Strip of male fastening means, patch cut therefrom, and fastening tape tab comprising such patch

The present invention relates to a male fastening strap, in particular a high elastic hook strip, and to a patch cut out therefrom, the insert being intended for use in a fastening laminate, more particularly in a tab of the fastening tape.

Such tabs of the fastening tape can in particular be used in diapers and feminine hygiene articles as part of the mechanical fastening (see US-A-6 146 369).

The known tabs of the fastening tape used, for example, in disposable diapers usually have a support layer on which attachment means are mounted on one of the main surfaces to securely secure the diaper parts together. The tab of attachment means may for example be a hook insert, which usually runs across the entire width of the tab of the fastening tape. Therefore, the entire width and length of the hook insert improves the folding of the tab of the fastening tape. Because the hook insert is made of a rigid material, this can create a problem, as the tab of the fastening tape may not be sufficiently elastic to accommodate the movements of the wearer and hence may reduce the comfort of wearing. This is even more critical when the width of the tab of the fastening tape is large,

Publication US-A-6,146,369 describes an expandable pleat tab for disposable diapers consisting of a laminate of a stretchable base material and a usual non-stretchable mechanical fastener.

The non-expanding mechanical fastening becomes stretchable by providing at least in its non-stretchable parts a plurality of separating joints or a separating plane running through the thickness of the non-stretchable parts at spaced apart locations in the direction of the desired stretch.

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EP-A-0 755 665 describes a disposable underwear with a strap closure for separable connection of the front and rear underwear area. The strap fastener consists of a soft element of the base panel and at least two relatively rigid elements of the fixing panel connected to the inner surface of the base panel element to eliminate the problem in which the entire strap fastener may unintentionally unintentionally open.

Publication US-B-6575,953 describes a disposable absorbent article that has an absorbent base and a fastening system that is intended to provide advantageous fit qualities while allowing easier access to the interior of the product for inspection purposes. The absorbent article fasteners include separate hook inserts forming a fastening component having hinge areas.

EP-B-0 113 464 discloses a waist belt provided in a diaper having an intermediate area, an adhesive area and a lifted portion of a finger.

The incisions are made in the transverse direction in the intermediate part and / or in the adhesive part to allow these sections to function independently of each other.

US-A-2002/0016581 discloses a fastening system having a hook fastening element. The fastening element consists of a fixed part that is partially connected to the product, at least one lifting part protruding from the attached part, and at least one hinge line arranged at an angle lower than 90 ° with respect to the main bearing direction. The hinge line is located between the attached part and the lifted part, separating them in this way from each other.

WO96 / 19174 describes a fastening tab that includes a manufacturer bond and a user terminal, wherein the user terminal comprises a mechanical fastener element and is configured to have a detachment ratio of at least 1: 5: 1.

The user's end can be a multi-stranded or can define shear channels in the component of the mechanical fastener.

There is a need to provide a male fastening strap from which a male closure insert will be cut, in particular a hook strip insert with better bending properties. The mounting bracket should

It is advantageous to be more flexible than previous cut-out inserts, but its handling still needs to be simple. There is also a need to provide a fastening tape including such a fastening insert. When used, e.g. as fixing elements in diapers for children or adults, or for feminine hygiene products, and in particular in applications with a large opening, the tab of the fastening tape should be able to adapt to the movements of the wearer and reduce the risk of redness on the skin. wearer. More generally, the tab of the fastening tape should adapt better to each surface to which it is attached.

