Aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatuses for manufacturing absorbent articles, wherein discrete zones of protrusions may be formed on a substrate. In some configurations, the protrusions may be formed as hooks. When forming the discrete zones of protrusions, localized speed variances may be imparted to the advancing substrate to ensure the adequate time to form the protrusions is provided. As such, protrusions may be formed on portions of the substrate that have been temporarily stopped or slowed to relatively slow speeds. The substrates with zones of protrusions may then be incorporated into products, such as assembled absorbent articles, so as to place the protrusions in desired positions on the absorbent articles. As such, the methods and apparatuses herein allow for the use of hook forming techniques on substrates in article manufacturing processes that provide flexibility in such configurations without sacrificing desired manufacturing speeds.

A molding device including a molding strip formed of a first material and extending along a machine direction, having a width defined along a transverse direction perpendicular to the machine direction, and a thickness measured along a direction perpendicular to the machine direction and to the transverse direction, and an inner face and an outer face, the molding strip including a plurality of cavities, characterized in that part of the cavities are at least partially obturated by a plugging material, so as to define molding cavities for forming retaining elements and/or preforms of retaining elements, and non-functional cavities.

A hook-and-loop fastener connector having a plurality of hooks (7) arranged on a base plate (16). The hooks (7) exhibit a hook foot (8) and a hook head (9). The hook foot (8) and hook head (9) are arranged within one plane. The plane (10) and the base plate (16) are angled to each other at an angle (ß) greater than 90°.

Provided is a molded surface fastener capable of stably having high engaging strength with respect to a loop member. The molded surface fastener of the present invention includes a base portion and a plurality of engaging elements provided with a stem portion and an engaging portion, and is formed of synthetic resin containing lubricant at 0.15 wt % or more and 1.00 wt % or less. A top end surface of the engaging element is formed to be flat, and the engaging portion has a hanging portion which hangs down obliquely downward toward the base portion.

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.

A system including a polymeric sheet. The polymeric sheet comprises a base sheet having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and a multiplicity of spaced rails projecting from the first surface of the base sheet. The rails comprise a stem portion attached to and substantially upright from the first surface of the base sheet and a top portion on the distal end of the stem opposite the base sheet. The top portion comprises a first surface opposite the base sheet and a second surface facing the first surface of the base sheet. Additionally, the rails have a length greater than the width of the stems. The first surface of the base sheet, the second surface of the top portion and the surface of the stem defines a cavity with walls, and an adhesive coated on at least a portion of the cavity wall.

Attachment systems for attaching a wearable electronic device to a user including a sizing band and a retaining band are disclosed. The sizing band includes at least one sizing eyelet and a band-insertable end. The retaining band includes at least a post for insertion into the sizing eyelet of the sizing band and a concealment aperture configured to receive the band-insertable end of the sizing band. On a bottom surface of the retaining band can be a recessed guide bed configured to guide the band-insertable end along the bottom surface of the retaining band. A wearable electronic device can couple to both the sizing band and the retaining band by accepting an end portion of each band into receiving channels extending into opposite sidewalls of the housing.

The method includes unwinding a thermoplastic film from a roll, stretching the thermoplastic film in the machine direction so that it plastically deforms and decreases in width, slitting the stretched thermoplastic film into the multiple mechanical fastening strips, and winding the multiple mechanical fastening strips into multiple rolls. The thermoplastic film has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, and the first surface of the thermoplastic film bears a plurality of male fastening elements. In the method, the unwinding, stretching, slitting, and winding are completed in-line.

Provided is a molded surface fastener having an improved balance between durability against repeated attachment and detachment operations and peeling strength. A molded surface fastener made of a thermoplastic resin, includes: a flat plate-shaped base portion; and a plurality of engaging elements protruding from one main surface of the base portion. Each engaging element includes: a stem upstanding from the main surface; and an engaging head portion formed at an upper end portion of the stem, the head portion including a projection portion extending mainly in a direction perpendicular to a molding direction as viewed in a planar view.

Provided is a molding apparatus used for manufacturing a molded surface fastener wherein a die wheel driving rotationally has a concentric double cylinder structure provided with an outer side cylindrical body that has provided therethrough a plurality of penetrating holes, and an inner side cylindrical body that has formed, in the outer peripheral surface thereof, a plurality of grooved portions, the grooved portions located in the inner side cylindrical body include a use grooved portion that intersects with the penetrating hole of the outer side cylindrical body and a non-use grooved portion that is covered by the inner peripheral surface of the outer side cylindrical body. By using this molding apparatus obtained is a molded surface fastener in which a plurality of types of engaging elements having different shapes in a plan view are arranged cyclically in a reference direction.