Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of manufacturing moulded products, for example building panels, and in particular, but not exclusively, to manufacturing a panel comprising natural stone or rock set into a polymeric layer. The method of manufacturing a moulded product as described herein comprises at least one article being set into a polymeric layer, followed by placing the at least one article and particulate ferrous material in a container so that at least a portion of the or each article is embedded in the particulate ferrous material, introducing a polymeric material into the container to form the moulded product, and removing the moulded product from the container.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a molded hook fastener having excellent fire retardancy and low fuming property, and having a substrate and a large number of engaging elements projecting from a surface of the substrate, wherein both the substrate and the engaging elements contain a resin composition in which a polyester-based elastomer resin (A) and a polyetherimide-based resin (B) are mixed with a weight ratio (A)/(B) in a range of 2/98 to 70/30.

Abstract: A male touch fastener strip includes an elongated base and a field of male fastener elements each having a stem extending from a broad face of the base and a head for engaging fibers. The fastener element stems and broad face of the base together form a unitary mass of resin, such as a resin containing a magnetically attractable substance. Wings extend from respective longitudinal edges of the base and define discrete corrugations extending in a series along the fastener strip and forming corresponding undulations in the rear face of the strip along its longitudinal edges. The corrugated wings can also support a foam gasket.

Abstract: A loop material for a hook and loop fastener, which has ink jet printing on a face of the loop material, wherein the loop material has a shear strength of at least 10 pounds per square inch as measured by ASTM D-5169 and a peel strength of at least 1 pound as measured by ASTM D-5170. The printing on the face of the loop material substantially reduces the sound level associated with disengagement of the loop material from a hook material. A process for preparing the loop material is also disclosed.

Abstract: A bi-component process which produces an extrusion splitable in the cross machine direction.

Abstract: A fastener capable of resisting tear propagation is disclosed. The fastener includes a plastic belt body and a textile belt body. The plastic belt body has a first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface. The textile belt body has a third surface and a forth surface facing away from the third surface. The first surface is disposed of a plurality of fastening components. The second surface is discontinuously adhered to the third surface to form a plurality of discontinuous adhesion portions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a spunlaced nonwoven fabric made of continuous filaments as loop material for hook and loop fasteners. The invention also relates to a loop material made of a nonwoven fabric and the production thereof.

Abstract: A method of forming a touch fastener product having a sheet-form base and an array of discrete fastener elements each extending from the base includes providing a molded sheet-form base and an array of discrete fastener element preforms, each preform extending from the base and including both a stem portion rising from the base and a head portion both contiguous with a distal end of the stem portion and having an upper surface directed away from the base, the head portion including at least one laterally directed extension overhanging the base in a primary lateral direction between exposed sides of the fastener element preform and ending at a distal, free tip; and then forming respective caps, of a cap material of a higher flex modulus than the resin of the preforms, on the upper surfaces of at least some of the molded fastener element preforms to form the discrete fastener elements.

Abstract: Disclosed are adhesive systems and methods of making and using such systems. Exemplary adhesive systems include protrusions and/or grooves that can interleave to form a reversible adhesive interaction.

Abstract: A touch fastener product has a base strip of resin carrying both mechanical fastener projections and adhesive, in some cases disposed on raised portions of the base strip. The fastener projections are arranged in discrete fields with lanes between the fields, and the adhesive is disposed within the lanes. The adhesive in each lane is shorter, as measured perpendicularly from the base strip, than the projections nearest the lane, by a distance that is less than ten percent of the width of the lane. In some cases molded stems extend through the adhesive in the lanes. The fastening face of the molded base strip is treated to give the fastening face a higher surface energy than the back face, to resist adhesive delamination during unspooling.

Abstract: Improved fastening systems are described. More particularly, improved fastening systems for disposable absorbent articles are described.

Abstract: An assembly comprising firstly an overmolded element having hooks, designed to be overmolded in a molded article, the overmolded element forming an open internal space defined by two end side walls and a bottom, from which hooks stemming from the element project; and secondly a mold having its internal walls defining an internal volume that is the same shape as the article to be formed by molding in the mold, at least one pedestal projecting into the internal volume from said inside wall(s), the overmolded element being in contact with the pedestal while the molding foam is being cast, the pedestal including a rail-shaped portion having two opposite outer side faces, and, while the foam is being cast, the respective end side walls of the overmolded element are in contact with the respective opposite outer side faces, without hooks being interposed between them.

Abstract: A hook surface fastener excellent in the heat resistance, flame resistance, retention of hook shape, and pull-out resistance of hook engaging elements (fibers). The hook surface fastener is composed of a base fabric and the hook engaging elements formed on the base fabric. The base fabric is a woven fabric composed of warp yarns, weft yarns and fibers constituting the hook engaging elements. The warp yarns and the fibers constituting the hook engaging elements are polyphenylene sulfide fibers. The weft yarns are substantially non-twisted, paralleled yarns of polyphenylene sulfide fibers and heat-fusible fibers having a melting point or softening point each being 230° C. or lower. The polyphenylene sulfide fibers constituting the hook engaging elements have a crystal orientation of 85.0 to 90.0% and a crystallinity of 32.0 to 42.0% so that the retention of hook shape is good. The fibers constituting the hook engaging elements are anchored to the base fabric by fusion of the heat-fusible fibers.

Abstract: 1. Touch-and-Close Fastener Part and Method for Producing a Touch-and-Close Fastener Part 2. A touch-and-close fastener part (32) comprising: a functional layer which fixes a backing surface, formed from a thread system with at least two line elements (12a-12d, 14a-14c) which form meshes (16a-16b?, 20a-20a?) and which are connected to one another, at least one further individual functional layer which has formed and/or formable connecting elements (30, 30?), which layer is formed from a further thread system which is incorporated at least in individual sections into the thread system, is characterized in that the thread systems are connected to one another with the formation of passage sites (24a-24d) whose free cross-sectional area takes up more than 20% of the corresponding backing area. 3. FIG.

Abstract: Provided are a dry adhesive fastening system which has a relatively superior adhesion, does not almost generate noises during the attaching or detaching operation, has a simplified structure adapted to mass production requirements, and a method of using the same. For this, the dry adhesive fastening system includes a first adhesion member having a first microvillus disposed on a first board and a second adhesion member having a second microvillus disposed on a second board to contact the first adhesion, thereby providing adhesion. Also, unlike the existing velcro fastening system, the hook and loop may not be classified to improve production yield and effectiveness. Also, during the attachment/detachment, the noises may do not occur. In addition, since the microvillus having the micro or nano size is used, the adhesion may be realized even though a very small area is provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a closure component having a plurality of closure components (12) each disposed on a carrier part (10) by means of a footer (18) and each comprising a header (14) connected to the footer (18) by means of a shaft part (16), wherein the header (14) is jointedly connected to the shaft part (16) by means of a hinge part (20). Because the footer (18) forms a further hinge part (22), by meats of which the shaft part (16) is jointedly connected to the carrier part (10), improved adhesion to third components can be produced relative to the known solutions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for engaging and disengaging a releasable fastener system, comprising fastening devices composed of elastomers or shape memory polymers and their composites wherein the fastening devices may be of any number of geometrical shapes limited only by the fact that each pair of fastening devices are designed such that the mating geometries of each device are compatible with one another. This disclosure relates to an apparatus and process for an easy and near silent closure mechanism for a container. Specifically this application deals with the use of elastomers or shape memory polymers as the connection devices in a fastener system which can be used to attach one part to another or act as the closure mechanism for a pocket, box, or other container.

Abstract: A fastener-forming element, designed to fasten at least one oblong element, e.g. at least one electric cable, to a second element, e.g. a panel or a partition, e.g. of a motor vehicle, is characterized in that it is constituted by a strip having two opposite faces, male elements in particular in the form of hooks, projecting from one of the two faces, said male elements being designed to co-operate either with female elements, in particular loops, stemming from the second element (when a male-female self-fastener is formed), or with other male elements stemming from the second element (when a male-male self-fastener is formed), and in that the strip is rolled up helically, so that said one of the two faces from which the male elements stem is on the outside of the fastener-forming element, the strip thus defining an inside space designed to receive the at least one element of oblong shape.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a stretched mechanical fastening web laminate (1) comprising a thermoplastic web layer (13) having two major surfaces, one of the major surfaces bearing a multitude of male fastening elements (14) suitable for engagement with a corresponding female fastening material, and on its other major surface a fibrous web layer (11), said method comprising the steps of (i) providing the fibrous web layer (11) having an initial basis weight, (ii) passing the fibrous web layer (11) through a nip formed by two rolls (101), (103), one of them having cavities (120) that are the negatives of a plurality of male fastening elements (14), introducing a molten thermoplastic resin into the cavities (120) in excess of an amount that would fill the cavities (120) which excess forms the thermoplastic web layer (13), allowing the resin to at least partially solidify and stripping of a precursor web laminate (10) thus formed comprising the fibrous web layer (11) and the the

Abstract: A mold-in fastening member which is composed of a strip of substrate, engaging elements formed on one surface of the substrate, and an elastomer layer completely surrounding the engaging elements, the substrate having slits or notches which extend from a widthwise central portion of the substrate to a widthwise end portion of the substrate. The mold-in fastening member bends in conformity with a two- or three-dimensionally complicated shape of a molded article. The mold-in fastening member prevents the surface having the engaging elements from being covered with a foamable liquid molding resin during a mold-in process, thereby preventing the engaging elements from losing the engaging function.

Abstract: A fastening member has inboard and outboard ends, a panel region, an end region, and a stiffening element. The panel region is disposed adjacent to the inboard end and has first and second layers. The first and second layers are joined in a face-to-face orientation. The end region is disposed adjacent to the outboard end and has a fastening element zone and an intermediate zone. The intermediate zone is disposed between the fastening element zone and the panel region adjacent an interface between the panel and end regions. The stiffening element is disposed in the end region and has a stiffness of greater than about 200 N/m. A portion of the stiffening element is disposed between the first layer and the second layer and is joined to the first layer and the second layer. The portion is disposed adjacent to the interface between the panel region and the end region.

Abstract: Mechanically interlocking releasable fastener systems include a reinforced shape memory polymer for forming one of the interlocking components. The reinforced shape memory polymer includes a filler material in the form of a fiber and/or platelet. The filler can include an electrically conductive filler, a thermally conductive filler, a dielectric fillers, and mixtures thereof. Also disclosed herein are processes for using the releasable fastener systems.

Abstract: A method that includes coextruding two or more thermoplastic resin streams through a profiled die plate, which die plate is shaped to form a nonplanar film (three dimensional) preferably with a regularly oscillating peak and valley structure that oscillates from a top surface to a bottom surface forming longitudinally extending ridges on both faces of the film. The film is formed by coextruding the film through the oscillating die plate opening causing partitioning of the resins in different zones in the width direction of the film. Flattening of the film results in a film with side-by-side zones formed of different polymers or relative proportions of polymers.

Abstract: There is provided a hook fastener comprising a base, where at least one surface has a multiplicity of engaging projections, which projections have a top surface and an attached end that are arranged in a region to form one or more shapes. There is also provided a method for forming the above fastener comprising dispersing onto a contact release surface polymer particles in at least one discrete area forming a predetermined shape and forming preform projections. The front surface of the base is fixed to the terminal ends of at least some of the preform projections and then removed from the contact release surface in the form of the predetermined shape. In an alternative method polymer particles are uniformly dispersed onto a contact release surface using electrostatic attraction and selectively transferred to the base in the predetermined shape by masks or selective adhesion or the like.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a touch-and-close fastener element comprising a multitude of hook means, which are provided with a support as one piece and in the shape of stems with hook heads located at the ends thereof. Each of the hook heads is provided, at least in part, with an addition head part made of an additional material. A fastener system is produced from the respective head part being made from a duroplastic molding compound serving as the additional material. The fastener system can withstand a high temperature and mechanical stresses and lead to improved adhesion values and peel strength values during use.

Abstract: Articles having cooperative fasteners are described. The cooperative fasteners comprise an elongated fastening strip with male fasteners extending from a first surface and foam disposed on the first surface, where at least a portion of the foam extends to a height greater than the height of the male fastener elements. In some instances the article is a hat, a mat, a bag, a garment, or a hair roller.

Abstract: Hook-engageable loop materials are provided, which include high bulk yarns. Closure strips employing such materials, and methods of making such materials are also provided.

Abstract: A hook member is provided that is capable of engaging fibers. The hook member includes a stem extending upwardly from a sheet-form base to a distal end. The stem has leading and trailing edges that form an apex angle therebetween. A crook is integrally formed with and arches along a curved axis directly from the stem of the hook member to a tip. The crook has a width measured along a line tangent to the tip and perpendicular to a central axis that bisects the apex angle and intersects a plane substantially parallel to the sheet-form base that is less than about 20 percent of a height of the hook member measured along a line extending perpendicular to the base.

Abstract: A method for forming a unitary polymeric projection or fastener comprising a thin, strong flexible backing, and a multiplicity of thin spaced hook members projecting from the upper surface of the unitary backing the method generally including extruding a thermoplastic resin through a die plate which die plate is shaped to form a base layer and spaced ridges, ribs or hook elements projecting above a surface of the base layer. When the die forms the spaced ridges or ribs the cross sectional shape of the hook members are formed by the die plate while the initial hook member thickness is formed by transversely cutting the ridges at spaced locations along their lengths to form discrete cut portions of the ridges. Subsequently longitudinal stretching of the backing layer (in the direction of the ridges on the machine direction) separates these cut portions of the ridges, which cut portion then form spaced apart hook members.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof. The hook portion generally includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises or incorporates a shape memory alloy fiber. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. Introducing a thermal activation signal to the plurality of hook elements causes a change in shape orientation, flexural modulus property, or a combination thereof that effectively reduces the shear and/or pull off forces in the releasable engagement.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof. The hook portion generally includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises a first portion fabricated from a shape memory material and at least one additional portion fabricated from a different shape memory material. An activation device is coupled to the plurality of hook elements, the activation device being operable to selectively provide an activation signal to the plurality of hook elements to change a shape orientation, a yield strength property, a flexural modulus property, or a combination thereof to reduce a shear force and/or a pull-off force of an engaged hook and loop portion. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement.

Abstract: An absorbent article such as infant training pants is provided with a mechanical hook-and-loop type fastening system in which at least the loop material is made of a laminate with a facing having a bond density of greater than 225 points per square inch.

Abstract: A releasable fastening system comprises a loop portion comprising a loop material, a hook portion comprising a plurality of hook elements, and an actuation device disposed in electrical communication with the loop portion and the hook portion. The actuation device is operable to provide electrostatic charges to the loop material and the hook elements.

Abstract: A fastener is disclosed with a fiber-covered element for anchoring the fastener in a finished foam seat cushion, and/or a fiber-covered element for sealing the fastening members of the fastener against fouling during the seat cushion molding process. The fiber-covered elements can additionally be magnetically attractable, and serve to temporarily secure the fastener to the forming mold during the molding process.

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 releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof whereas the hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces. The hook elements are formed of a magnetorheological elastomer that provides a change in shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements. In this manner, the shape orientation and/or flexural modulus of the hook elements can be remotely changed to provide a reduction or magnification in the shear and/or pull-off forces in addition to providing variable damping capabilities to the fastener system.

Abstract: A hook and loop fastener comprising a hook component and a loop component. The hook component includes a hook backing and a plurality of hooks protruding from the hook backing. The hook backing includes an extensible material. The loop component includes a loop backing and a plurality of loops protruding from it. The loop backing also includes an extensible material.

Abstract: A hook member is provided that is capable of engaging fibers. The hook member includes a stem extending upwardly from a sheet-form base to a distal end. The stem has leading and trailing edges that form an apex angle therebetween. A crook is integrally formed with and arches along a curved axis directly from the stem of the hook member to a tip. The crook has a width measured along a line tangent to the tip and perpendicular to a central axis that bisects the apex angle and intersects a plane substantially parallel to the sheet-form base that is less than about 20 percent of a height of the hook member measured along a line extending perpendicular to the base.

Abstract: A releasable fastener system comprises a loop portion and a hook portion. The loop portion includes a support and a loop material disposed on one side thereof. The hook portion includes a support and a plurality of closely spaced upstanding hook elements extending from one side thereof, wherein the plurality of hook elements comprises a fiber and a shape memory alloy coating deposited onto the fiber, and wherein the fiber and the shape memory alloy coating comprises a non-axisymmetric coating or deposition of the shape memory alloy about a portion of the fiber. When the hook portion and loop portion are pressed together they interlock to form a releasable engagement. The resulting joint created by the engagement is relatively resistant to shear and pull forces and weak in peel strength forces.

