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US 6,470,540 B2Granted
Mechanical fastener and method for making the same
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsJennifer M. Aamodt, James G. Berg, Peter F. Cullen, Brian T. Hargrett
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mechanical fastener. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a mechanical fastener including engaging stems having heads with demarcation lines. The present invention also provides a method of making a mechanical fastener that includes placing a layer of heated material on stem ends to soften the stem ends and deforming the softened stem ends into convex heads.
Claims32
A mechanical fastener, comprising:
- a) a substrate including a first major surface;
- and
- b) a plurality of engaging stems extending from said first major surface of said substrate, wherein each of said engaging stems includes a convex head, wherein each of said convex heads includes a first portion at the top of said head and a second portion at the bottom of said head, and wherein said first portion of said head is smoother than said second portion of said head, wherein each of said heads includes a demarcation line, and wherein said demarcation line is the boundary between said first portion of said head and said second portion of said head.
A mechanical fastener, comprising:
- a) a substrate including a first major surface;
- and
- b) a plurality of engaging stems extending from said first major surface of said substrate, wherein each of said engaging stems includes a base attached to said first major surface of said substrate and a tip opposite said base, wherein each of said engaging stems includes a convex head attached to said tip of said engaging stem, wherein said convex head includes a lobe adjacent said engaging stem creating a mutual wall between said lobe and said tip of said engaging stem.
A mechanical fastener, comprising:
- a) a substrate including a first major surface;
- and
- b) a plurality of engaging ribs extending from said first major surface of said substrate, wherein each of said ribs includes a convex ridge opposite said substrate, and wherein each of said convex ridges includes a demarcation line.
A mechanical fastener, comprising:
- a) a substrate including a first major surface;
- and
- b) a plurality of engaging stems extending from said first major surface of said substrate, wherein each of said engaging stems includes a convex head, wherein each of said convex heads includes a first portion at the top of said head and a second portion at the bottom of said head, and wherein said first portion of said head is smoother than said second portion of said head.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.