Abstract: An EAS marker includes a rigid bottom piece of molded plastic having the shape of an open rectangular box. An elongated resonator is disposed in the bottom piece, the resonator being bowed downwardly about its longitudinal axis. A rigid separator of molded plastic is positioned over the open top of the bottom piece, thereby loosely encasing the resonator in the bottom piece. The method of making the EAS marker is preferably automated, with the top piece, the bottom piece and the separator being manufactured by rotary extrusion molding as part of a continuous web. The various continuous webs are automatically laminated to one another at nips between pairs of rollers.

Abstract: A needle (51) particularly well-suited for use in the dispensing of plastic fasteners (21) of the type comprising a filament (15) having a cross-bar (23-1, 23-2) at a first end thereof, each of the cross-bar (23-1, 23-2) and the filament (15) including a first flat side, the first flat sides of the cross-bar (23-1, 23-2) being coplanar. The needle (51) includes a stem portion (53). The stem portion (53) terminates in a tip (57) at its front end and is shaped to define a longitudinal bore (59) and a longitudinal slot (61) for receiving the filament (15) and the cross-bar (23-1, 23-2). The longitudinal bore (59) has a first flat side, and the longitudinal slot (61) has a first flat side, wherein the flat sides are coplanar.

Abstract: EAS marker, in one embodiment, comprises a self-lockable loop fastener. The self-lockable loop fastener comprises an elongated strap having a first end and a second end, the second end being provided with a plurality of teeth. The self-lockable loop fastener also comprises a paddle disposed at the first end of the strap. The paddle includes a recess and a locking head. The second end of the strap is insertable into, but not through, the locking head, the locking head having a tang for lockably engaging the teeth in such a way as to prevent withdrawal of the strap from the locking head and thereby forming a locked loop of fixed size.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the plastic fastener comprises a flexible filament having a length of about 4.3 mm and a tensile strength of about 2 pounds, a first transverse bar located at one end of the flexible filament, and a second transverse bar located at the opposite end of the flexible filament. The fastener clip, which preferably does not contain a runner bar, comprises a plurality of identical fasteners of the aforementioned type, each of the fasteners being arranged in a parallel, side-by-side, spaced relationship. A connector post connects the first transverse bars of adjacent fasteners, and a connector post connects the second transverse bars of adjacent fasteners. An extra transverse bar is connected by a connector post to the first transverse bar of the last fastener, and another extra transverse bar is connected by a connector post to the second transverse bar of the last fastener, the extra transverse bars not being interconnected by a flexible filament.

Abstract: EAS marker, in one embodiment, comprises a self-lockable loop fastener. The self-lockable loop fastener comprises an elongated strap having a first end and a second end, the second end being provided with a plurality of teeth. The self-lockable loop fastener also comprises a paddle disposed at the first end of the strap. The paddle includes a recess and a locking head. The second end of the strap is insertable into, but not through, the locking head, the locking head having a tang for lockably engaging the teeth in such a way as to prevent withdrawal of the strap from the locking head and thereby forming a locked loop of fixed size.

Abstract: A needle (51) particularly well-suited for use in the dispensing of plastic fasteners (21) of the type comprising a filament (15) having a cross-bar (23-1, 23-2) at a first end thereof, each of the cross-bar (23-1, 23-2) and the filament (15) including a first flat side, the first flat sides of the cross-bar (23-1, 23-2) being coplanar. The needle (51) includes a stem portion (53). The stem portion (53) terminates in a tip (57) at its front end and is shaped to define a longitudinal bore (59) and a longitudinal slot (61) for receiving the filament (15) and the cross-bar (23-1, 23-2). The longitudinal bore (59) has a first flat side, and the longitudinal slot (61) has a first flat side, wherein the flat sides are coplanar.

Abstract: An EAS marker and method of manufacturing same. In a preferred embodiment, the EAS marker comprises a rigid bottom piece of molded plastic having the shape of an open rectangular box. An elongated resonator is disposed in the bottom piece, the resonator being bowed downwardly about its longitudinal axis. A rigid separator of molded plastic is positioned over the open top of the bottom piece, thereby loosely encasing the resonator in the bottom piece. The foregoing bottom piece, resonator and separator are all positioned within the cavity of a rigid top piece of molded plastic having the shape of an inverted open rectangular box, the separator being press-fit against the interior surface of the top wall of the top piece, the bottom piece being press-fit against the interior surfaces of the side walls and end walls of the top piece. The top wall of the top piece is provided with a recessed area in which a biasing element is disposed, the biasing element being retained in the recessed area by the separator.

