JP2003522685A - Self-mating, openable and closable binding straps and fasteners - Google Patents

Abstract

A novel binding strap (10) comprising an elongated basesheet (18) having an array of closely spaced, elastically deformable ribs (19) integrally projecting from the basesheet, A rib (19) attached to the basesheet and substantially upright from the basesheet; and a flange (22,23) mounted on at least one side of the stem and spaced from the basesheet. The arrangement of the ribs forms a first fastening surface that can be interconnected by pressing against the same fastening surface, with the lower surface of the outer portion of at least some of the flanges facing downwardly toward the base sheet. The flange is substantially thick over substantially its entire width such that the stem portion deforms during projection and release mold separation from the same fastening surface. It has a strap has one or more length and width that is adapted to be wound around the strap around the article to exert a binding effect on the article, a new binding strap (10). A fastener having the above-described fastening surface structure is also disclosed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention relates in particular to a binding strap with fastening means by means of which the strap can be wrapped around one or more articles and fastened in situ, and the present invention further relates to a self-closing fastener that can be opened and closed. It also relates to the general field of.

Openable fastener products have long been considered as candidates for replacement of common bonded products such as cable ties. Some examples of conventional attempts are described in US Pat.
64,697, 3,586,220, 4,169,303, 4,2
15,687, 4,684,559, 4,706,914, 4,9
63,410, and 5,177,986. However, most of the products that have been proposed are large and include fastening structures in pairs, such as hook and loop fastener sets or male and female fastener sets, which tend to be too expensive for many applications. Other major inconveniences are likely to occur. Other proposed products lack the peel strength or other properties desired for bonding applications.

The present invention provides a new method of joining articles or groups of articles and further provides novel joining straps for performing such joining operations. The novel method generally comprises at least one article comprising a base sheet having an array of elastically deformable ribs integrally protruding from the base sheet and arranged in parallel at closely spaced intervals on at least one surface, At least partially surrounding with a first elongate strap portion. The arrangement of the ribs forms the first self-fitting fastening surface,
That is, the fastening surfaces can be pressed against the same fastening surface and thereby interconnected. The rib includes a stem portion attached to the base sheet and substantially upright from the base sheet, and a flange attached to at least one side of the stem portion and spaced from the base sheet. The outer portion of the lower surface of at least some of the flanges projects toward the base sheet, and further, at least one of the flanges is configured to deform the stem portion in preference to the flange during release separation from the same fastening surface. The part has a substantial thickness over substantially the entire width. When joining articles, the first fastening surface is interconnected with a second fastening surface carried on a further structural member, which structural member is provided with, for example, a second strap portion, or a fastening surface. It can take various forms such as another structural member such as a flat plate.

In one method of the present invention, one tie strap is used, wherein the further structural member is a second strap integrally connected to the first strap portion and a second fastening. The surface is usually identical to the first fastening surface (ie, self-fitting with the first fastening surface). The strap may include one or more openings through which one or both ends of the strap may be inserted to complete the bonding operation. The first and second fastening surfaces may be located on the same major surface of one strap, or they may be located on opposite sides of the strap. Some methods use double-sided bond straps, that is, bond straps that have a fastening surface on each side of the strap.

If the further structural member used in the method of the present invention is a panel or other member separate from the binding strap, this panel may have openings,
The second fastening surface is located on the panel proximate the opening. The coupling is accomplished by inserting the ends of the first elongate strap portion into the opening and interconnecting the first fastening surface and the second fastening surface.

The novel tie straps of the present invention useful in the described method generally include an elongated base sheet having a plurality of parallel closely spaced elastically deformable ribs integrally protruding from the base sheet, and A rib having a stem portion attached and substantially upright from the base sheet; a flange attached to at least one side of the stem portion and spaced from the base sheet;
And an array of ribs forming a fastening surface of the. The flange has a substantial thickness over substantially the entire width so that the stem portion deforms in preference to the flange during release separation from the same fastening surface. Preferably, the flanges are mounted on opposite sides of the stem portion, and at least the outer portion of the lower surface of the flange projects downwardly toward the base sheet to further enhance the strong interconnection by the straps of the present invention. The strap has a length and width adapted to wrap the strap around one or more articles for the purpose of providing a binding effect to the article. In many cases, the tie straps are under tension during such tie action.

The simplest interengagement of fastening surfaces is that the cross-sectional profile of the array of ribs is substantially uniform over the entire length of the ribs, but in the transverse direction of the ribs, they are evenly spaced and identical. Obtained with a deviation from the regularly repeating contour formed by a population of undivided symmetrical ribs only. Preferably, such a deviation of the contour is caused by using ribs having different heights in the width direction of the contour.

[0008] An important advantage of the novel tie straps of the present invention is that they can be manufactured by profile extrusion, which allows tie straps to be manufactured that meet the cost constraints prevalent in bond applications. The tie straps of the present invention can be cut from an extruded polymer web, preferably having a strap length in a direction transverse to the machine direction of extrusion, such that the ribs traverse the length of the strap but not the length of the strap. Straps with ribs extending parallel to the direction may also be useful and convenient in some applications.

An exemplary tie strap 10 of the present invention is shown in plan view in FIG. 1 and exemplary usage is shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b. The tie strap 10 has a main strap portion 11, a head 12, and an opening 13 in the head that receives the end of the strap after the strap has been wrapped around an object or group of objects. The outer surface of the main strap portion 11 (ie, the surface away from the space surrounded by the straps of FIGS. 1a and 1b) is at least on the portion 15 passing through the opening 13 and on the portion 16 proximate the opening 13. Is provided with a fastening surface, by means of which the first end 15 can be inserted into the opening and folded back and fastened with the second part 16 as shown in FIG. 1a. Further, if the head 12 has a fastening surface, the first end 15 folded back as shown in FIG. 1b may be added in place of the fastening surface of the region 16 or (as shown in FIG. 1b) in addition to this. It can be interconnected with a fastening surface on the head.

A portion of the fastening surface of the binding strap 10, which is the preferred fastening surface for use with the present invention, is shown in the enlarged side view of FIG. 2 and the partial perspective view of FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the binding strap 10 includes a base sheet 18 and a plurality of ribs 19 attached to the base sheet and projecting upwardly from the base sheet. The ribs have different heights, and one high rib 19a and one low rib 19b are alternately arranged. The ribs 19 are parallel to each other and are equally spaced by a transverse distance 20. Each rib includes a stem portion 21 and flanges 22 and 23 spaced from the base sheet 18 and attached to each side of the stem portion. Flanges 22 and 23
Both extend at an angle (α) from the point where they are attached to the stem portion 21 towards the base sheet 18, so that the outer edge or side of the flange is larger than the point where they are attached to the stem portion. Is approaching.

The fastening surface shown in FIG. 2 is a self-fitting mechanical fastening surface that can be opened and closed. Figure 2
The mechanism of the mutual engagement of the fastening surfaces of the same with the same fastening surface is shown schematically in Figures 4a to 4d, in which the connection between the first fastening surface 15 and the second fastening surface 16 of the strap 10 is It is shown. As shown in FIG. 4a, initially the higher ribs 19 contact each other during the interengagement of the fastening surfaces 15 and 16, and then, as indicated by the arrow 25, the heads of the higher ribs are more It becomes easy to move to the gap created by the low height of the ribs 19b. This self-alignment of mating fastening surfaces facilitates easy and efficient interengagement. Further pressure on the fastening surface causes the higher ribs 19a to come into contact with the lower ribs 19b nearby (see arrow 26 in FIG. 4b), as shown in FIGS. 4b and 4c. The flange 23 of the high rib 19a moves to a position where it slides under the flange 23 of the high rib 19a of the fastening surface 16. When further pressure is applied to the fastening surface, as shown in FIG.
The flange 22 of the higher rib 19a of 5 moves below the flange 22 of the lower rib 19b of the fastening surface 16.

