Fasteners engageable with loops of nonwoven fabrics and with other open structures, and methods and machines for making fasteners
US6991843B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 2002 |
| Grant date | Jan 31, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 4, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T428/24182
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method of forming a fastener is provided, including (a) forming, from a thermoformable material, a preform product having a sheet-form base and an array of preform stems integrally molded with and extending from the base to corresponding terminal ends; (b) heating the terminal ends of the stems to a predetermined softening temperature, while maintaining the sheet-form base and a lower portion of each stem at a temperature lower than the softening temperature; and (c) contacting the terminal ends with a contact surface that is at a predetermined forming temperature, lower than the softening temperature, to deform the terminal ends to form heads therefrom that overhang the sheet-form base. Fasteners and other methods of forming them are also provided.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.