Self-mating reclosable binding strap and fastener

A method for binding at least one article, comprising (a) at least partially surrounding the article with a first elongate strap portion that comprises a base sheet having first and second oppositely facing major surfaces and being configured on at least one major surface with an array of parallel, narrowly spaced, elastically deformable ribs projecting integrally from the base sheet and establishing a first fastening surface that can be pressed against and thereby interconnected with an identically configured fastening surface;

• the ribs comprising a stem portion attached to and substantially upright from the base sheet and a flange attached to each side of the stem portion and spaced from the base sheet;
• the underside surface of the outer portions of the flanges projecting toward the base sheet such that when identical fastening surfaces are interengaged, the outer portions of the flanges from one fastening surface nest within the space between the stem portions and outer portion of flanges from the other fastening surface;
• portions of the topmost surface of at least some of the flanges angling downwardly toward the base sheet from the stem portion to form a tapered top rib surface that functions during interengagement of two identical fastening surfaces to direct a rib of one fastening surface into the space between two adjacent ribs of the other fastening surface;
• and the flanges having a substantial thickness over at least most of their width such that the stem portion deforms in preference to the flanges during peel-type disengagement from an identical fastening surface;
• and (b) interconnecting the first fastening surface with a second fastening surface carried on a further structural member disposed around the article.

A binding strap comprising an elongate base sheet having first and second oppositely facing major sides and having an array of parallel, narrowly spaced, elastically deformable ribs on at least one major side projecting integrally from the base sheet;

• the ribs comprising a stem portion attached to and substantially upright from the base sheet and a flange attached to at least one side of the stem portion and spaced from the base sheet;
• the array of ribs establishing a first fastening surface that can be pressed against and thereby interconnected with an identical fastening surface;
• the underside surface of the outer portion of the flanges projecting toward the base sheet, and the flanges having a substantial thickness over at least most of their width such that the stem portion deforms during peel-type disengagement from an identical fastening surface in preference to deformation of the flange attached to the stem portion;
• and the strap having a length and width adapting the strap to be wrapped around one or more articles to apply a binding action on the article(s).

A binding strap comprising an elongate base sheet having first and second oppositely facing major sides and having an array of parallel, narrowly spaced, elastically deformable ribs on at least one major side projecting integrally from the base sheet and establishing a first fastening surface that can be pressed against and thereby interconnected with an identically configured fastening surface;

• the ribs comprising a stem portion attached to and substantially upright from the base sheet and a flange attached to each side of the stem portion and spaced from the base sheet;
• the underside surface of the outer portions of the flanges projecting toward the base sheet such that when identical fastening surfaces are interengaged, the outer portions of the flanges from one fastening surface nest within the space between the stem portions and outer portion of flanges from the other fastening surface;
• portions of the topmost surface of at least some of the flanges angling downwardly toward the base sheet from the stem portion to form a tapered top rib surface that functions during interengagement of two identical fastening surfaces to direct a rib of one fastening surface into the space between two adjacent ribs of the other fastening surface;
• and the flanges having a substantial thickness over at least most of their width such that the stem portion deforms in preference to the flanges during peel-type disengagement from an identical fastening surface;
• and the strap having a length and width adapting the strap to be wrapped around one or more articles to apply a binding action on the article(s).

A fastener comprising a base sheet having first and second oppositely facing major surfaces and being configured on at least one major surface with an array of parallel, narrowly spaced, elastically deformable ribs projecting integrally from the base sheet;

• the ribs comprising a stem portion attached to and substantially upright from the base sheet and a flange attached to each side of the stem portion and spaced from the base sheet;
• the underside surface of the outer portion of the flanges projecting downwardly toward the base sheet;
• the array of ribs establishing a first fastening surface that can be pressed against and thereby interconnected with an identical fastening surface;
• and the flange having a substantial thickness over most of its width such that the stem portion deforms in preference to the flange during peel-type disengagement from an identical fastening surface.