Hook and loop fastener

Abstract

A hook-and-loop fastener (100, 200) is provided that can flexibly adapt to curved portions of an article. The hook-and-loop fastener (100, 200) comprises a first hook-and-loop fastener member (110, 210, 310) having a plurality of first segments (120, 130, 140, 220, 230, 240, 320, 330, 340) and connecting portions (125, 135, 225, 235, 325, 335) made of a soft material that connects adjacent first segments (120, 130, 140, 220, 230, 240, 320, 330, 340), and a second hook-and-loop fastener member (150, 250, 350) having at least one second segment (160, 170, 180, 260, 270, 280, 360, 370, 380).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hook-and-loop fastener. [Background technology]

[0002] Hook-and-loop fasteners are typically used as fasteners for clothing, bags, shoes, and miscellaneous goods. Hook-and-loop fasteners are made up of a pair of hook-and-loop fastener members that engage with each other, and some hook-and-loop fastener members are integrally formed with a base plate and a number of engaging elements that protrude from one side of the base plate. There have been various reports on hook-and-loop fasteners that engage with each other.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a silent hook-and-loop fastener consisting of a first engaging body (10) and a second engaging body (20) as shown in FIG. 10, in which the first engaging body (10) is made of a hard resin and has a number of cylindrical projections (12) integrally formed on a base plate (11) with gaps (14) between the projections (12), and the second engaging body (20) is made of a soft resin and has cylindrical projections (22) planted on a base fabric (21) with gaps (23) between the projections (22), in which the projections (12, 22) of one engaging body fit into the gaps (14, 23) of the other engaging body.

[0004] Furthermore, in Patent Document 2, as shown in FIG. 11, the hook is formed by providing a plurality of cylindrical projections (42) made of synthetic resin on the surface side of a relatively hard hook-and-loop fastener fabric (41) or a synthetic resin sheet, and a hook-and-loop fastener tape (40) is proposed in which the male and female hook-and-loop fastener tapes have the same shape and the cylindrical projections (42) of one tape (40) engage with a depression (43) surrounded by the cylindrical projections (42) of the other tape (40). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-004207 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2017-148261 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for articles that are excellent in functionality and aesthetics, and there is a demand for hook-and-loop fasteners that can be applied to curved portions of articles.

[0007] However, in the silent hook-and-loop fastener described in Patent Document 1, as described above, the first engaging body (10) is made of hard resin, and the second engaging body (20) is made of soft resin, so it is considered difficult to apply it to curved parts of an article. In addition, the hook-and-loop fastener tape described in Patent Document 2 has a relatively hard hook-and-loop fastener fabric (41) or synthetic resin sheet, so even if it can be flexibly curved in one direction, it is considered unable to bend in the other direction. In this way, it is not easy to apply conventional hook-and-loop fasteners to curved parts of an article. In addition, when an infant wearing infant clothing equipped with a conventional hook-and-loop fastener turns from lying on its back to lying on its stomach, there is a risk that the engagement between the pair of hook-and-loop fastener members will be released. Therefore, it is considered that there is still room for improvement in hook-and-loop fasteners in the conventional technologies such as Patent Documents 1 and 2.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention was created in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to provide a hook-and-loop fastener that can flexibly accommodate curved parts of an article. Another object of the present invention is to provide a hook-and-loop fastener that can flexibly accommodate twisting of an article, etc. A further object of the present invention is to provide an article equipped with such a hook-and-loop fastener. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The inventors conducted intensive research to solve the above problems and discovered that it would be effective to configure one of the two hook-and-loop fastener members with a connecting portion made of a soft material that connects adjacent segments, and created the invention specified below.

