U.S. patent application number 10/744520 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-15 for footwear closure system with integrally molded hooks.
Invention is credited to McVicker, Henry J..
Application Number | 20040134100 10/744520 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32682332 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040134100 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McVicker, Henry J. |
July 15, 2004 |
Footwear closure system with integrally molded hooks
Abstract
A footwear article with a hook and loop fastening system,
wherein the hooks are a field of injection molded hooks. The
injection molded hooks can be integral with a wall of the footwear
article, such as the shell of a skate or ski boot, or the hooks can
be formed on an injection molded subassembly that is assembled into
the footwear article.
Inventors: |
McVicker, Henry J.; (Naples,
FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JONES DAY
77 WEST WACKER
CHICAGO
IL
60601-1692
US
|
Family ID: |
32682332 |
Appl. No.: |
10/744520 |
Filed: |
December 23, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60436069 |
Dec 23, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/50.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 11/1493 20130101;
B29D 35/12 20130101; A43B 1/0081 20130101; B29D 35/126 20130101;
A43B 7/1495 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/050.1 |
International
Class: |
A43C 011/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An article of footwear having a closure system, the closure
system comprising a plastic portion, the plastic portion having a
first field of hooks injection molded therein, said closure system
further including a cooperative loop-bearing member for releasable
engagement with said field of injection molded hooks.
2. The footwear article of claim 1 wherein said article is selected
from the group consisting of a shoe, an athletic shoe, a boot, a
ski boot, and a skate.
3. The footwear article of claim 1 wherein said plastic portion
having said first field of injection molded hooks is integral with
a wall of said footwear article.
4. The footwear article of claim 1 comprising an injection molded
subassembly assembled into said footwear article, and wherein said
first field of injection molded hooks is formed on a portion of
said subassembly.
5. The footwear article of claim 4 wherein said subassembly has a
first end and a second end and first and second opposing surfaces,
such that when assembled into said footwear article said first end
is on a first lateral side of the footwear and said second end is
on the other lateral side of said footwear, said first field of
hooks being injection molded near one end of said subassembly on a
first surface thereof.
6. The footwear article of claim 5 wherein said other end of said
subassembly comprises means for receiving said cooperative
loop-bearing member.
7. The footwear article of claim 6 wherein said receiving means
comprises a slot formed in said other end of said subassembly, said
slot being of sufficient width to accommodate an end of said
cooperative loop-bearing member.
8. The footwear article of claim 6 wherein said receiving means
comprises a D-ring at said other end of said subassembly, said
D-ring being of sufficient width to accommodate said cooperative
loop-bearing member.
9. The footwear article of claim 4 wherein said subassembly has a
central portion, said subassembly being assembled into said
footwear article such that central portion is disposed between an
inner sole and an outer sole of said footwear article.
10. The footwear article of claim 4 wherein said subassembly
further comprises means for attaching said cooperative loop-bearing
member to said footwear article.
11. The footwear article of claim 10 wherein said attachment means
comprises a second field of hooks formed on the end of said
subassembly having said first field of hooks, said second field of
hooks being formed on the second surface of said subassembly
opposite said first field of hooks.
12. The footwear article of claim 6 wherein said end of said
subassembly having said receiving means is thicker than said end
near said first field of injection molded hooks.
13. The footwear article of claim 1 further comprising a means for
receiving said cooperative loop-bearing member, said receiving
means having an opening therein, said cooperative loop-bearing
member including a detent near one end thereof, said detent being
wider than said opening so as to releasably retain said member
within said receiving means.
14. The footwear article of claim 1 wherein said plastic portion
having a field of hooks injection molded therein is made from a
polymer selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, glass
fiber reinforced polypropylene, polypropylene copolymers, high
density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene,
polycarbonate, thermoplastic olefin polymer, nylon, high impact
polystyrene and acrylonitrite-butadiene-styre- ne.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of provisional patent
application Serial No. 60/436,069, filed Dec. 23, 2002, under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 119.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a novel footwear closure system
that uses hook and loop fasteners to secure different kinds of
footwear. In particular, the hook portion is integrally molded into
a plastic portion of the footwear assembly, thereby eliminating the
need for a separate and distinct hook portion that would otherwise
have to be attached to the footwear in a separate manufacturing
step.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Hook and loop fasteners, such as those sold under the
trademark VELCRO, have been used for many years in different
products. Such hook and loop fasteners generally comprise two
components. Each component has a flexible backing material having a
surface thereon. One surface comprises a field of resilient hooks,
while the other comprises a short-pile, looped fabric. As the two
fastening surfaces are pressed together, the hooks releasably
engage the loops, thus releasably holding the fastening materials
together. The fastening surfaces are separated by pulling the
fastening materials apart with sufficient force to cause the
resilient hooks to straighten sufficiently to come out of
engagement with the loops.
[0004] There is commercially available footwear that uses hook and
loop fasteners in lieu of laces or other means for securing the
footwear. The typical application has one or more straps containing
both hook and loop sections that pass through a D-ring and back on
to itself to secure the footwear. One example of footwear using
hook and loop fasteners is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,282,657,
where the hook and loop fasteners were used as a heel restraint in
a shoe, making it easy to adjust for and maintain the precise
tension desired at the wearer's heel by providing a sturdy,
adjustable heel restraint and stabilizer to independently control
the tension on the heel section of the shoe. U.S. Pat. No.
4,486,965 describes a closure system comprising overlapping straps
using hook and loop fasteners with strap receiving openings to
permit the overlapping, thereby eliminating the need for laces on
the shoe. U.S. Pat. No. 4,270,285 describes a shoe having an
adjustable and flexible closure assembly utilizing hook and
loop-type fastening means in combination with an elastic
instep-gore or elastic side-gores. This permits the wearer to
easily pull the uppers of the shoe inwardly and simultaneously to
the precise desired tautness and fasten the shoe, using only one
hand. U.S. Pat. No. 3,327,410 describes a flexible ankle brace for
a shoe, said brace being attached to the shoe sole beneath the arch
of the foot and including extensions on opposite sides of the sole
of sufficient length to encircle the ankle and that portion of the
leg immediately below the ankle, the extensions having terminal end
fastener means.
[0005] All of the prior methods of using hook and loop fasteners to
fasten footwear require the use of a separate hook section that has
to be glued, stitched or fastened in some way to the main body of
the footwear or its parts. The need for a separate hook section
adds to the total number of parts needed and increases the
complexity of the prior art. Also, there are additional labor costs
involved in attaching the hook section to the footwear.
[0006] It is thus one object of the invention to provide a hook and
loop footwear fastening system that is simpler in construction than
prior art systems.
[0007] It is another object of the invention to provide a hook and
loop footwear fastening system that requires less time and labor to
manufacture than prior art systems.
[0008] It is still another object of the invention to provide a
hook and loop footwear fastening system that can reduce or
eliminate adhesives or stitching of the fastening system
components.
[0009] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a hook
and loop fastening system that is easier for the wearer to operate
than prior art systems.
[0010] Other objects of and advantages of the invention will become
apparent during the course of the detailed description that is part
of this application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention relates to a novel footwear closure
system comprising a hook bearing member and a loop bearing member
to secure the footwear. In a preferred embodiment of the invention,
the hook bearing member comprises a field of spaced rows of hooks,
preferably along the length of the hook bearing member. However,
unlike prior art in the field, the hook bearing member in the
present invention is integrally injection-molded into a plastic
portion of the footwear assembly. The footwear closure system also
may feature an integral (as opposed to a separate) D-ring or formed
slot used for looping the loop-bearing closure strap. The closure
system may comprise one or more separate parts that are attached to
the footwear during the assembly process, or in some cases, may be
integrated into the design of the footwear itself, eliminating the
need for additional subassembly parts.
[0012] A cooperative loop bearing member or strap engages the
integrally molded hooks, thereby securing the footwear to the user.
The loop bearing member or strap may include a retaining tab
designed to prevent it from pulling back through the D-ring or slot
when the closure system is released. This keeps the loop bearing
member in a ready position, eliminating the need to guide it
through the D-ring or slot each time. The retaining tab may be
formed either integrally with the loop bearing member, or
separately as an additional structure. The loop bearing member may
be attached to the footwear or subassembly by conventional means
which include sewing, welding, laminating or adhesives. It may also
be attached to the subassembly or footwear by engagement to another
field of integrally molded hooks.
[0013] The thermoplastic material, preferably polypropylene, used
for injection-molding the integrally-formed hooks has a memory
sufficient to cause the hooks to return substantially to their
original position after being removed from the mold, and yet has
sufficient flexibility to allow the hooks to bend during removal
from the mold and during engagement and release with the attached
strap loops. The hooks can be molded by the method described in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,226, which is incorporated here by
reference.
[0014] In the present invention, by virtue of the hooks being
integrally molded into the closure system by injection molding, the
part can have a variable thickness to meet specific design
criteria. For example, the D-rings could have a thicker section to
provide strength, whereas other areas might be very thin to allow
flexibility and conformability to ergonomic design.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] These and other objects of the present invention will be
more fully understood in conjunction with the detailed description
and the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like
elements and in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a view of a unitary embodiment of the closure
system of the invention laid out flat along its longitudinal axis,
with the bottom side facing up.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a shoe with a footwear
closure system of the present invention in the open position;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a shoe with the footwear
closure system of FIG. 1 in the closed position;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken through line 4-4 of
FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
the invention wherein the field of injection molded hooks is
integral with a wall of the shoe.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the medial side of an
in-line skate incorporating the closure system of the instant
invention.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lateral side of an
in-skate incorporating the closure system of the instant
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The novel closure system is described herein as used with
many kinds of footwear including shoes, athletic shoes, skates, ski
boots, and any other footwear that may employ the use of plastics
or hook and loop fasteners.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a view of the bottom side of an injection molded
subassembly 10 suitable for use in a footwear closure system of the
instant invention. Subassembly 10 comprises a substantially flat
body member 13 having a medial side 15 and a lateral side 17.
Substantially flat body member 13 has a bottom or outwardly facing
surface 11 and a top or inwardly facing surface 16. Extending from
medial side 15 are two medial flaps 31, each medial flap 31 having
at its distal end a slot 12. Each slot 12 is sized and dimensioned
to receive a cooperative loop bearing member, as described more
fully below.
[0025] Extending from lateral side 17 are two lateral flaps 19.
Each lateral flap 19 has on the outwardly facing surface 11 thereof
a field of integrally molded hooks 18. The hooks can be single
tipped hooks or double tipped hooks. The hooks can all face in the
same direction, or in alternating directions, or in any pattern
that is desirable for a particular end use. Each lateral flap 19
also supports a cooperative loop bearing member 20. As best seen in
FIG. 4, each cooperative loop bearing member 20 is advantageously
configured as a flexible strap having a smooth side 21 and an
opposed loop bearing side 22. Each loop bearing member 20 has a
first end 23 for fixed operative attachment to inner surface 16 of
lateral flap 19, and a second end 24 for releasable engagement with
field of hooks 18, as described more fully below. Each lateral flap
19 is provided at its distal end with a slit 25 of sufficient
length to accommodate the width of first end 23 of loop bearing
member 20.
[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 4, first end 23 of loop bearing
member 20 passes through slit 25 in the distal end of lateral flap
19, and the loop bearing side 22 of first end 23 is fixedly
attached to the inner surface 16 of lateral flap 19. In one
embodiment of the invention, if loop bearing member 20 has loops
over the entire area of loop bearing side 22, then inner surface 16
of lateral flap 19 can be provided with its own field of integrally
molded hooks 28 for operative fixed engagement with the loops on
loop bearing side 22 of first end 23. This embodiment is
illustrated in cross section in FIG. 4. Alternatively, side 22 of
first end 23 can be bonded to surface 16 of lateral flap 19 by
adhesives, laminating, welding, mechanical means such as rivets or
stitching, or other equivalent means.
