Method of forming a hook component

This invention refers to a method of forming, on a hook-forming machine (100) having a machine direction, a hook component for a hook and loop fastener, the hook component having hooking capability in the cross-machine direction, the method based upon, with a flattening roller (114) of said machine (100), deforming the ends of an array of molded upstanding thermoplastic preform elements (120) that extend from a common base (12) into the form of flattened loop engageable hook heads on the ends of the preform elements (120), the method comprising the steps of molding an array of thermoplastic preform elements that each has a geometric form that provides an effectively elongated distribution of displaceable thermoplastic material in a flattening volume, with the concentration of the thermoplastic material in the flattening volume of the geometric form being at least as great in the vicinity of a cross-machine extremity of the preform element (120) as it is spaced therefrom along the element, the preform elements (120) having an overall length to thickness ratio, in coordinates parallel to said base from which they extend, of at least about 2, and heating and with said flattening roll, deforming the displacement volume of the thermoplastic material at the ends of said preform elements (120) to form said loop engageable hook heads.