Improved Retention System

Abstract

1. A retention device comprising: a base (10) comprising a woven material; and a plurality of retention elements (20), each of the retention elements (20) comprising a rod (22) and a head (26), the rod (22) extending from a top surface (12) of the base (10) and the head (26) formed on a free end (24) of the rod (22) opposite the top surface (12) of the base (10), wherein the rod (22) of the retention elements (20) are intertwined with the woven material of the base (10), and a portion of each of the rods (22) extending from the base (10) is at least partially coated with a resin.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved retention device, particularly a hook-and-loop retention device, and to an improved retention assembly, particularly a hook-and-loop retention assembly. [Background technology]

[0002] Hook-and-loop systems are commonly used in many applications. Among the self-gripping systems are the loop-hook or male-female systems, and the hook-hook, mushroom-mushroom, or male-male systems.

[0003] Male-male systems are designed to create a connection between two identical systems, and the retaining elements are typically mushroom-shaped to engage with each other. Assembly of such elements is simplified to the extent that the elements can be pre-positioned before engaging them. Such elements also provide the user with a feeling of engagement, thus making it possible to ensure that the engagement is performed correctly.

[0004] Furthermore, such closure systems offer high mechanical performance in terms of staying in place while having reduced opening and closing cycles compared to hook-and-loop type systems.

[0005] A recurring problem with regard to the manufacture of such retaining elements is to propose a system which has interesting mechanical properties whilst meeting the criteria in terms of industrialisation and cost.

[0006] The present invention therefore aims to at least partially overcome these problems. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To this end, the present disclosure provides a holding device, comprising: a base comprising a woven material; a plurality of retaining elements, each of the retaining elements comprising a rod and a head; a rod extending from a top surface of the base and a head formed on a free end of the rod opposite the top surface of the base; the rod of the retaining element extends at least partially into the woven material of the base, in particular the rod of the retaining element is intertwined with the woven material of the base, The present invention relates to a retention device characterized in that a portion of each of the rods extending from the base is at least partially coated with a resin.

[0008] According to one example, at least 7% of the height of each rod is coated with resin, and in certain cases, at least 10% of the height of each rod is coated with resin, the height being measured in a direction perpendicular to the top surface of the base.

[0009] According to one example, at least 7% of the height of each rod extending from the top surface of the base is coated with resin, and in certain cases, at least 10% of the height of each rod is coated with resin, the height being measured in a direction perpendicular to the top surface of the base.

[0010] According to one example, less than 95% of the height of each rod is coated with resin, or less than 90% of the height of each rod is coated with resin, in certain cases less than 85% of the height of each rod is coated with resin, for example less than 80% of the height of each rod is coated with resin, or less than 70% of the height of each rod is coated with resin, in other cases less than 50% of the height of each rod is coated with resin, in still other cases less than 40% of the height of each rod is coated with resin, or less than 35% of the height of each rod is coated with resin, in still other cases less than 30% of the height of each rod is coated with resin, or less than 25% of the height of each rod is coated with resin, the height being measured from the upper surface of the base in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface of the base. In other words, the height of the rod in the base is not taken into account here for determining the height of the rod of the holding element of the holding device according to the invention.

[0011] According to one example, each retaining element has a height of 0.5 mm or more and the resin coating covers at least 0.1 mm of the height of each rod. According to one example, each retaining element has a height of 0.5 mm or more and the resin coating covers at least 0.1 mm of the height of each rod. According to one example, each retaining element has a height of 1 mm or more and the resin coating covers at least 0.15 mm of the height of each rod. According to one example, each retaining element has a height of 1.5 mm or more and the resin coating covers at least 0.2 mm of the height of each rod.

[0012] According to one example, each retaining element has a height of less than 5 mm and the resin coating covers at least 0.1 mm of the height of each rod.

[0013] According to one example, the head of the retaining element has the shape of a portion of a sphere extending from the free end of the rod.

[0014] According to one example, the rod has a circular cross section.

