Abstract: A patterned roller including one or more patterned rings forming an overall cylindrical pattern. The patterned roller may also include one or more spacer rings to form grooves or channels into a surface. The patterned roller may be included in a roller stack as part of a manufacturing system for patterned film. The patterned roller can include a pattern to form full corner cubes of many different sizes and/or geometries in a continuous manner across the width and along the length of a reflective sheet without seams. Methods of manufacture include rolling the cylindrical pattern of the patterned roller into a surface of an extruded sheet. Articles are manufactured utilizing the methods of manufacture including license plates, shoes, highway signs, articles of clothing, pavement markers, automobile reflectors, and bicycle reflectors.

Abstract: A running length of fastener product is formed of longitudinally pre-oriented synthetic resin. The product is characterized by a base web and an array of discrete fastener elements protruding from at least one side of the web, the web being in a laterally stretched molecular oriented condition. After forming a preform having discrete fastener elements integral with a base web in a stretchable state, the preform is stretched in a manner that substantially increases the fastener element spacing and reduces the thickness of the base web. A machine is shown that is capable of lengthwise orienting before forming and widthwise stretching after forming, which employs controlled heating to render the product widthwise stretchable while preserving or achieving a desired shape of the fastener elements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning a fibrous material. The conditioning arrangement includes a moisturizing chamber having two series of opposed rollers arranged to accept a fiber batt into a pressing space therebetween. The pressing space tapers from a batt entrance toward a batt exit. This tapered configuration is affected for compressing a fiber batt as it is rolled therethrough. As illustrated, before entering the conditioner, the cotton batt has a greater thickness than after compaction and processing through the moisturizing chamber. A moisture infusion assembly is provided within the moisturizing chamber and has an air distributor configured to dispense moisture laden air adjacent to a fiber batt being processed through the pressing space. An air collector is configured to pull exhaust air away from the fiber batt being processed through the pressing space.

Abstract: There are provided apparatuses and related methods for preforming sheets to form preforms for forming ducts. The preforms can be formed of a thermoplastic material, such as flat sheets of reinforced thermoplastic, which can be lightweight, strong, and perform well in flammability, smoke, and toxicity tests. The apparatus includes a heater for heating the sheet to a processing temperature and a structure for configuring the sheet to a desired shape of the duct. For example, rollers, rods, tubes, or a funnel can be used to bend the sheet.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for making an unvulcanized rubber tape having a finished thickness TO in a range of from 0.3 to 1.5 mm, comprising an extruder which includes a passage for unvulcanized rubber defining an outlet for the extruded unvulcanized rubber, and a pair of calendar rollers disposed near the outlet for adjusting the thickness of the extruded unvulcanized rubber passing therebetween, wherein the passage is comprised of a transforming part having an inlet for the unvulcanized rubber at its upstream-side end, and a thinning part on the downstream side thereof defining the outlet at its downstream-side end, with the transforming part gradually changing in the cross sectional shape from a circle to a flat shape in the lower course of the passage, and the thinning part having a flat cross sectional shape and gradually decreasing in thickness in the lower course of the passage.

Abstract: The two belt parts (2a, 2b) of a belt (2) made of plasticatable material are produced with the aid of a first station (6) and a second station (8). The first station (6) includes a rotatable mold drum (14) and a continuous mold belt (18). The mold belt (18) is brought together with the mold drum (14) along a peripheral section via an upper pressure roller (20), a lower pressure roller (22) and a tensioning roller (24) in such a manner that a hollow mold space (26) is formed between the mold drum (14) and the mold belt (18). An extruder (10) is mounted forward of the hollow mold space (26). Furthermore, the first station (6) includes a filament feed (28) for forming a reinforcement layer (4) in the first belt part (2a). For a simplified manufacture of the belt (2), the second station (8) includes only a direction-changing roller (30) in addition to the extruder (12) and a mold drum (16).

Abstract: The present invention relates to the art of continuous forming of elongated strip-like products made of thermoplastic material, and more specifically to apparatus and method to forming said thermoplastic material over a substantial portion of the circumference of a forming roll. The present invention is specifically related to the art of forming agricultural products, and especially for the production of drip irrigation strip which may be used for installing in the inner side of a tube or to be folded to form an irrigation tube.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for compressing and processing a mat of lignocellulose material into the form of a board are disclosed. The apparatus includes a pair of compression rolls, at least one of which has a perforated shell surface, a channel within that roll for injecting a processing medium into the mat through a restricted sector of the roll, a processing medium supply for the channel including a slide shoe which is sealingly attached to one end of the roll, and the channel includes a number of channels associated with portions of the axial width of the roll so that the processing medium can be supplied through step-wise variable portions of the width of the roll.