According to the present invention there is provided an elongated male fastener according to claim 1, an integral male insert fastener according to claim 19, a fastening tape tab according to claim 20 and a method for producing an elongated strap according to claim 22. Therefore, a male clasp is provided with better flexibility and less resistance to bending, as well as a strap from which you can cut out such an insert. The insert in accordance with the invention is a substrate on which a plurality of male closure elements, in particular hook elements, are embedded. The insert is preferably cut from a longitudinal male fastener, e.g. a hookstrap, and has two longitudinal edges along its length, i.e. two edge lines which both extend substantially in the longitudinal direction (machining) of the strip, from which the insert is cut. The transverse direction is determined by the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in the flat plane of the insert. The expression "hook" describes all types of hooks that are suitable for the formation of a hook-loop type fastening, together with a suitable fastening zone. The hook can take any shape, including hooks shaped like a mushroom. The insert is an integral element and has at least one notch. As used herein, the expression "integral" means that the insert forms one element, i.e. the notches are not continuous. Here the expression "incision" describes both the incision in which no material is removed from the substrate, e.g. a strip, i.e. cuts are made with a knife or a pair of scissors, but also an incision in which the material is cut out of the substrate, e.g. when the incision is embossed in the ground.

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The at least one incision does not extend across the entire width of the insert, but leaves at least one intact piece of material along the direction of the transverse insert. Therefore, the part of the insert in the longitudinal direction is not cut. Notches can run through one or both lines of the edge of the insert.

Preferably, at least one incision essentially extends in the transverse direction of the insert. However, the incisions may also run in a direction running between the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction. The notches running through one line of the edge of the insert may be aligned with the cuts running through the second edge line, i.e. running in the transverse direction towards the same place in the middle of the insert, but may also be arranged in a longitudinal direction along two edge lines. Correspondingly, the notches running through the two edge lines may have the same or different length in relation to the respective edge line towards the center of the insert. The option of different cut lengths also exists when the cuts from one side and the other do not face the same place, but are alternately arranged, i.e. shifted in the longitudinal direction of the fastening insert. In addition, the incisions may also run at an angle between the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction.

The parts of the non-cut material preferably provide a bridge with an intact material running in the longitudinal direction of the strip. The width of the remaining narrow bridge of intact material should be selected to increase flexibility, but should ensure adequate strength of the strip before cutting it into the inserts so that the strip can be processed and transformed. The width of the remaining bridge is preferably less than about 10 mm, more preferably less than about 5 mm, more preferably less than about 3 mm, but in any case must be greater than 0 mm and preferably at least 1 mm. In the case of notches crossing both lines of the strip edge, the remaining parts can not be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the strip. The remaining fragments can therefore form a bridge that is curved, i.e. continuous,

The distance between the cuts on the same edge line in the longitudinal direction may be less than about 70 mm, more preferably less than about 15 mm, even more preferably less than about 7 mm. Preferably, the distance

EP1 838 178 is at least 2 mm, more preferably at least 4 mm, even more preferably at least 5 mm.

The incisions may also be designed such that at least two intact narrow bridges are provided in the transverse direction of the insert. This may be preferred when using wide straps and large inserts.

The incisions according to the present invention can be cut in a strip, e.g. by means of rotary knives, by laser, by perforation or by other techniques. Such cuts may be of any shape and may, for example, be triangular, rectangular, oblong, curved, T-shaped or may have an irregular shape.

The longitudinal edges of the longitudinal strip from which the insert is cut need not be straight lines of edges parallel to each other. Also for this purpose, edge lines that are irregular or have a regular pattern such as wavy edge lines can be used. Strips with a wavy edge line on each side of the strip may advantageously be cut from the roll with minimal inherent waste, since at least two adjacent strips are cut from the roll, such that the corrugated edge line of one strip corresponds to the corrugated edge of the second strip. i.e. they have a nested configuration. Such strips can be used in various applications. Additional cuts in the corrugated edge strip will further increase the elasticity of the strap. Regardless of the amplitude and frequency of the wave, the still intact center of the strip material forming the bridge will provide the required strength in the longitudinal direction, and the strip with high amplitude and edge wave frequency will behave similarly to the strip in which narrow pieces of material are extruded along its edge line. Instead of a wavy edge line, other suitable contours can be provided that behave in the same or a similar way to the edge of the strip with a triangular, rectangular or substantially curved configuration.

