Manufacturing method and molding device for molded hook-and-loop fastener

Abstract

To provide a production method of a molding hook-and-loop fastener capable of suppressing difference of shear strength and difference of peeling strength due to difference of a peeling direction of a loop member and suppressing difference in a maximum height dimension between first and second engagement elements.SOLUTION: There is provided a production method of a molding hook-and-loop fastener 1 comprising a first engagement element whose engagement head extends in a first direction and a second engagement element whose engagement head extends in a second direction, the method using a die wheel 12. As the die wheel, a die wheel which is configured so that, a maximum value of a first depth dimension along a radial direction of the first cavity space is 105% or greater and 120% or smaller to a maximum value of the second depth dimension along a radial direction of the second cavity space, and a first inclination angle where a first back face forming part of the first cavity space is inclined, is smaller by 3° or greater and 7° or smaller than a second inclination angle where a second back face forming part of the second cavity space is inclined, is used.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a molded surface fastener using a die wheel, and to a molding apparatus having a die wheel. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, hook-and-loop fastener products have been known in which a pair of a female hook-and-loop fastener having a plurality of loops and a molded male hook-and-loop fastener that can be attached to and detached from the female hook-and-loop fastener are combined. A molded male hook-and-loop fastener manufactured by molding a synthetic resin is generally formed by erecting a plurality of male engaging elements (hook-like engaging elements) having a J-shape, mushroom-shape, or other shape on the upper surface of a flat base material.

[0003] Hook-and-loop fastener products that combine such male and female hook-and-loop fasteners are currently widely used in a wide variety of products, including clothing, gloves, shoes, and other products that are attached to and detached from the body, as well as bags, sofas, and other products.

[0004] An example of a molded hook-and-loop fastener having a plurality of J-shaped hook-like engaging elements erected on a base material is described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-322811 (Patent Document 1). For example, as shown in Fig. 10, a molded hook-and-loop fastener 70 of Patent Document 1 is formed by erecting a plurality of J-shaped engaging elements 72 on a flat base material 71. Each engaging element 72 has an erect portion 73 erected from the base material 71 and an engaging head portion 74 extending in a curved manner from the upper end of the erect portion 73.

[0005] In addition, the types of engaging elements 72 include a first engaging element 72a in which the engaging head 74 extends from the standing portion 73 toward one side of the length of the base material portion 71, and a second engaging element 72b in which the engaging head 74 extends from the standing portion 73 toward the other side of the length.

[0006] Such a molded hook-and-loop fastener 70 of Patent Document 1 is continuously manufactured using a manufacturing device that includes a molding device equipped with a die wheel that rotates in one direction and a heating and pressing device that performs secondary processing involving heating on the primary molded body molded by the molding device.

[0007] In this case, a plurality of cavities for molding primary engaging elements corresponding to the first engaging elements 72a and the second engaging elements 72b of the primary molded body are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the die wheel of the molding device. The molding device is also provided with an extrusion nozzle that extrudes molten synthetic resin toward the outer circumferential surface of the die wheel, and a pair of clamping rollers that peel off the primary molded body molded on the outer circumferential surface of the die wheel.

[0008] The heating and pressing device has a pair of upper and lower rollers through which the primary molded body passes. In this case, the upper roller of the heating and pressing device is formed as a heating roller that heats the primary engaging elements of the primary molded body and presses the upper ends of the primary engaging elements.

[0009] In a manufacturing apparatus equipped with such a molding device and a heating and pressing device, first, a die wheel is rotated in one direction while molten synthetic resin is extruded from the extrusion nozzle toward the outer circumferential surface of the die wheel. The molten synthetic resin extruded from the extrusion nozzle fills multiple cavities in the die wheel and is cooled and hardened by being supported on the outer circumferential surface of the die wheel and rotating half a turn. As a result, a primary molded body having a substrate 71 and multiple primary engaging elements is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the die wheel.

[0010] The primary engaging elements of this primary molded body include a primary engaging element (first primary engaging element) that becomes the above-mentioned first engaging element 72a when heated and pressed by a heating and pressing device, and a primary engaging element (second primary engaging element) that becomes the above-mentioned second engaging element 72b.

[0011] The primary molded body formed on the outer peripheral surface of the die wheel is peeled off from the die wheel by a pair of clamping rollers and transported toward a heated press device. The primary molded body is then introduced between a pair of upper and lower rollers of the heated press device, deforming the upper ends of the primary engaging elements (first primary engaging elements and second primary engaging elements) to form first engaging elements 72a and second engaging elements 72b. This produces the molded surface fastener 70 of Patent Document 1 having the first engaging elements 72a and second engaging elements 72b as shown in FIG. 10.

[0012] In such a molded hook-and-loop fastener 70 of Patent Document 1, the first engaging elements 72a and the second engaging elements 72b, which are formed by extending the engaging heads 74 in opposite directions from the upright portions 73, are formed in a substantially symmetrical shape. Therefore, compared to a female hook-and-loop fastener in which loops of loop members such as nonwoven fabrics are arranged in a complex manner, it is possible to appropriately ensure shear strength (the engagement strength when engaged hook-and-loop fasteners are pulled in a direction parallel to the base material portion 71) and peel strength (the engagement strength when engaged hook-and-loop fasteners are pulled in a direction perpendicular to the base material portion 71). In addition, the height dimensions of the first engaging elements 72a and the second engaging elements 72b measured from the top surface of the base material portion 71 are substantially the same, which makes it possible to improve the feel (touch) of the surface side of the molded hook-and-loop fastener 70. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0013] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-322811 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0014] As described above, the molded surface fastener 70 of Patent Document 1 is manufactured by forming a primary molded body using a molding device equipped with a die wheel, and then heating and pressing the upper end of the primary engaging element of the primary molded body using a heating and pressing device.

[0015] On the other hand, in recent years, in order to improve the production efficiency of molded hook-and-loop fasteners, instead of carrying out the secondary processing step using a heating and pressing device that was carried out in the manufacturing method of molded hook-and-loop fastener 70 of Patent Document 1, a molding device equipped with a die wheel is used to directly mold and manufacture molded hook-and-loop fasteners having first and second engaging elements whose engaging heads extend in opposite directions from the upright portion.

[0016] In this case, the first engaging element and the second engaging element are molded using multiple cavity spaces formed on the outer surface of the die wheel, and the shape of each cavity space is formed to be more curved than the cavity spaces of the die wheel used in Patent Document 1, for example, and tends to make it difficult to pull the molded body off the die wheel.

[0017] Therefore, for example, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, when peeling off a molded hook-and-loop fastener 80 from a die wheel 90 rotating counterclockwise, if an engaging element 81 whose engaging head 82 extends in the opposite direction to the rotation direction 92 of the die wheel 90 (i.e., clockwise) is to be pulled out from the cavity space 91 of the die wheel 90, the pulling can be done relatively smoothly.

[0018] On the other hand, when an engaging element 81 whose engaging head 82 extends in the same direction as the rotation direction 92 of the die wheel 90 is pulled out from the cavity space 91 of the die wheel 90, the engaging element 81 (particularly the engaging head 82) gets caught on the die wheel 90, and the pair of clamping rollers pulls the molded surface fastener 80, thereby forcibly (forcefully) pulling out the engaging element 81 caught on the die wheel 90. As a result, the engaging element 81 that is forcibly pulled out in this manner is deformed during the pulling out, causing the degree of bending (curvature) of the engaging head 82 to become smaller and the maximum height dimension of the engaging element 81 from the base material to become larger, etc.

[0019] As a result, when the manufactured molded hook-and-loop fastener 80 is pulled and peeled from an engaged state with the nonwoven fabric female hook-and-loop fastener, there is a large difference in the shear strength and peel strength of the molded hook-and-loop fastener 80 when peeling from one side in the length direction of the molded hook-and-loop fastener 80 and when peeling from the other side in the length direction, resulting in a problem of directionality in the shear strength and peel strength of the molded hook-and-loop fastener 80. For this reason, when attaching the molded hook-and-loop fastener 80 to an article of clothing or other product, it is necessary to attach the molded hook-and-loop fastener 80 in a predetermined direction, taking into account the directionality of the shear strength and peel strength, which reduces the efficiency of the attachment work.

[0020] Furthermore, in the molded surface fastener 80 peeled off from the die wheel 90, the first engaging elements and the second engaging elements, whose engaging heads face in different directions, have different maximum heights from the base material. This means that when the surface side of the molded surface fastener 80 is touched, it feels rough to the touch, which is a drawback in that it reduces the feel of the molded surface fastener 80.

[0021] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional art, and its purpose is to provide a method for manufacturing a molded surface fastener that is capable of manufacturing a molded surface fastener that is less likely to have differences in shear strength and peel strength due to differences in the direction in which the nonwoven fabric is peeled, and is less likely to have differences in maximum height dimensions between the first engaging element and the second engaging element, in a method of directly manufacturing a molded surface fastener that has first engaging elements and second engaging elements whose engaging heads extend in opposite directions using a molding device equipped with a die wheel, without performing a secondary processing step using a heated pressing device, and to provide a molding device equipped with a die wheel for use in said manufacturing method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0022] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a molded surface fastener, which comprises a molded surface fastener having a flat substrate and a plurality of engaging elements provided upright on one surface of the substrate, each engaging element having an upstanding portion that stands up from the substrate and an engaging head that extends in a curved manner from an upper end of the upstanding portion, the machine direction in which the molded surface fastener is molded and transported in a manufacturing process of the molded surface fastener being defined as a front-to-rear direction, and the engaging elements include first engaging elements in which, in a side view of the engaging elements, the engaging head faces rearward in the front-to-rear direction, which is one length direction of the substrate, and the back surface of the engaging element faces forward in the front-to-rear direction, which is the other length direction, and second engaging elements in which the engaging head faces forward in the front-to-rear direction and the back surface of the element faces rearward in the front-to-rear direction, the method for manufacturing the molded surface fastener comprises rotating a die wheel having a plurality of cavities formed on its outer peripheral surface portion for molding the engaging elements, and pouring a molten synthetic resin into the outer peripheral surface of the die wheel to form the molded surface fastener. The die wheel has a cavity surface of the cavity space that has a first top end surface forming portion that forms the top end surface of the first engaging element, a first back surface forming portion that forms the element back surface of the first engaging element, a second top end surface forming portion that forms the top end surface of the second engaging element, and a second back surface forming portion that forms the element back surface of the second engaging element, and the maximum value of a first depth dimension along a radial direction from the wheel outer peripheral surface of the die wheel to the first top end surface forming portion is set to 0.70 mm or more and 0.95 mm or less, and the wheel The maximum value of the second depth dimension along the radial direction from the wheel outer peripheral surface to the second apex surface forming portion is set to 0.60 mm or more and 0.85 mm or less, the maximum value of the first depth dimension is 105% or more and 120% or less of the maximum value of the second depth dimension, a first inclination angle at which the first back surface forming portion is inclined with respect to the wheel outer peripheral surface is smaller than a second inclination angle at which the second back surface forming portion is inclined with respect to the wheel outer peripheral surface, and the difference between the first inclination angle and the second inclination angle is 3° or more and 7° or less. (However, this does not include secondary processing using a heating and pressing device that performs heating and pressing.) .

