JP7835440B2 - Method for manufacturing a stretchable double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener and double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener - Google Patents

Description

This invention relates to a method for manufacturing a double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener that is stretchable and has female-type engaging elements on both its front and back surfaces, and to a double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener.

A common type of female hook-and-loop fastener is known in which loops are formed on the surface of a flat base material made by weaving fibrous threads as warp and weft threads (Patent Document 1). The female engaging element engages with the hook-shaped or mushroom-shaped male engaging element of the male hook-and-loop fastener, and the female hook-and-loop fastener and the male hook-and-loop fastener constitute a pair of hook-and-loop fasteners.
Furthermore, female hook-and-loop fasteners are also known, which are made elastic by weaving rubber cords into a flat base material.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-244010 Patent No. 5393860

However, in conventional technologies, including the aforementioned patent document, the female-type engaging element is provided only on the surface of the flat substrate. Therefore, when attempting to restrain an object by wrapping a stretchable belt-shaped hook-and-loop fastener around it, for example, the user must first locate the surface with the female-type engaging element and then wrap the fastener around the object with that surface exposed, which poses a time-consuming problem.

This invention aims to provide a method for manufacturing a double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener that is stretchable and has female-type engaging elements on both the front and back surfaces, and to provide a double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener, taking into consideration the problems described above.

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener that is elastic and has female engagement elements on both the front and back surfaces of a flat base material, comprising at least the steps of: forming the flat base material by weaving a rubber cord into a plurality of weft threads in the warp direction while applying tension in the warp direction and causing the rubber cord to float up and down; weaving the first warp thread into a plurality of weft threads while alternately performing a floating number M and a sinking number N for each cycle; weaving the second warp thread, which is different from the first warp thread, into a plurality of weft threads while alternately performing a sinking number M and a sinking number N for each cycle; and releasing the tension so that the range of the first warp thread with the floating number M becomes the female engagement element on the front surface, and the range of the second warp thread with the sinking number M becomes the female engagement element on the back surface, characterized in that the location where the second warp thread intersects the flat base material is shifted by the length of the weft threads in the warp direction relative to the location where the first warp thread intersects the flat base material . (M and N are positive integers, and M > N.)
Furthermore, it is characterized by satisfying the following equations (1) and (2).
6 ≤ M ≤ 8 ... (1)
N = 2 ... (2)

The present invention provides a double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener that is elastic and has female engagement elements on both the front and back surfaces of a flat base material. The flat base material is formed by weaving elastic cords into a plurality of weft threads in the warp direction, with the cords floating up and down as they sink. The first warp threads are woven into the plurality of weft threads, with a floating number M alternating between sinking and floating numbers N for each sinking number. The second warp threads, which are different from the first warp threads, are woven into the plurality of weft threads, with a sinking number M alternating between floating and floating numbers N for each sinking number. The range of the floating number M in the first warp threads forms the female engagement element on the front surface, and the range of sinking number M in the second warp threads forms the female engagement element on the back surface. The location where the second warp threads intersect the flat base material is shifted by the length of the weft threads relative to the location where the first warp threads intersect the flat base material . (M and N are positive integers, and M > N.)
Furthermore, it is characterized by satisfying the following equations (1) and (2).
6 ≤ M ≤ 8 ... (1)
N = 2 ... (2)

In this invention, when the tension applied in the warp direction is released, the elastic cord returns to its original length, and the spacing between the multiple weft threads narrows. As a result, a range of several meters of floating first warp threads becomes a female-type engaging element (loop) on the surface side, and a range of several meters of submerged second warp threads becomes a female-type engaging element (loop) on the back side, thereby obtaining a double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener with elasticity.
By shifting the point where the second warp thread intersects the flat base material by N weft threads (N=2) in the warp direction relative to the point where the first warp thread intersects the flat base material, it is possible to prevent the completed double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener from curling up.
By keeping M and N within the range that satisfies equations (1) and (2), the warp threads will not fray, and the female-type engaging elements can be arranged evenly and aesthetically on both the front and back surfaces.

A schematic cross-sectional view showing a double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener cut lengthwise. Cross-sectional view showing the manufacturing method of a double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener. Cross-sectional view showing the manufacturing method of a double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener. Cross-sectional view showing the manufacturing method of a double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener. A schematic cross-sectional view showing a double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener under tension in the longitudinal direction.

