Patent ID: 7833208
Filing Date: 2010-11-16
Classification: A61F

Abstract:
1. An article for personal wear in contact with a tissue layer of a wearer and capable of holding its position with respect to the contacted tissue layer while reducing the opportunity for damage to the tissue layer, the article having an outer surface and comprising a body-facing engagement surface opposite the outer surface for contacting the wearer's tissue layer, the engagement surface having a first state adapted to inhibit movement of the article with respect to the tissue layer of the wearer, and a second state adapted to enhance movement of the article with respect to said tissue layer, said engagement surface being adapted to transform from the first state to the second state upon application of a force greater than a threshold force, the engagement surface comprising a gripping component and a sliding component wherein the gripping component overlies the sliding component in the first state; wherein the static coefficient of friction of the engagement surface in the first state is substantially greater than the dynamic coefficient of friction of the engagement surface in the second state; the gripping component is disposed for engaging and gripping the tissue layer in the first state until a force greater than the threshold force is encountered which transforms the engagement surface whereby the sliding component is brought into engagement with the tissue layer to promote relative sliding motion between the engagement surface and the tissue layer; and the gripping component includes a body adhesive.