A molding apparatus includes a movable molding surface with molding cavities, a pressure shoe with a stationary outer surface that defines in cooperation with the molding surface a pressure zone, and a resin source configured to introduce molten resin into the pressure zone to be forced into the molding cavities by pressure in the pressure zone. The molding surface is movable with respect to the pressure shoe to introduce molding cavities to the pressure zone to be filled with resin while the outer surface of the pressure shoe and the molding surface define in between an entrance gap of decreasing width upstream of the pressure zone. The outer surface of the pressure shoe is spaced from the molding surface in the pressure zone to define a minimum gap at which the outer surface of the pressure shoe has a slope parallel to the molding surface. The pressure shoe is adapted to be held in a flexed condition against resin in the pressure zone while forcing resin into the cavities, with the outer surface of the pressure shoe curved upstream of the pressure zone.

In this molded surface fastener, plural engaging elements having a stem portion and an engaging head portion formed integrally on the stem portion are standing on the base portion, at least one pawl portion having a pawl width dimension narrower than a width dimension at a boundary between the stem portion and the engaging head portion is protruded on an outer peripheral edge part of the engaging head portion, and a back surface of pawl of the pawl portion is formed at different angles with respect to a back surface of head portion of the engaging head portion. Such a molded surface fastener of the present invention has a substantial engaging force with respect to a female surface fastener and can make a texture of its surface comfortable.

Aspects disclosed herein relate to forming on a substrate fastener elements suitable for use in touch fastener by employing vibration forming methods. The processes described provide for a greater flexibility in manufacturing than prior methods and overcome certain limitations in prior forming techniques. Further, the product made can embody a variety of different configurations suitable for a given application. Employing vibration forming methods, such ultrasonic forming methods, allows for the use of a wider variety of substrate material than materials used with convention methods of touch fastener formation.

The article includes a thermoplastic layer having opposing first and second side edges and a first surface bearing male fastening elements. The thermoplastic layer is plastically deformed and has a retardance profile having an average retardance along a line from the first edge to a location 500 micrometers from the first edge and a distance from the first edge where 75% of the average retardance is observed of at least 10 micrometers. In some cases, a distance between the first and second side edges is up to 50 millimeters. In some cases, the article is a fastening tab. The method includes providing a thermoplastic film having opposing first and second side edges, with a distance between the opposing side edges of up to 50 millimeters, and stretching the thermoplastic film to form the thermoplastic layer, which is plastically deformed. The first surface of the thermoplastic film bears male fastening elements.

There is provided a touch fastener that has high followability to the relative movement of portions to be engaged and does not easily separate from a mating member, and thus is usable in a wider range of applications. In the touch fastener, all the elements, that is, first strands, second strands, and engagement elements are formed of a thermoplastic elastomer. Further, the plurality of first strands and the plurality of second strands are disposed to intersect with each other, and consequently, hole portions each surrounded by the two adjacent first strands and the two adjacent second strands are provided. Accordingly, it has a high elastic function, easily stretches, and has high followability to the relative movement of portions to be engaged.

This molded surface fastener includes: a base portion; right and left outer wall portions arranged on the upper surfaces of the base portion; a plurality of engaging elements arranged between the right and left outer wall portions; and right and left magnetic wall portions arranged between the outer wall portions and the engaging elements. This molded surface fastener is molded by melting and integrating first synthetic resin and second synthetic resin that contains magnetic particles. At least each upper end part of the outer wall portions is formed only of the first synthetic resin, while at least each upper end part of the magnetic wall portions is formed only of the second synthetic resin. Consequently, the right and left magnetic wall portions can be formed into predetermined shapes in a stable manner.

Aspects disclosed herein relate to forming on a substrate fastener elements suitable for use in touch fastener by employing vibration forming methods. The processes described provide for a greater flexibility in manufacturing than prior methods and overcome certain limitations in prior forming techniques. Further, the product made can embody a variety of different configurations suitable for a given application. Employing vibration forming methods, such as ultrasonic forming methods, allows for the use of a wider variety of substrate material than materials used with convention methods of touch fastener formation.

Arrays of male fastener elements are formed by molding preforms in cavities defined in one or more adjacent plates and shaped to mold preform arms that extend to a plate side, such as in a cross-machine direction of a continuous molding process. The preforms may be deformed to flatten their upper surfaces and lengthen the arms. Stems of preforms have molded side surfaces and each have width, measured in the longitudinal direction of the strip, that narrows with distance from the strip surface, and also narrows with distance from a parting line extending from the strip surface to the head between the arms.

[Object] To provide lock fasteners that can be easily manufactured to have great fastening ability.

[Solution] A lock fastener includes a touch fastener and a base member 4 insert-molded to the touch fastener. The base member 4 is formed with a space 32 adapted to be filled with a resin material at a time of insert-molding, and the space 32 includes an opening 38-41 formed in a surface 25 of the base member 4. The opening 38-41 is surrounded by a peripheral wall part 45 of the surface 25. The peripheral wall part 45 is adapted to abut a base of the touch fastener at the time of insert molding and to serve as a bank for preventing the resin material filled into the space 32 from leaking.

The molded surface fastener has a base portion, right and left resin-intrusion-preventing wall portions standing on the base portion, and a plurality of engaging elements disposed between the right and left resin-intrusion-preventing wall portions. The resin-intrusion-preventing wall portions contain magnetic particles, and at least a part of a region formed of the resin-intrusion-preventing wall portions and the base portion has a concentration gradient portion in which a concentration of the contained magnetic particles is decreased toward at least one direction. This makes it possible to enhance the adhesion property between the part containing the magnetic particles and the part substantially containing no magnetic particles, and to suppress occurrence of cracks or the like between the containing part and the non-containing part of the magnetic particles at the time of manufacturing the molded surface fastener and at other times.