[0027] Second end 24 of loop bearing member 20 is provided with a
field of loops over at least an area 29 of loop bearing side 22. In
a preferred embodiment, second end 24 is wider than first end 23,
and is provided with detents 26, for reasons explained below
[0028] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a shoe provided with
subassembly 10 of FIG. 1 shown in the unsecured position. It may be
seen that subassembly 10 advantageously provides a single,
continuous structure that passes through the body of the shoe along
the shoe's transverse axis, preferably passing between the outer
sole and in-sole, and preferably without penetrating the sole. This
feature of a preferred embodiment is not necessary for all
embodiments. Loop bearing member 20 remains attached at its first
end 23 to the inner surface 16 of lateral flap 19, and passes
through slot 12 of medial flap 31. Second end 24 is prevented from
slipping back through slot 31 by detents 26 when the user is either
putting the shoe on or is taking it off. This enables the user to
secure or remove the shoe with one hand rather than having to use
both. In the absence of the detents 26, the end 24 would slip out
through the slot 12 and a user would have to slide it back through
the slot 12 every time he wanted to use the shoe.
[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates the embodiment of FIG. 1 but with the
footwear closure system in the closed position. To secure the shoe,
the second end 24 of the loop bearing member 20 is pulled toward
the lateral direction until the user feels that the fit is
sufficiently tight. When the desired fit is achieved, the second
end 24 is then pulled downward towards the field of
injection-molded hooks 18. Slot 12, therefore, essentially
functions as the point at which the loop bearing member 20 changes
direction, and folds over back onto itself. The area of loops 29 is
then placed over the field of injection-molded hooks 18 to engage
the hooks, thereby securing the shoe.
[0030] The preferred design contemplates that distal ends of medial
flaps 31 having slots 12 therein can be molded thicker for added
strength, while the remaining portions of body member 13,
optionally including the proximal ends of flaps 31 and lateral
flaps 19 can be molded thinner for added flexibility.
[0031] While subassembly 10 has been described as a unitary device,
the present invention is not so limited. For example, an injection
molded part with a field of hooks thereon and corresponding only to
the structure of lateral flaps 19 can be assembled onto the
external lateral side of a shoe by other means, without passing
completely between the outer sole and in-sole of the shoe.
Alternatively, if the footwear upper comprises an injection molded
component, or a component formed by other molding means capable of
integrally forming a field of hooks, the field of hooks can be
integrally formed during the molding of that component, which is
then assembled into footwear. In such embodiments, the cooperative
loop bearing member can be assembled into the footwear by
conventional means. Such an embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 5.
The shoe upper is made of a moldable plastic material. D-rings 131
each having a slot 112 are integrally molded into the shoe upper.
Fields of hooks 118 are integrally formed into the shoe upper.
Cooperative loop bearing member 114 having loop bearing surface 122
is fixedly secured at one end to the upper by means such as
stitching, adhesives, welding, or engagement with a second field of
hooks [not shown] formed on the shoe upper. The loop bearing member
114 has a second end 124 with a field of loops 129 that can engage
field of hooks 118 to secure the shoe on the wearer.
[0032] The footwear fastening system of the instant invention is
also not limited to "gym shoe" type footwear as illustrate in FIGS.
2, 3 and 5, but is especially suitable for other types of footwear
that can incorporate injection molded components, or molded by
other methods that allow the integral molding of a field of hooks.
Such footwear can include, for example, in-line roller skates, ice
skates, ski boots, and snowboarding boots. FIGS. 6-7 illustrate
medial and lateral views, respectively, of an in-line roller skate
having a fastening system of the instant invention using a field of
injection molded hooks as a component thereof. As illustrated,
in-line skate 50 includes an injection-molded boot portion 51,
having disposed on its lateral side integrally molded fields of
hooks 53a, 53b. Each field of hooks 53a, 53b has associated
therewith a cooperative loop bearing strap 55a, 55b, one end of
which is fixedly secured adjacent the field of hooks such as by
rivet 56 or other suitable mechanical means. Each cooperative loop
bearing strap 55a, 55b has associated therewith a cooperative
D-ring or slot 57a, 57b, which can be mounted to boot 51 by a
mechanical rivet, or which can be integrally molded into boot 51.