Embodiments of the double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener and the method for manufacturing the double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener of the present invention will be described below.
As shown in Figure 1, the double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener 1 is generally composed of a flat base material 10, a first warp thread 20, and a second warp thread 30, and female engagement elements 40 and 41 are provided on both the front and back surfaces of the flat base material 10.
The flat base material 10 is formed by weaving a rubber cord 12 in the warp direction while causing it to float up and down against multiple weft threads 11 extending in the weft direction. The double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener 1 can be manufactured using the same automatic loom used for manufacturing general hook-and-loop fasteners, and the method of using such an automatic loom is well known, so a description will be omitted.

As will be explained in more detail later, the first warp thread 20 is woven into multiple weft threads 11 by alternating between floating number M (M=8 in this embodiment) and sinking number N (N=2 in this embodiment) and floating number N (N=2) for each floating number M (M=8 in this embodiment). However, M and N are positive integers, and M > N.
The floating number refers to the number of warp threads that are floating relative to the weft threads 11 and are not constrained up to two intersections with weft threads 11 moving forward or backward in the warp direction; in other words, it refers to the number of weft threads 11 that lie between the two intersections of warp threads 11 moving forward or backward in the warp direction. The submerged number refers to the number of warp threads that are submerged relative to the weft threads 11 and are not constrained up to two intersections with weft threads 11 moving forward or backward in the warp direction; in other words, it refers to the number of weft threads 11 that lie between the two intersections of warp threads 11 moving forward or backward in the warp direction.

The second warp thread 30 is a different thread from the first warp thread 20, and is woven into multiple weft threads 11 while alternating between sinking number M (M=8) and floating number N (N=2) and sinking number N (N=2) for each sinking number M (M=8).
Naturally, the double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener 1 is not formed by only two warp threads, the first warp thread 20 and the second warp thread 30, but by a large number of warp threads extending in the weft direction. "First warp thread 20" and "second warp thread 30" are convenient terms used to explain the positional relationship between the first warp thread 20 and the second warp thread 30 and the multiple weft threads 11, where the first warp thread 20 is one of the many warp threads, and the warp thread located next to the first warp thread 20 is called the second warp thread 30.

The materials of the first warp threads 20, the second warp threads 30, and the weft threads 11 are not particularly limited, but it is preferable that they are not elastic. For example, synthetic resin materials such as nylon, rayon, acrylic, polyester, polyurethane, polyamide, and polypropylene may be used. Alternatively, monofilaments or multifilaments, which are made by forming a single thread from a group of many thin fibrous filaments, may be used as the first warp threads 20, the second warp threads 30, and the weft threads 11.
The material of the elastic cord 12 is not particularly limited as long as it is elastic and can be woven into the weft thread 11.

Next, a method for manufacturing the double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener 1 will be described.
As shown in Figure 2, a flat base material 10 is formed by weaving a rubber cord 12 into multiple weft threads 11 in the warp direction while tension (see arrow in the figure) is applied in the warp direction using a well-known automatic loom (first step). Because tension is applied in the warp direction, the spacing D between multiple weft threads 11 that are continuous in the warp direction is widened.

While performing the first step, as shown in Figure 3, the first warp thread 20 is woven into multiple weft threads 11 by alternating between floating number M (M=8) and sinking number N (N=2) and floating number N (N=2) (second step). In this embodiment, sinking number N (N=2) is performed three times and floating number N (N=2) is performed twice, and then floating number M (M=8) is performed again. In other words, for the first warp thread 20, floating number M once, sinking number N three times, and floating number N twice is considered one set, and this is repeated for 2, 3, 4 sets... until the desired length is reached.
Furthermore, while performing the first and second steps, as shown in Figure 4, the second warp thread 30 is woven into multiple weft threads 11 by alternating between sinking number M (M=8) and floating number N (N=2) (step 3). In this embodiment, floating number N (N=2) is performed three times and sinking number N (N=2) is performed twice, and then floating number M (M=8) is performed again. In other words, for the second warp thread 30, floating number M is performed once, floating number N is performed three times, and sinking number N is performed twice, and this is repeated for 2, 3, 4 sets... until the desired length is reached.

