Abstract A method is disclosed for producing the hooked surface of a hook- and loop-type fastener by treating a starting fabric material having a pile of upstanding threads. The treatment comprises impregnating the threads and pile with a liquid plastic monomer having the capability of being converted by the application thereto of a suitable form of energy to a flexible solid, applying heat or other suitable form of energy to the underside of the starting material to set the lower portion of the threads into a relatively permanent and stiffened shape and then subjecting the other side of said starting material simultaneously to a pressure and heat or other suitable form of energy to bend and set the upper portions of the threads into the form of hooking elements.
A method for producing a flexible strip of material in which are anchored a multiplicity of hook-shaped elements, the method comprising providing a length of flexible material with a multiplicity of upstanding threadlike elements, impregnating said elements with a liquid plastic monomer, applying heat to the underside of said material for a period of time sufficient to heat set the portions of said threads adjacent to said fabric, inverting said material so that said threads assume an upright position and simultaneously cooling said material thereby fixing said lower portions into a relatively rigid straight-lined configuration, subjecting said threads in said upright position simultaneously to a pressure source and heat treatment source bending the upper portion of said threads into hooked shapes extending randomly in different directions and heat setting said upper portions into relatively permanent hook shapes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 1 wherein said pressure source and said heat source is a controlled flow of hot gaseous material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method according to claim 2 wherein said pressure source and said heat source is a controlled flow of hot fluid material.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
122 words
A method for producing a flexible strip of material in which are anchored a multiplicity of hooking elements from a starting material having a multiplicity of projecting threads, the method comprising impregnating said threads with a liquid substance having the characteristic of becoming flexibly solid upon exposure to a source of energy, exposing the side of said material opposite to the side from which said threads project to an energy source for a period of time sufficient to set the lower portion of said threads into a relatively permanent straight configuration, and subjecting the other side of said starting material to exposure to an energy source and to pressure to bend and to set the upper portion of said threads into hooks.