US3634646A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of and apparatus for cutting loops placed on a support for producing hooks therefrom
Assignee: Velcro SA
•
Filing: 1970-06-03
•
Granted: 1972-01-11
•
Expires: 1990-06-03
Abstract
Abstract The method of cutting loops fixed to a tape for the production of hooks is used in the manufacture of flexible separable fastener elements of the type formed by two parts provided respectively with interengageable loops and hooks. A tape having loops arranged in equally spaced transverse rows on the tape is caused to advance in longitudinal direction. The passage of each row of loops at a predetermined point is located by means of a luminous beam, and a high power laser beam is directed on each loop of the row when this latter passes said predetermined point to effect a cutting action on the loop.
Inventors
- 👤 Michel Camille Berger
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 07:27
CPC Classifications
A; A44; A44B; A44B18/00; A44B18/0023; A44B18/0026; D; D06; D06C; D06C13/00; D06C13/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for cutTing loops placed on a support for producing hooks therefrom, the loops to be cut having two having two leg portions and being regularly disposed on the support in successively arranged and equally spaced rows, which apparatus comprises a carrier surface bearing said support with said loops fixed thereto, driving means for tensioning and advancing said support on said carrier on said carrier surface, a detector unit arranged to locate the passage of each of said rows of loops at a predetermined point, a power laser adapted to be energized by said detector unit to emit a laser beam for cutting said loops of one row when said row passes said predetermined point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
Apparatus for cutTing loops placed on a support for producing hooks therefrom, the loops to be cut having two having two leg portions and being regularly disposed on the support in successively arranged and equally spaced rows, which apparatus comprises a carrier surface bearing said support with said loops fixed thereto, driving means for tensioning and advancing said support on said carrier on said carrier surface, a detector unit arranged to locate the passage of each of said rows of loops at a predetermined point, a power laser adapted to be energized by said detector unit to emit a laser beam for cutting said loops of one row when said row passes said predetermined point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said detector unit comprises an emitter for emitting a concentrated luminous beam, and a photoelectric cell for the control of the power laser emission.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, in which said emitter of the detector unit is a low power laser.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, in which said low power laser is an argon or a neon laser.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the high power cutting laser is a pulse emitting carbonic acid gas laser or a carbonic acid gas, neon and helium laser.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said power laser comprises two laser tubes operating in coincidence arrangement, a total reflexion mirror being placed at one end of one of the two tubes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, in which said photoelectric cell is connected to a relay controlling said power laser when or after the luminous beam of the detector unit has been interrupted by the loops of one row of loops.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 in which the carrier surface of said support is formed by a member the contour of which forms a peak, so that only the loops of one row destined to be cut successively travel across the path of the high power laser beam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, in which the high power laser beam is rendered divergent by means of an anamorphotic, the divergent beam being subdivided by means of a mask into several beams imping each on one leg portion of at least one loop.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, in which said carrier surface of the support is a drum of small diameter.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, in which said carrier surface is a wedge over which said support is caused to travel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 in which said relay controls the emission of the power laser by the intermediary of a pulse generator.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
69 words
Apparatus according to claim 12, in which said high power laser is supplied on the one hand from a preionization source and on the other hand by voltage pulses from previously charged capacitors, the pulse generator being arranged to periodically control the charging of the capacitors and their discharge across the laser as a function of the signal furnished by the relay which is connected to the photoelectric cell.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-10 | 1975-07-12 | 1976-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-10 | 1979-07-12 | 1980-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-10 | 1983-07-12 | 1984-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |