US3673301A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible bands fitted with hooks for the fabrication of separable fastening devices
Assignee: Velcro Industries BV
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Filing: 1969-12-02
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Granted: 1972-06-27
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Expires: 1989-12-02
Abstract
Abstract A flexible band having hooks formed of threads of thermoplastic material for engagement with a similar flexible band having elements adapted to cooperate with said hooks so as to constitute a separable fastening device, in which the hooks are obtained by cutting one of the two loop arms of thermoplastic threads, the cutting operation being carried out at a predetermined distance from the crest of each loop. A terminal enlargement is essentially formed on at least one of the two thread extremities which result from the cutting operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick Billarant
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 10:52
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29D; B29D5/00; A; A44; A44B; A44B18/00; A44B18/0003; A44B18/0015; A44B18/0023; A44B18/0026; B26; B26F; B26F3/00; B26F3/06; B29C; B29C67/00; B29C67/0044; B29C2793/00; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/727; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24008; Y10T428/24017
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for producing fastening means comprising a flexible band having longitudinal closely spaced parallel rows of undulated oriented thermoplastic threads imbedded by their roots in said band and each undulating thread defining a hook and straight projection, the free ends of each hook being directed toward the base and aligned with straight projections respectively, the facing free ends of each hook and of its associated straight projection being normally in close relationship, including the steps of longitudinally and resiliently bending the band into a curvature of small radius by passing the band over a smooth curved surface of small diameter, for causing said facing free ends to angularly move apart from one another, and locally heating, at least one of said free ends to form an enlargement on same by melting, whereby the said end provided with said enlargement is moved out of contact with the other end and said ends are prevented from sticking to the melted material forming said enlargements.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for producing fastening means comprising a flexible band having longitudinal closely spaced parallel rows of undulated oriented thermoplastic threads imbedded by their roots in said band and each undulating thread defining a hook and straight projection, the free ends of each hook being directed toward the base and aligned with straight projections respectively, the facing free ends of each hook and of its associated straight projection being normally in close relationship, including the steps of longitudinally and resiliently bending the band into a curvature of small radius by passing the band over a smooth curved surface of small diameter, for causing said facing free ends to angularly move apart from one another, and locally heating, at least one of said free ends to form an enlargement on same by melting, whereby the said end provided with said enlargement is moved out of contact with the other end and said ends are prevented from sticking to the melted material forming said enlargements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 1, wherein only the free ends of the straight projections are provided with said enlargements respectively, a heat shield being inserted between a hook and its associated straight projection during heating of the free end of said projection.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
212 words
A method for producing fastening means comprising a flexible band having longitudinal closely spaced parallel rows of undulated oriented thermoplastic threads imbedded by their roots in said band, each undulating thread defining a U-shaped projection extending outwardly from said band, including the steps of: longitudinally and resiliently bending the band into a curvature of small radius by passing the band over a smooth curved surface of small diameter; locally heating at least one row of said U-shaped projections to separate said U-shaped projection into a hook and a straight projection, the free ends of each hook being directed toward the base and being aligned with its associated straight projection, the facing free ends of eaCh hook and of its associated straight projection being normally in close relationship; said bending of said band over said smooth curved surface of small diameter causing said associated hook-shaped and straight projections to separate somewhat; said heating being continued in said local area to form an enlargement at the free ends of the hook and straight projections while said free ends remain separated from one another due to the bending of said band whereby said enlargements are kept apart due to the bending of said band; and shielding adjacent rows of undulations from the row being heated.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
212 words
A method for producing fastening means comprising a flexible band having longitudinal closely spaced parallel rows of undulated oriented thermoplastic threads imbedded by their roots in said band, each undulating thread defining a U-shaped projection extending outwardly from said band, including the steps of: longitudinally and resiliently bending the band into a curvature of small radius by passing the band over a smooth curved surface of small diameter; locally heating at least one row of said U-shaped projections to separate said U-shaped projection into a hook and a straight projection, the free ends of each hook being directed toward the base and being aligned with its associated straight projection, the facing free ends of eaCh hook and of its associated straight projection being normally in close relationship; said bending of said band over said smooth curved surface of small diameter causing said associated hook-shaped and straight projections to separate somewhat; said heating being continued in said local area to form an enlargement at the free ends of the hook and straight projections while said free ends remain separated from one another due to the bending of said band whereby said enlargements are kept apart due to the bending of said band; and shielding adjacent rows of undulations from the row being heated.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |