Patent ID: 8414726
Filing Date: 2013-04-09
Classification: A44B,F16G,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of fabricating a riser/spacer device for use with a reclosable fastener, comprising, in combination: a reclosable fastener having a predetermined overall height, and selectively closable and releasable first and second mating portions; said reclosable fastener comprises strips of flexible plastic covered with interlocking heads which fasten securely when pressed together; a riser/spacer device including a first rigid, one-piece, non-deformable, non-flexible riser/spacer member having a C-shaped cross-section extending therethrough; said first mating portion of said reclosable fastener being secured to a first major planar surface of said first rigid, one-piece, non-deformable, non-flexible riser/spacer member; a first acrylic foam tape member secured to a second major planar surface of said first rigid, one-piece, non-deformable, non-flexible riser/spacer member; said second major planar surface is parallel to and opposite said first major planar surface; said first acrylic foam tape member extends beyond said first rigid, one-piece, non-deformable, non-flexible riser/spacer member to provide wing portions on both ends of said first rigid, one-piece, non-deformable, non-flexible riser/spacer member; a second rigid, one-piece, non-deformable, non-flexible riser/spacer member having a cross-section extending therethrough which is shaped to mate with said C-shaped cross-section of said first riser/spacer member; said second mating portion of said reclosable fastener being secured to a first major planar surface of said second rigid, one-piece, non-deformable, non-flexible riser/spacer member; a second acrylic foam tape member secured to a second major planar surface of said second rigid, one-piece, non-deformable, non-flexible riser/spacer member; said second major planar surface of said second riser/spacer member is parallel to and opposite said first major planar surface of said second riser/spacer member; when said strips of flexible plastic covered with interlocking heads are fastened securely pressed together, the overall height of all of the above-mentioned components is determined by a gap to be filled between first and second substrates; said first acrylic foam tape member is secured to said first substrate; and said second acrylic foam tape member is secured to said second substrate; said method comprising the steps of: softening plastic in an extruder as said plastic is forced through said extruder by an extruder screw toward a die; shaping said softened plastic in said die; holding the shape of said plastic with shaping tools and guides as said softened shaped plastic exits said die in a continuous length until said softened shaped plastic is cooled and set to a required shape and dimensions of said first riser/spacer member; maintaining the size of the plastic first riser/spacer member by a ratio between the amount of plastic being forced through said die and the speed of a haul off apparatus pulling the plastic first riser/spacer member away from said die and through shaping tooling and guides; providing said first mating portion of said reclosable fastener; after said required shape of said plastic first riser/spacer member has been set and while said plastic first riser/spacer member is still in said continuous length and before said plastic first riser/spacer member passes through said haul off apparatus, applying a promoter to at least a portion of said first riser/spacer member, applying said first mating portion of said reclosable fastener to said first major planar surface of said first riser/spacer member, and applying a part identification for said riser/spacer device to said first riser/spacer member; providing at least one predetermined portion of said first riser/spacer member with extruded texture, grooves or uneven portions to facilitate securement to an external substrate by at least one of hot-melt glue, sonic welding, pressure-sensitive adhesive, acrylic foam tape, and other securement means; once said first riser/spacer member is beyond the haul off apparatus, cutting said first riser/space member to a required length to yield a finished first riser/space member; providing said first acrylic foam tape member; securing said first acrylic foam tape member to said second major planar surface of said first riser/spacer member such that said first acrylic foam tape member extends beyond said first riser/spacer member to provide wing portions on both ends of said first riser/spacer member; providing said second mating portion of said reclosable fastener; applying said second mating portion of said reclosable fastener to said first major planar surface of said second riser/spacer member; providing said second acrylic foam tape member; and securing said second acrylic foam tape member to said second major planar surface of said second riser/spacer member.