Abstract: A needle particularly well-suited for use in the dispensing of plastic fasteners of the type comprising a filament having a cross-bar at a first end thereof; each of the cross-bar and the filament including a first flat side, the first flat sides of the cross-bar and the filament being coplanar. The needle includes a stem portion. The stem portion terminates in a tip at its front end and is shaped to define a longitudinal bore and a longitudinal slot. The longitudinal bore is shaped to receive the cross-bar, and the longitudinal slot is shaped to permit the filament to extend therethrough while the cross-bar is disposed within the longitudinal bore. The longitudinal bore has a first flat side, and the longitudinal slot has a first flat side, the first flat sides of the longitudinal bore and the longitudinal slot being coplanar.

Abstract: A cable tie is used in conjunction with a cable tie installation tool to bundle a plurality of objects, such as wires or cables. The cable tie includes a head and a tail, the head having a pair of outwardly projecting wings. The tail is capable of insertion through the head so that the cable tie takes the shape of a loop with the tail engaging and being locked in position by a pawl inside the head, the tail being incapable of removal once it is inserted in the head. The cable tie installation tool includes a housing which is adapted to receive an individually loaded cable tie and which protects internal components of the tool. A transport assembly, which includes a motor driven belt, advances the tail of the cable tie around the plurality of objects to be bundled. A jaw assembly, which includes an upper jaw and a lower jaw that are driven by a motor into open, closed and overdosed positions, guides the tail through the head to form the cable tie into a closed loop around the desired bundle.

Abstract: A needle particularly well-suited for use in the dispensing of plastic fasteners of the type comprising a filament having a cross-bar at a first end thereof, each of the cross-bar and the filament including a first flat side, the first flat sides of the cross-bar and the filament being coplanar. The needle includes a stem portion. The stem portion terminates in a tip at its front end and is shaped to define a longitudinal bore and a longitudinal slot. The longitudinal bore is shaped to receive the cross-bar, and the longitudinal slot is shaped to permit the filament to extend therethrough while the cross-bar is disposed within the longitudinal bore. The longitudinal bore has a first flat side, and the longitudinal slot has a first flat side, the first flat sides of the longitudinal bore and the longitudinal slot being coplanar.

Abstract: Plastic fastener, fastener clip, fastener dispensing tool and method of fastening objects. According to one embodiment, the plastic fastener comprises a flexible filament having a length of about 4.3 mm and a tensile strength of about 2 pounds, a first transverse bar located at one end of the flexible filament, and a second transverse bar located at the opposite end of the flexible filament. The fastener clip, which preferably does not contain a runner bar, comprises a plurality of identical fasteners of the aforementioned type, each of the fasteners being arranged in a parallel, side-by-side, spaced relationship. A connector post connects the first transverse bars of adjacent fasteners, and a connector post connects the second transverse bars of adjacent fasteners.

Abstract: A fastener dispensing tool for dispensing individual loop fasteners of the type comprising a flexible filament having a socket at one end and an inserting element at the opposite end. The tool comprises a housing and a hollow, slotted needle extending outwardly from the housing, the needle being dimensioned to dispense a fastener inserting element. An arm assembly extends outwardly from the housing, the arm assembly defining a feed channel dimensioned to receive a fastener socket and to define a stop engageable with the rear end of the socket to align the socket with the inserting element that has been dispensed through the needle. A piston is removably insertable into the needle for dispensing an inserting element through the needle. A belt is removably insertable into the arm assembly for feeding a socket through the feed channel. A trigger is operatively coupled to each of the piston and the belt.

