KNITTED HOOK-TYPE FASTENER MATERIAL

摘要

A knitted material is disclosed having on one side a multiplicity of upstanding hook-like engaging elements suitable for repeated face-to-face engagement and disengagement with a material having a multiplicity of upstanding pile loop-like mating engaging elements. The material has a base knitted fabric and a plurality of upstanding monofilamentary members interknitted into the base fabric, with a hook-like engaging element positioned at the upper end of each upstanding member. The engaging element extends transversely of the upstanding member and is configured in cross section to have at least one end generally arcuate in shape and the opposite end tapered. The tapered end has greater flexibility than the arcuate end, and the fastener fabric is engageable in face-to-face relation with a mating looptype fastener fabric and separated by forces normal to the interfacial plane of engagement. A method and weft-knitting apparatus for producing the unique knitted fabric are also disclosed.