[0010] The above object of the present invention can be achieved by the following configuration. [1] A hook-and-loop fastener comprising a first hook-and-loop fastener member and a second hook-and-loop fastener member which are engageable and disengageable with each other, the first hook-and-loop fastener member includes a plurality of first segments and a connecting portion made of a soft material connecting adjacent first segments; The second hook-and-loop fastener member includes at least one second segment; Each of the first and second segments has a substrate, a number of engagement portions protruding from the substrate, and an engagement space defined between the engagement portions; A hook-and-loop fastener in which the first segment and the second segment engage with each other by receiving a portion of at least one of the multiple engaging portions of one of the first and second segments into an engaging space of the other. [2] The hook-and-loop fastener described in [1], wherein the first hook-and-loop fastener member has an engagement space between adjacent first segments that can receive and disengage some of the multiple engagement portions of the second hook-and-loop fastener member. [3] The hook-and-loop fastener according to [1] or [2], wherein the substrates of the first and second segments have recesses or openings at locations corresponding to the engagement spaces, and when the first and second segments are engaged, a portion of at least one of the multiple engagement portions of the first and second segments fits into the recess or opening of the second and first segments. [4] The hook-and-loop fastener described in [3], wherein the substrates of the first and second segments are outside the group of engaging portions consisting of the numerous engaging portions and further have recesses or openings at locations corresponding to the other engaging portions, and when the first and second segments are engaged, a portion of at least one of the numerous engaging portions of the first and second segments fits into the recess or opening of the second and first segments. [5] The hook-and-loop fastener according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the first hook-and-loop fastener member and the second hook-and-loop fastener member have the same structure. [6] The hook-and-loop fastener according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the soft member is one selected from the group consisting of a soft resin, a string, and a monofilament. [7] The hook-and-loop fastener according to [6], wherein the soft resin is an elastomer resin. [8] An article equipped with the hook-and-loop fastener described in any one of [1] to [7]. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a hook-and-loop fastener that can flexibly accommodate curved portions of an article and can flexibly accommodate twisting or the like of the article. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a hook-and-loop fastener according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2(A) is a schematic plan view of a hook-and-loop fastener member in one embodiment of the hook-and-loop fastener according to the present invention, and FIG. 2(B) is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 2(A). [Diagram 3] FIG. 3(A) is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3(B) is a modified example of FIG. 3(A). [Figure 4]1 is a schematic plan view showing a hook-and-loop fastener member in one embodiment of the hook-and-loop fastener according to the present invention, in which a connecting portion of the hook-and-loop fastener member is curved. FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a front view of the portion viewed from the line BB in FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a partially enlarged view illustrating an engagement state between a first segment and a second segment in one embodiment of a hook-and-loop fastener according to the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of a hook-and-loop fastener according to the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8(A) is a schematic plan view of a hook-and-loop fastener member in another embodiment of the hook-and-loop fastener according to the present invention, and FIG. 8(B) is a partial front view taken along the line DD in FIG. 8(A). [Figure 9] FIG. 9(A) is a schematic plan view of a hook-and-loop fastener member in another embodiment of the hook-and-loop fastener according to the present invention, and FIG. 9(B) is a partial front view taken along the arrow EE line in FIG. 9(A). [Figure 10] This is a diagram described in Patent Document 1 (Figure 1). [Figure 11] This is a diagram described in Patent Document 2 (Figure 7). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below, and various modifications are possible as long as the embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the present invention and provides similar effects. In the embodiment described below, the segments are arranged in a vertical line, but the segments may be arranged vertically in a plurality of rows and horizontally in a plurality of rows. In the embodiment described below, the hook-and-loop fastener member is configured with three hook-and-loop fasteners vertically and three hook-and-loop fasteners horizontally, but the number of engaging parts of the segments may be arranged vertically in a plurality of rows and horizontally in a plurality of rows. In the following description, the "vertical direction" is defined as the front-rear direction of the substrate, and in particular, the direction of the side where the engaging parts protrude from the substrate in the first hook-and-loop fastener member described below is defined as the upper direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the lower direction. The "left-right direction" is a direction parallel to the main surface of the substrate of the segment and perpendicular to the direction in which the segments are connected to each other. The "front-rear direction" is a direction parallel to the main surface of the substrate of the segment and perpendicular to the direction in which the segments are connected to each other.

[0014] An embodiment of the hook-and-loop fastener according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. teeth, Fig. 2(A) is a schematic perspective view of one embodiment of a hook-and-loop fastener according to the present invention, and Fig. 2(B) is a schematic plan view of a hook-and-loop fastener member in one embodiment of the hook-and-loop fastener according to the present invention, and Fig. 2(B) is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line CC in Fig. 2(A). Fig. 3(A) is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 (B) is a diagram 3 Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view showing a hook-and-loop fastener member in a state in which a connecting portion of the hook-and-loop fastener member is curved in an embodiment of the hook-and-loop fastener according to the present invention. Fig. 5 is a partial front view taken along line BB in Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a partially enlarged view for explaining an engagement state between a first segment and a second segment in an embodiment of the hook-and-loop fastener according to the present invention.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, the hook-and-loop fastener (100) is made up of a first hook-and-loop fastener member (110) and a second hook-and-loop fastener member (150) which are engageable and disengageable with each other.

[0016] (Hook-and-loop fastener material) As shown in FIG. 2(A), the first hook-and-loop fastener member (110) has a plurality of first segments (120, 130, 140) and connecting portions (125, 135) connecting adjacent first segments (120, 130, 140). The second hook-and-loop fastener member (150) is not particularly limited as long as it has at least one second segment (160, 170, 180) for engaging the first hook-and-loop fastener member (110) and the second hook-and-loop fastener member (150), but may have the same structure as the first hook-and-loop fastener member (110). More specifically, the second hook-and-loop fastener member (150) has a plurality of second segments (160, 170, 180) and connecting portions (165, 175) connecting adjacent second segments (160, 170, 180).

[0017] (segment) Each of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180) has a substrate (121, 131, 141, 161, 171, 181), a number of engagement portions (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182) protruding from the substrate (121, 131, 141, 161, 171, 181), and engagement spaces (123, 133, 143, 163, 173, 183) defined between the multiple engagement portions (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182).

[0018] From the viewpoint of intended use, the material of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180) is preferably a soft resin. Note that the material of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180) may be the same as that of the connecting portion (125, 135, 165, 175) from the viewpoint of molding the first and second hook-and-loop fastener members (110, 150) by a molding machine.

[0019] The multiple engagement portions (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182) protrude from multiple locations on one main surface of the substrate (121, 131, 141, 161, 171, 181). The multiple engagement portions (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182) are regularly arranged. Here, the engagement portions (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182) of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180) are arranged in a perpendicular arrangement of three vertically and three horizontally within the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180) as shown in FIG. 2(A), but are not limited thereto, and may be arranged in a diagonal direction with a 45° interval between the vertical and horizontal directions, for example.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2(B), the engaging portion (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182) is composed of a cylindrical stem (122a, 132a, 142a, 162a, 172a, 182a) and an ellipsoidal engaging head (122b, 132b, 142b, 162b, 172b, 182b) protruding from the tip of the stem (122a, 132a, 142a, 162a, 172a, 182a). In the present invention, the shape of the stem (122a, 132a, 142a, 162a, 172a, 182a) is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be a prismatic shape, a truncated cone shape, or an inverted truncated cone shape (see Fig. 3(B)). In addition, the shape of the engaging heads (122b, 132b, 142b, 162b, 172b, 182b) is not limited to an ellipsoidal shape, and may be a disk shape, a hemisphere shape, a semi-ellipsoid shape (see FIG. 3(B)), etc. In addition, the engaging heads (122b, 132b, 142b, 162b, 172b, 182b) may be integral with the stems (122a, 132a, 142a, 162a, 172a, 182a) from the viewpoint of molding the first and second hook-and-loop fastener members (110, 150) by a molding machine.

[0021] The diameter of the engagement heads (122b, 132b, 142b, 162b, 172b, 182b) is larger than the diameter of the stems (122a, 132a, 142a, 162a, 172a, 182a). As a result, in one embodiment of the present invention, a part of at least one engagement portion (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182) among the multiple engagement portions (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182) of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180) is inserted into the engagement spaces (123, 133, 143, 163, 173, 183) of the second and first segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180). When the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180) are moved in the up-down, left-right, or front-back direction after being received in the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180), the base ends of the engaging heads (122b, 132b, 142b, 162b, 172b, 182b) of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180) come into contact with the base ends of the other engaging heads (122b, 132b, 142b, 162b, 172b, 182b). As a result, the engagement between the first segment (120, 130, 140) and the second segment (160, 170, 180) is not easily released. The above-mentioned engagement spaces (123, 133, 143, 163, 173, 183) are the areas between the two vertical and two horizontal engagement portions (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182) of one segment that correspond to the engagement portions (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182) of the other segment when the first segment (120, 130, 140) and the second segment (160, 170, 180) are engaged with each other.

[0022] The diameter of the engaging heads (122b, 132b, 142b, 162b, 172b, 182b) and the diameter of the stems (122a, 132a, 142a, 162a, 172a, 182a) are so-called concentric. As shown in FIG. 2B, the tip of the engaging heads (122b, 132b, 142b, 162b, 172b, 182b) has a concave recess from the viewpoint of easy removal from a mold when each segment (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180) is molded using a mold. The tip of the engaging heads (122b, 132b, 142b, 162b, 172b, 182b) does not have to have a concave recess.

[0023] (Engagement space) The engagement space (123, 133, 143, 163, 173, 183) engages the first segment (120, 130, 140) and the second segment (160, 170, 180) by receiving a portion of at least one of the multiple engagement portions (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182) of one of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180) into the other engagement space (123, 133, 143, 163, 173, 183). At this time, the center line of the engagement space (123, 133, 143, 163, 173, 183) approximately coincides with the axis of the engagement head (122b, 132b, 142b, 162b, 172b, 182b) when the engagement portion (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182) is received in the engagement space (123, 133, 143, 163, 173, 183).

[0024] As shown in Fig. 2(A), the substrates (121, 131, 141, 161, 171, 181) of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180) have recesses or openings at locations corresponding to the engagement spaces (123, 133, 143, 163, 173, 183). A recess refers to a portion formed by recessing one side of a substrate, and an opening refers to a portion formed by penetrating the substrate. In addition, the substrates (121, 131, 141, 161, 171, 181) of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180) are outside the group of engagement portions consisting of the numerous engagement portions (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182) and further have recesses or openings at locations corresponding to the other engagement portions (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182). As shown in Fig. 1, when the first segment (120, 130, 140) and the second segment (160, 170, 180) are engaged with each other, a part of at least one of the multiple engagement portions (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182) of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180) enters a recess or an opening of the second and first segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180). This reduces the bulkiness of the hook-and-loop fastener (100), and the engagement between the first segment (120, 130, 140) and the second segment (160, 170, 180) is not easily released by an external impact. In addition, the hook-and-loop fastener (100) has a structure that makes it difficult for lint, dust, etc. to adhere to it. In conventional hook-and-loop fasteners, lint, dust, etc. tend to adhere to the hook-and-loop fastener member that is raised in a hook shape such as a J-shape or the other hook-and-loop fastener member that is raised in a dense loop shape.However, in the hook-and-loop fastener (100), as described above, the first segment (120, 130, 140) and the second segment (160, 170, 180) are simply engaged with each other in each segment, and lint and dust are unlikely to adhere to the numerous engaging portions (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182) of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180), and no regular maintenance is required to maintain the engaging force. In addition, in the above-mentioned substrates (121, 131, 141, 161, 171, 181), the recesses or openings are regularly arranged as shown in FIG. 2(A).

[0025] As a result of the engagement between the first segment (120, 130, 140) and the second segment (160, 170, 180), the tip of the engagement head (122b) of the first segment (120) abuts against the side wall surface (161a) of the base plate (161) of the second segment (160), as shown in FIG. 3(A). When the first segment (120, 130, 140) is moved in the up-down, left-right, or front-rear direction, the base ends of the engaging heads (122b, 132b, 142b, 162b, 172b, 182b) of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180) come into contact with the base ends of the other engaging heads (122b, 132b, 142b, 162b, 172b, 182b), and friction occurs between the outer peripheral surface of the tip end of the engaging head (122b) of the first segment (120) and the side wall surface (161a) of the second segment (160). As a result, the engagement between the first segment (120, 130, 140) and the second segment (160, 170, 180) is not easily released. In addition, even if the substrate (121, 131, 141, 161, 171, 181) does not have recesses or openings as shown in FIG. 2(A), the engagement portions (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182) of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180) are accommodated in the engagement spaces (123, 133, 143, 163, 173, 183) of the corresponding first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180), so that the first segments (120, 130, 140) and the second segments (160, 170, 180) engage with each other.

[0026] The distance (H) of the recess or opening is smaller than the maximum diameter (R) of the engaging heads (122b, 132b, 142b, 162b, 172b, 182b) and larger than the diameter (r) of the tip of the engaging heads (122b, 132b, 142b, 162b, 172b, 182b) from the viewpoints of reducing the bulkiness of the hook-and-loop fastener (100) and preventing the first and second hook-and-loop fastener members (110, 150) from coming off due to an external impact. This allows the engagement between the first segment (120, 130, 140) and the second segment (160, 170, 180) to be maintained. In the present invention, the distance (H) of the recess or opening is the shortest distance from the side wall surface (161a) in the recess or opening to the opposing side wall surface (161a). As shown in FIG. 3B, the engagement portion (122) may be composed of an inverted truncated cone-shaped stem (122a) that expands in diameter in the upward direction and an engagement head (122b) that has a semi-ellipsoidal tip. In such an engagement portion (122), the distance (H) of the recess or opening in the left-right direction is smaller than the maximum diameter (R) of the engagement head (122b, 132b, 142b, 162b, 172b, 182b) and is larger than the diameter (r) of the tip of the engagement head (122b, 132b, 142b, 162b, 172b, 182b). This allows the engagement between the first segment (120, 130, 140) and the second segment (160, 170, 180) to be maintained.

[0027] (Connection part) As shown in FIG. 2(A), the connecting portions (125, 135, 165, 175) connect adjacent first segments (120, 130, 140) and connect second segments (160, 170, 180). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the first hook-and-loop fastener member (110) and the second hook-and-loop fastener member (150) can flexibly accommodate curved portions of an article by bending them from the connecting portions (125, 135, 165, 175). Therefore, the hook-and-loop fastener (100) does not lose its function as an opening and closing device even when the first segments (120, 130, 140) and the second segments (160, 170, 180) engage with each other.

[0028] As described above, when the first segment (120, 130, 140) and the second segment (160, 170, 180) engage with each other, a portion of at least one of the multiple engagement portions (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182) of one segment is received into the engagement space (123, 133, 143, 163, 173, 183) of the other segment. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the first hook-and-loop fastener member (110) has engagement spaces (123, 133, 143) between adjacent first segments (120, 130, 140) capable of receiving and disengaging at least a portion of the numerous engagement portions (162, 172, 182) of the second hook-and-loop fastener member (150), from the viewpoint of reducing the bulk of the hook-and-loop fastener (100) and increasing the degree of freedom of attachment using the first and second hook-and-loop fastener members (110, 150). In addition, the second hook-and-loop fastener member (150) has engagement spaces (163, 173, 183) between adjacent second segments (160, 170, 180) that can receive at least a portion of the numerous engagement portions (122, 132, 142) of the first hook-and-loop fastener member (150) in an engageable and disengageable manner. In this case, the separation distance (D) between adjacent first segments (120, 130, 140) and between adjacent second segments (160, 170, 180) is smaller than the maximum diameter (R) of the engaging heads (122b, 132b, 142b, 162b, 172b, 182b) and larger than the diameter (r) of the tips of the engaging heads (122b, 132b, 142b, 162b, 172b, 182b), from the viewpoints of reducing the bulkiness of the hook-and-loop fastener (100) and preventing the hook-and-loop fastener members (110, 150) from coming off due to external impact. In such a case, the engaging heads (122b, 132b, 172b, 182b) are abutted against the side surfaces (121b, 131b, 161b, 171b) of the base plates (121, 131, 161, 171) of the other segment and the opposing side surfaces (131b, 141b, 171b, 181b) of the base plates (131, 141, 171, 181).When the first segment (120, 130, 140) is moved up and down, left and right, or front and back, the base ends of the engaging heads (122b, 132b, 142b, 162b, 172b, 182b) of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180) come into contact with the base ends of the other engaging heads (122b, 132b, 142b, 162b, 172b, 182b), and further friction is generated between the side surfaces (121b, 131b, 141b, 161b, 171b, 181b) of the substrate (121, 131, 141, 161, 171, 181) and the outer peripheral surfaces of the tips of the engaging heads (122b, 132b, 142b, 162b, 172b, 182b). As a result, the engagement between the first segment (120, 130, 140) and the second segment (160, 170, 180) is not easily released.

[0029] The material of the connecting parts (125, 135, 165, 175) is a soft material from the viewpoint of flexibly responding to curved parts of an article, twisting of the article, etc. Examples of the soft material include soft resins of the same or different quality as the segments, strings, monofilaments, etc. As a result, even if an external impact is applied to an article equipped with the hook-and-loop fastener (100), the engagement between the first segment (120, 130, 140) and the second segment (160, 170, 180) is not easily released, and the hook-and-loop fastener (100) is not easily removed from the article. The material of the connecting parts (125, 135, 165, 175) is preferably a soft resin. In addition, the soft resin is preferably an elastomer resin, and in consideration of the appropriate hardness and flexibility, examples of the soft resin include various elastomer resins such as polyurethane, polyester, polyamide, acrylic, silicone, polystyrene, styrene butadiene, and nitrile butadiene. In particular, the elastomer resin is more preferably a polyester-based or silicone-based resin from the viewpoint of using the hook-and-loop fastener (100) on clothing, etc. The first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180) and the connecting portions (125, 135, 165, 175) are preferably made of the same material from the viewpoint of facilitating molding such as injection molding or extrusion molding.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 6, the first segment (120) and the second segment (160, 170, 180) may be engaged with each other such that the engagement angle θ between the first segment (120, 130, 140) and the second segment (160, 170, 180) is 45°. For example, if the engagement portions (162, 172, 182) of the second segment (160, 170, 180) are arranged diagonally at 45° intervals in the vertical and horizontal directions, a portion of at least one engagement portion (122, 132, 142) among the multiple engagement portions (122, 132, 142) of the first segment (120, 130, 140) can be received in the engagement space (163, 173, 183) of the second segment (160, 170, 180), and a portion of at least one engagement portion (162, 172, 182) among the multiple engagement portions (162, 172, 182) of the second segment (160, 170, 180) can be received in the engagement space (123, 133, 143) of the first segment (120, 130, 140). In the present invention, the engagement angle (θ) is an acute angle formed by the intersection of the main surface of the substrate (121, 131, 141) of the first segment (120, 130, 140) and the main surface of the substrate (161, 171, 181) of the second segment (160, 170, 180). The engagement angle (θ) is not limited to 45° and can be appropriately adjusted as long as the first segment (120, 130, 140) and the second segment (160, 170, 180) can engage with each other. In such a case, the arrangement of the engagement portions (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182) of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180) may be appropriately adjusted in accordance with the engagement angle (θ).

[0031] Next, another embodiment of the hook-and-loop fastener according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, if the components overlap with those described above, the description will be omitted.

[0032] Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of another embodiment of the hook-and-loop fastener according to the present invention. Fig. 8(A) is a schematic plan view of a hook-and-loop fastener member in another embodiment of the hook-and-loop fastener according to the present invention, and Fig. 8(B) is a partial front view taken along the line DD in Fig. 8(A).