Abstract: Disclosed is both a method and apparatus for controlling and measuring an embossed texture on a decorative article. The embossed textured article includes both peaks and valleys that are measured and quantified to determine a profile of the textured article. Typically, the textured article comprises both chemically and mechanically embossed areas. The method uses moving average subtraction and peak/valley determinations to eliminate web flutter that often distorts the quantification of the mechanically embossed texture. The resulting profile may then be used to control a desired embossed profile.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing wrinkles in a film includes a first pair of cylindrical rollers including a first roller and a second roller, the first and second roller each in parallel juxtaposed relation to each other, and each having a substantially smooth surface; and a second pair of cylindrical rollers including a third roller and a fourth roller, the third and fourth roller each in parallel juxtaposed relation to each other, and at least one of the third and fourth roller having a chevron pattern disposed on the surface thereof; the first pair of rollers being adjacent to and spaced apart from the second pair of rollers. A method for reducing wrinkles is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for producing solid dosage forms by molding plastic active ingredient-containing mixtures with use of a continuously operating molding tool with two parts which cooperate to mold the plastic mixture, with at least one part having a plurality of depressions to receive and mold the plastic mixture, wherein one part has at least two groups, which differ in volume and/or shape, of depressions. Dosage forms which differ in shape or size are obtained in one step.

Abstract: Conventionally, wrinkles may arise on the surface of the bread dough belt, depending on the properties of the bread dough, mechanical conditions, etc., and the gluten structure in the bread dough belt may be harmed, when the bread dough belt is stretched or rolled while air bubbles are kept in the surface layer.

Abstract: A patterned element for use in an embossing and adhesive application process. The patterened element comprises a material having an pattern disposed thereon, wherein the material comprises a polymer and has a Shore A hardness of greater than about 70, and has a critical surface energy of less than about 30 dynes/cm.

Abstract: A printing plate bender for forming shaped edges on a substrate. The printing plate bender generally has a frame, and an elongate mandrel rotatably supported on the frame. The mandrel includes a substrate retainer supported thereon for securing the substrate thereto. The plate bender includes a first substrate guide supported on the frame and disposed adjacent to the mandrel. The printing plate bender further includes a heater disposed in longitudinal alignment with the mandrel and operatively connected with the mandrel. The heater is movably mounted to the frame and upon rotation of the mandrel is movable to a position wherein the heater is in close proximity to the substrate secured to the mandrel in order to assist in forming the desired bend on the printing plate.

Abstract: A plastic net consisting of a pre-stretched plastic stretch film comprises pre-stretched bridges (7) and filaments (6), said filaments extending in a main direction (5) and being transversely folded in order to increase their tensile strength. The required reshaping of the original film material is performed by a pre-stretching device (9) with interacting rollers (10, 11) and a transverse folding device (20) with a reshaping area (23) in which the width of the filaments (6) is reduced.

Abstract: A kneading device kneads a main raw material of high viscosity and a secondary raw material of liquid or powder and continuously delivers a kneaded raw material obtained, and a ropesizer includes a sheet forming unit, and a delivering unit applies a second raw material onto a first raw material, which is elongated into a sheet shape and is conveyed by the sheet forming unit, so as to be in a strand form.

Abstract: An apparatus for stretching and rolling a mass of a strip of food dough to form a dough sheet is disclosed. A first conveyor (15) continuously conveys a mass of a strip of dough (9) along a traveling direction that is parallel to the mass of the strip of the dough (9). The incoming mass of the strip of dough (9) passes between and through a primary roller (11) and a secondary roller (13), which is opposed to and spaced apart from the primary roller (11) such that the incoming mass of the strip of dough is stretched and rolled into the form of a dough sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for control of dimensions of formed building blocks during manufacture. A frame forms an opening, through which runs a conveyor carrying the blocks. An elongated, horizontally-aligned roller is positioned a desired distance above the conveyor surface. While the blocks are still in a “wet” or uncured state, and therefore relatively malleable, they are carried through the opening and pass beneath the horizontal roller, which deforms or “squeezes” the blocks down to the precise desired vertical dimension.

Abstract: Plant for producing tyres of different types simultaneously, comprising a plurality of operating units operating in succession, comprising a central processing unit capable of causing the sequential execution of a plurality of operating steps at work stations, each of which comprises at least one of the said operating units, according to one or more predetermined sequences of types of tyres. The plant also comprises a local processing unit associated with each work station and capable of identifying the type of tyre corresponding to a drum supplied to each of the said operating units, and of selecting, from a predetermined group of operating procedures for each of the said operating units, a specific procedure for the type of tyre corresponding to the drum being worked on.

Abstract: The method and the device for manufacturing an acoustically effective foil stack (9) made of embossed foil webs (5e, 5f, 5g, 5h) is characterised by the fact that at least two foil webs lying over one another (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) are embossed at the same time, are conveyed along different length conveying routes (W, W1, W2, W3), and then are brought together into a stack (9), and embossed foil webs (5e, 5f, 5g, 5h) arranged to be lying next to one another are laid down in an offset fashion due to the different length conveying routes (W, W1, W2, W3). A particularly advantageous-design of the embossing rollers (1a, 1b) provides foil webs which have knobs with a draped or folded type structure.

Abstract: A decurl apparatus includes a heating device to heat an image recording carrier web at a constant temperature, which exceeds the glass transition temperature of a support for a constant time period; and a cooling device for subsequent cooling of the image recording carrier web to a temperature equal to or lower than the glass transition temperature, while the image recording carrier web maintains a predetermined shape. The heating device includes an induction-heated heating roller and holding rollers arranged at arbitrary angular positions with respect to the outer circumference of the heating roller. As a result, the image recording carrier web is reliably decurled by a simple construction without being influenced by a transfer velocity or the like.

Abstract: Tool rolls and methods of using the tool rolls to manufacture articles with one or more structured surfaces are disclosed. The tool rolls include an outer surface that, when used in connection with materials of the proper viscosity or formability, can form a structured surface on an article. Because the tools are manufactured in roll-form, they can be advantageously used in continuous manufacturing processes. Alternatively, discrete articles may be processed using the tool rolls. The tool rolls are constructed of a cylindrical base roll and are wrapped with one or more continuous wires in a modified undulating helical pattern. The modified helical pattern results in the distance between the first wire and a reference plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the base roll sequentially increasing and decreasing at least once when moving in one direction about a circumference of the base roll.

Abstract: A method for producing articles bearing patterned microstructures, e.g., optical film, information carrying substrates for optical recording media, etc. includes applying a radiation curable coating material to a surface of a base film substrate, passing the base film substrate and uncured coating through a compression nip defined by a nip roll and a casting drum having pattern master of the microstructures. The method further includes curing the radiation curable coating by directing radiation energy through the base film substrate from the surface opposite the surface having the coating thereon while the coating is in contact with the drum, thus causing microstructure pattern to be replicated in the cured coating layer.

Abstract: A plastic sheet processing apparatus for cutting into a predetermined shape an elongated plastic sheet unwound from a roll includes a heating unit for heating the plastic sheet; an embossing unit for uniformly forming depressions on the heated plastic sheet at predetermined intervals; an antistatic agent application unit for applying an antistatic agent onto the embossed plastic sheet; and a sliding enhancing agent application unit for applying a sliding enhancing agent onto the embossed plastic sheet.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming sheets, comprising a pair of drums moving a belt to define a path for curing the sheets. Uncured material preferably polychloroprene, is put on the belt and squeezed between the drum and a roller to adjust the thickness of the layer. The drums rotate at a rate to permit the material to cure between the first and the second drum. Ovens cure the polychloroprene, which is removed at the second drum. The sheet has a thickness of from at least 0.004 inches to more than 0.25 inches. A plurality of sources supply material of at least two colors to form a sheet having stripes. Preferred sheets have an elongation to break of about 150% to about 1500%, a tensile strength of about 5 Mpa to about 50 Mpa and a modulus at 300% elongation of about 1 Mpa to about 10 Mpa.

