Apparatus for making segmented separable fastener

A method for forming a separable fastener component for use with a complementary separable fastener component, said method comprising the steps of:

• a. forming a plurality of fastening segments, each fastening segment comprising:
• i. a base member, having a nominal fastening face and a non-fastening face;
• and
• ii. carried on said fastening face of said base member, a plurality of fastening elements selected from the group consisting of hook-type and loop-type elements;
• and
• b. joining each adjacent pair of fastening segments with a flexible neck that is significantly narrower than said fastening segment.

A molded polymeric body, said body comprising:

• a. an internal body volume;
• b. at least one surface;
• c. a separable fastener component, adhered to said surface, said fastener component comprising:
• i. a plurality of fastening segments, each fastening segment comprising:
• A. a base member, having a nominal fastening face and a non-fastening face;
• and
• B. carried on said fastening face of said base member, a plurality of fastening elements selected from the group consisting of hook-type and loop-type elements, said fastening elements extending away from said internal volume;
• and
• ii. located between and joining each adjacent pair of fastening segments, a flexible neck that is narrower than said fastening segment.

A method for forming a molded polymeric body carrying a segmented, separable fastener component, said method comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a mold, having at least one surface that has a trench therein, where said trench follows a path that has at least two portions that are angled relative to each other in a plane;
• b. locating in said trench a separable fastener component comprising:
• i. a plurality of fastening segments, each fastening segment comprising:
• A. a base member, having a nominal fastening face and a non-fastening face;
• and
• B. carried on said fastening face of said base member, a plurality of fastening elements selected from the group consisting of hook-type and loop-type elements, said fastening segments located with said fastening elements extending toward said mold surface;
• and
• ii. located between and joining each adjacent pair of fastening segments, a flexible neck that is narrower than said fastening segment, said separable fastener component arranged in said trench such that it bends at said necks so that it follows said path throughout said at least two portions that are angled relative to each other, such that segments of said fastener component are angled relative to each other, within a plane defined by said base members of said fastening segments;
• c. providing liquid molding material into said mold such that said molding material substantially covers at least said surface of said mold in which said trench resides, and such that molding material contacts a significant portion of said base member of said fastening component, while simultaneously preventing said liquid molding material from contacting said fastening elements;
• d. allowing said molding material to solidify to form said molded polymeric body, whereby said fastening component is secured to said molded body.

An apparatus for fabricating a strip of a separable fastening component, said apparatus comprising:

• a. a plurality of mold plates, designated a fastener forming zone, having similar arcuate edges and comprising:
• i. fastening element mold cavities intersecting these edges and one face of the mold plate, said mold cavities being arranged into a plurality of segment forming regions;
• ii. circumscribing each of said segment forming regions, a gasket mold cavity;
• and
• iii. between each adjacent pair of segment forming regions, a hinge forming region;
• said mold plates being arranged to form a cylindrical mold wheel having a circular surface formed by said arcuate edges of said mold plates such that said segment forming regions are spaced apart circumferentially around said cylindrical surface;
• and
• b. an extruder having a die whose surface is disposed close to said cylindrical surface for delivering moldable polymeric material to said mold cavities to form upstanding members and also to said surface to form therewith a polymeric base member strip to which said upstanding members formed in the mold cavities are integrally attached.

An apparatus for fabricating a strip of a separable fastening component, said apparatus comprising:

• a. a plurality of mold plates, designated a fastener forming zone, having similarly curved edges and comprising:
• i. fastening element mold cavities intersecting these edges and one face of the mold plate, said mold cavities being arranged into a plurality of segment forming regions;
• ii. circumscribing each of said segment forming regions, a gasket mold cavity;
• and
• iii. between each adjacent pair of segment forming regions, a hinge forming region;
• said mold plates being arranged to form one component of a multi-piece injection molding assembly having a surface formed by said edges of said mold plates, such that said segment forming regions are spaced apart along said surface;
• and
• b. a second component of said injection molding assembly, matable with said surface of said first component;
• and
• c. disposed within at least one of said components of said assembly, passages for delivering moldable polymeric material to said mold cavities to form upstanding members and also to form therewith a polymeric base member strip to which the upstanding members formed in the mold cavities are integrally attached.