Importance

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Abstract

An injection molded product, having an array of fastener elements integrally molded with and extending from a surface of the product, is molded in a closed cavity die. One half of the die has a mold surface with a region having an array of fastener element cavities extending therefrom for molding the fastener elements. The other half of the die has a mold surface aligned with the mold surface of the first mold part to define therebetween, in a closed condition, a mold cavity constructed to receive molten plastic for molding the product. The mold cavity includes a first portion comprising a majority of the volume of the mold cavity, and a second portion contiguous with the first portion and defined in part by the region of the first mold part surface having the array of fastener element cavities. At least one of the first and second mold parts has a moveable segment constructed to be retracted across the mold cavity, between filling of the first portion of the mold cavity with said plastic and filling of the fastener element cavities with said plastic, to enable the fastener element cavities and the first portion of the mold cavity to be filled under different molding conditions. In some cases, the fastener elements are molded of a different material than other portions of the molded product. The injection mold is particularly useful for molding large functional products that include small arrays of miniature fastener elements, such as for hook-and-loop fastening.

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First Claim