Fastener retention material and method

{
  "publication_number": "US11274693B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Fastener retention material and method",
  "abstract": "The present disclosure concerns a powder fastener retention material for application to metal sub-miniature fasteners formulated from a nylon 11 powder having a median average particle size by volume of more than 67 and less than 80 micrometers, a metal sub-miniature fastener having a patch of the reusable fastener retention material, a method for forming a patch of the fastener retention material on a metal sub-miniature fastener, a method of forming a reusable fastener retention patch on a region of a metal sub-miniature fastener, and a kit of parts comprising (a) a metal sub-miniature fastener, and (b) a powder retention material powder.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A powder fastener retention material for application to metal sub-miniature fasteners, wherein such sub-miniature fasteners are threaded fasteners having a diameter from furthest points on the thread of less than about 1.1 mm, comprising a nylon 11 powder having a median average particle size by volume of between 67 and 73 micrometers, and further comprising up to 20 wt % of a density control additive, up to 40 wt % of an adhesion promoter, and up to 2 wt % a flow promoter, wherein wt % is based on the total weight of the powder fastener retention material.",
    "2. The powder fastener retention material of claim 1 wherein at least 60% by volume of the nylon 11 particles have a particle size of between 30 and 100 micrometers.",
    "3. The powder fastener retention material of claim 1, wherein the density control additive comprises limestone.",
    "4. The powder fastener retention material of claim 1, wherein the adhesion promoter comprises a phenol-functional compound and/or an epoxy functional compound.",
    "5. The powder fastener retention material of claim 1, wherein the flow promoter comprises silica.",
    "6. A metal sub-miniature fastener comprising a patch prepared from a powder fastener retention material comprising a nylon 11 powder having a median average particle size by volume of between 67 and 73 micrometers, wherein such a sub-miniature fastener is a threaded fastener having a diameter from furthest points on the thread of less than about 1.1 mm.",
    "7. The metal sub-miniature fastener of claim 6 wherein at least 60% by volume of the nylon 11 particles have a particle size of between 30 and 100 micrometers.",
    "8. The metal sub-miniature fastener of claim 6, wherein the powder fastener retention material further comprises up to 20 wt % of a density control additive, up to 40 wt % of an adhesion promoter, and up to 2 wt % a flow promoter, wherein wt % is based on the total weight of the powder fastener retention material.",
    "9. The metal sub-miniature fastener of claim 8, wherein the density control additive comprises limestone.",
    "10. The metal sub-miniature fastener of claim 8, wherein the adhesion promoter comprises a phenol-functional compound and/or an epoxy functional compound.",
    "11. The metal sub-miniature fastener of claim 8, wherein the flow promoter comprises silica.",
    "12. A method for forming a patch of fastener retention material on a metal sub-miniature fastener, comprising: (a) applying to at least one region of the metal sub-miniature fastener a powder retention material in a gaseous stream, wherein such sub-miniature fasteners are threaded fasteners having a diameter from furthest points on the thread of less than about 1.1 mm, and (b) melting the powder retention material on the metal sub-miniature fastener, wherein the powder retention material comprises a nylon 11 powder having a median average particle size by volume of between 67 and 73 micrometers, and further comprising up to 20 wt % of a density control additive, up to 40 wt % of an adhesion promoter, and up to 2 wt % a flow promoter, wherein wt % is based on the total weight of the powder retention material.",
    "13. The method of claim 12 further comprising a step of preheating the metal sub-miniature fastener prior to application of the powder retention material to the metal sub-miniature fastener, and/or a step of post-heating the metal sub-miniature fastener after application of the powder retention material to the metal sub-miniature fastener.",
    "14. The method of claim 12 wherein at least 60% by volume of the nylon 11 particles have a particle size of between 30 and 100 micrometers.",
    "15. Use of a powder fastener retention material for forming a reusable fastener retention patch on a region of a metal sub-miniature fastener, wherein such sub-miniature fasteners are threaded fasteners having a diameter from furthest points on the thread of less than about 1.1 mm, wherein the powder fastener retention material comprises a nylon 11 powder having a median average particle size by volume of between 67 and 73 micrometers, and further comprising up to 20 wt % of a density control additive, up to 40 wt % of an adhesion promoter, and up to 2 wt % a flow promoter, wherein wt % is based on the total weight of the powder fastener retention material.",
    "16. A kit of parts comprising: (a) a metal sub-miniature fastener, wherein such sub-miniature fasteners are threaded fasteners having a diameter from furthest points on the thread of less than about 1.1 mm and (b) a powder retention material comprising a nylon 11 powder having a median average particle size by volume of between 67 and 73 micrometers, and further comprising up to 20 wt % of a density control additive, up to 40 wt % of an adhesion promoter, and up to 2 wt % a flow promoter, wherein wt % is based on the total weight of the powder retention material."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This application is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of PCT/EP2017/072901, filed Sep. 12, 2017, which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 62/395,148, filed Sep. 15, 2016, and European Patent Application No. 16203646.1 filed Dec. 13, 2016, the contents of which are each incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.\n\nThe present disclosure relates to a powder fastener retention material for application to metal sub-miniature fasteners, a metal sub-miniature fastener comprising a patch of reusable fastener retention material, a method for forming a patch of fastener retention material on a metal sub-miniature fastener, a use of a powder fastener retention material for forming a reusable fastener retention patch on a region of a metal sub-miniature fastener, and a kit of parts comprising (a) a metal sub-miniature fastener, and (b) a powder retention material powder.\n\nFor decades, reusable fastener retention elements have taken the form of phenolic fiber or polymer “plugs” or “strips” that were mechanically inserted into holes or slots machined into the fasteners. While such processes function well to provide reusable fastener retention elements, removing metal from the fasteners can weaken the fasteners. It is also a costly and time consuming process and as such the cost of the final product is quite high.\n\nTo overcome the cost and time restraints of these known processes, the inventors have developed a thermoplastic powder fastener retention material comprising polyamide (nylon) which can be applied as a “patch” on the thread of the fasteners.",
  "cpc": [
    "F16B 33/06",
    "C08K 2003/265",
    "C08K 3/26",
    "C08K 3/36",
    "C08L 2205/18",
    "C08L 77/02",
    "C09D 177/04",
    "C09D 5/031",
    "C09J 11/04",
    "C09J 11/06",
    "C09J 177/02",
    "F16B 39/021"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "C08K 3/26",
    "C08K 3/36",
    "C09D 177/04",
    "C09D 5/03",
    "F16B 33/06"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Akzo Nobel Coatings International BV",
    "Nylok LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Gregory Alaimo",
    "Dominic J. Gradozzi"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2017-09-12",
  "publication_date": "2022-03-15",
  "grant_date": "2022-03-15",
  "priority_date": "2016-09-15",
  "application_number": "US-201716333016-A",
  "family_id": "59799402",
  "cited_by_count": 0,
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}