The spacing 20 between the stems of adjacent ribs (see FIG. 2) is the width 24 of the ribs (the lateral distance parallel to the base sheet extending between the opposing outer edges or side edges of the flanges 22 and 23). Is adapted to. The deformation, if any, during engagement of a representative fastener of the present invention is such that the inter-stem spacing 20 is approximately equal to or greater than the rib width 24. However, the gap between the ribs, i.e., the gap 27 between the facing flanges in FIG. 2, accommodates the width or thickness of the stem portion, but is shorter than the rib width 24. When the flange is somewhat flexible with respect to the base sheet,
Ribs that interengage between the two ribs of the mating fasteners may be easier to accommodate, but generally such flexibility is not required. If the flanges are flexible, the spacing 20 may be shorter than the width 24, but is not preferred.

Due to the structure in which there are no adjacent high ribs of the same height, such movement of the head of the high rib 19a during mutual engagement is not impeded. The force of mutual engagement is minimized when the high ribs and the low ribs alternate one by one, but more preferably, the proportion of the low ribs is better, such that some high ribs are adjacent to each other. Somewhat higher interengaging forces can be obtained when used less. The rib height differences result in repeated contour height shifts throughout the same symmetrical rib population, reducing the force required to achieve fastener interengagement.

The height difference between the high ribs 19a and the low ribs 19b may vary, but there is usually a significant number of full engagements of the high and low ribs (ie, 1 as described. The flanges of the high ribs on one fastening surface of the fasteners of the pair should not be so variable that they hinder the engagement (moving under the lower ribs of the opposite fastening surfaces of the fastener pair). The desired ratio of rib height is influenced by a number of factors such as the material and thickness of the rib portion, and the shape of the rib. Typically, the lower ribs are about 1/3 to 2/3 higher than the higher ribs. For some tie straps of the present invention, favorable results were obtained with high ribs at a low rib height of 1.5.

5a and 5b schematically show the stages of tension-type separation of the pairs of fastening surfaces shown in FIG. As shown, during such separation, rib head 31
Tends to twist. They twist in one direction during the first stage of separation, and subsequently in the opposite direction during the second stage of separation. This twisting action includes the bending action of the stem, which may be different from the movement of the stem during engagement (a twisting of the head may also occur during engagement). The degree of downward inclination of the flange and the resistance of the flange to rigidity or bending influences the degree of twist required to disengage the rib heads from each other. In the pull-away separation shown in Figures 5a and 5b (similar head twisting separations may occur with other tie straps of the present invention), compression of the stem portion due to different types of greater bending occurs during separation. A tensile separation force larger than the engagement force may occur.

The binding straps of the present invention are prepared by first extruding a polymer web through a die having openings designed to obtain the desired cross-sectional shape or profile and then cutting the web into the desired shaped straps. It is preferably manufactured by Figure 6
Shows such a profile extruded polymer web 28 and the pattern of tie straps 10 cut from the web. Profile extrusion is a preferred low cost method for forming parallel ribs used in the binding straps of the present invention and extending the ribs parallel to the machine direction of the extrusion (the direction of arrow 29). Most tie straps are transversely cut from the extruded web as shown in FIG. 6 to form ribs transversely to the length of the strap, where such a construction would be of the present invention. It is advantageous because the highest resistance to shear separation of the elongated fastening surfaces of the tie straps is generally obtained. However, useful interengagement may be obtained when the ribs are present parallel to the longitudinal direction of the strap, and such a construction may result in a very long strap or stock take-up roll. , From these, the straps can be cut off during the automatic coupling operation. Long straps having ribs transverse to the length of the strap can be manufactured by extruding the strap material from an annular die and helically cutting the resulting annular extrudate. Although there are no ribs at exactly 90 ° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the strap thus spirally cut, it is assumed herein that the ribs exist in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the strap.

The tie straps of the present invention can be manufactured without a head or opening such as the head 12 and opening 13 shown in FIG. 1 to provide a uniform structure from end to end. You can The fastening surface may be provided over the entire length of the binding strap,
It may be provided only in separate parts which overlap each other in the case of bonding. Also, fastening surfaces or separate fastening surfaces may be provided on both sides of the inventive binding strap. The double-sided bond strap of the present invention having the structure shown in FIG. 7 is desirable for many applications. Figure 7
The strap 30, shown in part at, has a pattern of ribs on one major surface of the strap and the same pattern on the opposite major surface of the strap. It is not necessary for the ribs to be aligned as shown in FIG. 7 or for the fastening surfaces to be equally spread on each side of the strap, ie the fastening surfaces on opposite sides of the strap are straps. May reside in separate parts of the. For example, as shown in strap 32 in FIG. 8, fastening surface 33 may be on one surface of the strap and fastening surface 34 may be on the surface opposite the other end of the strap. .

It is also possible to form the fastening surface on the opposite sides of the strap by folding the strap, which has the fastening surface only on one surface and the other surface is a smooth surface. The smoothed surfaces of the strap can be folded over and an adhesive layer can be used, or the intervening layers can be adhered to each other such as by interposing an intervening layer by heat welding or the like. The advantage of such a folded structure is that a reinforcing effect can be obtained, and it is particularly useful around the opening of the head. In some cases, only one end of the strap can be folded back to provide a type of tab at one end, which can be fastened by overlapping and pressing another strap portion. Alternatively, the longer portions can be folded to form longer fastening surfaces or longer fastening surfaces that can be engaged at a variety of different fastening positions.

9a-9e, one or more articles are wrapped with a binding strap 36 having a fastening surface (or a separate fastening surface) on one side to fasten the ends or other portions of the straps together. It illustrates some of the various ways in which this can be done. For wrapping as shown, the tie straps of the present invention are generally substantially longer than they are wide, ie, generally at least 5 times their width, and more typically at least 10 times their width. Is the length (width is measured at the narrowest part of the strap). Depending on the intended application, the width of the binding straps is often about 1 cm or less, sometimes 5 or 6 mm or less, but may be wider. In FIG. 9a, the fastening surface of the tie strap 36 faces inwardly towards the articles to be joined, and the inner opposite ends of the tie strap are joined together. Figure 9b
In that, the fastening surface may face outward, so that the inner surface that contacts the article to be joined may be smooth. In Figure 9c, two separate tie straps 36a and 3 are
6b (which may be cut from one long material) form a bond loop and are fastened at both ends. In FIG. 9d, one tie strap 36 is connected at both ends and one intermediate portion (or more than one intermediate portion if desired) to allow multiple loops to join the articles. Is formed. Figure 9
At e, the outer surface of the binding strap 36c may be smooth and may have adhesive applied to it or pressed against it so that the article to be joined can be attached to a wall or other substrate.

FIG. 10a shows a tie strap having a fastening surface on the outer surface (the inner surface may have a smooth surface or a tie surface, depending on the intended method for joining the individual tie straps to each other). Shows a combined assembly of wires, cables, or other articles 35 assembled using. This bundle is first made using a tie strap 10 or the like as shown in FIGS. 1-3, followed by interengaging of the fastening surfaces on the outer surface of the individual tie straps 10 of adjacent articles. The bundles are fastened together. Instead of fastening the individual bundles together, they can also be fastened to a binding strap or to a substrate with another fastening surface. As shown in FIG. 10b, in the case of an article to be fastened with a wire having a small diameter, the wires can be fitted between the ribs, and thus the collected wires can be put together.

In FIG. 11, the loop is formed using two straps 39a and 39b, which may be cut from one strap. Strap 3
Each of 9a and 39b may have a fastening surface on only one side, but by flipping the strap over so that one fastening surface faces the other fastening surface, the binding straps are fastened together to form a loop. Can be formed. If desired, the strap may be sealed, such as with heat, at location 40. Alternatively,
A limited area fastening surface on opposite sides of the strap may be extruded with the strap to produce a strap having a fastening surface such as that obtained by connecting straps 39a and 39b. Alternatively, one strap having a fastening surface on only one major surface is twisted so that the fastening surfaces on opposite ends of the strap face each other.

FIG. 12 shows a loop formed from a double-sided bonded strap, ie a strap having fastening surfaces on both opposite sides of the strap. With such a strap, twist the strap, cut the strap into two parts,
Alternatively, the loop can be formed with or without the use of strap openings.

The straps 41 and 42 shown in FIG. 13 show that openings can be formed at locations other than the ends of the straps. The strap 41 of FIGS. 13a and 13b has a fastening surface on the outer surface of the loop and can also have a fastening surface on the opposite surface,
In this case, the strap end near the opening 43 can be folded back. The strap 42 of Figures 13c and 13d has a fastening surface from the length 42b to the opposite length 42a of the strap. The binding straps of the present invention may have more than one opening, such as the presence of multiple openings at the strap head or other locations along the length of the strap, as shown in Figure 13e, for example. Good. Also, instead of an uncovered opening, one or more flaps may extend to cover or cover a portion or substantially the entire opening, as shown in Figure 13f.

As shown in FIG. 14, the tie strap of the present invention can also be used with other structural members to form a loop. In FIG. 14a, the inventive binding strap 4
5 is used with a separate ring 46, such as metal or molded plastic.
The opposite ends of the strap 45 are passed through a ring 46 and folded back over itself,
The straps are fastened together by the fastening surface on the outer surface.

In FIG. 14b, a binding strap 49 is used to attach an object 47 (eg, a toy car wheel) to a flat panel 48 (eg, cardboard sheet). The opposite ends of the straps are threaded through the openings 50 in the panel 48 and the ends are fastened with another fastening surface 51 of the invention attached to the bottom of the panel. The panel may be curved or it may have some special shape other than flat.
Also, in another embodiment of the invention, the panel has more than one opening, for example a smaller opening to better maintain the strength of the panel. If the panel has an area with such multiple openings, one strap end is
One opening can be inserted and the other strap end can be inserted into another opening.

In another case, yet another structural member for use with the binding strap of the present invention is
It may occupy most of the perimeter of the articles to be joined. For example, the binding straps of the present invention may be used in conjunction with a piece of clothing such as a diaper having a separate strap portion or ring member or opening on or within the piece of clothing, thereby effecting fastening. In either the arrangement shown in Figures 14a or 14b, or the arrangement shown in Figures 1a or 1b, or other arrangements, the advantage of the present invention is that the straps are pulled tight to provide one or more articles for one or more articles. That is, the cinching action can be obtained and fastening can be performed at the cinching position.

The binding straps of the present invention can have other constructions besides the elongated strap portion. For example, as shown in FIG. 15 which is a plan view of a binding strap 53 of the present invention placed underneath an object 54, the strap has transverse end portions 53a.
And when the straps are folded around the object 54 as represented by arrow 55, these end portions are brought into contact with each other. The folded strap is held in the folded position by the fastening surface according to the invention, which can be provided on the main strap portion 53b and / or the transverse end portion 53a. After the straps are folded around the object and fastened together,
Insert the transverse end portion into the opening in the panel as shown in FIG.
Can be fixed to the panel.

FIG. 15 c shows the surroundings of different objects, one long object or bundle of objects, one in parallel
Figure 6 illustrates another embodiment tie strap 56 having lateral straps 56a that can be wrapped around a pair of long objects or the like. Figure 15d shows a first elongate strap portion 57a that can be wrapped around one article or bundle of articles and fastened using an opening 57b, and a second article or bundle of articles wrapped around. A second elongated strap portion 57 that can be fastened using the opening 57d.
Figure 7 shows a tie strap 57 with c.

Although the ribbed fastening surfaces shown in FIGS. 1-5 are preferred, the binding straps of the present invention may use other fastening surfaces. Some of these alternative fastening surfaces are described in co-pending patent application Serial No. 09 / 501,900 (filed February 10, 2000). Some of the different configurations of ribs are shown in FIGS. FIG.
Shows a rib structure in which flanges 59 and 60 are spaced from base sheet 62 at different heights on opposite sides of stem portion 61. Flange 5
The ribs 58 are asymmetric with respect to the central vertical plane due to the different heights attached to the stem portions 61 of 9 and 60. Such asymmetry facilitates self-fitting interengagement of the binding straps of the present invention, as the curvature of the stem portion and associated movement of the rib top is unconstrained, which results in symmetric ribs, such as stems. This is in contrast to the case where there are ribs on both sides of the section with identical flanges attached to the stem section at the same height. The asymmetric flange height results in repeated out-of-profile repetitions of the same symmetric rib, reducing the force required to form the fastener interengagement.

FIG. 17 shows the fastening surface 64 in which rows of ribs are periodically dropped across the width direction of the fastening surface to leave spaces 65. The presence of such repeating rib contour deviations from the overall contour of equally spaced symmetrical ribs does not obstruct the rib being curved in the space of the drop row adjacent the curved rib. Therefore, the mutual engagement force is reduced. Row loss usually occurs every third row, every fourth row, or every fifth row. The ratio of the separating force to the engaging force is usually the maximum in the dropout in every three rows, but in order to obtain the desired maximum separating force (the ribs of the fastening surfaces which are closely arranged on one of the fastening surfaces are opposed to each other). In some cases, it may be necessary to carefully align the mating surfaces of the pairs of fastening surfaces so that they are always closed.

18a and 18b show rib structures 67 (FIG. 1) useful for different fastening surfaces of the present invention.
The rib stem 68 (68 ′), shown at 8 ′ at 67b), has a slot 69 (69 ′) that is substantially vertical (ie, substantially perpendicular to the base sheet). Extends from the tip of the stem to a portion of the height (Figure 18a) or the entire height (Figure 18b). 8b slot 69 'substantially divides the stem 68' into two halves 68a 'and 68b', but it is noted that these two halves together function as one part. I want to. The split stem 68 'as well as the split rib 67' are considered herein as one part, if at all. In a pair of fastening surface interengagements used for a fastening surface of the type shown in FIG. 18, the stem halves 68a and 68b (68a ′ and 68b ′) formed by the slots 69 (69 ′) bend to one another. Then, the flange is easily moved past and is easily engaged with the rib on the opposing fastening surface below.

19a-19j show yet another rib configuration for a fastener of the present invention. 19a and 19b, one flange is wider than the other and / or the angle (α ′, α ″) with respect to the base sheet differs from the angle (α) of the other flange. In FIG. The flanges are thicker than the other flange, in Figure 19d one flange is curved towards the base sheet, while the other flange is substantially parallel to the base sheet. Attached to one side of the stem portion and only one flange on the opposite side, in Figure 19f the slots in the rib are wider at the tip and narrower towards the bottom, Figures 19g and 19h. , A protective flange covers the rib slot at the top of the rib, so that when the fastener is fitted,
Rib portion of one fastener, eg rib half 68a 'or 6 shown in FIG.
8b 'does not get misaligned because it enters the slot between the rib halves of another fastener. The ribs of Figure 19i are split in that slits or cuts are made either during extrusion or after the extrusion using a cutting tool at the rib tips. This slit allows the stem to bend more easily, thereby allowing the flange to move toward the stem during interengagement of the fastener with which the fastener fits, thereby facilitating the interengagement process. A narrow rib is realized. When separating the pair of fasteners,
The joints of the parts divided by the slits limit the reverse or separating movement of the flange.

The ribs of Figure 19j are typical co-extruded ribs, where the ribs include two different materials, one forming the major portion of the rib and the other forming the tip of the rib. To do. It is also possible to extrude more than two types of materials and form different parts of the rib or base sheet. For example, the base sheet can include one type of material, such as for flexibility or pliability, and the ribs can include different types of materials, such as stiffer materials. Alternatively, the stem portion of the rib contains one kind of material having desirable fatigue resistance when flexibility, elasticity, or bending are repeated,
It is also possible that the head or tip portion of the ribs with flanges comprises a different type of material, such as a stiffer, non-flexible material.

The fastening surface of the tie strap of the present invention may have a combination of features as previously described. For example, such a fastening surface may have ribs of the shape shown in FIGS. 16, 18 or 19 in the high and low patterns shown in FIG. 2 or in the row dropout pattern shown in FIG. . When the features are used in combination, the contours formed by the ribs are two or more regular in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rib from the cross section formed by all equally spaced, symmetrical ribs that are equally spaced. May have a repeating offset to ("entire" is occupied by each potential rib site, thereby providing uniform spacing, with inter-engagement with ribs of the same mating fastening surface, The ribs cover the intended functional surface of the base sheet (the surface on which the fastening or engagement takes place). The asymmetry or cross-section misalignment features described above are merely descriptive and not exhaustive. Contour features are not identical ribs (eg, some ribs have a regular repeating pattern with a different cross-sectional shape than other ribs, such as different rib heights, or different flange shapes or flange dimensions), Asymmetrical rib shape (eg, at least some of the ribs of the regularly repeating pattern are asymmetrical in shape with respect to a central vertical plane passing through the rib), uneven rib spacing (eg, in a regularly repeating pattern, The spacing between some ribs is different from the spacing between other ribs, and the division of the ribs (eg, at least some ribs in a regular repeating pattern) has a rib height approximately from the tip of the ribs. 18 extending through at least a portion of the base sheet toward the base sheet, or an elongated opening such as a slit in FIG. 19i). It can be, but these are merely examples.

Although rib height offsets or other transverse profile offsets are highly preferred, tie straps or fasteners having other features described herein may be used with rib height offsets or otherwise. It will also be appreciated that it is superior to the fastening surface with no transverse profile deviation, eg the fastening surface shown in FIG. If the ribs are symmetrical and identical in height, shape, and spacing as shown in FIG. 20, a narrower strap width, for example, a strap width of about 1 cm or less, preferably about 5 mm or 6 mm or less, can be applied to the strap or fastener. Desirably, one of the reasons is that the engagement force is smaller at such widths. Such reduction of engagement force is particularly useful when the tie strap or fastener shown in FIG. 20 mate with itself.

Ribs in the fastening surface of the binding strap of the present invention, such as ribs 19 of FIGS. 2 and 3,
Often continuous over the length (dimension 70 in FIG. 3), the ribs may be interrupted by cutting after extrusion. Such an interruption may improve the flexibility of the binding strap or fastening surface about the axis transverse to the longitudinal direction of the rib. Optionally, the base sheet can be stretched after cutting the ribs to form a gap between adjacent ends of the interrupted ribs (e.g., shown as dashed line 71 in Figure 3). In addition, the base sheet can be made thicker (thickened by the flowing rib material under the pressure of the heating wheel) by applying pressure to the extruded web to form the interruption, such as by a heating wheel, which results in Thickened areas may be desirable when sewing fasteners to fabrics or other substrates. Also, such a thickened region can be used as a barrier against relative sliding between mating fastening surfaces.

By definition, a rib has a length, ie the length (or more accurately the stem) of the rib is longer than the width. In most cases, the ribs are at least 10 times longer than the width of the stem portion, and more commonly at least 50 or 100 times longer than the width of the stem portion (the portion having ribs transverse to the length of the strap). Of the present invention, the width of the strap limits the length of the uniform uninterrupted ribs, eg less than 50 or 100 times the width of the stem). However, the ribs generally function as desired if the length of the ribs is at least 3-5 times the width of the stem portion (e.g., even when there is a longitudinal gap between the ribs, the ribs are longer than the longitudinal direction). Bends easily in the width direction). If there is a small gap, if any, in the longitudinal direction between the ribs, there may be breaks in the ribs closer to the gap, and instead of functioning as an independent rib at each break, the cut cross-sections are combined. It may form one rib.

The lengths of the ribs and the longitudinal gaps between the ribs are chosen so that they can interengage with the ribs of the mating fastening surfaces and hold them together. The average of the longitudinal gaps between the ribs rarely exceeds half the average length of the ribs,
More generally, the average gap is less than one tenth of the average rib length. Rib breaks are not considered to change the rib profile of the fastening surface over its entire length.

The rib dimensions may vary depending on the application. The tie straps of the present invention generally function as desired with a range of rib dimensions. Depending on the composition and rib shape,
The larger rib dimensions are associated with greater engagement and disengagement forces than smaller rib dimensions. Larger rib dimensions may be used in high load applications where the pair of fastening surfaces are intended to remain engaged for longer and / or resist stronger separation forces, while smaller dimensions. May be appropriate for lower load worlds. Most applications generally require rib heights of between about 0.25 mm and 3-5 mm. For some applications, ribs as high as 1-2 mm or less may be preferred. Depending on the rib size, usually 10 in one fastening surface
One or more ribs inter-engage with the ribs on the other mating surface of the mating pair, and more often twenty or more.

As shown in the drawing, the height of the stem portion (dimension 7 of the tall rib 19a of FIG. 4b
2 and the lower rib 19b dimension 73) is preferably larger than the width of the flange (dimension 74 in FIG. 4a) attached to the stem portion. In this case (assuming the stem and flange are of the same thickness and composition), rather than the curvature of the flange when pressure is applied to the ribs while interengaging the ribs of the opposing fasteners of the fastener pair. Preferentially, the stem part will tend to bend. When a beam having a long length L, a width W, and a thickness T is bent in the thickness direction, the bending rigidity is generally W (T / L
) Proportional to ³ . Since the length of the stem is usually longer than the width of the flange, bending will occur more easily at the stem if the thickness and composition of the flange and stem are similar. The ease of bending of both the stem and flange can be controlled by choosing the stem and flange construction, dimensions, and the elastic moduli of these materials.
Desirably, the flanges have a substantial thickness over substantially their entire width (dimension 74 or 74a in FIG. 4a) to limit the curvature of the flanges and maintain a high separation force. For best results, the flange should be at least 3/4 of the width.
Have a thickness of at least about 3/4 of the stem over 9/10 or more. Preferably, the flange is about the same thickness as the stem.

Deformation of the stem portion during interconnection with the same fastening surface in preference to deformation of the flange attached to the stem portion, as described, may result in fastening of the fastening surface on the tie strap of the present invention. It is an important advantage to hold each other. "Flange deformation" mainly means that the flange bends about an axis that lies intermediate between the flange end and the stem portion, but bending of the flange at or near the point where it joins the stem portion is also undesirable ( Deformation of the individual flanges occurs as opposed to the curvature of the stem portion, although the latter may be desirable and encouraged as shown in the structure of Figure 19i). The curvature of the flange with respect to the intermediate axis indicates the relative weakness of the flange (e.g. realized by making the flange thinner than the stem portion), which results in the force required to separate the interconnected fastening surfaces. Is undesirably small. It is considered that the bending of the stem is preferable to the bending of the flange because permanent deformation of the flange may occur due to the repeated bending of the flange during repeated opening and closing cycles.

Ribs are considered herein to be deformable whether deformation occurs in the stem alone, in the flange alone, or in both the stem and the flange. The deformation that occurs in either the stem or the flange is preferably elastic, in which case the stem and flange will substantially return to their original shape and position after deformation. Permanent use of tie straps or fasteners, permanent deformation of ribs (eg, the flange pivoting near the point where it joins the stem portion exceeds the elastic limit of the polymer at the pivot point, or is less preferred) However, the deformation during engagement should be predominantly temporary or elastic even with such a binding strap. Generally, the stem will be perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the base sheet, especially during engagement to prevent the stem from curving as desired and not pushing down without interengaging with mating fastening surface ribs. Should be.

For many applications, the less force required to engage while maintaining other desired properties, the better. In contrast to lower engagement forces being desirable, higher separation forces, ie higher than perceived as engagement forces, are generally desirable. The separation force varies depending on the type of support provided on the fastening surface. For example, a fastening surface on a tie strap of the present invention attached to a rigid substrate creates a pull-off force that acts generally perpendicular to the plane of the tie strap or a shear or peel force that acts parallel to the tie strap, The peeling force is small. In contrast, peeling forces, in addition to pulling and shearing forces, develop on the bonding straps of the invention attached to a flexible substrate. An important advantage provided by the fastening surface on the preferred binding straps of the present invention is improved resistance to peel forces. The tie straps of the present invention can be pulled in place around one or more articles to be joined and fastened in-situ, even if there is a force to separate the fastening surfaces, including peel-type forces. Stay connected.

FIG. 21 schematically shows the movement of the ribs of the fastening surface shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 during the peel-off separation. This drawing helps to illustrate whether the downward tilt of the flanges increases the force required to separate the bond straps or fasteners during peel separation below. That is, the downward tilt causes these flanges to remain engaged for longer than they would have been if the flanges were not tilted downwards until they separated during release mold separation. The flanges in the bond straps of the present invention desirably have a substantial thickness across most of the width, further improving resistance to peel-away separation. The resistance of the flange to bending increases the force required for separation. Preferably, the deformation of the stem portion takes precedence over the deformation of the flange during peel-apart separation.

Peel force resistance is useful for bond strap applications, but is also useful for fasteners, especially fasteners used on flexible substrates such as garments such as diapers. It is understood that fasteners having a similar construction as used in the tie straps of the present invention are unique and offer advantages over prior art fasteners. That is, the fastener includes a base sheet and an array of elastically deformable ribs that integrally project from the base sheet and are arranged in parallel at a narrow spacing, the ribs being attached to the base sheet and substantially upright from the base sheet. Base stem part,
A flange attached to at least one surface of the stem portion and spaced apart from the base sheet, wherein the temporary surface of the outer portion of at least some of the flanges projects downward toward the base sheet and is identical due to the arrangement of the ribs. Forming a first fastening surface that can be pressed against and interconnected with the fastening surface of, and as mentioned above, at least some of the flanges have a substantial thickness over most of their width and thus are identical. It is considered unique because the stem portion preferentially deforms over the flange during separation from the fastening surface.

The ability to obtain improved resistance to separation by tilting the flanges is a major reason for using such tilts. In addition, the inclination of the flange of a certain thickness downward causes the upper surface of the rib to have an arrowhead or taper shape (for example, the width of the tip or the head of the rib gradually increases toward the base sheet rather than the tip), This facilitates the movement of the ribs between adjacent ribs of the mating fastener during engagement, thus reducing the engagement force. The angle of inclination (eg, the angle α between the flange and the base sheet surface shown in FIGS. 2 and 19a and 19b).
(Represented by) is not always easy or accurate to measure, for example because the flange may have a curved shape. Generally, the downward tilt of the outer portion of the flange, and more specifically the lower tilt of the lower surface of the outer portion, is important as it contributes to a greater separation force. Inclining downward means that the outer lower surface portion is directed on the line of intersection with the base sheet from a point closer to the stem and a point further away from the stem. The lower surface of the outer portion of the flange projects downward toward the base sheet so that the lower surface of the outer portion of the flange is somewhat closer to the base sheet than the inner portion of the lower surface.

It should be noted that the "outer" or "outer portion" in the above discussion means approximately outside, not necessarily the "outermost" or "outermost portion".
For example, FIG. 19a 'shows an enlarged detail view of the outer portion 76 of the flange, also showing that the outermost lower surface portion 76a of the flange may curve upward from the lowermost portion 76b of the flange lower surface, but during separation. A generally outer portion 76, which comprises most of the flange portion moving past the flange, is downwardly curved. It should also be noted that the flange may curve upward from its position attached to the stem portion, in which case the lower surface portion closest to the stem will be closer to the base sheet than the lower surface portion further from the stem. . However, the outer portion of the flange is closer to the base sheet than the lower portion that is inside to some extent. Thus, the interengaging of mating pairs of the fastening surfaces of the tie straps of the present invention causes the end portions of the interengaging flanges to enter the gap between the flange and the stem portion. Thus, engagement of the flanges in a direction parallel to the base sheet is impeded and the flanges further interconnect.

The desired angle of inclination will vary depending on, among other things, the intended use for the fastening surface, the width of the ribs, and the shape, composition and other nature of the ribs and bonding straps. Most flanges have an angle of at least 5 ° and in many applications at least 2
The angle is 0 °. The angle of interest is from the base sheet surface and the bottom of the point or area where the flange is attached to the stem in most cases to the bottom point on the back of the outer portion of the flange, i.e. the outer portion of the flange closest to the base sheet. It can be considered as the angle between the line segment extending to the upper point. If the flange bends upward from the point where it is attached to the stem, the point on the back side of the flange will be higher than the bottom edge of the point where it is attached (further spaced from the base sheet) and defined. The line segment extends from this higher point to the bottom point on the back surface of the outer portion of the flange.

In some embodiments of the present invention, friction modifiers are incorporated into the ribs of the fastening surface, eg, rib top surfaces, to facilitate relative movement of the pair of fastening surfaces during initial interengagement. Such friction modifiers, such as silicone materials, also provide the advantage of facilitating the flow of the molten plastic material during extrusion or other fastener body manufacturing, thereby helping the material to fill the desired rib shape. You can.

The tie straps of the present invention can be made from a variety of materials, but most often are made from polymeric materials, and generally any melt processable polymer is used. Homopolymers, copolymers, and mixtures of polymers are useful and may contain various additives. Inorganic materials such as metals may be used. The composition is chosen to provide the desired bending properties such that during engagement and disengagement, deformation of the rib stem in the longitudinal direction of the rib usually results in elastic bowing, with little or no bowing of the flange. Generally, a fastener composition containing an additive has a pressure of 10 ³ MPa to
An elastic modulus of 10 ⁷ MPa is sufficient, but this value may fluctuate depending on the application.

Suitable thermoplastic polymers include, for example, polyolefins such as polypropylene or polyethylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polymethylmethacrylate, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, acrylate modified ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene acrylic acid copolymer, nylon, polychlorinated. Mention may be made of vinyl, as well as engineering polymers such as polyketones or polymethylpentane.
Elastomers include, for example, natural or synthetic rubber, styrene block copolymers containing isoprene blocks, butadiene blocks, or ethylene (butylene) blocks, metallocene catalyzed polyolefins, polyurethanes, and polydiorganosiloxanes. Mixtures of these polymers and / or elastomers can also be used.

Suitable additives include, for example, plasticizers, tackifiers, fillers, colorants, UV stabilizers, flame retardants, antioxidants, processing aids (urethane, silicone, fluoropolymers, etc.), low Friction coefficient material (silicone), conductive or heat conductive filler,
Included are magnetic fillers, pigments, and combinations thereof. The binding straps of the present invention may be opaque or colored, or may be substantially transparent so that the material beneath the straps is visible. Generally, additives can be present in amounts of up to 50% by weight of the composition, depending on the application. Multi-layer extrusion can also be used to separate additives such as flame retardants into only one or more layers of the tie strap of the present invention.

Producing a web with a desired cross-sectional shape or profile using profile extrusion, such as extruding a polymer web from a die that has open cuts (eg, by electrical discharge machining), is most useful for bonding straps of the invention. This is a preferred manufacturing method. The web is typically cooled after exiting the die by extrusion into a cooling material such as water. Wetting agents may be required in the cooling medium to improve the wettability of the entire surface of the extruded web with gaps between the ribs. The extruded web can be further processed, such as by cutting extruded ribs as described above to make a binding strap, and is generally made by cutting and chopping the extruded web shown in FIG. A tenter operation can be performed for the purpose of strengthening the fastener. For fasteners in the form of tapes with ribs extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the tape, machine direction sizing is generally sufficient. For fasteners in the form of tapes with ribs extending across the length of the tape, transverse tentering is used, even with machine direction tentering to achieve the desired spacing or other properties. Good. After extrusion, fasteners are generally manufactured by cutting and chopping the extruded web.

The base sheet of fasteners of the present invention is often flat (ie, FIG.
The gap 20 between the ribs is substantially flat). However, other shapes are possible.
An example thereof is the fastener 90 shown in FIG. 22, and in this case, the base sheet 91.
Is thicker at the portion 91a between the ribs 92. This increased thickness strengthens the fastener, resulting in fastener opacity or color (eg, whiteness).
Can also be increased. In order to profile extrude a fastener having a base sheet as shown in FIG. 22, the extruded material shrinks before solidifying, so that the opening of the die where the portion 91a is formed becomes larger than the dimension of the final base sheet. There may be a need. In fact, the curve above the die opening as shown in FIG. 22 may only be used to flatten the base sheet and make the gaps between the ribs sufficiently thick. A larger die opening size is used to obtain the shape shown in FIG.

Although extrusion is highly preferred, the tie straps of the present invention can be made by other methods such as injection molding or casting. Also, as mentioned above, the bonding strap body of the present invention may generally have multiple layers of different compositions. Such multilayers can be formed by a coextrusion method (eg, described in published PCT application number WO 99/17630 (published April 15, 1999)), the method being different from different extruders. Multi-manifold dies for different types of melt distribution,
Or it may include threading through a multi-layer feedblock and a film die. The individual streams meet at the feedblock and enter the die as a layered stack,
As the material leaves the die it flows out as a layered sheet. Thus, the binding straps of the present invention may have a base sheet of one composition and ribs of another composition. Alternatively, a part of the rib, for example, the tip of the rib as shown in FIG. For example, the rib tips may have a composition that forms a less frictional surface than the rest of the rib.

In different ways, one or more layers are laminated to the fastener body of the invention. Figure 2
In the exemplary apparatus of No. 3, the auxiliary web 94 is unwound from the storage roll and the extruder 96
Is laminated on the fastener web 95 immediately after exiting. As the extruded fastener web 95 is still sufficiently flexible and tacky, the auxiliary web 94 is adhered to the fastener web, generally on the side of the web opposite the rib structure. While it is desirable that the extruded web and the auxiliary web be compatible, methods such as electrostatic printing of the tie layer or coextrusion can also be used to form a durable composite from some incompatible materials. . The assembly of the extruded web and the auxiliary web can be passed through a cooling bath 97, such as water, and optionally through a roll 98 to bring the auxiliary web 94 into contact with the extruded web 95 for lamination. After production, composite web 9
9 can be wound into storage rolls or can be subjected to other operations such as chopping or cutting, or adding additional layers or materials.

FIG. 24 shows one type of product that can be manufactured by lamination. Figure 24
An exemplary fastener 101 of the present invention, shown in cross section at, is a base sheet 102,
A rib 104 protruding from one surface of the base sheet, and further having a web 104 laminated on the base sheet. The web 104 can take any of a variety of forms, including films (eg, reinforcing films, aesthetic films, imprintable films, flame retardant films, friction-increasing or reducing films), woven or non-woven fabrics,
It may be a foam or sponge, a net, a gauze or a scrim, a reinforcing structure such as the reinforcing structure of the present invention or a hook structure or a loop structure, or an adhesive layer. Important advantages of the added layers include reinforcement (eg, increase in tensile strength in one or more directions in the plane of the web), as well as adhesion, information transfer (eg, over print or over code). Web, or by incorporating information writable webs), flame retardancy, fluid management, and imparting other features such as aesthetic appeal.

Although there are many advantages to the direct lamination of the auxiliary web to the fastener body shown in FIGS. 23 and 24, the auxiliary web can also be attached to the fastener of the present invention by an adhesive layer, welding, or other means. .

The base sheet of the tie strap should have sufficient tensile strength to resist the tension on the strap during use, which was particularly suitable for the composition of the base sheet, use as a tension strap. It can be obtained by manufacturing the fastener as a coextruded product with the material for the base sheet, or by choosing to add sheets or layers to the base sheet. By selecting materials and co-extrusion methods, it is possible to select and control elastic modulus (eg, the stretchability of the strip in use around one or more articles), toughness, flexibility, stiffness, etc. it can.

Although the tie straps of the present invention are generally used to bundle various articles together, objects may be attached to the support structure or to support or hold smaller articles or devices for handling articles. If the strap is wrapped around it, it can also be used only for wrapping around an article.

The nature of the ribs on the fastening surface of the binding strap of the present invention imparts the desired alignment properties to the fastening surface. Orientation-assisted fastener mating occurs when the ribs cross the length of the binding strap, are parallel to the length of the binding strap, or are in other directions, such as diagonal to the length of the binding strap. It happens in one. Further, as described above, due to the deviation from the contour of the ribbed surface, the ribs on one fastening surface may be spaced apart from the ribs on the other fastening surface to cause fitting of the fastening surfaces. Will be easier to align.

Although the tie straps of the present invention are generally used in a self-fitting combination, they can also be interengaged with fastening surfaces of different shapes or configurations, eg, high ribs and low ribs as shown in FIG. Fastening surfaces with ribs can be interengaged with fasteners where the ribs are all at the same height, as shown in FIG.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the side of the base sheet opposite the ribbed surface is particularly adapted for attaching an adhesive layer, or adhesive-foam combination, or fastener to another substrate. It has other structures. The tie straps of the present invention may also be attached to the substrate by means independent of the strap, such as by applying adhesive separately, stitching, welding to the substrate of base sheet material, and other means. Adhesive may also be applied between the fastening surface sides, eg ribs, to increase the force required to separate the interconnected fastening surfaces on the bonding straps of the present invention. The use of pressure sensitive adhesives, or the use of curable adhesives that cure after the interconnect has been formed to improve adhesion where substantially permanent fastening conditions can be achieved. You can Such an adhesive layer can be applied after extrusion or after other manufacturing methods, or it can be applied during extrusion.

The tie straps of the present invention, or longer stock materials from which the tie straps can be cut, such as by an automatic tie device, are often wound into rolls for convenient storage and use. If the tie straps have an adhesive layer, especially a pressure sensitive adhesive layer, on the side opposite the ribbed side, a release liner may be used between the rolls to allow the roll to be easily unwound. Good. Alternatively, the release material can be incorporated into the tie straps, eg, within or outside the ribs, or the release material can be applied to the side of the fastener that contacts the adhesive layer.

EXAMPLES The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Parts, ratios, and percentages are by weight unless otherwise stated.

Melt Processable Ethylene-Propylene Copolymer (7C55H, Union
Carbide Corporation supply), a single screw extruder (D) with a diameter of about 64 mm (2.5 inches) and an L / D (length to diameter ratio) of 24: 1.
avis Standard Corporation). The temperature distribution of the polymer in the extruder is about 177 ° C (350 ° F) to about 246 ° C (475 ° C).
Steadily rose to ° F). The polymer is loaded at least about 0.69 MPa (100
From a neck tube heated to about 246 ° C (475 ° F) at a pressure of psi),
This is also a Ma with a width of 20.3 cm (8 inches) heated to about 246 ° C (475 ° F).
starflex ^™ LD-40 film die (Chippewa Val)
ey Die, Inc. Feed).

The die has a die lip configured to form a polymer base sheet having ribs on one side as shown in FIG. 2, a thickness of about 250 μm and a height of the ribs 19 a of 1 mm. 0.78 mm (dimension 72 in FIG. 4b, measured from top of base sheet to tip of flange), low rib 19b height 1.14 mm, stem thickness or width 0.25 mm (dimension 78 in FIG. 4b, high stem) Measured at an intermediate height of
Flange thickness 0.23 mm (dimension 79 in Figure 4a, measured at the part where the flange joins the stem, flange thickness 0.23 mm is considered to be substantially the same as stem thickness 0.25 mm), flange width 0.38 mm (dimension 74 in FIG. 4a, average distance from stem center to furthest position on flange, measured in a plane parallel to the base sheet)
The dimensions were such that a base sheet having The distance from the bottom edge of the high rib flange to the base sheet was 1.22 mm, and the distance from the bottom edge of the low rib flange to the base sheet was 0.58 mm. As calculated, the height ratio between the alternating high ribs and low ribs was about 1.5.

The extruded ribbed film is dipped at about 3 m / min in a quench bath maintained at a temperature of about 10-16 ° C. (50-60 ° F.) and at least 1 film is placed in the bath.
Hold for 0 seconds. Since the quenching medium increases the wettability and stabilizes the rib formation,
Water and about 0.1 to 1% of surfactant Ethoxy CO-40 (Ethox Ch
A solution of polyoxyethylene castor oil available from E. Chemicals, LLC (Greenville, SC). The rapidly cooled film having the rib surface was air dried and wound on a roll of 100 to 150 yards (90 to 137 m). Subsequent testing of the tie straps shown in FIG. 1 cut from the extruded web was found to show moderate engagement force, good resistance to release separation, and a good ratio of engagement force to separation force. It was

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of one of the exemplary tie straps of the present invention.

1a is a schematic side view of the tie strap of FIG. 1 in use. FIG.

1b is a schematic side view of the tie strap of FIG. 1 in use.

2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the binding strap of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the binding strap of FIG.

FIG. 4a is a schematic side view of two fastening surfaces of the binding strap of FIGS. 1 to 3 with mutual engagement proceeding.

FIG. 4b is a schematic side view of the two fastening surfaces of the binding strap of FIGS. 1 to 3 with interengagement proceeding.

FIG. 4c is a schematic side view of the two fastening surfaces of the binding strap of FIGS. 1-3 with interengagement proceeding.

4d is a schematic side view of the two fastening surfaces of the binding strap of FIGS. 1 to 3 with interengagement proceeding. FIG.

5a is a schematic side view of the two fastening surfaces of the binding strap of FIGS. 1 to 3 as the separation proceeds.

5b is a schematic side view of the two fastening surfaces of the binding strap of FIGS. 1 to 3 as the separation proceeds.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a portion of an extruded polymer web from which the tie straps of the present invention can be trimmed.

FIG. 7 is a schematic side view of a tie strap of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of another tie strap of the present invention.

FIG. 9a is a schematic diagram showing the tie strap of the present invention and its use.

FIG. 9b is a schematic diagram showing another tie strap of the present invention and its use.

FIG. 9c is a schematic diagram illustrating another tie strap of the present invention and its use.

FIG. 9d is a schematic diagram showing another tie strap of the present invention and its use.

9e is a schematic diagram showing another tie strap of the present invention and its use. FIG.

FIG. 10a is a schematic diagram illustrating another tie strap of the present invention and its use.

FIG. 10b is a schematic diagram showing another tie strap of the present invention and its use.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing another tie strap of the present invention and its use.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing another tie strap of the present invention and its use.

FIG. 13a is a schematic diagram showing another tie strap of the present invention and its use.

FIG. 13b is a schematic diagram showing another tie strap of the present invention and its use.

FIG. 13c is a schematic diagram showing another tie strap of the present invention and its use.

FIG. 13d is a schematic diagram illustrating another tie strap of the present invention and its use.

FIG. 13e is a schematic diagram showing another tie strap of the present invention and its use.

FIG. 13f is a schematic diagram showing another tie strap of the present invention and its use.

FIG. 14a is a schematic diagram showing another tie strap of the present invention and its use.

FIG. 14b is a schematic diagram showing another tie strap of the present invention and its use.

FIG. 15a is a schematic diagram illustrating another tie strap of the present invention and its use.

FIG. 15b is a schematic diagram showing another tie strap of the present invention and its use.

FIG. 15c is a schematic diagram showing another tie strap of the present invention and its use.

FIG. 15d is a schematic diagram illustrating another tie strap of the present invention and its use.

FIG. 16 is an enlarged schematic side view of the ribs of the binding strap of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged schematic side view of the ribs of the binding strap of the present invention.

Figure 18a is an enlarged schematic side view of the ribs of the binding strap of the present invention.

FIG. 18b is an enlarged schematic side view of the ribs of the binding strap of the present invention.

FIG. 19a is an enlarged schematic side view of the ribs of the binding strap of the present invention.

19a 'is an enlarged schematic side view of a rib of a tie strap of the present invention. FIG.

FIG. 19b is an enlarged schematic side view of the ribs of the binding strap of the present invention.

FIG. 19c is an enlarged schematic side view of the ribs of the binding strap of the present invention.

FIG. 19d is an enlarged schematic side view of the ribs of the binding strap of the present invention.

FIG. 19e is an enlarged schematic side view of the ribs of the binding strap of the present invention.

FIG. 19f is an enlarged schematic side view of the ribs of the binding strap of the present invention.

FIG. 19g is an enlarged schematic side view of the ribs of the binding strap of the present invention.

FIG. 19h is an enlarged schematic side view of the ribs of the binding strap of the present invention.

FIG. 19i is an enlarged schematic side view of the ribs of the binding strap of the present invention.

FIG. 19j is an enlarged schematic side view of the ribs of the binding strap of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an enlarged schematic side view of the ribs of the binding strap of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged schematic view of the enlarged fastening surface shown in FIG. 2 in which peeling-type separation proceeds.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a binding strap of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for manufacturing certain tie straps of the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of another tie strap of the present invention.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (31) Priority claim number 09 / 758,885 (32) Priority date January 11, 2001 (January 11, 2001) (33) Priority claiming countries United States (US) (31) Priority claim number 09/758, 764 (32) Priority date January 11, 2001 (January 11, 2001) (33) Priority claiming countries United States (US) (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, I T, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE, TR), OA (BF , BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, G M, KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ , UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, B Z, CA, CH, CN, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK , DM, DZ, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, J P, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR , LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MZ, NO, NZ, PL, PT, R O, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ , TM, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW (72) Inventor Ronald W. Ausen             United States 55133-3427 Ce, Minnesota             Don't Paul, Post Office Bock             SU 33427 (72) Inventor Brian E. Speewak             United States 55133-3427 Ce, Minnesota             Don't Paul, Post Office Bock             SU 33427 F-term (reference) 3E052 AA07 AA12 BA01 BA04 BA05                       CB04 CB06 CB08 FA19 GA20                       HA17 JA02 LA04                 3E085 BA06 BB16 BB34 BC08 BD03                       BD08 BG01 BG10 BH03

Claims (45)

