U.S. patent application number 09/748705 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-27 for sliding fastening system.
Invention is credited to Martin, Timothy Ray, Schmidt, Richard John.
Application Number | 20020078536 09/748705 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25010577 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020078536 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Martin, Timothy Ray ; et
al. |
June 27, 2002 |
Sliding fastening system
Abstract
A separable fastening system including a first component having
a cavity into which a second component can be inserted. At least
one wall inside the cavity can have a surface that releasably
attaches to at least one side of the second component. The
releasably attachable surfaces can include hooks and loops. This
fastening system is particularly beneficial when used in absorbent
articles.
Inventors: |
Martin, Timothy Ray;
(Alpharetta, GA) ; Schmidt, Richard John;
(Roswell, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Melanie I. Rauch
Pauley Petersen Kinne & Fejer
Suite 365
2800 West Higgins Road
Hoffman Estates
IL
60195
US
|
Family ID: |
25010577 |
Appl. No.: |
09/748705 |
Filed: |
December 22, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/450 ;
24/306 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/2708 20150115;
A61F 13/622 20130101; Y10T 24/2775 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/450 ;
24/306 |
International
Class: |
A44B 011/25 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A separable fastening system, comprising: a loop component
including a loop backing and a plurality of loops protruding from
it, with the loop backing forming a cavity; and a hook component
including a hook backing and a plurality of hooks protruding from
it, wherein a portion of the hook component fits into the cavity of
the loop component.
2. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the cavity is formed by
a first portion of the loop backing folded over a second portion of
the loop backing.
3. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the cavity is formed by
a first piece of loop backing attached to a second piece of loop
backing along at least one edge of each of the first and second
pieces of loop backing.
4. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein at least some of the
plurality of loops are located within the cavity.
5. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein the hook backing is
folded such that a first portion of the hook backing is folded over
a second portion of the hook backing.
6. The fastening system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the loop
backing can be lifted and folded back by about 180 degrees.
7. An absorbent article comprising the fastening system of claim
1.
8. A diaper comprising the fastening system of claim 1.
9. A training pant comprising the fastening system of claim 1.
10. A feminine hygiene product comprising the fastening system of
claim 1.
11. An incontinence product comprising the fastening system of
claim 1.
12. A swimwear garment comprising the fastening system of claim
1.
13. A medical garment comprising the fastening system of claim
1.
14. A separable fastening system, comprising: a hook component
including a hook backing and a plurality of hooks protruding from
it, with the hook backing forming a cavity; and a loop component
including a loop backing and a plurality of loops protruding from
it, wherein a portion of the loop component fits into the cavity of
the hook component.
15. The fastening system of claim 14, wherein the cavity is formed
by a first portion of the hook backing folded over a second portion
of the hook backing.
16. The fastening system of claim 14, wherein the cavity is formed
by a first piece of hook backing attached to a second piece of hook
backing along at least one edge of each of the first and second
pieces of hook backing.
17. The fastening system of claim 14, wherein at least some of the
plurality of hooks are located within the cavity.
18. The fastening system of claim 14, wherein the loop backing is
folded such that a first portion of the loop backing is folded over
a second portion of the loop backing.
19. The fastening system of claim 14, wherein a portion of the hook
backing can be lifted and folded back by about 180 degrees.
20. An absorbent article comprising the fastening system of claim
14.
21. A diaper comprising the fastening system of claim 14.
22. A training pant comprising the fastening system of claim
14.
23. A feminine hygiene product comprising the fastening system of
claim 14.
24. An incontinence product comprising the fastening system of
claim 14.
25. A swimwear garment comprising the fastening system of claim
14.
26. A medical garment comprising the fastening system of claim
14.
27. A separable fastening system, comprising: a first component
including a first portion and a second portion with a cavity
therebetween; and a second component including a flat portion that
fits into the cavity of the first component, wherein a first
surface of the flat portion and the first portion of the first
component can be releasably engaged to one another.
28. The fastening system of claim 27, wherein the first portion of
the first component comprises a loop backing and a plurality of
loops extending from it, and the first surface of the flat portion
of the second component comprises a hook backing and a plurality of
hooks extending from it.
29. The fastening system of claim 27, wherein the second portion of
the first component comprises a loop backing and a plurality of
loops extending from it, and a second surface of the flat portion
of the second component comprises a hook backing and a plurality of
hooks extending from it.
30. The fastening system of claim 27, wherein the first portion of
the first component comprises a hook backing and a plurality of
hooks extending from it, and the first surface of the flat portion
of the second component comprises a loop backing and a plurality of
loops extending from it.
31. The fastening system of claim 27, wherein the second portion of
the first component comprises a hook backing and a plurality of
hooks extending from it, and a second surface of the flat portion
of the second component comprises a loop backing and a plurality of
loops extending from it.
32. The fastening system of claim 27, wherein the first portion of
the first component can be lifted and folded back by about 180
degrees.
33. The fastening system of claim 27, wherein the cavity is defined
by an angle of about 1 degree to about 45 degrees between the first
and second portions of the first component.
34. The fastening system of claim 27, wherein the cavity is defined
by an angle of about 1 degree to about 30 degrees between the first
and second portions of the first component.
35. The fastening system of claim 27, wherein the cavity is defined
by an angle of about 1 degree to about 20 degrees between the first
and second portions of the first component.
36. An absorbent article comprising the fastening system of claim
27.
37. A diaper comprising the fastening system of claim 27.
38. A training pant comprising the fastening system of claim
27.
39. A feminine hygiene product comprising the fastening system of
claim 27.
40. An incontinence product comprising the fastening system of
claim 27.
41. A swimwear garment comprising the fastening system of claim
27.
42. A medical garment comprising the fastening system of claim 27.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention is directed to a sliding fastening system
having male and female components. A number of fastening systems,
such as diaper fastening systems, incorporate a hook and loop
system for easy fastening and release. The hook component typically
includes a flat plastic sheet laminate with a number of protruding
hooks that engage with a number of loops protruding from a
corresponding loop component. Individual hooks engage with
individual loops. Such hook and loop fastening systems rely
primarily on shear forces that resist unfastening.
[0002] Since the shear forces resist unfastening of the hook and
loop fastening system, hook and loop components are typically
separated from one another using peel forces. However, with little
resistance to the peel forces, the hook and loop fastening system
is susceptible to coming unfastened at unexpected, and often
undesirable, times.
[0003] There is a need or desire for a hook and loop fastening
system with improved fastening security.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention is directed to a fastening system
having a male component and a female component wherein the male
component can slide into a cavity in the female component, with
hook and loop fasteners located on the inner surface of the cavity
of the female component and on a surface of the male component,
thereby creating enhanced engagement qualities. The male component
can be completely inserted into the cavity of the female component,
thereby keeping the hooks or loops on the male component away from
the wearer's skin. This design reduces the likelihood of the
fastener inadvertently popping open and, furthermore, provides a
discrete appearance particularly when used in disposable garments
such as incontinence wear for children or adults, disposable
swimwear, and the like.
[0005] In order to unfasten the fastening system, part of the
female component, suitably one wall of the cavity, can be peeled
back away from the male component, thus allowing the male component
to essentially pop out of the cavity. In another embodiment having
more enhanced security, the fastening system can be unfastened by
peeling part of the female component away from the male component,
thus exposing the male component as it was inserted in the cavity.
The male component can then be peeled away from a remaining portion
of the female component.
[0006] With the foregoing in mind, it is a feature and advantage of
the invention to provide a separable fastening system with improved
fastening security.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a front view of fastening system including a male
component and a female component prior to engagement;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the
fastening system taken along line 1-1 in FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of
the fastening system taken along line 1-1 in FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment
of the fastening system taken along line 1-1 in FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of still another embodiment
of the fastening system taken along line 1-1 in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a front view of the fastening system of FIG. 1
showing a first step of unfastening the system; and
[0013] FIG. 7 is a front view of the fastening system of FIG. 1
showing a second step of unfastening the system.
