Molded surface fastener

Abstract

A molded surface fastener comprises a substrate sheet and a multiplicity of engaging elements molded in rows on one surface of the substrate sheet. Each of the engaging elements has a stem standing from the one surface of the substrate sheet, and a pair of hooks extending in opposite directions from a distal end of the stem. And a multiplicity of parting guide members stand from the one surface of the substrate sheet, each of which is situated centrally between adjacent engaging elements for parting loops of a companion surface fastener toward the engaging elements.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A molded surface fastener.Iadd., .Iaddend.comprising: (a) a substrate sheet;   (b) a multiplicity of engaging elements molded in rows on one surface of said substrate sheet, each of said engaging elements having a stem standing from said one surface of said substrate sheet.[.,.]. and .[.hooks.]. .Iadd.at least one hook .Iaddend.extending from a distal end of said stem; and   (c) a multiplicity of parting guide members standing from said one surface of said substrate sheet, each of said parting guide members being situated centrally between adjacent said engaging elements for parting loops of a companion surface fastener toward said engaging elements.   
     
     
       2. A molded surface fastener according to claim 1, wherein each of said engaging element has a pair of said hooks extending in opposite directions and being formed in a front-rear symmetry in a plane perpendicular to the general plane of said substrate sheet and including the center line of said stem. 
     
     
       3. A molded surface fastener according to claim 1, wherein each of said engaging element has a pair of said hooks extending in opposite directions and being formed in a pair of parallel planes perpendicular to the general plane of said substrate sheet on opposite sides of the central line of said stem. 
     
     
       4. A molded surface fastener according to claim 1, wherein each of said parting guide members has front and rear or right and left guide surfaces gently curving from its upper end to diverge to its lower end. 
     
     
       5. A molded surface fastener according to claim 1, wherein each of said parting guide members has on its top one or more hooks extending in a direction of row of said engaging elements. 
     
     
       6. A molded surface fastener according to claim 1, wherein said parting guide members are disposed between adjacent rows of said engaging elements. 
     
     
       7. A molded surface fastener according to claim 1, wherein each of said parting guide members is disposed between a pair of said engaging elements in the same row. .Iadd.8. A molded surface fastener, comprising: a substrate sheet;   a multiplicity of engaging elements molded in rows on one surface of said substrate sheet, and at least one hook extending from a distal end of said stem; and   a multiplicity of protrusions extending upwardly from said one surface of said substrate sheet, each of said protrusions being situated centrally between adjacent elements in a hook extending direction, and having a height less than a height of a distal end of said hook above said one surface. .Iaddend..Iadd.9. A molded surface fastener according to claim 8, wherein each of said protrusions has guide surfaces on opposing sides which decline outwardly From a distal end of said each protrusions to a base end thereof. .Iaddend..Iadd.10. A molded surface fastener according to claim 9, wherein said guide surfaces are gently curving.   
     
     
        .Iaddend..Iadd.1.  A molded surface fastener according to claim 10, wherein said guide surfaces are curved convexly at said distal end of said protrusion and concavely at said base end of said each protrusion. .Iaddend..Iadd.12. A molded surface fastener according to claim 9, wherein each of said guide surfaces face the hook of the nearest said adjacent element respectively. .Iaddend.