[0033] As shown in FIG. 7, the hook-and-loop fastener (200) is made up of a first hook-and-loop fastener member (210) and a second hook-and-loop fastener member (250) which are engageable and disengageable with each other.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 8(A), the first hook-and-loop fastener member (210) has a plurality of first segments (220, 230, 240) and soft member connecting portions (225, 235) connecting adjacent first segments (220, 230, 240). The second hook-and-loop fastener member (250) has the same structure as the first hook-and-loop fastener member (210), and more specifically, includes a second hook-and-loop fastener member (250) having a plurality of second segments (260, 270, 280) and soft member connecting portions (265, 275) connecting adjacent second segments (260, 270, 280).

[0035] Each of the first and second segments (220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280) has a substrate (221, 231, 241, 261, 271, 281), a number of engagement portions (222, 232, 242, 262, 272, 282) protruding from the substrate (221, 231, 241, 261, 271, 281), and engagement spaces (223, 233, 243, 263, 273, 283) defined between the multiple engagement portions (222, 232, 242, 262, 272, 282). The engagement portions (222, 232, 242, 262, 272, 282) are arranged in each segment (220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280) with four vertically and four horizontally arranged at right angles, but this is not limited to this and, for example, the engagement portions may be arranged diagonally at 45° intervals in the vertical and horizontal directions.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 8(B), the engagement portions (222, 232, 242, 262, 272, 282) are composed of cylindrical stems (222a, 232a, 242a, 262a, 272a, 282a) and ellipsoidal engagement heads (222b, 232b, 242b, 262b, 272b, 282b) protruding from the tips of the stems (222a, 232a, 242a, 262a, 272a, 282a).

[0037] The substrates (221, 231, 241, 261, 271, 281) of the first and second segments (220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280) have recesses or openings at locations corresponding to the engagement spaces (223, 233, 243, 263, 273, 283). The substrates of the first and second segments (220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280) further have recesses or openings at locations corresponding to the other engagement portions (222, 232, 242, 262, 272, 282) outside the group of engagement portions consisting of the numerous engagement portions (222, 232, 242, 262, 272, 282). As a result, when the first and second segments (220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280) are engaged with each other, a part of at least one of the multiple engagement portions (222, 232, 242, 262, 272, 282) of the first and second segments (220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280) enters into a recess or opening of the second and first segments (220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280). The recesses or openings of the substrate (221, 231, 241, 261, 271, 281) are regularly arranged. The openings formed through the substrate may be formed in a mesh shape (see FIG. 8(A)) so that the substrate can be directly sewn to a fabric by a sewing machine or the like.

[0038] Further, another embodiment of the hook-and-loop fastener according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that, if the components overlap with those described above, the description will be omitted.

[0039] FIG. 9(A) is a schematic plan view of a hook-and-loop fastener member in another embodiment of the hook-and-loop fastener according to the present invention, and FIG. 9(B) is a partial front view taken along the arrow EE line in FIG. 9(A).

[0040] As shown in FIG. 9(A), the hook-and-loop fastener is made up of a first hook-and-loop fastener member (310) and a second hook-and-loop fastener member (350) which are engageable and disengageable with each other.

[0041] The first hook-and-loop fastener member (310) has a plurality of first segments (320, 330, 340) and soft member connecting portions (325, 335) connecting adjacent first segments (320, 330, 340). The second hook-and-loop fastener member (350) has the same structure as the first hook-and-loop fastener member (310), and more specifically, comprises a second hook-and-loop fastener member (350) having a plurality of second segments (360, 370, 380) and soft member connecting portions (365, 375) connecting adjacent second segments (360, 370, 380).

[0042] Each of the first and second segments (320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380) includes a substrate (321, 331, 341, 361, 371, 381) and a number of engagement portions (322, 332, 342, 362, 372, 382) protruding from the substrate (321, 331, 341, 361, 371, 381). 2, 382), and on the main surfaces at both ends of the base plate (321, 331, 341, 361, 371, 381), there are provided recessed groove portions (324a, 324b, 334a, 334b, 344a, 344b, 364a, 364b, 374a, 374b, 384a, 384b). When the first hook-and-loop fastener member (310) and the second hook-and-loop fastener member (350) are engaged with each other, sewing to the hook-and-loop fastener attachment portions of various articles can be easily performed by passing sewing thread through the concave groove portions (324a, 324b, 334a, 334b, 344a, 344b, 364a, 364b, 374a, 374b, 384a, 384b). Moreover, the engaging portions (322, 332, 342, 362, 372, 382) are arranged diagonally at 45° intervals in the vertical and horizontal directions from the viewpoint of strengthening the engagement between the first hook-and-loop fastener member (310) and the second hook-and-loop fastener member (350) by increasing the number of engaging portions (322, 332, 342, 362, 372, 382) that enter the engaging spaces (323, 333, 343, 363, 373, 383) in each segment (320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380). The arrangement of the engaging portions (322, 332, 342, 362, 372, 382) is not limited, and they may be arranged at right angles vertically and horizontally.