[0023] The manufacturing method of the molded hook-and-loop fastener of the present invention preferably includes using a die wheel having a plurality of donut-shaped ring plates, each having a required thickness and stacked in the direction of the rotation axis of the die wheel, and in which the outer edge of one of the ring plates used to mold the engaging elements is formed with only one of a first cavity space for molding the first engaging element and a second cavity space for molding the second engaging element.

[0024] In addition, the manufacturing method of the molded surface fastener of the present invention may include using a die wheel having a plurality of donut-shaped ring plates, each having a required thickness and stacked in the direction of the rotation axis of the die wheel, and one of the ring plates used to mold the engaging elements has both a first cavity space for molding the first engaging element and a second cavity space for molding the second engaging element formed in the outer edge portion thereof.

[0025] The method for manufacturing a molded surface fastener according to the present invention preferably includes peeling the molded surface fastener molded on the outer peripheral surface of the die wheel from the die wheel using a pair of clamping rollers that rotate in opposite directions while clamping the molded surface fastener. Furthermore, the manufacturing method of the present invention preferably includes using a die wheel in which the tip of the cavity space is located in a region of the space portion that molds the engaging head of the engaging element that is closer to the tip than the portion where the gap between the wheel outer peripheral surface and the cavity surface that forms the lower surface of the engaging head is greatest, and the lower surface of the tip of the cavity space is located closer to the wheel outer peripheral surface in the radial direction than the portion where the gap is greatest, and deforming the second engaging element when it is pulled out of the cavity space, so that the difference between the maximum height dimension from the base portion of the first engaging element pulled out of the cavity space and the maximum height dimension from the base portion of the second engaging element pulled out of the cavity space is 30 μm or less.

[0026] Next, a molding apparatus provided by the present invention is a molding apparatus for a molded surface fastener having a flat base portion and a plurality of engaging elements provided upright on one surface of the base portion, each engaging element having an upstanding portion that stands up from the base portion and an engaging head that extends in a curved manner from an upper end of the upstanding portion, the machine direction in which the molded surface fastener is molded and transported in a manufacturing process of the molded surface fastener being defined as a front-to-rear direction, the engaging elements including first engaging elements in which, in a side view of the engaging element, the engaging head faces rearward in the front-to-rear direction, which is one length direction of the base portion, and the back surface of the engaging element faces forward in the front-to-rear direction, which is the other length direction, and second engaging elements in which the engaging head faces forward in the front-to-rear direction and the back surface of the element faces rearward in the front-to-rear direction. (However, this does not include secondary processing using a heating and pressing device that performs heating and pressing.) a die wheel having a plurality of cavity spaces formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof for molding the engaging elements, and a nozzle portion for pouring molten synthetic resin onto the outer peripheral surface of the die wheel, wherein the cavity surfaces of the cavity spaces have a first top end surface forming portion for forming the top end surfaces of the first engaging elements, a first back surface forming portion for forming the element back surfaces of the first engaging elements, a second top end surface forming portion for forming the top end surfaces of the second engaging elements, and a second back surface forming portion for forming the element back surfaces of the second engaging elements, and The most important feature of this invention is that the maximum value of the first depth dimension is set to 0.70 mm or more and 0.95 mm or less, the maximum value of the second depth dimension along the radial direction from the outer circumferential surface of the wheel to the second apex surface forming portion is set to 0.60 mm or more and 0.85 mm or less, the maximum value of the first depth dimension is 105% or more and 120% or less of the maximum value of the second depth dimension, a first inclination angle at which the first back surface forming portion is inclined with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the wheel is smaller than a second inclination angle at which the second back surface forming portion is inclined with respect to the outer circumferential surface of the wheel, and the difference between the first inclination angle and the second inclination angle is 3° or more and 7° or less. do.

[0027] In the molding apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the die wheel has a plurality of donut-shaped ring plates, each having a required thickness and stacked in the direction of the rotation axis of the die wheel, and that the outer peripheral edge of one of the ring plates used to mold the engaging elements has only one of a first cavity space for molding the first engaging element and a second cavity space for molding the second engaging element formed therein.

[0028] In addition, in the molding apparatus of the present invention, the die wheel may have a plurality of donut-shaped ring plates, each having a required thickness and stacked in the direction of the rotation axis of the die wheel, and the outer peripheral edge of one of the ring plates used to mold the engaging elements may be formed with both a first cavity space for molding the first engaging element and a second cavity space for molding the second engaging element.

[0029] In the molding apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that a peeling roller section that peels off the molded hook-and-loop fastener molded on the outer peripheral surface of the die wheel from the die wheel is arranged at a distance from the outer peripheral surface of the die wheel, and that the peeling roller section has a pair of clamping rollers that clamp the molded hook-and-loop fastener and rotate in opposite directions to each other. Furthermore, it is preferable that the tip of the cavity space is arranged in a region of the space portion that molds the engaging head of the engaging element that is closer to the tip than the portion where the gap between the wheel outer peripheral surface and the cavity surface that forms the underside of the engaging head is greatest, and the underside of the tip of the cavity space is arranged in a position in the radial direction closer to the wheel outer peripheral surface than the portion where the gap is greatest, and that the second cavity space that molds the second engaging element has a shape that is deformed when the second engaging element is pulled out of the cavity space so that the difference between the maximum height dimension from the base portion of the first engaging element pulled out of the cavity space and the maximum height dimension from the base portion of the second engaging element pulled out of the cavity space is 30 μm or less. [Effects of the Invention]

[0030] In a method for manufacturing a molded surface fastener according to the present invention, a molded surface fastener including first engaging elements, in a side view of the engaging element, J-shaped in that the engaging head faces in one longitudinal direction (first direction) of the base material and the back surface of the engaging element, located on the opposite side to the engaging head, faces in the other longitudinal direction (second direction), and second engaging elements, in a J-shaped in that the engaging head faces in the second direction and the back surface of the element faces in the first direction, is manufactured by performing a molding process by rotating a die wheel, the outer circumferential surface of which is formed a plurality of cavities for molding the engaging elements, and pouring molten synthetic resin into the outer circumferential surface of the die wheel, without performing a secondary processing process involving heating by a hot pressing device. In this case, the cavities formed in the die wheel include a first cavity for molding the first engaging elements and a second cavity for molding the second engaging elements.

[0031] In addition, in a rotating die wheel, the cavity surfaces of the multiple cavities have a first apex surface forming portion that forms the apex surfaces of the first engaging elements, a first back surface forming portion that forms the element back surfaces of the first engaging elements, a second apex surface forming portion that forms the apex surfaces of the second engaging elements, and a second back surface forming portion that forms the element back surfaces of the second engaging elements. Furthermore, the maximum value of a first depth dimension along the radial direction from the wheel outer peripheral surface to the first apex surface forming portion is 105% to 120%, preferably 115% to 120%, of the maximum value of a second depth dimension along the radial direction from the wheel outer peripheral surface to the second apex surface forming portion. Furthermore, the first inclination angle at which the first back surface forming portion is inclined relative to the wheel outer peripheral surface is set smaller than the second inclination angle at which the second back surface forming portion is inclined relative to the wheel outer peripheral surface, and the difference between the first inclination angle and the second inclination angle is 3° to 7°.

[0032] By molding synthetic resin using a die wheel having multiple cavity spaces with the relationship described above, for example, an engagement element (first engagement element) whose engagement head extends in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the die wheel can be smoothly pulled out from the cavity space (first cavity space) of the die wheel.

[0033] On the other hand, when an engaging element (second engaging element) whose engaging head extends in the same direction as the rotational direction of the die wheel is pulled out of a cavity space (second cavity space) of the die wheel, the engaging element (particularly the engaging head) gets caught on the die wheel and deforms, but the multiple cavity spaces are formed in the above-mentioned relationship in advance to take into consideration the deformation of the engaging element. Therefore, the first engaging element pulled out of the first cavity space and the second engaging element obtained by deformation from the second cavity space can be provided on the base portion with shapes that are approximately symmetrical to each other and with approximately the same size (particularly the same height dimension). In particular, in the case of the present invention, the difference between the maximum height dimension from the base portion of the first engaging element and the maximum height dimension from the base portion of the second engaging element in the molded surface fastener produced can be reduced to 30 μm or less, preferably 15 μm or less.

[0034] As a result, when the manufactured molded surface fastener and the female loop member such as a knit loop or nonwoven fabric are pulled apart from an engaged state, it is possible to prevent differences in the shear strength and peel strength of the molded surface fastener between when they are peeled from one side in the longitudinal direction and when they are peeled from the other side in the longitudinal direction.As a result, when attaching the manufactured molded surface fastener to an item such as clothing, it is not necessary to consider the directionality of the shear strength and peel strength, which improves the ease of attaching the molded surface fastener and makes the attachment work more efficient.Furthermore, by reducing or eliminating the directional strength and weakness in the shear strength and peel strength of the molded surface fastener, the manufactured molded surface fastener can more consistently exhibit the desired quality.

