Touch fastening

A method of forming a touch fastener product having a sheet-form base and an array of discrete fastener elements each extending from the base, the method comprising:

• providing a sheet-form base and an array of discrete fastener element preforms of resin, each preform extending from the base and comprising both a stem portion rising from the base and a head portion both contiguous with a distal end of the stem portion and having an upper surface directed away from the base, the head portion including at least one laterally directed extension overhanging the base in a primary lateral direction between exposed sides of the fastener element preform and ending at a distal, free tip;
• and then
• forming respective caps, of a cap material of a higher flex modulus than the resin of the preforms, on the upper surfaces of at least some of the fastener element preforms to form the discrete fastener elements,
• wherein the caps are formed to extend laterally beyond the upper surfaces of the fastener element preforms, to overhang the base.

A method of forming a touch fastener product having a sheet-form base and an array of discrete fastener elements each extending from the base, the method comprising:

• providing a sheet-form base and an array of discrete fastener element preforms of resin, each preform extending from the base and comprising both a stem portion rising from the base and a head portion both contiguous with a distal end of the stem portion and having an upper surface directed away from the base, the head portion including two extensions separately overhanging the base in opposite lateral directions and ending at tips;
• and then
• forming respective caps, of a cap material of a higher flex modulus than the resin of the preforms, on the upper surfaces of at least some of the fastener element preforms to form the discrete fastener elements,
• wherein the upper surface of each head portion, as provided, defines a central recess located between the two extensions and open on opposite sides of the fastener element preform, and wherein forming the caps comprises filling the central recesses,
• wherein the caps are formed to extend laterally beyond exposed sides of the fastener element preforms, and
• wherein the caps are formed to extend laterally beyond the upper surfaces of the fastener element preforms, to overhang the base.