Die cut mold-in

A hook or loop component of a hook and loop fastener which can be integrally molded into a plastic article by a molding process, said hook or loop component comprising

• a fastener element having a base member and a plurality of engaging elements upstanding from a surface thereof, and
• a removable, elastomeric protective encasement having said engaging elements embedded therein, said protective encasement partially encasing said engaging elements such that top surfaces of said engaging elements are slightly exposed,
• said protective encasement being removable from said engaging elements so as to expose said engaging elements without permanently deforming said engaging elements or substantially destroying fastening performance of said engaging elements.

A fastener of the hook and loop type intended to be incorporated into plastic articles by plastic molding processes comprising a separable fastener member having a base member and a plurality of engaging elements upstanding from one surface thereof;

• means for covering and intimately surrounding and encasing said engaging elements, adapted to protect said elements when exposed to the harsh environment of a molding process, said means being removable from the fastener after the molding process to expose said engaging elements without substantially destroying the performance thereof, the means for covering and intimately surrounding and encasing the engaging elements including magnetizable means.

A fastener of the hook and loop type intended to be incorporated into plastic articles by plastic molding processes comprising a separable fastener member having a base member and a plurality of engaging elements upstanding from one surface thereof, elastomeric protective means covering and at least partially surrounding and filling the space between said engaging elements, adapted to protect said elements when exposed to the harsh environment of a molding process, said protective means being adapted to be removed from the fastener after the molding process to expose said engaging elements without substantially destroying the performance of said elements, the elastomeric means for covering and at least partially surrounding the upstanding elements including magnetizable means.

A fastener of the hook and loop type intended to be incorporated into plastic articles by plastic molding processes comprising a separable fastener member having a base member and a plurality of individual engaging elements upstanding from one surface thereof;

• means for partially encasing said individual engaging elements such that top surfaces of said engaging elements are slightly exposed, said means adapted to protect said elements when exposed to the harsh environment of a molding process, said means being removable from the fastener after the molding process to expose said engaging elements without substantially destroying the performance thereof, said means for partially encasing said engaging elements being an elastomeric composition which fills the volume surrounding the elements and can be cured to an elastomer, said elastomeric composition having incorporated therein a magnetic attractant.

A fastener of the hook and loop type intended to be incorporated into plastic articles by plastic molding processes comprising a separable fastener member having a base member and a plurality of individual engaging elements upstanding from one surface thereof;

• means for partially encasing said individual engaging elements such that top surfaces of said engaging elements are slightly exposed, said means adapted to protect said elements when exposed to the harsh environment of a molding process, said means being removable from the fastener after the molding process to expose said engaging elements without substantially destroying the performance thereof, said means for partially encasing the engaging elements including magnetizable means, said magnetizable means being a ferromagnetic substance.

A fastener of the hook and loop type intended to be incorporated into plastic articles by plastic molding processes comprising a separable fastener member having a base member and a plurality of individual engaging elements upstanding from one surface thereof, elastomeric protective means partially covering and surrounding the engaging elements such that top surfaces of said engaging elements are slightly exposed, said protective means adapted to protect said elements when exposed to the harsh environment of a molding process, said protective means being adapted to be removed from the fastener after the molding process to expose said engaging elements without substantially destroying the performance of said elements, said elastomeric protective means for covering and at least partially surrounding the upstanding elements including magnetizable means.

A fastener of the hook and loop type intended to be incorporated into plastic articles by plastic molding processes comprising a separable fastener member having a base member and a plurality of individual engaging elements upstanding from one surface thereof, elastomeric protective means partially covering and surrounding the engaging elements and filling the space between said individual engaging elements such that top surfaces of said engaging elements are slightly exposed, said protective means adapted to protect said elements when exposed to the harsh environment of a molding process, said protective means being adapted to be removed from the fastener after the molding process to expose said engaging elements without substantially destroying the performance of said elements, said elastomeric protective means having incorporated therein a magnetic attractant.