• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
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    • 专利摘要:
    The hardenable mechanical fastener of the present invention includes a fastening surface containing a hardenable material, which fastening surface can be repeatedly attached to and released from the complementary fastening surface, and can be attached to and hardened on the complementary fastening surface. The hardenable mechanical fasteners can then be permanently attached to the complementary fastening surfaces. The hardenable mechanical fastener may further comprise a complementary fastening surface.
    公开号:KR20020003242A
    申请号:KR1020017013638
    申请日:1999-08-23
    公开日:2002-01-10
    发明作者:조지클레이톤에이.；드리스콜폴디.；하트숀스티븐；탐스키모간제이.
    申请人:캐롤린 에이. 베이츠；쓰리엠 이노베이티브 프로퍼티즈 캄파니；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Hardenable Mechanical Fasteners {CURABLE MECHANICAL FASTENERS}
    [2] Conventional reclosable mechanical fasteners are releasably closed for later reopening. Known reclosable mechanical fasteners generally have a fastenable surface made of metal or thermoplastic resin. Examples of such thermoplastics include polyesters (eg poly (ethylene terephthalate)), polyamides, poly (styrene-acrylonitrile), poly (acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene), polyolefins (eg polypropylene and poly Propylene / polyethylene copolymer) and plastic polyvinyl chloride.
    [3] Examples of reclosable mechanical fasteners include those sold under the trade name VELCRO of Velcro, Inc., USA, Manchester, New Hampshire. Other reclosable mechanical fasteners include those sold under the trade names SCOTCHMATE and DUAL LOCK of the Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn., USA. These fasteners are widely used to fasten various materials such as clothes and diapers. Other applications of these fasteners include attaching interior panelin airplanes of airplanes and automotive dashboards. The reclosable mechanical fastener is S.C., Rassin, Wisconsin. It is also widely used to seal foodstuffs such as plastic bags sold under the Johnson Wax trade name ZIPLOC.
    [4] However, one disadvantage of many reclosable mechanical fasteners to date is that the strength requirements do not have sufficient strength to be useful in some applications, such as in very stringent structural or semi-structural applications. There is also a need for a reclosable mechanical fastener that can provide permanent attachment.
    [1] The present invention generally relates to a reclosable and curable mechanical fastener made of a predetermined material to be curable to provide a permanent fastener.
    [19] 1A is a cross-sectional view of a mushroom hardenable mechanical fastener of the present invention.
    [20] 1B is a cross-sectional view of a mushroom hardenable mechanical fastener of a modified embodiment according to the present invention.
    [21] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the hook and loop type curable mechanical fastener of the present invention.
    [22] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tongue and groove-type hardenable mechanical fastener of the present invention.
    [23] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a hardenable mechanical fastener wherein the fastening surface includes a plurality of protrusions and recesses.
    [24] 5 is a cross-sectional view of a hardenable mechanical fastener wherein the fastening surface comprises a plurality of tapered elements.
    [25] 6A is a cross-sectional view of the hardenable mechanical fastener produced in the Example description section.
    [26] 6B is a plan view of the hardenable mechanical fastener manufactured in the example description.
    [5] The hardenable mechanical fastener of the present invention may be permanently fastened after being reclosably fastened as needed. This permanent fastener may be useful in applications with stringent strength requirements.
    [6] In general, the hardenable mechanical fastener of the present invention includes a fastening surface containing a hardenable material, which fastening surface can be repeatedly attached to and released from the complementary fastening surface, and is attached to the complementary fastening surface. When cured, the hardenable mechanical fastener can be permanently attached to the complementary fastening surface. The hardenable mechanical fastener may further comprise a complementary fastening surface.
    [7] For example, a multi-part hardenable mechanical fastener includes a first part having a fastening surface and a second part having a complementary fastening surface that complements the fastening surface. At least one of the fastening surface and the complementary fastening surface may be such that when the fastening surface is mechanically attached to the complementary fastening surface, the hardenable mechanical fasteners of the multiple parts can be hardened to provide a permanent fastener. It is at least partially made of a curable material.
    [8] Preferably, the hardenable mechanical fastener is reclosable for at least 1 hour after manufacture. Preferably, the hardenable mechanical fastener is reclosable for at least one month after manufacture. As such, the hardenable mechanical fastener may be repeatedly attached and released for a relatively long time before forming a permanent fastener.
    [9] Preferably, the complementary fastening surfaces contain a curable material. The curable material may contain a single component. For example, in one embodiment, the curable material contains a functional thermoplastic component.
    [10] The curable material may contain one or more components. For example, in another embodiment, the curable material contains a combination of at least one thermosetting component and at least one thermoplastic component. For example, the thermosetting component contains at least one thermosetting component selected from the group of (meth) acrylates, urethanes, vinyl ethers, epoxies, cyanates, esters, phenols, polyimides, amine formaldehyde condensates and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the thermosetting component contains an epoxy.
    [11] The thermoplastic component is polyester, polyolefin, polyamide, polyether, polyurethane, plastic polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic elastomer block copolymer, phenoxy resin, polyketone, silicone, polyetherimide, polycarbonate, polysulfone, polyoxide And at least one thermoplastic material selected from the group of mixtures thereof. Preferably, the thermoplastic component contains polyester, most preferably polyester which is semicrystalline at room temperature.
    [12] A particularly preferred embodiment of the curable material is a two component curable material wherein the thermosetting component comprises epoxy and the thermoplastic component contains polyester.
    [13] The fastening surface can be of any suitable shape. For example, the fastening surface may comprise a plurality of fastening elements coupled to the back plate. The fastening element can also be of any suitable shape. For example, in one embodiment, at least one fastening element is mushroom.
    [14] The fastening surface can be formed using any suitable method. For example, the fastening surface can be formed by a method selected from the group of extruding, melt-blowing, molding and microreplicating.
    [15] Based on the fastening surface and the shape of the complementary fastening surface (ie surface topography), the hardenable mechanical fasteners may be of various kinds. For example, the curable material is a hook and loop mechanical fastener. In another embodiment, the fastening surface comprises a protruding fastening element and the complementary fastening surface comprises a recessed structure.
    [16] The hardenable mechanical fastener can be hardened to provide a hardened mechanical fastener (ie, a permanent fastener). Structural or semi-structural bonds may be formed using the curable mechanical fasteners of the present invention. For example, the hardened mechanical fastener may have an overlap shear strength of at least about 0.07 MPa or even at least about 7 MPa.
    [17] Any suitable curing method can be used to form the permanent fasteners. The method used generally depends on the chemistry of the curable material. Methods of curing curable materials are various and known to those skilled in the art. In one preferred embodiment, the hardenable mechanical fastener is cured using actinic radiation. An optional heating step may be used to further cure the hardenable mechanical fasteners.
    [18] The method of forming a permanent fastener includes providing a hardenable mechanical fastener, attaching the fastening surface to the complementary fastening surface, and curing the mechanical fastener to provide a permanent fastener. It includes. The method may further comprise attaching a curable mechanical fastener to the substrate. For example, a hardenable mechanical fastener can be permanently attached to a substrate. Likewise, a hardenable mechanical fastener with complementary fastening surfaces can be permanently attached to the substrate.
    [27] Preferably, the hardenable mechanical fasteners of the present invention can be converted from "reclosable" hardenable mechanical fasteners to "permanent" fasteners. Fasteners are described herein with reference to the direction of the applied force. For example, the fastener may be "fastened" to a shear force exerted in one direction (eg gravity), but may not be able to withstand shear force exerted in another (eg perpendicular) direction. The component is a fastener suitable for the purpose of the present invention as long as the component is fastened to one direction of the applied force. Preferably, however, the hardenable mechanical fasteners of the present invention remain in a fastened state when a force is applied in any direction.