[0043] 9(B), the engagement portion (322, 362) is composed of a cylindrical stem (322a, 362a) and a semispherical engagement head (322b, 362b) protruding from the tip of the stem (322a, 362a). As described above, the shape of the engagement head (322b, 362b) is not particularly limited.

[0044] The substrates (321, 331, 341, 361, 371, 381) of the first and second segments (320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380) have recesses or openings at locations corresponding to the engagement spaces (323, 333, 343, 363, 373, 383). For example, when the substrates (321, 331, 341, 361, 371, 381) have recesses at locations corresponding to the engagement spaces (323, 333, 343, 363, 373, 383), the substrates (321, 331, 341, 361, 371, 381) are less likely to deform or crack due to an external impact. In addition, the substrates of the first and second segments (320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380) further have recesses or openings outside the group of engagement portions consisting of numerous engagement portions (322, 332, 342, 362, 372, 382) at locations corresponding to the other engagement portions (322, 332, 342, 362, 372, 382). As a result, when the first and second segments (320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380) are engaged with each other, a portion of at least one of the multiple engagement portions (322, 332, 342, 362, 372, 382) of the first and second segments (320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380) enters into a recess or opening of the second and first segments (320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380). Note that the recesses or openings of the substrates (321, 331, 341, 361, 371, 381) are regularly arranged. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 9(A), instead of having openings formed through the substrate (321, 331, 341, 361, 371, 381) for sewing directly to fabric with a sewing machine or the like, grooves (324a, 324b, 334a, 334b, 344a, 344b, 364a, 364b, 374a, 374b, 384a, 384b) extending in the front-to-rear direction are formed on the main surface at both ends of the substrate (321, 331, 341, 361, 371, 381), making it possible to sew directly to fabric.

[0045] In one embodiment, the hook-and-loop fastener (100, 200) according to the present invention may be manufactured by any known method capable of integrally molding the hook-and-loop fastener member (110, 150, 210, 250, 310, 350) and the connecting portion (125, 135, 165, 175, 225, 235, 265, 275, 325, 335, 365, 375). The obtained hook-and-loop fastener (100, 200) is sewn to a hook-and-loop fastener attachment portion of various articles, thereby manufacturing articles equipped with the hook-and-loop fastener (100, 200). Examples of articles that can be used include openings in clothes, pockets, bags, shoes (e.g., boots, shoes), tents, bed mats, vehicle seats, building materials, etc.

[0046] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 100, 200 hook and loop fastener 110, 210, 310 First hook-and-loop fastener member 120, 130, 140, 220, 230, 240, 320, 330, 340 First segment 121, 131, 141, 161, 171, 181, 221, 231, 241, 261, 271, 281, 321, 331, 341, 361, 371, 381 Board 121b, 131b, 141b, 161b, 171b, 181b side 122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182, 222, 232, 242, 262, 272, 282, 322, 332, 342, 362, 372, 382 Engagement part 122a, 132a, 142a, 162a, 172a, 182a, 222a, 232a, 242a, 262a, 272a, 282a, 322a, 362a stem 122b, 132b, 142b, 162b, 172b, 182b, 222b, 232b, 242b, 262b, 272b, 282b, 322b, 362b Engaging head 123, 133, 143, 163, 173, 183, 223, 233, 243, 263, 273, 283, 323, 333, 343, 363, 373, 383 Engagement space 125, 135, 165, 175, 225, 235, 265, 275, 325, 335, 365, 375 connection part 150, 250, 350 Second hook-and-loop fastener member 160, 170, 180, 260, 270, 280, 360, 370, 380 Second Segment 161a Side wall 324a, 324b, 334a, 334b, 344a, 344b, 364a, 364b, 374a, 374b, 384a, 384b Concave groove H: Distance of recess or opening L: Separation distance R: Maximum diameter r: Tip diameter θ: Engagement angle