[0035] Furthermore, in the molded hook-and-loop fastener manufactured by the manufacturing method of the present invention, the difference between the maximum height dimension of the first engaging element from the base material portion and the maximum height dimension of the second engaging element from the base material portion can be reduced as described above, so that a good feel on the surface side of the molded hook-and-loop fastener can be consistently obtained.

[0036] In the manufacturing method of the present invention, the die wheel for molding the molded surface fastener has a plurality of donut-shaped ring plates, each having a required thickness and stacked in the direction of the rotation axis of the die wheel. Furthermore, the die wheel uses a ring plate used for molding the engaging elements, in which only one of a first cavity space for molding the first engaging elements and a second cavity space for molding the second engaging elements is formed on the outer peripheral edge of the ring plate. This allows the cavities to be stably formed in one ring plate at a predetermined formation pitch, and also makes it easy to control the formation pitch. This allows the first engaging elements and the second engaging elements to be stably formed at a required formation density on the base material of the molded surface fastener, thereby smoothly manufacturing molded surface fasteners with a consistent desired quality.

[0037] In addition, in the manufacturing method of the present invention, the die wheel used to mold the molded surface fastener may be a die wheel having a plurality of donut-shaped ring plates, each having the required thickness and stacked in the direction of the rotation axis of the die wheel, and in which both a first cavity space and a second cavity space are formed on the outer peripheral edge of one ring plate used to mold the engaging element.

[0038] This allows the manufacture of a molded hook-and-loop fastener in which the first engaging elements and the second engaging elements are mixed in various patterns in a single element row formed along the length of the base material. As a result, it is possible to manufacture an optimal molded hook-and-loop fastener that can more appropriately engage with, for example, various loop members. Furthermore, since it is possible to form the multiple ring plates that form the die wheel so that the first cavity spaces and the second cavity spaces are provided in the same forming pattern, it is possible to reduce the cost of manufacturing the die wheel.

[0039] In the manufacturing method of the present invention, a molded surface fastener formed on the outer peripheral surface of a die wheel is peeled off from the die wheel using a pair of clamping rollers that rotate in opposite directions while clamping the molded surface fastener. In this case, the pair of clamping rollers are not provided with a heating means or the like.

[0040] In this way, by pulling the molded surface fastener with a pair of clamping rollers, it can be smoothly and stably peeled off from the die wheel. Furthermore, by clamping the molded surface fastener between a pair of clamping rollers, the first engaging elements and the second engaging elements can be pressed down equally from above, making it possible to further reduce the difference between the maximum height dimension from the base portion of the first engaging elements and the maximum height dimension from the base portion of the second engaging elements.

[0041] In the manufacturing method of the present invention, a molded surface fastener formed on the outer peripheral surface of a die wheel is peeled off from the die wheel using a pair of clamping rollers that rotate in opposite directions while clamping the molded surface fastener. In this case, the pair of clamping rollers are not provided with a heating means or the like.

[0042] In this way, by pulling the molded surface fastener with a pair of clamping rollers, it can be smoothly and stably peeled off from the die wheel. Furthermore, by clamping the molded surface fastener between a pair of clamping rollers, the first engaging elements and the second engaging elements can be pressed down equally from above, making it possible to further reduce the difference between the maximum height dimension from the base portion of the first engaging elements and the maximum height dimension from the base portion of the second engaging elements.

[0043] Next, a molding apparatus according to the present invention includes a die wheel having a plurality of cavities formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and a nozzle for pouring molten synthetic resin toward the outer circumferential surface of the die wheel. In this case, the cavities formed in the die wheel include a first cavity for molding the first engaging element and a second cavity for molding the second engaging element.

[0044] In this die wheel, the cavity surfaces of the multiple cavities include a first apex surface forming portion that forms the apex surfaces of the first engaging elements, a first back surface forming portion that forms the element back surfaces of the first engaging elements, a second apex surface forming portion that forms the apex surfaces of the second engaging elements, and a second back surface forming portion that forms the element back surfaces of the second engaging elements. The maximum value of a first depth dimension along the radial direction from the wheel outer peripheral surface to the first apex surface forming portion is 105% to 120%, preferably 115% to 120%, of the maximum value of a second depth dimension along the radial direction from the wheel outer peripheral surface to the second apex surface forming portion. Furthermore, the first inclination angle at which the first back surface forming portion is inclined relative to the wheel outer peripheral surface is smaller than the second inclination angle at which the second back surface forming portion is inclined relative to the wheel outer peripheral surface, and the difference between the first inclination angle and the second inclination angle is 3° to 7°.

[0045] In such a molding apparatus of the present invention, by molding synthetic resin using a die wheel having multiple cavity spaces having the above-mentioned relationship, when a molded hook-and-loop fastener having a first engaging element whose engaging head extends from the upright portion in one direction in the longitudinal direction and a second engaging element whose engaging head extends from the upright portion in the other direction in the longitudinal direction is manufactured without performing a secondary processing step using a heated pressing device, the engaging element (first engaging element) whose engaging head extends in the opposite direction to the rotational direction of the die wheel can be smoothly pulled out from the cavity space (first cavity space) of the die wheel.

[0046] On the other hand, when an engaging element (second engaging element) whose engaging head extends in the same direction as the rotational direction of the die wheel is pulled out of the cavity space (second cavity space) of the die wheel, the engaging element (particularly the engaging head) gets caught on the die wheel and deforms. However, because the first cavity space and the second cavity space are formed in the relationship described above, taking into consideration the deformation of the engaging element, the first engaging element pulled out of the first cavity space and the second engaging element obtained by deformation from the second cavity space can be provided in the base portion with approximately the same shape and size. In particular, in the case of the present invention, the difference between the maximum height dimension from the base portion of the first engaging element and the maximum height dimension from the base portion of the second engaging element in the molded surface fastener produced can be reduced to 30 μm or less, preferably 15 μm or less.

[0047] As a result, when a molded hook-and-loop fastener manufactured by the molding apparatus of the present invention is pulled and separated from a loop member, which is a female hook-and-loop fastener, from an engaged state, it is possible to prevent differences in the shear strength and peel strength of the molded hook-and-loop fastener when peeling from one side in the longitudinal direction and when peeling from the other side in the longitudinal direction.As a result, when attaching the manufactured molded hook-and-loop fastener to an article of clothing or other product, it is not necessary to consider the directionality of the shear strength and peel strength, which improves the ease and efficiency of attaching the molded hook-and-loop fastener.Furthermore, a good feel against the skin can be consistently obtained on the surface side of the manufactured molded hook-and-loop fastener.

[0048] In the molding apparatus of the present invention, the die wheel has a plurality of doughnut-shaped ring plates, each having a required thickness, stacked in the direction of the rotation axis of the die wheel. Furthermore, the outer peripheral edge of one ring plate used to mold the engaging elements is formed with only one of a first cavity space for molding the first engaging elements and a second cavity space for molding the second engaging elements. This allows the cavities to be stably formed in one ring plate at a predetermined formation pitch, and also makes it easy to control the formation pitch. This allows the first engaging elements and the second engaging elements to be stably formed at a required formation density on the base material of the molded surface fastener, thereby smoothly manufacturing molded surface fasteners with a consistent desired quality.

[0049] In addition, in the molding apparatus of the present invention, the die wheel may have a plurality of donut-shaped ring plates, each having a required thickness and stacked in the direction of the rotation axis of the die wheel, and both a first cavity space and a second cavity space may be formed in the outer peripheral edge portion of one ring plate used to mold the engaging element.

[0050] This molding device can manufacture a molded hook-and-loop fastener in which the first engaging elements and the second engaging elements are mixed in various patterns in a single element row formed along the length of the base material. As a result, it is possible to manufacture an optimal molded hook-and-loop fastener that can more appropriately engage with, for example, various loop members. Furthermore, since it is possible to form the multiple ring plates that form the die wheel so that the first cavity spaces and the second cavity spaces are provided in the same forming pattern, it is possible to reduce the cost of manufacturing the die wheel.

[0051] In the molding apparatus of the present invention, a peeling roller unit that peels off the molded surface fastener molded on the outer peripheral surface of the die wheel from the die wheel is disposed at a distance from the outer peripheral surface of the die wheel. This peeling roller unit also has a pair of clamping rollers that clamp the molded surface fastener and rotate in opposite directions.

[0052] By including such a peeling roller unit in the molding apparatus of the present invention, the molded surface fastener can be peeled off smoothly and stably from the die wheel. Furthermore, by clamping the molded surface fastener between a pair of clamping rollers, the first engaging elements and the second engaging elements can be pressed down from above in the same manner. This makes it possible to further reduce the difference between the maximum height dimension from the base portion of the first engaging elements and the maximum height dimension from the base portion of the second engaging elements. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0053] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a manufacturing apparatus used in a method for manufacturing a molded surface fastener in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the wheel portion of a die wheel that forms a molded surface fastener. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a first cavity space provided on the outer peripheral edge of the die wheel. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a second cavity space provided on the outer peripheral edge of the die wheel. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view showing a molded surface fastener manufactured in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 6 is an enlarged side view showing a part of the molded surface fastener shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of an outer peripheral edge portion of a die wheel according to a modified example of the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for schematically explaining a method for measuring the shear strength between a molded surface fastener and a loop member. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram for schematically explaining a method for measuring the peel strength between a molded surface fastener and a loop member. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a side view showing a conventional molded surface fastener. [Figure 11]10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a case where an engaging element whose engaging head extends in the opposite direction to the rotation direction of the die wheel is peeled off from the die wheel. FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a case where an engaging element whose engaging head extends in the same direction as the rotation direction of the die wheel is peeled off from the die wheel. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0054] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and various modifications are possible as long as they have substantially the same configuration as the present invention and provide similar effects. For example, in the following embodiments, the number, arrangement positions, and attachment pitch of the first engaging elements and second engaging elements provided on the molded hook-and-loop fastener are not particularly limited and can be changed as desired.

[0055] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a manufacturing apparatus used in the manufacturing method of a molded surface fastener in this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram explaining the wheel portion of a die wheel that molds the molded surface fastener. Figs. 3 and 4 are enlarged cross-sectional views showing a first cavity space and a second cavity space provided on the outer peripheral edge of the die wheel, respectively. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing a molded surface fastener manufactured in this embodiment, and Fig. 6 is an enlarged side view showing a portion of the molded surface fastener shown in Fig. 5.

[0056] In the following description, the front-rear direction of the molded surface fastener refers to the length direction of the molded surface fastener (particularly the base material portion) which is molded into a long length as described below. Also, the front-rear direction refers to the direction along the machine direction (M direction) MD in which the molded surface fastener is molded and transported in the manufacturing process of the molded surface fastener.

[0057] The left-right direction of a molded surface fastener is the width direction perpendicular to the length direction and along the upper surface (or lower surface) of the base material of the molded surface fastener. In this case, the left-right direction and width direction are the orthogonal direction (C direction) CD perpendicular to the machine direction MD. The up-down direction (height direction) is the height direction perpendicular to the length direction and perpendicular to the upper surface (or lower surface) of the base material of the molded surface fastener.

[0058] The molded hook-and-loop fastener 1 manufactured by the manufacturing method of this embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6 is manufactured by molding a thermoplastic synthetic resin using a manufacturing apparatus 10 equipped with a molding device 11 shown in Figure 1. This molded hook-and-loop fastener 1 is manufactured in a long, slender shape that extends in the machine direction MD of the manufacturing apparatus 10 in a plan view.

[0059] The length and width of the molded surface fastener 1 of the present invention are not particularly limited, and can be changed as desired, for example, by appropriately cutting the molded surface fastener 1. The type of synthetic resin from which the molded surface fastener 1 is made is also not particularly limited, but suitable materials for the molded surface fastener 1 include thermoplastic resins such as polypropylene, polyester, nylon, polybutylene terephthalate, and copolymers thereof.

[0060] The molded surface fastener 1 to be manufactured has a thin, flat substrate 30, a plurality of engaging elements 40 erected on the upper surface of the substrate 30, and reinforcing ribs 45 arranged between adjacent engaging elements 40 in the width direction (orthogonal direction). The substrate 30 is formed to have a predetermined thickness that provides appropriate strength, and the upper and lower surfaces of the substrate 30 are formed flat and parallel to each other.

[0061] The engaging elements 40 of this embodiment have a shape that is roughly an inverted J in a side view when the molded surface fastener 1 is viewed from the width direction. Each engaging element 40 has a standing portion 43 that rises upward from the upper surface of the base material portion, and an engaging head 44 that extends in a curved manner in the length direction from the upper end of the standing portion 43. In a side view when the engaging element 40 is viewed from the width direction side (see FIG. 6), the engaging element 40 has an element front surface 43a that faces the extending direction of the engaging head 44, an element back surface 43b that is arranged on the opposite side to the element front surface 43a, and an apex surface (upper surface) 44a that is exposed upward and curves in a convex shape along the machine direction MD.

[0062] When viewed from the side of the engaging element 40, the element front surface 43a of the engaging element 40 has a base end side front surface formed in a curved surface shape so as to smoothly continue onto the upper surface of the base material portion 30, a head side front surface formed in a curved surface shape so as to smoothly continue onto the lower surface of the engaging head 44, and an approximately flat central front surface arranged between the base end side front surface and the head side front surface.

[0063] Similar to the element front surface 43a, the element back surface 43b of the engaging element 40 has a base-side back surface formed in a curved surface shape so as to smoothly continue onto the upper surface of the base portion 30, a head-side back surface formed in a curved surface shape so as to smoothly continue onto the upper surface of the engaging head 44, and a central back surface disposed between the base-side back surface and the head-side back surface. In this case, the central back surface of the element back surface 43b of the standing portion 43 is formed in a plane so as to present a linear shape in a side view of the engaging element 40.

[0064] The J-shaped engaging element 40 in this embodiment includes a first engaging element 41 in which the engaging head 44 extends from the standing portion 43 toward the rear (first direction), which is one of the longitudinal directions, and the element back surface 43b faces toward the front (second direction), which is the other of the longitudinal directions, and a second engaging element 42 in which the engaging head 44 extends from the standing portion 43 toward the front (second direction), which is the other of the longitudinal directions, and the element back surface 43b faces toward the rear (first direction), which is one of the longitudinal directions.

[0065] In this case, when the shape of the first engaging element 41 is compared with the shape of the second engaging element 42, the first engaging element 41 has a shape that is approximately plane-symmetrical to the second engaging element 42, such that the shape of the second engaging element 42 is inverted in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In the present invention, one direction in the longitudinal direction (rear) can also be referred to as the forward direction, and the other direction in the longitudinal direction (front) can also be referred to as the reverse direction.

[0066] In the molded surface fastener 1 of this embodiment, a plurality of first engaging elements 41, each with an engaging head 44 facing rearward, are aligned in a row at a fixed interval (forming pitch) along the length direction (machine direction MD), thereby forming a first element row 46. The plurality of first element rows 46 are also arranged parallel to one another at fixed intervals in the width direction (cross direction CD).

[0067] Similarly to the first engaging elements 41, the second engaging elements 42 are also arranged in a row at a fixed interval (forming pitch) along the length direction (machine direction MD), thereby forming a second element row 47, and the multiple second element rows 47 are arranged parallel to each other at fixed intervals in the width direction (cross direction CD).

[0068] In particular, in the present embodiment, the first element rows 46 and the second element rows 47 are alternately arranged one row at a time along the width direction. The first engaging elements 41 and the second engaging elements 42 are arranged in the length direction at the same formation pitch in each of the first element rows 46 and the second element rows 47. In this case, the first engaging elements 41 and the second engaging elements 42 are arranged at approximately the same positions (corresponding positions) in the length direction, and in a side view (FIG. 6) of the molded surface fastener 1 seen from the outside in the width direction, the upright portions 43 of the first engaging elements 41 and the upright portions 43 of the second engaging elements 42 are arranged so as to approximately overlap each other.

[0069] A reinforcing rib 45 of this embodiment is provided between the first engaging elements 41 and the second engaging elements 42 that are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction. Each reinforcing rib 45 is connected to the first engaging elements 41 and the second engaging elements 42 and is formed integrally with the first engaging elements 41 and the second engaging elements 42. Therefore, in this embodiment, a first element row 46, a rib forming row in which the reinforcing ribs 45 are arranged, a second element row 47, and a rib forming row in which the reinforcing ribs 45 are arranged are repeatedly arranged in this order in the width direction of the molded surface fastener 1.

[0070] The provision of the reinforcing ribs 45 as described above increases the strength of the first engaging elements 41 and the second engaging elements 42. In the present invention, the shape and size of the reinforcing ribs 45 are not particularly limited and can be changed as desired. Furthermore, the molded surface fastener 1 of the present invention may be formed without the reinforcing ribs 45.

[0071] The molded surface fastener 1 of this embodiment having the first engaging elements 41 and second engaging elements 42 as described above is manufactured using a manufacturing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. The manufacturing apparatus 10 for the molded hook-and-loop fastener 1 shown in Figure 1 is formed by a molding apparatus 11 that molds the molded hook-and-loop fastener 1 using a thermoplastic synthetic resin, and the manufacturing apparatus 10 of this embodiment does not have a heating and pressing device that performs secondary processing such as plastically deforming a portion of a molded body by heating and pressing the molded body molded by a die wheel 12 described below.

[0072] The molding apparatus 11 (manufacturing apparatus 10) of this embodiment has a die wheel 12 that is driven to rotate in one direction, an extrusion nozzle section 13 that is arranged opposite the outer peripheral surface of the die wheel 12 and is capable of continuously extruding molten synthetic resin and flowing it onto the outer peripheral surface of the die wheel 12, and a peeling roller section 14 (sometimes called a pickup roller section) that is located downstream of the extrusion nozzle section 13 in the rotation direction 18 of the die wheel 12 and is arranged at a distance from the outer peripheral surface of the die wheel 12.

[0073] The die wheel 12 of the molding device 11 has a wheel portion 15 that serves as a die member, and a rotation drive roller 16 that rotates the wheel portion 15 in one direction at a predetermined speed. The rotation drive roller 16 can rotate a plurality of ring plates 20 (described below) that form the wheel portion 15 concentrically, simultaneously, and at the same rotation speed.

[0074] 2, the wheel section 15 is formed into a cylindrical shape with a hollowed-out center by stacking a plurality of doughnut-shaped ring plates (mold plates) 20 having a required thickness in the direction of the rotation axis of the die wheel 12. In this case, the inner and outer diameters of the plurality of ring plates 20 are set to be the same size.

[0075] A plurality of cavities 25 for molding the above-mentioned engaging elements 40 (first engaging elements 41 and second engaging elements 42) and reinforcing ribs 45 of the molded surface fastener 1 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the wheel portion 15 of the die wheel 12. In this case, each cavity 25 provided in one ring plate 20 is formed so as to be able to mold any one of the first engaging elements 41, the second engaging elements 42, and the reinforcing rib 45, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, for example, and is not formed so as to mold both one first engaging element 41 and one reinforcing rib 45 at the same time. Each cavity 25 in each ring plate 20 is formed at a predetermined position on the outer peripheral edge of the ring plate 20 by a conventionally known technique such as wire-cut electric discharge machining, laser machining, or etching.

[0076] In the wheel portion 15 of this die wheel 12, each first element row 46 provided along the length direction of the molded surface fastener 1 is formed using a single ring plate 20 in which a plurality of first cavity spaces 26 for molding the first engaging elements 41 are formed, as shown in Fig. 3. Similarly, each second element row 47 and each rib forming row in the molded surface fastener 1 are formed using a single ring plate 20 in which a plurality of second cavity spaces 27 for molding the second engaging elements 42 are formed, and a single ring plate 20 in which a plurality of third cavity spaces 25 (rib cavity spaces 25, not shown) for molding the reinforcing ribs 45 are formed.

[0077] That is, in the die wheel 12 of this embodiment, although multiple cavity spaces 25 are formed in the outer peripheral edge portion of one ring plate 20, only one type of cavity space 25 is formed in one ring plate 20, and the multiple cavity spaces 25 formed in one ring plate 20 have the same shape as each other.

[0078] In this case, in the orthogonal direction CD of the die wheel 12 of this embodiment, in the molding range in which the first element row 46, the second element row 47, and the rib forming row of the molded surface fastener 1 are actually molded, the first ring plate 21 (which can also be called a forward direction ring plate) shown in Figure 3, in which only a plurality of first cavity spaces 26 are formed on the outer peripheral edge, a rib ring plate not shown, in which only a plurality of third cavity spaces 25 are formed on the outer peripheral edge, the second ring plate 22 (which can also be called a reverse direction ring plate) shown in Figure 4, in which only a plurality of second cavity spaces 27 are formed on the outer peripheral edge, and a rib ring plate not shown, in which only a plurality of third cavity spaces 25 are formed on the outer peripheral edge, are stacked in order and repeated in the rotation axis direction of the die wheel 12.

[0079] In the present invention, in order to form each first element row 46, each second element row 47, and each rib forming row of the molded surface fastener 1, it is also possible to use, rather than using only one ring plate 20, multiple ring plates 20 that have the same shape and are directly stacked in the direction of the rotation axis of the die wheel 12.

[0080] 3, each of the first cavities 26 formed in the first ring plate 21 is formed in a shape that is cut radially inward from the outer peripheral surface 21a of the first ring plate 21. The first cavities 26 are formed at a constant pitch (equidistant intervals) in the circumferential direction of the first ring plate 21 on the outer peripheral edge of the first ring plate 21.

[0081] Here, the formation pitch of the cavity spaces 25 provided in the ring plate 20 refers to the circumferential distance between a predetermined portion of one cavity space 25 (for example, one circumferential end of the opening of the first cavity space 26 that opens to the outer circumferential surface 21a of the first ring plate 21) and a predetermined portion of the next cavity space 25 that is provided adjacent to that space in the circumferential direction of the ring plate 20. In addition, the outer circumferential surface 21a of the first ring plate 21 and the outer circumferential surface 22a of the second ring plate 22 described later form the outer circumferential surface of the die wheel 12.

[0082] 3, when the first ring plate 21 is viewed from the rotation axis direction, each first cavity space 26 has a shape that generally corresponds to the shape of the first engaging element 41 in a side view. That is, each first cavity space 26 has an upright-side space portion 26a that forms the upright portion 43 of the first engaging element 41 and a curved head-side space portion 26b that forms the engaging head portion 44 of the first engaging element 41, and the head-side space portion 26b of each first cavity space 26 extends from the upright-side space portion 26a in a direction opposite to the rotation direction 18 of the die wheel 12.

[0083] The cavity surface of this first cavity space 26 has at least a first back surface forming portion (first back surface forming surface) 26c that forms the planar portion (central back surface) of the above-mentioned element back surface 43b of the first engaging element 41, and a first top end surface forming portion (first top end surface forming surface) 26g that forms the above-mentioned top end surface 44a of the first engaging element 41.

[0084] In the first ring plate 21, if the dimension along the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface 21a of the first ring plate 21 to the first apex surface forming portion 26g of the first cavity space 26 is defined as the first depth dimension, the maximum value D1 of the first depth dimension is the dimension along the radial direction from the outer peripheral surface 21a of the first ring plate 21 to the deepest part of the first cavity space 26. Hereinafter, the maximum value D1 of the first depth dimension will be abbreviated as the first maximum depth dimension D1. In this embodiment, the first maximum depth dimension D1 of the first cavity space 26 is approximately the same as the maximum height dimension (dimension in the height direction) of the first engaging element 41 from the top surface of the base portion 30.

[0085] For example, in this embodiment, the first maximum depth dimension D1 of the first cavity space 26 is set to be 0.70 mm or more and 0.95 mm or less. At the tip of the first cavity space 26, the minimum value R1 of the radial dimension from the outer peripheral surface 21a of the first ring plate 21 to the bottom surface of the tip of the first cavity space 26 is set to be 0.50 mm or more and 0.70 mm or less.

[0086] In this case, the tip of the first cavity space 26 refers to a region of the space (head-side space 26b) that forms the engaging head 44 of the first engaging element 41, which is on the tip side of the portion where the gap between the outer peripheral surface 21a of the first ring plate 21 and the cavity surface that forms the underside of the engaging head 44 is largest. Furthermore, the up-down direction in the cavity space 25 refers to a direction along the radial direction of the ring plate 20, and in particular, the direction along the radial direction toward the center of the ring plate 20 is defined as upward, and the direction along the radial direction toward the outer peripheral surface of the ring plate 20 is defined as downward.

[0087] In the first cavity space 26, the above-mentioned first back surface forming portion 26c is formed in a planar shape corresponding to the surface shape of the element back surface 43b of the first engaging element 41. In this case, if the angle at which the planar first back surface forming portion 26c is inclined with respect to the outer peripheral surface 21a of the first ring plate 21 is defined as a first inclination angle (first back surface inclination angle) θ1, the planar first back surface forming portion 26c is formed obliquely with respect to the outer peripheral surface 21a of the first ring plate 21 so that the first inclination angle θ1 is equal to or greater than 100° and equal to or less than 110°.

[0088] In this case, the planar first back surface forming portion 26c of the first cavity space 26 and the outer peripheral surface 21a of the first ring plate 21 are smoothly connected via a curved cavity surface 26d in the cross section shown in Fig. 3. Furthermore, in the first cavity space 26, a curved cavity surface 26e is formed between the planar first back surface forming portion 26c and the first top surface forming portion 26g that forms the top surface of the engaging head 44 of the first engaging element 41 in the cross section shown in Fig. 3. Furthermore, a downwardly curved cavity surface 26f is formed between the front upper cavity surface that forms the upper end portion (head side front surface) of the element front surface 43a of the first engaging element 41 and the lower surface of the tip of the first cavity space 26 in the cross section shown in Fig. 3.

[0089] In the die wheel 12 of this embodiment, each of the second cavity spaces 27 provided in the second ring plate 22 is formed in a shape that is cut radially inward from the outer circumferential surface 22a of the second ring plate 22, as shown in Fig. 4. The second cavity spaces 27 are formed at a constant pitch (equidistant intervals) in the circumferential direction of the second ring plate 22 on the outer circumferential edge portion of the second ring plate 22. When the second ring plate 22 is viewed from the rotation axis direction, the second cavity spaces 27 have a shape that is different from the shape of the second engaging elements 42 in a side view, and also have a shape that is different from the shape of the first cavity spaces 26 of the first ring plate 21 when the first cavity spaces 26 are reversed in the circumferential direction.

[0090] That is, in the molding apparatus 11 of this embodiment, as will be described later, when the molded surface fastener 1 is molded on the outer peripheral surface of the die wheel 12 and then peeled off from the die wheel 12, the second engaging elements 42 are deformed when they are pulled out of the second cavity space 27. For this reason, in the second ring plate 22, taking into consideration the deformation that occurs when the second engaging elements 42 are pulled out, the second cavity space 27 is formed with the following shape and size so that the second engaging elements 42 after deforming and the first engaging elements 41 smoothly pulled out of the first cavity space 26 of the first ring plate 21 have shapes that are approximately symmetrical to each other.

[0091] More specifically, the second cavity space 27 of this embodiment has an upright-side space portion 27a that forms a portion corresponding to the upright portion 43 of the second engaging element 42, and a curved head-side space portion 27b that forms a portion corresponding to the engaging head portion 44 of the second engaging element 42. In this case, the head-side space portion 27b of the second cavity space 27 extends from the upright-side space portion 27a in the same direction as the rotation direction 18 of the die wheel 12.

[0092] Furthermore, the head-side space portion 27b of the second cavity space 27 is formed in a shape that is more curved than the engaging head portion 44 of the second engaging element 42. Therefore, the distance between the lower surface of the tip portion of the second cavity space 27 and the outer peripheral surface 22a of the second ring plate 22 is smaller than the distance between the tip portion of the engaging head portion 44 of the second engaging element 42 to be molded and the upper surface of the base portion 30.

[0093] The cavity surface of this second cavity space 27 has at least a second back surface forming portion (second back surface forming surface) 27c that forms the planar portion (central back surface) of the above-mentioned element back surface 43b of the second engaging element 42, and a second top end surface forming portion (second top end surface forming surface) 27g that forms the above-mentioned top end surface 44a of the second engaging element 42.

[0094] When the second depth dimension of the second ring plate 22 is defined as the radial dimension from the outer peripheral surface 22a of the second ring plate 22 to the second apex surface forming portion 27g of the second cavity space 27, the maximum value D2 of the second depth dimension is the radial dimension from the outer peripheral surface 22a of the second ring plate 22 to the deepest part of the second cavity space 27. Hereinafter, the maximum value D2 of the second depth dimension will be abbreviated as the second maximum depth dimension D2. In this embodiment, the second maximum depth dimension D2 of the second cavity space 27 is 83% to 87% of the first maximum depth dimension D1 of the first cavity space 26 described above. In other words, the first maximum depth dimension D1 of the first cavity space 26 is 105% to 120% (preferably 115% to 120%) of the second maximum depth dimension D2 of the second cavity space 27.