    [28] A "reclosable" and hardenable mechanical fastener is one that can be easily fastened and released repeatedly without the use of artificial and mechanical aids. That is, reclosable and hardenable mechanical fasteners can be easily fastened and released by the public without the need for artificial and mechanical aids such as machine tools (eg, hammers, crowbars, wrenches, etc.). .
    [29] Preferably, the reclosable and curable mechanical fastener can be engaged and released a number of times. Preferably, the fastener that cannot be fastened and released at least five times to achieve the same fastening strength each time is not structurally integral with the preferred reclosable and curable mechanical fastener of the present invention.
    [30] The reclosability of the mechanical fasteners of the present invention is not severely affected during the shelf life of the materials from which they are made. Preferably, in manufacture, the reclosable and curable mechanical fasteners of the present invention are reworked for at least 1 hour, more generally at least days, weeks or months, until they are cured to provide a permanent fastener. Maintain closure.
    [31] “Permanent” fasteners, in contrast to reclosable and hardenable mechanical fasteners, do not use artificial mechanical, physical, and / or chemical aids and do not destroy the fasteners (ie, substantially the same way of fasteners). Impede reclosing). That is, the general public generally cannot release permanent fasteners without the use of artificial mechanical, physical and / or chemical auxiliary tools (eg, hammers, crowbars, wrenches, solvents and heat, etc.). If the permanent fastener can be released, the fastener must be broken (ie the fastener cannot be fastened in substantially the same way).
    [32] In most cases, permanent fasteners are "semistructural" or "structural" fasteners. A “semistructural” fastener is one having an overlap shear strength of at least about 0.7 MPa. When even higher fastening strength is required or required, the "structural" fasteners of the present invention have an overlap shear strength of at least about 3.5 MPa, more preferably at least about 5 MPa, even more preferably at least about 7 MPa.
    [33] The present invention relates to a hardenable mechanical fastener that can be hardened to provide a permanent fastener. A “curable” mechanical fastener is a material that is substantially insoluble and chemically inert (ie, “curable” material) when exposed to an activation source that crosslinks (ie, cures) the material. It is at least partly manufactured.
    [34] Each hardenable mechanical fastener includes at least one fastening surface. The fastening surface may be fastened to the complementary fastening surface. That is, a "fastening surface" is a portion of a hardenable mechanical fastener that, when joined to provide mechanical attachment, complements another fastening surface mechanically. When present, the "complementary fastening surface" is the portion of the hardenable mechanical fastener that mechanically receives the fastening surface to provide a mechanical attachment. At least one, preferably both, of the fastening surface and the complementary fastening surface are at least partly made of a curable material.
    [35] Fastening surface
    [36] The surface morphology of each fastening surface and complementary fastening surfaces is not critical to the invention and can vary widely. The fastening surface can only be reclosably attached to the complementary fastening surface to provide mechanical attachment prior to hardening of the curable material. Upon curing, the surface form can form a permanent attachment.
    [37] Those skilled in the art of mechanical fasteners know a number of surface configurations. Any suitable surface shape can be used provided the fastening surface can form a reclosable mechanical attachment prior to curing of the curable material. In one embodiment, the fastening surfaces may be substantially identical in terms of surface shape.
    [38] In one embodiment, each mechanical fastener includes a backing having a fastening surface on at least one side. For example, the fastening surface may comprise a plurality of fastening elements coupled to the back plate. Fastening elements of various shapes and sizes are known. For example, the fastening elements may take on hooks, loops, mushrooms, ball on stems, screws, threaded holes, bolts, nuts, zipper tracks, and various other shapes.
    [39] In one embodiment, at least two surfaces (eg, opposite surfaces) of the backplate comprise fastening surfaces. The surface shape of each fastening surface may be similar or different. Each fastening surface may be attached to another fastening surface to provide at least two mechanical attachment points, with at least one mechanical attachment point on each side of the backplate.
    [40] The back plate having a fastening surface may also include complementary fastening surfaces. As such, a single component (ie, a component) may form a mechanical attachment. In general, complementary fastening surfaces are provided as separate components. In this embodiment, at least two separate components are needed to form a mechanical attachment.
    [41] Optionally, the surfaces to be fastened may comprise complementary fastening surfaces. This may be the case, for example, when the fastening surface comprising a plurality of hooks is combined with a fastening fibrous material (eg, burlap, terry cloth or tricot substrate). In this embodiment, the fibrous material to be fastened is a complementary fastening surface.
    [42] Depending on the surface shape of the fastening surface, the hardenable mechanical fastener may be of various kinds. In one embodiment, the surface form of the fastening surface is the surface form of a mechanical fastener of the hook and loop type. Examples of such fasteners include those sold under the trade name VELCRO (Velcro, Inc., Manchester, New Hampshire) and under the trade name SCOTCHMATE (Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, MN). . In this embodiment, the fastening surfaces of the hook and loop mechanical fasteners comprise a plurality of hooks, and the complementary fastening surfaces comprise a plurality of loops.
    [43] Many known surface forms and variations thereof can be used in the curable mechanical fasteners of the present invention. For example, US Pat. No. 5,077,870 to Melbai et al. Discloses a mushroom surface form for use in mechanical fasteners of hook and loop type. As shown in FIG. 1A, each fastening surface 110 (ie, hook strip) of the mechanical fastener includes a flexible backplate 112 of thermoplastic resin, and an upright fastening on one side of the backplate 112. An arrangement of elements 114 (ie hooks) is distributed across at least one side of the backplate 112, each fastening element 114 comprising an upright bag 116 with a mushroom head 118. do. The mushroom fastening surface 110 can be produced, for example, by spraying the resin into the cavity while cooling the cavity of the cylindrical mold by cooling to allow the cooled resin to be molecularly oriented.
    [44] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, a mechanical fastener has a hermaphroditic-type of two pieces of hook strip 110, one serving as a fastening surface and the other serving as a complementary fastening surface. And to form a mechanical fastener. However, in other embodiments, a single hook strip 110 functions as a fastening surface that can be reclosably attached to a fiber or loopable strip that can be penetrated by the fastening element 114 such that the fiber or loopable strips are mutually compatible. It can also function as a complementary engagement surface.
    [45] Additional variants of the mushroom surface morphology are also known. See, for example, US Pat. No. 5,679,302 to Miller et al., Which describes methods for forming mushroom-like surfaces. As shown in FIG. 1B, the bag 116 includes a circular disk-shaped head 120 at the end of the bag 116 opposite the back plate 212. Head 120 may optionally have one of a variety of other shapes, such as square or hexagon.
    [46] A conventional hook and loop type fastening surface configuration is shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the fastening surface 222 and the complementary fastening surface 224 are integrated into a single component. That is, fastening elements 226, 228 comprising respective fastening surfaces 222 and complementary fastening surfaces 224 are coupled to a single backplate 230.
    [47] The dimensions of the hooks and loops on the fastening surfaces of these hardenable mechanical fasteners can also vary widely. The dimensions will not be described in detail herein, since generally methods of making mechanical fasteners are known, and any mechanical fastener configuration can be used in the present invention.
    [48] Many suitable surface forms for complementary fastening surfaces include one fastening surface comprising a protruding fastening element and the complementary fastening surface comprising a recessed structure that serves as the fastening element. Many such forms can provide hardenable mechanical fasteners with fastening surfaces according to the present invention.
    [49] For example, complementary engagement surfaces may have respective tongue and groove shapes. These mechanical fasteners are widely used in the packaging industry and are sold as plastic products under the trade name ZIPLOC (S. C. Johnson Wax, Rassin, Wisconsin, USA). As shown in FIG. 3, tongue-shaped fastening surface 332 may be coupled with grooved fastening surface 334 to provide a hardenable mechanical fastener.
