Bendable fastener strips

Abstract

A fastener strip configured to be plastically deformed to a desired shape and to retain the desired shape without a significant amount of recovery.

1 . A method of forming a fastener strip, the method comprising: 
 introducing molten thermoplastic resin into a gap formed between a pressure device and a peripheral surface of a rotating mold roll, the peripheral surface of the mold roll defining an array of cavities therein, the molten resin being introduced under pressure and temperature conditions selected to at least partially fill the cavities to form projections molded integrally with and extending from a resin base; and    introducing a deformable member into the gap with the resin such that the deformable member becomes integrally joined to the resin base as the resin cools,    wherein the fastener strip is configured to be plastically deformed to a desired shape and to retain the desired shape without a significant amount of recovery.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising introducing the deformable member into a guideplate defining a guide sleeve to position the deformable member relative to the gap.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising introducing a loop material into the gap.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method comprises introducing multiple deformable members into the gap.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the multiple deformable members are introduced in a parallel configuration.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the deformable member comprises at least one metal.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the deformable member comprises a wire.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pressure device comprises a pressure roll that rotates counter to the mold roll.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the mold roll and the pressure roll are internally cooled.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cavities are J-hook shaped to form J-hook shaped projections.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the cavities are stem-shaped to form stem-shaped projections.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising deforming the stem-shaped projections to produce mushroom-shaped projections.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener strip is configured to experience deflection when a force of about 300 grams or less is applied to the fastener strip, and to recover about 20 percent or less of the deflection when the force is removed.  
   
   
       14 . A fastener strip, comprising: 
 a thermoplastic base having an array of integral projections extending therefrom; and    a deformable member at least partially encapsulated within the thermoplastic base,    wherein the fastener strip is configured to be plastically deformed to a desired shape and to retain the desired shape without a significant amount of recovery.    
   
   
       15 . The fastener strip of  claim 14 , wherein the deformable member comprises at least one metal.  
   
   
       16 . The fastener strip of  claim 14 , wherein the deformable member comprises a wire.  
   
   
       17 . The fastener strip of  claim 14 , wherein the deformable member is substantially fully encapsulated within the base.  
   
   
       18 . The fastener strip of  claim 14 , wherein the fastener strip comprises multiple deformable members.  
   
   
       19 . The fastener strip of  claim 18 , wherein the multiple deformable members are aligned in a substantially parallel configuration.  
   
   
       20 . The fastener strip of  claim 18 , wherein the multiple deformable members are aligned longitudinally along the fastener strip.  
   
   
       21 . The fastener strip of  claim 14 , wherein a loop material is attached to the base.  
   
   
       22 . The fastener strip of  claim 14 , wherein the projections include engageable heads that overhang the base.  
   
   
       23 . The fastener strip of  claim 22 , wherein the heads overhang the base in multiple directions.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the fastener strip is configured to experience deflection when a force of about 300 grams or less is applied to the fastener strip, and to recover about 20 percent or less of the deflection when the force is removed.