Claims

1. A hook-and-loop fastener (100, 200) comprising a first hook-and-loop fastener member (110, 210, 310) and a second hook-and-loop fastener member (150, 250, 350) which are engageable and disengageable with each other, The first hook-and-loop fastener member (110, 210, 310) comprises a plurality of first segments (120, 130, 140, 220, 230, 240, 320, 330, 340) and a connecting portion (125, 135, 225, 235, 325, 335) made of a soft material connecting adjacent first segments, The second hook-and-loop fastener member (150, 250, 350) comprises at least one second segment (160, 170, 180, 260, 270, 280, 360, 370, 380); The first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180, 220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280, 320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380) are each protruding from a substrate (121, 131, 141, 161, 171, 181, 221, 231, 241, 261, 271, 281, 321, 331, 341, 361, 371, 381) and the substrate (121, 131, 141, 161, 171, 181, 221, 231, 241, 261, 271, 281, 321, 331, 341, 361, 371, 381). and an engagement space (123, 133, 143, 163, 173, 183, 223, 233, 243, 263, 273, 283, 323, 333, 343, 363, 373, 383) defined between the numerous engagement portions (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182, 222, 232, 242, 262, 272, 282, 322, 332, 342, 362, 372, 382), At least one of the multiple engagement portions (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182, 222, 232, 242, 262, 272, 282, 322, 332, 342, 362, 372, 382) of one of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180, 220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280, 320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380) 72, 282, 322, 332, 342, 362, 372, 382) into the other engagement space (123, 133, 143, 163, 173, 183, 223, 233, 243, 263, 273, 283, 323, 333, 343, 363, 373, 383), thereby engaging the first segment (120, 130, 140, 220, 230, 240, 320, 330, 340) with the second segment (160, 170, 180, 260, 270, 280, 360, 370, 380), The first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180, 220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280, 320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380) and the connecting portion (125, 135, 225, 235, 325, 335) are made of the same material, in a direction parallel to the main surfaces of the substrates (121, 131, 141, 161, 171, 181, 221, 231, 241, 261, 271, 281, 321, 331, 341, 361, 371, 381) of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180, 220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280, 320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380); The length of the connecting portion (125, 135, 225, 235, 325, 335) in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180, 220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280, 320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380) are connected to each other, 170, 180, 220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280, 320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380), in a direction parallel to a main surface of a substrate (121, 131, 141, 161, 171, 181, 221, 231, 241, 261, 271, 281, 321, 331, 341, 361, 371, 381) of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, shorter than the length of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180, 220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280, 320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380) in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180, 220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280, 320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380) are connected to each other, The substrates (121, 131, 141, 161, 171, 181, 221, 231, 241, 261, 271, 281, 321, 331, 341, 361, 371, 381) of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180, 220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280, 320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380) are 3, 143, 163, 173, 183, 223, 233, 243, 263, 273, 283, 323, 333, 343, 363, 373, 383), and in a state where the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180, 220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280, 320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380) are engaged with each other, At least one of the multiple engagement portions (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182, 222, 232, 242, 262, 272, 282, 322, 332, 342, 362, 372, 382) of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180, 220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280, 320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380) A hook-and-loop fastener in which a portion of (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182, 222, 232, 242, 262, 272, 282, 322, 332, 342, 362, 372, 382) enters the opening of the second and first segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180, 220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280, 320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380).

2. The hook-and-loop fastener according to claim 1, wherein the first hook-and-loop fastener member (110, 210, 310) has an engagement space between adjacent first segments (120, 130, 140, 220, 230, 240, 320, 330, 340) capable of receiving and disengaging some of the engagement portions (162, 172, 182, 262, 272, 282, 362, 372, 382) among the multiple engagement portions (162, 172, 182, 262, 272, 282, 362, 372, 382) of the second hook-and-loop fastener member (150, 250, 350).

3. The base plate (121, 131, 141, 161, 171, 181, 221, 231, 241, 261, 271, 281, 321, 331, 341, 361, 371, 381) of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180, 220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280, 320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380) is and an opening is provided at a location outside the engagement portion group consisting of the first and second segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180, 220, 230, 240, 262, 272, 282, 322, 332, 342, 362, 372, 382) and corresponds to the other engagement portion (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182, 222, 232, 242, 262, 272, 282, 322, 332, 342, 362, 372, 382), 20, 210, 220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280, 320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380) are engaged with each other, 2. The hook-and-loop fastener according to claim 1, wherein a portion of at least one engagement portion (122, 132, 142, 162, 172, 182, 222, 232, 242, 262, 272, 282, 322, 332, 342, 362, 372, 382) of the second and first segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180, 220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280, 320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380) enters the opening of the second and first segments (120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180, 220, 230, 240, 260, 270, 280, 320, 330, 340, 360, 370, 380).

4. The hook-and-loop fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first hook-and-loop fastener member (110, 210, 310) and the second hook-and-loop fastener member (150, 250, 350) have the same structure.

5. The hook-and-loop fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the soft member is one selected from the group consisting of a soft resin, a string, and a monofilament.

6. The hook-and-loop fastener according to claim 5 , wherein the soft resin is an elastomeric resin.

7. An article comprising a hook-and-loop fastener (100, 200) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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