Systems for reversible attaching flexible substrates

Abstract

A system for reversibly attaching a flexible substrate (e.g., a fabric panel) to another surface comprises one or more magnetic elements and one or more magnetically responsive elements. The magnetic elements and magnetically responsive elements are disposed on the flexible substrate and the surface so that they engage and produce a reversible attachment of the flexible substrate and the surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for reversibly attaching at least a portion of a fabric panel to a substrate, the system comprising:
 (a) a receiving substrate for attachment of the fabric panel, the receiving substrate comprising one or more magnetic elements disposed thereon, the magnetic elements having a persistent magnetic field; and   (b) a first fabric panel having a surface, the first fabric panel comprising one or more magnetically responsive elements disposed on the surface of the first fabric panel and located to engage with at least one of the magnetic elements on the receiving substrate, the magnetically responsive elements comprising a binder and a magnetically responsive particulate material selected from the group consisting of paramagnetic particles, superparamagnetic particles, ferromagnetic particles, ferrimagnetic particles, and mixtures thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic elements are a magnetic coating on the surface of the receiving substrate, and the magnetic coating comprises a binder and a magnetizable particulate material. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the magnetizable particulate material is selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel, cobalt, alloys of such metals, alloys of rare earth metals, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the magnetizable particulate material is present in the magnetic coating in an amount of about 60 wt. % to about 90 wt. % based on the weight of the coating. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetically responsive particulate material is selected from the group consisting of iron particles, iron oxide particles, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetizable responsive material is present in the magnetically responsive elements in an amount of about 60 wt. % to about 90 wt. % based on the weight of the magnetically responsive element. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first fabric panel comprises a coating disposed on top of the magnetically responsive elements, the coating comprising a binder and a pigment. 
     
     
         8 . A system for reversibly attaching at least a portion of a fabric panel to a substrate, the system comprising:
 (a) a receiving substrate for attachment of the fabric panel, the receiving substrate comprising one or more magnetic elements disposed thereon; and   (b) a first fabric panel having a surface, the first fabric panel comprising one or more magnetic elements disposed on the surface of the first fabric panel and located to engage with at least one of the magnetic elements on the receiving substrate,   wherein the magnetic elements comprise a binder and a magnetizable particulate material, the magnetic elements having a persistent magnetic field, the magnetic elements on the first fabric panel have a first polarity, the magnetic elements on the receiving substrate have a second polarity, and the first polarity is opposite to the second polarity.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the magnetizable particulate material is selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel, cobalt, alloys of such metals, alloys of rare earth metals, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the magnetizable particulate material is present in the magnetic elements in an amount of about 60 wt. % to about 90 wt. % based on the weight of the element. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first fabric panel comprises a coating disposed on top of the magnetic element, the coating comprising a binder and a pigment. 
     
     
         12 . A shirt comprising:
 (a) a fabric panel for covering at least a portion of the torso of a wearer, the fabric panel having an outer surface, an inner surface, a first edge, and a second edge located at opposite ends of the fabric panel, the first edge and second edge encircling a volume when drawn together;   (b) one or more magnetic elements disposed on the outer surface of the fabric panel adjacent to the first edge, the magnetic elements having a persistent magnetic field; and   (c) one or more magnetically responsive elements disposed on the inner surface of the fabric panel adjacent to the second edge and located to engage with at least one of the magnetic elements, the magnetically responsive elements comprising a binder and a magnetically responsive particulate material selected from the group consisting of paramagnetic particles, superparamagnetic particles, ferromagnetic particles, ferrimagnetic particles, and mixtures thereof.   
     
     
         13 . A system for protecting at least a portion of a garment from environmental hazards, the system comprising:
 (a) a garment having an outer surface exposed to the environment and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, the garment comprising one or more magnetic elements disposed on the inner surface of the garment, the magnetic elements having a persistent magnetic field; and   (b) a fabric panel having a surface shaped to cover at least a portion of the outer surface of the garment, the fabric panel comprising one or more magnetically responsive elements disposed on the surface thereof and located to engage with at least one of the magnetic elements, the magnetically responsive elements comprising a binder and a magnetically responsive particulate material selected from the group consisting of paramagnetic particles, superparamagnetic particles, ferromagnetic particles, ferrimagnetic particles, and mixtures thereof.   
     
     
         14 . A system for adorning a raised platform, the system comprising:
 (a) a raised platform, the raised platform comprising a top, a perimeter extending around an outer edge of the raised platform, and one or more magnetic elements disposed along the perimeter of the raised platform, the magnetic elements having a persistent magnetic field; and   (b) a skirt, the skirt comprising at least one fabric panel having a top edge adapted to be placed along at least a portion of the perimeter of the raised platform, the skirt further comprising one or more magnetically responsive elements disposed along the top edge and located to engage with one or more of the magnetic elements disposed along the perimeter of the raised platform, the magnetically responsive elements comprising a binder and a magnetically responsive particulate material selected from the group consisting of paramagnetic particles, superparamagnetic particles, ferromagnetic particles, ferrimagnetic particles, and mixtures thereof.