CA2359370A1

CA2359370A1 - Fasteners and methods of making fasteners

Info

Publication number: CA2359370A1
Application number: CA002359370A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Luis Parellada; Juan Sanchez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Velcro Industries BV
Priority date: 1999-01-15
Filing date: 2000-01-17
Publication date: 2000-07-20
Also published as: US6708378B2; DE60021171D1; DE1150585T1; KR20010101487A; US6248276B1; ATE298987T1; WO2000041479A3; CN1336803A; EP1150585A2; AU3149300A; JP2002534194A; US20010022409A1; ES2244412T3; WO2000041479A2; US20040119193A1; EP1150585B1

Abstract

A method of forming a fastener is provided, including (a) forming, from a thermoformable material, a preform product having a sheet-form base (12) and an array of preform stems (104) integrally molded with and extending from th e base to corresponding terminal ends (109); (b) heating the terminal ends (10 9) of the stems to a predetermined softening temperature, while maintaining the sheet-form base and a lower portion of each stem at a temperature lower than the softening temperature; and (c) contacting the terminal ends with a conta ct surface that is at a predetermined forming temperature, lower than the softening temperature, to deform the terminal ends to form heads therefrom that overhang the sheet-form base. Fasteners and other methods of forming th em are also provided.

Description

FASTENERS AND METHODS OF MAKING FASTENERS
Background of the Invention The present invention relates to fasteners, partic ularly to male fastener components for hook and loop fasteners, to methods of manufacturing them, and to their use in securing a mesh material to a window frame to provide a temporary insect screen.
It is common, particularly in the United States, to provide windows with permanent screens to allow the windows to be opened without admitting insects.
However, such screens are not always provided, and in fact are relatively uncommon in homes in Europe. To lomeet the need for screening in these situations, temporary screens have been developed. These screens are generally installed when insects are present and removed when insects are not present, by removably attaching a sheet of mesh material to an attachment l5strip that is adhered to the window frame. Generally these temporary screens are mounted on the inside of the window.
Attachments strips have been formed of, among other things, the male component of a hook and loop 2otype fastener. To secure the screen, the male faster_er elements are inserted ~-hrough the openings of the mesh mater=al and engage the sides oy the mesh openings. It is desirable that tr.e engagement between the male fastener elements and the mesh openings provide good 5pee1 strength, so that the screen is not detached by wind, and that the attachment strip be inexpensive and relatively attractive.
There is also a general need for male fastener components far hook and loop fasteners that provide Zogood multidirectional peel and shear strength properties and that are relatively inexpensive to manufacture.
Susmarv of the Invention 15 In one aspect, the present invention features a method of forming a fastener. The method includes: (a) forming, from a thermoformable material, a preform product having a sheet-form base and an array of prefcrm stems integrally molded with and extending from 2othe base to corresponding terminal ends; (b) heating the teat=nal ends of the stems to a predetermined softening temperature, while maintaining the sheet-form base and a lower portion of each stem at a temperature lower than the softening temperature; and (c) 25cont~ctirg the terminal ends with a contact surface that is at a predetermined forming temperature, to deform the terminal ends to form heads the=efrom that overhang the sheet-form base.
Preferred methods include one or sore of the sfollowing features. The forming temperature is sufficiently low that the thermoformable material does not adhere to the contact surface. The forming temperature is lower than the softening temperature.
The contact surface comprises the cylindrical surface roof a roll. The contact surface is cooled to maintain the forming temperature during step (c). In step (c), the heads that are formed are substantially disc-shaped or mushroom-shaped. The thickness of each disc-shaped head is from about 5 to 15 ~ of the equivalent diameter l5of the disc. The head has a substantially dome-shaped surface overhanging the base. Step (a) includes molding the stems in molding cavities in a mold roll.
In step (b), the region extends from the terminal end towards the base a distance equal to from about 15 to 2025 0 of the total distance from the terminal end to the base. The contact surface has a surface finish selected from the group consisting of dimpled, smooth, textured, and combinations thereof. The surface finish comprises dimples and the contact surface includes a 25density of dimples per unit area of the contact surface that is greater than or equal to- the density of stems per unit area of the base. During step (c), the dimples are in at least partial registration with the stems.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of forming a fastener, including: (a) forming a plurality of stems, extending from a common base to a terminal end, from a thermoformable material; (b) heating a region of the stems adjacent the terminal b ends to a predetermined softening temperature, to soften the material in the region, while maintaining the remaining portion of the stems at a temperature lower than the softening temperatures and (c) contacting the terminal ends with a contact surface to l5form heads at the terminal end of the stems, at least a portion of the contact surface having a sufficiently rough texture to impart a loop-engaging surface roughness to at least a portion of the heads.
Preferred methods include one or more of the 2ofollowing features. The contact surface comprises the cylindrical surface of a roll. The contact surface has a sandpaper-like texture. The contact surface has a surface roughness (rugosity) of about 10 to 200 microns. The contact surface defines a plurality of 25dimples. The contact surface includes a density of dimples per unit area of the contact surface that is greater than or equal to the density of stems per unit area of the base. The surface roughness imparted to the heads is sufficient to increase the peel strength 5of the fastener by from about 10 to 100 a.
In yet another aspect, the invention features a fastener element including an elongated stem extending and molded integrally with a substantially planar base, and a head disposed at a terminal end of the stem, at loleast a portion of the head having a rough surface having a sandpaper-like surface texture.
Preferred fastener elements include one or more of the following features. The rough surface has a surface roughness (rugosity) of from about 10 to 200 l5microns. The rough surface has sufficient surface roughness to increase the peel strength of the fastener by from 10 to 100 -°s . The head is substantially disc°
shaped or mushroom-shaped.
The invention also features an attachment strip 2ofor attaching a mesh screen to a surface. The attachment strip includes (a) a substantially planar base; (b) a plurality of elongated stems extending from the base; and (c) a plurality of heads, each head being disposed at a terminal end of one of the stems.
25According to one aspect of the invention, at least a portion of the heads have a rough surface having a sandpaper-like surface texture.
The tern "disc-shaped", as used herein, refers to a shape having top and bottom surfaces, at least a Sportion of the top surface being substantially parallel to a corresponding portion of the bottom surface, and having a thickness that is substantially less than its equivalent diameter. "Equivalent diameter" means (a) for a circular disc, the actual diameter, and (b) for a lodisc having a non-circular shape, the diameter of a circular disc having the same thickness and surface area as the non-circular disc. When viewed from above, the disc-shape may be substantially circular, irregular in shape but approximately circular, or non-circular, l5e.g., square or cross-shaped. The disc-shape may be flat, or may have other shapes such as domed, wavy, or pyramidal.
The term "mushroom-shaped", as used herein, refers to any shape having a domed portion, with the 2oexception of a complete sphere.
The phrase "loop-engaging surface roughness", as used herein, means a degree of surface roughness that is sufficient to "catch" on a loop fastener element and provide a partial, momentary engagement therewith.
25 The term "sandpaper-like", as used herein, means a surface roughness akin to the surface texture of sandpaper.
The fastener elements of the invention have a head geometry that advantageously provides a strong 5attacrment to a female fastener component. The fastener elements are particularly well adapted for use in fastener tapes for attaching an insect screen to a window frame, as the head geometry provides a strong engagement with the mesh of the insect screen. Insect loscreen fastener tapes of the invention exhibit good peel strength and thus good resistance to detachment due to wind. The methods of the invention allow the fastener elements to be manufactured using a relatively simple and economical process.
15 Other features and advantages will become apparent from the following Description of the Preferred Embodiments, the drawings and the claims.
Brief Description of the Drawincts 2o fig. I is a side view of a fastener including a fastener element according to one embodiment of the invention. Fig. lA is a top view of the fastener element, with the stem portion shown in phantom lines.
Figs. 1B, 1C and ID are top views of fastener elements 25according to alternate embodiments of the invention;

these fastener elements have the same profile, when seen from the side, as that shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 2 is, a side cross-sectional view of a fastener element according to an alternate embodiment Sof the invention. Figs. 2A and 2H are top views of fastener elements according to alternate embodiments of the invention; these fastener elements have the same cross-sectional shape as that shown in Fig. 2.
Figs. 3 and 3A are side cross-sectional views of lofastener elements according to other alternate embodiments of the invention. Figs. 3B and 3C are perspective views of fastener elements according to other alternate embodiments of the invention.
Fig. 4 is a front view showing a fastener l5element of Fig. 1 or Fig. 2 engaged with the mesh opening of an insect screen.
Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of a machine for manufacturing a fastener element.
Fig. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the 2omachine shown in Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 is an enlarged side detail view of area A
ir. Fig. 6, showing a portion of the stem-carrying base prior to conformation. Fig. 7A is a highly enlarged view of one of the stems shown in Fig. 7. Fig. 7B is a 25top view of the portion of the base shown in Fig. 7A.

