Abstract: A fastener assembly for use in tagging an article of commerce and in detecting the unauthorized removal of the article from a store or other business establishment. The fastener assembly comprises a plastic fastener comprising an elongated filament having a first end and a second end, a transverse bar disposed at the first end of the elongated filament and a paddle disposed at the second end of the elongated filament. The paddle is shaped to include a recess. The fastener assembly also comprises an electronic article surveillance (EAS) security device which is disposed within the recess of the paddle. A cover is mounted over the recess so as to trap the security device within the paddle.

Abstract: Method of maintaining an article of clothing, such as a dress shirt, in a folded condition and a plastic fastener well-suited for use in the method. According to one embodiment, the plastic fastener is a unitary structure made of polypropylene and comprises a flexible filament having a first cross-bar at a first end thereof and a second cross-bar at a second end thereof. The filament has a length of about 7 mm and has a tensile strength of about 4 pounds. Preferably, the fastener is molded as part of a clip, the clip comprising a plurality of identical such fasteners arranged side-by-side, with the respective first cross-bars parallel to one another and the respective second cross-bars parallel to one another, each of the first cross-bars being joined to a common, orthogonally-disposed runner bar by a severable connector.

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: A device for use in detecting the unauthorized removal of an article of commerce from a store or other business establishment. The device comprises a fastener of the type constructed for use in attaching a tag to the article of commerce. The fastener includes an elongated unitary member having a first end, a second end and a flexible filament, the flexible filament interconnecting the first end and the second end. The first end is shaped to define a cross-bar insertable through an article of commerce. The second end is sized and shaped to prevent the flexible filament from being pulled completely through the article of commerce. The device further comprises an electronic article surveillance (EAS) tag which is incorporated into the fastener. The EAS tag can be commonly used tag such as an electromagnetic tag or a radio frequency tag and can be located in either the first end, the second end or in the flexible filament of the fastener. The device can be manufactured through a continuous molding process.

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 and a bottom surface, the socket being provided with a channel and a flange, the channel extending transversely from the top surface to the bottom surface, the flange extending partially into the channel, the first end of the flexible filament being disposed on top of the top surface of the socket, the flexible filament extending away from the socket generally perpendicularly relative to the channel. The loop fastener further comprises an inserting element disposed at the second end of the flexible filament, the inserting element including a plug insertable into the channel and past the flange, the plug being engageable with the flange after the plug has been inserted therepast so as to keep the plug from being easily withdrawn back past the flange.

Abstract: Filamentary fastener and method of making the same. According to one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of (a) providing a length of stretched flexible filamentary material, (b) insert molding a cross-bar onto the length of stretched flexible filamentary material, (c) insert molding a paddle onto the length of stretched flexible filamentary material, the paddle being spaced apart from the cross-bar, and (d) removing any stretched flexible filamentary material not located between the paddle and the cross-bar. The cross-bar and the paddle may or may not be made of the same material as the stretched flexible filamentary material. Preferably, the stretched flexible filamentary material is made of a plastic, such as propylene, nylon, urethane and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A button attaching device for attaching a button having four holes to a layer of material includes a holder having a front end and a rear end, four rodless fastener dispensing needles projecting out from the front end of the holder and two fasteners, each having a foot at each end of an elongated filament. Each foot is removably mounted on one of the rodless fastener dispensing needles. A cover is removably mounted on the front end of the holder and includes an anvil. In use, the cover is removed from the holder and the layer of material placed on the cover over the anvil. The button is then placed over the layer of material. The holder is then pushed in the direction of the cover so that the needles and fastener feet extend through the holes in the button and through the layer of material, with the tips of the needles striking the anvil. The tension on the filaments of the fasteners causes the feet to pop out from the needles.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for use in tagging an article of commerce and in detecting the unauthorized removal of the article from a store or other business establishment. The fastener assembly comprises a plastic fastener comprising an elongated filament having a first end and a second end, a transverse bar disposed at the first end of the elongated filament and a paddle disposed at the second end of the elongated filament. The paddle is shaped to include a recess. The fastener assembly also comprises an electronic article surveillance (EAS) security device which is disposed within the recess of the paddle. A cover is mounted over the recess so as to trap the security device within the paddle.

Abstract: A fastener for use in attaching a button to a garment or a piece of fabric and a fastener clip including one or more of said fasteners. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener comprises a U-shaped flexible filament and a pair of transverse feet, the transverse feet being disposed at opposite ends of the U-shaped flexible filament. The U-shaped flexible filament is generally rectangular in cross-section. The width of the filament is substantially uniform over its length whereas the thickness of the filament is greatest in its arcuate region (to maximize the strength of the fastener) and least towards the feet. Because of its U-shape, the filament is permitted to extend between adjacent button holes, thereby creating the appearance of thread.