Abstract: An emboss pattern processing apparatus for transferring an emboss pattern onto a thermoplastic resin sheet includes an emboss patterning roller and a lustering device having a mirror face member. The emboss patterning roller includes a roller body having a face embossed with the pattern and sealing rings attached on each side face of the roller body. The roller body and the sealing rings have a passage for flowing a cooling medium from one sealing ring through the roller body to the other sealing ring.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method for applying a curable resin to a reinforcing structure and an apparatus therefor. The apparatus comprises a working surface having a pattern of recesses therein structured and designed to at least partially receive a reinforcing structure, a means for disposing the reinforcing structure in the pattern of recesses of the working surface, a means for applying a fluid resinous material to the reinforcing structure disposed in the recesses of the working surface, and a means for solidifying the fluid resinous material to provide a patterned resinous framework joined to the reinforcing structure. The process comprises the steps of at least partially disposing the reinforcing structure in the recesses of a working surface, applying the fluid resinous material to the reinforcing structure, and then solidifying the fluid resinous material to form a patterned resinous framework joined to the reinforcing structure.

Abstract: A method for capping a stem web including passing the stem web through a first nip against a first heated nip roll so as to partially cap the stems; cooling the web; and passing the stem web through a second nip against a second heated nip roll to completely cap the stems to a diameter “D”. In preferred embodiments the two nips are on opposite sides of a larger central cooled roll positioned between the heated rolls. Preferably, the reaction forces between the rolls are measured and controlled at each end of each other heated rolls. The invention is particularly adapted to making abrasive particles that are attached to a driving mechanism via headed stem fasteners formed by the method.

Abstract: Improvements are disclosed for an apparatus for continuously molding small fastener elements integral with a base web from a flowable resin. The apparatus comprises a cylindrical mold roll rotatable about an axis and defining small fastener element-shaped mold cavities in the surface thereof, and pressure-applying means to apply operating pressure to force the resin into the cavities at a pressure zone. The pressure-applying means and mold roll define a mold gap therebetween for forming the base web. The advantageous use of relatively long mold rolls, to produce a correspondingly wide web, and the use of higher molding pressures, e.g. to form very small fastener elements, is enabled by various improvements, including means to maintain the mold gap at a desired thickness profile across the length of the molding region of the mold roll under operating pressure. In some cases the pressure-applying means includes a pressure roll, in other cases it includes a resin nozzle assembly or pressure head.

Abstract: A food extrusion device includes an extruding unit, a rotary unit, a material inlet, and a transfer belt.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing fastener elements comprising a base and a field of fastener elements molded with and extending from the base. The method includes applying molten resin under pressure to the surface of a mold roll, the mold roll consisting of a pair of adjacent molding rings. A first molding ring defines cavities that form base portions of the fastener elements and serve as channels allowing molten resin to pass through and into cavities defined by a second molding ring thus molding distal portions of the fastener elements. The fastener elements are constructed to engage loops of a mating loop component to form a releasable fastener. The fastener elements comprise hooks and spikes, interspersed among the hooks, which extend at an acute angle from the base. By arranging the hooks and spikes in differing directions on the base, increased shear strength is provided in corresponding directions.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a nonwoven fabric has a spinning mechanism having a plurality of nozzles for extruding filaments, and a conveyor for collecting and delivering the extruded filaments. Between the spinning mechanism and the conveyor, there are disposed a high-speed air stream generating mechanism for generating a high-speed air stream to carry the filaments extruded from the nozzles to attenuate the filaments, and an air stream vibrating mechanism for periodically changing the direction of the high-speed air stream in the machine direction of the conveyor.

Abstract: A method and equipment for making plastic floor tiles of different thickness includes polyvinyl chloride (PVC) of one color or different colors heated first and then moved to a first press roller unit of a compress extending machine to be compressed into a first half-finished product. Then this first half-finished product get through a second and a third press roller units to be respectively compressed into a second half-finished product and a third half-finished (or finished) product. Further, a heating device is provided respectively beside the second and the third press roller units for heating the half-finished products with balanced temperature. Thus, the half-finished product is properly fused to make finished plastic floor tiles with different thickness from 0.5 mm to 3 mm.

