Separable fastener having a bald perimeter rib bounded by fastening elements

• US 5,606,781 A
• Filed: 02/17/1995
• Issued: 03/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Velcro Industries BV (Chartwell Industries Ltd)
• Original Assignee: Velcro Industries BV (Chartwell Industries Ltd)
• Inventors: Provost, George A., Jacobs, Martin I., Routhier, Brian J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sakran, Victor N.
• Application Number:
  US08/391,695
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 24/452, 24/444, 24/442, 24/306, 24/446, 24/450, 24/451, 24/447, 24/448, 128/DIG. 15, 2/912
• US Class Current: 24/452
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 18/0076 Adaptations for being fixed to a moulded article during moulding
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 33/16 using magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2708 Combined with diverse fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2775 having opposed structure formed from distinct filaments of diverse shape to those mating therewith
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/2792 having mounting surface and filaments constructed from common piece of material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24017 Hook or barb

Abstract

A separable fastener component for use with a complementary separable fastener component has a base member, having a nominal fastening face and a non-fastening face. Carried on the fastening face is a pattern of fastening elements, comprising a main region carrying fastening elements. Substantially surrounding the main region is a bald region that is substantially free of fastening elements; and substantially surrounding the bald region, is a perimeter region that carries fastening elements. The bald region may be a rectangular annulus, as may be the perimeter region of fastening elements. The bald and perimeter regions may also be non-rectangular. The sacrificial perimeter fastening elements may be hooks or loops. Anchoring elements may be provided on the non-fastening face of the base. Rather than the bald region being one that surrounds the main region, it may bound a portion of the main region and may be a pair of bald regions that are substantially free of fastening elements. Adjoining each of the bald regions is a bounding region that carries hook-type fastening elements, arranged such that each bald region is sandwiched between said main region and a respective bounding region.

The fastening component may be incorporated into a molded product, with minimal intrusion of the molding material into the fastening elements of the main region.

A method of making the fastening component and molded article, as well as a mold are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A separable fastener component for use with a complementary separable fastener component, said separable fastener component comprising:

a. a base member, having a nominal fastening face and a non-fastening face; and

b. carried on said fastening face, a pattern of fastening elements, said fastening elements selected from the group consisting of hook-type and loop-type elements, said pattern comprising;

i. a main region carrying fastening elements;

ii. substantially surrounding said main region, a bald region that is substantially free of fastening elements; and

iii. substantially surrounding said bald region, a perimeter region that carries fastening elements.

2. The separable fastener component of claim 1, said bald region comprising a rectangular annulus.

3. The separable fastener component of claim 1, said perimeter region that carries fastening elements comprising a rectangular annulus.

4. The separable fastener component of claim 1, further comprising, carried on said non-fastening face, anchoring elements.

5. The separable fastener component of claim 1, said fastening elements in said perimeter region comprising hook-like elements.

6. The separable fastener component of claim 1, said fastening elements in said perimeter region comprising loop-like elements.

7. A separable fastener component for use with a complementary separable fastener component, said separable fastener component comprising:

a. a base member, having a nominal fastening face and a non-fastening face; and

b. carried on said fastening face, a pattern of fastening elements, said fastening elements selected from the group consisting of hook-type and loop-type elements, said pattern comprising;

i. a main region carrying fastening elements;

ii. spaced apart, bounding a portion of said main region, a pair of bald regions that are substantially free of fastening elements; and

iii. adjoining each of said bald regions, a bounding region that carries hook-type fastening elements, arranged such that each bald region is sandwiched between said main region and a respective bounding region.

8. The fastener component of claim 7, said main region comprising a rectangle.

9. The fastener of claim 8, said pair of bald regions comprising rectangles.

10. A separable fastener apparatus comprising:

a. a first separable fastener component comprising;

i. a base member, having a nominal fastening face and a non-fastening face; and

ii. carried on said fastening face, a pattern of first fastening elements, said fastening elements selected from the group consisting of hook-type and loop-type elements, said pattern comprising;

A. a main region carrying said first fastening elements;

B. substantially surrounding said main region, a bald region that is substantially free of said first fastening elements; and

C. substantially surrounding said bald region, a perimeter region that carries said first fastening elements; and

b. a second separable fastener component comprising a surface carrying fastening elements that are complementary to said first fastening elements.

11. The separable fastener of claim 10, said first fastener elements in said perimeter region comprising hook-type elements.

12. The separable fastener of claim 10, said first fastener elements in said perimeter region comprising loop-type elements.

13. The separable fastener of claim 10, said bald region comprising a rectangular annulus.

14. The separable fastener of claim 10, said bald region comprising a non-rectangular annulus.