Velcro Industries B.v.

Ingersoll-rand Company

Cordis Corporation

Foster-miller, Inc.

Thoratec Laboratories Corporation

John M Dubowik

Robert Joseph Harvey

William A Ribich

Philip Litwak

A touch fastener component for flush-mounting a first planar surface to a second planar surface and comprising a piece of resiliently flexible material having one portion of touch fastener material attached to a surface thereof adjacent a center portion thereof and means for holding the piece of material in a foreshortened bi-stable state disposed over a hole in one of the surfaces and for allowing the piece of material to move between a first stable position arched over the hole and a second stable position depressed into the hole with the one portion of touch fastener material slightly below the one of the surface whereby it can grip the mating portion of touch fastener material disposed on the other of the surfaces to maintain the first and second planar surfaces flush with one another under a biasing force. In one embodiment, the flexible material and the holding means are of unitary construction, the flexible material and the holding means are circular in shape, and the flexible material comprises a centrally located dome. In another embodiment, the flexible material comprises a strip of material and the holding means comprises a cup-shaped member adapted to fit into the hole and including opposed recesses adjacent a top edge for receiving the ends of the strip.

Pop-through touch fastener

Apparatus for attaching touch fastener material capable of self-bonding to a porous surface such as fabric and the like by the application of an electrical current therethrough. The material comprises a backing material with front and rear surfaces and having one portion of a touch fastening system on the front surface thereof. A layer of thermoplastic and thermosetting adhesive is bonded to the rear surface. Heat generating means are incorporated into the layer of adhesive for producing sufficient heat in the adhesive when a low voltage and high current electrical source is applied therethrough to cause the adhesive to adhere to a porous surface with which it is in contact. In one embodiment, the heat generating means comprises a strip of metal foil embedded within the layer of adhesive. In a second embodiment, the heat generating means comprising a plurality of electrically conductive/resistive particles embedded within the layer of adhesive. The apparatus includes embodiments having a roller and band moving in combination, a pair of opposed rollers, and mirror imaged feet moving in the manner of a sewing machine drive foot. Each embodiment includes contact pins for contacting the adhesive passing low voltage high current electricity therethrough.

Apparatus for attaching touch fasteners with self-heating attachment

In a method for removing skin from fish and fowl, the fish and fowl are exposed to intense heat for a short duration. The heat is sufficiently intense to destroy the bond between the skin and underlying flesh without significantly affecting the underlying flesh. The high temperature is removed and the skin is refrozen. The fish or fowl is carried to a skinning station where a high velocity spray, which is directed at the skin, rapidly separates the skin from the underlying flesh without removing the flesh.

Method for removing skin from fish and fowl

Disclosed is a non-fused torque control catheter and a method for manufacturing such a catheter. This non-fused catheter has a stiff braid-reinforced body and a pliable non-braided tip.

Non-fused torque control catheter

A closure band of water-vapor permeable, flexible, elastic plastic spans a cut in the flesh and holds the cut closed. Flesh-engaging penetrants such as hooks are partly embedded in or are part of the band and engage the flesh either side of the cut. Adhesive on the band also contacts the flesh and helps hold the penetrants embedded. A tear strip overlying openings through the band, when removed, allows inspection of the cut.

Wound closing device

A stationary member extends across a filter on a movable support. The stationary member has a flexible membrane in contact with the filter. Liquid under pressure is flowed through openings in the flexible membrane and through the filter to remove material from the filter.

Growing community of inventors

Nashua, NH, United States of America

John M Dubowik