Hook and loop fastener having an increased coefficient of friction

This invention is directed to a hook and loop fastener. A number of fastening systems, such as diaper fastening systems, incorporate a hook and loop system for easy fastening and release. The hook component typically includes a flat plastic sheet laminate with a number of protruding hooks that engage (i.e., mesh or interlock) with a number of loops protruding from a corresponding loop component. While many of the individual hooks engage with individual loops, many of the individual hooks and the individual loops are merely in contact with one another with no engagement between them. These non-engaged hooks and loops neither help nor hinder overall fastening strength between the hook component and the loop component. A hook and loop fastener having an increased coefficient of friction compared to conventional nonwoven hook and loop systems. The increased coefficient of friction strengthens engagement between a hook component and a loop component, both when the hooks and loops are engaged, and even when the hooks and loops are not engaged but merely in contact with one another. The coefficient of friction can be increased by adding tackifiers in the hook forming process and/or in the loop forming process, or by extruding multi-component fibers using a fiber type that enhances strength and a fiber that has less strength but has a higher coefficient of friction, or by using fibers of various cross-sectional shapes, or by processing surface bloom additives into the hook and/or loop structures.