Process and apparatus for forming fastener elements
First Claim
1. A mold roll for producing a fastener for engaging loops, the fastener comprising a base and a field of fastener elements molded with and extending from said base, the fastener elements constructed to engage loops of a mating loop component to form a releasable fastener, the mold roll including a pair of adjacent molding rings defining molding cavities extending inwardly from a surface for molding a set of the fastener elements therein the pair of molding rings includinga first molding ring defining therein a first set of mold cavities for molding base portions of the set of the fastener elements;
- and a second molding ring defining therein a second set of mold cavities, aligned with the first set of mold cavities of the first molding ring, for molding distal portions of the set of fastener elements to overhang said base, the cavities of the first molding ring forming channels extending from an outer surface of the first molding ring to openings circumscribed by a surface of the first molding ring adjacent the second molding ring, through which resin flows to fill the mold cavities of the second molding ring.
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Accused Products
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.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A mold roll for producing a fastener for engaging loops, the fastener comprising a base and a field of fastener elements molded with and extending from said base, the fastener elements constructed to engage loops of a mating loop component to form a releasable fastener, the mold roll including a pair of adjacent molding rings defining molding cavities extending inwardly from a surface for molding a set of the fastener elements therein the pair of molding rings including
a first molding ring defining therein a first set of mold cavities for molding base portions of the set of the fastener elements; - and
a second molding ring defining therein a second set of mold cavities, aligned with the first set of mold cavities of the first molding ring, for molding distal portions of the set of fastener elements to overhang said base, the cavities of the first molding ring forming channels extending from an outer surface of the first molding ring to openings circumscribed by a surface of the first molding ring adjacent the second molding ring, through which resin flows to fill the mold cavities of the second molding ring. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of forming a loop-engaging fastener member comprising a base and a field of fastener elements molded with and extending from said base, said fastener elements constructed to engage loops of a mating loop component to form a releasable fastener, the method comprising
applying molten resin to a mold roll under pressure, the mold roll includes a pair of adjacent molding rings defining molding cavities extending from its surface for molding a set of the fastener elements therein, the pair of molding rings including a first molding ring defining a first set of mold cavities for forming base portions of the set of fastener elements therein and a second molding ring defining a second set of mold cavities, aligned with the first set of mold cavities of the first molding ring, for forming distal portions of the set of fastener elements therein, the first set of mold cavities forming channels extending from an outer surface of the first molding ring to openings circumscribed by another surface of the first molding ring; -
filling the second set of mold cavities by flowing resin under pressure through the first set of mold cavities to mold the distal portions of the set of fastener elements to overhang said base; and
stripping the molded fastener member as a continuous sheet from the mold roll. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification