Multi-slit tension-activated, expanding sheets
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsThomas R. Corrigan, Patrick R. Fleming, Anne C.F. Gold, Silvia G. Guttmann, Nicholas K. Lee, Dylan T. Cosgrove, Delony L. Langer-Anderson, Lisa M. Miller, Manoj Nirmal
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Abstract
The present disclosure relates generally to tension-activated, expanding articles, films, and sheets including a multi-slit pattern. In some embodiments, these articles, films, and/or sheets are used as cushioning films and/or packaging materials. The present disclosure also relates to methods of making and using these tension-activated, expanding articles, films, and sheets.
Claims20
An expanding material having a pretensioned state defining a pretensioned plane, including:
- a material including a slit that includes anchor-shaped hooks in both upper and lower portions of the slit, wherein the material defines a tension axis,
- wherein the material is substantially in a plane in the pretensioned state but wherein the multi-slit pattern enables at least portions of the material to rotate from the plane of the pretensioned state when tension is applied along the tension axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.