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 molding apparatus for forming a sheet-form fastener product includes a mold roll that is rotatable about an axis of rotation and has a circumferential surface defining a plurality of apertures that extend inwardly from the circumferential surface. Multiple inserts having first and second ends are retained within corresponding apertures of the mold roll such that the first end of each insert is directed toward the circumferential surface of the mold roll. The inserts have surfaces that at least partially define blind molding cavities shaped to mold, from molten resin forced into the molding cavities from the circumferential surface of the mold roll, an array of fastener elements having overhanging heads for releasable engagement with a mating fastener product.

Abstract: A skin-friendly hook component of a hook and loop fastener that reduces or eliminates the occurrence of red-marking and/or irritation if brought into contact with a wearer's skin. In one embodiment, the hook component can have a relatively large top surface area among the hooks with respect to a surface area of the hook backing. In another embodiment, the hook backing is highly flexible, attributable to a flexible resin and/or modified topography. In yet another embodiment, a highly flexible polymer, or polymers, can be used to make individual hooks such that the hooks bend in response to a minimum amount of pressure. Various illustrated hook tapes have features along their edges to enhance skin-friendliness. A skin-friendly hook component results any combination of the disclosed embodiments. The hook component is particularly beneficial when used in absorbent articles.

Abstract: Touch fastener, molded articles having touch fasteners and methods of making such touch fasteners and articles are provided. The touch fasteners include a sheet form base having an upper face and a lower face; a plurality of male fastener elements, each fastener element having a stem molded integrally with and extending from the upper face of the sheet form base; and a foam or fibrous non-woven material adjacent to the upper face of the sheet form base, wherein at least a portion of the foam or fibrous non-woven material is disposed between at least a portion of the fastening elements.

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: An elongated electrical cable or flexible circuit board includes an electrically conductive path and an insulating body encompassing and electrically isolating the conductive path, the insulating body including an exposed surface having an array of fastener elements extending therefrom, the fastener elements arranged and constructed to engage mating fastener elements associated with a supporting surface to selectively secure the cable or flexible circuit board to the supporting surface. The fastener elements can be loop-engageable fasteners and/or loops.

Abstract: A method of forming a mold having cavities for molding loop-engageable, hook-shaped fastener elements, includes: supporting a first plate having an outer surface that defines a plane; manipulating a material-cutting beam of a laser along a predetermined curved profile to cut a cavity into the outer surface of the first plate, the predetermined curved profile being generally hook-shaped, the cavity defined by a wall extending into the first plate from the outer surface; in a series of subsequent actions, repeatedly indexing the first plate relative to the laser to direct the material-cutting beam at further positions on the first plate and repeating the step of manipulating the material-cutting beam of the laser relative to the first plate to form a series of cavities, each having a hook-shaped profile; and positioning a second plate adjacent the outer surface of the first plate, the second plate providing a side wall surface for each of the cavities of the first plate, the first plate and the second plate in

Abstract: A fastening tape has a sheet-form base carrying an array of hooking members (10,22,24,34) each having a height (h) of about 0.008 inch (0.2 millimeter) or less, as measured from the base, and fiber-engaging features, such as re-entrant tips (18,32), disposed less than about 0.003 inch (0.08 millimeter) from their upper surfaces, as measured normal to the base. Such hooking members are employed to releasably engage directly into foams and fine denier non-woven materials, such as those of insulation, filters, construction moisture barriers, disposable gowns and diapers.

Abstract: A method of making a segmented hook and loop type fastener which accommodates molding contours. Several different methods for fabricating such a fastener are disclosed. A plurality of mold plates include a fastener forming zone, having similar arcuate edges. The fastener forming zone further comprises fastening element mold cavities intersecting these edges and one face of the mold plate, the mold cavities being arranged into a plurality of segment forming regions. Circumscribing each of the segment forming regions, is a gasket mold cavity; and between each adjacent pair of segment forming regions, is a hinge forming region. The mold plates form a cylindrical mold wheel having a circular surface formed by the arcuate edges of the mold plates such that the segment forming regions are spaced apart circumferentially around the cylindrical surface. The apparatus further comprises an extruder having a die whose surface is disposed close to the cylindrical surface.

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 segmented hook and loop type fastener accommodates molding contours. Each segment may be surrounded by a gasket barrier, or covered by another sort of cover, or left unprotected. The fastener component is a plurality of fastening segments. Carried on the fastening face of a base member are a plurality of fastening elements, either hook-type or loop-type. Located between and joining each adjacent pair of fastening segments is a flexible neck that is narrower than the fastening segment. The flexible neck region is typically flexible around two or three orthogonal axes. Each segment may have a barrier for use during an operation to incorporate the fastener into a molded body. The barrier would prevent any liquid foaming material from contacting the fastening elements if the fastener is placed in the mold with the fastening elements pressed against the wall of the mold. The cover may be enveloping or space filling.

Abstract: A segmented hook and loop type fastener accommodates molding contours. Each segment may be surrounded by a gasket barrier, or covered by another sort of cover, or left unprotected. The fastener component is a plurality of fastening segments. Carried on the fastening face of a base member are a plurality of fastening elements, either hook-type or loop-type. Located between and joining each adjacent pair of fastening segments is a flexible neck that is narrower than the fastening segment. The flexible neck region is typically flexible around two or three orthogonal axes. Each segment may have a barrier for use during an operation to incorporate the fastener into a molded body. The barrier would prevent any liquid foaming material from contacting the fastening elements if the fastener is placed in the mold with the fastening elements pressed against the wall of the mold. The cover may be enveloping or space filling.

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

Abstract: An elongated electrical cable or flexible circuit board includes an electrically conductive path and an insulating body encompassing and electrically isolating the conductive path, the insulating body including an exposed surface having an array of fastener elements extending therefrom, the fastener elements arranged and constructed to engage mating fastener elements associated with a supporting surface to selectively secure the cable or flexible circuit board to the supporting surface. The fastener elements can be loop-engageable fasteners and/or loops.

Abstract: A segmented hook and loop type fastener accommodates molding contours. Each segment may be surrounded by a gasket barrier, or covered, or unprotected. On the fastening face of a base member are a plurality of fastening elements, either hook-type or loop-type. Between and joining each adjacent pair of fastening segments is a flexible neck that is narrower than the fastening segment. The flexible neck region is typically flexible around two or three orthogonal axes. Each segment may have a barrier for use during an operation to incorporate the fastener into a molded body. The barrier would prevent any liquid foaming material from contacting the fastening elements if the fastener is placed in the mold with the fastening elements pressed against the wall of the mold. The cover may be enveloping or space filling. Several different types of apparatus and methods for fabricating such a fastener are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fastening tape has a sheet-form base carrying an array of hooking members (10,22,24,34) each having a height (h) of about 0.008 inch (0.2 millimeter) or less, as measured from the base, and fiber-engaging features, such as re-entrant tips (18,32), disposed less than about 0.003 inch (0.08 millimeter) from their upper surfaces, as measured normal to the base. Such hooking members are employed to releasably engage directly into foams and fine denier non-woven materials, such as those of insulation, filters, construction moisture barriers, disposable gowns and diapers.

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 method of forming a mold having cavities for molding loop-engageable, hook-shaped fastener elements, includes: supporting a first plate having an outer surface that defines a plane; manipulating a material-cutting beam of a laser along a predetermined curved profile to cut a cavity into the outer surface of the first plate, the predetermined curved profile being generally hook-shaped, the cavity defined by a wall extending into the first plate from the outer surface; in a series of subsequent actions, repeatedly indexing the first plate relative to the laser to direct the material-cutting beam at further positions on the first plate and repeating the step of manipulating the material-cutting beam of the laser relative to the first plate to form a series of cavities, each having a hook-shaped profile; and positioning a second plate adjacent the outer surface of the first plate, the second plate providing a side wall surface for each of the cavities of the first plate, the first plate and the second plate in

Abstract: A skin-friendly hook component of a hook and loop fastener that reduces or eliminates the occurrence of red-marking and/or irritation if brought into contact with a wearer's skin. In one embodiment, the hook component can have a relatively large top surface area among the hooks with respect to a surface area of the hook backing. In another embodiment, the hook backing is highly flexible, attributable to a flexible resin and/or modified topography. In yet another embodiment, a highly flexible polymer, or polymers, can be used to make individual hooks such that the hooks bend in response to a minimum amount of pressure. Various illustrated hook tapes have features along their edges to enhance skin-friendliness. A skin-friendly hook component results any combination of the disclosed embodiments. The hook component is particularly beneficial when used in absorbent articles.

Abstract: A method for producing a multiplicity of fastener element molding cavities extending from a mold surface, for molding a plastic product having fastener elements integrally molded with and extending from a product base, and a mold so produced. The mold cavities are formed by depositing multiple layers of plating material on a workpiece in a predetermined pattern selected to produce a desired mold cavity shape, or by depositing a thick stratum of plating material over an array of fastener elements and then removing the fastener elements to leave shaped cavities within the plating material. The mold may be in the form of a roll or belt for continuous processing, or in any form for discrete injection molding. Molds having fastener element cavities defined by rigid cast materials are also disclosed.