# US 9,750,311 B2 · Systems and methods for joining hook fastener structures

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- Number: US 9,750,311 B2
- Document ID: US9750311B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/263,580
- Filed: 2014-04-28
- Published: 2015-10-29
- Granted: 2017-09-05
- Earliest claimed: 2014-04-28
- Assignees: YKK Corporation
- Applicants: Ykk Corporation of America
- Inventors: Kazuhiro Nozaka; Yoshifumi Nakata; Chieko Dokyu; John Rene Hawkins, III; Howard Joseph Pfeuffer; Eric Tham Rice
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750311B2

## CPC

- A44B 18/0073: {Attaching means}
- A44B 18/0015: {Male or hook elements (A44B18/0007 takes precedence)}
- A44B 18/0061: {Male or hook elements (A44B18/0053 takes precedence)}
- B29C 65/08: using ultrasonic vibrations {(non-plastics element to plastics elements B29C65/645)}
- B29C 65/7841: {Holding or clamping means for handling purposes (clamping means for the purpose of applying pressure on the parts to be joined, in the area to be joined B29C66/81; work holders in general B25B; devices for holding or positioning work for welding metal B23K37/04)}
- B29C 66/1122: {Single lap to lap joints, i.e. overlap joints (B29C66/45, B29C66/472, B29C66/52272 take precedence)}
- B29C 66/43: {Joining a relatively small portion of the surface of said articles (B29C66/45 takes precedence)}
- B29C 66/81427: {comprising a single ridge, e.g. for making a weakening line; comprising a single tooth}
- B29C 66/81431: {comprising a single cavity, e.g. a groove}
- B29C 66/81463: {comprising a plurality of single pressing elements, e.g. a plurality of sonotrodes, or comprising a plurality of single counter-pressing elements, e.g. a plurality of anvils, said plurality of said single elements being suitable for making a single joint}
- B29C 66/83221: {cooperating reciprocating tools, each tool reciprocating along one axis}
- B29C 66/8432: {Machines for making separate joints at the same time mounted in parallel or in series}
- B29C 66/8167: {Quick change joining tools or surfaces}
- B29L 2031/729: {Hook and loop-type fasteners}
- A44B: BUTTONS, PINS, BUCKLES, SLIDE FASTENERS, OR THE LIKE (fastenings specially adapted for footwear A43C)
- B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00)
- B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES

## Abstract

Systems and methods for joining two or more pieces of hook fastener tape. In some embodiments, the two or more pieces of tape are spliced together using ultrasonic welding. At least one of the splicing components used to splice the tapes together may be configured so that the component influences the profile of a connecting portion along which the two tapes are welded together. In some cases, at least one of the splicing components may be configured to minimize deformation of the tapes as they are welded together.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A welded hook fastener tape comprising:
a first tape comprising a first base and a plurality of first hooks that project from the first base;
a second tape comprising a second base and a plurality of second hooks that project from the second base;
a pair of walls that longitudinally extend along edges of both the first and second tapes and that project from the first and second bases; and
a welded connection segment in which a portion of the first tape and a portion of the second tape are overlaid and welded together, the welded connection segment disposed between the plurality of first hooks and the plurality of second hooks and comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein:
the top surface comprises two non-recessed portions and a recessed portion disposed between the two non-recessed portions; and
the bottom surface is generally flat.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The welded hook fastener tape of claim 1, wherein each of the pair of walls at least partially aligns with a respective one of the two non-recessed portions and wherein at least some of the plurality of first and second hooks at least partially align with the recessed portion.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The welded hook fastener tape of claim 1, further comprising at least one longitudinal member that extends along at least a portion of the welded hook fastener tape.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The welded hook fastener tape of claim 1, wherein the welded connection segment is formed via ultrasonic welding.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The welded hook fastener tape of claim 1, wherein the recessed portion is recessed relative to the two non-recessed portions.