[0015] According to one example, the rod of the retaining element can be formed to define a flange extending radially around the free end of the rod. This flange allows, for example, to engage with a similar retaining element. The flange can have a proximal portion arranged on the side of the base and a distal portion arranged opposite the proximal portion and defining the free end of the retaining element. According to one example, the width in side view of the proximal portion is greater than the width of the distal portion of the flange. In some cases, the flange has the general shape of a cone or a volcano. According to one example, in a side view of the retaining device along a plane perpendicular to the upper surface of the base, the projection of the visible portion of the flange in this plane perpendicular to the base has a variable height varying between a minimum value comprised between 0% and 90% of the height of the flange measured as a maximum value, in particular a minimum value comprised between 2% and 90% of the height of the flange measured as a maximum value, and a maximum value comprised between 95% and 100% of the height of the flange measured as a maximum value.

[0016] According to one example, the resin coating is produced using an epoxy resin or a polyurethane resin, in particular an aliphatic polyurethane resin, more particularly a polyester-based aliphatic polyurethane resin.

[0017] According to one example, the resin is disposed on an upper surface of the base and / or a lower surface of the base and / or an interior surface of the base.

[0018] According to one example, the resin coating is produced using, for example, an aqueous or solvent-based resin, including an adhesive, the adhesive and / or the resin having a viscosity of 1500 mPa.s or less, in particular 1000 mPa.s or less, in particular 500 mPa.s or less, more particularly 200 mPa.s or less, and / or in certain cases 25 mPa.s or more, more particularly 50 mPa.s or more.

[0019] According to one example, the underside of the base opposite the top side of the base is covered with an adhesive, and in certain cases the adhesive has a normal separation force (direction perpendicular to the base) of more than 100 kPa according to standard ASTM D-897.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the retention device includes a quantity of resin disposed primarily within the base.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the amount of resin coating at least a portion of each of the rods extending from the base is less than the amount of resin disposed on the base, and in particular less than the amount of resin on the remainder of the holding device.

[0022] According to one example, the base is formed from woven synthetic monofilament and / or multifilament wire.

[0023] According to one example, the synthetic wire is a synthetic thermoplastic wire including or based on, but not limited to, polyolefins such as polyethylene (PE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polybutylene, etc.; polyamides (PA), such as aliphatic polyamides such as polyamide 6, polyamide 6.6, polyamide 10, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, etc., or aromatic polyamides such as polyarylamides (PAA) or polyphthalamides (PPA); polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polylactic acid, poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS), polysulfone, polyacetals including polyoxymethylene (POM), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene, etc., and mixtures and copolymers thereof.

[0024] According to one example, the base wire is made of polyamide and the retaining element is made of polypropylene.

[0025] According to one example, the retaining element is formed from a monofilament or multifilament wire that may in particular include or be based on, but is not limited to, polyolefins, such as polyethylene (PE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polybutylene, etc.; polyamides (PA), such as aliphatic polyamides, such as polyamide 6, polyamide 6.6, polyamide 10, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, etc., or aromatic polyamides, such as polyarylamides (PAA) or polyphthalamides (PPA); polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polylactic acid, poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS), polysulfone, polyacetals including polyoxymethylene (POM), polycarbonate (PC), polystyrene, etc., and mixtures and copolymers thereof.

[0026] In one example, the top surface of the base is 15 cells / cm 2 Holding elements above 20cm, especially 2Above 30 pieces / cm 2 More than 38 retention elements per cm 2 The retention element has a density of retention elements that is greater than or equal to 1. Thus, the retention element density is high enough to allow for easy cooperation with other "male" type retention elements to produce a "male-male" type closure.

[0027] According to one example, the top surface of the base has 100 cells / cm 2 Retention elements below 80 / cm 2 Retention elements below 60 / cm 2 Retention elements below 50 / cm 2 Retention elements below 45 / cm 2 Retention elements below 40 / cm 2 The retention element has a density that is less than 100 mm. Thus, the retention element density is low enough to allow for easy cooperation with other "male" type retention elements to achieve a "male-male" type closure.

[0028] According to one example, the base is constructed of warp and weft threads intertwined in a repeatable pattern, and the rods of the retaining elements are intertwined with the warp and weft threads, whereby each retaining element rod is intertwined with the base so as to at least partially surround the warp or weft threads of the base.

