Abstract: Aspects disclosed herein relate to improvements regarding the formation of touch fasteners on nonwoven materials or other thermoplastic and non-thermoplastic materials employing ultrasonic formation technologies. Such improvements may be applied to rotary sonotrodes or blade sonotrodes. These improvements may include raised or recessed features in the functional surface of the sonotrode, methods and arrangements of pre-heating and/or cooling the functional surface of the sonotrode, varying or fixing the surface speed of the rotary sonotrode relative to a molding roller to form touch fasteners at desired spacing intervals, and the inclusion of supplementary material with the substrate. Various molding rollers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects disclosed herein relate to forming on a substrate fastener elements suitable for use in touch fastener by employing vibration forming methods. The processes described provide for a greater flexibility in manufacturing than prior methods and overcome certain limitations in prior forming techniques. Further, the product made can embody a variety of different configurations suitable for a given application. Employing vibration forming methods, such as ultrasonic forming methods, allows for the use of a wider variety of substrate material than materials used with convention methods of touch fastener formation.