    [50] Reference is made to US Pat. No. 5,657,516 to Bug et al., Which describes other mechanical engagement surface configurations. Two such mechanical fasteners 436 are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, each mechanical fastener 436 has a fastening surface 438 having a series of protrusions 440 protruding from the back plate 442 and a series of recesses 444 therebetween. ). Each protrusion 440 and recess 444 have a textile surface formed of microprotrusions 446 to enhance the mechanical engagement of the complementary fastening surface and the fastening surface 438. The fastening surface 438 of the mechanical fastener 436 may be fastened to a similar fastening surface 438 of the other mechanical fastener 436, or to another suitable complementary fastening surface, as shown in FIG. 4. have. When the two mechanical fasteners shown in Fig. 4 are fastened, one of the fastening surfaces 438 functions as a fastening surface and the other fastening surface 438 functions as a complementary fastening surface. When used in pairs, two separate mechanical fasteners can be considered as a single mechanical fastener.
    [51] In other embodiments, the surface shape of the fastening surface may be similar to that described in US Pat. No. 5,196,266 to Lu et al. Two such mechanical fasteners 548 are shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, each mechanical fastener 548 includes a backplate 550 having a fastening surface 552 with a plurality of tapered fastening elements 554. The fastening surface 552 of each mechanical fastener 548 is fastened to a similar fastening surface 552 of another mechanical fastener 548 as shown in FIG. 5, or to another suitable complementary fastening surface. Can be fastened. When the two mechanical fasteners shown in Fig. 5 are fastened, one of the fastening surfaces 552 functions as a fastening surface and the other fastening surface 552 functions as a complementary fastening surface. When used in pairs, two separate mechanical fasteners 548 may also be considered as a single mechanical fastener.
    [52] Each fastening surface comprising conventional fastening elements is generally formed from a single layer of material. In practice, due to process efficiency, the fastening face and the fastening face are preferably made of one layer of material. Further, for the sake of simplicity, the fastening surface and the complementary fastening surface are preferably made of one layer of material.
    [53] In a further embodiment, the fastening surface may be made of multiple layers in which each layer may contain a different material. In this embodiment, the components and shape of the inner layer are generally not important. Preferably, however, the inner layer must be able to withstand any curing conditions used to transform the curable mechanical fastener into a permanent fastener. However, at least one of the outer or outermost layers of the fastening surface and the complementary fastening surface is at least partly made of a curable material, as described below. In this embodiment, the preferred curing method may be moisture curing or surface activation.
    [54] For example, the inner layer of the fastening surface may be made from conventional materials used to make mechanical fasteners. Such materials contain glass, ceramics, metals, wood, thermoplastics that are not thermosets (eg, polyamides, polyesters, polyolefins or polyvinyl chlorides). However, either the outer or outermost layers are made of a curable material such that the hardenable mechanical fastener can be cured to provide a permanent fastener. The thickness and surface shape of the outer layer should be set such that the desired strength is achieved in permanent fasteners.
    [55] In any case, at least one of the fastening surface and the complementary fastening surface is at least partly made of a curable material. Preferably, each fastening surface is at least partly made of a curable material. Most preferably, each fastening surface is made entirely of curable material. Furthermore, the curable material used for each fastening face need not be the same material, but preferably the same material for simplicity of production and use.
    [56] Curable Materials
    [57] Curable materials according to the present invention cure only upon exposure to an external irritant such as heat radiation, actinic (eg ultraviolet) radiation, moisture (ie humidification hardening), or organic chemicals (eg as in surface activation). Will be. At least one of the fastening surfaces contains a curable material. That is, the curable material is not a simple additive (eg, a curable adhesive) applied as a separate component in a mechanical fastener system when fastening is desired or near the time. Preferably, the curable material is an integral part of the curable mechanical fastener of the present invention.
    [58] The curable material is meltable into the melt at the curing temperature of the material to provide a permanent melt-fused bond that, when cured, melts into the melt. Preferably, however, the curable material also maintains structural integrity upon curing. As such, preferably, melting into the melt is controlled and limited to forming a permanent bond that melts into the melt.
    [59] As used herein, “melt meltable” does not necessarily mean macroscopic melt-flow. In materials meltable into the melt, melt flow may occur only at microscopic levels. The material is sufficiently meltable into the melt, as long as it results in an adhesive bond to the mechanically attached surface.
    [60] Preferably, the curable material is not adhesive before curing. The non-adhesive surface promotes reclosability and helps to minimize the buildup of residue on the fastening surfaces of the hardenable mechanical fasteners.
    [61] The "thermosettable or thermosetting" component is, for example, preferably exposed to heat radiation (exposure to actinic radiation, humidification, or other means) to produce a material that is substantially insoluble (ie, thermoset). Can be cured (ie, cross-linked). Combinations of various curing means may be used (eg, combinations of thermal radiation and actinic radiation, etc.).
    [62] A "thermoplastic" component is one that can be repeatedly melted by heat and cured by cooling. The thermoplastic component may be thermoset. For example, the functional thermoplastic component is a thermoset plastic. Such materials will be further described later.
    [63] Curable materials are generally a combination of a thermoplastic component and a thermosetting component. Preferably, the components of the curable material are compatible. That is, during melt mixing of these components, a substantially homogeneous single-phase system is formed, which proves that no macroscopic phase separation phenomenon is observed visually.
    [64] The curable material of the present invention is thermoset and meltable into a melt regardless of whether it contains one component (eg, a single polymer) or a combination of components (eg, two or more polymers). For example, a functional thermoplastic component that basically contains a single component (ie, a polymer) may be selected to be thermoset and meltable into the melt.
    [65] Functional thermoplastics
    [66] Functional thermoplastic components are known to vary. Most of these components are copolymers. Such copolymers are generally formed by copolymerizing monomers of a first group in which the homopolymer is a thermoplastic component and monomers in a second group in which the homopolymer is a thermosetting component.
    [67] For example, the monomers of the first group include α-olefin monomers (eg ethylene, propylene, octene, etc.), (meth) acrylates (ie methacrylate or acrylate) monomers (eg butyl acrylate, ethyl methacrylate). , Acrylic acid, etc.), vinyl ester monomers (e.g. vinyl acetate and derivatives thereof), vinyl alkyl ethers (e.g. vinyl methyl ether, vinyl ethyl ether, vinyl n-butyl ether, vinyl 2-chloroethyl ether, vinyl isobutyl ether , Vinyl phenyl ether and vinyl 2-ethylhexyl ether), vinyl ethers of substituted aliphatic alcohols (such as 1,4-di (edenoxy) butane and vinyl 4-hydroxybutyl ether), N-vinyl compounds (such as , Vinyl monomers such as N-vinyl-N-methyl octanesulfonamide and N-vinylpyrrolidone) and combinations thereof. A description of vinyl monomers and their use in the preparation of polymers is available in Schilchnecht's "Vinyl and Related Polymers" published in 1952 by John Willy & Sons, Inc., New York City, USA. It is described in.
    [68] The monomers of the second group include monomers copolymerizable with the monomers of the first group, such as glycidyl acrylate, allyl glycidyl ether, 2-isocyanatoethyl acrylate and combinations thereof.
    [69] Other functional thermoplastic components include those in which the moiety having thermosetting functional groups in the thermoplastic polymer chain is bonded at the ends. The moiety having thermosetting functional groups may optionally be present as pendant functional groups along the main polymer chain.
    [70] US Pat. No. 4,356,050 describes functional thermoplastic compounds containing epoxy-siloxane polymers, epoxy-polyurethanes and epoxy-polyesters. See also US Pat. Nos. 4,287,113, 5,332,783, 5,366,846, 5,837,749 and 5,723,191 for further description of functional thermoplastic components.
    [71] The functional thermoplastic component may also be prepared by functionalization of a polymer, such as an acrylic acid copolymer, reacted with a multifunctional epoxy resin to provide a thermoplastic component having an epoxy-functional group, for example.
    [72] Thermosetting components
    [73] Any suitable thermosetting component can be used. For example, (meth) acrylates, epoxies, urethanes, and cyanates (e.g., the "blocked" jets described on pages 73-99 of the advanced volume 3 of organic coatings published in 1975. Isocyanates comprising blocked isocyanates such as isocyanate groups blocked with oximes or phenols, esters (eg cyanate esters), ethers (eg vinyl ethers), amine formaldehyde condensation according to the procedure of "Blocked Isocyanates" Water, phenol and polyimide chemical components and mixtures thereof may be provided as thermosetting components.
    [74] In particular, an epoxy containing thermosetting component is preferable. Useful epoxy containing materials include epoxy resins having at least one oxirane ring that is polymerizable by a ring opening reaction. Such materials, commonly called epoxides, include monomeric and polymeric epoxides, which may be aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic. This material has on average at least two epoxy groups per molecule (preferably two or more epoxy groups per molecule). The "average" of epoxy groups per molecule is defined as the number of epoxy groups in the material containing epoxy divided by the total number of epoxy molecules. Polymer epoxides include linear polymers having terminal epoxy groups (eg, diglycidyl ethers of polyoxyalkylene glycols), polymers having skeletal oxirane units (eg, polybutadiene polyepoxides) and pendant epoxy groups Polymers (eg, glycidyl methacrylate polymers or copolymers). The molecular weight of the material containing the epoxy may be from about 58 to about 100,000 or more. Mixtures of various epoxy containing materials may be used.
    [75] Particularly useful epoxy containing materials include 3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl-3,4-epoxycyclohexanecarboxylate, 3,4-epoxy-2-methylcyclohexylmethyl-3,4-epoxy-2-methylcyclo And those containing cyclohexene oxide groups such as epoxycyclohexanecarboxylate represented by hexanecarboxylate and bis (3,4-epoxy-6-methylcyclohexylmethyl) adipate. For a detailed list of useful epoxides of this nature, see US Pat. No. 3,117,099.
    [76] Particularly useful additional epoxy containing materials are those obtained by reacting polyhydric phenols with excess chlorohydrin such as epichlorohydrin (e.g. 2,2-bis- (2,3-epoxypropoxyphenol) propane). Glycidyl ether monomers such as glycidyl ether of polyhydric phenol, which may be used. Further examples of epoxides of this kind are described in US Pat. No. 3,018,262. Other useful glycidyl ether based epoxy containing materials are described in US Pat. No. 5,407,978.
    [77] There are many commercial epoxy containing materials that can be used. In particular, readily obtainable epoxides include the following chemicals: octadecylene oxide; Epichlorohydrin; Styrene oxide; Vinylchlorohexene oxide; Glycidol; Glycidyl methacrylate; Diglycidyl ethers of bisphenol A (e.g. EPON SU-8, EPON SU-2.5, EPON 828, EPON 1004F and EPON 1001F from Shell Chemical Company, Houston, TX; Dow Chemical Campa, Midland, Michigan, USA) Knee DER-332 and DER-334); Diglycidyl ether of bisphenol F (eg, ARALDITE GY281 from Ciba-Geigy Corporation, Asley, NY); Vinylcyclohexene dioxide (eg, ERL 4206 from Union Carbide Corporation, Danbury, Conn.); 3,4-epoxycyclohexylmethyl-3,4-epoxycyclohexene carboxylate (eg, ERL-4221 from Union Carbide Corporation); 2- (3,4-epoxycyclohexyl-5,5-spiro-3,4-epoxy) cyclohexane-methdioxane (eg, ERL-4299 from Union Carbide Corporation); Dipentene dioxide (eg, ERL-4269 from Union Carbide Corporation); Epoxidized polybutadiene (eg, OXIRON 2001 of FMC Corporation, Chicago, Illinois); Epoxysilanes (eg, β- (3,4-epoxycyclohexyl) ethyltrimethoxysilane and γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane of Union Carbide Corporation); Flame retardant epoxy (eg DER-542, a brominated bisphenol type epoxy resin from Dow Chemical Company), 1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether (eg, ARALDITE RD-2 from Ciba-Geigy Corporation); Hydrotreated bisphenol A-epichlorohydrin-based epoxy (eg EPONEX 1510 from Shell Chemical Company) and polyglycidyl ethers of phenolformaldehyde novolac (eg DEN-431 and DEN-438 from Dow Chemical Company) Included.
    [78] Other thermosetting components useful for curable materials include, for example, urethane based components. Such components may also be derived from one or more polyisocyanates such as 4,4'-diphenylmethylene diisocyanate, toluene diisocyanate, isophorone diisocyanate or hexamethylene diisocyanate, or derivatives thereof.
    [79] Thermoplastic components
    [80] Any suitable thermoplastic component can be used. Preferably, the thermoplastic component used in the curable material is provided as a substantially homogeneous single phase material that does not contain dispersed phases such as crosslinked particles. In addition, the thermoplastic component selected for the curable material is preferably by a softening temperature (ring and ball softening test) higher than the service temperature of the final structure in which the hardenable mechanical fastener is incorporated. When measured). The use temperature of the final structure refers to the highest temperature at which the final structure is expected to be exposed to normal conditions of use.
    [81] Suitable thermoplastic components include polyester (eg polycaprolactone), thermoplastic elastomer block copolymers (eg styrene-acrylonitrile-, styrene-butadiene-acrylonitrile-, styrene-butadiene- or styrene-isoprene-based blocks). Copolymers), phenoxy resins, polyurethanes, polyketones (e.g. poly (ether) ketones), polyolefins (e.g. polypropylene and polypropylene-polyethylene copolymers), silicones, plastic polyvinyl chlorides, polyetherimides, poly Carbonates, polysulfones, polyoxides, polyamides and mixtures thereof.
    [82] Particularly preferred thermoplastic components are polyester components. The polyester component may also contain other functional groups. Other functional groups that may be present in the polyester component include, for example, -NH-, -CONH-, -NH 2 , -SH, anhydride, urethane and oxirane groups.
    [83] Particularly preferred polyesters are solid at room temperature. In addition, the polyester component preferably has an average molecular weight of about 7,500 to about 200,000, more preferably about 10,000 to about 50,000, most preferably about 15,000 to about 30,000.
    [84] Preferred polyester components are polyesters having hydroxyl end groups and carboxyl end groups which may be amorphous or semicrystalline, preferably semicrystalline at room temperature. Polymers that are “quasicrystalline” exhibit a crystalline melting point, preferably a maximum melting point of about 200 ° C., as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In addition, the crystallinity of the polymer is observed as clouding or opacifying upon cooling of the sheet heated to an amorphous state. When the polymer is heated to the molten state and coated with a knife on the liner to form a sheet, it is observed that the crystalline state of the polymer is amorphous and the sheet is transparent and substantially light transmissive. As the polymer of the sheet material cools, crystalline regions are formed, which crystallization is characterized by the blurring of the sheet into a translucent or opaque state. The crystallinity may be varied in the polymer by mixing in compatible combinations of amorphous and semicrystalline polymers having various crystallinities. The blurring of the sheet provides a convenient non-destructive method of determining that crystallization has occurred to some extent in the polymer.
    [85] Various polyesters (e.g. poly (butylene terephthalate), poly (ethylene terephthalate), poly (ethylene sebacate), poly (decamethylene adipate), poly (decamethylene sebacate), poly (pivalolone) , Poly (α, α-dimethylpropiolactone), poly (α, α-diethyl-β-propiolactone), poly (para-hydroxybenzoate), poly (caprolactone), poly (ethylene oxy Benzoate) and poly (6-azabicyclo [2.2.2] octane-5-one)) can be used as the thermoplastic component of the present invention.
    [86] Particularly useful polyester components of the present invention include reactants of dicarboxylic acids (or their diester equivalents including anhydrides) and diols. Dibasic acids (or diester equivalents) are saturated aliphatic containing from about 4 to about 12 carbon atoms (including branch materials, branchless materials or ring materials having 5 to 6 carbon atoms in the ring) Dibasic acids and / or aromatic dibasic acids containing from about 8 to about 15 carbon atoms.
    [87] Examples of suitable aliphatic dibasic acids include succinic acid; Glutaric acid; Adipic acid; Pimelic acid; Azelaic acid; Sebacic acid; 1,12-dodecanedioic acid; 1,4-cyclohesan dicarboxylic acid; 1,3-cyclopentanedicarboxylic acid; 2-methylsuccinic acid; 2-methylpentanedioic acid; 3-methylhexanedioic acid and the like. Suitable aromatic dibasic acids include terephthalic acid; Isophthalic acid; Phthalic acid; 4,4'-benzophenonedicarboxylic acid; 4-4'-diphenylmethanedicarboxylic acid; 4-4'-diphenylthioetherdicarboxylic acid; 4-4'-diphenylamine dicarboxylic acid and the like. Preferably, the structure between the two carboxyl groups of this dibasic acid contains only carbon and hydrogen. More preferably, the structure between two carboxyl groups of dibasic acid is a phenylene group. Mixtures of these dibasic acids may be used.
    [88] Diols include branched aliphatic diols, branched aliphatic diols and cyclic aliphatic diols having about 2 to about 12 carbon atoms. Examples of suitable diols include ethylene glycol; 1,3-propylene glycol; 1,2-propylene glycol; 1,4-butanediol; 1,3-butanediol; 1,5-pentanediol; 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol; 1,6-hexanediol;
    [89] Cyclobutane-1,3-di (2'-ethanol); Cyclohexane-1,4-dimethanol; 1,10-decanediol; 1,12-dodecanediol and neopentyl glycol. Long chain diols may also be used in which the alkylene group contains poly (oxyalkylene) glycols containing about 2 to about 9 carbon atoms, preferably about 2 to about 4 carbon atoms. Mixtures of these diols may be used.
    [90] Useful commercially available hydroxyl end group polyester materials include various saturations of Clinova, Inc. Linear quasi-crystalline copolyesters. Useful saturated linear amorphous copolyesters of Clinova, Inc. include those sold under the trade names DYNAPOL S1313 and DYNAPOL S1430.
    [91] The curable material preferably comprises a mixture of an epoxy based thermosetting component and a thermoplastic component, most preferably a polyester based thermoplastic component. In general, the components of this combination provide components that are thermoset and compatible with the meltable material. Examples of such mixtures are described, for example, in PCT International Publication No. WO96 / 32453 to Johnson et al., Entitled "Melt-Flowable Materials and Method of Sealing Surface". have.
    [92] Also, for a discussion of the curable materials of epoxy-ethylene vinyl acetate, a U.S. patent filed May 1, 1998 entitled "Epoxy / Thermoplastic Photocurable Adhesive Composition" as the name of the invention. See Application 09 / 070,971 and US Patent Application No. 09 / 071,267, filed May 1, 1998, entitled "Energy Cured Sealant Composition".
    [93] Other useful two-component curable materials include epoxy- (meth) acrylate combinations as described, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,086,088 to Kitano et al. Epoxy- (meth) acrylate combinations are preferably (i) prepolymers (ie, partially polymerized into viscous syrups typically having a Brookfield viscosity between about 100 and 10,000 centipoise), or acrylic or methacryl Monomeric syrup of an acid ester, (ii) optionally a photopolymerization product comprising a reinforcing comonomer, (i) an epoxy resin, (i) a photoinitiator, and (i) a curing agent for epoxy that is activated by heat. . Suitable epoxy resins include those described above. Suitable curing agents and photoinitiators that are thermally activated are known to those skilled in the art and are further described below.
    [94] Other two-component curable materials are mixed with ethylene / acrylic acid or thermoplastic elastomers, such as block polymers of arylene materials (eg styrene) and elastomeric materials (eg isoprene, butadiene and their counterparts saturated therewith) Epoxy resins are included. Other examples include a combination of (meth) acrylate and other thermosetting resins such as urethane resins and phenol resins. Other classes of useful curable materials include mixtures of ethylene vinyl acetate and elastomers such as polybutadiene rubber. Commercial examples of such ingredients include those sold under the trade names L-3034 (L & L Products, Romeo, Mich.) And ORBSEAL 124.5 (Obseal, Inc., Excelsior Springs, Mo.).
    [95] In a multicomponent curable material, the curable material typically comprises from about 0.01 to about 95 parts by weight of the thermosetting component and correspondingly from about 99.99 to about 5 parts by weight of the thermoplastic component with a total weight of 100 parts by weight of the curable material. . More preferably, the curable material comprises about 0.1 to about 80 parts by weight of the thermosetting component and the corresponding about 99.9 to about 20 parts by weight of the thermoplastic component with a total weight of the curable material at 100 parts by weight. Most preferably, the curable material comprises about 0.5 to about 60 parts by weight of the thermosetting component and correspondingly about 99.5 to about 40 parts by weight of the thermoplastic component with a total weight of the curable material at 100 parts by weight.
    [96] Increasing the amount of thermosetting component relative to the thermoplastic component, the curable material generally has high final strength and heat resistance, but has low flexibility and viscosity. Increasing the amount of thermoplastic component, the curable material has low final strength and heat resistance, but high flexibility and viscosity. As such, the relative amounts of these components are balanced according to the properties present in the curable material and the mechanical fasteners made therefrom.
    [97] additive
    [98] In addition to the thermoplastic and thermosetting components (or functional thermoplastic components), the curable material may contain other components. For example, the curable material may include nucleaing agents, curatives, accelerators, rheological modifiers (eg, thixotropic agents). In addition, a component containing an optional hydroxyl group may be contained in the curable material. Such materials are useful for adjusting the flexibility of the components.
    [99] When using a semicrystalline thermoplastic material, a nucleating agent may be added to adjust the process time of the curable material by adjusting the crystallization rate at a predetermined temperature. Useful nucleating agents include microcrystalline waxes. Suitable waxes are sold under the trade name UNILIN 700 of Petroleum Corporation, St. Louis, Missouri.
    [100] If necessary, a curing agent may be added to perform curing of the thermosetting or functional thermoplastic component. The type of curing agent added depends on the curing method and the chemical nature of the thermosetting or functional thermoplastic component. For example, the curable material can be cured using actinic radiation, electron beam radiation, or thermal radiation. Preferably, the curable material is cured using actinic radiation.
    [101] Useful curing agents activated by actinic radiation include aromatic iodonium complex salts, aromatic sulfonium complex salts and metallocene salts and are described, for example, in US Pat. No. 5,089,536 to Palazzoto. As described in Willett's US Pat. No. 5,252,694, peroxides and oxalate esters can be used with metallocene salts to increase the rate of cure. Useful commercial hardeners activated by actinic radiation include the trade name FX-512 (aromatic sulfonium complexes from Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn.), CD-1010 (Sartomer, Exton, Pa.) Aromatic Sulfonium Complexes of Corporation), CD-1012 (Aromatic Sulfonium Complexes of Sartomer Corporation), UVI-6974 (Aromatic Sulfonium Complexes of Union Carbide Corporation, Danbury, Connecticut) and IRGACURE 261 (New York, USA) Metallocene complex salts of Ciba-Geigy Corporation, Asley.