Abstract: Device (1) for use in a roll frame (10) for the manufacture of a plastics film, having a continuous band (2), looped around at least two deflection rolls (3, 3′), for pressing the plastics film against a roll (9) of the roll frame (10), the two deflection rolls (3) being rotatably mounted on both sides in lateral bearing devices (5, 5′) and fastening means are provided for fixing the deflection rolls (3, 3′) in a bearing device (5) and the other bearing device (5′) is pivotably mounted for the exchange of the continuous band (2); and a process for changing a continuous band (2) for pressing a plastics film against a roll (9) and for cooling the same, which is looped at least around two deflection rolls (3) rotatably mounted in lateral bearing devices (5, 5′), the deflection rolls (3, 3′) being fixed in a bearing device (5). Fastening means of the other bearing device (5′) are released and the other bearing device (5′) is pivoted.

Abstract: Device (1) for manufacturing plastics films from a plastics melt and having a roll frame (3) in which at least one chill roll (2) is rotatably mounted, an exchangeable part of the device (1), for pressing the plastics melt against the chill roll (2) mounted in the roll frame (3) and for chilling the same, being attachable to the roll frame (3) and for the manufacture of plastics films with different characteristics, various modules (10) being provided as the exchangeable part, so that the device (1) allows different plastics films to be made by means of different manufacturing methods.

Abstract: The invention provides an embossed sheet (10) consisting of at least one ply of crêped cellulose wadding with a grammage of between 12 and 30 g/m2 of the type with an embossed pattern (16, 18) comprising at least a first series of protuberances (16) formed so as to project from one face of the ply (14) and the density of which is greater than 20e protuberances per cm2, characterized in that each protuberance (16) of the first series comprises a truncated polyhedron-shaped base (28) and a flattened free-end portion (30) with rounded edges.

Abstract: Microengravings are formed on both sides of a film by impressing a microengraving on one side of the film using an embossing process performed at a first temperature and a first pressure within the range of temperatures and pressures normally used for embossing of the film material, then impressing a microengraving on the other side of the film using an embossing process performed at a second temperature lower than the first temperature and a second pressure higher than the first pressure, where the second temperature and the second pressure are selected to avoid distorting or destroying the microengraving previously impressed on the first side.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the production of paper products, such as “cat litter” or paper fuel, comprising reducing paper to a particulate form by shredding and grinding, conveying the particles of paper from a hopper as a layer on a first conveyor firstly beneath a leveling and compacting roller and thereafter beneath a set of water sprayers, before discharging from the conveyor onto a second conveyor with the assistance of a rearwardly baffle plate to invert the layer during transfer. The inverted layer on the second conveyor passes to a third conveyor belt which moves through a ring with has the effect of wrapping the belt over itself and around the mix to form a tunnel enveloping and compacting the mix to form an extrusion. The paper product as extruded is cut into pellets before subjecting the pellets to dehydration. In the case of paper product to be used as paper fuel, the paper is mixed with coal dust.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming microstructures in the surface of polymeric web materials for use as optical memory substrates. The microstructures may be formed by laminating a hot stamper to a web of material with a selective time/temperature profile. The stamper may be heated to melt flow the surface of the web and stabilize before separation. The stamper may be carried by a support that is independent of the press. The web of polymeric material may be provided with a flow enhancer to improve image formation.

Abstract: In a clamping cylinder for receiving and fixing a cylindrical stamping mold with a structured surface, for instance for the production of holograms, comprising an outer cylinder casing which is closed by frontal covers and mounted on a shaft, it is provided that the cylinder casing is equipped with a plurality of bores, which are connected with compressed-air lines that lead through the interior of the cylinder casing and are connectable to a compressed-air source, and that, inside the cylinder casing, a cavity is provided for a temperature control medium, which circulates via inlets and outlets.

Abstract: An embossing roll includes a roll body and a plurality of plates which are removably secured to the roll body. Each plate includes an outer surface which is provided with an embossing pattern. The plates can be secured to the roll body by vacuum and/or mechanical devices.

Abstract: Several methods and machines for continuously forming a fastener product having an array of fastener elements extending from a continuous, sheet-form base, employing a mold belt on which the sheet-form base of the product is formed and from which it is subsequently stripped. The belt defines an array of cavities extending from its outer surface, for molding either the array of fastener elements or an array of preform stems that are subsequently reformed into the fastener elements. In some cases the cavities are blind, such as for forming hook-type fastener elements; in other cases, the cavities extend through the belt, such as for forming mushroom-type fastener elements. Various belt constructions and fastener element shapes are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a two-colored or multi-colored foam foil (50) on the basis of thermoplastic synthetic material, comprising at least one top layer and one sub-layer, whereby the sub-layer constitutes a foam layer (17) and the top layer exists in the form of a two-colored or multi-colored compact foil (4) of a carrier (15) and at least one additional layer (16), whereby the additional layer(s) (16) are surface-flush arranged in a corresponding recess (19) of the carrier (15) and both, carrier (15) as well as the additional layer(s) (16) each form a portion of the surface of the foil and are colored a different color. The invention relates, moreover, to a method as well as a device for the manufacture of the invention-specific two-colored or multi-colored foam foil (50).