[0095] More specifically, the second maximum depth dimension D2 of the second cavity space 27 is set to be 83% or more and 87% or less of the first maximum depth dimension D1 of the first cavity space 26, and within the range of 0.60 mm or more and 0.85 mm or less. In particular, in this case, the second maximum depth dimension D2 of the second cavity space 27 is set to be approximately 86% of the first maximum depth dimension D1 of the first cavity space 26. In other words, the first maximum depth dimension D1 of the first cavity space 26 is set to be approximately 116% of the second maximum depth dimension D2 of the second cavity space 27.

[0096] Furthermore, at the tip of the second cavity space 27, the minimum value R2 of the radial dimension from the outer peripheral surface 22a of the second ring plate 22 to the lower surface of the tip of the second cavity space 27 is set to be 0.30 mm or more and 0.55 mm or less.

[0097] In the second cavity space 27, the second rear surface forming portion 27c described above is formed in a planar shape corresponding to the surface shape of the element rear surface 43b of the second engaging element 42. In this case, if the angle at which the second rear surface forming portion 27c of the second cavity space 27 is inclined relative to the outer peripheral surface 22a of the second ring plate 22 is defined as a second inclination angle (second rear surface inclination angle) θ2, the second inclination angle θ2 of the second cavity space 27 is set to be larger than the first inclination angle θ1 of the first cavity space 26 described above by an angle difference of 3° to 7°. In other words, the first inclination angle θ1 of the first cavity space 26 is set to be smaller than the second inclination angle θ2 of the second cavity space 27 by an angle difference of 3° to 7°.

[0098] For example, in this embodiment, the second inclination angle θ2 of the second cavity space 27 is set to be larger than the first inclination angle θ1 of the first cavity space 26 by an angle difference of 3° to 7°, and is set to be 105° to 115°. Specifically, while the first inclination angle θ1 of the first cavity space 26 is set to be, for example, 106°, the second inclination angle θ2 of the second cavity space 27 is set to be 110°, that is, an angle that is 4° larger than the first inclination angle θ1 of the first cavity space 26. In other words, the first inclination angle θ1 of the first cavity space 26 is set to be an angle that is 4° smaller than the second inclination angle θ2 of the second cavity space 27.

[0099] In this case, the planar second back surface forming portion 27c of the second cavity space 27 and the outer peripheral surface 22a of the second ring plate 22 are smoothly connected via a curved cavity surface 27d in the cross section shown in Fig. 4. Furthermore, in this second cavity space 27, a curved cavity surface 27e is formed between the planar second back surface forming portion 27c and the second top surface forming portion 27g that forms the top surface of the engaging head 44 of the second engaging element 42 in the cross section shown in Fig. 4. Furthermore, a downwardly curved cavity surface 27f is formed between the front upper cavity surface that forms the upper end portion (head side front surface) of the element front surface 43a of the second engaging element 42 and the lower surface of the tip of the second cavity space 27 in the cross section shown in Fig. 4.

[0100] In the molding apparatus 11 of this embodiment, a cooling jacket (not shown) through which a cooling liquid circulates is provided inside the rotation drive roller 16 of the die wheel 12. This allows the molded surface fastener 1 molded on the outer peripheral surface of the die wheel 12 to be efficiently cooled.

[0101] The peeling roller section 14 of the molding device 11 has a pair of upper and lower pinching rollers 14a and 14b that pinch and pull the molded body molded on the peripheral surface of the die wheel 12 from above and below. The upper and lower pinching rollers 14a and 14b are arranged opposite each other with a predetermined gap between them. As shown in Fig. 1, the upper and lower pinching rollers 14a and 14b of the peeling roller section 14 rotate in predetermined directions at predetermined speeds, allowing the molded surface fastener 1 to be continuously peeled from the die wheel 12 and smoothly sent downstream.

[0102] When the molded surface fastener 1 of this embodiment is manufactured using the molding apparatus 11 (manufacturing apparatus 10) of Fig. 1 having the die wheel 12 described above, first, molten synthetic resin is continuously extruded from the extrusion nozzle portion 13 toward the outer circumferential surface of the die wheel 12. At this time, the wheel portion 15 of the die wheel 12 is rotated in one direction (counterclockwise in Fig. 1) at a predetermined rotational speed by the drive of the rotation drive roller 16.

[0103] As a result, the molten synthetic resin poured from the extrusion nozzle portion 13 is used to mold the substrate portion 30 of the molded surface fastener 1 between the extrusion nozzle portion 13 and the die wheel 12. At the same time, the molten synthetic resin is filled into the multiple cavities 25 formed on the outer circumferential surface of the die wheel 12, so that the first engaging elements 41, the second engaging elements 42, and the reinforcing ribs 45 of the molded surface fastener 1 are molded integrally with the substrate portion 30.

[0104] The molded surface fastener 1 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the die wheel 12 is hardened (solidified) by being supported on the outer peripheral surface of the die wheel 12 and rotating while being cooled. Furthermore, the molded surface fastener 1 moves together with the die wheel 12 to the vicinity of the peeling roller section 14, and is then continuously peeled off from the outer peripheral surface of the die wheel 12 by the peeling roller section 14.

[0105] 3, the plurality of first cavity spaces 26 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the die wheel 12 are formed by extending their head-side spaces 26b from the upright-side spaces 26a in the direction opposite to the rotation direction 18 of the die wheel 12. Therefore, by continuously pulling the molded hook-and-loop fastener 1 with the peeling roller unit 14, the first engaging elements 41 molded in each first cavity space 26 can be pulled out relatively smoothly from the first cavity space 26 without getting caught in the first cavity space 26 (or without being easily caught) (see, for example, FIG. 11).

[0106] 4, the plurality of second cavity spaces 27 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the die wheel 12 are formed such that their head side spaces 27b extend from the upright side spaces 27a in the same direction as the rotation direction 18 of the die wheel 12. Therefore, when the molded surface fastener 1 is continuously pulled by the peeling roller unit 14, the second engaging elements 42 (particularly the engaging heads 44 of the second engaging elements 42) are caught on the head side spaces 27b of the second cavity spaces 27 and are forcibly pulled out of the second cavity spaces 27.

[0107] This causes deformation of a part of the second engaging element 42 (particularly the engaging head 44), and the second engaging element 42 extracted from the second cavity space 27 has a shape different from the shape of the second cavity space 27 shown in Fig. 4. Specifically, the second engaging element 42 extracted from the second cavity space 27 is formed into a shape in which the engaging head 44 extends upward (stands up) and the overall height dimension is larger than the shape of the second cavity space 27.

[0108] On the other hand, in the molding apparatus 11 of this embodiment, the second cavity space 27 of the second ring plate 22 is formed to have an asymmetric shape and a predetermined different size from the first cavity space 26, taking into consideration in advance the deformation that occurs when the second engaging element 42 is pulled out as described above. Particularly in the case of this embodiment, the first cavity space 26 of the first ring plate 21 and the second cavity space 27 of the second ring plate 22 are formed so that they have a certain range of relationship with each other, at least in terms of the above-mentioned first and second maximum depth dimensions D1, D2 and first and second inclination angles θ1, θ2.

[0109] As a result, in the molded surface fastener 1 manufactured in this embodiment, the second engaging elements 42 deform when pulled out of the second cavity space 27, so that the first engaging elements 41 pulled out of the first cavity space 26 and the second engaging elements 42 pulled out while deforming from the second cavity space 27 can be provided on the base material part 30 with shapes that are approximately symmetrical to each other and with approximately the same size. In particular, in the case of this embodiment, a molded surface fastener 1 is manufactured in which the difference between the maximum height dimension of the first engaging elements 41 from the base material part 30 and the maximum height dimension of the second engaging elements 42 from the base material part 30 is extremely small, at 30 μm or less, preferably 15 μm or less.

[0110] Further thereafter, in the peeling roller section 14, immediately after the molded surface fastener 1 has been peeled off from the die wheel 12, the molded surface fastener 1 is conveyed downstream while being sandwiched between a pair of upper sandwiching rollers 14a and lower sandwiching rollers 14b. At this time, by sandwiching the molded surface fastener 1 between the upper sandwiching rollers 14a and the lower sandwiching rollers 14b, the first engaging elements 41 and the second engaging elements 42 can be pressed down from above in the same manner, making it easier to adjust the maximum height dimension from the base material 30 of the first engaging elements 41 to the same size as the maximum height dimension from the base material 30 of the second engaging elements 42.

[0111] Finally, the long molded hook-and-loop fastener 1 in the machine direction MD sent out from the peeling roller section 14 is wound into a roll on a recovery roller or the like and recovered, or is transported to a cutting section not shown, where it is cut to a predetermined width and / or length and recovered.

[0112] By manufacturing a molded hook-and-loop fastener 1 using the manufacturing apparatus 10 (molding apparatus 11) of this embodiment as described above, the manufactured molded hook-and-loop fastener 1 can have a first engaging element 41 and a second engaging element 42, whose engaging heads 44 extend in opposite directions, arranged on the upper surface of the base material portion 30 in approximately symmetrical shapes and approximately the same size.

[0113] This makes it possible to prevent differences in shear strength and peel strength when the manufactured molded hook-and-loop fastener 1 is engaged with a loop member which is a female hook-and-loop fastener, between when the molded hook-and-loop fastener 1 is peeled from one side of the loop member in the length direction and when the molded hook-and-loop fastener 1 is peeled from the loop member in the length direction from the other side of the loop member in the length direction.

[0114] Furthermore, in the molded hook-and-loop fastener 1 manufactured in this embodiment, the difference between the maximum height dimension of the first engaging element 41 from the base material portion 30 and the maximum height dimension of the second engaging element 42 from the base material portion 30 can be reduced to 30 μm or less, particularly 15 μm or less, as described above, so that a good feel on the surface side of the molded hook-and-loop fastener 1 can be consistently obtained.