    [102] For example, a photosensitizer may be included to improve the efficiency of the curing agent activated by actinic radiation and / or to adjust the wavelength of photoactivity. Examples of photosensitizers include pyrene, fluoroanthrene, benzyl, chrysene, p-terphenyl, acenaphthene, phenanthrene, biphenyl and camphorquinone.
    [103] Various curing agents that are thermally activated may also be used. For example, thermally activated hardeners include amine-, amide-, Lewis acid complex- and anhydride-like materials. Preferred curing agents include dicyandiamide, imidazole and polyamine salts. These are sold under the trade names OMICURE (Aceto Corporation, New Hyde Park, NY), AJICURE (Ajinomoto Chemical, Teaneck, NJ), and CUREZOL (Air Products Company, Allentown, PA). .
    [104] If used, preferably, the thermally activated curing agent does not activate curing during the manufacture of the curable mechanical fastener. As such, the heat activated curable curing agent should be selected such that the curable material does not cure at temperatures below the temperature used to make the curable mechanical fasteners. Thus, the curing temperature is preferably at least about 120 ° C, more preferably at least about 150 ° C, most preferably at least about 170 ° C.
    [105] Accelerators may be added to the cured material to more fully cure the material at low temperatures or to shorten the cure time of the curable material when exposed to heat. For example, imidazole is a useful promoter, for example 2,4-diamino-6- (2'-methylimidazoyl) -ethyl-s-triazine isocyanurate, 2-phenyl-4-benzyl- 5-hydroxymethylimidazole and Ni-imidazole-phthalate.
    [106] One or more thixotropic agents may be used in an effective amount (ie, the amount necessary to achieve the desired rheology of the curable material during the melt melting phase of the curing). Generally, if used, the total amount of thixotropic agent is 20% by weight or less, preferably 10% by weight or less, more preferably 5% by weight or less, most preferably about 3 to 5, based on the total weight of the curable material Range by weight.
    [107] Suitable thixotropic agents do not substantially interfere with curing in the case of thermosetting components and cause degradation of the components in the case of other components. Representative examples of thixotropic agents include particulate fillers, beads (such as may be formed of glass, ceramic or polymer species), bubbles (such as may be formed of glass, ceramic or polymer species), modified fibers and combinations thereof This includes. Suitable particulate fillers include, for example, hydrophobic and hydrophilic silica, calcium carbonate, titania, bentonite, clay, and combinations thereof. Suitable fibers include polymeric fibers (eg aromatic polyamide, polyethylene, polyester and polyimide fibers), glass fibers, carbon fibers, and ceramic fibers (eg boron fibers).
    [108] Other materials that can be incorporated into the curable material include, for example, stabilizers, antioxidants, plasticizers, tackifiers, adhesion promoters (eg, silanes, glycidyl methacrylates and titanates), colorants, pigments. pigments, polymerization additives (eg, polyacetals, reinforcing copolymers and polycaprolactone diols), and the like.
    [109] The curable material is a suitable container, preferably chemical, at a high temperature sufficient to soften the components so that they can be efficiently mixed by stirring until the components are thoroughly melt-blended without thermally degrading the quality of the materials. It is prepared by mixing the various components in a container that is not permeable to radiation. The components may be added simultaneously or sequentially, although it is preferable to first mix the thermosetting component and the thermoplastic component and then add an additive such as a curing agent.
    [110] The curable material may be formed into the fastening surface by any suitable method. For example, the curable material may be melt-blowed, molded (eg, injection molded), extruded or finely replicated into the desired shape to provide a fastening surface of the curable mechanical fastener of the present invention. Any suitable method or variant method described above may be used. The method of producing the fastening surface may depend on the desired surface shape of the fastening surface.
    [111] When a hardenable mechanical fastener is formed by molding, a mold is preferably used that is at least partially water soluble for ease of removal after the hardenable mechanical fastener is formed. Water soluble molds are known to those skilled in the art and include, for example, those described in US Pat. No. 5,242,646 to PCT International Publication No. WO 95 / 07,170 and Torigo et al.
    [112] Depending on the number of fastening elements comprising each surface, the backplate may not necessarily be necessary. Preferably, however, at least one of the fastening surfaces comprises a plurality of fastening elements coupled to the backplate.
    [113] Backplane
    [114] Any suitable backplate may be used. The backplate is typically chosen to provide the strength and flexibility needed for the required application. Preferably, the backplate has sufficient strength so as not to be severely broken when releasing the closureable and curable mechanical fastener prior to curing.
    [115] The type of back plate selected may depend on the shape of the fastening surface. For example, when molded mushroom fasteners are used, the backplate may be made of thermoplastic resin.
    [116] Usually, for a preferred combination of flexibility and strength, the backplate preferably has a thickness of about 50 μm to about 1 mm, more preferably about 130 μm to about 0.5 mm.
    [117] Bonding of hardenable mechanical fasteners to the substrate
    [118] The fastening surface or backplate, if present, is typically attached to the substrate to be fastened. The fastening surface or back plate may be attached to the substrate using any suitable attachment means. For example, the fastening surface or backplate may be mechanically attached to the substrate permanently (eg, by using the curable mechanical fastener of the present invention) or releasably. Optionally, the fastening surface or backplate may be chemically attached to the substrate.
    [119] When permanently attaching the fastening surface or backplane to the substrate, for example bolted, heat sealed (e.g. insulating heat sealed), riveted, sawed, staple bonded ( It may be permanently attached to the substrate by stapled, welded (eg, ultrasonic welding) or other methods.
    [120] When chemically attaching the fastening surface or back plate to the substrate, for example, it may be coated with adhesive and then attached to the substrate. Another example of chemical attachment is by heat or solvent activation.
    [121] Any suitable adhesive may be used. Many suitable adhesives include pressure sensitive adhesives and structural adhesives. Preferably, when an adhesive is used, the bonding by the adhesive has a strength greater than the bonding strength by the permanent fastener. One specific adhesive that may provide structural bonding to a variety of surfaces is sold under the trade name VHB tape of the Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn. Another adhesive that may be used includes 3M STRUCTURAL BONDING TAPE 9245 from Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA.
    [122] Board
    [123] The substrate can be any kind of material or object, the exact nature of which depends on the application. The surface to be fastened may be made of the same material or may be made of a different material. For example, a fastening surface that includes a plurality of hooks made of thermoplastic resin can be removably attached to a complementary fastening surface that includes a plurality of loops made of various materials. For example, a fibrous material such as coarse burlap, terry fabric, or tricot may be mechanically coupled with a mechanical fastener comprising a fastening surface comprising a plurality of hooks.
    [124] Hardening
    [125] The hardenable mechanical fastener can be hardened to provide a permanent fastener as needed. For example, a hardenable mechanical fastener may be repeatedly attached and released to find the best attachment location and then hardened to provide permanent attachment. Curing conditions depend on the chemical composition employed and are known to those skilled in the art. Any suitable curing method can be used. For example, thermal radiation or actinic radiation may be used to cure the curable material.
    [126] Preferably, the cured mechanical fastener has structural integrity (ie preferably the initial surface form is basically present on the fastening surface of the present invention after curing) and the molten bond into a permanent melt. In one embodiment, the melt melted bond provides a fastener with structural or semi-structural strength.
    [127] The hardenable mechanical fasteners described herein are implemented in the following examples. These embodiments are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. All parts, percentages, ratios, etc. in the above examples and the rest of the specification are by weight unless otherwise indicated.
    [128] Example
    [129] Example 1
    [130] This example illustrates the preparation of a curable thermoplastic component suitable for making with a curable mechanical fastener.
    [131] Pellets weigh 70 in a six-zone 53-milimeter twin-screw extruder (Warner & Fliderer, Ramsey, NJ) with six zones of WERNER & PFLIEDERER operating at a screw speed of 85 rpm. Negative hydroxyl-functional semicrystalline polyester (containing 50 wt% butanediol, 23 wt% terephthalic acid and 27 wt% sebacic acid, melting point of 116 ° C., glass transition temperature of −40 ° C. and Obtained with DYNAPOL X1158 from Clinova, Inc., Somerset, NJ, with a melt flow rate of 250 g / 10 min at 160 ° C .; 28 parts by weight of bisphenol A having an aliphatic epoxy resin at its end as described in Example 1 of US Pat. No. 5,407,978 to Bimark et al .; 1 part by weight of UNILIN 700 microcrystalline wax (Petrolite Corporation, St. Louis, MO); And 1 part by weight of Cp (xylenes) Fe + SbF 6 - catalyst powder (Cp = cyclopentadiene as the diene, or disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,089,536 No. of Palazzo jjotto (eta 6-xylene) (eta 5-cyclopentadienyl Iron (1+) hexafluoroantimonate)). Zones 1 and 2 are not heated and the remaining zones are heated up to 88 ° C. The extrudate formed therefrom is cooled in a 3 m water bath at 10 ° C. and then dried to ambient temperature using pressurized air and then formed into pellets.
    [132] Example 2
    [133] The pellet is dried overnight at 49 ° C. in a convection oven. After drying, the pellet is at least partially water soluble and a fastening surface 658 (shown in FIG. 6B) as shown in FIG. 6A using a multi-part mold similar to that described in US Pat. No. 5,242,646 to Torigo et al. Are injection molded into mechanical fasteners 656. The mold is dissolved from the hardenable mechanical fastener 656 by placing the assembly in a water bath for 3 days at room temperature and then dried for several hours at 49 ° C. in a convection oven.
    [134] After molding, the hardenable fastener 656 is stored in a black (no light) plastic bag until used unless otherwise specified. The hardenable mechanical fastener 656 includes a flange 660 coupled to the rear side of the backplate 662 from which the plurality of fastening elements 664 protrude. Each fastening element includes a bag 666 with a mushroom head 668. Flange 660 includes side clips 670 that form a mechanical bond to the substrate.
    [135] Example 3
    [136] This embodiment describes the curing conditions for the structure of the hardenable mechanical fastener 656 used in Examples 4-8. The structure of the hardenable fastener 656 allows two super diazo bulbs of super diazo blue light (Philips B. V. model TLD15W / 03, Netherlands, at a distance of 15 cm for a specified time). UVP, Inc. in San Gabriel, California, USA, using a black light lamp with model number XX-15L. If it is a B-step, the structure is placed in a convection oven and heated to about 71 ° C. for about 10 to 15 hours.
    [137] After exposure to super diazo blue light, the sample is placed in a convection oven at a tilt angle of 45 ° from the horizontal and heated to about 177 ° C. for 30 minutes unless otherwise noted.
    [138] Example 4
    [139] The hardenable mechanical fastener 656, prepared as in Example 2, presses the flexible flange 660 of the hardenable mechanical fastener 656 through the 0.8 cm hole of the e-coated panel. To an e-coated panel (Advanced Coating Technologies, Inc. trade name ED 5100, Hillsdale, Mich.). When inserted through the hole, the side clip 670 of the flexible flange 660 is inflated to lock the mechanical fastener 656, which is curable by mechanical engagement, in a predetermined position.
    [140] The fastening surface of the mushroom bag of the second hardenable mechanical fastener (having the same shape and composition as the first hardenable mechanical fastener) is the fastening surface of the mushroom bag of the first hardenable mechanical fastener 656 ( 658) with some obvious damage but is easily removed (reattached) by hand. Upon curing (using 10 minutes of exposure to the light source described in Example 3 and without a B-step), the two curable mechanical fasteners are melted into the melt on the e-coated panel and to each other to form a permanent fastener. do. Permanent fasteners will not be removable by hand.
    [141] Example 5
    [142] The flexible flange 670 is removed from the hardenable mechanical fastener manufactured as in Example 2, as shown in FIG. 6A, such that the backside of the backplate 662 is a flat surface. An adhesive tape (trade name 3M STRUCTURAL BONDING TAPE 9245 from Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn.) Is laminated to the flat surface of the backplate 662.
    [143] The assembly is attached to a 2.5 cm × 10 cm etched aluminum panel (Hiwada Panel & Name Plate Company, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn.) So that the adhesive tape layer abuts and contacts the aluminum panel.
    [144] The fastening surface of the mushroom sack of the second hardenable mechanical fastener (having the same shape and composition as prepared in Example 2) is coupled to the fastening surface of the mushroom sack of the first hardenable mechanical fastener. The second hardenable mechanical fastener is easily removable from the first hardenable mechanical fastener and can be reattached by hand, although there is some obvious damage.
    [145] The assembly is then cured by exposure to a light source described in Example 3 (for 1 hour on each exposure side) and further cured in a convection oven at 60 ° angle from horizontal. After curing, the adhesive tape is firmly bonded to aluminum. The joined mechanical fasteners, now permanent and mechanical fasteners, melt by sliding approximately 0.6 cm along the adhesive tape layer. Permanent fasteners will not be removable by hand.
    [146] Example 6
    [147] The flexible flange 660 is removed from the hardenable mechanical fastener 656 manufactured as in Example 2, such that the backside of the backplate 662 is a flat surface. Adhesive tape (trade name 3M STRUCTURAL BONDING TAPE 9245 from Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn.) Is now laminated to a flat surface. The assembly is attached to an etched aluminum panel of 2.5 cm x 10 cm so that the adhesive tape layer abuts and contacts the aluminum panel.
    [148] Conventional mechanical fasteners of mushroom sacks (trade name DUAL LOCK, Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn.) Are coupled to the fastening surfaces of the mushroom sacks of hardenable mechanical fasteners. Conventional mechanical fasteners are easily removable from the hardenable mechanical fasteners and can be reattached by hand with some obvious damage.
    [149] The assembly is then cured as described in Example 3 (exposed to super diazo light for 1 hour on each exposed side). After curing, the adhesive tape layer is firmly bonded to the aluminum panel. The hardenable mechanical fasteners, ie the hardened fasteners to form permanent and mechanical fasteners now melt slightly, but retain their basic shape. Conventional mechanical fasteners melt completely during curing and lose their shape.
    [150] Example 7
    [151] The flexible flange 660 is removed from the hardenable mechanical fastener 656 manufactured as in Example 2, such that the backside of the backplate 662 is a flat surface. Adhesive tape (trade name 3M STRUCTURAL BONDING TAPE 9245 from Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn.) Is now laminated to a flat surface. The assembly is attached to an etched aluminum panel of 2.5 cm x 10 cm so that the adhesive tape layer abuts and contacts the aluminum panel.
    [152] Loopable tape (with the looped portion of the SCOTCH and HOOK AND LOOP from Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn., And a loop of fibers protruding from the backplate layer) is a hardened mechanical fastener ( 656 is coupled to the fastening surface 658. The looped tape is easily removable from the hardenable mechanical fastener and can be reattached by hand with some obvious damage.
    [153] The assembly is then cured as described in Example 3 (exposed to super diazo light for 1 hour on each exposed side). No movement of the mechanical fasteners is observed during curing. After curing, the adhesive tape is firmly bonded to the aluminum panel. Hardened mechanical fasteners are now permanently attached to the looped tape (i.e. they will not be easily removable without breaking the looped tape and breaking the mechanical fasteners).
    [154] Example 8
    [155] Standard adhesive on the back side of the looped tape was removed using solvent and replaced with adhesive tape (3M STRUCTURAL BONDING TAPE 9245, available from Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company, St. Paul, Minn.) Example 7 is repeated. 1.5 g of steel disk are laminated to an adhesive tape attached to the looped material.
