Molded Hook and Loop Fastener with Infiltration-Blocking Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing molded hook and loop fasteners face challenges in preventing foaming resin material infiltration into the engaging element region during cushion body foaming, leading to reduced engaging force and increased manufacturing costs due to complex mold requirements and potential resin material infiltration through collapsed or bent infiltration-preventing members.
Innovation Solution
A molded hook and loop fastener design featuring a flexible sheet-shaped resin material infiltration-blocking member with support members, integrated with a flat plate-shaped base material, and a method of manufacturing where the fastener is closely contacted with a single surface mold to prevent resin infiltration, eliminating the need for concave grooves and simplifying mold production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resin infiltration-preventing members are made of non-woven fabric with L-shaped cross-section and arranged spaced outward from engaging elements, then infiltration of foaming resin material can be prevented, but the members collapse or bend under foaming pressure allowing resin infiltration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible sheet-shaped resin infiltration-blocking member that conformally contacts the mold cavity surface. This flexible film structure adapts to the cavity shape while maintaining infiltration prevention, resolving the contradiction between flexibility for sealing and structural integrity under pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a flexible sheet-shaped infiltration-blocking member as an intermediary between the hook and loop fastener member and the mold cavity surface. This intermediary component prevents direct resin infiltration while distributing foaming pressure, eliminating the need for rigid L-shaped members that collapse under pressure.
2Reliability
If concave grooves are provided in the mold cavity surface to position and hold the hook and loop fastener, then infiltration prevention is improved, but manufacturing cost and mold complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the infiltration prevention function from the mold cavity surface itself (concave grooves) and transfers it to a separate flexible sheet-shaped infiltration-blocking member. This separates the positioning function (performed by the mold) from the infiltration prevention function (performed by the flexible member), eliminating the need for complex molded grooves.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible sheet-shaped infiltration-blocking member serves as an intermediary component that provides infiltration prevention without requiring modifications to the mold cavity surface. It conformally contacts the cavity surface and prevents resin infiltration while allowing the mold to maintain a simple, flat structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If the upper end of the resin infiltration-blocking member is at the same level as the upper end of support members, then manufacturing is simplified, but infiltration prevention effectiveness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the infiltration-blocking function into the vertical dimension by having the flexible sheet-shaped member's upper end protrude above the support members. This creates an overlapping region that provides enhanced infiltration prevention while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the flexible member's conformal contact capability.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a molded hook and loop fastener having at least one hook and loop fastener member which includes a flat plate-shaped base material and a plurality of engaging elements erected on a first surface of the base material in a center region in a width direction thereof, and configured to be integrated with a cushion body upon foaming of the cushion body. A flexible sheet-shaped resin material infiltration-blocking member is fixed to right and left side edge portions of the first surface of the base material and arranged along a longitudinal direction. Right and left support members are erected on the inside of fixation portions of the resin material infiltration-blocking member with respect to the base material, to support the resin material infiltration-blocking member. An upper end of the resin material infiltration-blocking member is configured to protrude above an upper end location of the support members.