The invention relates to hook-and-loop fasteners and more particularly to a process of manufacturing a loops component of a hook-and-loop fastener having improved characteristics.
A hook-and-loop fastener comprises a first component of a lineal fabric strip which is attached to the opposing surfaces to be fastened of a second component of a lineal fabric strip. The first component features tiny hooks and the second features smaller loops. When the two components are pressed together the hooks catch in the loops and the two components fasten temporarily. When separated, by pulling or peeling the two surfaces apart, the strips make a distinctive “ripping” sound.
However, conventional hook-and-loop fasteners are disadvantageous because they are made of rigid material, uneven or toothed sides of the hooks and loops components which may hurt the hand if sufficient care is not taken in use, and the hooks are required to attach to the loops along a set direction, otherwise the fastening may be compromised.
Thus, the need for improvement still exists.
It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a process of manufacturing a loops component of hook-and-loop fastener, comprising the steps of placing a thermoplastic material in a dehumidifier controlled at 40-130° C. for 6 hours to remove water from the thermoplastic material; mixing the dry thermoplastic material in a mixing device controlled at 60-280° C. for 30 seconds to 5 minutes to form a liquid substance; transferring the liquid substance to a membrane making device and activating the membrane making device controlled at 50-80° C. for 1 to 3 minutes to make a continuous membrane; placing the continuous membrane on a top surface of a fabric and heating a laminating device controlled at 50-250° C. for 0.1 to 180 seconds to form a loops component by sticking the continuous membrane and the fabric together; removing the loops component from the laminating device and placing the loops component in a cooling device controlled at 5-60° C. for 0.01 to 180 seconds to form a solid loops component; transferring the solid loops component to a cutting device to cut the solid loops component into a plurality of first loops components having a predetermined width; activating a heating device controlled at 50-250° C. for 0.01 to 120 seconds to join left and right sides of the first loops component to form a second loops component having an outer fabric and an inner membrane; and removing the second loops component from the heating device and activating the cutting device to cut the second loops component into a plurality of finished loops components having a predetermined width.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
It is envisaged by the invention that the loops component 1 is flexible and extendable. Sides of the loops component 1 are soft and an individual may have a feeling of comfortable when holds it. Top and bottom surfaces of the loops component 1 can be attached to the hooks component, resulting in a convenient use.
Referring to
Referring to
While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/225,152, entitled “loops component of hook-and-loop fastener,” filed Apr. 8, 2021, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.