Hook and loop fastening and the like
First Claim
1. A fastener member useful for separable engagement with surface fibers of a low-loft fabric, the fastener member comprisinga base web;
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an elongated stem adjacent the base web and inclined at an acute angle therewith; and
a crook formed on the end of the stem distal to the base web, the crook directed oppositely to the direction of inclination of the stem and exposed for engaging cooperating fastening features.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fastener member useful for separable engagement with surface fibers of a low-loft, non-woven fabric, or the like, has a base web and a multitude of fastener elements formed with and extending from the base web. The fastener elements have a profile that comprises an elongated stem portion adjacent the base web and inclining at an acute angle to the base. A crook portion is formed on the end of the stem and is directed oppositely to the direction of inclination of the stem, being exposed for engaging a mating fastening member. The acute angle of the stem of the elements enables them to flex toward the base. Offset pairs of such elements can cooperatively move in a pincer-type motion to engage fibers and to retain engaged fibers. Other element configurations are disclosed. The fastener member has particular application for fastening of disposable products such as garments and diapers.
38 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A fastener member useful for separable engagement with surface fibers of a low-loft fabric, the fastener member comprising
a base web; - and
a multitude of fastener elements formed with and extending from a base at the base web, at least some of the fastener elements having a profile that comprises; an elongated stem adjacent the base web and inclined at an acute angle therewith; and a crook formed on the end of the stem distal to the base web, the crook directed oppositely to the direction of inclination of the stem and exposed for engaging cooperating fastening features. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A fastener member useful for separable engagement with surface fibers of a low-loft fabric, the fastener member comprising:
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a base web; and a multitude of fastener elements formed with and extending about 0.015 inch or less from the base web, the thickness of the elements in the direction normal to their profile being about 0.006 inch or less, at least many of the fastener elements each having a profile that comprises; an elongated stem adjacent the base web and inclined at an acute angle therewith; and a crook formed on the end of the stem distal to the base web, the crook directed oppositely to the direction of inclination of the stem and exposed for engaging a mating fastening feature;
the fastener elements having said profile each havinga displacement volume defined as the volume of a rectangular parallelepiped having a bottom plane, first and second side planes, first and second end planes and a top plane;
the bottom plane oriented parallel to the base and including an interior ledge of the crook, the top plane parallel to the base and tangent to the top of the element at the point most distant from the base, the side planes lying in planes projected along the sides of the element, the first end plane perpendicular to the bottom plane and including the side of the intersection of the bottom plane and said stem farthest from said tip, the second end plane tangent to the portion of said tip farthest from said first end plane;wherein the displacement volume is less than about 0.20×
10-6 cubic inches;the fastener member comprising a strip having at least one row of fastener elements extending in the direction of extent of the strip, the profiles of said fastener elements aligned with the row. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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- 15. A fastener member having a multiplicity of fastener elements, at least many of which each comprises a stem extending as an angled cantilever arm in a first direction along a base web, and a hook carried on the free end of the cantilever arm and directed in a second direction, such that elastic deflection of the cantilever arm in movement toward the base web opens the hook, and elastic return motion of the cantilever arm to its undeflected position returns the hook to its initial disposition.
Specification