at least part of said foam plastic article thereby firmly attached said second member and said separable fastener member to said foam plastic article by full absorption of the liquid foam forming components without trapping gases formed during said plastic foam formation thereby preventing the development of delaminated portions at the interface and surrounding area between said second member and the plastic foam article.

15. A covered article with fabric covering comprising:

(a) an object of synthetic foam material;

(b) an elongated separable fastener member having a surface defined by a plurality of one portion of engaging elements upstanding therefrom;

(c) a second member ultrasonically attached to said separable fastener member in back to back engaged relation on the surface of said separable fastener member opposite the surface having said plurality of upstanding engaging elements;

(d) a plurality of generally parallel spaced apart non-overlapping rows of individual spaced apart non-overlapping monofilamentary loop elements upstanding from the surface of said second member opposite the surface in engagement with said separable fastener member, said spaced apart monofilament loop elements each defined by two leg portions each attached at one end to said base member and connected to each other at the other end by a connecting portion which completes said loop, each of said spaced apart rows of monofilamentary loop elements being sufficiently spaced from all adjacent rows of monofilamentary loop elements and each said loop element being so dimensioned and spaced with respect to all adjacent loop elements that the loop elements are substantially completely surrounded and encapsulated by foam plastic material which forms at least part of said foam plastic article thereby firmly attaching said second member and said separable fastener member to said foam plastic article without the existence of delaminated portions of trapped gases formed during foaming;

(e) fabric cover means attached to said synthetic foam object by means of a surface of corresponding mating separable fastener means having a plurality of the other portion of mating engaging elements which engage with said first mentioned portion of engaging elements of said separable fastener member when said mating surfaces are pressed in face to face engaged relation such that said cover can be selectively attached and detached.