US3586060A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for making flexible strips of material having a pile of hook-shaped elements
Assignee: American Velcro Inc
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Filing: 1969-06-20
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Granted: 1971-06-22
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Expires: 1989-06-20
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus is disclosed for making the hook part of a separable hook and loop-type fastener by inserting a backup bar through a row of loops and subjecting opposite vertical legs of each hook in a row simultaneously and respectively to a cutting and holding action.
Inventors
- 👤 George H Erb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 20:39
CPC Classifications
A; A44; A44B; A44B18/00; A44B18/0023; A44B18/0026; D; D03; D03D; D03D27/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/27; Y10T24/2733
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of making the male or hook member of a hook and loop type fastener by utilizing a base material with a multiplicity of projecting loop-shaped elements arranged in parallel spaced apart rows, comprising the steps of supporting each loop-shaped element by a longitudinal bar extending through the archway formed by each row of loop-shaped elements, cutting away a segment of one leg of each loop-shaped element to form each loop-shaped element into a hook-shaped element, providing separate backup means cooperating with said longitudinal bar to prevent the cutting means from laterally displacing the loop being cut, and removing said bars from the formations defined by the hook-shaped elements thereby presenting a composite tape having a multiplicity of hook-shaped elements arranged in parallel spaced apart rows over the surface of said tape.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
133 words
A method of making the male or hook member of a hook and loop type fastener by utilizing a base material with a multiplicity of projecting loop-shaped elements arranged in parallel spaced apart rows, comprising the steps of supporting each loop-shaped element by a longitudinal bar extending through the archway formed by each row of loop-shaped elements, cutting away a segment of one leg of each loop-shaped element to form each loop-shaped element into a hook-shaped element, providing separate backup means cooperating with said longitudinal bar to prevent the cutting means from laterally displacing the loop being cut, and removing said bars from the formations defined by the hook-shaped elements thereby presenting a composite tape having a multiplicity of hook-shaped elements arranged in parallel spaced apart rows over the surface of said tape.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said cutting means removes a segment of one leg of each loop-shaped element to leave a multiplicity of open hook and stub formations arranged in parallel spaced apart rows over the surface of said tape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said loop-shaped elements are woven into the base material by a loom and said bars are interwoven with the rows of loop-shaped elements as the loop-shaped elements are produced by said loom, the interweaving of the bars assuring that the loop-shaped elements are maintained in parallel spaced-apart rows to facilitate uniformly cutting each loop-shaped element by the cutting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said loop-shaped elements are heat-settable and which include an intermediate step just prior to cutting away a segment of one leg of each loop-shaped element, said step comprising heating said loop-shaped elements and allowing said elements to cool into a relatively permanent shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said base material is fixed and the cutting means is moved transversely across said base material, the cutting means being adapted to progressively subject every loop-shaped element in each row of elements to the cutting action to form hook-shaped elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein the cutting means is fixed and the base material is continuously moved to cause the cutting means to progressively subject every loop-shaped element in each row of elements to the cutting action to form hook-shaped elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said base material is inverted so that said loop-shaped elements project downward during cutting thereby permitting chips generated by the cutting operation to drop below said base material under the action of gravity.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of making flexible strips of material in which are anchored a multiplicity of projecting thin hook-shaped elements by utilizing a base material with a multiplicity of projecting heat settable loop-shaped elements arranged in parallel spaced apart rows, comprising the steps of supporting each loop by a longitudinal bar extending through the archway formed by each row of loop-shaped elements, heating said loop-shaped elements for a time sufficient to heat set said loop-shaped elements into a relatively permanent shape, subjecting each pair of loop-shaped elements to the action of a rigid line of positively driven rotary cutters and backup means thereby cutting away a segment of one leg of each loop-shaped element to leave an open hook and stub in spaced apart relationship, one cutter disposed between each cutter in said line and located in relation to said loops between adjacent pairs of said loops so that the other leg of each loop cut is in supporting contact with the surface of said backup means, and removing Said bars from the formations defined by said open hooks and stubs thereby presenting a composite tape having a multiplicity of open hook and stub formations arranged in parallel spaced apart rows over the surface of said tape.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
206 words
A method of making flexible strips of material in which are anchored a multiplicity of projecting thin hook-shaped elements by utilizing a base material with a multiplicity of projecting heat settable loop-shaped elements arranged in parallel spaced apart rows, comprising the steps of supporting each loop by a longitudinal bar extending through the archway formed by each row of loop-shaped elements, heating said loop-shaped elements for a time sufficient to heat set said loop-shaped elements into a relatively permanent shape, subjecting each pair of loop-shaped elements to the action of a rigid line of positively driven rotary cutters and backup means thereby cutting away a segment of one leg of each loop-shaped element to leave an open hook and stub in spaced apart relationship, one cutter disposed between each cutter in said line and located in relation to said loops between adjacent pairs of said loops so that the other leg of each loop cut is in supporting contact with the surface of said backup means, and removing Said bars from the formations defined by said open hooks and stubs thereby presenting a composite tape having a multiplicity of open hook and stub formations arranged in parallel spaced apart rows over the surface of said tape.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 8 in which the loops are permanently formed into the shape of the bar which extends through each row of loop-shaped elements.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 9 in which the hooks are formed in a configuration resembling the numeral ''''seven.''''
Claim 13
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for producing a flexible strip of material having a pile of upstanding hook-shaped elements from a starting material one surface of which has anchored therein a multiplicity of projecting loop-shaped elements arranged in parallel spaced apart rows, said device comprising a stationary support having attached thereto a series of alternately positioned rotary cutters and backup means, said cutters when in operative engagement with said loop-shaped elements simultaneously and cutting one leg of two loop-shaped elements thereby transforming said elements into hooks, the other leg of each of said loop-shaped elements being at the same time in contact with the surface of said backup means.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
106 words
An apparatus for producing a flexible strip of material having a pile of upstanding hook-shaped elements from a starting material one surface of which has anchored therein a multiplicity of projecting loop-shaped elements arranged in parallel spaced apart rows, said device comprising a stationary support having attached thereto a series of alternately positioned rotary cutters and backup means, said cutters when in operative engagement with said loop-shaped elements simultaneously and cutting one leg of two loop-shaped elements thereby transforming said elements into hooks, the other leg of each of said loop-shaped elements being at the same time in contact with the surface of said backup means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said cutters simultaneously cut away a segment of one leg of two loop-shaped elements thereby transforming said elements into spaced-apart hooks and stubs.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 which further includes a bar extending through the arches formed by the loops of each said row, said bar cooperating with said rollers to secure tightly said elements for cutting.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said bar is generally of I-beam cross section having horizontally extending upper and lower legs of greater width than the vertical connection therebetween to provide clearance for said cutters.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 13 in which said backup means comprises rollers and backup bars.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-21 | 1974-12-21 | 1975-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-21 | 1978-12-21 | 1979-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-21 | 1982-12-21 | 1983-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |