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FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to Velcro-type fabric fastener materials. More specifically, the present invention relates to longitudinal elasticity in at least one of these materials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Velcro Industries B.V. (http://www.velcro.com/FAOS/index.html#industrial) mentions that "The hook portion of VELCRO® brand fasteners looks like an upside-down letter "J". Hook is often described in many different terms - the "rough", the "bristly", or the "male". AU of these engage into the loop component of our fasteners - the "soft", the "fuzzy", the "pile", the "female", or the "carpet"." There are many generic substantial equivalents and variations of the Velcro-type fastener systems. Velcro-type fabric fastener materials are well known in the art and well accepted by manufacturers and consumers alike. Nevertheless, there are application of these materials where it would be a facile advantage to be able to disengage the hook-type material for the fuzzy material with the ease of a single handed action rather than the familiar first handed motion restriction of one of the materials simultaneous to the second handed "ripping" of the members from one another. Simply stated, there is a long standing albeit nominally recognized need in the art for an improved Velcro-type fabric fastener materials system requiring reduced, nominal, negligible, or no single-handed motion restriction of one of the materials - especially if it is preferably desirable and/or facilely advantageous to open the Velcro attachment by removal of an object held within a container latched closed by the attachment rather than by grabbing and separating the Velcro attachment and thereafter removing the object.

ADVANTAGES, OBJECTS AND BENEFITS OF THE INVENTION

Technical Issues: The instant Pre-Stressed Fabric Fastener System generally provides an improved interlocking tension between the hook-like and fuzzy members of the Velcro- type materials. The elastic members of the instant system are easily attachable to existing Velcro-type materials and are likewise easy to integrate into known processes for manufacturing the existing Velcro-type materials.

Ergonomic Issues: The instant Pre-Stressed Fabric Fastener System, in many familiar applications of Velcro-type materials fastening systems, provides more secure attachment between the hook-type and fuzzy surfaces, a simpler opening procedure, and a more facile closing procedure.

Economic Issues: Retro-fitting existing Velcro-type materials with elastic members is inexpensive, thus intentional modifications of manufacture for those materials results in negligible cost increases after the production process is modified to accomplish the instant system.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforesaid longstanding needs are significantly addressed by embodiments of the present invention, which specifically relates to a Pre-Stressed Fabric Fastener System. The instant system is especially useful in the use of Velcro-type material interactions wherein there exists further opportunity to add convenience, strengthen security, and improve facile operation. The present invention relates to embodiments of a Pre-Stressed Fabric Fastener System comprising (A) an interlocking pair of substantially Velcro-type fabric fastener materials wherein (B) at least one of the fabric materials includes longitudinal members having predetermined elastic stress.

In the present context, materials generally relates to at least one flexible fabric or membrane - e.g. nylon, cotton, etc. - albeit it is preferred that both materials in the "pair" are on respective flexible substrates.

More specifically, the present invention relates to embodiments of a Pre-Stressed Fabric Fastener System comprising (A) an interlocking pair of substantially Velcro-type fabric fastener materials wherein one of the fabric materials has large plurality of substantially evenly distributed perpendicular hook-type members thereon and the other of the fabric materials has a substantially evenly distributed fuzzy member network thereon, such that the hook-type members and the fuzzy members entangle upon application of substantial nominal pressure contact between the respective fabric materials; and wherein (B) at least one of the fabric materials includes substantially longitudinal members having predetermined elastic stress (such that longitudinal tensile stress between the entangled members results when the substantial nominal member-to-member surface contact pressure is released to engage the parr of Velcro-type materials).

In the context of the present invention, "fuzzy" implies randomized felted materials, or a layer of such fibers substantially parallel to an underlying more ordered material, or to an ensemble of loop-like fiber elements extending from an underlying material layer, or the likes - each of which being sufficient for interlocking with the hook-type members. Furthermore, the substantially longitudinal members collectively allow the elastic stress in the longitudinal direction.

Furthermore, in the context of the present invention, the predetermined elastic stress determines the degree of "pre-stressing" Essentially, the integration of longitudinal elastic stress into (or onto) the fabric material results in four benefits. Firstly, if the stress is sufficient, then the unattached fabric will roll up when not in use. Secondly, if the stress is sufficient, then the attached fabric will more firmly grasp the corresponding Velcro-type material than would have been the case in the absence of elastic stress. Thirdly, if the stress is sufficient, then the attached fabric will more easily disengage (with application of perpendicular or lateral pulling motion) from the corresponding Velcro-type material than would have been the case in the absence of elastic stress. Finally, the nature of stressed Velcro-material attachment is that a separating pressure along the length of the attachment (a zipper like motion) will cause disengagement.