[Claims] 1. A method for joining at least one article, comprising: (a) a base having an array of elastically deformable ribs integrally protruding from a base sheet and arranged in parallel at a narrow interval on at least one surface. A seat, wherein the rib has a stem portion attached to the base sheet and substantially upright from the base sheet; and a flange attached to at least one side of the stem portion and spaced from the base sheet. A lower surface of an outer portion of at least some of the flanges projects downward toward the base sheet, and the array of ribs forms a first fastening surface that can be interconnected by pressing against the same fastening surface. In order to prevent the stem portion from being deformed more than the flange during the peeling-type separation from the same fastening surface, At least partially surrounding the article with a first elongate strap portion having a substantial thickness over substantially its entire width, and (b) on yet another structural member disposed around the article. Interconnecting the first fastening surface with a second fastening surface disposed on the first fastening surface. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the flange has a thickness that is substantially the same as the thickness of the stem portion. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein flanges are attached to both sides of the stem portion. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the flange has a thickness that is substantially the same as the thickness of the stem portion. 5. A tapered upper rib surface which serves to guide the ribs of one fastening surface into the gap between two adjacent ribs of the other fastening surface during mutual engagement of two identical fastening surfaces. The method of claim 3, wherein a portion of the tallest surface of at least a portion of the flange slopes downwardly from the stem portion toward the base sheet to form. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the binding strap has a width of about 1 cm or less. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the further structural member is a second strap portion and the second fastening surface is the same as the first fastening surface. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first and second strap portions are integrally connected portions of one strap. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first and second fastening surfaces are located on the same major surface of the strap. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the strap has at least one opening through which a distal end of the strap can be inserted to fasten the first and second fastening surfaces together. 11. The strap having a first fastening surface, the first and second fastening surfaces being on a surface of the strap opposite to a surface to which the at least one article is coupled. 11. The fastening is achieved by inserting a portion into the opening and folding the portion over the portion of the strap that has the second fastening surface and is not inserted into the opening. the method of. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the opening is at the end of the strap opposite the end into which the opening is inserted. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second fastening surface is on an end of the strap in which the opening is formed and proximate the opening. 14. The second fastening surface is on a portion of the strap located intermediate the opening and the end of the strap inserted into the opening. The method described. 15. The end of the strap inserted into the opening is fastened to the second fastening surface, and the opening and the end of the strap inserted into the opening. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the method is also fastened with a third fastening surface located on a portion of the intermediately located strap. 16. The strap is fastened to an annular member, and the annular member comprises:
Fastening is achieved by inserting a portion of the strap having the first fastening surface and folding the portion over the portion of the strap having the second fastening surface without being inserted into the annular member. The method according to claim 8, wherein 17. The other end of the strap is also inserted into the annular member,
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the insert portion having a third fastening surface is fastened by being folded back over a portion of the strap having a fourth fastening surface without being inserted into the annular member. 18. The method of claim 9, wherein at least one end of the strap is folded back over itself and held in place to form a tab at the end of the strap. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the folded-back portion of the strap has a fastening surface. 20. The further structural member is a panel having an opening area including at least one opening, and a fastening surface is arranged on a surface adjacent to the opening area and opposite to the opening area. A first strap portion is inserted into the open area and fastened to one adjacent fastening surface, and a second strap portion is inserted into the open area and fastened to another adjacent fastening surface. The method according to item 1. 21. The method of claim 8, wherein the first and second fastening surfaces are on opposite major surfaces of the strap. 22. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one article to be joined is dimensioned to be housed between adjacent ribs protruding from the base sheet. 23. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one article to be joined comprises a body portion and the strap has a wound dressing. 24. The rib, wherein the rib is attached to the base sheet and substantially upright from the base sheet, and at least one rib is attached to both surfaces of the stem portion and is spaced from the base sheet. The method of claim 1, including a flange. 25. The elongated strap portion is manufactured by profile extrusion, the longitudinal direction of the strap portion being transverse to the machine direction of extrusion.
The method described. 26. A method of joining at least one article, comprising: (a) an array of elastically deformable ribs integrally protruding from a base sheet and arranged in parallel at a narrow spacing on at least one surface. A first fastening surface is formed that includes a sheet and can be interconnected by pressing against an identically configured fastening surface, the ribs being attached to the base sheet and substantially upright from the base sheet. Portion and a flange mounted on both sides of the stem portion and spaced apart from the base sheet, wherein the same fastening surface interengages the outer side of the flange from one fastening surface. The lower surface of the outer portion of the flange so that a portion is received in the gap between the stem portion and the outer portion of the flange from the other fastening surface. Project downwards towards the base sheet and serve to guide the ribs of one fastening surface into the gap between two adjacent ribs of the other fastening surface during mutual engagement of two identical fastening surfaces. A portion of the tallest surface of at least a portion of the flange slopes downwardly from the stem portion toward the base sheet to form a tapered upper rib surface during release separation from the same fastening surface. At least partially surrounding the article with a first elongate strap portion, the flange having a substantial thickness over at least substantially its width such that the stem portion deforms more than the flange; B.) Interconnecting the first fastening surface with a second fastening surface disposed on yet another structural member disposed around the article. 27. The second structural member is integrally connected to the first strap portion, has the second fastening surface, and is the same as the first fastening surface.
27. The method of claim 26, which is a strap portion of. 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the integral strap has at least one opening through which the distal end of the strap can be inserted to fasten the first and second fastening surfaces together. 29. The method of claim 26, wherein the elongated strap portion is manufactured by profile extrusion, the longitudinal direction of the strap portion is transverse to the machine direction of extrusion, and the ribs are transverse to the longitudinal direction of the strap portion. . 30. The width of the binding strap is about 1 cm or less.
6. The method according to 6. 31. A binding strap comprising an elongated base sheet having an array of elastically deformable ribs integrally protruding from the base sheet and arranged in parallel at closely spaced intervals, the ribs being attached to the base sheet. Pressing against the same fastening surface by the arrangement of the ribs, including a stem portion substantially upright from the base sheet and a flange mounted on at least one surface of the stem portion and spaced from the base sheet. A first fastening surface that can be interconnected by means of which the lower surface of the outer portion of the flange projects toward the base sheet and is attached to the stem portion during release separation from the same fastening surface. The flange is at least approximately its full width so that the stem portion deforms more than the flange. Having a substantial thickness over the body, the strap is
A binding strap having a length and width adapted to allow the strap to be wrapped around one or more articles to exert a binding action on the articles. 32. The binding strap of claim 31, wherein the stem portion and the flange are about the same thickness and the height of the stem is greater than the width of the flange. 33. The binding strap of claim 31, manufactured by profile extrusion, wherein the longitudinal direction of the strap is transverse to the machine direction of extrusion and the rib is transverse to the longitudinal direction of the strap portion. 34. The binding strap of claim 31, having a fastening surface as described above on each of the two major surfaces of the strap. 35. The binding strap of claim 34, wherein no ribs are present on a portion of at least one major surface of the strap. 36. The binding strap according to claim 31, wherein no rib is present on a portion of the surface of the base sheet from which the rib projects. 37. The tie strap according to claim 31, wherein the tie strap has at least one opening in the strap that allows a distal end of the strap to be inserted and interconnected with another portion of the strap during a tie operation. 38. An elongated base sheet having an array of elastically deformable ribs integrally projecting from the base sheet and arranged in parallel at closely spaced intervals, interconnected by pressing against identically configured fastening surfaces. A first fastening surface that is formed, wherein the rib is a stem portion attached to the base sheet and substantially upright from the base sheet; and the base sheet attached to both sides of the stem portion. A flange spaced apart from the stem portion from the other fastening surface, the outer portion of the flange from one fastening surface when the same fastening surface interengages with the stem portion from the other fastening surface. The lower surface of the outer portion of the flange is downwardly directed toward the base sheet so as to be received in the gap between the outer portions of the flange. To form a tapered upper rib surface that projects and serves to guide the ribs of one fastening surface into the gap between two adjacent ribs of the other fastening surface during mutual engagement of two identical fastening surfaces A part of the highest surface of at least a part of the flange is inclined downward from the stem portion toward the base sheet, and during release separation from the same fastening surface, the stem portion is more than the flange. In order to deform, the flange has a substantial thickness, at least over substantially its entire width, so that the strap can be wrapped around one or more articles to exert a binding action on the articles. A binding strap having a length and width adapted to. 39. The method of claim 38, manufactured by coextrusion from at least two different materials, such that a portion of the tie strap comprises a material and another portion of the tie strap comprises a different material. Binding strap. 40. The tie strap of claim 38, including an auxiliary web attached to the base sheet opposite the surface from which the ribs project. 41. The tie strap of claim 38, having an adhesive layer on the side of the base sheet opposite the side from which the ribs project. 42. A fastener including a base sheet having an array of elastically deformable ribs integrally protruding from the base sheet and arranged in parallel at a narrow interval on at least one surface, wherein the ribs are the base sheet. Mounted on the base sheet and substantially upright from the base sheet, and flanges mounted on both sides of the stem portion and spaced apart from the base sheet, the lower surface of the outer portion of the flange being the base. The arrangement of the ribs, which projects downwards towards the seat, forms a first fastening surface which can be interconnected by pressing against the same fastening surface, said flange during release separation from the same fastening surface. The flange has a substantial thickness over substantially its entire width so that the stem portion deforms more than Snner. 43. The fastener of claim 42, wherein the flange has a thickness that is substantially the same as the thickness of the stem portion. 44. A tapered upper rib surface which serves to guide the ribs of one fastening surface into the gap between two adjacent ribs of the other fastening surface during mutual engagement of two identical fastening surfaces. 43. The fastener of claim 42, wherein a portion of the tallest surface of at least a portion of the flange slopes downwardly from the stem portion toward the base sheet to form. 45. The fastener of claim 42 in the form of a strip having a width of about 1 cm or less.