Patent ID: 7192266

Claim:
A molding apparatus for forming a sheet-form fastener product, the molding apparatus comprising: a mold roll rotatable about an axis of rotation and having a circumferential surface defining a plurality of apertures therein, the apertures extending inward from the circumferential surface of the mold roll; and a plurality of inserts, each insert having a first end and a second end, the inserts being capable of being retained within corresponding apertures of the mold roll such that the first end of each insert is directed toward the circumferential surface of the mold roll, the inserts having surfaces at least partially defining blind molding cavities, each of the molding cavities including a crook portion, the molding cavities being shaped to mold, from molten resin forced into the molding cavities from the circumferential surface of the mold roll, an array of fastener elements having overhanging crooks for releasable engagement with a mating fastener product, wherein the inserts can be oriented within the apertures such that at least some of the crook portions of the molding cavities face in a direction transverse to the mold roll.