The incisions according to the present invention can be provided in the form of notches in the fastening strip and in the insert. Such notches can be achieved by cutting in a strip or insert, for example by punching a narrow piece of material. The cutout may be triangular, rectangular, oblong, sinusoidal, substantially curved, or have any other shape that is suitable for improving the bending properties of the fastening strap and the insert.

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The invention further provides a tab for a fastening tape having a manufacturer's tip and a user's end. The tab of the fastening tape according to the invention has a support layer, on which one of the main surfaces in the area of ​​the user's end is embedded at least one fixing insert in accordance with the invention. The insert has a proximal end directed towards the tip of the tape tab manufacturer and a distal end directed towards the user's end of the tape tab. The support layer of the tab of the fastening tape can be continuous at least at the points of notches in the fastening insert. Notches can run both through the carrier layer and the insert,

In addition, there is provided a male fastening strap from which the fastening inserts can be cut, as well as methods for producing such a strap and insert according to the invention, as well as a method for producing a tab of the fastening tape.

Hooked strips that can be used in the present invention as starting material are known to those skilled in the art. The hook straps for use in the present invention are described, for example, in US-A-4,894,060, US-A-2004/0111844, US-A-2003/0145440, US20 A-2003/0182776 and US-A-2004/0068848. General background information on hooks, including ribbons without hook heads, can be found, for example, in US 5,077,870, US 5,607,635, US 5,679,302, US 6,132,660, US 6,054,091, US 6,039,911, US 6,000,106, US 5,879,604, US 5,868,987, US 5,895,375, US 6,635,212,

US 6,558,602. Hook strips that can be used as starting material in the present invention are commercially available e.g. under the trade names CS-600 or CS-1010 in the offer of the company 3M Company, St. Paul, United States.

The fixing tape tabs according to the invention can be used in diapers for children or adults, or in feminine hygiene products. The invention, however, is not limited to personal care products, but can also be used in other industrial applications in which it is essential that the fixing insert or tab of the fastening tape easily follows the movement of the product to which the insert is affixed.

EP1 838 178 Such applications include, for example, upholstery, the automotive and aerospace industries, and other textile applications.

The fastening tab according to the present invention has a certain advantage, where, due to the cuts, the stiffness of the insert decreases, which results in greater flexibility of the tab of the fastening tape for which the insert is provided. Since the strip from which the insert can be cut and the insert itself are integral, adequate force is provided for the longitudinal transformation. Because the bending force decreases due to the notched insertions, the tabs of the fastening tape better adapt to the shape and movements of the articles to which the insert is affixed, e.g. movements of the user of the diaper. Therefore, the comfort of wearing is increased, and the risk of redness on the wearer's skin is reduced. Because bending is easier, the risk of disconnecting the hooks of the insert from the surface of the latch also decreases, e.g. from the surface of the loop, because the elements of the hook and loop can move more synchronously. The greater the width of the tab of the fastening tape, and thus the width of the insert, the more visible this advantage becomes. Furthermore, the insert in accordance with the present invention can provide greater flexibility in the plane of the insert due to its lower bending resistance in said plane.

Hereinafter, the invention is described in more detail with reference to the Figures.

Fig. 1 (a) - (e) schematically illustrates the tabs of the fixing tape of the present invention with the preferred incision configurations provided on the insert according to the present invention,

Fig. 2 shows another configuration of incisions according to the invention, and

Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of the insert in accordance with the invention having notches in the form of cutouts.

Fig. 1 (a) shows a tab of a fixing tape 10 for use, for example, in a napkin according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The tab of the fastening tape 10 has the manufacturer's tip 11 and the user's terminal 12. The tab of the fastening tape 10 consists of a support substrate 1 and at least one pre-cut male fastener insert 2, preferably hook elements according to the invention. The pre-cut inset 2 is positioned on the main surface of the user terminal 12

EP1 838 178 of the support layer. The insert 2 has a proximal end facing the tip of the manufacturer 11 of the tape tab 10 and the distal end facing the user's tip 12 of the tape tab 10. The edge line 21 is at the proximal end of the insert 2 and the edge line 22 is at the distal end of the insert 2. The tab of the fastening tape 10 has a width of 30 and further comprises a finger lift part 5.

