JPS6321006A - Multifastener body, method and apparatus for producing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Two buttocks on the skin! The present invention relates to hook-and-loop fasteners, and more particularly, the present invention relates to foot fastener bodies that have hook-like gripping engagement with opposing regions having fibers forming multiple accessible loops or multiple accessible openings. The foot fastener body has a number of small hooks projecting from one side. The foot fastener body contacts a second fastener region having multiple fibers forming multiple loops or loop-like openings, referred to herein as "loop bodies." The hook hook-likely engages the loop or a loop-like opening of the loop body to attach the hook fastener body to the loop body. Therefore,
If desired, the foot fastener body can be separated from the loop body by forcibly pulling it away from the loop body;
Such brute force separation is often more easily accomplished with a "peel" action. Such Hunkur τ fasteners are often capable of being separated and refastened at least several times during their life.

There are many different hook fastener bodies in the world today, as described below. These existing hook fasteners have several drawbacks that reduce their usefulness.

1.! About a Cloth Ruff Ivy Fasteners The first hook fastener bodies were manufactured on needle looms, which are now approximately 1 inch (2,54 mm) with woven edges along each edge.
cm) to 4 inches (10,16 cm) wide, and the tape may be made of a woven fabric.
It has a woven fabric base material of drawn monofilaments woven onto the base material on a loom.

After the monofilament is woven to project loops at regular intervals, the loops are heat set and then fed with small needles to a loom or fabrication machine. Associated with these small needles are small cutters,
These cutters serve to cut each loop at a cutting position between the 3 o'clock and 4 o'clock positions. Each cut loop thus forms a projecting hook, with the remnant or stub of each cut loop standing closely to the tip of the hook.

One of the disadvantages of this woven hook fastener body is that the loops are not always cut and the stub remaining near the cut end of the hook may interfere with the desired hook retention with the opposing loop body. It means that it prevents the meeting. As a result, a significant number of hooks do not engage the loops or openings. In other words, the presence of stubs and uncut loops reduce hook efficiency.

A second disadvantage of woven hook fastener bodies arises from the fact that only one size of cutting hook can be made on a given needle loom. The cut hooks are always made of monofilament of the same nature and denier, and the tapes are always the same width. In other words, you can change the width of the tape, change the size of the cut hooks, change the spacing between the hooks, or change the properties of the hooks such as different elasticity or different hook strengths. , unable to adjust the loom. In summary, a loom can only slowly produce one product.

The third drawback of this woven fabric hook fastener body is that even if the hook body is forcibly pulled away from the loop body by separating the hook body and the loop body, the cut hook does not come off from the base material. The woven monofilaments that form the hooks must be bonded to a woven substrate. A tacky adhesive is applied to the underside of the woven substrate.

The adhesive then cures, thereby permanently securing the cut hooks to the woven substrate. This adhesive provides a smooth appearance to the underside of the woven substrate. Woven tapes do not have good rigidity and do not have a good feel compared to typical woven tapes.

The fourth and most significant drawback of this woven hook fastener is that it is relatively expensive because weaving the tape on a needle loom is very slow.

Such needle looms are very complex and include many small intricate parts. Increasing the width of the woven tape slows down the linear production rate since increasing the width of the loom necessarily slows down its linear production rate, thus increasing the cost per length. The relatively high cost of woven hook fastener bodies limits and limits their commercial use to, for example, expensive clothing and athletic shoe closures, watch band closures, and the like.

2. During the period from early 1961 to mid-1972, one of the inventors previously developed this hook-and-loop fastener as disclosed in the numbered U.S. patent below. He was active in the field.

3.147.527 3,586,060 3,7
08,3823.196,490 3,594,86
3 3,715,4153.546,754 3.
594,865 3,732,6043.550,2
23 3,595,059 3.735,4683
．． 550,837 3,629,032 3,78
1,3983.562,044 3,665,584
3,801,2453.562.770 3,6
95,976 In order to increase the production rate of foot fastener bodies beyond that possible with woven soft fastener bodies as described in the description of woven fastener bodies above, one of the inventors came up with the idea of a molded foot fastener. The developed hook is made of plastic material and a base material layer. Thus, the linear production rate of hook-projected substrates can be considerably increased compared to the slow operation of complex needle looms.

One of the inventor's machines was subsequently modified to produce multi-hook with two hooks molded into each single shank. These hook-like heads are arranged on either side of the shank, ie, angularly spaced 1'80 DEG about the longitudinal axis of the shank, like the double hooks on the shank of an old-fashioned sailboat anchor. Such molded multi-foot fastener bodies exert a strong gripping effect on the loop bodies.

It is difficult to separate these. Many of the loops break or tear when sufficient peel force is applied to separate the molded multi-hook fastener from the loop body. (then,
Molded multi-hook fastener bodies are ideal for industrial permanent fixtures.

One disadvantage of these molded hook fastener bodies is that they must be molded from a relatively rigid plastic material to have sufficient strength to create the desired hook-like gripping engagement with the loop body. It comes from not being able to do something. Because the hooks are molded integrally with the base tape, the tape itself is relatively rigid, making the molded hook fastener bodies unsuitable for use in visible locations or as fasteners on clothing; thus, the molded Whether the hook fastener body is a single hook or multiple hooks,
It is limited to industrial applications in invisible locations, such as fixing floor pads in place within a vehicle.

Another disadvantage of molded foot fastener bodies is the expense of changing molding machines to change the size or nature of the hooks. Furthermore, when producing relatively narrow tapes, the width of the tape cannot be adjusted and therefore only one type of product can be produced, but the production speed is considerably faster than with conventional needle looms.

3. Pine mushroom hook fastener A modification of the molded single hook fastener body or molded double hook fastener body is to mold a pine mushroom-like head on the protruding shank of the hook. In a first example, such a pine mushroom head can be formed into a shank. To press the mushroom head into a shank, the outer end of each shank can be "upset" with heat and pressure.

Such molded hook fastener bodies exert a strong gripping effect on the loop bodies, making their separation difficult.

Applying sufficient peeling force to separate these fasteners will cause the pine mushroom head to detach from its shank or the shank to separate at its root. Pine mushroom fasteners can be used as permanent fixtures in industrial applications Optimal.

Broadly speaking, all three types of molded hook fasteners (single hook, double hook, or mushroom head) have the disadvantage that the base material must be molded from the same material as the hook. To date, it has not been possible to make a substrate of a desirable, aesthetically pleasing material different from the rigid plastic material used to mold the hook.

According to the invention, the protruding hooks can be made of a material different from the substrate, and these hooks are then joined to the pre-coated substrate. Thus, highly desirable and attractive materials can be used to construct the substrate. The substrate can be of any suitable width, for example 3 inches (7.62 cm).
Width, 6 inches (15°24 (Mll) width, 1 foot (
Widths such as 30.48 cm (30.48 cm) and 1 yard (91.44 cm) wide are best.

The manufacturing apparatus of the present invention allows the number of hooks per inch (2.54 cm) to be adjusted during operation. For example, the hook density per unit length can be varied as desired for various products and fastener applications.

In addition, the manufacturing equipment can be adjusted to produce crossed-legged hooks, uncrossed-legged hooks, or flared-legged hooks because the shank portion of each hook has two legs.

Advantageously, the manufacturing equipment can be modified by changing the forming belt to create tall or short hooks. The forming belt may consist of a number of sub-belts, each of which may carry hook fasteners of different shapes, sizes, or properties for simultaneously producing separate foot fastener bodies in parallel flow relationship on one machine. can be manufactured.

Thus, the properties of the hooks can be advantageously adjusted over a wide range in order to attach different types and shapes of hooks to different types of substrates of suitable desired widths.

The substrate material may be woven or non-woven and may have one or more layers and may have metal or plastic layers or both.

After bonding the hooks to the substrate, the substrate is Can be cut lengthwise.

Additionally, the present invention allows for fast and inexpensive manufacturing. Accordingly, the footer fastener bodies of the present invention in a variety of sizes, shapes, widths, and properties are widely available, widely used, relatively inexpensive, and commercially valuable products. and it will find countless new uses to benefit humanity in the future.

According to the invention, a number of rows of hooks are formed, each row made of strands of plastic material, for example preferably made of a longitudinally oriented polymeric material. The strands are formed into a multi-hook array configuration separately from the substrate in a high speed operation and then "cured". These preformed hook rows are then bonded to the substrate.

In manufacturing, multiple strands are fed in parallel spaced relationship for forming and then "cured" at high speed into a number of preformed hook rows. Thereafter, all preformed hook rows are Bonded to the substrate layer to achieve linear production speeds several times faster than needle looms. The various strands may be of different predetermined colors if desired. 1 inch (2.54 cm) wide or wider, and because the substrate can be cut longitudinally after the hooks are attached The actual linear production rate of fastener tape is 12 to 15 times faster than the needle looms used today.Furthermore, the various tapes cut have the hook feature of different colors.

In accordance with one feature of the invention, a multi-hook fastener body is fabricated for hook-like gripping engagement with opposing loop bodies, the loop bodies having a number of accessible openings, the openings including: The multiple hooks are engaged by contacting the foot fastener body with the opposing loop body. The multi-hook fastener body has a substrate region and a plurality of spaced apart parallel multi-hook rows attached to the substrate region, each row extending longitudinally along the substrate region, each The column includes a first plurality of equal, spaced, aligned left hooks pointing outward from the left side of the column and a second plurality of left hooks pointing outward from the right side of the column. with equal, spaced, aligned right hooks.

All of the left hooks and right hooks of the first and second plurality of hooks in each row are formed from respective strands of bendable and curable polymeric plastic material, with each strand in each row The strands extend in a zigzag manner back and forth between successive left hooks and right hooks, and the zigzag extending portions of each strand are joined to the base material region.

According to another feature of the invention, an advantageous, relatively low cost, high production speed apparatus for manufacturing improved foot fastener bodies that can vary in nature and size is provided. A number of strands of hardenable polymeric material are heat softened during bending and then cooled to "harden" into the shape, thereby bending and hardening each of the strands into an intermediate zigzag shape. are fed in spaced apart parallel relationship to a first forming region between mating teeth of opposing forming belts. These intermediate zigzag strands are connected to the second of the opposing forming belts for bending and curing the respective tip portions of each strand into left and right hooks arranged in rows with shank portions having two legs. A second forming area is provided between the pairs of meshing teeth.

The zigzag extensions of each hook row are then joined to the base material, such as by ultrasonic welding, to complete the foot fastener.

Due to the zigzag shape of the intermediate strands, the density of the hooks is adjusted during manufacturing by adjusting the pitch of each zigzag.

Furthermore, since the tip of each hook is a tightly formed U bulge bend of the strand, there is a bulge of the polymeric material in the annular part of the bend, and this bulge strengthens the hook-like gripping engagement with the loop body. , which acts as a rounded slight return of a fishing hook.

As mentioned above, the shape of the two legs of each hook is adjusted to obtain different hook characteristics for crossed, uncrossed, or flared legs.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the rZ of the protruding hook
The relative height in the J dimension can be varied by using a separate pair of interlocking belts in the second mold hardening zone. The overall size of the zigzag can be varied by using a separate pair of interlocking belts in the first mold hardening region.

Examining the drawings in more detail, Fig. 1 shows that the strand 22
A row 18 of identical hooks 20 formed from the same rows 18 is shown, with left-handed hooks and right-handed hooks located in the lateral regions of row 18 and R, respectively. Each hook 20 has a curved, arched head portion H, with a shank portion S extending between the head portion and an attachment portion M, the attachment portion M extending between the respective left- and right-facing hooks. The shank portion of each hook has two legs 23 and 24, each formed from a pair of segments of strand 22.

The strand 22 is a monofilament of a polymeric plastic material that is hard to bend at room temperature but can be bent limply at a suitable high temperature.
The polymeric plastic material of monofilament strand 22 is advantageously nylon polyamide. Legs 23 and 24 taper upward and meet at point 25 about halfway up shank S. In FIG. 1, strand 22 begins at the near end of row 18. It can be seen that it extends from the bend 27 towards the right and constitutes a first attachment part M. Strand 22
then sharply curves upward at foot bend 26,
Start leg 23.

Continuing up this leg 23, it can be seen that the strand tapers towards the other leg 24 and meets this leg 24 at point 25. The strand then continues up the shank S from the meeting point 25, parallel to and closely adjacent to the other leg, continuing into the head portion H, arching upwards and continuing to the tip of the hook at 28 (.

At the tip 28, the strand bends back into itself in the form of a tightly folded bulge, and the strand then arches upwardly across the head H, parallel to itself, and into the shank S. 25 points again
Continue descending until you reach . It can be seen that as the strands continue down from point 25, the strands of leg 24 spread out from leg 23 until they reach the other foot bend 27. It can be seen that the strand extends to the left from this foot bend 27 and the second attachment constitutes part M. The strand then bends sharply upwards at another foot bend 26 following the leg 23 of the left-facing hook 20 and continues back and forth along the row 18.

Looking at the attachment point M of the strand 22 in row 18, it can be seen that the strand zigzags back and forth as it extends from the foot bend 27 of one outward facing book to the foot bend 26 of the next following hook. . The hook 26 faces laterally outward in the opposite direction to the hook 27 before it. In this way, the strand repeatedly zigzags back and forth to hook 2.
A column 18 of zeros is formed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the attachment portion M of each row 18 of hooks 20 is joined to a backing material 30, which may be referred to as a substrate, to retain the row 18 of hooks 20. The rows 18 project a height Z above the top surface of the substrate 30. The substrate 30 may be comprised of any suitable layer of woven or nonwoven fabric. In FIG. 2, the base material 30 is
Shown as 3.

Attachment portion M may be bonded to backing material 30 with any suitable adhesive that can be cured. However, in the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the joining is accomplished by ultrasonic welding. A strong, clean ultrasonic weld is created between two nylon polymeric materials.

Therefore, when a woven fabric substrate is used, the threads 32 woven into the woven fabric 33 have a relatively large proportion of suitable ultrasonically weldable nylon polymeric material. If a nonwoven substrate is used, it is preferably precoated with a suitable ultrasonically weldable coating.

In FIG. 3, it is best seen that the upwardly recessed legs 23 and 24 meet at point 25. This figure shows the center line 3 of column 18.
4 (see FIG. 1) as seen from the right side.

It can be seen that each hook 20 in FIG. 3 has an inverted Y configuration.

By comparing FIG. 4 with FIG. 2, one can appreciate the many variations of hook shapes that can be easily and conveniently assembled into the hook means according to the invention. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the hooks 2OA of each row 18 are replaced by the hooks 2OA of FIG.
The base material 30A is different from the base material 30. For example, the substrate 30A has a woven fabric layer 33 and a pressure sensitive adhesive underlayer 36 that includes a releasable sheet 38 that covers and protects the adhesive 36. In use, the woven substrate 30 is placed in any area where it is desired to be fastened by the row 18 of hooks 2OA.
The protective sheet 38 is peeled away from the pressure sensitive adhesive 36 to expose the adhesive so that A can be adhered.

It can be seen that the head portion H of hook 20A in FIG. 4 is smaller than the head portion H of hook 20 in FIG. The shank S of the hook 20A is longer and flares upwardly at a somewhat wider angle than the shank S of FIG. For example, the second
In the figure, each shank S is at an angle raJ of 4° or less from the perpendicular
and leaning outward. In FIG. 4, each shank S is fixed at a predetermined fixed angle raJ within the range of 3" to 9" from the perpendicular
and leaning outward. 4, the rows 18 are laterally spaced apart more than the rows 18 of FIG. The heads of the hooks in FIG. 4 are smaller so that they fit more easily into the openings in the loop body, and the rows are more widely spaced to facilitate each hook entering the opening in the loop body. Therefore, hook engagement with the small head-shaped hook of FIG. 4 is relatively easy. A very light and rapid contact pressure on the loop body is sufficient to achieve hook engagement.

However, because the head footer of FIG. 4 is smaller, there are fewer fibers of the loop body to engage, and therefore less fastening engagement is involved in the loop body than occurs with the embodiment of FIG.

The manufacturing apparatus shown in FIG.
It is located within 4. An insulating vertical partition wall 46 within the housing separates the molding area 40 from the curing area 42. A pair of flexible interlocking molded endless belts 47 and 48 rotate synchronously in opposite directions as shown by arrows 49. Lower forming belt 47 rotates counterclockwise and lower forming belt 48 rotates clockwise as they pass through respective narrow horizontally elongated ports 51 in bulkhead 46. The upper belt 47 rotates around the input roller 50 and the output roller 54, and the lower belt 48 rotates around the input roller 52.
and output roller 56, respectively.

To facilitate the manufacture and maintenance of forming belts 47 and 48, each of these belts consists of a plurality of narrow sub-belts. For example, each subbelt is 3 inches wide (7,62
The four sub-belts are assembled together edge-to-edge on their respective rollers to create a forming belt with a total width of approximately 12 inches (30,48 cm). To guide each of these sub-belts and keep them moving together in parallel relationship, rollers 50, 52, 54 . and 56 each have a plurality of narrow, circumferentially extending pulley-type peripheral flanges, shown partially at 58, with narrow guide flanges 58 having a 3-inch (3-inch) diameter on which the subbelt rests.
7,62 am).

If wider forming belts 47 and 48 are desired to further increase the production speed of the hook bodies, longer rollers 50, 52 with more of these pulley-type flanges,
54. and 56 and 2 feet wide (60,
More narrow sub-belts are used to hold forming belts 47 and 48 of 96 cm) or 1 yard (91,44C11).

The width of these two forming belts 47 and 48 in any particular device is always the same since they work opposite each other. Belts 47 and 48 are preferably made of stainless steel. The front surface (i.e., outer surface) of each of belts 47 and 48 is shaped and cured so that strands 22 are formed into an intermediate corrugated shape 60 as shown enlarged in FIG.
It has a plurality of parallel axially extending and circumferentially spaced teeth 61 and 62, respectively. This initial waveform shape 60 has a pointed peak 63 and a pointed valley (reverse peak) 64.
, with sloping shoulders 65 interconnecting these peaks and valleys. In other words, the strand 22 is bent in a zigzag pattern 60 here and there on either side of the center line 59 (see Figure 5A) in the vertical plane, forming equal sized peaks 63 and 64 bent into a U-shape. are oriented in opposite directions from the center line.

The peaks 63 and valleys 64 of the intermediate waveform 60 are formed on the tips 28 (see FIGS. 1 to 4), the head portion H1, and the shank portion S of the left-facing hooks and right-facing hooks 20 or 20A of the rear row 18, respectively. . Slanted shoulders 65 are molded into the flared legs 23 and 24 and into the zigzag attachment portion M.

A relatively large number of strands 22 (only one shown) are simultaneously fed through the inlet boat 67 in closely spaced parallel relationship. This inlet port 67 has the same width as belts 47 and 48 but is narrower in its vertical dimension, these multiple incoming strands 22 being directed towards forming area 40 (see FIG. 5) as indicated by arrows 66. and move.

``To shape these incoming strands 22 and 66 into an intermediate corrugated shape 60, the first chamber 68 of the bousing 44 in which the region 40 is located is heated by a gas or other heater 7.
0 to a temperature slightly above the softening temperature of the monofilament of polymeric material of the incoming strands 22 and 60. For example, in the case of a nylon polymer, the heater 70 is adjusted to heat the chamber 68 to the appropriate temperature level. The array of radiant heaters 72 is connected to the input rollers 50 and 52 as the two belts move around the respective input rollers 50 and 52.
Shortly before reaching the nip area 74 between these two rotating belts. These radiant heaters 72 increase the temperature of teeth 61 and 62 (see FIG. 6) in chamber 68 if it is desired to enhance the softening action of the plastic near relatively sharp peaks 63 and valleys 64. Preferably, the temperature is locally increased slightly above the average temperature.

In the nip region 74, these teeth 61 and 62
Rollers 50 and 5 engage in interdigitating engagement with a number of strands corrugated between these teeth as shown.
2 is sufficiently large compared to the thickness of stainless steel belts 47 and 48 and compared to the pinch of teeth 61 and 62 of those belts that these belts will be able to reach their yield point around these rollers. Deflects at much lower stress.

Thus, the teeth gradually engage without interfering and capturing the incoming strands 66 and 22 therebetween as the belt moves into the nip area 74, causing the strands to become corrugated.

A plurality of small diameter rollers 7G extending laterally and engaging the rear surfaces (or inner surfaces) of belts 47 and 48 support and guide the intermeshed belts as they move downstream from nip region 74. heated teeth 61 and 6
2 into a wavy shape 60 by interlocking a number of parallel strands 66 between them.
(See Figure 6).

To "harden" this corrugated shape 60, the meshed belts are moved downstream through a narrow bost 51 in bulkhead 46, and hardening zone 42 is located in a cooling chamber arranged to cool the belts to a stable, low temperature. Enter 78. Thus,
The strand is hardened into its intermediate corrugated form 60. In this region 42, the belts are cooled to an appropriate temperature by a cooler 80 equipped with a cooling fan that blows air onto the rear surfaces of the meshed belts. Additionally, exit rollers 54 and 56 are hollow and are cooled by circulating cold water therethrough.

The exit rollers 54 and 56 are mounted to rotate together in opposite directions at the same peripheral speed by a mechanical interconnection 71, for example by a gear train or by a sprocket and timing chain.

These two rollers 54 and 56 are driven via a transmission 73 by a speed-controllable drive motor 75-1. The speed of the drive means 75-1 is under the control of a control station 77 connected to the drive means 75-1 via a cable 79-1.

As each corrugated strand 60 exits between the first pair of belts 47 and 48, it is captured in a guide passage 82 (see FIG. 5A). The guide passage 82 has a tall narrow rectangular shape at its entrance, and as shown in the enlarged view in FIG. It becomes a horizontal rectangular shape. The purpose of each guide passage 82 is to change the plane orientation of the corrugated strand 60 passing through it from vertical to horizontal.

A guide passage 82 (see FIG. 5) extends parallel from the insulated housing 44 to a second similar housing 44-2, which is an endless flexible molded bell that is repeatedly heated and cooled. -47-2 and 48-2, these belts rotate synchronously in opposite directions through the second forming zone 40-2 and the second curing zone 42-2.

The portion of the strand 22 where the peaks 63 and valleys 64 of the waveform strand 60 (see FIG. 6) are formed is connected to the tip 28 of the hook 20 or 20A as shown in the partially combined waveform shape 60A in FIG. Form hardening belts 47-2 and 47-2 to match the ready adjacency for making shank S.
The second pair 8-2 (see FIG. 5) moves at a lower linear velocity than the first pair 47 and 48. A second serviceable speed controllable drive motor 75-2 for the belt is connected to the cable 7
9-2 to control station 77. The strands 22 thus enter the nip area 74 (see FIG. 5) between the second pair of belts 47-2 and 48-2.
partially aligned waveform shape 60A (see Figure 7)
In order to produce the same, the operator uses the speed controller at station 77 to set the linear speed of the second pair of belts relative to the linear speed of the first pair of belts 47 and 48.

A pair of elongated electrically heated strips 88 (
5) may extend along the two narrow edges of the helical guide passage 82 to soften the strip 22 at the tip to produce these sharp bends.

Bell) The second pair of 47-2 and 48-2 is shown in Figures 1 and 2.
As shown in FIG.
Change to column 18 of A. These rows 18 of hooks (only one shown in FIG. 5) exit the second housing 44-2 to the right through exit apertures 90.

As shown in an enlarged partial cross section in FIG. There are two longitudinally extending humps 9 between adjacent grooves.
There are 3 and 94. On the other hand, the front surface of the upper belt 47-2 includes a plurality of laterally spaced longitudinally extending ridges 9.
5, with two longitudinally extending grooves 96 and 97 between adjacent grooves. These two belts are
In order to finally form the wavy shape 60A of the strand 22 in the second forming area 40-2 disposed in the forming chamber 68-2, a gap is provided therebetween sufficient to sandwich the strand, as shown in FIG. They interlock as shown. Thereafter, the heated and softened rows 18 of the hooks 20 or 2OA are transferred to the second hardening area 42-2 disposed in the second fixing chamber 78-2.
It is "hardened" by cooling the belt at step 2.

The row of hooks 18 connects the row of hooks 18 to the joining area 100.
It is conveyed out of the outlet 90 (see FIG. 5C) by a plurality of substantially parallel groove-like guides or chutes 98 (see FIG. 5C), in the joining area where the mounting portions M of these rows are It is joined by welding to any suitable base material 30 or 30A or 30B as desired. These guides 98
The hook means 10 has a high or low hook density, i.e. a high or low number of hooks per inch.
The rows 18 are described as being substantially parallel since they can be laterally adjusted in the region 102 to taper or diverge to produce the rows 18. Tapering the groove guides 98 brings the rows 18 closer together in the lateral rYJ dimension (see FIGS. 2 and 4), and flaring the guides 98 moves them further apart.

The substrate 30 or 30A or 30B is fed from a roll 106 and passed over a guide roller 108 and then over an anvil roller 110 with a very hard durable surface, such as a steel roller with a deep case hardened nitrided surface. , a plurality of ultrasonic probes 112 (only one shown) are connected to this anvil roller 1.
10, each of which has a tapered horn configuration with many tips and is ultrasonically vibrated by a driver 114. One of these welding horn tips 112 extends downwardly into the area between the left and right hooks of each row 18, engages the attachment portions M, and connects them to the substrate 30 or 30A or 3
Weld to 0B.

If desired, an ultrasonic welding device 114 may be placed beneath the substrate 30, or 30A or 30B. For example, such welding equipment may include a vibrationally driven bar that extends laterally across the underside of the substrate. This ultrasonically vibrating bar extends transversely to the direction of movement of the substrate and hook row 18.

A plurality of rigid anvil disc wheels are placed above the hook row 18 facing the ultrasonic bar. The very hard, durable rim of these disc wheels serves as an anvil and allows the mounting portion M of each row of hooks (see Figures 1, 2, 4, and 10) to be attached to the base material. Roll over the mounting part for ultrasonic welding. The ultrasonic bar may have a smooth surface or may have a pattern of small ridges to concentrate the welding action in various localized areas of each attachment portion M.

If desired, an additional strip of bonding material may be placed in the area between the rows of left-facing hooks L and right-facing hooks R at bonding station 1 for additional capture and additional bond strength.
00 (see Figure 5C). In other words, this additional strip is fed parallel to the center line 34 onto each mounting portion M (see FIG. 1). This strip is bonded to the backing to assist in securing the attachment portion M to the backing (ie, the substrate).

The strip may be ultrasonically weldable, heat sealable or coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive. A second splicing station located downstream from the first splicing station may be used to splice or supplementally splice this additional strip.

A groove guide 98 is provided to change the hook density of the hook body 104.
When adjusted laterally, the mounting portion M of each row 18 of hooks
Instead of continuing to align directly above, another comb-shaped welding horn 112 (with appropriately differently spaced teeth) is correspondingly used. Anvil roller 11
The hardened surface of the 0 may have any desired pattern of ridges and depressions to concentrate the ultrasonic welding action to a specific pattern to increase the visibility of the welded hook body 104. For example, the pattern of the ridges and depressions may be a checkerboard pattern, a diamond pattern, or a lattice pattern.

As previously explained, the longitudinal spacing of the hooks in the rXJ direction (Figures 3, 5A, and 5C)
Control station 77 for adjusting the relative phase changes of the two sets.
(see Figure 5).

The resulting changes in the lateral rYJ directions can be seen, for example, by comparing FIG. 10 with FIGS. 2 and 4. Furthermore, FIG. 10 shows a base material 30 in which upper nylon N115 is bonded to a metal foil N116, for example aluminum foil, having a pressure sensitive adhesive N36 and a removable protective coating sheet 38.
FIG. 7 illustrates the hook means that B has.

In order to produce a hook in which the bullets of the shank of each hook intersect, as shown in the corrugated shape 60B of FIG. 8 and in the cross-section of the row of hooks in FIG. Increase speed.

The present invention has the advantage that the tip 28 of each hook is a tightly formed U-shaped bend in the strand 22, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 11B. Thus, a bulge 118 of polymeric material can be created near the bend of the U-bend, which U-bend has some strength to strengthen the weak hook into gripping engagement with the loop or fiber 120 of the loop body. It acts like a double hook on a fishing hook.

In order to change the configuration of the bed H of the hook 20 or 2OA, the second pair of belts 47-2 and 48-2 can be placed on different front surfaces, as can be seen by comparing FIGS. 2, 4, and 5B. Change to a pair with shape.

Belts 47 and 4 are used to change the overall size of the hook.
8 and the belts 47-2 and 48-2.

It will thus be appreciated that the invention is highly flexible in its application. For example, belt 47
and 48, and the sub-belts having belts 47-2 and 48-2 have different types of hook bodies 104 (see FIG. 5C).
can be different on the two sides of the apparatus shown in FIG.

If desired, a cutting station 122 may be included for longitudinally cutting the hook body 104 into multiple strips.

Although the apparatus for manufacturing foot fastener bodies has been described as using relatively wide belts 47 and 48 and 47-2 and 48-2 having multiple sub-belts,
The present invention uses a relatively narrow single belt 47.48.47-
2 and 48-2, such a single belt for making a foot fastener body, for example, is about 1 inch wide.

While the invention has been illustrated and described with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as constituted by the appended claims and reasonable equivalents of the elements recited in the claims. It will be understood that various changes in form and detail may be made by those skilled in the art.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a row of left-facing hooks and a row of right-facing hooks formed from bendable and formable strands of polymeric material in accordance with the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of two rows of hooks bonded to a substrate. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken toward the left along line 3-3 of FIG. 1; and FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the hook, in which the substrate has different properties than shown in FIG. 2, the hook has a different configuration, and FIG. 5A is an enlarged perspective view of one of the guide passages shown in FIG. 5; FIG. 5B is an enlarged perspective view of one of the guide passages shown in FIG. 5; FIG. 5C is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the second pair of forming belts; FIG. 5C is a view showing the pre-formed hooks bonded to the backing material; FIG. Figure 7 shows the initial zigzag shape of one of the strands before entering the second forming hardening zone; Figure 7 shows the initial zigzag shape of one of the strands before entering the second set of zones; By varying the relative linear feed rate between the first and second form-hardening zones, the pitch of the zig-zags in the intermediate strands can be adjusted to indicate the final zig-zag configuration of the strands, and thus by varying the relative linear feed rate between the first and second form-hardening zones. in other words, by adjusting the relative linear velocity between the first mold hardening region and the second mold hardening region. The hook density in the longitudinal rXJ dimensions can be varied during manufacturing, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram similar to FIG. 3 showing a hook shape with crossed legs, and FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a hook shape with crossed legs. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating what changes occur in the hook density in the lateral direction rYJ dimension during manufacturing by adjusting the lateral spacing of the guiding and feeding grooves between the first region and the second region; FIG. FIG. 11B is an enlarged plan view and an enlarged side view, respectively, of the U-shaped bent tip portion of the hook. L...Left side, R...Right side, S...Shank part, H...Head part, M...Mounting part, 20.・・・
...Hook, 22...Continuous strand, 23
．． 24... Legs. Engraving of the drawings (no change in content), -”-i4゜2, Title of the invention Multi-hook fastener body and its manufacturing method and manufacturing device 3, Relationship with the amended person case Applicant name Elbrok Associates 4, Agent Man

Claims (1)

Claims: 1. Consists of a double row (18) of hooks (20), said double row of hooks having a center line (34), and a plurality of hooks (20).
) are arranged at spaced apart positions along the left side (L) of the center line, a plurality of hooks (20) are arranged at spaced apart positions along the right side of the center line, and the double rows of hooks are arranged at spaced apart positions along the left side (L) of the center line; , formed of a continuous strand (22) having a portion (M) extending back and forth across said center line and interconnecting hooks on the left and right sides of said center line. Fastener. 2. Each hook has a shank portion (S) extending upwardly and having a bent head portion (H) at the top, the shank portion and the head portion of each hook having two legs (23 Multi-hook fastener according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists of two adjacent parts of a continuous strand (22) forming a continuous strand (24). 3. Multi-hook fastener according to claim 2, characterized in that said two legs (23, 24) of each hook (20) taper upwardly towards each other. 4. Multi-hook fastener according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the two legs (23, 24) cross each other. 5. Claims 2, 3 and 5, characterized in that said portion (M) of the continuous strand (22) extends in a zigzag configuration back and forth across said centerline (34). The multi-hook fastener according to any one of item 4. 6. Said double rows (18) of hooks (20) are provided with a backing (30, 30A, 30B) by attaching said portion (M) of said continuous strand near said centerline (34).
) A multi-hook fastener according to any one of claims 2 to 5. 7. Zigzag at least one strand (22) of bendable material back and forth in a plane to form a plurality of spaced and oppositely directed strand turns (63, 64); (60, 60A, 60B) and forming double rows (18) of hooks (20) on both sides (L, R) of the centerline (34) near at least some of said turned portions of the strands. The strand is again formed so that the shank part (S) with the bent head (H) on it stands upright from the plane of the zigzag shape and the said folded part of the strand forms the tip of the head of the hook (28).
A method for manufacturing a multi-hook fastener, characterized in that portions M of the strands extending before and after the center line interconnect the hooks on either side of the center line. 8. Form the strand (22) of the shank portion (S) of each hook (20) to form the head (H) of each hook.
8. A method for manufacturing a multi-hook fastener according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises the step of creating a pair of legs (23, 24) for supporting the fastener. 9. Means (5) for feeding a continuous strand (22)
0, 52), and a first means (47, 48) for forming the strand (22) into a forward and backward zigzag shape (60, 60A, 60B) with the folded portions (63, 64) of the strand facing in opposite directions. ) and hook the zigzag shape (20
) for forming a double row (18) of second means (82, 4
7-2, 48-2). 10. The first means (47, 48) have opposed teeth (61
, 62).
An apparatus for manufacturing a multi-hook fastener as described in 2. 11. Said second means (47-2, 48-2) have a generally rectangular groove (9) with adjacent humps (94, 93) on each side.
2) having a generally rectangular ridge entering said groove and adjacent concave surfaces (97, 96) on each side of said ridge and positioned above said respective humps;
11. The multi-hook fastener manufacturing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising a second member having a second member. 12. Zigzag the strands (60, 60A, 60
B) comprising means (72) for changing the properties of the strand to facilitate its formation. An apparatus for manufacturing a multi-hook fastener according to any one of the items. 13. said means for changing the properties of said strand (
13. The multi-hook fastener manufacturing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein 72) applies radiant energy.