DEFINITIONS
[0014] Within the context of this specification, each term or
phrase below will include the following meaning or meanings.
[0015] "Cavity" refers to a pocket-like receptacle or a hollow area
in which an object can be inserted.
[0016] "Medical garment" includes medical (i.e., protective and/or
surgical) gowns, caps, gloves, drapes, face masks, blood pressure
cuffs, bandages and the like.
[0017] "Polymers" include, but are not limited to, homopolymers,
copolymers, such as for example, block, graft, random and
alternating copolymers, terpolymers, etc. and blends and
modifications thereof. Furthermore, unless otherwise specifically
limited, the term "polymer" shall include all possible geometrical
configurations of the material. These configurations include, but
are not limited to isotactic, syndiotactic and atactic
symmetries.
[0018] "Releasably attached," "releasably engaged" and variations
thereof refer to two elements being connected or connectable such
that the elements tend to remain connected absent a separation
force applied to one or both of the elements, and the elements
being capable of separation without substantial permanent
deformation or rupture. The required separation force is typically
beyond that encountered while wearing an absorbent garment.
[0019] "Thermoplastic" describes a material that softens when
exposed to heat and which substantially returns to a nonsoftened
condition when cooled to room temperature.
[0020] These terms may be defined with additional language in the
remaining portions of the specification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] The present invention is directed to a separable fastening
system, including a male component and female component, that can
remain fastened under high levels of activity. More particularly,
the female component forms a cavity or pocket into which the male
component slides. When the male component slides into the female
component, the male and female components are releasably attached,
or releasably engaged, to one another. More particularly, the
female component can have either hooks or loops on an inner surface
of the cavity and the male component can have corresponding loops
or hooks on at least one surface of the male component. The hooks
and loops on the male and female components create releasable
engagement between the two components when the male component is
slid into the female component.
[0022] This fastening system is particularly suitable for use on
disposable absorbent articles. Examples of such suitable articles
include diapers, training pants, feminine hygiene products,
incontinence products, swimwear, other personal care or health care
garments, including medical garments, or the like.
[0023] A fastening system 20 of the invention is illustrated in
FIG. 1. The female component 22 includes a cavity 24 between a
first side 26 and a second side 28. The first side 26 and the
second side 28 can form an angle of between about 1 degree and
about 45 degrees, suitably between about 1 degree and about 30
degrees, most suitably between about 1 degree and about 20 degrees,
with the cavity 24 defined therebetween. An inner surface 30 of the
first side 26 and/or the second side 28 can include a number of
individual hooks 32 protruding generally perpendicularly from a
hook backing material 34 (FIGS. 4 and 5), or alternatively, can
include a number of individual loops 36 protruding generally
perpendicularly from a loop backing material 38 (FIGS. 2 and 3).
More suitably, the individual hooks 32 protrude from the hook
backing 34 at an angle such that projections on the individual
hooks 32 are angled toward the direction of fastener shear force.
Angled hooks are described in greater detail in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/637,307 filed Aug. 11, 2000, which is
hereby incorporated by reference. The first side 26 and the second
side 28 can be one continuous piece of hook backing 34 or loop
backing material 38 with the first side 26 folded over the second
side 28 to form the cavity 24, or alternatively, can be two
separate pieces of the same or different types of material attached
to one another along at least one edge of each piece to form the
cavity 24. The hooks 32 or loops 36 protruding from the female
component 22 are suitably inside the cavity 24.
[0024] Also shown in FIG. 1, the male component 40 is generally a
flat, two-dimensional component having a first surface 42 and a
second surface 44. The first surface 42 and/or the second surface
44 of the male component can include a number of individual hooks
32 protruding generally perpendicularly or at an angle from a hook
backing material 34 (FIGS. 2 and 3), or alternatively, can include
a number of individual loops 36 protruding generally
perpendicularly or at an angle from a loop backing material 38
(FIGS. 4 and 5). The male component 40 can be a single, continuous
piece of hook backing 34 or loop backing material 38 folded in half
or in another suitable proportion so that the first surface 42 and
the second surface 44 both have hooks 32 or loops 36 protruding
therefrom, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. The embodiments shown in
FIGS. 3 and 5 provide enhanced security over conventional male and
female fastening systems and are sufficient for most intended uses,
while the embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 provide even greater
fastening security than the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 5.