    [156] The laminated looped material is bonded to the fastening surface of the hardenable mechanical fastener. The laminated looped material is easily removable from the hardenable mechanical fasteners and can be reattached by hand with some obvious damage.
    [157] The assembly is then cured as described in Example 3 (exposed to super diazo light for 1 hour on each exposed side). No movement of the mechanical fasteners is observed during curing. After curing, each adhesive tape layer is firmly bonded to each metal substrate, and the fully bonded assembly will not be removable by hand.
    [158] Example 9
    [159] Two aluminum rods (2.5 cm diameter × 5.1 cm length) were subjected to FPL acid (Wisconsin, US) by etching including immersion in sulfuric acid / chromic acid bath followed by washing and drying, similar to the method described in US Pat. No. 5,677,376. (Which can be performed using FPL acid from Forest Products Laboratories, Madison, USA). At one end of each rod is attached a hardenable mechanical fastener prepared as in Example 2.
    [160] An adhesive tape is laminated to the back side of the hardenable mechanical fastener to contact the aluminum rod as described in Example 8. The hardenable mechanical fastener is exposed to the super diazo blue light described in Example 3 for 30 minutes per side without post baking.
    [161] The rod is joined through a hardenable mechanical fastener, placed in a tensile tester and separated at a speed of 5.1 cm per minute. The force required to separate the two hardenable mechanical fasteners is approximately 1 ± 0.1 kg. The assembly is then placed in an oven to provide a permanent fastener and cured at 177 ° C. for 30 minutes. Separation force is remeasured. The force required to separate the two assemblies is 46 kg. The failure mode is cohesive.
    [162] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many other variations of the invention described above are possible and are not described herein. However, this is not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.
    权利要求:
    Claims (26)
    [1" claim-type="Currently amended] A fastening surface containing a hardenable material, the fastening surface being repeatedly attached to and released from the complementary fastening surface and permanently attached to the complementary fastening surface when attached and cured to the complementary fastening surface. Hardenable mechanical fasteners, characterized in that can be attached to.
    [2" claim-type="Currently amended] The hardenable mechanical fastener of claim 1 wherein the hardenable mechanical fastener is reclosable for at least one hour after manufacture.
    [3" claim-type="Currently amended] The hardenable mechanical fastener of claim 1 wherein the hardenable mechanical fastener is reclosable for at least one month after manufacture.
    [4" claim-type="Currently amended] The hardenable mechanical fastener of claim 1 wherein the complementary fastening surfaces contain a hardenable material.
    [5" claim-type="Currently amended] 2. The curable mechanical fastener of claim 1 wherein the curable material contains a functional thermoplastic component.
    [6" claim-type="Currently amended] The hardenable mechanical fastener of claim 1 wherein the curable material contains a combination of at least one thermosetting component and at least one thermoplastic component.
    [7" claim-type="Currently amended] The thermosetting component according to claim 6, wherein the thermosetting component comprises at least one thermosetting component selected from the group of (meth) acrylates, urethanes, ethers, epoxies, cyanates, esters, phenols, polyimides, amine formaldehyde condensates and mixtures thereof. Hardenable mechanical fasteners, characterized in that it contains.
    [8" claim-type="Currently amended] The hardenable mechanical fastener of claim 6 wherein the thermosetting component contains an epoxy.
    [9" claim-type="Currently amended] The thermoplastic component of claim 6 wherein the thermoplastic component is polyester, polyolefin, polyamide, polyether, polyurethane, plastic polyvinyl chloride, thermoplastic elastomer block copolymer, phenoxy resin, polyketone, silicone, polyetherimide, polycarbonate And at least one thermoplastic material selected from the group of polysulfones, polyoxides, and mixtures thereof.
    [10" claim-type="Currently amended] The hardenable mechanical fastener of claim 6 wherein the thermoplastic component contains polyester.
    [11" claim-type="Currently amended] The hardenable mechanical fastener of claim 10 wherein the polyester is semicrystalline at room temperature.
    [12" claim-type="Currently amended] The hardenable mechanical fastener of claim 6 wherein the thermosetting component contains an epoxy and the thermoplastic component contains a polyester.
    [13" claim-type="Currently amended] The hardenable mechanical fastener of claim 1 wherein the fastening surface comprises a plurality of fastening elements coupled to the backplate.
    [14" claim-type="Currently amended] The hardenable mechanical fastener of claim 13 wherein the at least one fastening element is mushroom shaped.
    [15" claim-type="Currently amended] The hardenable mechanical fastener of claim 1 further comprising a complementary fastening surface.
    [16" claim-type="Currently amended] 2. The hardenable mechanical fastener of claim 1 wherein the hardenable mechanical fastener is a hook and loop type mechanical fastener.
    [17" claim-type="Currently amended] The hardenable mechanical fastener of claim 1 wherein the fastening surface comprises a projecting fastening element and the complementary fastening surface comprises a recessed structure.
    [18" claim-type="Currently amended] The hardenable mechanical fastener of claim 1 wherein the fastening surface is formed by a method selected from the group of extrusion, melt-blowing, molding and fine replication.
    [19" claim-type="Currently amended] Mechanical fasteners cured according to claim 1.
    [20" claim-type="Currently amended] 20. The hardened mechanical fastener of claim 19 wherein the hardenable mechanical fastener is cured using actinic radiation.
    [21" claim-type="Currently amended] 20. The hardened mechanical fastener of claim 19 wherein the hardened mechanical fastener has an overlap shear strength of at least about 7 MPa.
    [22" claim-type="Currently amended] In a method of forming a permanent fastener,
    Providing a hardenable mechanical fastener according to claim 1,
    Attaching the fastening surface to the complementary fastening surface;
    Curing the mechanical fastener to provide a permanent fastener
    Method comprising a.
    [23" claim-type="Currently amended] 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising attaching a curable mechanical fastener to the substrate.
    [24" claim-type="Currently amended] The method of claim 23, wherein the hardenable mechanical fastener is permanently attached to the substrate.
    [25" claim-type="Currently amended] 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the complementary fastening surface is part of a hardenable mechanical fastener, the method further comprising permanently attaching the hardenable mechanical fastener having a complementary fastening surface to the substrate. Characterized in that the method.
    [26" claim-type="Currently amended] In multi-part hardenable mechanical fasteners,
    A first portion having a fastening surface and a second portion having a complementary fastening surface complementary to said fastening surface,
    At least one of the fastening surface and the complementary fastening surface is at least partially made of a hardenable material such that when the fastening surface is mechanically attached to the complementary fastening surface, the multi-part hardenable mechanical fastener is permanent. A multi-part curable mechanical fastener, characterized in that it can be cured to provide a fastener.
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    同族专利:
    公开号 | 公开日
    KR100616016B1|2006-08-25|
    EP1176885B1|2004-05-26|
    JP4551567B2|2010-09-29|
    WO2000064296A1|2000-11-02|
    US7018496B1|2006-03-28|
    DE69917682T2|2005-06-09|
    AU5688699A|2000-11-10|
    EP1176885A1|2002-02-06|
    DE69917682D1|2004-07-01|
    JP2002541951A|2002-12-10|
    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    法律状态:
    1999-04-26|Priority to US09/299,965
    1999-04-26|Priority to US09/299,965
    1999-08-23|Application filed by 캐롤린 에이. 베이츠, 쓰리엠 이노베이티브 프로퍼티즈 캄파니
    2002-01-10|Publication of KR20020003242A
    2006-08-25|Application granted
    2006-08-25|Publication of KR100616016B1
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US09/299,965|1999-04-26|
    US09/299,965|US7018496B1|1999-04-26|1999-04-26|Curable mechanical fasteners|
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