[0029] According to one example, in the transverse direction, the retaining device comprises a pair of rods continuously connected to each other by interlocking joints at the base, the rods and the joints having a general V or W shape.

[0030] According to one example, the base includes monofilament weft threads and monofilament warp threads.

[0031] According to one example, the material constituting the base wire has a melting temperature at least 30° C. higher, preferably at least 50° C. higher, more preferably at least 70° C. higher than the melting temperature of the material constituting the retaining element.

[0032] Resin weight is 25-300g / m 2 , especially 50~200g / m 2 Included in.

[0033] The apparent volumetric mass of the resin is 200 kg / m 3 Larger, especially 500Kg / m 3 Larger and / or 1300Kg / m 3 Less than 1200Kg / m 3 is less than.

[0034] According to one example, the ratio of the cross section of the rod of the holding element to the cross section of one of the wires of the base is comprised between 0.5 and 20, preferably between 1 and 5. According to one example, the ratio of the cross section of the rod of the holding element to the cross sections of the two wires of the base is comprised between 0.5 and 20, preferably between 1 and 5.

[0035] According to one example, in a portion of the rod extending from the base and at least partially coated with resin, in the MD and / or CD view, the assembly formed by the resin and the rod has a dimension along an axis perpendicular to the base that is 1.2 times smaller than the height of the detached rod (i.e., the rod not coated with resin), the height of the rod, measured along an axis perpendicular to the base, is in particular 1.3 times smaller than the dimension of the rod alone, in particular 2 times smaller than the dimension of the rod alone, for example 1.5 times smaller than the dimension of the rod alone, or 3 times smaller than the dimension of the rod alone, or in other cases 4 times smaller than the dimension of the rod alone.

[0036] According to one example, in a portion of the rod extending from the base and at least partially coated with resin, in the MD and / or CD view, the assembly formed by the resin and the rod has a dimension according to an axis perpendicular to the axis of the rod, which is less than 4 times the dimension of the rod alone, in particular less than 3 times the dimension of the rod alone, in particular less than 2 times the dimension of the rod alone, for example less than 1.5 times the dimension of the rod alone, or alternatively less than 1.3 times the dimension of the rod alone, or in other cases less than 1.2 times the dimension of the rod alone.

[0037] The holding device comprises resin that at least partially coats a portion of each of the rods, the device is between two adjacent rods in the MD and / or CD view, is resin-free or comprises resin, and the height of the resin (from the base) is lower, in particular at least 15% lower, in particular 30% lower, than the height of the resin (from the base) that at least partially coats a portion of each of the rods.

[0038] In particular, the ratio of the height of the resin between two adjacent rods to the height of the resin at least partially coating each part of the rods is less than 0.95, in particular less than 0.85, in particular less than 0.7, in particular less than 0.6, preferably less than 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, 0.2, 0.1 or even equal to 0.

[0039] The resin at least partially coating the rod is spaced from the head of the retaining element.

[0040] The different examples presented can be used individually or in combination. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0041] The invention and its advantages will be better understood on reading the detailed description given below of different embodiments of the invention, given as non-limiting examples.

[0042] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention.

[0043] [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is another view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] [Diagram 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view of an apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] [Figure 4] 1A-1D illustrate a manufacturing process for a device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] [Diagram 5] 4A-4C are another schematic diagrams illustrating the manufacturing process of a device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] [Figure 6] 1 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of an apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing another example of the structure of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] [Figure 8] 1A-1D illustrate a manufacturing process for a device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] In all figures, common elements are identified by the same reference numbers. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0051] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of an apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a top view of Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of Figure 1.

[0052] The figure shows a holding device 1 comprising a base 10 from which a number of holding elements 20 extend.

[0053] The base 10 is particularly constructed from a woven material. The base 10 is typically constructed from warp and weft threads intertwined in a repeatable pattern. The warp and weft threads typically have a diameter of 0.5 mm or less, typically 0.3 mm or less, or for example 0.25 mm or less, or 0.2 mm or less.

[0054] The base 10 is typically constructed of woven synthetic monofilament and / or multifilament wires, such as polyamide wires. The synthetic wires may be synthetic thermoplastic wires including or based on, for example, but not limited to, polyolefins, such as polyethylene (PE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), polybutylene, etc.; polyamides (PA), such as aliphatic polyamides, such as polyamide 6, polyamide 6.6, polyamide 10, polyamide 11, polyamide 12, etc., or aromatic polyamides, such as polyarylamides (PAA) or polyphthalamides (PPA); polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polylactic acid, poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS), polysulfones, polyacetals including polyoxymethylene (POM), polycarbonates (PC), polystyrene, etc., and mixtures and copolymers thereof.

[0055] The material constituting the wire of the base may for example have a melting temperature at least 30° C. higher, or at least 50° C. higher, or for example at least 70° C. higher, or for example at least 100° C. higher, or at least 110° C. higher than the melting temperature of the material constituting the retaining element. Such a difference in melting temperature therefore makes it possible to form the head of the retaining element 20 by heating and deformation of the rod, without affecting the material forming the base 10.

[0056] The upper surface 12 of the base 10 and the lower surface 14 of the base are arbitrarily defined, and these designations are arbitrary and for illustrative purposes only. For purposes of illustration herein, it is considered that the base 10 is positioned flat and that the upper surface 12 of the base 10 is flat or substantially flat and defines a horizontal plane. Similarly, it is considered for purposes of illustration herein that the lower surface 14 of the base 10 is flat or substantially flat and defines a horizontal plane.

[0057] The retaining element 20 is formed by a hook, commonly referred to as a "mushroom". Such a retaining element 20 has a rod 22 extending from the upper surface 12 of the base 10. For the rod 22, a proximal end 23 on the upper surface 12 of the base 10 and a distal end 24 or opposite free end 24 are thus defined. A head 26 is formed on the free end 24 of the rod 22. The head has a shape adapted so that two identical retaining devices 1 can engage with each other by engaging with the respective retaining element 20 or can be fitted with another equivalent retaining device, i.e. a non-identical retaining device, comprising a base and a rod, each rod surmounted by a head. This type of closure is commonly called a "male-male closure" or "self-gripping fastener".

[0058] The rod 22 of the retaining element is typically formed to define a flange extending radially around the free end 24 of the rod 22. This flange allows a similar retaining element 20 to be engaged. The flange has a proximal portion arranged on the side of the base 10 and a distal portion arranged opposite the proximal portion and defining the free end of the retaining element 20. According to one example, the width in side view of the proximal portion is greater than the width of the distal portion of the flange. In some cases, the flange has the general shape of a cone or a volcano. According to one example, in a side view of the retaining device along a plane perpendicular to the upper surface 12 of the base 10, the projection of the visible portion of the flange in this plane perpendicular to the base has a variable height varying between a minimum value comprised between 0% and 90% of the height of the flange measured as a maximum value, in particular a minimum value comprised between 2% and 90% of the height of the flange measured as a maximum value, and a maximum value comprised between 95% and 100% of the height of the flange measured as a maximum value.

[0059] The rod 22 can have, for example, a circular, elliptical, polygonal cross section, or more generally any suitable shape. In particular, it is possible to manufacture rods 22 with a cross-shaped or "plus" shaped cross section. Such a cross-shaped cross section typically has four ribs regularly distributed around the central axis of the rod 22 and extending radially around this central axis of the rod 22. More generally, the rod 22 can have, for example, an elliptical or square or rectangular cross section, or the general shape of a star with X regularly distributed arms, X being comprised between 3 and 10, each arm having a proximal and a distal end, the proximal end of each arm being continuous and the distal ends of the arms all spaced apart from one another at the same angle.

[0060] The head 26 of the retaining element 20 is typically manufactured by cutting and deforming the free end 24 of the rod 22. Thus, the shape of the head 26 of the retaining element 20 typically depends on the shape of the rod 22.

[0061] Thus, in the case of a rod 22 having a circular cross section, the head 22 typically has the shape of a portion of a sphere. In the case of a cross section of the mold 22 having a cross shape, then the head 22 typically has a shape defining four lobes. More generally, a polygonal shaped cross section 22 is typically associated with a head 26 having multiple lobes, the number of lobes may depend on the shape of the polygon and is comprised, for example, between 2 and 10.

[0062] Typically, the retention element 20 has a total height Ht that is typically 0.5 mm, or 0.7 mm, or 0.8 mm, or 1 mm, or 1.5 mm, or 1.8 mm or more, and typically 5 mm, or 3.5 mm, or 3 mm, or 2.5 mm or less, as measured from the proximal end 23 of the rod 22 to the opposite end of the head 26 in a direction perpendicular to the top surface 12 of the base 10.

[0063] The retention device 1 typically has an overall height of 1.3 mm, or 1.5 mm, or 1.6 mm, or 1.8 mm, or 2.3 mm, or 2.6 mm or more, and typically 5.8 mm, or 4.3 mm, or 3.8 mm, or 3.3 mm or less, as measured from the lower surface 14 of the base 10 to the distal end of the head 26 in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface 12 of the base 10.

[0064] The retention device 1 is typically 15 pieces / cm 2 or more retention elements, or 20 / cm 2 or more retention elements, or 25 / cm 2 or more retention elements, or 30 / cm 2 or more retention elements, typically 100 per cm 2 Retention elements below 80 / cm 2 Retention elements below 60 / cm 2 Retention elements below or 45 pieces / cm 2 The density of retention elements 20 is the following retention element: At such retention element density, the retention elements of a retention device are dense enough to cooperate with other retention elements of the same category, i.e., "male" type, of another retention device, and sparse enough (not dense) to allow extraction with other retention elements of the same category, i.e., "male" type.

[0065] The retaining element 20 is typically formed by a cord of material, for example polypropylene, which is intertwined with the weft and warp threads of the base 10. Thus, Figures 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 show the manufacture of the retaining element 20 in a schematic manner.

[0066] 4 and 5 show views of the base 10 with intertwined cords of material 28. These cords of material 28 are represented here with a circular cross section, although it is understood that this example is not limiting.

[0067] The cords 28 of material are here intertwined with the weft and warp threads of the base 10 so as to form loops that at least partially encircle the weft and / or warp threads. The cords 28 form arches that extend above the top surface 12 of the base 10 between two loops around the weft or warp threads, as can be seen particularly in Figures 4 and 5. The warp threads define a longitudinal direction MD (or machine direction) and the weft threads define a transverse direction CD (or cross direction perpendicular to the machine direction).

[0068] The cords 28 of material may be intertwined in different patterns in the warp and weft threads forming the base 10 .

[0069] In the example of Figures 1 and 2, in the horizontal direction, two weft threads extend between two adjacent retaining elements, and in the vertical direction, six alternating warp threads extend between two adjacent retaining elements, and then four warp threads extend between one of the adjacent retaining elements and another retaining element adjacent to the retaining element.

[0070] According to the example of Fig. 5, the warp threads (or also commonly called background threads) extend in a vertical direction in Fig. 5 defining a longitudinal direction MD, and the weft threads extend perpendicular to the warp threads, in a horizontal direction in Fig. 5 defining a transverse direction CD. According to the example shown in Fig. 5, two weft threads extend between two adjacent retaining elements, and four warp threads extend between two adjacent retaining elements, without a different number of warp threads alternating between the retaining elements.

[0071] Different warp and weft yarn arrangements can be used, for example, 1 to 15 warp yarns between two adjacent holding elements and 1 to 10 weft yarns between two adjacent holding elements, with or without alternating thread numbers, i.e., by varying the number of warp yarns between the two holding elements and / or by varying the number of weft yarns between the two holding elements. According to another example, different warp and weft yarn arrangements can be used, for example, 2 to 8 warp yarns between two adjacent holding elements and 1 to 4 weft yarns between two adjacent holding elements, with or without alternating thread numbers, i.e., by varying the number of warp yarns between the two holding elements and / or by varying the number of weft yarns between the two holding elements.

[0072] According to one example, the holding element of the device according to the invention is inclined with respect to a normal axis (perpendicular to the upper or lower surface of the base 10). In particular, the inclination is comprised between 1° and 30° between a normal axis perpendicular to the upper surface of the base 10 passing through the foot of the holding element and a straight line passing through said foot of the holding element and tangent to the distal end of the rod, in particular the inclination is comprised between 2° and 15°.

