Stacked Polymer Technology An Alternating Polymer Extrusion Process And Product

Abstract

A bi-component process which produces an extrusion split able in the cross machine direction.

1 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A fastener comprising:
 a plurality of first polymer segments, each comprising at least one hook or barb;   a plurality of second polymer segments, each comprising at least one hook or barb, the plurality of first polymer segments and second polymer segments oriented in alternating order behind one another and separated apart from one another in a fastener lengthwise direction;   wherein the first polymer material is dissimilar from the second polymer material;   a continuous core of polymer linking each of the plurality of first polymer segments and plurality of second polymer segments.   
     
     
         8 . The fastener of  claim 7  wherein the first polymer material is polypropylene. 
     
     
         9 . The fastener of  claim 8  wherein the second polymer material is polyester. 
     
     
         10 . The fastener of  claim 7  wherein the continuous core is formed of polypropylene. 
     
     
         11 . The fastener of  claim 7  wherein the first polymer material and second polymer materials are selected to be non-adhering to each other. 
     
     
         12 . The fastener of  claim 7  wherein the hook or barb of each of the first and second plurality of polymer segments is configured to be engaged with a loop of another material. 
     
     
         13 . The fastener of  claim 7  wherein each of the plurality of first polymer segments and each of the plurality of second polymer segments have a same shape comprising three barbs extending from a circular base, the circular base defining a central aperture through which the continuous core extends, linking the plurality of segments. 
     
     
         14 . The fastener of  claim 13  wherein the three barbs of each of the plurality of first polymer segments and each of the plurality of second polymer segments are axially offset from one another about the central continuous core. 
     
     
         15 . A fastener comprising:
 a plurality of first polymer segments, each comprising at least one hook or barb;   a plurality of second polymer segments, each comprising at least one hook or barb, the plurality of first polymer segments and second polymer segments oriented in alternating order directly behind one another in a fastener lengthwise direction;   wherein the first polymer material is dissimilar from the second polymer material;   a continuous core of polymer linking each of the plurality of first polymer segments and plurality of second polymer segments.   
     
     
         16 . The fastener of  claim 15  wherein the first polymer material is polypropylene. 
     
     
         17 . The fastener of  claim 16  wherein the second polymer material is polyester. 
     
     
         18 . The fastener of  claim 15  wherein the continuous core is formed of polypropylene. 
     
     
         19 . The fastener of  claim 15  wherein the first polymer material and second polymer materials are selected to be non-adhering to each other. 
     
     
         20 . The fastener of  claim 15  wherein the hook or barb of each of the first and second plurality of polymer segments is configured to be engaged with a loop of another material. 
     
     
         21 . The fastener of  claim 15  wherein each of the plurality of first polymer segments and each of the plurality of second polymer segments have a same shape comprising three barbs extending from a circular base, the circular base defining a central aperture through which the continuous core extends, linking the plurality of segments. 
     
     
         22 . The fastener of  claim 21  wherein the three barbs of each of the plurality of first polymer segments and each of the plurality of second polymer segments are axially offset from one another about the central continuous core.