Importance

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Abstract

A method of forming a mold having cavities for molding loop-engageable, hook-shaped fastener elements, includes: supporting a first plate having an outer surface that defines a plane; manipulating a material-cutting beam of a laser along a predetermined curved profile to cut a cavity into the outer surface of the first plate, the predetermined curved profile being generally hook-shaped, the cavity defined by a wall extending into the first plate from the outer surface; in a series of subsequent actions, repeatedly indexing the first plate relative to the laser to direct the material-cutting beam at further positions on the first plate and repeating the step of manipulating the material-cutting beam of the laser relative to the first plate to form a series of cavities, each having a hook-shaped profile; and positioning a second plate adjacent the outer surface of the first plate, the second plate providing a side wall surface for each of the cavities of the first plate, the first plate and the second plate in combination forming a mold having cavities for molding loop-engageable, hook-shaped fastener elements. Various methods for aligning such mold plates in a fastener element molding apparatus are also provided. A hook product includes a stem portion integrally molded with and extending from a sheet-form base to a distal end, the stem portion having a planar side; and a crook portion extending from the distal end of the stem portion to overhang the sheet-form base in an overhang direction, the crook portion having a flat planar side co-planar with the planar side of the stem, and an upper surface extending upward from an upper extent of the planar side of the crook portion to an apex.

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First Claim