Figure 5 shows the state when steps 1 to 3 are performed simultaneously.
At the point where the first warp thread 20 intersects the flat base material 10, the point where the second warp thread 30 intersects the flat base material 10 is shifted in the warp direction by the length of N weft threads 11 (N=2). Experiments have shown that by shifting the second warp thread 30 relative to the first warp thread 20 by the length of N weft threads 11 in this way, it is possible to prevent the completed double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener 1 from curling up.
When the tension applied in the warp direction is released at an appropriate time, the elastic cord 12 returns to its original length as shown in Figure 1, and the spacing D between the multiple weft threads 11 becomes almost zero. As a result, a deflection occurs in the first warp thread 20 within a range of several M, forming the female-type engaging element 40 (loop) on the surface side, and a deflection occurs in the second warp thread 30 within a range of several M, forming the female-type engaging element 41 (loop) on the back side.
In this way, a double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener 1 is manufactured.

The range in the first warp thread 20 where the number of submerged threads N and the number of floating threads N are alternately repeated, and the range in the second warp thread 30 where the number of floating threads N and the number of submerged threads N are alternately repeated, are in close contact with the weft thread 11 and constitute a part of the base material. Since the first warp thread 20 and the second warp thread 30 are firmly fixed to the flat base material 10 by frictional force, even if a tensile force is applied to the first warp thread 20 and the second warp thread 30 when the engaged male and female engaging elements 40 and 41 are pulled apart, it is possible to prevent the first warp thread 20 and the second warp thread 30 from coming loose or fraying from the flat base material 10.
Because the elastic cord 12 is woven in the vertical direction, the double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener 1 has elasticity in the warp direction.
In this embodiment, the case where M=8 and N=2 was described, but it is particularly preferable that the following equations (1) and (2) are satisfied.
6 ≤ M ≤ 8 ... (1)
N = 2 ... (2)
However, M≧9 and N≧3 are also acceptable.

This invention relates to a method for manufacturing a double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener that is stretchable and has female engagement elements on both its front and back surfaces, and to a double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener itself, which has industrial applicability.

D interval
1. Double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener
10 Flat base material
11 Weft
12 elastic cords
20 First warp
30 Second warp
40 Female-type engaging element
41 Female-type engaging element

Claims (4)

A method for manufacturing a double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener that is stretchable and has female-type engaging elements on both the front and back surfaces of a flat base material,
The process involves forming the flat base material by weaving a rubber cord into multiple weft threads in the warp direction while applying tension in the warp direction, and causing the rubber cord to float up and down.
With respect to the first warp thread, the process involves weaving it into multiple weft threads while alternating between a floating number M and a sinking number N for each subsequent floating cycle.
A step in which a second warp thread, different from the first warp thread, is woven into multiple weft threads while alternately performing a sinking number M and a floating number N for each subsequent sinking number,
The system includes at least the step of releasing the tension such that the range of floating number M in the first warp threads becomes a female-type engaging element on the surface side, and the range of sinking number M in the second warp threads becomes a female-type engaging element on the back side.
A method for manufacturing a double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener, characterized in that the location where the second warp thread intersects the flat plate-shaped substrate is offset in the warp direction by the number of weft threads relative to the location where the first warp thread intersects the flat plate-shaped substrate.
(M and N are positive integers, and M > N.)
A method for manufacturing a double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener according to claim 1 , characterized in that it satisfies the following formulas (1) and (2).
6 ≤ M ≤ 8 ... (1)
N = 2 ... (2)
A double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener that is stretchable and has female-type engaging elements on both the front and back surfaces of a flat base material.
The aforementioned flat base material is formed by weaving rubber cords into multiple weft threads in the warp direction while they float up and down.
The first warp thread is woven into multiple weft threads while alternately undergoing a floating number M and a sinking number N and a floating number N for each cycle.
The second warp thread, which is different from the first warp thread, is woven into multiple weft threads while alternately performing a sinking number M and a floating number N for each sinking number M.
The range of the first warp threads with a floating number M becomes the female-type engaging element on the surface side, and the range of the second warp threads with a sinking number M becomes the female-type engaging element on the back side.
A double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener characterized in that, at the point where the first warp thread intersects the flat base material, the point where the second warp thread intersects the flat base material is offset in the warp direction by the amount of N weft threads .
(M and N are positive integers, and M > N.)
The double-sided female hook-and-loop fastener according to claim 3 , characterized in that it satisfies the following formulas (1) and (2).
6 ≤ M ≤ 8 ... (1)
N = 2 ... (2)