Adhesive Fabric Fastener for Temporary No-Alteration Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fabric fastening methods require alteration, penetration, or use of magnets, which are laborious, damaging, or pose health risks, and fail to provide flexible, temporary, and discreet solutions for securing fabrics or objects without altering the fabric or using magnets.

Innovation Solution

A novel fabric fastener using paper-backed adhesive tape, either self-adhesive or heat fusible, attached to snap buttons or cords, allowing for temporary and flexible attachment of fabrics or objects without altering the fabric, and avoiding the use of magnets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If sewing or cutting is used to fasten fabric, then the fabric can be securely attached, but the fabric is permanently altered and the process is laborious

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidease of application

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical fastening methods (sewing, cutting, pinning) with a chemical bonding system using adhesive tape. The adhesive creates a strong bond between the fabric and fastener components without requiring needles, threads, or cutting tools, thus eliminating permanent fabric alteration while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive tape serves as an intermediary element between the fabric and the fastener components (snap buttons, cords, or other fastening mechanisms). This intermediate adhesive layer provides the bonding function that previously required direct mechanical intervention on the fabric itself, allowing removal without damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If magnets are used to fasten fabric, then the attachment is temporary and removable, but magnets pose health risks and can be expensive

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveremovabilityVSAvoidhealth risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive tape is designed as a temporary, single-use or limited-use component that provides the necessary holding strength for its intended purpose but can be removed without leaving residue or causing damage. This disposable nature eliminates the need for expensive, reusable magnetic systems while avoiding health risks associated with magnets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Strength

If rigid fasteners are used, then the fabric can be securely held, but the fabric must lie flat and no space can exist between pieces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding strengthVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive tape itself is a flexible thin film that can conform to various fabric surfaces and allow for slight movements or spacing between fabric pieces. When combined with flexible fastening elements like cords or chainmail, the system maintains holding strength while accommodating fabric flexibility and allowing space between garment pieces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of operation

If existing fasteners like buttons or snaps are used, then the fabric can be fastened, but garments cannot properly fit all shapes and sizes and gapping occurs between fasteners

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefastening capabilityVSAvoidfit flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The adhesive-backed fastening system is designed to be universally applicable to various fabric types and garment configurations. The flexible nature of the adhesive and the variety of fastener options (cords, chainmail, different snap configurations) allow the same basic system to adapt to different body shapes, sizes, and garment styles, eliminating the gapping problem between fixed fasteners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Provides a quick, inexpensive, and discreet method to secure fabrics or objects without sewing, cutting, or using damaging pins or magnets, offering flexible and removable attachment options for various applications.

Implementation Method 1

The snap is firmly attached to a piece of self adhesive or heat fusible tape by either an adhesive or a pronged cap

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

paper-backed self adhesive or heat fusible tape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat fusion:

Data Source

PatentUS20230284753A1Adhesive fabric fastener

Publication Date: 2023.09.14 DESRUISSEAUX ANN

AI summary

An adhesive fabric fastener for temporary securing two pieces of fabric or an object to a piece of fabric. In one embodiment, the fastener can be a snap assembly which can include a ball and socket members each associated with adhesive for temporarily securing the ball and socket members to the fabric/objects. In one non-limiting use the fastener can be used to close or reduce the gap created between buttons on a buttoned shirt and such that the fastener is not seen in use. No modification or alteration to the piece of fabric or garment is required for securing the fastener. In another embodiment the fastener can be a cord secured at one end to adhesive tape and at its other end to another piece of adhesive tape.