US5326415A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Screen printing method for manufacturing a refastenable mechanical fastening system and fastening system produced therefrom
Assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
•
Filing: 1993-09-03
•
Granted: 1994-07-05
•
Expires: 2013-09-03
Abstract
Abstract The invention is a refastenable mechanical fastening system, made of free formed prongs joined to a substrate. The prongs taper and are nonperpendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. The prongs may also have an azimuthal angle relative to the machine direction of the substrate. Each prong has an engaging means projecting laterally from the periphery of the prong. The free formed prongs are manufactured by the process of extruding liquid material through the meshes of a deposting member onto a moving substrate to form the base of the prong, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate, severing the stretched material to form the distal end and engaging means of the prong. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbent article specifically a diaper, is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Dennis A. Thomas
- 👤 David J. K. Goulait
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 21:41
CPC Classifications
B; B29; B29C; B29C67/00; B29C67/08; A; A44; A44B; A44B18/00; A44B18/0046; A44B18/0049; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/56; A61F13/62; A61F13/622; A61F13/625; B29C43/00; B29C43/22; B29C43/222; B29D; B29D5/00; B29L; B29L2031/00; B29L2031/727; B29L2031/729
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for making one or more free formed prongs useful as a component of a mechanical fastening system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a depositing member having at least one aperture; providing a molten thermally sensitive material; providing a substrate; extruding said molten thermally sensitive material through said aperture; depositing a discrete amount of said molten thermally sensitive material from said aperture onto said substrate; stretching a portion of said discrete amount of said molten thermally sensitive material in a direction having a vector component parallel to the plane of the substrate so as to free form a prong; and solidifying said molten thermally sensitive material of said prong, said prong having a base, a shank, and an engaging means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
A method for making one or more free formed prongs useful as a component of a mechanical fastening system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a depositing member having at least one aperture; providing a molten thermally sensitive material; providing a substrate; extruding said molten thermally sensitive material through said aperture; depositing a discrete amount of said molten thermally sensitive material from said aperture onto said substrate; stretching a portion of said discrete amount of said molten thermally sensitive material in a direction having a vector component parallel to the plane of the substrate so as to free form a prong; and solidifying said molten thermally sensitive material of said prong, said prong having a base, a shank, and an engaging means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said depositing member comprises a screen.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said depositing member comprises a print cylinder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said step of forcing said molten thermally sensitive material through said apertures comprises using a doctor blade.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said print cylinder comprises about 64 apertures per square centimeter to about 1600 apertures per square centimeter.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said print cylinder comprises about 100 apertures per square centimeter to about 900 apertures per square centimeter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said print cylinder comprises about 144 apertures per square centimeter to about 576 apertures per square centimeter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said print cylinder comprises about 256 apertures per square centimeter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said depositing member comprises a porous roll, said porous roll having an internal reservoir.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said step of forcing said molten thermally sensitive material through said apertures comprises supplying molten thermally sensitive material under pressure to said internal reservoir.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of providing a substrate comprises providing a substrate which is transported in a first direction.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said thermally sensitive material comprises a thermoplastic material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 12 wherein said thermally sensitive material is viscoelastic.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the step of solidifying said prong comprises differentially cooling said molten thermally sensitive material.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for making one or more free formed prongs useful as a component of a mechanical fastening system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a depositing member having at least one aperture having a major axis and a minor axis, said minor axis being oriented in a direction other than the machine direction of said depositing member; providing a molten thermally sensitive material; providing a substrate; forcing said molten thermally sensitive material through said aperture; depositing a discrete amount of said molten thermally sensitive material from said aperture onto said substrate; stretching a portion of said discrete amount of said molten thermally sensitive material in a direction having a vector component parallel to the plane of the substrate so as to form a prong; and solidifying said molten thermally sensitive material of said prong, said prong having a base, a shank, an engaging means, and an azimuthal angle.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for making one or more free formed prongs useful as a component of a mechanical fastening system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a depositing member having at least one aperture having a major axis and a minor axis, said minor axis being oriented in a direction other than the machine direction of said depositing member; providing a molten thermally sensitive material; providing a substrate; forcing said molten thermally sensitive material through said aperture; depositing a discrete amount of said molten thermally sensitive material from said aperture onto said substrate; stretching a portion of said discrete amount of said molten thermally sensitive material in a direction having a vector component parallel to the plane of the substrate so as to form a prong; and solidifying said molten thermally sensitive material of said prong, said prong having a base, a shank, an engaging means, and an azimuthal angle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said minor axis of said aperture is oriented substantially in the cross-machine direction of said depositing member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said apertures have an aspect ratio greater than about 1.5:1.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said apertures have a substantially triangular sectional area.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for making one or more free formed prongs useful as a component of a mechanical fastening system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a depositing member having at least one aperture having a major axis, a minor axis and a dominant area on one side of the machine direction centerline; providing a molten thermally sensitive material; providing a substrate; forcing said molten thermally sensitive material through said aperture; depositing a discrete amount of said molten thermally sensitive material from said aperture onto said substrate; stretching a portion of said discrete amount of said molten thermally sensitive material in a direction having a vector component parallel to the plane of the substrate so as to form a prong; and solidifying said molten thermally sensitive material of said prong, said prong having a base, a shank, an engaging means, and an azimuthal angle.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
144 words
A method for making one or more free formed prongs useful as a component of a mechanical fastening system, the method comprising the steps of: providing a depositing member having at least one aperture having a major axis, a minor axis and a dominant area on one side of the machine direction centerline; providing a molten thermally sensitive material; providing a substrate; forcing said molten thermally sensitive material through said aperture; depositing a discrete amount of said molten thermally sensitive material from said aperture onto said substrate; stretching a portion of said discrete amount of said molten thermally sensitive material in a direction having a vector component parallel to the plane of the substrate so as to form a prong; and solidifying said molten thermally sensitive material of said prong, said prong having a base, a shank, an engaging means, and an azimuthal angle.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said aperture has a dominant area comprising at least about 75% of said aperture's total sectional area.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said aperture has a generally triangular sectional area, said triangular sectional area having a first side and a second side which are equal in length, and a third side which is longer than said first side and said second side, said third side being oriented parallel to the machine direction of said depositing member.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for making a fastening system comprising one or more free formed prongs, the method comprising the steps of: providing a depositing member having at least one aperture; providing a molten thermally sensitive material; providing a substrate; transporting said substrate in a first direction; extruding said molten thermally sensitive material through said apertures; depositing discrete amounts of said molten thermally sensitive material from said apertures onto said substrate; stretching a portion of each said discrete amount of said molten thermally sensitive material in a direction having a vector component parallel to the plane of said substrate so as to form a prong and a moil; severing said moil from each said stretched molten thermally sensitive material to leave said prong; and solidifying said molten thermally sensitive material of said prong, said prong having a base, a shank, and an engaging means.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
142 words
A method for making a fastening system comprising one or more free formed prongs, the method comprising the steps of: providing a depositing member having at least one aperture; providing a molten thermally sensitive material; providing a substrate; transporting said substrate in a first direction; extruding said molten thermally sensitive material through said apertures; depositing discrete amounts of said molten thermally sensitive material from said apertures onto said substrate; stretching a portion of each said discrete amount of said molten thermally sensitive material in a direction having a vector component parallel to the plane of said substrate so as to form a prong and a moil; severing said moil from each said stretched molten thermally sensitive material to leave said prong; and solidifying said molten thermally sensitive material of said prong, said prong having a base, a shank, and an engaging means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process of claim 22 wherein the step of solidifying said prong comprises differentially cooling said prong such that said thermally sensitive material contracts and shrinks at different rates to curl said thermally sensitive material at said engaging means.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said depositing member comprises a print cylinder and wherein the step of extruding said molten thermally sensitive material from said first surface through said apertures comprises using a doctor blade.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said print cylinder comprises about 64 apertures per square centimeter to about 1600 apertures per square centimeter.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 22 wherein said thermally sensitive material comprises a viscoelastic thermoplastic material.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 26 wherein said viscoelastic thermoplastic material is a hot melt adhesive.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 22 wherein the step of stretching a portion of each said discrete amount of said molten thermally sensitive material results from the relative displacement between said substrate and said aperture.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
44 words
The process of claim 22 wherein said step of severing said molten thermally sensitive material comprises: intercepting said molten thermally sensitive material with a stationary severing means for severing said molten thermally sensitive material as said discrete depositions are transported past by said substrate.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 29 wherein said severing means comprises a heated wire disposed substantially across said substrate and parallel to said centerline of said print roll.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 30 wherein said heated wire is heated to a temperature of at least the melting point of said thermally sensitive material.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
246 words
A method for making a fastening system comprising an array of free formed prongs, the method comprising the steps of: providing a molten thermally sensitive material; providing a substrate; transporting said substrate in a first direction; providing a print cylinder adapted to rotate about its centerline, which centerline is disposed generally parallel to the plane of said substrate and generally perpendicular to the first direction of transport of said substrate, said print cylinder having apertures disposed in its periphery; providing a backing roll having a centerline disposed generally parallel to said centerline of said print roll, said print roll and said backing roll juxtaposed to form a nip therebetween; transporting said aperture through said nip between said print roll and said backing roll; extruding said molten thermally sensitive material through said apertures; depositing discrete amounts of said molten thermally sensitive material on said transported substrate; stretching each said discrete amount of said molten thermally sensitive material in a direction having a component parallel to the plane of said substrate due to the relative displacement between said substrate and said print cylinder as said print cylinder and said backing roll continue to rotate and said substrate is transported so as to form a prong and a moil; severing said moil so as to divide said molten thermally sensitive material into said prong and said moil; and solidifying said molten thermally sensitive material of said prongs, each said prong having a base, a shank, and an engaging means.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
246 words
A method for making a fastening system comprising an array of free formed prongs, the method comprising the steps of: providing a molten thermally sensitive material; providing a substrate; transporting said substrate in a first direction; providing a print cylinder adapted to rotate about its centerline, which centerline is disposed generally parallel to the plane of said substrate and generally perpendicular to the first direction of transport of said substrate, said print cylinder having apertures disposed in its periphery; providing a backing roll having a centerline disposed generally parallel to said centerline of said print roll, said print roll and said backing roll juxtaposed to form a nip therebetween; transporting said aperture through said nip between said print roll and said backing roll; extruding said molten thermally sensitive material through said apertures; depositing discrete amounts of said molten thermally sensitive material on said transported substrate; stretching each said discrete amount of said molten thermally sensitive material in a direction having a component parallel to the plane of said substrate due to the relative displacement between said substrate and said print cylinder as said print cylinder and said backing roll continue to rotate and said substrate is transported so as to form a prong and a moil; severing said moil so as to divide said molten thermally sensitive material into said prong and said moil; and solidifying said molten thermally sensitive material of said prongs, each said prong having a base, a shank, and an engaging means.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process of claim 32 wherein the step of severing said molten thermally sensitive material comprises intercepting said molten thermally sensitive material with a stationary severing means for severing said molten thermally sensitive material.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 33 wherein said severing means comprises a heated wire disposed substantially across said substrate and parallel to said centerline of said print cylinder.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 34 wherein said wire is heated to a temperature of at least a melting point of said thermally sensitive material.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process of claim 35 wherein the step of solidifying said prong comprises differentially cooling said prong such that said thermally sensitive material contracts and shrinks at different rates to curl said thermally sensitive material at said engaging means.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 36 wherein said print cylinder comprises about 64 apertures per square centimeter to about 1,600 apertures per square centimeter.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 37 wherein said step of extruding said molten thermally sensitive material through said apertures comprises using a doctor blade.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 38 wherein said thermally sensitive material comprises a viscoelastic thermoplastic material.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
15 words
The process of claim 39 wherein said viscoelastic thermoplastic material is a hot melt adhesive.
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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) | 1997-07-04 | 1998-01-03 | 1998-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-04 | 2002-01-03 | 2002-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-04 | 2006-01-03 | 2006-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |