Patent ID: 7052638
Filing Date: 2006-05-30
Classification: A44B,A61F,B29C,B29L,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of forming a fastener component having heads constructed to engage loops formed of fibers of a mating component, comprising: forming, from a thermoformable material, a preform product having a strip-form base and an array of preform stems integrally molded with and extending from the base to corresponding, distal ends, the fastener component defining both a machine direction, extending along a major length of the strip-form base, and a cross-machine direction, each molded stem having at least two upright features spaced from one another in the cross-machine direction, the features each having a thickness of about 0.1 mm (0.004 inch) or less, and heating terminal ends of the features to a predetermined softening temperature, while maintaining the strip-form base and a lower portion of each stem at a temperature lower than the softening temperature, and contacting the terminal ends with a contact surface that is at a predetermined forming temperature to at least assist in reforming the terminal ends to form head portions therefrom that overhang the strip-form base sufficiently to engage loops, the geometry and material of the preform product and the condition of reforming the terminal ends of the upright features being so related that the formed head portions are capable of peel-resistant engagement with loops of nonwoven fabrics.