[0115] In addition, in the multiple donut-shaped ring plates 20 used in the die wheel 12 of the above-mentioned embodiment, only one type of cavity space is formed in each ring plate 20, namely, the first cavity space 26 for molding the first engaging element 41, the second cavity space 27 for molding the second engaging element 42, and the third cavity space (not shown) for molding the reinforcing rib 45.

[0116] By limiting the type of cavity space 25 formed in one ring plate 20 to only one in this way, it is possible to stably form a plurality of cavity spaces 25 having the same shape at a predetermined formation pitch on the outer peripheral edge of the ring plate 20. In addition, it is possible to easily control the formation pitch of the cavity spaces 25.

[0117] In the present invention, it is also possible to provide a combination of at least two or more types of cavity spaces 25 in one doughnut-shaped ring plate 20, including the first cavity space 26 for molding the first engaging elements 41, the second cavity space 27 for molding the second engaging elements 42, and a third cavity space (not shown) for molding the reinforcing ribs 45. For example, as shown in Figure 7, a modified example of the ring plate used in the die wheel 12 may be provided in which the first cavity space 26 for molding the first engaging elements 41 and the second cavity space 27 for molding the second engaging elements 42 are alternately provided at regular intervals on the outer circumferential edge of the doughnut-shaped ring plate (mold plate) 23.

[0118] This allows for a significant increase in the arrangement patterns of the first engaging elements 41 and the second engaging elements 42 arranged in one molded hook-and-loop fastener, making it possible to manufacture a molded hook-and-loop fastener in which the first engaging elements 41 and the second engaging elements 42 are mixed in a single element row formed along the length direction of the base material portion 30. As a result, it becomes possible to manufacture an optimal molded hook-and-loop fastener that can more appropriately engage with, for example, various loop members. Furthermore, since it becomes possible to manufacture a molded hook-and-loop fastener using only a single ring plate 23 in which the first cavity space 26 and the second cavity space 27 are formed in the same pattern as the multiple ring plates that form the die wheel 12, it is possible to reduce, for example, the cost of manufacturing the die wheel 12. [Example]

[0119] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples. (Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Example) 1 to 4 in which the first cavity space 26 and the second cavity space 27 are formed in mutually asymmetric shapes as described above. That is, in Examples 1 to 3, the first cavity space 26 and the second cavity space 27 are formed so that the first and second maximum depth dimensions D1, D2 are different from each other and the first and second inclination angles θ1, θ2 are different from each other.

[0120] Specifically, in Example 1, the first maximum depth dimension D1 is set to approximately 116% of the second maximum depth dimension D2, and the first tilt angle θ1 is set to an angle 4° smaller than the second tilt angle θ2. In Example 2, the first maximum depth dimension D1 is set to approximately 107% of the second maximum depth dimension D2, and the first tilt angle θ1 is set to an angle 3° smaller than the second tilt angle θ2. In Example 3, the first maximum depth dimension D1 is set to approximately 120% of the second maximum depth dimension D2, and the first tilt angle θ1 is set to an angle 7° smaller than the second tilt angle θ2.

[0121] On the other hand, as a comparative example, a molded hook-and-loop fastener was manufactured using a manufacturing apparatus (not shown) in which the first cavity space and the second cavity space were formed symmetrically to each other. In this case, the second cavity space of the comparative example was formed with the same shape and size as the second cavity space 27 shown in FIG. 4. The first cavity space was also formed with a shape obtained by inverting the second cavity space 27 shown in FIG. 4 in the machine direction MD. Therefore, the first cavity space and the second cavity space were formed with the same first and second maximum depth dimensions D1 and D2, and the same first inclination angle θ1 and second inclination angle θ2. In other words, the first maximum depth dimension D1 was set to 100% of the second maximum depth dimension D2, and the angle difference between the first inclination angle θ1 and the second inclination angle θ2 was 0°.

[0122] After each molded surface fastener was manufactured using the manufacturing equipment of Examples 1 to 3 and the manufacturing equipment of the comparative example, tests were conducted to measure the shear strength and peel strength of each molded surface fastener obtained under each condition in both one and the other longitudinal directions of the base material portion.

[0123] 8, the shear strength test is carried out as follows: first, the manufactured molded surface fastener is cut to a predetermined width to prepare a molded surface fastener test piece 5, and the test piece 5 is engaged with a predetermined loop member 6 in which a plurality of loops are formed. Next, one end (rear end) in the length direction of the molded surface fastener test piece 5 and the other end (front end) in the length direction of the loop member 6 are respectively held with a pair of clampers 7, and then the pair of clampers 7 are moved at a constant speed in a direction along the length direction of the molded surface fastener and in a direction away from each other, thereby gradually applying a load to the molded surface fastener test piece 5 and loop member 6 in the engaged state.

[0124] The shear strength of one side in the longitudinal direction of the molded surface fastener was then determined by measuring the load when the engagement between the test piece 5 of the molded surface fastener and the loop member 6 was released. Next, the orientation of the pair of clampers 7 gripping the test piece 5 of the molded surface fastener and the loop member 6 was reversed, and the load when the engagement was released in the same manner as above was measured to determine the shear strength of the other side in the longitudinal direction of the molded surface fastener.

[0125] 9, the peel strength test is carried out as follows: first, the manufactured molded surface fastener is cut to a predetermined width to prepare a test piece 5 of the molded surface fastener 1, and the test piece 5 is engaged with a predetermined loop member 6 having a plurality of loops formed therein. Next, one end (rear end) of the test piece 5 of the molded surface fastener 1 in the length direction and one end (rear end) of the loop member 6 in the length direction are respectively held with a pair of clampers 7, and then the pair of clampers 7 are moved at a constant speed in a direction along the up-and-down direction (height direction) of the molded surface fastener and in a direction away from each other, thereby gradually applying a load to the test piece 5 and loop member 6 of the molded surface fastener in the engaged state.

[0126] The peel strength on one side in the longitudinal direction of the molded surface fastener was then determined by measuring the load when the engagement between the test piece 5 of the molded surface fastener and the loop member 6 was released. Next, the other end (front end) in the longitudinal direction of the test piece 5 of the molded surface fastener and the other end (front end) in the longitudinal direction of the loop member 6 were each held with a pair of clampers 7, and the load when the engagement was released was measured in the same manner as above, thereby determining the peel strength on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the molded surface fastener.

[0127] Furthermore, the above-mentioned tests for measuring shear strength and peel strength were carried out on 10 pieces of each of the molded surface fasteners of Example 1 and Comparative Example, and the average values ​​of the measured shear strength and peel strength were calculated. As a result, in the case of the molded surface fastener of Example 1, the average values ​​of the shear strength on one side and the other side in the length direction of the molded surface fastener were 18.60 N / cm 2 and 18.77N / cm 2 The difference between the two measurements is 0.17N / cm 2 The average peel strength on one side and the other side of the molded hook-and-loop fastener in the longitudinal direction was 1.20 N / cm and 1.13 N / cm, respectively, and the difference between the two measurements was small at 0.07 N / cm.

[0128] In contrast, in the case of the comparative molded surface fastener, the average shear strength on one side and the other side in the length direction of the molded surface fastener was 21.10 N / cm 2 and 18.96 N / cm 2 The difference between the two measurements is 2.14N / cm 2 These were significantly larger values ​​than in Example 1. The average peel strengths on one side and the other side in the length direction of the molded surface fastener were 2.00 N / cm and 1.22 N / cm, respectively, and the difference between the two measurements was 0.78 N / cm, which was significantly larger than in Example 1.

[0129] The above tests revealed that, compared to the molded hook-and-loop fastener of the comparative example, the molded hook-and-loop fastener of Example 1 is less likely to have differences in shear strength and peel strength when the molded hook-and-loop fastener is peeled from one side of the length of the loop member and when the molded hook-and-loop fastener is peeled from the other side of the length of the loop member.

[0130] Furthermore, for the molded surface fasteners of Examples 1 to 3 and the molded surface fastener of the comparative example, the maximum height dimension from the upper surface of the base material to the highest upper end of the engaging element was measured for the first engaging elements and the second engaging elements whose engaging heads extend in different directions. This maximum height dimension measurement was performed for 10 first engaging elements and 10 second engaging elements, and the average value was calculated.

[0131] Then, the difference between the average value of the maximum height dimension of the first engaging elements and the average value of the maximum height dimension of the second engaging elements was calculated, and the result was that the difference in height dimension between the first engaging elements and the second engaging elements in the molded surface fastener of Example 1 was 15 μm. Furthermore, the differences in height dimension between the first engaging elements and the second engaging elements in the molded surface fasteners of Examples 2 and 3 were 10 μm and 6 μm, respectively. In other words, it was found that in the case of the molded surface fasteners of Examples 1 to 3, the difference in height dimension between the first engaging elements and the second engaging elements was all 30 μm or less, which makes it easy to obtain a good feel against the skin. On the other hand, the difference in height between the first engaging elements and the second engaging elements in the molded surface fastener of the comparative example was 140 μm, which was much larger than that of the molded surface fasteners of Examples 1-3. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] 1 Molded hook-and-loop fastener 5 Test pieces 6 Loop member 7 Clamper 10 Manufacturing equipment 11 Molding equipment 12 Die Wheel 13 Extrusion nozzle 14 Peeling roller section 14a Upper clamping roller 14b Lower clamping roller 15 Wheel section 16 Rotation drive roller 18 Rotation direction 20 Ring plate (mold plate) 21 First ring plate 21a Outer surface of first ring plate 22 Second ring plate 22a Outer surface of second ring plate 23 Ring plate (mold plate) 25 Cavity Space 26 First cavity space 26a Standing side space 26b Head side space 26c First back forming part (first back forming surface) 26d, 26e Curved cavity surface 26f Curved cavity surface 26g First apex surface forming part (first apex surface forming surface) 27 Second cavity space 27a Standing side space 27b Head side space 27c Second back forming part (second back forming surface) 27d, 27e Curved cavity surface 27f Curved cavity surface 27g Second apex surface forming part (second apex surface forming surface) 30 Base material part 40 Engagement element 41 first engaging element 42 second engaging element 43 Standing part 43a Front of element 43b Back of element 44 Engagement head 44a Apical surface 45 Reinforcing rib 46 First Element Column 47 Second Element Array D1 First maximum depth dimension (maximum value of the first depth dimension) D2 Second maximum depth dimension (maximum value of second depth dimension) R1, R2 The minimum value of the radial dimension from the outer surface of the phosphorus plate to the bottom surface of the tip of the cavity space θ1 1st inclination angle (1st back inclination angle) θ2 2nd inclination angle (2nd back inclination angle)

