The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 21, 2006
Filed:
Apr. 08, 2003
Mark A. Golden, Washington, MI (US);
John C. Ulicny, Oxford, MI (US);
Alan Lampe Browne, Grosse Pointe, MI (US);
Nancy L. Johnson, Northville, MI (US);
William Barvosa-carter, Ventura, CA (US);
Thomas B. Stanford, Port Hueneme, CA (US);
Leslie A. Momoda, Los Angeles, CA (US);
Mark A. Golden, Washington, MI (US);
John C. Ulicny, Oxford, MI (US);
Alan Lampe Browne, Grosse Pointe, MI (US);
Nancy L. Johnson, Northville, MI (US);
William Barvosa-Carter, Ventura, CA (US);
Thomas B. Stanford, Port Hueneme, CA (US);
Leslie A. Momoda, Los Angeles, CA (US);
General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof. The hook portion generally includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. A selected one of the hook elements or the loop material is formed from a thermally and/or electrically conductive material. The other one is formed of a material adapted to melt, flow or volatize at a defined temperature. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. Introducing an activation signal to the thermally and/or electrically conductive hook elements or loop material, causes the opposing material to melt, flow, soften, or volatize upon contact therewith. Also disclosed herein are processes for operating the releasable fastener system.