Releasable fastener systems and processes

• US 7,013,536 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2003
• Issued: 03/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Inventors: Barvosa-Carter, William, Momoda, Leslie A., Ulicny, John C., Johnson, Nancy L., Golden, Mark A., Stanford, Thomas B., Browne, Alan Lampe
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavinder, Jack W.
• Application Number:
  US10/409,666
• Publication Number:
  US 20040074071A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,078 Days
• Field of Search: 244/42, 244/46, 244/50, 244/51, 244/52, 244/48, 243/04, 428/100
• US Class Current: 24/442
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 18/0061 Male or hook elements A44B18/0053 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 18/0096 Shape memory materials
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 33/02 Wings; Actuating mechanisms therefor
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2201/12 Shape memory
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/77 Use of a shape-memory material
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/81 Use of a material of the hooks-and-loops type
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/83 Use of a magnetic material
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 5/07 by means of multiple interengaging protrusions on the surfaces, e.g. hooks, coils,
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 2224/045 magnetorheological
• 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 428/24017 Hook or barb

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.

Claims

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.

2. The releasable fastener system of claim 1, wherein the hook elements comprise a thermoplastic, a shape memory, or thermoset material.

3. The releasable fastener system of claim 2, wherein the thermoplastic, thermoset, or shape memory material comprises polyphosphazenes, poly(vinyl alcohols), polyester amides, poly(amino acid)s, polyanhydrides, polyacrylamides, polyalkene glycols, polyalkene oxides, polyalkene terephthalates, polyortho esters, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl esters, polyvinyl halides, polylactides, polyglycolides, polysiloxanes, polyurethanes, polyethers, polyether amides, polyether esters, polyalkenes, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyacrylates, polybutylenes, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, acetals, polyamides, polysulfones, polyurethanes, polyphenylene oxide, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing materials.

4. The releasable fastener system of claim 1, wherein the activation signal comprises an electrical current, wherein the electrical current is effective to heat the loop material to the temperature equal to or greater than the defined temperature.

5. The releasable fastener system of claim 1, wherein the hook element comprise a shape comprising a J-shaped orientation, a mushroom shape, a knob shape, a multi-tined anchor shape, a T-shape, a spiral shape, a barbed shaft shape, a grappling hook shape, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing shapes.

6. The releasable fastener system of claim 1, wherein the loop material comprises a shape adapted to be engaged with the hook elements when the hook portion is pressed into face-to-face engagement with the loop portion.

7. The releasable fastener system of claim 1, wherein the loop material comprises a metal.

8. A releasable fastener system comprising:

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.

9. The releasable fastener system of claim 8, wherein the loop material comprises a thermoplastic, a shape memory, or thermoset material.

10. The releasable fastener system of claim 9, wherein the thermoplastic, thermoset, or shape memory material comprises polyphosphazenes, poly(vinyl alcohols), polyester amides, poly(amino acid)s, polyanhydrides, polyacrylamides, polyalkene glycols, polyalkene oxides, polyalkene terephthalates, polyortho esters, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl esters, polyvinyl halides, polylactides, polyglycolides, polysiloxanes, polyurethanes, polyethers, polyether amides, polyether esters, polyalkenes, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyacrylates, polybutylenes, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, acetals, polyamides, polysulfones, polyurethanes, polyphenylene oxide, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing materials.

11. The releasable fastener system of claim 8, wherein the activation signal comprises an electrical current, wherein the electric current is effective to heat the hook elements to the temperature equal to or greater than the defined temperature.

12. The releasable fastener system of claim 8, wherein the hook element comprise a shape comprising a J-shaped orientation, a mushroom shape, a knob shape, a multi-tined anchor shape, a T-shape, a spiral shape, a barbed shaft shape, a grappling hook shape, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing shapes.

13. The releasable fastener system of claim 8, wherein the hook elements comprise a metal.

14. A releasable fastener system comprising:

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.

15. The releasable fastener system of claim 14, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises a metal.

16. The releasable fastener system of claim 14, wherein the activation signal comprises an electric current, wherein the electric current is effective to heat the hook support to the temperature equal to or greater than the defined temperature.

17. The releasable fastener system of claim 14, wherein the thermoplastic, thermoset, or shape memory material comprises polyphosphazenes, poly(vinyl alcohols), polyester amides, poly(amino acid)s, polyanhydrides, polyacrylamides, polyalkene glycols, polyalkene oxides, polyalkene terephthalates, polyortho esters, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl esters, polyvinyl halides, polylactides, polyglycolides, polysiloxanes, polyurethanes, polyethers, polyether amides, polyether esters, polyalkenes, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyacrylates, polybutylenes, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, acetals, polyamides, polysulfones, polyurethanes, polyphenylene oxide, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing materials.

18. A releasable fastener system comprising:

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.

19. The releasable fastener system of claim 18, wherein the thermally conductive material comprises a metal.

20. The releasable fastener system of claim 18, wherein the activation signal comprises an electric current, wherein the electric current is effective to heat the loop support to the temperature equal to or greater than the defined temperature.

21. The releasable fastener system of claim 18, wherein the thermoplastic, thermoset, or shape memory material comprises polyphosphazenes, poly(vinyl alcohols), polyester amides, poly(amino acid)s, polyanhydrides, polyacrylamides, polyalkene glycols, polyalkene oxides, polyalkene terephthalates, polyortho esters, polyvinyl ethers, polyvinyl esters, polyvinyl halides, polylactides, polyglycolides, polysiloxanes, polyurethanes, polyethers, polyether amides, polyether esters, polyalkenes, polycarbonates, polyesters, polycarbonates, polyacrylates, polybutylenes, polystyrenes, polyacrylonitriles, polyvinylchlorides, acetals, polyamides, polysulfones, polyurethanes, acrylates, polyphenylene oxide, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing materials.

22. An on-demand process for releasing a releasable fastener system, the process comprising:

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.

23. The on-demand process for releasing a releasable fastener system of claim 22, further comprising:

re-engaging the hook portion with the loop portion;

applying a current to an engaged releasable fastener system; and

melting, flowing, or volatizing a portion of the hook elements in contact with the loop material and releasing the hook portion from the loop portion.

24. An on-demand process for releasing a releasable fastener system, the process comprising:

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.

25. The on-demand process for releasing a releasable fastener system of claim 24, further comprising:

re-engaging the hook portion with the loop portion,

applying a current to the re-engaged releasable fastener system; and

melting, flowing, or volatizing a portion of the loop material in contact with the hook elements and releasing the hook portion from the loop portion.