[0073] According to one example, the cord 28 of material has a cross section that can be contained in a circle having a diameter equal to 1 mm, or equal to 0.8 mm, or equal to 0.7 mm, or equal to 0.6 mm, or equal to 0.5 mm.

[0074] 6 and 7 show two embodiments for weaving the cords of material 28 into the weft and warp yarns forming the base 10. FIG.

[0075] In the example shown diagrammatically in Figure 6, the cords of material 28 form loops around one or more weft threads and / or one or more warp threads. Each loop of the cords of material 28 thus has an attachment point with the base 10. This configuration is referred to as a V-shaped structure.

[0076] In the example shown diagrammatically in Figure 7, the cord of material 28 forms loops around at least three weft and / or warp threads of the base 10. Thus, each loop of the cord of material 28 has at least two anchoring points with the base 10. This configuration is referred to as a W-shaped structure.

[0077] These two examples of embodiments are not limiting, and the connection between the cord of material 28 and the base 10 can be made according to any suitable pattern.

[0078] The base 10 is then typically coated with a resin, for example by coating and drying or by extrusion and cooling. More precisely, the underside 14 of the base 10 is typically coated with an aqueous or solvent-based resin, including in particular an aqueous adhesive. The resin is typically applied to the underside 14 of the base 10, thus filling the gaps between the warp and weft threads forming the base 10 and passing through the thickness of the base 10 until it at least partially surrounds the rods 22 of the retaining element 20, in particular the rods 22 extending outside the base 10. The aqueous or solvent-based resin used to form the adhesive, for example, is typically liquid due to its viscosity, which is 1500 mPa.s or less, in particular 1000 mPa.s or less, in particular 500 mPa.s or less, or 300 mPa.s or less, or 200 mPa.s or less, or 150 mPa.s or less, or 100 mPa.s or less, the viscosity being measured at a temperature of 25°C using an LVT viscometer commercially available under the brand "Brookfield". Aqueous adhesive means an adhesive whose liquid part of its composition before drying has a water content of more than 50% by mass. The coating is typically carried out with an epoxy resin or a polyurethane resin, in particular an aliphatic polyurethane resin, more particularly a polyester-based aliphatic polyurethane resin. The coating thus typically forms a film having a thickness comprised between 1% and 50%, or between 1% and 25%, in particular between 1% and 15%, or between 10% and 40%, in particular between 20% and 40% of the maximum dimension of the cross section of the cord 28 of the material forming the rod 22, typically the diameter of the cross section of the cord 28 of the material forming the rod 22. For this reason, a coating of the wires constituting the base and a coating of the rod 22 are carried out when the base 10 is formed of a woven material. Such a coating differs from a deposition of a material that forms a thick layer on the upper surface 12 of the base 10 and therefore significantly increases the thickness of the base 10, in particular by creating a significant continuous extra thickness between the different holding elements.

[0079] Adhesives are typically combined with a crosslinking agent and / or a thickening agent and / or an antifoaming agent to form a resin.

[0080] More precisely, the resin covers the part of the rod of the retaining element 20 that extends from the proximal end 23 of the rod 22 .

[0081] Depending on the shape of the rod 22, the rod 22 can be at least partially covered with resin over a portion of the height H of the rod 22, the height of the rod 22 being measured from its proximal end 23, i.e. from the upper surface 12 of the base 10, considered here as flat, in a direction perpendicular to the upper surface 12 of the base 10. According to an example, the resin extends over at least 5% of the height of the rod 22, or at least 10% of the height of the rod 22, or more precisely at least 15% of the height of the rod 22, or at least 20% or 25% of the height of the rod 22. According to an example, the resin extends over at most 95% of the height of the rod 22, or at most 90% of the height of the rod 22, or more precisely at most 85% of the height of the rod 22, or at most 80% or 75% of the height of the rod 22. The height of the rod 22 at least partially covered with resin is designated by Hr. According to one example, each retaining element 20 has a height of 0.5 mm or more and the resin coating covers at least 0.1 mm of the height of each rod. According to one example, each retaining element 20 has a height of 0.5 mm or more and the resin coating covers at least 0.1 mm of the height of each rod. According to one example, each retaining element 20 has a height of 1 mm or more and the resin coating covers at least 0.15 mm of the height of each rod. According to one example, each retaining element 20 has a height of 1.5 mm or more and the resin coating covers at least 0.2 mm of the height of each rod. According to one example, each retaining element has a height of 5 mm or less and the resin coating covers at least 0.1 mm of the height of each rod.

[0082] The resin can extend over all or part of the circumference of the rod 22 over the height considered. Considering the part of the rod 22 included between the proximal end 23 and the height Hr, all or part of the circumference of this part of the rod 22 is covered with resin. According to one example, at least 30% of the circumference of this part of the rod 22 is covered with resin, or more precisely at least 35%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% of the circumference of this part of the rod 22 is covered with resin.

[0083] The surface surrounded by the resin depends in particular on the shape of the rod 22. It is understood in practice that irregularities and bumps on the periphery of the rod 22 promote an uneven distribution of the resin.

[0084] Thus, the base of each of the rods 22 of the retention element 20 is at least partially surrounded or coated with resin. This at least partial coating of the base of the rods 22 with resin thus strengthens the retention element and improves overall cohesion. Thus, when the retention element 20 engages with a similar or identical retention element, the mechanical strength of the retention element is improved, improving the stability of the product and also improving the number of engagement and disengagement cycles that can be performed.

[0085] The cords of material 28 are then cut to separate each arch into two rods, thus forming the rods 22 of the retaining element 20. This operation is typically performed using a cutting tool calibrated to cut the arches formed by the cords of material 28 at a predetermined height relative to the base 10. It is commonly referred to as a shaving operation.

[0086] The free end of the rod 22 is then subjected to a shaping operation to produce the head 26 of the holding element 20. This shaping operation comprises, for example, heating and deformation of the free end of the rod 22 to obtain the desired shape of the head 26 of the holding element 20. As mentioned above, the shape of the head of the holding element typically depends on the shape of the rod 22. In the case of a head 26 having the shape of a part of a sphere, this step can for example be designated as a rounding operation.

[0087] The base 10 is typically bonded to an adhesive secured to the underside 14 of the base 10. The adhesive typically includes a layer of foam 30 secured to the underside 14 of the base 10 and an adhesive tape 40 secured to the layer of foam 30, whereby the layer of foam 30 is positioned between the underside 14 of the base 10 and the adhesive tape 40. The adhesive has a normal separation force (in a direction perpendicular to the base 10) of greater than 100 kPa, for example, according to standard ASTM D-897.

[0088] The foam layer 30 is typically composed of an acrylic foam having a minimum thickness that may be equal to 0.10 mm, 0.20 mm, or 0.30 mm, and a maximum thickness that may be equal to 3 mm, 2 mm, 1 mm, or 0.5 mm. The adhesive tape 40 is typically an adhesive.

[0089] The adhesive tape 40 and foam layer 30 are typically secured together and then the assembly is secured to the underside 14 of the base 10, for example by an acrylic coating.

[0090] The proposed holding device 1 can be combined with similar or identical holding devices.

[0091] The present disclosure therefore relates to an assembly comprising a first retaining device according to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments, a base, and a second retaining device comprising a plurality of retaining elements, each of the plurality of retaining elements comprising a rod and a head, the rod extending from a top surface of the base and the head formed at a free end of the rod opposite the top surface of the base. Alternatively, the second retaining device may be a retaining device according to any of the above-mentioned embodiments, the same or different from the first retaining device.

[0092] The first and second retaining devices can then be associated by the engagement of their respective retaining elements. This type of closure is commonly called a "male-male closure" or "self-gripping fastener". The first and second retaining devices are typically positioned opposite each other, so that their retaining elements face each other. Pressure is then applied to bring the retaining devices together, typically in a direction perpendicular to the base of the retaining device, whereby the heads of the first and second retaining devices engage. More precisely, if we consider, by way of example, that the first retaining device is held fixed and the second retaining device is pressed against the first retaining device, the heads of the retaining elements of the second retaining device will extend beyond the plane defined by the heads of the retaining elements of the first retaining device and therefore pass beyond the heads of the retaining elements of the first retaining device. The heads of the retaining devices therefore engage through the parts that protrude from the rod, opposing the separation of the retaining devices.

