{
  "patent_number": "US 2717437",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How George de Mestral Invented Velcro",
  "original_title": "Velvet type fabric and method of producing same",
  "summary": "A 1952 patent describing the creation of a hook-and-loop fastener by weaving synthetic loops into fabric and cutting them to create tiny, grippy hooks.",
  "what_it_does": "The patent describes a manufacturing process for creating a fabric with a specialized surface. It involves weaving standard warp and weft threads together with auxiliary threads made of synthetic resin. These auxiliary threads are formed into loops on the surface of the fabric and heat-treated to lock their shape. Finally, the loops are cut near their ends to create flexible, material-engaging hooks that can latch onto a corresponding loop-filled surface.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover fasteners made from non-synthetic materials like natural cotton or wool.",
    "Does not cover the specific 'loop' side of the fastener, only the method of creating the 'hook' side.",
    "Does not cover adhesive-backed fasteners that do not rely on the woven loop-and-hook mechanism."
  ],
  "filed": "1952-10-15",
  "granted": "1955-09-13",
  "expires": "1972-10-15",
  "status": "expired",
  "holder": "Velcro SA",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/velcro-sa",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Mestral George De",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/mestral-george-de"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 299,
  "tags": [
    "mechanical",
    "materials",
    "consumer_electronics"
  ],
  "abstract": null,
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2717437/velcro-hook-and-loop",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2717437/velcro-hook-and-loop/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US2717437",
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}