Appeal No. 2000-2013
Application No. 08/766,544
APPENDIX
17. A method of continuously forming a smooth hook strip for
a hook-and-loop type mechanical fastener comprising:
a) providing a web backing having an array of
upstanding substantially uniformly spaced thermoplastic
projections which web backing and projections are formed of
the same thermoplastic material, the thermoplastic material
having a flow temperature, each projection having a
stem portion and a top portion, said projection having
a given first cross-sectional dimension, and height,
said web backing and projections combined having a given
second height;
b) providing a gap formed by a first surface and a
second surface, the gap being less than the second height,
a first surface being heated to a temperature above the
flow temperature of the thermoplastic material forming
the projections; and
c) moving the web backing into and through the gap
without any supports for the projections such that the
thermoplastic material forming the top portion of the
projections are deformed, such that the projections have a
second cross-sectional dimension and height which height
is less than the first height and which second cross-sectional
dimension is larger than the first cross-sectional dimension,
by the heated surface under pressure, providing hooks with
upstanding stem portions and hook heads having a smooth upper
surface, said hooks formed by the gap having a height of from
0.5 to 5 mm and the ratio of the height of the hook to the
diameter of the stems being from 2:1 to 10:1.
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