[0025] More specifically, in an embodiment in which the female
component 22 has a loop backing 38 and individual loops 36 on the
inner surface 30 of the first side 26 and/or the second side 28 of
the component 22, then the first surface 42 and/or the second
surface 44 of the male component 40 has a hook backing 34 and
individual hooks 32 protruding from it, as shown in FIGS. 2 and
3.
[0026] Likewise, in an embodiment in which the female component 22
has a hook backing 34 and individual hooks 32 on the inner surface
30 of the first side 26 and/or the second side 28 of the component
22, then the first surface 42 and/or the second surface 44 of the
male component 40 has a loop backing 38 and individual loops 36
protruding from it, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0027] To fasten the fastening system 20, the male component 40 is
slid into the cavity 24 of the female component 22. The individual
hooks 32 and the individual loops 36 are brought into contact with
one another and engage with one another when tension is applied by
pulling back on either the male component 40 or the female
component 22, with the hooks 32 latching onto the loops 36, thereby
holding the male component 40 within the cavity 24 of the female
component 22. Such tension can be imparted by other components of
the application to which the fastening system 20 is applied. For
example, when used on a disposable diaper or training pant,
stretchable ears along the side of the garment are typically
stretched while applying the garment to the wearer, and the
retraction of the stretchable ears would provide tension to engaged
the individual hooks 32 and the individual loops 36. Engagement
through tension in this manner is particularly strong when the
individual hooks 32 are angled, as described above.
[0028] To unfasten the fastening systems 20 shown in FIGS. 3 and 5,
at least part of the first side 26 of the female component 22 can
be peeled back in a direction away from the second side 28 of the
female component 22, essentially folded back about 90 degrees, as
shown in FIG. 6. By peeling the first side 26 of the female
component 22 back in this manner, the first side 26 of the female
component 22 is forcibly separated from the male component 40 by
pulling the hooks 32 out of the loops 36, thereby allowing the male
component 40 to easily slip out of the cavity 24. While the
embodiments shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 are secure, they are no more
difficult to unfasten than conventional hook and loop fastening
systems.
[0029] To unfasten the fastening systems 20 shown in FIGS. 2 and 4,
at least part of the first side 26 of the female component 22 can
be peeled back in a direction away from the second side 28 of the
female component 22, essentially folded back about 90 degrees, as
shown in FIG. 6. By peeling the first side 26 of the female
component 22 back in this manner, the first side 26 of the female
component 22 is forcibly separated from the male component 40 by
pulling the hooks 32 out of the loops 36, thereby allowing easy
access to the male component 40 in order for the male component 40
to be peeled away from the second side 28 of the female component
22, as shown in FIG. 7.
[0030] In each of the embodiments, the individual loops 36 of
either the female component 22 or the male component 40 can be
needled, stitched or otherwise projected through the loop backing
material 38, which can suitably be made from a nonwoven material.
The individual loops 36 can suitably be made from a fibrous
nonwoven web such as a spunbond nonwoven web, or a staple fiber
carded web. Alternatively, the individual loops 36 can be made of
yarn or tow. Once the loops 36 have been formed, fibers forming the
loops 36 can be anchored in place by bonding the fibers to the loop
backing material 38 with heat and/or adhesives or any other
suitable means.
[0031] The loops 36 are not necessarily of a uniform height, but
preferably have a height in a range of from about 0.00254 cm to
about 0.19 cm, or from about 0.0381 cm to about 0.0762 cm. The loop
backing 38 generally has a thickness in a range of between about
0.025 millimeter (mm) and about 5 mm, suitably between about 0.4 mm
and about 2 mm. The density of the loops 36 on the loop backing 38
is largely dependent on the type of material used, and can range
from about 16 to about 620 loops per square centimeter, or from
about 124 to about 388 loops per square centimeter, or from about
155 to about 310 loops per square centimeter.
[0032] In each of the embodiments, the individual hooks 32 of
either the male component 40 or the female component 22 typically
have a base portion that extends roughly perpendicularly from the
hook backing 34 and a free end extending from the base portion that
is curved or angled to enable engagement with a corresponding loop
36 on the corresponding female 22 or male component 40. Virtually
any hook shape can be used with this invention. For example, the
individual hooks 32 can have J-shaped free ends or flat free ends.
The hooks 32 are typically co-formed with the hook backing material
34. A co-extrusion process can be employed to form the individual
hooks 32 and the backing material 34 from various polymers in the
same process.
[0033] Suitable hook backings 34 generally have between about 16
and about 620 hooks per square centimeter, or between about 124 and
about 388 hooks per square centimeter, or between about 155 and
about 310 hooks per square centimeter. The hooks 32 suitably have a
height of from about 0.00254 centimeter (cm) to about 0.19 cm, or
from about 0.0381 cm to about 0.0762 cm. In addition to the
processing improvements disclosed herein, the hooks 32 are suitably
molded or extruded from a thermoplastic polymer. Suitable polymers
include polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters,
polytetrafluoroethylenes, elastomeric thermoplastic polymers made
from block copolymers such as polyurethanes, copolyether esters,
polyamide polyether block copolymers, polyester block amide
copolymers, ethylene vinyl acetates (EVA), block copolymers having
the general formula A-B-A' or A-B like
copoly(styrene/ethylene-butylene), styrene-poly(ethylene-prop-
ylene)-styrene, styrene-poly(ethylene-butylene)-styrene,
(polystyrene/poly(ethylene-butylene)/polystyrene,
poly(styrene/ethylene-b- utylene/styrene) and the like.
[0034] Other exemplary elastomeric materials which may be used
include polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyurethane elastomeric
materials. Examples of such polyurethane elastomeric materials
include those available under the trademark ESTANE.RTM. from B.F.
Goodrich & Co. or MORTHANE.RTM. from Morton Thiokol Corp.,
polyester elastomeric materials such as, for example, those
available under the trade designation HYTREL.RTM. from E.I. du Pont
de Nemours & Company of Wilmington, Del., and those known as
ARNITEL.RTM., formerly available from Akzo Plastics of Arnhem,
Holland and now available from DSM of Sittard, Holland.
[0035] Metallocene catalyzed polymers are another type of material
suitable for the hooks 32 of the present invention. This class of
polymers is well known in the art for having excellent elasticity,
and a narrow polydispersity number, e.g., Mw/Mn is 4 or less and
may be produced according to the metallocene process. The
metallocene process generally uses a catalyst which is activated,
i.e. ionized, by a cocatalyst.
[0036] Likewise, the hook backing material 34 can be made of any of
these or any other suitable materials. The hook backing material 34
generally has a thickness in a range of between about 0.5
millimeter (mm) and about 5 mm, suitably in a range of between
about 0.8 mm and 3 mm, with a basis weight in a range of from about
20 grams per square meter to about 70 grams per square meter.
[0037] A fastening system that can remain fastened under high
levels of activity results from any of the disclosed
embodiments.
[0038] It will be appreciated that details of the foregoing
embodiments, given for purposes of illustration, are not to be
construed as limiting the scope of this invention. Although only a
few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described in
detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that
many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments
without materially departing from the novel teachings and
advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications
are intended to be included within the scope of this invention,
which is defined in the following claims and all equivalents
thereto. Further, it is recognized that many embodiments may be
conceived that do not achieve all of the advantages of some
embodiments, particularly of the preferred embodiments, yet the
absence of a particular advantage shall not be construed to
necessarily mean that such an embodiment is outside the scope of
the present invention.
* * * * *