US4931343A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sheet material used to form portions of fasteners
Assignee: 3M Co
•
Filing: 1988-01-22
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Granted: 1990-06-05
•
Expires: 2008-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A method for forming a sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener. The method comprises providing a self supporting polymeric film that provides the structural strength to retain the integrity of the sheet material, and stitching a plurality of yarns through the film to form loops projecting from one surface of the film and locking portions of the stitches adjacent the opposite surface of the film. The sheet material can also include a layer of heat softenable polymeric material adhered to the film over the locking portions.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis L. Becker
- 👤 Miroslav Tochacek
- 👤 Paul E. Hansen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:16
CPC Classifications
D; D04; D04B; D04B23/00; D04B23/10; A; A44; A44B; A44B18/00; A44B18/0003; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/56; A61F13/62; A61F13/622; B; B32; B32B; B32B5/00; B32B5/02; B41; B41J; B41J3/00; B41J3/38; D04B21/00; D04B21/02; D04B21/04; D04B21/14; D04B21/16; D04B21/165; D10; D10B; D10B2403/00; D10B2403/01; D10B2403/011; D10B2403/0112; D10B2501/00; D10B2501/06; D10B2501/063; D10B2501/0632; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/23907; Y10T428/23957; Y10T428/23964; Y10T428/23979; Y10T428/24; Y10T428/24008; Y10T428/24017; Y10T442/00; Y10T442/60; Y10T442/659; Y10T442/666; Y10T442/667; Y10T442/69
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for forming a sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said method comprising the steps of: providing a self supporting polymeric film having first and second major surfaces; and stitching a plurality of yarns through only the film to form loops projecting from the first surface of the film and form locking portions of the stitches adjacent the second surface of the film.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for forming a sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said method comprising the steps of: providing a self supporting polymeric film having first and second major surfaces; and stitching a plurality of yarns through only the film to form loops projecting from the first surface of the film and form locking portions of the stitches adjacent the second surface of the film.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said method further includes the steps of: positioning a film of heat softenable polymeric material along the second surface of the self supporting polymeric film and the locking portions of the stitches after said stitching step; and heating the film of heat softenable polymeric material to adhere it to the second surface of the self supporting polymeric film and the locking portions of the stitches.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein the yarns are of a heat softenable polymeric material and said heating step includes heating the locking portions of the stitches to fuse them together and to the heat softenable polymeric material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said stitching, positioning and heating steps are performed continuously during movement of the film along the same production line.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said method further includes the steps of: extruding a layer of heat softenable polymeric material along the second surface of the self supporting polymeric film and the locking portions of the stitches after said stitching step to adhere the heat softenable polymeric material to the second surface of the self supporting polymeric film and the locking portions of the stitches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein the yarns are of a heat softenable polymeric material and said extruding step heats the locking portions of the stitches to fuse them together and to the heat softenable polymeric material.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for forming a sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said method comprising the steps of: providing a self supporting polymeric film having first and second major surfaces; stitching a plurality of yarns through the film to form loops projecting from the first surface of the film and form locking portions of the stitches adjacent the second surface of the film; and printing graphics on one of the surfaces of the film prior to said stitching step.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for forming a sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said method comprising the steps of: providing a self supporting polymeric film having first and second major surfaces; stitching a plurality of yarns through the film to form loops projecting from the first surface of the film and form locking portions of the stitches adjacent the second surface of the film; and printing graphics on one of the surfaces of the film prior to said stitching step.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for forming a sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said method comprising the steps of: providing a self supporting polymeric film having first and second major surfaces; stitching a plurality of yarns through the film to form loops projecting from the first surface of the film and form locking portions of the stitches adjacent the second surface of the film; and heating the upper portions of the loops to form from each loop two projections with enlarged heads on their distal ends.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
93 words
A method for forming a sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said method comprising the steps of: providing a self supporting polymeric film having first and second major surfaces; stitching a plurality of yarns through the film to form loops projecting from the first surface of the film and form locking portions of the stitches adjacent the second surface of the film; and heating the upper portions of the loops to form from each loop two projections with enlarged heads on their distal ends.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for forming a sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said method comprising the steps of: providing a self supporting polymeric film having first and second major surfaces; stitching a plurality of yarns through the film to form loops projecting from the first surface of the film and form locking portions of the stitches adjacent the second surface of the film; heating the loops to cause them to resiliently retain their shapes; and cutting the loops along one side to form hooks.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
92 words
A method for forming a sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said method comprising the steps of: providing a self supporting polymeric film having first and second major surfaces; stitching a plurality of yarns through the film to form loops projecting from the first surface of the film and form locking portions of the stitches adjacent the second surface of the film; heating the loops to cause them to resiliently retain their shapes; and cutting the loops along one side to form hooks.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for forming a sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said method comprising the steps of: providing a self supporting polymeric film having first and second major surfaces; adhering a layer of heat softenable polymeric material along the second surface of the self supporting polymeric film; and stitching a plurality of yarns through both the film and the layer of heat softenable polymeric material adhered to the film to form loops projecting from the first surface of the film and form locking portions of the stitches adjacent the second surface of the film along the layer of heat softenable polymeric material.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
111 words
A method for forming a sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said method comprising the steps of: providing a self supporting polymeric film having first and second major surfaces; adhering a layer of heat softenable polymeric material along the second surface of the self supporting polymeric film; and stitching a plurality of yarns through both the film and the layer of heat softenable polymeric material adhered to the film to form loops projecting from the first surface of the film and form locking portions of the stitches adjacent the second surface of the film along the layer of heat softenable polymeric material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method according to claim 10 wherein: the yarns are of a heat softenable polymeric material; and said method further includes the step of heating the locking portions of the stitches and the heat softenable polymeric material to fuse the locking portions of the stitches together and to the heat softenable polymeric material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 11 wherein said stitching and heating steps are performed continuously during movement of the film along the same production film.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for forming a sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said method comprising the steps of: providing a self supporting polymeric film having first and second major surfaces; positioning a film of heat softenable polymeric material along the second surface of the self supporting polymeric film; stitching a plurality of yarns through both of the films to form loops projecting from the first surface of the film and form locking portions of the stitches adjacent the second surface of the film; and heating the film of heat softenable polymeric material to adhere the film of heat softenable polymeric material to the second surface of the film.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for forming a sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said method comprising the steps of: providing a self supporting polymeric film having first and second major surfaces; positioning a film of heat softenable polymeric material along the second surface of the self supporting polymeric film; stitching a plurality of yarns through both of the films to form loops projecting from the first surface of the film and form locking portions of the stitches adjacent the second surface of the film; and heating the film of heat softenable polymeric material to adhere the film of heat softenable polymeric material to the second surface of the film.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein: the yarns are of a heat softenable polymeric material; and said step of heating the film of heat softenable polymeric material heats the locking portions of the stitches to fuse the locking portions of the stitches together and to the heat softenable polymeric material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein said stitching and heating steps are performed continuously during movement of the film along the same production line.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said film comprises two layers including a layer of heat softenable polymeric material defining the second surface of the self supporting polymeric film.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method according to claim 16 wherein: the yarns are of a heat softenable polymeric material; and said method further includes the step of heating the locking portions of the stitches and the heat softenable polymeric material to fuse the locking portions of the stitches together and to the heat softenable polymeric material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 17 wherein said stitching and heating steps are performed continuously during movement of the film along the same production line.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of fasteners, which sheet material is made by the method of claim 1.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
86 words
A sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said sheet material comprising: a backing having a front face and a back face, and comprising a self supporting polymeric film; and a plurality of yarns stitched through only said film having projecting portions projecting from the front face of said backing, and having locking portions on the side of said film opposite said projection portions; said film providing the structural strength to retain the integrity of the sheet material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
86 words
A sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said sheet material comprising: a backing having a front face and a back face, and comprising a self supporting polymeric film; and a plurality of yarns stitched through only said film having projecting portions projecting from the front face of said backing, and having locking portions on the side of said film opposite said projection portions; said film providing the structural strength to retain the integrity of the sheet material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
51 words
A sheet material according to claim 20 wherein said locking portions are in contact with the side of said film opposite said projecting portions, and said backing includes a layer of heat softenable polymeric material defining the back face of the backing and adhered to said film over said locking portions.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
35 words
A sheet material according to claim 21 wherein said yarns are of heat softenable polymeric material, and said locking portions of said stitches are fused together and to the layer of heat softenable polymeric material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
115 words
A sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said sheet material comprising: a backing having a front face and a back face, and comprising a self supporting polymeric film and a layer of heat softenable polymeric material defining the back face of the backing and adhered to said film; and a plurality of yarns stitched through both said film and said layer, said yarns having projecting portions projecting from the front face of said backing and having locking portions on the side of said film opposite said projecting portions along said back face; said film providing the structural strength to retain the integrity of the sheet material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
115 words
A sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said sheet material comprising: a backing having a front face and a back face, and comprising a self supporting polymeric film and a layer of heat softenable polymeric material defining the back face of the backing and adhered to said film; and a plurality of yarns stitched through both said film and said layer, said yarns having projecting portions projecting from the front face of said backing and having locking portions on the side of said film opposite said projecting portions along said back face; said film providing the structural strength to retain the integrity of the sheet material.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
A sheet material according to claim 23 wherein said yarns are of heat softenable polymeric material, and said locking portions of said stitches are fused together and to said layer of heat softenable polymeric material.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
37 words
A sheet material according to claim 20 wherein said film comprises two layers including a layer of heat softenable polymeric material defining the back face of the backing, and said locking portions are along said back face.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
35 words
