High capacity easy release extended use adhesive closure devices

• US 9,603,419 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2014
• Issued: 03/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: University Of Massachusetts
• Original Assignee: University Of Massachusetts
• Inventors: Crosby, Alfred J., Bartlett, Michael D., Irschick, Duncan J., King, Daniel R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sample, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Flores, Jr., Donald M
• Application Number:
  US14/213,159
• Publication Number:
  US 20140304953A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A44B 18/0069 Details
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/748 Releasability
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2437/00 Clothing
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/12 characterised by using adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 37/16 with all layers existing as coherent layers before laminating
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/02 characterised by structural features of a fibrous or filamentary layer layer formed of metallic wires B32B15/02; layer formed of natural mineral fibres B32B19/02; layer formed of wood fibres B32B21/02
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/00 Layered products characterised by the relation between layers; Layered products characterised by the relative orientation of features between layers, or by the relative values of a measurable parameter between layers, i.e. products comprising layers having different physical, chemical or physicochemical properties; Layered products characterised by the interconnection of layers
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 175/04 Polyurethanes
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2301/31 the adhesive effect being based on a Gecko structure
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2301/312 parameters being the characterizing feature
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2400/00 Presence of inorganic and organic materials
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2400/263 in the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2427/001 in the barrier layer
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2427/006 in the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2433/00 Presence of (meth)acrylic polymer
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2433/006 in the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2475/00 Presence of polyurethane
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2475/006 in the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2483/00 Presence of polysiloxane
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 2483/006 in the substrate
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 7/00 : Adhesives in the form of films or foils
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 7/20 : characterised by their carriers
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 7/205 : characterised by the backing impregnating composition
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 7/21 : Paper; Textile fabrics
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 7/30 : characterised by the adhesive composition
• CPC Class Codes: C09J 7/38 : Pressure-sensitive adhesives [PSA]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/33 : having adhesive fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/24612 : Composite web or sheet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2481 : including layer of mechanically interengaged strands, strand-portions or strand-like strips
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2848 : Three or more layers

Abstract

Unique designs, devices, systems, materials and fabrication methods are provided including adhesive closure devices that are easily released and are suitable for extended/repeated use in a variety of applications.

Claims

1. A closure device capable of forming a releasable seal, comprising

an adhesive pad comprising:

a backing layer; and

an elastic planar layer having a first and a second side, the first side applied to the backing layer, and the second side having an adhering surface, wherein the backing layer has a higher in-plane stiffness than the elastic planar layer; and

an adherent member having an adhering surface;

wherein the adhesive pad and the adherent member are releasably attachable to one another when pressed against each other with the adhering surface of the second side of the layer of elastic material and the adhering surface of the adherent member positioned face-to-face.

2. The closure device of claim 1, further comprising a tether component attached to the backing layer on a side opposite the elastic planar layer, wherein the tether is capable of bearing a load force.

3. The closure device of claim 2, wherein the backing layer, the tether component, and the adherent member together consecutively form a single continuous component.

4. The closure device of claim 3, wherein the adhering surface of the adhesive pad of the second side of the elastic planar layer and the adhering surface of the adherent member are on a same side of the single continuous component.

5. The closure device of claim 1, wherein the backing layer comprises a natural fabric material, a synthetic fabric material, or a blend or hybrid thereof.

6. The closure device of claim 5, wherein the natural fabric material is selected from cotton, hemp, wool, silk, bamboo string, cellulose, jute, and pina.

7. The closure device of claim 5, wherein the synthetic fabric material is a fabric of polyester, polyolefin, spandex, nylon, carbon fiber, polyaramid, carbon fiber polyaramid hybrid, carbon fiber basalt hybrid, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or fiberglass hybrid.

8. The closure device of claim 5, wherein the adhering surface of the adherent member comprises a surface of metal, wood, carbon, polymers, gels, leather, plastic or ceramic.

9. The releasable, surface-adhesive closure device of claim 1, wherein the releasable seal is part of a closed loop when the adhesive pad and the adherent member are pressed against each other.

10. The closure device of claim 1, wherein the adhering surface of the adhesive pad has an area in the range of 0.01 cm²-100 m².

11. The closure device of claim 1, wherein the adhering surface of the adhesive pad has a uniform thickness of 0.0001 mm-10 cm.

12. The closure device of claim 1, wherein the elastic planar layer has an elastic modulus of 0.001 MPa-100,000 MPa.

13. The closure device of claim 1, wherein said closure device is capable of multiple cycles of closure and release.

14. The closure device of claim 1, wherein the adherent member is a second adhesive pad, and wherein the first and second adhesive pads are releasably attachable to one another using the adhering surfaces of the two adhesive pads.

15. The closure device of claim 14, further comprising a tether attached to at least one adhesive pad.

16. The closure device of claim 1, wherein the elastic planar layer includes an elastomeric material.

17. The closure device of claim 1, wherein the adhesive pad and the adherent member form a seal when they are attached to one another.