Fastener having adjustable fastening strength

Abstract

Clothlike materials may become abraded upon disengagement of mechanical fasteners. This abrasion may cause a decrease in aesthetic appeal, as well as a decrease in functionality of attachment systems. As a result, there has remained a need for improved fastening systems. Moreover, there has remained a need for improved fastening systems for disposable absorbent articles.

1 . A fastening system suitable for incorporation into a disposable absorbent article, the fastening system comprising:
 a female component; and   a male component having a plurality of hook elements adapted for releasable engagement with the female component,   wherein the fastening system has a first normalized peak shear force to disengage the female component from the male component when the male component is stretched 0%, the fastening system has a second normalized peak shear force to disengage the female component from the male component when the male component is stretched 10%, the first normalized peak shear force being at least 10% greater than the second normalized peak shear force.   
   
   
       2 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the first normalized peak shear force is at least 20% greater than the second normalized peak shear force. 
   
   
       3 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the male component is stretchable at least 10% when loaded at 250 g/in. 
   
   
       4 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the male component is stretchable at least 15% when loaded at 250 g/in. 
   
   
       5 . The fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the male component is elastic. 
   
   
       6 . A fastening system suitable for incorporation into a disposable absorbent article, the fastening system comprising:
 a female component; and   a male component having a plurality of hook elements adapted for releasable engagement with the female component, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of hook elements have a stem and a cap, the cap defining a cap angle;   wherein the fastening system has a first normalized peak shear force to disengage the female component from the male component and a first average cap angle when the male component is stretched 0%, the fastening system has a second normalized peak shear force to disengage the female component from the male component and a second average cap angle when the male component is stretched 10%, the first normalized peak shear force being greater than the second normalized peak shear force, and the second average cap angle being greater than the first average cap angle.   
   
   
       7 . The fastening system of  claim 6 , wherein the second average cap angle is at least 20 degrees greater than the first average cap angle. 
   
   
       8 . The fastening system of  claim 6 , wherein the second average cap angle is at least 90 degrees. 
   
   
       9 . The fastening system of  claim 6 , wherein the first normalized peak shear force is at least 10% greater than the second normalized peak shear force. 
   
   
       10 . The fastening system of  claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the male component is stretchable at least 10% when loaded at 250 g/in. 
   
   
       11 . The fastening system of  claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the male component is stretchable at least 15% when loaded at 250 g/in. 
   
   
       12 . The fastening system of  claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the male component is elastic. 
   
   
       13 . A fastening system suitable for incorporation into a disposable absorbent article, the fastening system comprising:
 a female component; and   a male component having a plurality of hook elements adapted for releasable engagement with the female component,   wherein the fastening system has a first normalized peak shear force to disengage the female component from the male component when the male component is stretched 0%, the fastening system has a second normalized peak shear force to disengage the female component from the male component when the male component is stretched 10%, the first normalized peak shear force being at least 10% less than the second normalized peak shear force.   
   
   
       14 . The fastening system of  claim 13 , wherein the first normalized peak shear force is at least 20% less than the second normalized peak shear force. 
   
   
       15 . The fastening system of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the male component is stretchable at least 10% when loaded at 250 g/in. 
   
   
       16 . The fastening system of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the male component is stretchable at least 15% when loaded at 250 g/in. 
   
   
       17 . The fastening system of  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the male component is elastic. 
   
   
       18 . A fastening system suitable for incorporation into a disposable absorbent article, the fastening system comprising:
 a female component; and   a male component having a plurality of hook elements adapted for releasable engagement with the female component, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of hook elements have a stem and a cap, the cap defining a cap angle,   wherein the fastening system has a first normalized peak shear force to disengage the female component from the male component and a first average cap angle when the male component is stretched 0%, the fastening system has a second normalized peak shear force to disengage the female component from the male component and a second average cap angle when the male component is stretched 10%, the first normalized peak shear force being less than the second normalized peak shear force, and the second average cap angle being less than the first average cap angle.   
   
   
       19 . The fastening system of  claim 18 , wherein the second average cap angle is at least 20 degrees less than the first average cap angle. 
   
   
       20 . The fastening system of  claim 18 , wherein the first average cap angle is at least 90 degrees. 
   
   
       21 . The fastening system of  claim 18 , wherein the first normalized peak shear force is at least 10% less than the second normalized peak shear force. 
   
   
       22 . The fastening system of  claim 18 , wherein at least a portion of the male component is stretchable at least 10% when loaded at 250 g/in. 
   
   
       23 . The fastening system of  claim 18 , wherein at least a portion of the male component is stretchable at least 15% when loaded at 250 g/in. 
   
   
       24 . The fastening system of  claim 18 , wherein at least a portion of the male component is elastic.