Abstract: A plastic fastener and a needle particularly well-suited for use in the dispensing of the same. In a preferred embodiment, the plastic fastener includes a stretched flexible filament having a first end and a second end. A first cross-bar is disposed at the first end of the flexible filament, the first cross-bar having a first end and a second end. A second cross-bar is disposed at the second end of the flexible filament, the second cross-bar having a first end and a second end. The second cross-bar is parallel to the first cross-bar. The flexible filament has a first region of increased thickness proximate to the first end of the flexible filament and a second region of increased thickness proximate to the second end of the flexible filament. Each of the first and second regions of increased thickness asymmetrically faces towards the first ends of the cross-bars and faces away from the second ends of the cross-bars.

Abstract: A cable tie is used in conjunction with a cable tie installation tool to bundle a plurality of objects, such as wires or cables. The cable tie includes a head and a tail, the head having a pair of outwardly projecting wings. The tail is capable of insertion through the head so that the cable tie takes the shape of a loop with the tail engaging and being locked in position by a pawl inside the head, the tail being incapable of removal once it is inserted in the head. The cable tie installation tool includes a housing which is adapted to receive an individually loaded cable tie and which protects internal components of the tool. A transport assembly, which includes a motor driven belt, advances the tail of the cable tie around the plurality of objects to be bundled. A jaw assembly, which includes an upper jaw and a lower jaw that are driven by a motor into open, closed and overdosed positions, guides the tail through the head to form the cable tie into a closed loop around the desired bundle.

Abstract: A fastener attaching tool particularly suited for use in attaching buttons to clothing, etc. and which is constructed for use with a fastener clip which includes a pair of runner bars and one or more U-shaped fasteners having transverse bars at opposite ends, each transverse bar being connected on its side to a corresponding runner bar by a severable connector post. The tool includes a pair of needles each having a longitudinal slotted bore adapted to receive one of the transverse bars and a knife edge formed on one side which is adapted to sever a connector post from its associated transverse bar as the transverse bar is pushed through the needle. The body includes a transverse feed slot disposed just to the rear of the needles down through which the fastener clip is manually inserted. The tool also includes an ejector mechanism, which is slidably mounted back and forth within the body and is rearwardly biased by a spring.

Abstract: An EAS marker and method of manufacturing same. In a preferred embodiment, the EAS marker comprises a rigid bottom piece of molded plastic having the shape of an open rectangular box. An elongated resonator is disposed in the bottom piece, the resonator being bowed downwardly about its longitudinal axis. A rigid separator of molded plastic is positioned over the open top of the bottom piece, thereby loosely encasing the resonator in the bottom piece. The foregoing bottom piece, resonator and separator are all positioned within the cavity of a rigid top piece of molded plastic having the shape of an inverted open rectangular box, the separator being press-fit against the interior surface of the top wall of the top piece, the bottom piece being press-fit against the interior surfaces of the side walls and end walls of the top piece. The top wall of the top piece is provided with a recessed area in which a biasing element is disposed, the biasing element being retained in the recessed area by the separator.

Abstract: A loop fastener well-suited for attaching tags to articles of commerce. In one embodiment, the loop fastener comprises a flexible filament having a first end and a second end. In addition, the loop fastener comprises a socket, the socket having a top surface, a bottom surface and a side surface, the side surface being generally octagonal in shape and having a front end. The socket is also shaped to include a channel and a circumferential flange, the channel being generally circular in transverse cross-section and extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, the flange extending partially into the channel and being shaped to include an arcuate surface extending convexly downwardly from the top surface. The first end of the flexible filament is joined both to the top surface and the front end of the socket, the flexible filament extending away from the socket generally perpendicularly relative to the channel.

Abstract: An EAS marker and method of manufacturing same. In a preferred embodiment, the EAS marker comprises a rigid bottom piece of molded plastic having the shape of an open rectangular box. An elongated resonator is disposed in the bottom piece, the resonator being bowed downwardly about its longitudinal axis. A rigid separator of molded plastic is positioned over the open top of the bottom piece, thereby loosely encasing the resonator in the bottom piece. The foregoing bottom piece, resonator and separator are all positioned within the cavity of a rigid top piece of molded plastic having the shape of an inverted open rectangular box, the separator being press-fit against the interior surface of the top wall of the top piece, the bottom piece being press-fit against the interior surfaces of the side walls and end walls of the top piece. The top wall of the top piece is provided with a recessed area in which a biasing element is disposed, the biasing element being retained in the recessed area by the separator.