A sheet material according to claim 23 wherein said yarns are of heat softenable polymeric material, and said locking portions of said stitches are fused together and to said layer of heat softenable polymeric material.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
94 words
A sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said sheet material comprising: a backing having a front face and a back face, and comprising a self supporting polymeric film having a low elongation ratio and high tear resistance; and a plurality of yarns stitched through said film having projecting portions projecting from the front face and said backing, and having locking portions on the side of said film opposite said projecting portions; said film providing the structural strength to retain the integrity of the sheet material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
94 words
A sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said sheet material comprising: a backing having a front face and a back face, and comprising a self supporting polymeric film having a low elongation ratio and high tear resistance; and a plurality of yarns stitched through said film having projecting portions projecting from the front face and said backing, and having locking portions on the side of said film opposite said projecting portions; said film providing the structural strength to retain the integrity of the sheet material.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
97 words
A sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said sheet material comprising: a backing having a front face and a back face, and comprising a self supporting polymeric film of high molecular weight high density polyethylene at least 0.0015 inch thick; and a plurality of yarns stitched through said film having projecting portions projecting from the front face of said backing, and having locking portions on the side of said film opposite said projecting portions; said film providing the structural strength to retain the integrity of the sheet material.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
97 words
A sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said sheet material comprising: a backing having a front face and a back face, and comprising a self supporting polymeric film of high molecular weight high density polyethylene at least 0.0015 inch thick; and a plurality of yarns stitched through said film having projecting portions projecting from the front face of said backing, and having locking portions on the side of said film opposite said projecting portions; said film providing the structural strength to retain the integrity of the sheet material.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
99 words
A sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said sheet material comprising: a backing having a front face and a back face, and comprising a self supporting polymeric film, said film having opposite major surfaces and having printing along one of said surfaces; and a plurality of yarns stitched through said film having projecting portions projecting from the front face of said backing, and having locking portions on the side of said film opposite said projecting portions; said film providing the structural strength to retain the integrity of the sheet material.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
99 words
A sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said sheet material comprising: a backing having a front face and a back face, and comprising a self supporting polymeric film, said film having opposite major surfaces and having printing along one of said surfaces; and a plurality of yarns stitched through said film having projecting portions projecting from the front face of said backing, and having locking portions on the side of said film opposite said projecting portions; said film providing the structural strength to retain the integrity of the sheet material.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
88 words
A sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said sheet material comprising: a backing having a front face and a back face, and comprising a self supporting polymeric film; and a plurality of yarns stitched through said film having projecting portions projecting from the front face of said backing and forming loops, and having locking portions on the side of said film opposite said projecting portions; said film providing the structural strength to retain the integrity of the sheet material.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
88 words
A sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said sheet material comprising: a backing having a front face and a back face, and comprising a self supporting polymeric film; and a plurality of yarns stitched through said film having projecting portions projecting from the front face of said backing and forming loops, and having locking portions on the side of said film opposite said projecting portions; said film providing the structural strength to retain the integrity of the sheet material.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
98 words
A sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said sheet material comprising: a backing having a front face and a back face, and comprising a self supporting polymeric film; and a plurality of yarns stitched through said film having projecting portions projecting from the front face of said backing, and having locking portions on the side of said film opposite said projecting portions, with some of said projecting portions of said yarns being resiliently flexible hooks; said film providing the structural strength to retain the integrity of the sheet material.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
98 words
A sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said sheet material comprising: a backing having a front face and a back face, and comprising a self supporting polymeric film; and a plurality of yarns stitched through said film having projecting portions projecting from the front face of said backing, and having locking portions on the side of said film opposite said projecting portions, with some of said projecting portions of said yarns being resiliently flexible hooks; said film providing the structural strength to retain the integrity of the sheet material.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
98 words
A sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said sheet material comprising: a backing having a front face and a back face, and comprising a self supporting polymeric film; and a plurality of yarns stitched through said film having projecting portions projecting from the front face of said backing, and having locking portions on the side of said film opposite said projecting portions, said projecting portions of said yarns having enlarged heads at their distal ends; said film providing the structural strength to retain the integrity of the sheet material.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
98 words
A sheet material adapted to be cut into smaller pieces to form portions of a fastener, said sheet material comprising: a backing having a front face and a back face, and comprising a self supporting polymeric film; and a plurality of yarns stitched through said film having projecting portions projecting from the front face of said backing, and having locking portions on the side of said film opposite said projecting portions, said projecting portions of said yarns having enlarged heads at their distal ends; said film providing the structural strength to retain the integrity of the sheet material.
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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) | 1993-06-04 | 1993-12-04 | 1994-06-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-04 | 1997-12-04 | 1998-06-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-04 | 2001-12-04 | 2002-06-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |