Method for maintaining a fastener in a folded configuration
A method for folding a fastener during a high speed manufacturing process and maintaining the fastener in a folded configuration throughout the high speed manufacturing process. The method includes obtaining an article that has a foldable fastener and moving the article in the machine direction during the high speed manufacturing process. The foldable fastener has first and second opposing surfaces, a web and at least one engaging member joined to the web. The method includes applying a frangible bonding agent to a first portion of the first surface of the fastening system; folding the fastening system such that the frangible bonding agent contacts a second portion of the first surface of the fastening system; and allowing the frangible bonding agent to cool at a temperature of less than 60° C.
1. A method for folding a fastener during a high speed manufacturing process and maintaining the folded fastener in a folded configuration throughout the high speed manufacturing process, the method comprising:
obtaining an article comprising a foldable fastener and moving said article in a machine direction during the high speed manufacturing process, said high speed manufacturing process having a cross direction orthogonal to said machine direction, said foldable fastener comprising a web with first and second opposing surfaces, and at least one engaging member joined to the web;
applying a frangible bonding agent to a first portion of the first surface of the fastener; and
folding the fastener such that the frangible bonding agent contacts a second portion of the first surface of the fastener; and
wherein the fastener is a hook/loop type mechanical fastener;
wherein the engaging member includes a plurality of hooks and the web includes a plurality of receiving elements that are engageable with the hooks; and
wherein the frangible bonding agent is applied to at least some of the hooks such that a first group of hooks has the frangible bonding agent disposed thereon and a second group of hooks is substantially free of the frangible bonding agent, the first group of hooks being substantially surrounded by the second group of hooks; and
wherein the frangible bonding agent is applied to one or more of the receiving elements.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the folded fastener has an Initial Opening Force value of greater than about 2 N according to the Opening Force Test.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the folded fastener has an Aged Opening Force value of less than about 8 N.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fastener is folded such that the frangible bonding agent contacts a second portion of the first surface of the fastener and forms a bond between the first and second portions of the first surface.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fastener is folded in the cross direction along a line extending in the machine direction.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the folded fastener is subjected to compression.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fastener includes a fastening tab and the engaging member is disposed on the fastening tab.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the frangible bonding agent spans a gap between the hooks.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the engaging member comprises a base, wherein the engaging member is joined to the fastener at the base and the frangible bonding agent is not applied to the base.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the frangible bonding agent is applied in a pattern selected from the group consisting of one or more substantially straight lines, an s-shape, a z-shape, a c-shape, a broken line, a t-shape, a cross-shape, spiral-shape, omega-shape, dots and combinations of these.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the frangible bonding agent is a fugitive adhesive.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the fugitive adhesive has a strength decay of between about 20%, and 100% according to the Coupon Peel Test.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the fugitive adhesive has a strength decay of between about 30% and 70% according to the Coupon Peel Test.