Corrugated Touch Fastener Strip for Multi-Plane Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch fasteners are limited in flexibility, unable to bend in multiple planes, which restricts their application to non-flat surfaces and can lead to disengagement under high use loads, causing discomfort and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A touch fastening strip with a corrugated topology, featuring channels extending from one side of the base and fastening elements on the top or side, allowing for flexibility in multiple planes and enhanced bonding capabilities, formed through various manufacturing methods including molding and extrusion processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional flat touch fastener strips are used, then manufacturing is simple and cost-effective, but the fasteners cannot bend in multiple planes and may disengage under high use loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming the fastener strip into a corrugated configuration with alternating peaks and valleys. This curved geometry enables the strip to bend in multiple planes while maintaining fastening engagement, resolving the contradiction between reliability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional flat strip to a three-dimensional corrugated structure. This dimensional change adds flexibility in multiple planes while preserving the fastening function, addressing the limitation of conventional flat strips that can only bend in one direction.
2Ease of operation
If conventional flat fastener strips are used, then material usage is efficient, but the strips lack flexibility and cause stiffness in bonded surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The corrugated geometry with curved peaks and valleys provides flexibility in multiple planes, allowing the fastener to conform to non-planar surfaces and reduce stiffness, while maintaining efficient material usage through the continuous corrugated structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional flat fastener strips are used, then manufacturing is straightforward, but the fasteners are restricted to substantially flat surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
By forming the strip into a corrugated three-dimensional structure, the fastener gains the ability to bend in multiple planes and adapt to non-planar surfaces, significantly improving surface versatility while maintaining compatibility with standard extrusion manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the fastener strip by introducing corrugations with specific peak and valley configurations. This parameter modification enables the strip to conform to curved and non-planar surfaces while being manufactured through conventional extrusion methods.
Data Source
AI summary
A fastening strip for touch fasteners is provided which includes a corrugated portion as well as fastening elements. The corrugated portion allows the strip to be bent in a plane perpendicular as well as parallel with the longitudinal axis of the strip such that it may be applied to curved surfaces and remain substantially flat. Fastening elements such as hooks, loops, mushroom-shaped, bulbous and double hooks may be included on both sides of the strip and on the walls of the channels that form the corrugations as well as between the corrugations. The corrugated fastening strips may be useful for automotive seating and diaper applications. Processes for forming the corrugated fastening strip area also disclosed.