Figs. 8-SD are side views showing various suitable conformation. roll surfaces for forming fastener elements of tire invention.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to Fig. 1, fastener 10 includes a base I2 and a fastener element I4 extending from the base.
(Fastener 10 generally includes an array of fastener elements; a single fastener element is shown for ioclarity.) Fastener element 14 includes a stem I6 and, at the terminal end of stem 16, a head 18. Head 18 is shaped for engagement with another fastener component, for example a female fastener component having a plurality of loops, a mesh such as an insect screen, or ISanother fastener component similar to fastener 10.
As shown in Fig. 1, head 18 is substantially disc shaped, including a substantially planar top surface 20, and a substantially planar bottom surface 22 that faces and overhangs base 12. It is desirable 2othat the disc be relatively thin, allowing a cooperating fastener element, e.g., a loop or the wire mesh of a window screen, to penetrate into the disc by flexing the disc material. Preferably, the thickness of the disc is from about 5 to 150 of the equivalent 25diameter of the disc. If the disc is thinner, it will tend to have reduced cycle life (i.e., durability during =epeated engagement and disengagement .~of the fastener), whereas if the disc is thicker the fastener may exhibit reduced peel strength. As shown in Fig.
51A, head 18 is substantially circular when viewed from above, and stem 16 is substantially square in radial cross-section. (In other embodiments, head 18 can be irregular in shape (Fig. 1B), square (Fig. 1C) or crass-shaped (Fig. 1D) when viewed from above.) The lodisc shape is particularly advantageous for engagement with a mesh screen 23 (Fig. 4) because the sides 25 of the mesh opening can penetrate into the thin disc. As a result, as shown in Fig. 4, secure engagement can be provided even though the disc is smaller than the mesh l5opening and only engages one or two sides 25 of the mesh opening. The head 18 is also suitable for engagement with loops or with other similarly shaped heads.
T_n an alternate embodiment, shown in Fig. 2, 2ohead 18 includes a domed portion 24, and a correspondingly dome-shaped lower surface 23, a major portion of which is substantially parallel to domed portion 24. Surface 23 faces and overhangs base 12, providing a surface for engagement with a female 25fastener element or mesh. Head 18 can have various shapes. For example, head 18 .can be a disc that is square or rectangular when viewed from the top (Fig.
2A), with two opposed edges of the disc being bent down to form a U-shaped domed portion. Alternatively, head 518 can be a circular disc that is bent down around its periphery to form a mushroom-like domed portion. These head shapes are particularly advantageous for engagement with a mesh screen (Fig. 4) because the domed portion allows smooth penetration into the mesh openings 27 and the thi n disc shape allows sides 25 of the mesh opening to be embedded into surface 23. Head 18 can also be used to engage the loops of a female fastener component, or to self-engage with another fastener having similarly shaped heads.
In alternate embodiments, shown in Figs. 3 and 3A, the disc-shaped heads are "wavy". The head 18 may be S-shaped in crass-section, as shown in Fig. 3, or may be W-shaped, as shown in Fig. 3A. The head shapes shown in these figures may be provided with a rough 2osurface, as described below with reference to Fig. 3B.
In another alternate embodiment, shown in Fig.
3B, head 18 includes a rough, sandpaper-like surface 30. Preferably, the texture of surface 30 resembles that of 320 grain sandpaper (used for sanding metals).
The sandpaper-like surface includes protrusions that tend to catch on the fastener component with which the head 18 is engaged (not shown), making it more difficult to inadvertently disengage the mated fastener components. As a result, the strength of engagement is 5generally increased, relative to the strength obtained from a similar fastener element having a smooth surface. In particular, in preferred embodiments the peel strength, as measured by ASTM D 5170-91 ("T"
method), is increased by about 10 to 100%. It is Io preferred that the surface 30 have a surface roughness (rugosity) of at least 10 microns, mare preferably from about 10 to 200 microns.
In another embodiment, shown in Fig. 3C, the head I8 is pyramidal in shape. Preferably, the surface l5of the head that overhangs the base has the same contour as the upper surface of the head, so that a major portion of the surfaces is substantially parallel.
In all of the embodiments shown in Figs. 1-3C, 2othe head overhangs the base to a significant extent.
Preferably, the surface area A1 of the surface overhanging the base is equal to at least 20% greater than the surface area A2 of the radial cross-section of the stem I6 taken along line A-A, i . a . , where the stem 25intersects the head. The surface area AI may be up to 600% greater than the surface area A2. For example, for a fastener element in which surface area A2.is 0.03 mmz, surface area A1 is preferably about 0.05 mm2. It is also generally preferred that the amount of overhang 5be substantially uniform around the perimeter of the stem, to provide a multi-directional engagement.
However, for ease of manufacture it will in some cases be preferred that the amount of overhang be non uniform, as will be discussed below with reference to Fig. 5.
A machine I00 for forming the fastener elements described above is shown in Fig. 5. A supply roll 102 introduces a continuous supply of a stem-carrying base 12 (shown in Figs. 7-7B) into the machine 100. Stem-l5carrying base 12 is formed of a thermoformable polymer.
