Abstract: Methods and machines for making fastener products having molded projections or other molded features carried on a surface feature transferring resin in discrete doses through an orifice defined in an outer surface of a rotating die wheel.

Abstract: A sheet-form loop product includes a flexible paper substrate and a layer of staple fibers disposed on a first side of the substrate, exposed loops of the fibers extending from holes through the substrate to a second side of the substrate, with bases of the loops being anchored on the first side of the substrate. The loops can be fastening loops. The product is formed by needling the fibers through the paper and then bonding the fibers. Examples include loop fastener materials, towels, abrasive scrubbing pads and sanding materials.

Abstract: A sheet-form composite has a paper side and a side having a field of fastener hooks. The paper side has a surface formed to be printable, writeable or photo-developable in the presence of the fastener hooks on the obverse side. Weak hook areas enable support of light weight papers upon loop surfaces that are not designed for hook and loop fastening. Selected bands in which hooks reside enable performing other operations in non-hook areas, with which the hooks would interfere, or would be damaged. The composite is useful for display, sales, advertising or adornment, and is readily fed through standard inkjet and other printers. Images are thus acquired and transferred onto the composite by computer.

Abstract: Touch fasteners and methods of making touch fasteners are described herein. The touch fasteners have a sheet form base that carries a plurality of male fastener elements, and are thermoformed into three-dimensional shapes. In some instances, the touch fasteners are thermoformed to define mold inserts, mold liners, frameworks, or other shaped surfaces. The touch fasteners can be used, for example, in mold processes.

Abstract: A fastener tape is provided including (a) a molded resin base sheet with an array of integrally molded fastener elements extending from a first side of the base sheet; and (b) a substrate permanently secured to a second side of the base sheet, the substrate comprising first and second yarns or fibers, the first yarn or fiber comprising a first polymeric material and the second yarn or fiber comprising a second, different polymeric materials, one of the polymeric materials being capable of adhesion to the resin of the base sheet.

Abstract: A faster tape is provided including (a) a molded resin base sheet with an array of integrally molded fastener elements extending from a first side of the base sheet; and (b) a substrate permanently secured to a second side of the base sheet, the substrate comprising first ad second yarns or fibers, the first yarn or fiber comprising a first polymeric material and the second yarn of fiber comprising a second, different polymeric materials, one of the polymeric materials being capable of adhesion to the resin of the base sheet.

Abstract: A fastener product for sealing an opening or frangible section of a container. The fastener product can be attached with an adhesive layer and includes a first base having an inner face and an outer face opposite the inner face, the first base comprising a first array of fastening elements on a first portion of the inner face and an adhesive coating on a second portion of the inner face and a second base having an inner face and an outer face opposite the inner face, the second base comprising a second array of fastening elements releasably engageable with the fastening elements of the first base on the outer face and an adhesive coating on the inner face of the second base. The first portion of the first base partially overlaps the second base. The first and second arrays of fastening elements may include engagable hook and loop elements.

Abstract: A skin attachment member of plastic resin, includes a sheet-form backing, and an array of skin penetrating elements extending integrally from the backing. The skin penetrating elements are configured to penetrate into the epidermal skin layer and are sized to limit painful contact with nerves below the epidermal skin layer. At least many of the skin penetrating elements each include at least one retention barb extending from an outer surface of the skin penetrating element. The barbs are configured to cooperate to resist removal of the skin attachment member from skin. The skin penetrating elements have a cone-shaped body with a pointed tip. The skin penetrating elements can have a groove in their outer surface. The skin attachment member is formed by molding.

Abstract: Holders for digital media discs are provided. The holders are configured to allow one or more digital media disc(s) to be mounted on a fabric surface, for example a fabric surface within the interior of a vehicle or the wall of a cubicle.

Abstract: A method of forming a fastener is provided, including (a) forming, from a thermoformable material, a preform product having a sheet-form base and an array of preform stems integrally molded with and extending from the base to corresponding terminal ends; (b) heating the terminal ends of the stems to a predetermined softening temperature, while maintaining the sheet-form base and a lower portion of each stem at a temperature lower than the softening temperature; and (c) contacting the terminal ends with a contact surface that is at a predetermined forming temperature, lower than the softening temperature, to deform the terminal ends to form heads therefrom that overhang the sheet-form base. Fasteners and other methods of forming them are also provided.

Abstract: A releasable touch fastener includes a loop component and a hook component, with a particularly small overall engaged thickness in combination with a high fastening strength, both in peel and shear. The loop component is a woven material, while the hook component may be woven or molded. The molded hook component includes a scrim reinforcement for tear resistance and sewability. The fastener is useful for high cycle applications, such as on non-disposable garments, footwear and luggage.

Abstract: A reclosable closure consists of two longitudinally continuous strips and which, when facially engaged, are held together by hook and loop fastening principles. The inner side of one strip has two fields of hook-engageable loops, separated by a female seal profile portion. The inner side of the other strip has two fields of molded hook elements arranged to engage the loops to hold the closure in its closed condition, and a central male seal profile portion for engaging the female seal profile portion to form a seal when the closure is closed. Another reclosable closure is held together by hook and loop fastening principles and includes a resilient bead that is compressed between opposing sides of the closure, or between spaced rails of an opposing side of the closure, when the hooks and loops of the closure are engaged. The closure is useful, for example, as a bag closure.

Abstract: A releasable touch fastener has an engagement area configured to produce a twisting about a centroid of the engagement area in the plane of engagement, in response to a unidirectional shear load acting within the plane of engagement. One fastener component has a flexible web carrying a multiplicity of loop-engageable fastener elements, or a region of adhesive, defining the engagement area. Elasticity of the engaged materials enhances the twisting effect.

Abstract: Improvements are disclosed for an apparatus for continuously molding small fastener elements integral with a base web from a flowable resin. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical mold roll rotatable about an axis and defining small fastener element-shaped mold cavities in the surface thereof, and pressure-applying means to apply operating pressure to force the resin into the cavities at a pressure zone. The pressure-applying means and mold roll define a mold gap therebetween for forming the base web. The advantageous use of relatively long mold rolls, to produce a correspondingly wide web, and the use of higher molding pressures, e.g. to form very small fastener elements, is enabled by various improvements, including means to maintain the mold gap at a desired thickness profile across the length of the molding region of the mold roll under operating pressure. In some cases the pressure-applying means includes a pressure roll, in other cases it includes a resin nozzle assembly or pressure head.

Abstract: An inflatable product includes overlapped areas of flexible material forming an inflatable pouch that is bounded by bonded regions of the flexible material and that includes a limited opening for inflating the pouch. The flexible material includes multiple fastening regions including a first fastening region in which an array of fastener elements with stems are arranged, the stems are integrally molded with and extending from a common resin substrate, and a second fastening region of fibrous loops releasably engageable with the fastener elements.

Abstract: Woven fastener products are provided for hook and loop fastening, that include flame resistant materials such as glass fibers, sodium silicate and thermosetting adhesive binders. The products are useful for securing articles in fire-sensitive environments, such as on board aircraft.

Abstract: A medical wrap includes a flexible, sheet-form substrate with a discrete medical function delivery region having a surface adapted to be placed against a patient's skin to provide a desired medical effect. The substrate carries a field of fibers exposed on one side thereof for engagement by fastener elements, and an array of fastener elements extending from a side of the substrate opposite the exposed fibers. The fastener elements each have a respective stem extending integrally from a film of resin disposed in a band across the substrate and encapsulating surface features of the substrate. The fastener elements are constructed to snag the exposed fibers when the substrate is wrapped about a patient in an overlapping manner, to secure the wrap about the patient with the medical function delivery region in a desired position. The wrap is useful as a hot or cold pack, medical dressing or drug delivery device.

Abstract: Improvements are disclosed for an apparatus for continuously molding small fastener elements integral with a base web from a flowable resin. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical mold roll rotatable about an axis and defining small fastener element-shaped mold cavities in the surface thereof, and pressure-applying means to apply operating pressure to force the resin into the cavities at a pressure zone. The pressure-applying means and mold roll define a mold gap therebetween for forming the base web. The advantageous use of relatively long mold rolls, to produce a correspondingly wide web, and the use of higher molding pressures, e.g. to form very small fastener elements, is enabled by various improvements, including means to maintain the mold gap at a desired thickness profile across the length of the molding region of the mold roll under operating pressure. In some cases the pressure-applying means includes a pressure roll, in other cases it includes a resin nozzle assembly or pressure head.

Abstract: A method of packaging a food product for retail sale includes forming a bag of sheet material and inserting a food product into the bag. The bag includes a ventilated, reclosable closure arranged to secure the bag against loss of bag contents that has first and second bands of fastener elements placed to form the ventilated, reclosable closure along an opening of the bag. The closure allows an amount of air into and out of the bag with the bag in a closed position after the bag has been opened at the opening to access the food product. The first band of fastener elements is an array of male fastener elements with stems extending from a base and heads arranged to engage a field of fibers.

Abstract: A flexible writing board has either adhesive or hook-and-loop fastening means on the back to adhere it to a wall surface.