Optionally, the free end of each strap 55a, 55b can be provided
with detents 59 to prevent the end of the strap from slipping back
through D-ring or slot 57a, 57b. To use the illustrated in-line
skate, the user can simply position a foot inside the skate boot,
pull the straps through the D-rings in the medial direction, pull
the straps back in the lateral direction until the desired
tightness of fit is obtained, and press the loop-bearing free ends
of the straps against the integral field of hooks to secure the
straps. To release the straps, the sued simply pulls up on the ends
of the straps. In the illustrated embodiment, strap 55a is shown in
the unsecured position and strap 55b is shown in the secured
position. These embodiments are illustrated by way of example and
not by way of limitation.
[0033] Thus, there has been described a novel closure system for
footwear wherein the system has a field of injection-molded hooks
integrally formed in any predetermined area on the device to
receive loops on a strap and retention tab, for releasably engaging
the straps. The thermoplastic material used for injection-molding
the integrally-formed hooks, preferably polypropylene, has a memory
sufficient to cause the hooks to return substantially to their
original positions after being removed from the mold and sufficient
flexibility to allow the hooks to bend during removal from the mold
and during release of the attached strap loops.
[0034] The hook bearing component of the fastening system of the
instant invention with a field of hooks integrally formed on a
portion thereof can be made by injection molding in accordance with
the methods disclosed in the aforementioned patents U.S. Pat. No.
5,368,549, U.S. Pat. No. 5,656,226, and U.S. Re. 37,338. As
disclosed therein, the injection molded hooks will have a radius
and geometry that will promote the ejection of the hooks from the
injection mold, while still maintaining the desired fastening
function. The hooks will straighten momentarily as they are removed
from the injection mold. The injection molded component is made of
a thermoplastic material that has sufficient flexibility to allow
the hooks to straighten during removal from the mold and during
subsequent release from a field of loops, yet has a memory
sufficient to return to substantially the original hook shape and
geometry. A material that is too rigid or brittle would snap off
during such flexing. On the other hand, a material that is too soft
would lack the structural rigidity required for the hooks to
function as a fastener. Suitable thermoplastic materials include
but are not limited to polypropylene and polyurethane materials
having the desired balance of flexibility and shape memory. The
polypropylene can be, for example, an unfilled polyester blend of
50% homopolymer and 50% copolymer having melt flow index of 22 g/10
min and a flex modulus from 130,000 to 150,000 psi. Another
suitable polypropylene material is sold by Washington Penn Plastic
Company of Washington, Pa. as product PPC3CF1, having a melt flow
index of 11.6 g/10 min.; a notched Izod impact strength of 3.1
ft-lbs./in., a tensile strength of 3000 psi, and a flex modulus of
163,300 psi.
[0035] Other propylene based resins that have been found suitable
for use in forming molded hooks include Atofina polypropylene PPC
5660, having a melt flow index of 7, and a flex modulus of about
175,000 psi; various resins sold under the name "Pro-fax" by
Basell, and having melt flow index values ranging from 18 to 35 and
flex modulus values ranging from 150,000 to 200,000 psi; propylene
copolymers sold by BP Amoco under the names Acclear.RTM. 8949 and
Acctuf.RTM..RTM. impact copolymer 3934.times., having melt flow
index values of 35 and 100, and flex modulus values of 190,000 psi
and 250,000 psi, respectively; resins sold by Dow Plastics under
the names Inspire C703-35U and Inspire C719-35RN HP, both having a
melt flow index of 35, and flex modulus values of 180,000 psi and
160,000 psi, respectively; Exxtral.RTM. BMT 106 polypropylene
impact copolymer, sold by ExxonMobil Chemical, having a melt index
of 8 and flex modulus of about 218,000 psi; and, long glass fiber
reinforced polypropylenes sold by StaMax, resin 30YM240/10010
having a flex modulus of about 856,000 psi, and resin 40YM240/10010
having a flex modulus of about 1,140,000 psi. With long glass fiber
reinforced polypropylenes having very high flex modulus values, it
is believed that the glass fibers do not migrate into the hook
cavities of the mold, so that the integrally molded hooks are made
up of only the polypropylene component of the resin. This gives the
unexpected result of a field of flexible hooks integrally molded on
a surface of a very strong, rigid molded object.
