Abstract: A breathable fabric laminate is formed from fabrics of differing properties, by selecting respective faces of each of two fibrous fabrics to be adhesively joined across the selected faces, raising surface fibers of at least one of the selected faces by brushing or napping the surface fibers, applying a pattern of adhesive to at least one of the selected faces, the pattern including areas of adhesive and adhesive-free areas, and then joining the selected faces to form a fabric laminate. Napping or brushing the back sides of the fabrics prior to lamination creates a spacing layer that can increase air permeability and overall laminate thickness.

Abstract: Molded touch fastener elements or hooks that feature a head or crook that is quite large with respect to the size of the overall hook, or with respect to the entrance below the hook heads through which the loops must pass for engagement to occur. The hooks are particularly useful for high cycle life applications when mated with low loft loops.

Abstract: Touch fasteners for use as mold inserts in molding seat foam buns include a sheet-form base a magnetically attractable material disposed on the upper face of the sheet-form base, and a film cover covering the magnetically attractable material wherein maximum slope angle of the film cover, is less than about 75° as measured from the upper surface of the sheet form base to the outside surface of the cover. The magnetically attractable material is a strand of frangible composite constructed to be readily segmented with the seat foam bun during recycling.

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: Stretchable fastener products are formed by providing a sheet-form fastener tape, slitting the fastener tape to form longitudinally extending bands of fastener tape and separating the longitudinally extending bands to space the fastener tape bands transversely apart. The spaced bands are attached to a sheet form elastic web to form a stretchable fastener product. In some examples, the stretchable fastener product is formed continuously in conjunction with manufacture of the sheet-form fastener tape.

Abstract: A male fastener element extends integrally from a planar base and includes a primary engagement hook and a secondary engagement structure (e.g., a hook). The primary engagement hook has a stem portion that is integrally molded with the planar base and that extends from the planar base to a distal end. The primary engagement hook also has an overhang portion that extends from the distal end of the stem portion and that has an underside surface overhanging an open volume for receiving loops. The secondary engagement structure, which is shorter than the primary engagement hook, is disposed immediately adjacent the primary engagement hook and extends from a side surface of the primary engagement hook. The secondary engagement structure extends from the base to a distal end that is disposed, in side view, below the underside surface of the overhang portion of the primary engagement hook.