Active fasteners

Abstract

Fastener products, for example for use in hook and loop fasteners are provided. The fastener products include a sheet form backing, and, extending from the backing, a plurality of fastener elements that include a shape memory polymer. Method of making and using such fastener products are also provided.

1 . A fastener product comprising 
 a sheet form backing; and    extending from the backing, a plurality of male fastener elements each comprising a loop-engaging portion and a stem portion, wherein one of the loop-engaging portion or stem portion comprises a shape memory polymer, and the other of the loop-engaging portion or stem portion comprises a non-shape memory polymer.    
     
     
         2 . The fastener product of  claim 1  wherein the portion of the fastener element comprising a shape memory polymer is substantially free of non-shape memory polymer.  
     
     
         3 . The fastener product of  claim 1  wherein the portion of the fastener element comprising a non-shape memory polymer is substantially free of a shape memory polymer.  
     
     
         4 - 6 . (canceled)  
     
     
         7 . The fastener product of  claim 1  wherein the glass transition temperature of the shape memory polymer is from about −40 to 150° C.  
     
     
         8 . The fastener product of  claim 1  wherein the glass transition temperature of the shape memory polymer is from about 60 to 100° C.  
     
     
         9 . The fastener product of  claim 1  wherein the shape memory polymer comprises a polyurethane.  
     
     
         10 - 15 . (canceled)  
     
     
         16 . The fastener product of  claim 1  wherein the fastener element is configured to change from a metastable substantially non-engaging shape to a stable hook or mushroom shape in response to a source of radiant energy.  
     
     
         17 . The fastener product of  claim 16 , wherein the radiant energy is UV, microwave, x-ray, or infrared.  
     
     
         18 . The fastener product of  claim 16 , wherein the radiant energy is infrared.  
     
     
         19 . A fastener product comprising 
 a sheet form backing, and    extending from the backing, a plurality of fastener elements comprising a blend of two or more shape memory polymers.    
     
     
         20 . The fastener product of  claim 19  wherein each fastener element comprises at least two shape memory polymers.  
     
     
         21 . The fastener product of  claim 19  wherein said shape memory polymers are selected to modulate a change in the physical properties of the fastener product as a function of temperature.  
     
     
         22 . The fastener product of  claim 19  wherein each shape memory polymer has a different glass transition temperature.  
     
     
         23 . A fastener product comprising: 
 a sheet form backing; and    extending from the backing, a plurality of fastener elements wherein a first set of the fastener elements comprises a first shape memory polymer, and a second set of the fastener elements comprises a second, different shape memory polymer.    
     
     
         24 - 70 . (canceled)  
     
     
         71 . An absorbent article comprising: 
 an absorbent material; and    a fastener for securing the article on a wearer or a garment, the fastener comprising a female fastener component on a first portion of the article, and a male fastener component on a second portion of the article, arranged for cooperative engagement with the female fastener component;    the male fastener component including a plurality of male fastener elements comprising a shape memory polymer.    
     
     
         72 . The absorbent article of  claim 71 , wherein the article is disposable.  
     
     
         73 . The absorbent article of  claim 71  wherein the article is selected from the group consisting of diapers and incontinence products.  
     
     
         74 . The absorbent article of  claim 71  wherein the male fastener elements comprise hooks.  
     
     
         75 . The absorbent article of  claim 71  wherein said shape memory polymer is selected to modulate a change in the physical properties of the fastener as a function of temperature.  
     
     
         76 . The absorbent article of  claim 75  wherein said shape memory polymer is selected to modulate the change in the physical properties of the fastener when it is heated from ambient temperature to the surface temperature of a wearer of the article.  
     
     
         77 . A fastener product comprising 
 a sheet form backing comprising a shape memory polymer; and    extending from the backing, a plurality of fastener elements.    
     
     
         78 . The fastener product of  claim 77  wherein the shape memory polymer is selected to modulate the change in the physical properties of the fastener when it is heated from ambient temperature to the surface temperature of a human.  
     
     
         79 . An absorbent article comprising 
 an absorbent material; and    a fastener for securing the absorbant material on a wearer, the fastener comprising a female fastener component on a first portion of the absorbant material, and a male fastener component on a second portion of the absorbant material, arranged for cooperative engagement with the female fastener component;    the fastener components each including a base comprising a shape memory polymer.    
     
     
         80 . The absorbent article of  claim 79 , wherein the article is disposable.  
     
     
         81 . The absorbent article of  claim 79  wherein the shape memory polymer is selected to modulate the change in the physical properties of the fastener when it is heated from ambient temperature to the surface temperature of a wearer of the article.  
     
     
         82 - 83 . (canceled)  
     
     
         84 . A fastener product comprising 
 a sheet form backing comprising an upper face and a lower face;    extending from the upper face of the sheet form backing a plurality of male fastening elements comprising a shape memory polymer; and    extending from the lower face of the sheet form backing a plurality of female fastening elements.    
     
     
         85 . The fastener product of  claim 84  wherein the male fastener elements comprise at least two shape memory polymers.  
     
     
         86 . The fastener product of  claim 85 , the male fastener elements comprising a stem portion comprising a first shape memory polymer and an engaging portion comprising a second shape memory polymer, the first shape memory polymer being different than the second shape memory polymer.  
     
     
         87 . The fastener product of  claim 84 , the male fastener elements comprising a stem portion comprising a shape memory polymer and an engaging portion comprising a non-shape memory polymer.  
     
     
         88 . The fastener product of  claim 84 , the male fastener elements comprising a stem portion comprising a non-shape memory polymer and an engaging portion comprising a shape memory polymer.