Apparatus for making a separable fastener

{
  "publication_number": "US4775310A",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A",
  "title": "Apparatus for making a separable fastener",
  "abstract": "Apparatus for continuously producing an elongated strip-like fastener member is disclosed which facilitates highly efficient formation of the fastener member with a great multiplicity of resiliently flexible hook-like projections. The method comprises the formation of an extrusion of plastic material which is shaped between a pair of coacting first and second rollers of the apparatus. Notably, one of the rollers is formed of a series of plates and defines a plurality of hook-forming cavities about its periphery within which the hook projections of the fastener member are formed. The forming roller is suitably cooled so as to effect substantial reduction in the temperature of the molten plastic extrusion form which the fastener member is formed. In this manner, the fastener member may be removed or stripped from the forming roller without opening of the hook-forming cavities, thus promoting highly efficient formation of the fastener member without resort to unduly complex equipment or processes. The fastener is uniquely configured and includes upstanding hook-like engaging elements having stem portions of at least partially arcuate configuration to produce a combination of properties previously unknown in such fasteners.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An apparatus for continuously providing an elongated strip-like member which comprises: a first, cooled unitary forming roller having a plurality of hook-forming cavities defined in the periphery thereof and extending inwardly therefrom; a second pressure roller positioned for coaction with said first forming roller; means for concurrently rotating said first and second rollers in opposite directions about their respective generally parallel axes; means for forming a strip-like extrusion of molten plastic material adjacent said first and second rollers to be directed therebetween at an interface thereof such that said plastic material fills said hook-forming cavities and forms a strip-like member having a base portion and a great multiplicity of hook-like projections extending from one surface of said base portion and integral therewith; means for removing said strip-like member from said first forming roller at a position spaced from the interface of said first and second rollers such that said hook-like projections are withdrawn from said hook forming cavities without opening said cavities after being cooled by the first forming roller to a desired temperature.",
    "2. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said means for forming a strip-like extrusion of plastic material is positioned immediately upstream of the interface of said first and second rollers to facilitate filling of said hook-forming cavities with said plastic material.",
    "3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the forming rollers are configured to permit relief of pressure at the lateral opposite sides of the interface of said first and second rollers so that the lateral flow of plastic material at the interface is unconfined.",
    "4. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for trimming laterally spaced sides of said base portion of said strip-like member after removal thereof from said first forming roller.",
    "5. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said hook-forming cavities are provided in said first forming roller such that the inner end portions of said cavities extend generally in a direction toward the periphery of said forming roller.",
    "6. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said hook-forming cavities are provided in said first forming roller such that at least some adjacent ones of said cavities, in a circumferential direction of said forming roller, extend in generally opposite directions.",
    "7. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising means for maintaining the temperature of the cavity-defining periphery of said first forming roller in the range of approximately 100°-150° F. to facilitate complete filling of the cavities and removal of said hook-like projections of said cavities.",
    "8. An apparatus for continuously producing an elongated strip-like member having a base portion and a great multiplicity of hook-like projections extending from one surface of said base member and integrally molded therewith, which comprises: a first, cooled unitary forming roller having a plurality of hook-forming cavities defined in the periphery thereof and extending inwardly therefrom wherein each said cavity is of a tapering configuration and includes at least one inner end portion extending in a directinn generally toward the periphery of said forming roller; a second pressure roller in position for coaction with said first forming roller; means for concurrently rotating said first and second rollers in opposite directions about respective parallel axis; means for directing a molten extrusion of plastic material in between said first and second rollers at an interface thereof so that said plastic material fills said hook-forming cavities to form said base portions of said strip-like member and with said hook-like projections extending integrally from one surface to the base portion; means for cooling said forming roller so as to cool said strip-like member to a desired temperature; and means for effective to remove said strip-like member from said first forming roller at a position spaced from the interface of said first and second rollers by merely maintaining tension on the elongated strip-like member thus-formed so that said hook-like projections are withdrawn from said hook-forming cavities without opening said cavities.",
    "9. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said first forming roller includes hook-forming cavities oriented such that at least some adjacent ones of said cavities in a circumferential direction of said forming roller, extend in generally opposite directions.",
    "10. The apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising means for trimming laterally opposite sides of said base portion of said strip-like member after removal thereof from said first forming roller.",
    "11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the forming rollers are configured to permit relief of pressure at the lateral oppposite sides of the interface of said first and second rollers by permitting unconfined lateral flow of said molten plastic material at said interface.",
    "12. The apparatus according to claim 8 further comprising means for maintaining the temperature of the periphery of said first forming roller in the range of approximately 100°-150° F.",
    "13. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said first forming roller is comprised of a plurality of plates positioned in face-to-face contacting relation, certain of said plates defining said hook-forming cavities.",
    "14. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said hook-forming cavities are comprised of a first tapered stem portion and at least one radial extension forming portion extending away from the inner end of said stem forming portion.",
    "15. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said hook-forming cavities comprise at least two opposed radial extension forming portions extending away from the inner end portion of said stem forming portion.",
    "16. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein said stem forming portion is tapered and defines at least one arcuate surface forming portion.",
    "17. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said hook forming cavities are tapered in two directions, the first direction extending into said first forming roller and second direction extending perpendicular to said first direction and defining a tapered thickness of said hook-elements formed thereby.",
    "18. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said hook-forming cavities are defined by at least one generous radius at the periphery of said first forming roller.",
    "19. The apparatus according to claim 8 wherein said hook-forming cavities are defined by at least two generous radii at the periphery of said first-forming roller."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 600,990; filed Apr. 16, 1984 now abandoned.\n\nThe present invention relates generally to a method of producing a fastener member having a multiplicity of resiliently flexible, upstanding hook-like projections, and more particularly to a method of continuously producing such a fastener member by a combined extrusion/roll forming process.\n\nStrip-like fastener members comprising a great multiplicity of closely-spaced upstanding hook-like projections are used in many different applications for providing both releasable and semi-permanent connection of associated elements. These types of multi-hook fasteners are typically configured for coaction with a multi-loop or likewise \"piled\" element, with the multiple hooks engaging the closely-spaced multiple loops to provide the desired connecting or gripping action.\n\nDepending upon the configuration of the multi-hook fastener member, many different types of materials and fabrics are adapted for coaction therewith to effect joining of the associated structures. Not only do such fastening devices have many applications for wearing apparel, recreational equipment, covers for cars and boats, and the like, such devices are further being advantageously employed in applications wherein the highly convenient connecting action promotes joining of associated structures in an essentially permanent manner. For example, such fastening devices are finding ever-increasing use in the automotive industry for efficient fabrication and assembly of components such as seats, interior trim, and the like.",
  "cpc": [
    "B29C 43/222",
    "A44B 18/0049",
    "B29C 2043/461",
    "B29C 2043/465",
    "B29C 43/46",
    "B29C 48/00",
    "B29C 48/08",
    "B29C 48/13",
    "B29C 59/025",
    "B29D 5/00",
    "B29L 2031/729",
    "Y10S 425/814"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A44B 18/00",
    "B29C 39/14",
    "B29C 39/34",
    "B29C 39/36",
    "B29C 39/38",
    "B29C 43/22",
    "B29C 59/02",
    "B29D 5/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Velcro Industries BV"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "James R. Fischer"
  ],
  "filing_date": "1986-04-25",
  "publication_date": "1988-10-04",
  "grant_date": "1988-10-04",
  "priority_date": "1984-04-16",
  "application_number": "US-85654086-A",
  "family_id": "25323890",
  "cited_by_count": 366,
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}