These three benefits, individually or in combination, extend the facile applicability of Velcro-type fabric fastener materials to new applications. For example, a holster for a pistol should optimally hold the pistol in the holster and prevent accidental removal or disengagement. Likewise, it would be desirable if the pistol could be quickly and facially removed for instant use - in a simple one-handed motion. Using prior art Velcro-type fabric fastener materials requires one hand motion to open the fastener and a second hand motion to remove the pistol. Using the instant system, pulling the pistol out from the holster will cause the fastening to disengage and retract from the opening, (see figures 12-13) Equivalently, the instant invention allows a cellular telephone to be removed from its pouch by grabbing the sides of the telephone and pulling it along the instant invention Velcro-type material attachment in a single smooth motion - rather than first opening the Velcro-type material attachment and then removing the telephone from the pouch. Notwithstanding the above mentioned uses of the instant invention, ordinary uses may be come more facile - such as a replacement for shoe laces or buckles, attachment on purses and school bags, on back packs and in luggage, in place of buttons on coats, pants, and dresses, and the likes.

NOTICES

Numbers, alphabetic characters, and roman symbols are designated in the following sections for convenience of explanations only, and should by no means be regarded as imposing particular order on any method steps. Likewise, the present invention will forthwith be described with a certain degree of particularity, however those versed in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and alterations may be carried out without departing from either the spirit or scope, as hereinafter claimed.

In describing the present invention, explanations are presented in light of currently accepted theories and models of Consumer products and of Commercial packaging. Such theories and models are subject to changes, both adiabatic and radical. Often these changes occur because representations for fundamental component elements are innovated, because new transformations between these elements are conceived, or because new interpretations arise for these elements or for their transformations. Therefore, it is important to note that the present invention relates to specific technological actualization in embodiments. Accordingly, theory or model dependent explanations herein, related to these embodiments, are presented for the purpose of teaching, the current man of the art or the current team of the art, how these embodiments may be substantially realized in practice. Alternative or equivalent explanations for these embodiments may neither deny nor alter their realization.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments including the preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of non- limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, a more complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description in consideration of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features and wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a fabric material with hook- type members;

Figure 2 illustrates an isometric view of a fabric material with fuzzy members; Figure 3 illustrates an isometric view of a fabric material with hook- type members with a longitudinal elastic member attached thereto;

Figure 4 illustrates an isometric view of a fabric material with fuzzy members with a longitudinal elastic member attached thereto;

Figure 5 illustrates an isometric view of a fabric material with fuzzy members with a plurality of longitudinal elastic members attached thereto;

Figure 6 illustrates an isometric view of a fabric material with hook- type members with a plurality of longitudinal elastic member attached thereto;

Figure 7 illustrates an isometric view of a rolled-up fabric material with hook-type members with a longitudinal elastic member attached thereto;

Figure 8 illustrates an isometric view of a rolled-up fabric material with fuzzy members with a longitudinal elastic member attached thereto;

Figure 9 illustrates an isometric view of fabric materials with hook- type members alternating with attached a longitudinal elastic member;

Figures 10 illustrates an isometric view of a sleeve of hook-type member material attached to a sleeve longitudinal elastic member material further attached to a sleeve of fuzzy members material; Figure 11 illustrates an isometric view of a sleeve of longitudinal elastic member having attached hook-type materials and fuzzy materials; and

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate an isometric view of a cellular telephone pouch using the system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to embodiments of a Pre-Stressed Fabric Fastener System (see figures 1-6) comprising: (A) an interlocking pair of substantially Velcro-type fabric fastener materials wherein one of the fabric materials (10) has large plurality of substantially evenly distributed perpendicular hook-type members thereon and the other of the fabric materials (11) has a substantially evenly distributed fuzzy member network thereon, such that the hook-type members and the fuzzy members entangle upon application of substantial nominal pressure contact between the respective fabric materials; and wherein (B) at least one of the fabric materials includes longitudinal members (12) having predetermined elastic stress.

According to a first variation embodiment of the instant invention, the longitudinal members are sewn onto the fabric material, hi this instance, the longitudinal members may be rubberized filaments, rubberized band, bundled rubberized filaments, elastic film, or the likes. It is sufficient to sew the longitudinal members to the non-hook-like or non-fuzzy side of the material - in such a way as to leave an ongoing compressive stress from the members onto the fabric - resulting in a tendency for the fabric with un-entangled members to ruffle or roll- up or coil-up (since the stressed members take a smaller diameter in a rolling than the fabric).

According to a second variation embodiment of the instant invention, the longitudinal members are glued to the fabric material, hi this instance special care must be taken in the choice of glue - such that the differential stress between the longitudinal member and the fabric does not result in sectional failure of the glue bonding (separation of the members from the fabric). As in the sewing variation, elastic filaments or band or film or the like may be used as the pre-stressed longitudinal component.

According to a third variation embodiment of the instant invention, the longitudinal members are an integral component of warp fibers of the fabric material. In this instance, the structural integrity of the fabric is maintained by the choice of weave, knit, felting, etc. used to manufacture the fabric. So long as the fabric included sufficient elastic longitudinal stress, the instant invention will be substantially accomplished. Simply stated, one chooses to construct the original fabric using some percentage of elastic thread or one superimposed elastic filaments into predetermined longitudinal positions of an otherwise non-elastic fabric.

According to a fourth variation embodiment of the instant invention, at least one of the fabric materials is configured to have respective hook-type or fuzzy members on a majority of external surfaces of the material, (see figures 10-11) Essentially this embodiment relates to a rope like structure having an end portion dominated by hook-type or fuzzy members. It becomes then feasible to form a rope (or elastic length or belt or the likes) having external hook-like members along a predetermined length of one end and having external fuzzy members along a predetermined length of the other end. Thus formed the belt (rope, etc) may be used as a facile contact attachment structure; for example as a belt for apparel (pants, dresses, coats, etc.), in bundling a bunch of flowers, in packaging a collection of commercial items (cutlery, fabrics, posters, etc.), or the likes. Simply stated, by relating to a majority of the external surfaces of the material rather than to a single side of the material, twists in the length of the material do not diminish facile usefulness as a fastener system. According to the preferred embodiment of the instant variation, at least one fabric material is a tube. For simple application as a fastener system, the tube is hollow. For aesthetic application of the fastener system, the tube is filled with a predetermined filler - thus giving the tube a bulky weighted appearance. Nevertheless, the filler may be light weight foam granules, or raw cellulose, or the likes. According to a fifth variation embodiment of the instant invention, the predetermined elastic stress is sufficient to roll up the fabric having the longitudinal members - when there is no contact between the hook-like members and the fuzzy members, (see figures 7-8, 13) Simply stated, the pre-stressing will pull together intervals of the fabric causing the elastic portion to be the interior side of a concentric spiral and the fabric side to be the exterior side of the same spiral (roll up).

Now, according to the more general embodiments of the Pre-Stressed Fabric Fastener System, the longitudinal members are substantially homogeneously elastic.

Nevertheless, (see figure 9) according to the preferred embodiments of the Pre-Stressed Fabric Fastener System, wherein the longitudinal members include at least two alternating portions wherein one of the at least two alternating portions is of homogeneously elasticity and the other of the at least two alternating portions is substantially inelastic. (Note: Preferably these alternations occur in parallel to one another - however, according to some embodiments, these portions may be relatively alternated in location or even randomized.) Specifically, it has been observed that there is a substantially equivalence between the general embodiment having evenly distributed pre-stressing and the preferred embodiment having alternating elastic and substantially inelastic portions. More particularly, for numerous productions facilities, it is easier to simply attach the Velcro-type material to the inelastic portions - thereby on aggregate emulating the longitudinal pre-stressing in use albeit not at fabrication. Thus, according to the preferred variation of the preferred embodiment there are alternating portions of one of the substantially Velcro-type fabric fastener materials respectively attached to the substantially inelastic alternating portions of the longitudinal members. Furthermore, according to the most preferred of these variations, the alternating portions of the substantially Velcro-type fabric fastener material is respectively integrally attached to the substantially inelastic alternating portions of the longitudinal members.

The present invention also relates to embodiments of a Pre-Stressed Fabric Fastener System appurtenance substantially as herein before described and illustrated, and characterized by having predetermined longitudinal elasticity in a base film of a substantially Velcro-type fabric fastener material. Intrinsically, according to the instant invention, "longitudinal members having predetermined elastic stress" may be rubber-like threads on the one hand or an elastic thin film on the other hand. Functionally, the members and the film are equivalent - albeit differences in manufacture are self evident for their integration within or onto a Velcro-type fastener material (not on the hook-like or fuzzy surfaces - but on the fabric that they respectively are attached to or integrated with).

While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and techniques that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.