Abstract: Fastener products, for example for use in hook and loop fasteners are provided. The fastener products include a sheet form backing, and, extending from the backing, a plurality of fastener elements that include a shape memory polymer. Method of making and using such fastener products are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adhesive closing part, especially for foaming upholstery parts of car seats during production of the latter, comprising adhesive elements (10) arranged on one side for connection to corresponding adhesive elements of another adhesive closing part by forming an adhesive closure and connecting elements on the other side of the adhesive closing part for producing a connection to the corresponding foam material. A reliable and high-strength connection to the foam material is achieved due to the fact that the connecting elements consist of an adhesive medium, especially a fluorine gas, applied at least on the other side of the adhesive closing part.

Abstract: A woven fastener product includes an array of hook elements and an array of loop elements that extend from the surface of different respective regions of a common fabric base. The arrays are formed by warp yarns, the arrays being separated in the warp direction of the fabric base. To form a self-engaged fastening, the fastener product is conformed so that the hook elements overlie the loop elements. Monofilament loops are shown sized and located to provide pin-receiving mounting sleeves as part of the woven structure.

Abstract: A fastener product includes a planar base, multiple discrete plateaus molded integrally with and extending from an upper surface of the base each plateau having an upper surface that is smaller in area than an overall area of the base covered by the plateau, and an array of discrete fastener elements integrally molded with and extending from the upper surface of the plateau. The product is molded on a mold roll covered by a sleeve either made of a resilient material or having apertures intersecting an inner surface of the sleeve at an inner opening that is smaller than an outer opening of the aperture at an outer sleeve surface to form an edge of the fastener product of decreased sharpness.

Abstract: A finishing method for obtaining a fiber surface fastener, said method being capable of, with simple processes, firmly fixing entangling portions between a foundation cloth composed of knitted/woven structure or nonwoven fabric and base portions of engaging elements, further, the finishing method being capable of preventing coating agent from adhering to or solidifying on the protruding surfaces of the engaging elements, said surface fastener having excellent softness. While a fiber surface fastener in which a plurality of engaging elements are formed on a foundation cloth thereof is conveyed continuously, powdery hot-melt adhesive is applied to its engaging element formation face from a separate position, the surface fastener is heated at a temperature higher than a melting point of said adhesive for a required time so that the adhesive applied is melted between the base portions of the engaging elements and the foundation cloth, and then said surface fastener is cooled.

Abstract: A hook and loop fastener for flat structures, particularly for textile products, having a hook part and an interlocking part, the interlocking part being made of a nonwoven composite having worked-in, textured, polymeric threads, the nonwoven composite being used as support for the textured threads, and the textured threads forming the loops for the hooks.

Abstract: A hook and loop fastener having an increased coefficient of friction compared to conventional nonwoven hook and loop systems. The increased coefficient of friction strengthens engagement between a hook component and a loop component, both when the hooks and loops are engaged, and even when the hooks and loops are not engaged but merely in contact with one another. The coefficient of friction can be increased by adding tackifiers in the hook forming process and/or in the loop forming process, or by extruding multi-component fibers using a fiber type that enhances strength and a fiber that has less strength but has a higher coefficient of friction, or by using fibers of various cross-sectional shapes, or by processing surface bloom additives into the hook and/or loop structures.

Abstract: The invention is a refastenable mechanical fastening system, made of free formed prongs joined to a substrate. The prongs taper and are nonperpendicularly oriented relative to the plane of the substrate. Each prong has an engaging means projecting laterally from the periphery of the prong. The free formed prongs are manufactured by the process of depositing liquid material onto a moving substrate, stretching the liquid material in a direction parallel to the plane of the substrate and severing the stretched material to form the distal end and engaging means of the prong. The advantageous usage of the fastening system in an article of manufacture, such as a disposable absorbent garment, specifically a diaper, is also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrically releasable form of hook and loop fastener allows one half of the fastener to release from the other half without applying direct physical force to either half. The hook elements of the fastener are formed of a shape-memory alloy material such as commercially available Ninitol. Release of the hook half of the fastener from the loop half is accomplished by passing an electrical current through the shape-memory alloy material to straighten the hooks so that they release their engagement with the loops. The flow of electricity through the hook half energizes the Ninitol material to change its shape, either expanding or contracting in length; the change in shape is made to act against another length of material that remains fixed in length or changes shape in an opposite direction so as to cause the hook shape to straighten toward a rod shape.

Abstract: To provide a surface fastener that can be easily produced, is excellent in strength, has necessary engagement force and can withstand the repetition of use.

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.