Abstract: A molding apparatus defining a processing direction includes multiple molding modules spaced apart in a lateral direction perpendicular to the processing direction and a common reaction surface. Each molding module includes a frame and a mold roll that defines molding cavities. Each mold roll defines a respective pressure zone in cooperation with the reaction surface and each mold roll is movable with respect to the reaction surface by controlled operation of the frame. Molten resin is introduced into the pressure zones and forced into the molding cavities to form arrays of fastener elements extending from base layers of resin formed on the surfaces of the mold rolls. The fastener elements are withdrawn from the cavities while stripping the base layers from the peripheral surfaces.

Abstract: A linear actuator leverage assembly including a base with a side surface and a back surface defining between them a corner, a rail member coupled to the base, a lever arm with a bearing surface, and a linear actuator. The lever arm is pivotally connected to the rail member at a first pivot and to the linear actuator at a second pivot. The linear actuator is configured to move the rail member with respect to the base over a linear stroke of the linear actuator that moves the second pivot of the lever arm along a continuous motion path. The motion path includes a first path segment generally parallel to the side surface and a second path segment, over which the lever arm pivots about the bearing surface as a fulcrum, thereby increasing leverage applied by the actuator to the rail.

Abstract: An acoustic panel wall mounting system including a rigid fastening plate and a panel anchor. The rigid fastening plate carries a field of first touch fastening features and defines an aperture for receiving a mechanical fastener to secure the fastening plate against a wall with the field of first touch fastening features exposed. The panel anchor has a helix extending from a rigid surface flange that carries a field of second touch fastening features on a surface opposite the helix. The anchor defines a tool receptacle used for twisting the helix into a panel. The field of first touch fastening features is engageable with the field of second touch fastening features to form a connection when brought into engagement as the panel is placed against the wall to contact the fastening plate with the panel anchor.

Abstract: Arrays of male fastener elements are formed by molding preforms in cavities defined in one or more adjacent plates and shaped to mold preform arms that extend to a plate side, such as in a cross-machine direction of a continuous molding process. The preforms may be deformed to flatten their upper surfaces and lengthen the arms. Stems of preforms have molded side surfaces and each have width, measured in the longitudinal direction of the strip, that narrows with distance from the strip surface, and also narrows with distance from a parting line extending from the strip surface to the head between the arms.

Abstract: An energy dissipating link includes: an elongated base having opposite, first and second end portions; and a plurality of touch fasteners permanently coupled to the base, each of the plurality of touch fasteners releasably engageable with at least one other of the touch fasteners. The plurality of touch fasteners is arranged on the base to form first and second closures, each including engagements between respective fastening elements of two or more of the plurality of touch fasteners. The plurality of touch fasteners is configured such that: in response to a tensile load applied to the end portions of the base, the engaged touch fasteners of the first closure are loaded in shear along a shear plane; and in response to a tensile overload condition causing shear displacement of the touch fasteners of the first closure, the engaged touch fasteners of the second closure are subjected to a peel load.

Abstract: A cinching device includes: a buckle including a frame defining an opening; an elongate flexible strap coupled to one portion of the frame and extending away from the frame to a freestanding distal tongue receivable by the opening of the frame, the strap including a first face carrying a plurality of loop-engageable discrete fastening elements and an opposing second face carrying a loop material; and a tab coupled to another portion of the frame, the tab including an exposed touch fastening face engageable with at least one of: the plurality of fastening elements of the first face of the strap or the loop material of the second face of the strap.

Abstract: A method of making a laminated touch fastener includes introducing a flexible substrate to a resin applicator, applying flowable resin to a limited region of a surface of the substrate, and molding the applied resin to form a plurality of defined structures extending from a layer of the applied resin. The substrate surface, as the substrate is introduced to the resin applicator, has a surface characteristic that varies across the surface. The surface includes both a first region and a second region adjacent the first region, the surface characteristic varying to a greater degree within the second region than within the first region. The flowable resin may be applied within the first region such that an edge of the resin layer is disposed within, and adjacent an exposed portion of, the first region of the substrate surface.

Abstract: A touch fastener having long and thin headed stems welded to and extending from, for example, a thin film, is made by orienting thin, hollow, drawn staple fibers between bristles of a brush, with no more than fiber ends sticking out of the brush, and then fusing a film to the fiber ends by direct welding. The fibers are then withdrawn from the brush as stems that are headed by heating their ends and allowing the resin to reform into an engageable head.

Abstract: A molding apparatus defining a processing direction includes multiple molding modules spaced apart in a lateral direction perpendicular to the processing direction and a common reaction surface. Each molding module includes a frame and a mold roll that defines molding cavities. Each mold roll defines a respective pressure zone in cooperation with the reaction surface and each mold roll is movable with respect to the reaction surface by controlled operation of the frame. Molten resin is introduced into the pressure zones and forced into the molding cavities to form arrays of fastener elements extending from base layers of resin formed on the surfaces of the mold rolls. The fastener elements are withdrawn from the cavities while stripping the base layers from the peripheral surfaces.

