IP Library Granted Patent US 9,609,920
Granted Patent B2
US 9,609,920 · App. 14/136,073 · Granted Apr 4, 2017

Process for modifying a hook profile of a fastening component and a fastening component having hooks with a modified profile

Inventors: Paul Douglas Beuther (Neenah, WI); David John Enz (Neenah, WI); Devin Charles McElrath (Appleton, WI)
Assignee: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
A44B18/0015A44B18/0019A61F13/625Y10T29/49716
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,609,920
App. No.
14/136,073
Granted
Apr 4, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method of modifying a male fastener of a fastening system includes feeding a web having a base substrate and a male fastening material to a modifying member having an outer surface. The male fastening material has a plurality of male fasteners with a first, unmodified profile. The profile of at least some of the plurality of male fasteners of the male fastening material are modified by engagement of the plurality of male fastener with the outer surface of the modifying member and by causing the plurality of male fasteners to slip along the outer surface of the modifying member. A modified male fastening material includes a plurality of male fasteners modified from a first profile to a second, different profile by passing the male fastening material over the outer surface of the modifying member.

Claims (22)

1. A method of modifying a male fastener of a fastening system, the method comprising:

feeding a web comprising a base substrate and a male fastening material to a modifying member having an outer surface with a plurality of holes, the male fastening material comprising a plurality of male fasteners having a first, unmodified profile;

applying a force to the web to facilitate contact between at least some of the plurality of male fasteners and the outer surface with the plurality of holes of the modifying member; and

modifying the profile of at least some of the plurality of male fasteners of the male fastening material by causing the plurality of male fasteners to slip along the outer surface with the plurality of holes of the modifying member.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein modifying the profile of at least some of the plurality of male fasteners of the male fastening material comprises causing the plurality of male fasteners to have greater widest dimension.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein modifying the profile of at least some of the plurality of male fasteners of the male fastening material comprises making a height of the plurality of male fasteners shorter.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein modifying the profile of at least some of the plurality of male fasteners of the male fastening material comprises making a length of the plurality of male fasteners greater.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of male fasteners are adapted to engage a loop fastener.

6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of male fasteners comprises at least one of hooks, bulbs, mushrooms, arrowheads, balls on stems, stems.

7. A method of modifying a male fastener of a fastening system, the method comprising:

feeding a web comprising a base substrate and a male fastening material to a modifying member having an outer surface, the male fastening material comprising a plurality of male fasteners having a first, unmodified profile;

applying a force to the web to facilitate contact between at least some of the plurality of male fasteners and the outer surface of the modifying member;

modifying the profile of at least some of the plurality of male fasteners of the male fastening material by causing the plurality of male fasteners to slip along the outer surface of the modifying member; and

cutting a discrete segment from the web slipping on the outer surface of the modifying member using a knife roll.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the modifying member is an anvil roll.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising transporting the discrete segment via a vacuum pressure applied to the outer surface of the anvil roll by a vacuum source.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising transferring the discrete segment to a product web.

11. A method of modifying a male fastener of a fastening system, the method comprising:

feeding a web comprising a base substrate and a male fastening material to a modifying member having an outer surface, the male fastening material comprising a plurality of male fasteners having a first, unmodified profile; and

modifying the profile of at least some of the plurality of male fasteners of the male fastening material by pneumatically engaging the plurality of male fasteners with the outer surface of the modifying member and causing the plurality of male fasteners to slip along the outer surface of the modifying member.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein modifying the profile of at least some of the plurality of male fasteners of the male fastening material by pneumatically engaging the plurality of male fastener with the outer surface of the modifying member comprises using a vacuum to draw at least some of the plurality of male fasteners against the outer surface of the modifying member.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the modifying member is free from a heat source.

Assignments (2)
NAME CHANGE Recorded Feb 3, 2015
From: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
To: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
Reel/Frame 034880/0634 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 7, 2014
From: BEUTHER, PAUL DOUGLAS; ENZ, DAVID JOHN; MCELRATH, DEVIN CHARLES
To: KIMBERLY-CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.
Reel/Frame 032172/0029 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61874665 · Sep 6, 2013
Related Publication 20150073377A1 · Mar 12, 2015