In a previous manufacturing step, roll I02 was wound up as the take-up roll at a molding station (not shown) at which stems I04 (Figs. 7-7B) were integrally molded onto base 12. The molding station may include a mold 2oro11 having a plurality of mold cavities provided by aligned plates, e.g., as described, for example, by U.S. Patent No. 4,794,028, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, or may utilize any desired stem-molding technique. As shown in Fig. 7B, 25the stems may be square in radial cross-section, if a square head is desired, or may be oval, round,.cross-shaped, or any other desired shape, for forming similarly shaped heads (see Figs. IA-ID).
The supply roll 102 is unwound by drive 5mechanism 106, which conveys stem-carrying base 12 into optional pre-heating area 108 which raises the temperature of the stem-carrying base 12 to a pre-heat temperature that is above rocm temperature but much lower than the Vicat temperature of the polymer. This Iopre-heating allows the tips of the stems to be heated to a predetermined softening temperature more quickly during the next step of the process.
Next, the base I2 moves to heating device 110, which heats a portion of the stems. As indicated in 15 Fig. 7A, only a portion P of the stems 104, adjacent their tips 109, is heated by heating device 110, leaving the remainder of the stem relatively cool and thus relatively rigid. Preferably, the length L of portion P is less than 30~ of the total length L1 of 20 the stem, more preferably from about 15~ to 25a of L1.
Portion P is heated to a softening temperature at which portion P can be formed into a desired head shape, typically a temperature that is greater than or equal to the Vicat temperature of the thermoformable 25 polymer. The remainder of the stem is not heated, and remains at a temperature that is less than the softening temperature S, preferably at least 10% less.
To ensure that only portion P is heated to the Ssoftening temperature, it is preferred that heating device 110 include a non-contact heat source 111 (Fig.
6) that is capable of quickly elevating the temperature of material that is very close to the heat source, without raising the temperature of material that is lorelatively further away from the heat source. Suitable non-contact heat sources include flame heaters, electrically heated nichrome wire, and radiant heater blocks. To heat portion P to the softening temperature without contact, the heat source typically must be at a l5relatively high temperature. For example, if the softening temperature is from about 100 to 140 EC, the temperature of the heat source will generally be from about 300 to 1000 EC and the heat source will be positioned from about 0.1 to 30 mm from the tips of the stems .
After portion P of the stems has been heated, the base 12 moves to conformation head 112, at which base 12 passes between conformation roll 114 and drive roll 116. Conformation roll lI4 forms the portion P of 25the steins into a desired head shape, as will be described in further detail below, while drive roll 116 advances base 12 and flattens it against ro11.~114 to enhance head uniformity. It is preferred that the temperature of confo=-.nation roll 114 (the forming 5temperature) be lower than the softening temperature.
Maintaining the conformation roll lI4 at this relatively low temperature has been found to allow the conformation roll to flatten the spherical ("ball-shaped") heads that are generally formed during the loprevious heating step into a desired head shape.
Spherical heads are generally undesirable, as such heads tend not to provide secure engagement with a mating fastener. A low forming temperature also prevents adhesion of the thermoformable polymer to the 15 conformation roll. Generally, to obtain the desired forming temperature it is necessary to chill the conformation roll, e.g., by running cold water through a channel 115 in the center of the roll, to counteract heating of the conformation roll by the heat from 2oportion P of the stems. If further cooling is needed to obtain the desired forming temperature, the drive roll may be chilled in a similar manner.
The surface texture of conformation roll 114 will determine the shape of the heads that are formed.
25 If disc-shaped heads having a smooth surface are desired, the surface texture will be smooth and flat.
If a sandpaper-like surface is desired, the surface texture of the conformation roll will be sandpaper-like (Fig. 8). If mushroom-shaped (domed) heads are 5desired, the conformation roll will include a plurality of substantially hemispherical indentations ("dimples") to form the dome portion of the heads (Fig. 8A). Disc-shaped heads having a "wavy" shape, e.g., as shown in Figs. 3 and 3A, can be formed using the conformation loroll surfaces shown in Figs. 8B and 8C. The diamond lattice conformation roll surface shown in Fig. 8D will give the head a pyramidal shape, e.g., as shown in Fig.
3C. The conformation roll may also have a soft surface (not shown), e.g., rubber, to provide a mushroom-shaped i5 head .
Preferably, when the surface texture includes dimples, the density of the dimples is substantially uniform over the roll surface, and is greater than or equal to the density of stems on the base 12. To allow 2ofor improper registration between the stems and the dimples, it is preferred that the density of the dimples be substantially greater than the density of the stems (if the density is equal, improper registration may result in none of the stems being 25ccntacted by dimples).