Abstract: An acoustic panel wall mounting system including a rigid fastening plate and a panel anchor. The rigid fastening plate carries a field of first touch fastening features and defines an aperture for receiving a mechanical fastener to secure the fastening plate against a wall with the field of first touch fastening features exposed. The panel anchor has a helix extending from a rigid surface flange that carries a field of second touch fastening features on a surface opposite the helix. The anchor defines a tool receptacle used for twisting the helix into a panel. The field of first touch fastening features is engageable with the field of second touch fastening features to form a connection when brought into engagement as the panel is placed against the wall to contact the fastening plate with the panel anchor.

Abstract: An energy dissipating link for a tether includes: an elongated base having opposite, first and second end portions; a first touch fastener permanently coupled to the base proximate the first base end portion; and a second touch fastener permanently coupled to the base proximate the second base end portion. The second touch fastener is engageable with the first touch fastener to form a releasable closure defining a shear plane. With the first and second touch fasteners engaged to transmit a tensile load between the first and second end portions, and with the engaged touch fasteners loaded in shear in the shear plane, the base includes a longitudinally slack idler section between the first and second end portions. The idler section of the base is configured to transmit tensile load upon an energy-dissipating shear disengagement of the first and second touch fasteners by a tensile overload.

Abstract: A method of forming a continuous sheet of pleated, hook-form, fastener product includes training a substrate about a pressure roll having an outer surface defining circumferential grooves. As the substrate approaches a nip between the pressure roll and a mold roll calendered with the pressure roll, a portion of the substrate is disposed within a corresponding one of the grooves between the pressure roll and a stationary horn extending into the groove whereby a longitudinally-extending pleat is formed in the substrate. The pleated substrate is then passed through the nip where resin regions are laminated to a side of the substrate opposed to the pleat.

Abstract: A laminated touch fastener is made in a continuous process on a mold roll. Flowable resin is pressed against the mold roll in limited areas to form projections extending from resin layers that are laminated to a flexible substrate while carried on the mold roll. In one example a continuous channel about the mold roll is positioned such that the resin at least partially fills the channel as the layers are formed, thereby forming in the channel a raised portion in which the resin layer is of a greater thickness than at a point between the projections and the raised portion. In another example, grooves in the mold roll receive ribs of a pressure applicator during forming of the layers, the ribs blocking lateral flow of the resin to form a desired edge profile.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for connecting a printing plate to a print cylinder or surface. The techniques may be implemented, for instance, with respect to a printing plate, a print cylinder, a print sleeve, or some combination thereof. In an embodiment, a field of mechanical fasteners is provisioned on a printing plate, and a complementary field of mechanical fasteners is provisioned on a print sleeve or cylinder. The mechanical fasteners collectively operate to provide a mechanical bond or interface that inhibits lateral and rotational movement of the plate during printing operations, and can also be configured to manage backlash between engaging surfaces of the interface. In some cases, backlash management includes use of cushion effect integral with the mechanical bond itself and/or unidirectional and possibly angled fastener elements to provide a snugging effect.

Abstract: A touch fastener having long and thin headed stems welded to and extending from, for example, a thin film, is made by orienting thin, hollow, drawn staple fibers between bristles of a brush, with no more than fiber ends sticking out of the brush, and then fusing a film to the fiber ends by direct welding. The fibers are then withdrawn from the brush as stems that are headed by heating their ends and allowing the resin to reform into an engageable head.

Abstract: An ostomy belt has an elastic support membrane with a fibrous surface and an aperture for accessing a stoma. The aperture is formed by the user in a preferred location, and the area around the aperture is stabilized against stretch by applying a patch of relatively inelastic hook material to the fibrous surface about the aperture. An elastic membrane of an adhesive bandage is similarly stabilized about an opening in the bandage, by a hook patch that may have a flap for securing an IV tube.

Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a stud, a threaded sleeve, and a compression spring. The stud includes a shaft with a first head at one end and a second head at an opposite end of the shaft, both heads with opposing bearing surfaces. The threaded sleeve is disposed about the shaft. The threaded sleeve includes external threads and a tubular interior with an inwardly projected shoulder. The compression spring is disposed about the shaft inside the threaded sleeve, with a first end bearing against a shoulder of the threaded sleeve and a second end bearing against a bearing surface of the second head. The spring urges the sleeve against the bearing surface of the first head. The assembly can maintain a preload between two components while allowing the components to be separated, and can also be used as a pressure limiter.

Abstract: A seat trim cover includes a flexible web and a plurality of molded clips spaced-apart at predetermined intervals along a distal edge of the web. Each of the clips includes a base attached to the web and one or more latch elements extending from the base to a point beyond the distal edge of the web. The latch elements of each clip are configured to clasp a cushion retainer when forced into engagement with the retainer.