Abstract: Continuously connected fastener stock and a method of making same. The method, in one embodiment involves providing a rotating molding wheel, the wheel being provided with a peripheral impression comprising a pair of peripherally-extending side members interconnected by a plurality of cross-links. Molten plastic is extruded into the peripheral impression of the wheel, with a layer of controlled film overlying the peripheral impression. The molten plastic is then allowed to solidify. A knife in substantially elliptical contact with the peripheral impression is then used to skive excess plastic from the rotating molding wheel. The knife is provided with a pair of cut-out portions along its bottom edge, each cut-out portion being aligned with one of the peripherally-extending side members so as to augment the transverse cross-sectional size thereof. The continuously connected fastener stock thus formed is then removed from the rotating molding wheel.

Abstract: A device for dispensing an individual plastic fastener from a supply of fastener stock to couple together two or more objects. The supply of fastener stock includes a plurality of equidistantly spaced cross links which are coupled at one end to a continuous side rail. The fastener dispensing device includes a hollowed sharpened needle shaped to define a longitudinal bore and a feed mechanism for advancing the continuous side rail of the fastener stock into direct axial alignment behind the longitudinal bore of the hollowed needle.

Abstract: An individual plastic fastener for coupling together two or more items includes a shortened, cylindrical connector having a first end and a second end, a first disk-shaped cross-member integrally formed onto the first end of the connector and a second disk-shaped cross-member integrally formed onto the second end of the connector. Each of the first and second disk-shaped cross-members include a flat inner surface, a flat outer surface and a rounded side surface. A flat needle is designed for use in dispensing the individual plastic fastener. The needle terminates in a flattened tip and is shaped to define a longitudinally-extending rectangular bore which is dimensioned to receive one of the cross-members of the fastener and a longitudinally-extending slot which is dimensioned to permit the connector to extend therethrough while the cross-member is disposed within the bore.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a fastener from a reel of fastener stock so as to couple together two or more objects includes a frame, a needle, a feed mechanism for advancing the fastener into the needle, a severing mechanism for severing the fastener from the fastener stock, an ejection mechanism for ejecting the fastener through the needle, and a needle guard assembly mounted onto the frame. The needle guard assembly includes a guide plate having a front surface and a bracket assembly affixed to the guide plate. The bracket assembly is slidably mounted onto the frame to enable the guide plate to be slidably disposed between a protected position in which the tip of the needle is positioned behind the front surface of the guide plate and a fully retracted position in which the tip of the needle is positioned in front of the front surface of the guide plate.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a fastener from a reel of fastener stock so as to secure a product onto a display card includes a module for dispensing the fastener, a counterbalance for supporting the module, a mounting stand for supporting the counterbalance, a reel holder for supporting the reel of fastener stock and an anvil for supporting the product and display card. The module includes a hollowed needle, a retractable needle guard assembly disposed over the needle, a feed mechanism for advancing the fastener into the needle, a severing mechanism for severing the fastener from the fastener stock, and an ejection mechanism for ejecting the fastener through the needle. The retractable needle guard assembly is capable of being disposed between a protective position and a retracted position and includes a fixedly mounted needle guard and a movable needle guard which is slidably mounted on the fixedly mounted needle guard.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a fastener from a reel of fastener stock so as to secure a product onto a display card includes a module for dispensing the fastener, a counterbalance for supporting the module, a mounting stand for supporting the counterbalance, a reel holder for supporting the reel of fastener stock and an anvil for supporting the product and display card. The module includes a hollowed needle, a retractable needle guard assembly disposed over the needle, a feed mechanism for advancing the fastener into the needle, a severing mechanism for severing the fastener from the fastener stock, and an ejection mechanism for ejecting the fastener through the needle. The retractable needle guard assembly is capable of being disposed between a protective position and a retracted position and includes a fixedly mounted needle guard and a movable needle guard which is slidably mounted on the fixedly mounted needle guard.

Abstract: Continuously connected fastener stock and a method of making same. In one embodiment, the method involves providing a rotating molding wheel, the wheel being provided with a peripheral impression comprising a pair of peripherally-extending side members interconnected by a plurality of cross-links. Molten plastic is extruded into the peripheral impression of the wheel, with a layer of controlled film overlying the peripheral impression. The molten plastic is then allowed to solidify. A knife in substantially elliptical contact with the peripheral impression is then used to skive excess plastic from the rotating molding wheel. The knife is provided with a pair of cut-out portions along its bottom edge, each cut-out portion being aligned with one of the peripherally-extending side members so as to augment the transverse cross-sectional size thereof. The continuously connected fastener stock thus formed is then removed from the rotating molding wheel.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a fastener from a reel of fastener stock so as to secure a product onto a display card includes a module for dispensing the fastener, a counterbalance for supporting the module, a mounting stand for supporting the counterbalance, a reel holder for supporting the reel of fastener stock and an anvil for supporting the product and display card. The module includes a hollowed needle, a retractable needle guard assembly disposed over the needle, a feed mechanism for advancing the fastener into the needle, a severing mechanism for severing the fastener from the fastener stock, and an ejection mechanism for ejecting the fastener through the needle. The retractable needle guard assembly is capable of being disposed between a protective position and a retracted position and includes a fixedly mounted needle guard and a movable needle guard which is slidably mounted on the fixedly mounted needle guard.

