Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
288 words
A method of manufacturing a continuous length of surface-fastener engaging member including a base layer on the front surface of which a multiplicity of coupling elements are molded and on the back surface of which a backing material is attached, comprising the steps of: extruding from an extrusion nozzle (1, 10, 100) a predetermined width of molten resin (4); introducing the molten resin (4), which is extruded from the extrusion nozzle (1, 10, 100), into a predetermined gap between the extrusion nozzle (1, 10, 100) and a die wheel (2), which has a multiplicity of coupling element molding cavities (5) on its circumferential surface and a cooling unit inside, to fill up the coupling element molding cavities (5) with the molten resin (4) as the die wheel (2) rotates in one direction; continuously molding a multiplicity of coupling elements (4b) integrally on the front surface of a continuous board-shaped base layer (4a) as the die wheel (2) is rotated in such a direction as to extrude the molten resin (4); applying a porous backing material (3), which is supplied separately from the molten resin (4) and adjacently to the extrusion nozzle (1, 10, 100) while being heated, to the board-shaped base layer (4a) under pressure while the board-shaped base layer (4a) is moved in response to the rotation of the die wheel (2); cooling the die wheel (2) to a predetermined temperature; and positively pulling a resulting engaging member (4', 40'), which includes the board-shaped base layer (4a) with the backing material (3) attached thereto as cooled, from the die wheel (2) in the molten resin extruding direction as the molded coupling elements of the engaging member (4', 40') are removed from the coupling element molding cavities (5).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
63 words
A surface-fastener engaging member manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the porous backing material (3), which is supplied separately from the molten resin (4) and adjacently to the extrusion nozzle (10, 100) while being heated, is guided by a backing material guide surface (10d, 100d) defined by a nozzle surface and a guide and pressure portion of the extrusion nozzle (10, 100).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A surface fastener engaging member manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the porous backing material (3), which is supplied separately from the molten resin (4) and adjacently to the extrusion nozzle (1) while being heated, is guided by a backing material guide channel (1d) extending in the extrusion nozzle (1).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
A surface-fastener engaging member manufacturing method according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the coupling elements molded on the board-shaped base layer (4a) has a hook shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A surface-fastener engaging member manufacturing method according to claim 1, wherein the porous backing material (3) is a knitted or woven cloth having on one surface a multiplicity of loops.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
173 words
An apparatus for manufacturing a continuous length of surface fastener engaging member including a base layer on the front surface of which a multiplicity of coupling elements are molded and on the back surface of which a backing material is attached, comprising: a die wheel (2) having a multiplicity of coupling element molding cavities (5) on its circumferential surface and a built-in cooling means; a drive means for rotating said die wheel (2) in one direction; an extrusion nozzle (1, 10, 100) situated adjacent to and confronting said die wheel (2), said extrusion nozzle (1, 10, 100) having inside an extrusion flow channel (1c, 10c, 100c) through which a predetermined width of molten resin (4) is to be extruded, said extrusion nozzle (1, 10, 100) having a back material guide means (1d, 10d, 100d) for guiding a backing material (3), which is supplied separately from the molten resin (4), in contact with the molten resin (4); and coacting puller rollers (6, 7) situated downstream of said die wheel (2) in its rotating direction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
A surface-fastener engaging member manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said backing material guide means (10d, 100d) is a guide channel defined by a nozzle surface and a guide and pressure portion (8a, 8c) of said extrusion nozzle (10, 100).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A surface-fastener engaging member manufacturing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said backing material guide means (1d) is a guide channel formed within said extrusion nozzle (1, 10, 100).