Touch fastener products
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of making a touch fastener having a non-planar topography, the method comprising;
- providing a sheet form base, the sheet form base having an upper face, a lower face, and 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
subsequently thermoforming the sheet form base to provide a touch fastener having a non-planar topography.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Touch fasteners and methods of making touch fasteners are described herein. The touch fasteners have a sheet form base that carries a plurality of male fastener elements, and are thermoformed into three-dimensional shapes. In some instances, the touch fasteners are thermoformed to define mold inserts, mold liners, frameworks, or other shaped surfaces. The touch fasteners can be used, for example, in mold processes.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. A method of making a touch fastener having a non-planar topography, the method comprising;
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providing a sheet form base, the sheet form base having an upper face, a lower face, and 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
subsequently thermoforming the sheet form base to provide a touch fastener having a non-planar topography. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method of making a plurality of touch fasteners having a non-planar topography, the method comprising;
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providing a sheet form base, the sheet form base having an upper face, a lower face and 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
thermoforming a continuous sheet form base to provide a plurality of touch fasteners having a non-planar topography.
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28. A touch fastener comprising;
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a sheet form base having an upper face and a lower face, the upper and lower faces having complementary non-planar topography to define therefrom a nominal thickness such that the sheet form base forms a stable structure of three-dimensional contours in an unloaded state, and 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, wherein at least some of the male fastener elements extend from a contoured region of the sheet form base. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A touch fastener comprising:
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a sheet form base having an upper face and a lower face, the upper and lower faces having complementary non-planar topography to define therefrom a nominal thickness such that the sheet form base forms a stable structure of three-dimensional, non-linear contours in an unloaded state; and
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. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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35. A mold insert comprising:
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a sheet form base having an inner face and an outer face, the inner and outer faces having complementary non-planar topography to define therefrom a nominal thickness, wherein the sheet form base defines a open bowl structure that is stable in an unloaded state; and
a plurality of male fastener elements, each fastener element having a stem molded integrally with and extending from the inner face of the sheet form base. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A framework comprising:
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a sheet form base having an upper face and a lower face, the upper and lower faces having complementary non-planar topography to define therefrom a nominal thickness such that the sheet form base forms a stable structure of three-dimensional contours in an unloaded state, and wherein the sheet form base defines an aperture; and
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. - View Dependent Claims (44)
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45. A method of making a molded article, the method comprising:
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providing a mold defining a mold cavity;
inserting a mold liner into the mold cavity, the mold liner comprising a sheet form base having an inner face and an outer face, the inner and outer faces having complementary non-planar topography to define therefrom a nominal thickness such that the sheet form base forms a stable structure of three-dimensional contours in an unloaded state and a plurality of male fastener elements, each fastener element having a stem molded integrally with and extending from the outer face of the sheet form base, wherein the mold liner is shaped to conform to at least a portion of the molded article; and
placing the mold liner against the surface of the mold so the fastener element extends toward the surface of the mold; and
delivering a foam into the mold cavity and allowing the foam to solidify. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48, 49)
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Specification