Releasable fastener system and process

A process for operating a releasable fastener system, the process comprising:

• contacting a loop portion to a hook portion to form a releasable engagement, wherein the loop portion comprises a support and a loop material disposed on a surface thereon, and wherein the hook portion comprises a support and a plurality of hook elements disposed on a surface, wherein the plurality of the hook elements comprise a magnetorheological fluid, a magnetorheological elastomer, or combinations comprise at least one of the foregoing materials to change a shape orientation upon receipt of an magnetic signal;
• maintaining constant shear and pull-off forces in the releasable engagement;
• selectively introducing the magnetic signal to the hook elements, wherein the magnetic signal is effective to change a shape orientation;
• and
• reducing or increasing shear and/or pull off forces in the releasable engagement.

A process for operating a releasable fastener system, the process comprising:

• providing a loop portion;
• applying a magnetic signal to a hook portion, wherein the hook portion comprises a support and a plurality of hook elements disposed on a surface of the support, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprise a magnetorheological fluid, a magnetorheological elastomer, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing materials adapted to change a shape orientation;
• contacting the hook portion with the loop portion;
• and
• discontinuing the magnetic signal to cause the hook elements and the loop material to interlock.

A releasable fastener system comprising:

• a loop portion comprising a support and a loop material disposed on a surface thereon;
• a hook portion comprising a support and a plurality of hook elements disposed on a surface, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprise a magnetorheological fluid, a magnetorheological elastomer, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing materials adapted to change a shape orientation;
• and
• means for changing the shape orientation to reduce a shear force and/or pull-off force of an engaged hook and loop portion.