As discussed above, while the uniformly overhanging, domed head shape shown in Fig. 2 is generally preferred, obtaining this shape may unduly complicate manufacturing, due to the need to maintain 5substantially complete registration between the dimples and stems. As a result, for ease of manufacturing it may in some cases be desirable to form less uniform head shapes by allowing the dimples and stems to be in partial registration, rather than full registration.
lOIn these cases, the conformation roll should have a density of dimples that is significantly higher than the density of stems, to increase the probability of contact between the dimples and stems. In this manner, some of the heads are likely to have the shape shown in lSFig. 2, while other heads will have different head shapes resulting from contact of a stem with a portion of a dimple.
The spacing of the conformation roll 114 from the drive roll 116 is selected to deform portion P of 2othe stems to form the desired head shape, without excessive damage to the unheated portion of the stems.
It is also preferred that the spacing be sufficiently small so that the drive roll flattens base 12 and provides substantially uniform contact pressure of stem 25tips 109 against the conformation roll. Preferably, the spacing is approximately equal to the total: height of the stem (L1, Fig. 7A) less the length of the heated portion P (L, Fig. 7A) .
Next, the base 12 moves to a cooling station 5118. Cooling station 118 cools the formed heads, e.g., by cool air, preventing further deformation of the heads. Preferably, the heads are cooled to approximately room temperature. The cooled base is then moved through driving station 120 and wound onto lotake-up roll 122 by winding element 124.
Alternate supply and take-up rolls 126, 128 are provided so that when supply roll 102 is depleted and/or when take-up roll 124 is filled, the appropriate roll can be easily replaced without disrupting the 15 process .
Suitable materials for use in forming the fastener are thermoplastic polymers that provide the mechanical properties that are desired for a particularly application. Preferred polymers include 2opolypropylenes, such as those available from Montell under the tradename MOPLEN, polyethylenes, ABS, polyamides, and polyesters (e. g., PET).
Other embodiments are within the claims.
For example, while disc°shaped heads have been 25shown and discussed above, the head may have any desired shape that provides a surface overhanging the base to an extent sufficient to provide a~ multi-directional engagement having desired strength characteristics.

5 Moreover, while the process described includes only a single heating of the stem tips and a single pass through a conformation head, these steps may be repeated one or more times to provide other head shapes. Subsequent con~ormation heads may have the iosame surface as the first conformation head, or may have different surfaces.
In addition, if desired the stem tips may be cooled after the heating step and immediately before the conformation head, to form a spherical head that is l5then forced down against the stem, embedding the upper portion of the stem in the head to form a mushroom-shaped head.
Further, in some cases it is not. necessary to cool the conformation roll. If the desired head shape 2o can be obtained and resin sticking can be avoided, the conformation roll may be used without either heating or cooling, or may be heated.
What is claimed is:

Claims

1. A method of forming a fastener, comprising:
(a) forming, from a thermoformable material, a preform product having a sheet-form base and an array of preform stems integrally molded with and extending from the base to corresponding terminal ends;

(b) heating the terminal ends of the stems to a predetermined softening temperature, while maintaining the sheet-form base and a lower portion of each stem at a temperature lower than the softening temperature; and (c) contacting the terminal ends with a contact surface that is at a predetermined forming temperature, to deform the terminal ends to form heads therefrom that overhang the sheet-form base.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said forming temperature is sufficiently low that said thermoformable material does not adhere to the contact surface.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein said forming temperature is lower than the softening temperature of the thermoformable material.