The pre-cut insert 2 is preferably cut out in the form of a hookstrap and has at least one notch 3. The support layer 1 is preferably made of a non-woven or woven web of a textile product or a thin elastic polymeric substrate. The punched or pre-cut fixing insert 2 of the invention can be attached to the support layer 1 by using glue, ultrasonic welding, thermosensing, stitching or other suitable technique.

Fig. 1 (a) shows a preferred embodiment of a pre-cut hookstrap in accordance with the present invention. The hook bar 2 shown in Fig. 1 (a) has six cuts 3 that extend through both edge lines 21, 22 in the transverse direction of the insert 2. Accordingly, the three notches 3 running through the two edge lines are aligned and have the same length. However, the incisions on the two lines of the edges may also have different lengths. The notches 3 extending respectively from both edge lines leave an intact web 4 which is centered in the transverse direction of the insert 2. In the case where the cuts have different lengths from both edge lines, the web will not be centered. The intact bridge 4 has a width of less than 10 mm, preferably less than 5 mm and even more preferably less than 3 mm. However, the width of the web 4 is in each case larger than 0 mm and should preferably be at least 1 mm to allow processing of the insert and the strip from which it is to be cut. The distance d between successive cuts 3 in the longitudinal direction can be less than 70 mm, preferably less than 15 mm and even more preferably less than 7 mm and preferably at least 2 mm or at least 4 mm. The distance d between successive cuts 3 can be the same as shown in Fig. 1, or it can be different. preferably less than 15 mm and even more preferably less than 7 mm and preferably at least 2 mm or at least 4 mm. The distance d between successive cuts 3 can be the same as shown in Fig. 1, or it can be different. preferably less than 15 mm and even more preferably less than 7 mm and preferably at least 2 mm or at least 4 mm. The distance d between successive cuts 3 can be the same as shown in Fig. 1, or it can be different.

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Fig. 1 (e) schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the tab of the fastening tape 10 of Fig. 1 (a) along the line AA indicated in Fig. 1 (a). The notches 3 run through the hook insert 2, but not through the support layer 1. The cuts 3, which are obtained by cutting without removing the material, are shown without being scaled in Fig. 1 (e) to make them more recognizable.

In Fig. 1 (b) a further embodiment of the cut configuration 3 is shown. In this embodiment, the cuts 3 are arranged on both lines of the edges of the insert 2, but are not aligned with each other, but are arranged alternately. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 (b), there is no intact simple sternum left in the longitudinal direction of the insert, but there is an intact curved bridge that forms a continuous path on the strip. The stability necessary for processing is maintained due to the alternate arrangement of the cuts 3.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 (c), the notches 3 do not run through one of the edges of the insert 2, but are centered on the insert 2, leaving the two bridges 4 and 4 'left intact along both edges of the insert 2.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 1 (d) depicts a tab of a fastener 10 including an insert 2 in accordance with the invention that has a non-straight edge line 22 at the distal end of the insert. The notches 3 are aligned as shown in Fig. 1 (a). In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 (d), no area is provided for finger lift at the user terminal 12 of the tab of the fixing tape, but the insert 2 extends to the user terminal 12 of the tab of the fixing tape. To enable the user to lift the tab of the fastening tape, an area without hooks or crimped hooks is provided on the outer portion 5 'of the insert 2 to allow the user terminal 12 to be grasped without causing discomfort.

Fig. 2 shows an alternative configuration of cuts 3 on the insert 2 in accordance with the invention. In this embodiment, the cuts 3 only extend from one edge line 21 of the insert 2, which has a width 31. The cuts 3 do not extend perpendicular to the edge line 21 of the insert 2 but run at an angle with respect to the transverse direction of the insert 2. The value of this angle can ranging from 10 degrees to 80 degrees, preferably from 30 degrees to 60 degrees, and even more preferably it can be 45 degrees. In this embodiment

The undamaged bridge 4 is arranged along the edge line 22 which is opposite the edge line 21 through which the cuts 3 run.