Abstract: A system for coupling two or more items with a plastic fastener includes a device for dispensing the plastic fastener and an anvil adapted to support the two or more items to be coupled by the plastic fastener. In one embodiment, the anvil comprises a support block and a plurality of tufts of filaments fixed to the support block. The support block is constructed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and includes a flat top surface. A plurality of holes are formed into the top surface, each hole being circular in lateral cross-section with a diameter of approximately 0.098 inches. Each hole formed in the top surface of the support block is adapted to receive a corresponding tuft of filaments. Each filament is constructed of nylon and is circular in lateral cross-section with a diameter of approximately 0.018 inches.

Abstract: Continuously connected fastener stock and a method of making same. The method, in one embodiment involves providing a rotating molding wheel, the wheel being provided with a peripheral impression comprising a pair of peripherally-extending side members interconnected by a plurality of cross-links. Molten plastic is extruded into the peripheral impression of the wheel, with a layer of controlled film overlying the peripheral impression. The molten plastic is then allowed to solidify. A knife in substantially elliptical contact with the peripheral impression is then used to skive excess plastic from the rotating molding wheel. The knife is provided with a pair of cut-out portions along its bottom edge, each cut-out portion being aligned with one of the peripherally-extending side members so as to augment the transverse cross-sectional size thereof. The continuously connected fastener stock thus formed is then removed from the rotating molding wheel.

Abstract: Continuously connected fastener stock and a method of making same. In one embodiment, the method involves providing a rotating molding wheel, the wheel being provided with a peripheral impression comprising a pair of peripherally-extending side members interconnected by a plurality of cross-links. Molten plastic is extruded into the peripheral impression of the wheel, with a layer of controlled film overlying the peripheral impression. The molten plastic is then allowed to solidify. A knife in substantially elliptical contact with the peripheral impression is then used to skive excess plastic from the rotating molding wheel. The knife is provided with a pair of cut-out portions along its bottom edge, each cut-out portion being aligned with one of the peripherally extending side members so as to augment the transverse cross-sectional size thereof. The continuously connected fastener stock thus formed is then removed from the rotating molding wheel.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a fastener from a reel of fastener stock so as to couple together two or more objects includes a frame, a needle, a feed mechanism for advancing the fastener into the needle, a severing mechanism for severing the fastener from the fastener stock, an ejection mechanism for ejecting the fastener through the needle, and a needle guard assembly mounted onto the frame. The needle guard assembly includes a guide plate having a front surface and a bracket assembly affixed to the guide plate. The bracket assembly is slidably mounted onto the frame to enable the guide plate to be slidably disposed between a protected position in which the tip of the needle is positioned behind the front surface of the guide plate and a fully retracted position in which the tip of the needle is positioned in front of the front surface of the guide plate.

Abstract: A cable tie installation tool for forming a cable tie into a closed loop around a plurality of objects includes a housing which is adapted to receive an individually loaded cable tie. A transport assembly driven by a first motor advances the tail of the cable tie around the objects to be bundled. A jaw assembly driven by a second motor guides the tail through the head to form the cable tie into a closed loop around the desired bundle. A cinch assembly driven by the first motor further advances the tail through the head so as to reduce the size of the closed loop around the desired bundle. A control circuit electrically monitors the tension level of the closed loop around the bundle by measuring the current draw of the first motor. The control circuit limits the tension of the closed loop around the bundle to a user adjustable, desired tension level.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a fastener from a reel of fastener stock so as to secure a product onto a display card includes a module for dispensing the fastener, a counterbalance for supporting the module, a mounting stand for supporting the counterbalance, a reel holder for supporting the reel of fastener stock and an anvil for supporting the product and display card. The module includes a hollowed needle, a retractable needle guard assembly disposed over the needle, a feed mechanism for advancing the fastener into the needle, a severing mechanism for severing the fastener from the fastener stock, and an ejection mechanism for ejecting the fastener through the needle. The retractable needle guard assembly is capable of being disposed between a protective position and a retracted position and includes a fixedly mounted needle guard and a movable needle guard which is slidably mounted on the fixedly mounted needle guard.

Abstract: A system for coupling two or more items with a plastic fastener includes a device for dispensing the plastic fastener and an anvil adapted to support the two or more items to be coupled by the plastic fastener. In one embodiment, the anvil comprises a support block and a plurality of tufts of filaments fixed to the support block. The support block is constructed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and includes a flat top surface. A plurality of holes are formed into the top surface, each hole being circular in lateral cross-section with a diameter of approximately 0.098 inches. Each hole formed in the top surface of the support block is adapted to receive a corresponding tuft of filaments. Each filament is constructed of nylon and is circular in lateral cross-section with a diameter of approximately 0.018 inches.

Abstract: A reactor plate assembly which serves as an anvil for a plastic fastener dispensing device comprises a reactor plate and a brush assembly mounted on the reactor plate. The reactor plate includes a top surface, a bottom surface and an opening therethrough. The brush assembly includes a high density polyethylene mounting block having a top surface, a bottom surface and a recess formed in the top surface. The brush assembly also includes and a plurality of nylon brush filaments which are coupled to and extend out from the recess in the mounting block. The brush assembly is mounted on the bottom surface of the reactor plate by screws so that a portion of the plurality of filaments protrudes into the opening in said reactor plate with the free ends of plurality of filaments being flush with the top surface of the reactor plate.