4. The method of any of the claims 1 to 3 wherein said contact surface comprises the cylindrical surface of a roll.

5. The method of any of the claims 1 to 4 wherein said contact surface is cooled to maintain said forming temperature during step (c).

6. The method of any of the claims 1 to 5 wherein, in step (c), the heads that are formed are substantially disc-shaped.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the thickness of each disc-shaped head is from about 5 to 15% of the equivalent diameter of the disc.

8. The method of any of the claims 1 to 5 wherein, in step (c), the heads that are formed are substantially mushroom-shaped.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said head has a substantially dome-shaped surface overhanging said base.

10. The method of any of the claims 1 to 9 wherein step (a) comprises molding said stems in molding cavities in a mold roll.

11. The method of any of the claims 1 to 10 wherein, in step (b), the region extends from the terminal end towards the base a distance equal to from about 15 to 25 % of the total distance from the terminal end to the base.

12. The method of any of the claims 1 to 11 wherein said contact surface has a surface finish selected from the group consisting of dimpled, smooth, textured, and combinations thereof.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said surface finish comprises dimples and said contact surface includes a density of dimples per unit area of the contact surface that is greater than or equal to the density of stems per unit area of the base.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein, during step (c), said dimples are in at least partial registration with said stems.

15. A method of forming a fastener, comprising:
(a) forming a plurality of stems, extending from a common base to a terminal end, from a thermoformable material;
(b) heating a region of the stems adjacent the terminal ends to a predetermined softening temperature, to soften the material in the region, while maintaining the remaining portion of the stems at a temperature lower than the softening temperature; and (c) contacting the terminal ends with a contact surface to form heads at the terminal end of said stems, at least a portion of the contact surface having a sufficiently rough texture to impart a loop-engaging surface roughness to at least a portion of said heads.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said contact surface comprises the cylindrical surface of a roll.

17. The method of claim 15 or 16 wherein said contact surface has a sandpaper-like texture.

18. The method of any of the claims 15 to 17 wherein said contact surface has a rugosity of about 10 to 200 microns.

19. The method of any of the claims 15 to 18 wherein said contact surface defines a plurality of dimples.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said contact surface includes a density of dimples per unit area of the contact surface that is greater than or equal to the density of stems per unit area of the base.

21. The method of any of the claims 15 to 20 wherein the surface roughness imparted to the heads is sufficient to increase the peel strength of the fastener by from about 10 to 100 %.

22. A fastener element comprising:
an elongated stem extending and molded integrally with a substantially planar base; and a head disposed at a terminal end of the stem, at least a portion of said head having a rough surface having a sandpaper-like surface texture.

23. The fastener element of claim 22 wherein said rough surface has a surface roughness of from about 10 to 200 microns.

24. The fastener element of claim 22 or 23 wherein said rough surface has sufficient surface roughness to increase the peel strength of the fastener by from about 10 to 100 %.

25. The fastener element of any of the claims 22 to 24 wherein said head is substantially disc-shaped.

26. The fastener element of any of the claims 22 to 24 wherein said head is substantially mushroom-shaped.

27. The fastener element of claim 26 wherein said head includes a substantially planar surface overhanging said base.

28. A fastener element comprising:
an elongated stem extending and molded integrally with a substantially planar base; and a head disposed at a terminal end of the stem, said head being substantially disc-shaped and having a thickness equal to from about 5 to 15% of the equivalent diameter of the disc.

29. The fastener element of claim 28 wherein said head includes a domed portion.

30. The fastener element of claim 28 or 29 wherein said head is wavy, pyramidal or mushroom-shaped.

31. The fastener element of any of the claims 28 to 30 wherein said head includes a sandpaper-like surface.

32. An attachment strip for attaching a mesh screen to a surface, comprising:
(a) a substantially planar base;
(b) a plurality of elongated stems extending from said base; and (c) a plurality of heads, each head being disposed at a terminal end of one of said stems, at least a portion of said heads having a rough surface having a sandpaper-like surface texture.

33. An attachment strip for attaching a mesh screen to a surface, comprising:
(a) a substantially planar base;
(b) a plurality of elongated stems extending from said base; and (c) a plurality of heads, each head being disposed at a terminal end of one of said stems, and each head being substantially disc-shaped and having a thickness equal to from about 5 to 15% of the equivalent diameter of the disc.