Hook engageable loops
View Patent ↗Hook-engageable loop materials are provided, which include high bulk yarns. Closure strips employing such materials, and methods of making such materials are also provided.
1. A hook-engageable fastener material for a hook and loop fastening system comprising a carrier in the form of a sheet of flexible material and at least one high bulk yarn extending along the carrier and intimately secured substantially continuously along its length to a portion of the carrier, the high bulk yarn having a structure comprised of a multiple, twisted-together plies, each ply being formed of fibers or filaments that have been textured.
2. The hook-engageable fastener material of claim 1 wherein the portion of the carrier to which the yarn is secured is substantially planar.
3. The hook-engageable fastener material of claim 1 wherein the portion of the carrier to which the yarn is secured has a thickness of less than about 0.010 inch.
4. The hook-engageable fastener material of claim 1 wherein the texturized fibers comprise crimped fibers.
5. The hook-engageable fastener material of claim 1 wherein the yarn has a bulk ratio of from about 15 to 50.
6. The hook-engageable fastener material of claim 5 wherein the yarn has a bulk ratio of from about 18 to 40.
7. The hook-engageable fastener material of claim 1 wherein the yarn is selected from the group consisting of yarns formed of acrylics, nylons, polyesters, polypropylenes, natural fibers and blends thereof, and bulk continuous fiber yarns.
8. The hook-engageable fastener material of claim 1 further comprising an array of hook elements integrally molded with the carrier and extending therefrom.
9. The hook-engageable fastener material of claim 8 wherein the hook elements extend from the surface of the carrier to which the yarn is secured.
10. The hook-engageable fastener material of claim 8 wherein the hook elements extend from a surface of the carrier opposite to the surface to which the yarn is secured.
11. The hook-engageable fastener material of claim 8 wherein the hook elements have a height of 0.015 inch or less.
12. The hook-engageable fastener material of claim 8 or 11 wherein the hook elements are arranged in an array with a density of between about 500 and 3000 hooks per square inch.
13. The hook-engageable fastener material of claim 1 wherein the yarn extends linearly along the carrier.
14. The hook-engageable fastener material of claim 1 wherein the yarn is disposed on the carrier in a reciprocating pattern.
15. The hook-engageable fastener material of claim 1 wherein the reciprocating pattern comprises a sinusoidal pattern.
16. The hook-engageable fastener material of claim 1 comprising a plurality of yarns.
17. The hook-engageable fastener material of claim 16 wherein said yarns are separate and are connected only by mutual attachment to the carrier.
18. The hook-engageable fastener material of claim 16 wherein said carrier is elongated, and the yarns extend perpendicular to the length of the carrier.
19. The hook-engageable fastener material of claim 16 or 18 wherein said yarns are substantially parallel to each other.
20. The hook-engageable fastener material of claim 19 further comprising rows of hooks interposed between the parallel yarns.