Releasable fastener systems and processes
First Claim
1. A releasable fastener system comprising:
- a hook portion comprising a hook support and a plurality of hook elements, wherein the hook elements comprise a material adapted to break at a defined temperature;
a loop portion comprising a loop material and a loop support, wherein the loop material comprises an electrically and thermally conductive material; and
an activation device in electrical communication with the loop material, wherein the activation device is adapted to provide an activation signal to the loop material and heat the loop material to a temperature equal to or greater than the defined temperature to effect the break.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof. The hook portion generally includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. A selected one of the hook elements or the loop material is formed from a thermally and/or electrically conductive material. The other one is formed of a material adapted to melt, flow or volatize at a defined temperature. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. Introducing an activation signal to the thermally and/or electrically conductive hook elements or loop material, causes the opposing material to melt, flow, soften, or volatize upon contact therewith. Also disclosed herein are processes for operating the releasable fastener system.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A releasable fastener system comprising:
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a hook portion comprising a hook support and a plurality of hook elements, wherein the hook elements comprise a material adapted to break at a defined temperature; a loop portion comprising a loop material and a loop support, wherein the loop material comprises an electrically and thermally conductive material; and an activation device in electrical communication with the loop material, wherein the activation device is adapted to provide an activation signal to the loop material and heat the loop material to a temperature equal to or greater than the defined temperature to effect the break. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A releasable fastener system comprising:
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a hook portion comprising a hook support and a plurality of hook elements, wherein the book elements comprises an electrically and thermally conductive material; a loop portion comprising a loop material and a loop support, wherein the loop material comprises a material adapted to break at a defined temperature; and an activation device in electrical communication with the hook elements, wherein the activation device is adapted to provide an activation signal to hook elements and heat the hook elements to a temperature equal to or greater than the defined temperature to effect the break. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A releasable fastener system comprising:
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a hook portion comprising a hook support and a plurality of hook elements formed on the hook support, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises a thermally conductive material; a loop portion comprising a loop material and a loop support, wherein the loop material comprises a thermoplastic, thermoset, or shape memory material adapted to break at a defined temperature; and an activation device in electrical communication with the hook support, wherein the activation device is adapted to provide an activation signal to the hook support and heat the hook support to a temperature equal to or greater than the defined temperature to effect the break. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. A releasable fastener system comprising:
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a hook portion comprising a hook support and a plurality of hook elements, wherein the hook elements comprises a thermoplastic, thermoset, or shape memory material adapted to break at a defined temperature; a loop portion comprising a loop support and a loop material formed on the loop support, wherein the loop material comprises a thermally conductive material; and an activation device in electrical communication with the loop support, wherein the activation device is adapted to provide in activation signal to the loop support and heat the loop support to a temperature equal to or greater than the defined temperature to effect the break. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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22. An on-demand process for releasing a releasable fastener system, the process comprising:
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applying a current to an engaged releasable fastener system, wherein the releasable fastener system comprises a hook portion comprising a hook support and a plurality of hook elements, wherein the hook elements comprise a material adapted to break at a defined temperature, a loop portion comprising a loop material and a loop support, wherein the loop material comprises an electrically and thermally conductive material, and an activation device in electrical communication with the loop material, wherein the activation device is adapted to provide an activation signal to the loop material and heat the loop material to a temperature equal to or greater than the defined temperature to effect the break; and breaking the hook elements at a point of contact with the loop material upon activation of the activation signal and releasing the hook portion from the loop portion. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. An on-demand process for releasing a releasable fastener system, the process comprising:
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applying a current to an engaged releasable fastener system, wherein the releasable fastener system comprises a hook portion comprising a hook support and a plurality of hook elements, wherein the hook elements comprise an electrically and thermally conductive material, a loop portion comprising a loop material and a loop support, wherein the loop material comprises a material adapted to break at a defined temperature, and an activation device in electrical communication with the hook elements, wherein the activation device is adapted to provide an activation signal to the hook elements and heat the hook elements to a temperature equal to or greater than the defined temperature to effect the break; and breaking the loop material at a point of contact with the hook elements upon application of the activation signal and releasing the hook portion from the loop portion. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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Specification