[0093] The normal separation force of the two holding devices (perpendicular to the base 10) is, for example, at least 10 N / cm 2 The normal engagement force (perpendicular to the base 10) of the two devices is greater than or equal to 5 N / cm 2 Greater than.

[0094] The proposed product can therefore be attached to the surfaces of objects or elements using the adhesive tape 40, which can then be assembled in a reliable and reversible manner by means of the holding element 20.

[0095] The different dimensional properties shown in this document are the average obtained from three individual measurements.

[0096] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is clear that modifications and variations can be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular, individual features of the different illustrated / mentioned embodiments can be combined in additional embodiments. The description and drawings should therefore be considered in an illustrative sense and not in a restrictive sense.

[0097] It will also be apparent that all features described with reference to a method may be transferred, either alone or in any combination, to an apparatus, and conversely, all features described with reference to an apparatus may be transferred, either alone or in any combination, to a method.

Claims

1. A holding device, a base (10) comprising a woven material; a plurality of holding elements (20), each of said holding elements (20) comprising a rod (22) and a head (26), the rod (22) extends from the upper surface (12) of the base (10), and the head (26) is formed at a free end (24) of the rod (22) opposite the upper surface (12) of the base (10); the rod (22) of the retaining element (20) extends at least partially within the woven material of the base (10); A holding device characterized in that a portion of each of said rods (22) extending from said base (10) is at least partially coated with a resin.

2. 2. A holding device according to claim 1, wherein at least 7% of the height of each rod (10), in particular 10% of the height of each rod (10), is coated with resin, said height being measured in a direction perpendicular to the top surface (12) of the base (10).

3. 3. A retaining device according to claim 2, wherein each retainer (20) has a height of at least 0.5 mm, and the resin coating covers at least 0.1 mm of the height of each rod (20).

4. 4. A retaining device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the head (26) of the retaining element (20) has the shape of a part of a sphere, in particular a hemispherical part, extending from the free end (24) of the rod (20), or has a multi-lobed shape, in particular having several lobes comprised between 2 and 10.

5. 4. A retaining device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rod (22) has a circular or oval or square or rectangular cross section, or the general shape of a star with X regularly distributed arms, X being comprised between 3 and 10, each arm having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of each of the arms being contiguous and the distal ends of the arms all spaced apart from one another by the same angle.

6. 4. The retaining device according to claim 1, wherein the resin coating is produced using an epoxy resin or a polyurethane resin, in particular an aliphatic polyurethane resin, more particularly a polyester-based aliphatic polyurethane resin.

7. 4. The retaining device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the resin coating is made of a resin having a viscosity of 1500 mPa.s or less.

8. A holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a lower surface (14) of the base (10) opposite to the upper surface (12) of the base (10) is covered with an adhesive.

9. A retaining device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base (10) is formed from woven monofilament and / or multifilament synthetic wire.

10. The retention device of claim 9 , wherein the synthetic wire is made of a thermoplastic material.

11. The upper surface (12) of the base (10) has a density of 15 particles / cm ２ 4. The holding device according to claim 1, having a density of holding elements (20) of at least 1000.

12. 4. A holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the base (10) is made up of warp and weft threads intertwined in a repeatable pattern, and the rods (22) of the holding elements (20) are intertwined with the warp and weft threads, whereby the rods (22) of each holding element (20) are intertwined at the base (10) so as to at least partially surround the warp and / or weft threads of the base (10).

13. A holding assembly comprising a first holding device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and a second holding device, wherein the second holding device: - a base, a retaining assembly comprising a plurality of retaining elements, each of said retaining elements comprising a rod and a head, said rod extending from a top surface of said base, and said head formed at a free end of said rod opposite said top surface of said base.

14. A holding assembly according to claim 13, wherein the second holding element is a holding element according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

15. The separation force of the two devices is at least 10 N / cm ２ and / or the engagement force of the two devices is 5 N / cm ２ The retention assembly of claim 13 .

Images