Fastener assembly with magnetic side and end seals and method

• US 5,500,268 A
• Filed: 01/31/1995
• Issued: 03/19/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Aplix Incorporated (Aplix)
• Original Assignee: Aplix Incorporated (Aplix)
• Inventors: Billarant, Patrick J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Thomas, Alexander S.
• Application Number:
  US08/381,507
• Time in Patent Office: 413 Days
• Field of Search: 428/100, 428/900, 428/120, 24/442, 24/452
• 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 44/1261 Avoiding impregnation of a preformed part
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/90 Magnetic feature
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/27 including readily dissociable fastener having numerous, protruding, unitary filaments randomly interlocking with, and simultaneously moving towards, mating structure [e.g., hook-loop type fastener]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2792 having mounting surface and filaments constructed from common piece of material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24008 including fastener for attaching to external surface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24017 Hook or barb
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24182 Inward from edge of web or sheet

Abstract

A fastener assembly of the type for being molded into cushions, and including a base having first and second major surfaces defining first and second opposed ends and first and second opposed side edges. Hooks are carried by the base cooperating with complementary loops carried on material when pressed against the attachment members on the base. Permanent anchors are carried by the base and are spaced apart sufficiently to allow foam intrusion between the anchors to attach the fastener assembly to a foamed article, such as, for example, a cushion. First and second magnetically-attractable side edge seals are attached to the base for being attracted to magnets positioned in a mold in which the cushion is molded. The side edge seals form a foam-tight seal between the side edges of the base and the mold to prevent intrusion of liquid foam during molding of the article. First and second magnetically-attractable end seals are attached to the base for being attracted to magnets positioned in the mold in which the cushion is molded to form a foam-tight seal between the ends of the base and the mold to prevent intrusion of liquid foam onto the hooks during molding of the article. Each of the first and second end seals include a staple attached to the base for holding the end of the base tightly in the mold and a seal of loops attached to the hooks along both the width of the base and a predetermined length of the base adjacent the respective end of the base for preventing liquid foam intrusion onto the hooks.

Claims

1. A fastener assembly for being molded into a foam cushion, and comprising:

(a) a base having first and second major surfaces defining first and second opposed ends and first and second opposed side edges;

(b) a multiplicity of attachment members carried by the base and extending outwardly from the first major surface of the base;

(c) a multiplicity of permanent anchors carried by the base and extending outwardly from the second major surface of the base, the anchors being spaced apart sufficiently to allow foam intrusion between said anchors to permanently attach said fastener assembly to the cushion;

(d) first and second magnetically-attractable side edge sealing members attached to the base adjacent a respective one of said first and second opposing side edges of the base for being attracted to magnets positioned in a mold in which the cushion is molded to form a foam-tight seal between the side edges of the base and the mold to prevent intrusion of liquid foam onto the attachment members of the base during molding of the cushion;

(e) first and second magnetically-attractable end sealing assemblies attached to the base adjacent to respective first and second ends of the base for being attracted to magnets positioned in the mold in which the cushion is molded to form a foam-tight seal between the ends of the base and the mold to prevent intrusion of liquid foam through the ends of the base onto the attachment members of the base during molding of the cushion, each of said first and second end sealing assemblies comprising;

(1) a magnetically-attractable metal staple penetrating through the base from one major surface to the other and cooperating with the base for holding the respective end of the base tightly in the mold; and

(2) a seal positioned on the respective end of the base and engaging with the attachment members on the first major side of the base for preventing liquid foam intrusion onto the first attachment members from the end of the base.

2. A fastening assembly according to claim 1, wherein the base, said attachment members and said anchors are integrally molded, and said attachment members comprise a plurality of spaced apart rows of hook-like projections extending along at least a portion of the length and across at least a portion of the width of the base.

3. A fastening assembly according to claim 2, wherein said magnetically attractable member of said end sealing assemblies comprises a metal member attached to the base.

4. A fastening assembly according to claim 1, wherein the base is elongate and said first and second opposed side edges extend longitudinally from the first opposed end to the second opposed end.

5. A fastening assembly according to claim 1, wherein said first and second side sealing members comprise flexible sheeting material containing magnetically-attractable powder, said sheeting material attached with adhesive to the base.

6. A fastening assembly according to claim 1, wherein said staple has an elongate head and two integrally formed legs, and said head extends along the base between rows of said hook-like projections with the legs penetrating through the base.

7. A fastening assembly according to claim 6, wherein said seal is attached to and penetrates into the multiplicity of first attachment members along both the width of the base and along a predetermined length of the base adjacent said ends, said seal comprising a patch of dense, fibrous loop material for being received onto the hook-like projections on the first major surface of the base and for sealingly extending onto the hook-like projections towards the base.

8. A fastening assembly according to claim 7, wherein said loop material of said seal is releasable from said hooks.