Fig. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the present invention. According to this alternative embodiment, the cuts 3 'provided in the insert 2 of the present invention are formed as notches on any one edge of the insert 2 or on both edge lines. Such a double cut can be formed by extruding the material from the strip. Another way to form the notches is to stretch the cut strip in the longitudinal direction so that the cutouts form at the positions in which the strip is cut.

In this embodiment, hook straps are used, which are cut with a knife having a waved edge such that at least one edge line or both edge lines have a wavy pattern, e.g. a sinusoidal edge pattern. Both sides of the hookstrap may have different geometry of the wavy edge, e.g. different frequencies or sinusoidal curves. The cutting can be carried out without generating waste, since the complementary hookstrap next to the one shown is also a functional strip with a complementary corrugated edge. In this case, no material will be removed. The corrugated edge is shaped so that the narrow central portion of the hookstrap remains intact so that a bridge 4 is formed.

The shape of the corrugated edge can be mathematically changed in many ways, e.g. in terms of frequency and amplitude, but it can also be different, e.g. rectangular. When it has a rectangular shape, the amplitude will determine the depth of the notch, and the frequency will determine how often there are notches or the distance between the notches.

Figure 3 shows a hook belt that is intact in the middle and has large hooked wings with a corrugated edge 6 on both sides. The undamaged bridge 4 ensures adequate insertion strength.

In the case of the hook insert shown in Fig. 3, the bending force decreases as compared to the insert having straight edges of the same size. In the example shown in Fig. 3, the area ratio of the intact web 4 to the total area of ​​the insert 2 is only about 23%.

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This means that only 23% of the patch area 2 contributes to the bending of the insert 2, while the total patch area 2 contributes to the fastening insert 2 property, because the total patch area 2 has fastening elements that can be combined with complementary fasteners, e.g. the surface of the loop forming an equivalent to the fastening piece according to the invention to which it can be attached. This means that 77% of the total area lies outside the intact bridge 4, which primarily contributes to the bending properties of the fixing tab. In the case of a tab that has straight edges and no cuts, the above factor is 100%, which means that the entire area that contributes to the fixing properties also affects the bending of the insert.

The sinusoidal wave can be further changed so that its geometry becomes rectangular. In a further embodiment of the invention, the incisions may be in the form of triangular cut-outs made on one or both sides of the hookstrap.

The insert according to the present invention can be used in diapers for children or adults as a component of a hook fastener.

The user of the diaper applies forces to this insert when it is moved along the vector indicating the transverse direction relative to the plane of the unbent diaper, thereby causing the insert to bend. Such forces may be caused by the user's motion, in particular by the body of the person wearing the diaper. The bending force is reduced using the inserts according to the present invention. The tabs of the fastening tape are better suited to the movements of the user of the diaper, which increases the comfort of wearing and does not cause so much redness. Because bending is easier, the risk of detaching the patch hooks from the surface of the diaper loop also decreases as the hook and loop components can move more synchronously. These advantages are more and more noticeable, the greater the width of the fastening tab, and therefore inserts. The pre-cut hook inserts of the invention can also be used on a wide large elastic or non-elastic hole, e.g. in retractable or removable diapers.

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The punched inset in accordance with the invention can also be used in women's products. The patent literature describes various hook fastening systems that are used in fastening systems. These very large hook straps affect the flexural stiffness of the hygiene inserts.

However, in this delicate application, the flexibility of the final product is important. The scored hook inserts allow greater flexibility of the panty liner in a direction perpendicular to its plane when it is not folded so that the panty liner fits better to the shape of the body.

Furthermore, the invention is not limited to personal care products, such as diapers or feminine care products, but it can also be used in other industrial applications where it is essential that the hook-in or tab is easy to follow the movement of the article to which it is attached there is a hooked insert.

The invention can be used, for example, in upholstery, cars, especially in soffits, in the aerospace industry or other textile products.

In particular, if the incisions only run from one edge and the intact material is directly on the opposite edge, the incision male fastening strip according to the present invention can easily bend without forming folds or wrinkles in the strip plane towards the intact material side. After bending the notches 3 or the notches 3 ', they expand in particular on the lateral edge from which such notches or cut-outs run. For example, it has been found that in the case of an adhesive banded cut strip, a hook bar can be attached to the article so that the hookstring is yielding in one direction without folding or wrinkling. This tendency for curved applications will be particularly advantageous if longer hook straps are used in products that do not serve hygienic purposes.

The examples of inserts and hooks are described below. Exemplary hook straps were produced using standard products commercially available from 3M Company, St. Paul, United States. In particular, hook straps available under the trade names CS-600 with a width of 15 mm (Hook 1) and CS-1010 with a width of 25 mm were used.

EP1 838 178 mm (Hook 2). The weight of the CS-600 hook is 108 g / m²and its density is 248 hooks / cm2, the thickness of the substrate is 109 [mu] m, and the total thickness of the hook web 390 [mu] m. The weight of the CS-1010 hook is 162 g / m2, its density is 81 hooks / cm2, the thickness of the substrate is 173 pm, and the total thickness of the hook string 658. In addition, the Binder hook (Hook 3) was used, which is available on the market in the offer of Gottlieb Binder Gmbh & Co., Holzgerlingen, Germany. The binder weight is 194 g / m2, its density is 294 hooks / cm2, the thickness of the substrate is 187, and the total thickness of the hook web 463. The density of the hook and thickness was measured using a microscope, which is available in the Mitotoyo Corporation's offer, Japan under the trade name TM-500 Measuring Microscope.

The bending length and the elasticity index were measured according to the ERT 50.5-99 test method recommended by EDANA; EDANA is the abbreviation of the "European Disposables And Nonwovens Association" (Association

Manufacturers of Disposables and Nonwovens), which is based in Brussels, Belgium. In this test method, a rectangular fabric strip is supported on a horizontal platform where the long belt axis is parallel to the long axis of the platform. The strap is moved forward in the direction of its length, so that an increasing part protrudes and bends under its own weight.

When the leading edge of the test piece reaches the plane passing through the edge of the platform and inclined at an angle of 41.5 ° below the horizon, the protruding length will equal the double bending length of the test piece, so that the length of bending can be calculated.

Table 1 shows the results of this test for non-adhesive non-adhesive strips, which were described above and which were subsequently cut so that the incisions were 5 mm long in the longitudinal direction and the 5 mm wide intact web remained intact.

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Table 1:

<td></td><td>The protruding length of the unbuttoned hook bar expressed in mm</td><td>The protruding length of the cut hook bar expressed in mm</td><td>Reduction in bending length due to incisions expressed in%</td>

<td>Hook 1</td><td>76.3</td><td>53.9</td><td>29.4</td>

<td>Hook 2</td><td>161.2</td><td>99</td><td>38.6</td>

<td>Hook 3</td><td>158.5</td><td>124.4</td><td>21.5</td>

Table 2 shows the results of this test for non-adhesive non-adhesive non-adhesive strips, which were subsequently cut so that the incisions were 10 mm long in the longitudinal direction and the 3 mm wide intact web remained intact.

Table 2:

<td></td><td>The protruding length of the unbuttoned hook bar expressed in mm</td><td>The protruding length of the cut hook bar expressed in mm</td><td>Reduction in bending length due to incisions expressed in%</td>

<td>Hook 1</td><td>76.7</td><td>62.1</td><td>19.0</td>

<td>Hook 2</td><td>157.5</td><td>108.0</td><td>31.4</td>

As can be clearly deduced from Tables 1 and 2, the bending length is significantly reduced when the test strips are scored in accordance with the invention.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with reference to specific illustrated embodiments of the invention, it is not intended to be limited to the illustrated embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that modifications and variations are possible.

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