Patent ID: 6054091
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: A44B,B29C,B29L,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of continuously forming a hook strip having a plurality of J-shaped hooks that can be used as a mechanical fastener, the method using an initial substrate of material, the method comprising the steps of:(a) providing a substrate of thermoplastic material having a softening temperature comprising a backing having an array of upstanding preformed precursor stems of the thermoplastic material having a softening temperature and having upstanding distal tips at ends of the stems opposite the backing which distal tips have given first cross sectional dimensions;(b) providing a heat source adapted for heating a plurality of stern tips to a temperature above the softening temperature;(c) providing a mechanism for deforming a plurality of stem distal tips;(d) positioning the substrate relative to the heat source such that the distal tip portions of a plurality of upstanding stems are preferentially heated above the softening temperature; and(e) moving the substrate into contact with the mechanism for deforming to create a hook strip having a plurality of J-shaped hooks created by contacting the heat softened distal tip portions of the array of upstanding stems on the substrate with the mechanism for deforming, thereby forming deformed distal tip portions with generally planar upper surface portions on the deformed distal tip portions of the stems wherein the deformed distal tip portions have second cross sectional dimensions different than the first cross sectional dimensions of undeformed distal tip portions of the stems.