This invention relates to a method of fabricating a touch fastener comprising a substrate having an array of fastener elements extending integrally therefrom and a loop material attached to the substrate, the method comprising:

• continuously introducing molten resin to a rotating mold roll defining a multiplicity of molding cavities extending inward from its periphery under conditions which cause the resin to fill the cavities to at least partially form the fastener elements and to form the substrate; and
• attaching a continuous strip of the loop material to resin of the substrate in a nip defined between the mold roll and a pressure roll,
• characterized in that attaching the loop material to the substrate comprises forming one or more regions of relatively high penetration of substrate resin into the loop material and one or more regions of relatively low penetration of substrate resin into the loop material.

The invention provides a patch of a male fastening means, in particular, a hook patch with decreased bending resistance. The patch according to the invention comprises a backing bearing a plurality of male fastening elements, in particular hook elements. The patch is integral and comprises a plurality of incisions. Said incisions do not extend across the whole width of the patch but preferably leave at least one intact bridge across the cross-direction of the patch. Furthermore, a fastening tape tab having a manufacturer's and user's end is provided, the fastening tape tab comprising a support layer bearing on its major surface of the user's end at least one fastening patch according to the invention. Furthermore, a strip is provided from which a patch according to the invention is cut.

The present invention provides a belt connecting device which can be applied to various uses, has an excellent design property, and can be safely and easily operated even by elderly people and infants. The belt connecting device (10) comprises a belt connecting member (11) fixed to one portion (1c) of an article and a belt (12) including one end portion fixed to another portion of the article. A female surface fastener is sewn on the other end portion of the belt (12) to constitute an engaging portion (12a) to be engaged with the belt connecting member (11). The belt connecting member (11) has at one end thereof an inserting hole (11b') through and to which the portion (1c) of the article is inserted and fixed, at the other end an engaged portion (11c) of a male surface fastener and with which the engaging portion (12a) of the belt (12) detachably engages, and between the inserting hole (11b) and the engaged portion (11c) a belt threading portion (11e) including an elongated hole which is slightly longer than a width of the belt (12).

In a garment 10, such as briefs or diapers for incontinent patients, which employ hook-and-loop fasteners, impairment of fastener operation by accumulation of lint on the hook-type fastener tab is avoided by storing the hook-type fastener tab 30, 32; 50 in a pocket 26, 28; 52 of the garment 10 when the garment 10 is being laundered. Preferably, the hook-type fastener tab 30, 32; 50 is secured in the pocket 26, 28; 52 by elastic material 34, 36 so that it can be extended, stretching the elastic material 34, 36, to fasten the hook-type fastener tab 30, 32; 50 to the corresponding female or loop-type fastener pad 14, 18; 16, 20; 54 and will automatically be retracted into the pocket 26, 28; 52 by the elastic material 34, 36, as soon as the hook-type fastener tab 30, 32; 50 is released. The pocket 26, 28; 52 may comprise PVC or other semi-rigid, pliable, smooth material, and may be fabricated together with the hook-type fastener tab 30, 32; 50 separately from the garment 10 and attached thereto as a "retrofit". Alternatively, the pocket 26, 28; 52 may be formed integrally with the garment 10.

An improvement to touch fastener systems of the type comprising one portion composed of backing material having a hooked surface (14) thereon and another portion composed of backing material having a looped surface (16) thereon. The improvement allows for releasably fastening two components together with the hook and loop materials in shear and is characterized by a planar member (26) having one of the components (14) attached to the end thereof and having outer faces each having one of the portions of the fastening system thereon; and, a U-shaped shear trap channel member (24) having the other of the components attached to the closed end of the U and having inner faces on the sides of the U each having the other of the portions (16) of the fastening system thereon. The shear trap member (24) is adapted to receive the planar member (26) between the inner faces with the portions of the loop fastening portions in engagement; and, is further adapted to have the sides pivoted adjacent the closed end of the U to allow progressive disengagement of the portions of the fastening system.