Buckles – buttons – clasps – etc. – Separable-fastener or required component thereof
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-25
2001-08-21
Sandy, Robert J. (Department: 3626)
Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
Separable-fastener or required component thereof
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276032
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to fastening systems for garments and other articles. More particularly, the present invention relates to interlocking, mechanical-type fastening systems which can be employed with disposable articles, such as gowns, diapers, incontinence garments and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional disposable absorbent articles have typically employed adhesive fastening tapes for securing the article on a wearer. Such articles have also been constructed with interengaging mechanical fasteners, such as snaps, buckles, and hook-and-loop fasteners. Particular articles have included a fastening system which has extended along substantially the entire length of an ear section of the article. Other fastening systems have included strips or segmented sections of adhesive which have been arranged to extend along a portion of the length of the article ear section. In still other systems, the strips or segmented sections have been composed of selected mechanical fastener components, such as individual sections of hook material or loop material. Additionally, combinations of adhesive fasteners and mechanical fasteners have been employed.
Conventional mechanical fasteners have been composed of hook-and-loop fasteners, and various types of hook materials, such as inverted-J shaped, T-shaped and generally mushroom-shaped hooks have been employed. Such conventional fastening systems have also employed tapered fastening tabs where the attaching area on the user's end is relatively wide at its inboard region adjacent the longitudinally extending sides of the diaper, and is tapered to a more narrow width at its more remote distal end. Still other fastener tabs have incorporated bell-shaped fastening areas where the attaching area on the user's portion of the tab is shaped to be relatively narrow at an inboard region adjacent the longitudinally extending sides of the diaper, and to be wider at its more remote distal end.
Conventional fasteners and fastening systems, such as those described above, have not provided adequate levels of reliable securement and ease of unfastening. The conventional fastening systems have not provided a sufficient capability to accommodate the stresses imposed on the article by a wearer, while also providing a desired ease of unfastening after the article has been worn. When constructed and arranged to generate the desired levels of reliable securement, the conventional fasteners have been excessively difficult to unfasten for inspection or removal of the worn article. The difficulty can become especially apparent with mechanical fasteners after the fasteners have been in use for an extended period of time. As a result, the conventional fastening systems have not provided desired combinations of comfort, ease of fastening, strong securement, and ease of unfastening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Generally stated, the present invention provides a distinctive article, having a lengthwise longitudinal direction, and a lateral cross-direction. The article has a first article portion, a second article portion, and at least one fastener for securing the first article portion to said second article portion. The fastener includes at least one first fastener component attached to the first portion of the article, and a cooperating, second fastener component. The second fastener component is mechanically engageable with the first fastener component, and is attached to the second portion of the article. In a particular aspect, the first fastener component can include a plurality of engagement members having a first quantity of engageable stalk members.
In another aspect, the engagement members can include a first quantity of attachment members having engageable, attachment head elements. In further aspects, the first fastener component can include a first engagement section and a second engagement section. The first engagement section can include a first plurality of engagement members having a first quantity of engageable stalk members, and the second engagement section can include a second plurality of engagement members having a second quantity of engageable stalk members.
The incorporation of the various aspects of the fastening system of the invention can provide improved securement with greater resistance to premature pop-opens, and can also provide improved fit, greater comfort, and reduced irritation of the wearer's skin. The distinctively configured fasteners of the invention can advantageously provide an improved combination of properties, such as an improved combination of relatively high shear force engagement and relatively low peel force engagement. The various aspects of the invention can provide a fastening system having greater reliability and improved securement without generating excessive irritation, and can provide improved ease of unfastening for inspection and removal of the article.
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Patent Cooperation Treaty Search Report from the International Search Authority, International Application No. PCT/US 00/33006 dated Mar. 20, 2001.
Huntoon Andrew Edsel
Long Andrew Mark
Lord Patrick Robert
Nortman Brian Keith
Shaw Gordon Allen
Kimberly--Clark Worldwide, Inc.
Sandy Robert J.
Yee Paul
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