Claims

1. A molded hook-and-loop fastener (1) has a flat substrate portion (30) and a plurality of engaging elements (40) erected on one surface of the substrate portion (30), each engaging element (40) having an upstanding portion (43) erected from the substrate portion (30) and an engaging head portion (44) extending in a curved manner from an upper end of the upstanding portion (43), the machine direction (MD) in which the molded hook-and-loop fastener (1) is molded and transported in a manufacturing process of the molded hook-and-loop fastener (1) is defined as a front-to-rear direction, and the engaging elements (40) are arranged such that, in a side view of the engaging elements (40), the engaging head portion (44) faces rearward in the front-to-rear direction, which is one of the longitudinal directions of the substrate portion (30), and the element back surface (43b) of the engaging elements (40) a first engaging element (41) having a first engaging head (44) facing forward in the front-to-rear direction, which is the other of the longitudinal directions, and a second engaging element (42) having an engaging head (44) facing forward in the front-to-rear direction and an element back surface (43b) facing backward in the front-to-rear direction, the step of rotating a die wheel (12) having a plurality of cavities (26, 27) formed on the outer circumferential surface thereof for molding the engaging elements (40), and pouring molten synthetic resin onto the outer circumferential surface of the die wheel (12), thereby molding the molded hook-and-loop fastener (1); The die wheel (12) has a cavity surface of the cavity space (26, 27) that includes a first top surface forming portion (26g) that forms the top surface (44a) of the first engaging element (41), a first back surface forming portion (26c) that forms the element back surface (43b) of the first engaging element (41), a second top surface forming portion (27g) that forms the top surface (44a) of the second engaging element (42), and a second back surface forming portion (27c) that forms the element back surface (43b) of the second engaging element (42), and a maximum value (D1) of a first depth dimension along a radial direction from the wheel outer peripheral surface of the die wheel (12) to the first top surface forming portion (26g) is set to be 0.70 mm or more and 0.95 mm or less, and a maximum value (D1) of a first depth dimension along a radial direction from the wheel outer peripheral surface to the second top surface forming portion (27 .... a maximum value (D2) of a second depth dimension along the radial direction from the first back surface forming portion (26c) to the wheel outer circumferential surface is set to 0.60 mm or more and 0.85 mm or less, the maximum value (D1) of the first depth dimension is 105% or more and 120% or less of the maximum value (D2) of the second depth dimension, a first inclination angle (θ1) at which the first back surface forming portion (26c) is inclined with respect to the wheel outer circumferential surface is smaller than a second inclination angle (θ2) at which the second back surface forming portion (27c) is inclined with respect to the wheel outer circumferential surface, and a difference between the first inclination angle (θ1) and the second inclination angle (θ2) is 3° or more and 7° or less; A method for manufacturing a molded surface fastener (excluding the case where a secondary processing step is performed using a heating and pressing device that performs heating and pressing), characterized by the above.

2. 2. A method for manufacturing a molded surface fastener according to claim 1, wherein the die wheel (12) has a plurality of doughnut-shaped ring plates (20), each having a required thickness and stacked one on top of the other in the direction of the rotation axis of the die wheel (12), and the outer peripheral edge of one of the ring plates (20) used to mold the engaging elements (40) is formed with only one of a first cavity space (26) for molding the first engaging elements (41) and a second cavity space (27) for molding the second engaging elements (42).

3. 2. A method for manufacturing a molded surface fastener according to claim 1, wherein the die wheel (12) has a plurality of doughnut-shaped ring plates (23), each having a required thickness and stacked in the direction of the rotation axis of the die wheel (12), and the outer peripheral edge of one of the ring plates (23) used to mold the engaging elements (40) is formed with both a first cavity space (26) for molding the first engaging elements (41) and a second cavity space (27) for molding the second engaging elements (42).

4. The method for producing a molded surface fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising peeling the molded surface fastener (1) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the die wheel (12) from the die wheel (12) using a pair of clamping rollers (14a, 14b) which rotate in opposite directions while clamping the molded surface fastener (1).

5. the die wheel (12) is used in which the tip end portions of the cavity spaces (26, 27) are arranged in a region on the tip side of a portion of a space portion for molding the engaging head (44) of the engaging element (40) where the distance between the wheel outer circumferential surface and a cavity surface forming the lower surface of the engaging head (44) is largest, and the lower surface of the tip end portions of the cavity spaces (26, 27) is arranged at a position closer to the wheel outer circumferential surface in the radial direction than the portion where the distance is largest; The second engaging element (42) is deformed when being pulled out of the cavity space (27), so that the difference between the maximum height dimension of the first engaging element (41) pulled out of the cavity space (26) from the base material portion (30) and the maximum height dimension of the second engaging element (42) pulled out of the cavity space (27) from the base material portion (30) is 30 μm or less. A method for producing a molded surface fastener according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:

6. A molded hook-and-loop fastener (1) has a flat substrate portion (30) and a plurality of engaging elements (40) erected on one surface of the substrate portion (30), each engaging element (40) having an upstanding portion (43) erected from the substrate portion (30) and an engaging head portion (44) extending in a curved manner from an upper end of the upstanding portion (43), the machine direction (MD) in which the molded hook-and-loop fastener (1) is molded and transported in a manufacturing process of the molded hook-and-loop fastener (1) is defined as a front-to-rear direction, and the engaging elements (40) are arranged such that, in a side view of the engaging elements (40), the engaging head portion (44) faces rearward in the front-to-rear direction, which is one of the longitudinal directions of the substrate portion (30), and the element back surface (43b) of the engaging elements (40) a molding device (11) used in the manufacture of the molded hook-and-loop fastener (1) (excluding the case where a secondary processing step is performed using a heating and pressing device that performs heating and pressing), the molded hook-and-loop fastener (1) including a first engaging element (41) whose engaging head (44) faces forward in the front-to-back direction, which is the other of the longitudinal directions, and a second engaging element (42) whose engaging head (44) faces forward in the front-to-back direction and whose element back surface (43b) faces rearward in the front-to-back direction, a die wheel (12) having a plurality of cavities (26, 27) formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof for molding the engaging elements (40); and a nozzle portion for pouring molten synthetic resin onto the outer peripheral surface of the die wheel (12), a cavity surface of the cavity space (26, 27) having a first top surface forming portion (26g) forming the top surface (44a) of the first engaging element (41), a first back surface forming portion (26c) forming the element back surface (43b) of the first engaging element (41), a second top surface forming portion (27g) forming the top surface (44a) of the second engaging element (42), and a second back surface forming portion (27c) forming the element back surface (43b) of the second engaging element (42); a maximum value (D1) of a first depth dimension along the radial direction from the wheel outer peripheral surface of the die wheel (12) to the first apex surface forming portion (26g) is set to 0.70 mm or more and 0.95 mm or less, a maximum value (D2) of a second depth dimension along the radial direction from the wheel outer peripheral surface to the second apex surface forming portion (27g) is set to 0.60 mm or more and 0.85 mm or less, and the maximum value (D1) of the first depth dimension is 105% or more and 120% or less of the maximum value (D2) of the second depth dimension, a first inclination angle (θ1) at which the first back surface forming portion (26c) is inclined with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the wheel is smaller than a second inclination angle (θ2) at which the second back surface forming portion (27c) is inclined with respect to the outer peripheral surface of the wheel; The difference between the first tilt angle (θ1) and the second tilt angle (θ2) is 3° or more and 7° or less. A molding apparatus characterized by:

7. The die wheel (12) has a plurality of doughnut-shaped ring plates (20), each having a required thickness, stacked one on top of the other in the direction of the rotation axis of the die wheel (12), The outer peripheral edge of one of the ring plates (20) used to mold the engaging element (40) is formed with only one of a first cavity space (26) for molding the first engaging element (41) and a second cavity space (27) for molding the second engaging element (42). The molding apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The die wheel (12) has a plurality of doughnut-shaped ring plates (23), each having a required thickness, stacked one on top of the other in the direction of the rotation axis of the die wheel (12), a first cavity space (26) for molding the first engaging element (41) and a second cavity space (27) for molding the second engaging element (42) are both formed in the outer peripheral edge portion of one of the ring plates (23) used for molding the engaging element (40); The molding apparatus according to claim 6.

9. a peeling roller section (14) for peeling off the molded hook-and-loop fastener (1) formed on the outer peripheral surface of the die wheel (12) from the die wheel (12) is disposed at a distance from the outer peripheral surface of the die wheel (12); The peeling roller section (14) has a pair of nipping rollers (14a, 14b) that nip the molded surface fastener (1) and rotate in opposite directions. The molding device according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

10. the distal end of the cavity space (26, 27) is disposed in a region of the space portion for forming the engaging head (44) of the engaging element (40) that is distal to a portion where the distance between the wheel outer peripheral surface and a cavity surface that forms the lower surface of the engaging head (44) is greatest; a lower surface of the tip end of the cavity space (26, 27) is disposed at a position closer to the outer peripheral surface of the wheel in the radial direction than a portion where the gap is greatest; The second cavity (27) for molding the second engaging element (42) has a shape that is deformed when the second engaging element (42) is extracted from the cavity (27) so that the difference between the maximum height dimension from the base material (30) of the first engaging element (41) extracted from the cavity (26) and the maximum height dimension from the base material (30) of the second engaging element (42) extracted from the cavity (27) is 30 μm or less. The molding device according to any one of claims 6 to 9.

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