[0036] Resins other than propylene based resins also can be
suitable for use in the manufacture of the molded integral hooks of
the present invention. Such resins can include high impact
polystyrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, nylon, high density
polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, polycarbonate, and
thermoplastic olefin resins. Melt index has been found to range
from 1 to 100, and flex modulus values values have been found to
range from under 30,000 to over 1,138,000. The melt index values
and flex modulus values that will work depend on the particular
resin chosen. Specific resins include high impact polystyrene API
550 from American Polymers, having a melt flow index of 8 and a
flex modulus of 280,000 psi; acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene,
including ABS 9501 UHI from Diamond Polymers, having a melt flow
index of 1 and a flex modulus of about 295,000 psi, and Starex ABS
SD-0150, sold by Samsung, and having a flex modulus of 420,000 psi;
nylon, including Akulon.RTM. K224-PG2U Nylon 6, sold by DSM
Engineering and having a flex modulus of about 580,000 psi, and
Celanese nylon 6/6 1000 sold by Ticona, and having a flex modulus
of about 420,000; high density polyethylene Alathong H 5618, sold
by Equistar Chemicals having a melt flow index of 18; linear low
density polyethylene Petrothene.RTM. GA 564-000 sold by Equistar
Chemicals and having a melt flow index of 21; polycarbonate Lexan
ML499 1 R sold by General Electric, having a melt flow index of
about 300,000; and thermoplastic olefin polymer Ecobarrier
1B00-2614 TP, having a melt index of 4 and a flex modulus of about
26,000. For polymers having such low flex modulus values, it may be
necessary or desirable to use a thicker hook shape to provide a
hook that is stiff enough and strong enough to provide the desired
closure properties.
[0037] As further disclosed in the aforementioned patents, an
apparatus for making the injection molded hook bearing component
comprises a mold for forming the component, the mold having a
recess in at least one predetermined area thereof, and means in the
recess for simultaneously and integrally forming a field of
injection molded hooks during the injection molding process. The
field of hooks has a length and a width, the hooks being
interspersed in both the length and width of the field. The means
in the recess for forming the hooks has a plurality of hook shaped
cavities. The means is in unitary assembly during the injection
molding of the insert, and is maintained in unitary assembly during
the removal of the injection molded insert therefrom. In a
preferred embodiment, the means in the recess for forming the hooks
during the injection molding process is an assembly of stacked
plates, each plate having a plurality of hook shaped cavities
formed in one edge thereof. In a most preferred embodiment, the
plates having the hook shaped cavities alternate in the stack with
plates called spacers, which have no hook shaped cavities. The
spacer plates can have width less than, equal to, or greater than
the plates with the hook shaped cavities.
[0038] In still another embodiment, the molded hooks can be
included in the plastic molded parts of the footwear as pre-made
mold inserts, as described in co-pending patent application
"Injection Molded Fastening Article for Use as a Mold Insert" filed
on even date herewith by the same inventor and assigned to the same
assignee. As described therein, a mold insert is first provided,
the mold insert being an article having a field of integrally
formed hooks on at least a first surface thereof, and having a
second surface opposite the first surface. The insert is then
fitted into a recess in a mold of the desired final article, with
the first surface having the field of hooks thereon facing the mold
exterior and the second surface of the mold insert facing the
interior of the mold. The molding process is then carried out. The
plastic of the resulting molded article surrounds the second
surface of the mold insert, such that the mold insert becomes
integral with the resultant molded article. The hooks of the
injection molded article are protected from the heat and pressure
of the mold. The molding process by which the resultant molded
article is made can be injection molding, compression molding,
rotational molding, blow molding, foam molding and other known
molding techniques. The instant invention is also applicable to
molding processes in which a material is dispersed inside a mold be
means such as a spray gun or a trowel, as in the manufacture of
fiberglass articles.
[0039] The foregoing specification describes only the embodiment of
the invention shown and/or described. Other embodiments may be
articulated as well. The terms and expressions used, therefore,
serve only to describe the invention by example and not to limit
the invention. It is expected that others will perceive differences
which, while different from the foregoing, do not depart from the
scope of the invention herein described and claimed. In particular,
any of the specific constructional elements described may be
replaced by any other known element having equivalent function.
* * * * *