Drapable surface fastener and method of using same

Abstract

A mechanical surface fastener intended to usefully conform to a three-dimensional shape comprises a stemmed web having an array of upstanding stems 10 distributed across both faces, and having through holes 11 in the web 12 positioned in the spaces between the stems. The mechanical surface fastener is used in a method of improving the impact strength of molded articles comprising sandwiching an effective amount of said fastener between layers of said foraminous reinforcing material.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A drapable surface fastener having a web of material having two sides and a plurality of stems extending from both sides of the web, the web containing holes positioned in the spaces between the stems to permit the web to usefully conform to a three-dimensional shape.  
     
     
         2 . The drapable surface fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the holes are through holes and/or holes which substantially penetrate the thickness of the web.  
     
     
         3 . The drapable surface fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the holes are substantially rectangular or diamond shaped.  
     
     
         4 . The drapable surface fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the stems are substantially cylindrical, rectangular, conical, pyramidal or mushroom-shaped.  
     
     
         5 . The drapable surface fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the stems are uncapped and are substantially pointed.  
     
     
         6 . The drapable surface fastener of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the stems have caps.  
     
     
         7 . The drapable surface fastener of  claim 1 , wherein the web is formed from at least one melt processable polymeric material.  
     
     
         8 . The drapable surface fastener of  claim 7 , wherein the polymeric material is nylon.  
     
     
         9 . A composite part produced by the process comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing sheets of foraminous reinforcing material;    (b) providing a mold having a cavity;    (c) providing drapable surface fastener having a web of material having two sides and a plurality of stems extending from both sides of the web, the web containing holes positioned in the spaces between the stems to permit the web to usefully conform to a three-dimensional shape;    (d) selectively placing said foraminous reinforcing material and said drapable surface fastener in said mold cavity; and    (e) molding a composite part from resin, said foraminous reinforcing material and said drapable surface fastener, said part having enhanced mechanical properties in desired areas due to said foraminous reinforcing material and said drapable surface fastener being located in said desired areas.    
     
     
         10 . The part of  claim 9 , said placing step includes the step of placing said foraminous reinforcing material and said drapable surface fastener in alternating layers into said mold cavity;  
     
     
         11 . The part of  claim 9 , wherein said foraminous reinforcing material is selected from the group consisting of E-glass fibers, S-glass fibers, graphite fibers, aramid fibers, and silicon carbide fibers.  
     
     
         12 . The part of  claim 9 , wherein said resin is formed from a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polybismaleimide, polyamides, polypropylenes, polyesters, epoxys, polyethylenes, and polyphenylene sulfides.  
     
     
         13 . The part of  claim 9 , wherein said continuous strand material is a woven cloth and/or a reinforcing mat formed from continuous strand material.  
     
     
         14 . The part of  claim 9 , wherein an effective number of said stems hook into said foraminous material.