Abstract: The invention provides a container such as a bottle or flask, made heterogeneously from a material with a barrier effect and a polymer material, characterized in that the material with a barrier effect is an amorphous carbon material with a polymer tendency which is applied as a coating on a substrate of polymer material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for shaping the surface of extruded profiles made of thermoplastic materials with a device which is profiled to the shaping surface such that it is complimentary to the demanded shaping dimensions and presses into the continuous profile. The invention provides a method and device with whose simple, economic and high uniformity permit a material-saving production of profiles while completely adhering to the required stability at the same time. To this end, the shaping device presses the desired shaping dimensions into the continuous profile such that the wall strength of the surrounding edges of the impressions is reduced and work-hardened. The profiles are cooled and shaped into a dimensionally stable state in such a way that the height of the impressions at least correspond to the halved wall strengths of the continuous profile.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing a composite tape (10), consisting in bringing together and in consolidating a multiplicity of continuous yarns (11), characterized in that yarns (11) based on a thermoplastic and on reinforcing fibers are entrained and brought together in a parallel manner in the form of a sheet (12) which enters a zone in which it is heated to a temperature reaching at least the melting point of the thermoplastic and then passes through a rotating impregnation device (80) in order to distribute the molten thermoplastic uniformly and guarantee that the reinforcing fibers are completely impregnated by the latter; next, the sheet (12) is introduced into a shaping and centering device (100) so as to obtain a tape (13) formed by bringing the yarns (11) together so as to be touching, thereby creating transverse continuity; the tape (13) is cooled in order to consolidate the yarns by freezing the thermoplastic and its dimensional characteristics and its appearance are set in order to deliver the said compo

Abstract: A deflection dampening apparatus for a process roll. The dampening apparatus having C-shaped first and second portions with both portions pivotally interlocking to form a ring. The C-shaped portions have an inner base and a notched outer surface comprising a pair of fined side walls. A plurality of screws are attached through a threaded opening in the inner base with a wedge shaped washer secured therebetween. The screws and wedge shaped washer communicate with the finned side walls, whereby tightening each screw causes the fins to extend outwardly to wedge between a cantilevered inner shell assembly and a cylindrical core of the process roll. When securely wedged therebetween, the dampening apparatus modifies the cantilever effect of the inner shell assembly of the process roll.

Abstract: Processes and systems are provided to reduce sticking of graphite materials and particularly resin impregnated graphite materials to forming tools, such as an embossing roller, during a process of manufacturing articles from the graphite materials. In one embodiment, an aerosol spray non-stick material is intermittently sprayed upon the embossing rollers. In a second embodiment, one or more sheets of thin flexible solid non-stick material, such as polyethylene, are sandwiched between the graphite material and the embossing rollers. The system is particularly useful for manufacturing materials useful in producing components of fuel cells.

Abstract: Methods of forming mold cavities suitable for hook and loop fastening are disclosed, along with effective hook construction and hook and loop fastener products that have an ultrathin cross-section. Photochemical techniques are employed to form plates that define hook-form mold cavities, and, alternatively, chemical etching is employed following preforming of the cavities and machining. Hooks having three-dimensional tapers with enhanced loop engaging characteristics are disclosed. By utilization of special surface finishes and tolerances, hook fasteners, having ultrathin cross-sections are realized, that pave the way for practical use of touch fasteners in a wide range of new areas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing camber from zipper with profiles having interlocking elements and or webs. The zipper is stretched longitudinally in a manner so that the interlocking elements stretch relative to each other. To this end, the zipper is fed to an idler wheel that may be spring loaded. From a set of first drive wheels and fed from the idler wheel by a set of second drive wheels. The second drive wheels are driven faster than the first drive wheels to effect the stretching. Alternately only the second set of drive wheels are driven and the stretch is provided by the spring loaded idler wheel or the zipper is driven around a static curved surface.