Abstract: A self-contained button attachment assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the assembly comprises a fastener dispensing tool. The tool includes a hollow, open-ended, unitary housing having a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion and the bottom portion are generally cylindrical in shape, the top portion having a substantially greater cross-sectional diameter than the bottom portion. Four hollow, slotted needles are fixedly mounted in the housing and extend out through the bottom thereof. Four ejector rods are slidably mounted within the four needles, the four ejector rods being fixedly mounted at their respective top ends on a plate that is slidably mounted within the top portion of the housing and is accessible through the open top end thereof. The assembly also comprises a conventional garment button of the type having four transverse openings.

Abstract: A needle useful in the dispensing of plastic fasteners. In one embodiment, the needle includes a shank portion and a base portion, the shank portion having a front section shaped to define a spoon-shaped tip. The tip has a blunt point with a radius approximately twice that of conventional needles. The distance from the point to where the tip reaches full diameter is approximately 80% of the distance typically found in conventional needles, and the full diameter of the tip is less than that in conventional needles. The side profile of the top edges of the tip are flat or downwardly-curved as opposed to being upwardly-curved in conventional needles. The distance across the tip at its widest point between opposing top edges is less than that in conventional needles.

Abstract: A button attaching device for attaching a button to a layer of material includes a C-frame having a top portion, an intermediate portion and a bottom portion. A plurality of needle block assemblies are disposed inside the top portion of the C-frame in a stack. A manually operable plunger is slidably mounted on the top portion of the C-frame for up and down movement and positioned to receive and move downward the lowermost needle block assembly in the stack. Each needle block assembly includes a block of elastomeric material, a pair of rodless fastener dispensing needles and a fastener of the type having a foot at each end of a filament. Each foot is removably mounted on one of the pair of rodless fastener dispensing needles. In use, a button and a layer of material to which the button is to be attached are positioned on top of an anvil formed on the bottom portion of the C-frame.

Abstract: A button attaching device includes a top member and a bottom member which are hingedly connected together, the bottom member including an anvil. The button attaching device further includes a needle block assembly mounted on the top member. The needle block assembly includes a block of material, a pair of rodless fastener dispensing needles and a fastener. The fastener is shaped to include a foot formed at each end of a filament which can be removably mounted on one of the pair of rodless fastener dispensing needles. In one embodiment of the present invention, the needle block assembly is removably mounted on the top member and is sized and shaped so as to fit within a needle block assembly storage compartment formed in the bottom member. In another embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of needle block assemblies are interconnected to form a needle block carousel which is rotably mounted within a hollowed portion formed in the top member.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing plastic fasteners having a cross bar at the end of a filament from fastener stock. The apparatus includes a gun shaped casing made of plastic. A hollow needle having an inlet opening and an outlet opening is mounted on the casing. A guide groove is formed on the casing for receiving the fastener stock, the guide groove being in communication with the inlet opening in the hollow needle and being at an angle with the hollow needle. The apparatus also includes an ejector rod for pushing the cross bar of a fastener fed into the hollow needle out through the outlet opening of the needle. The guide groove in the casing includes a front wall that is bevelled. The front wall includes a bottom edge which is bevelled. The corner formed by the front wall of the groove and a sidewall of the casing is also bevelled. The three bevels minimize the likelihood that the cross bar of the fastener will jam as it passes from the guide groove into the hollow needle.

Abstract: A needle for use as part of a fastener dispensing tool comprises a substantially cylindrical base portion having a front end, a rear end, a side surface, a central bore, and a longitudinal slot. The needle also includes a stem portion extending out from the front end of the base portion. The stem portion is a substantially cylindrically shaped needle which comprises a sharp tip, a longitudinal slot in alignment with the longitudinal slot in the base portion, and a central bore in alignment with the central bore in the base portion. The needle further includes a knife portion on the rear end of the base portion. The knife portion includes a cutting edge, the entire length of the cutting edge being in the shape of a "V"-shaped notch.

Abstract: A fastener for attaching a button or the like to a garment or piece of fabric is provided, the button having an outer surface and two or more holes. The fastener comprises a U-shaped filament, a first foot at one end of the filament, and a second foot at the opposite end of the filament. The fastener is constructed of plastic except for the filament or at least a portion thereof which is made of thread. The first foot and the second foot are appropriately dimensioned so as to be insertable through two holes in the button as well as through the garment in such a way as to be retained by the underside of the garment. The length of the portion of the filament made of thread is sized so that when the first and second feet of the fastener are inserted through the button holes and the garment, only thread is visible over the outer surface of the button so as to give the illusion that the button has been attached to the garment or piece of material using only thread.

Abstract: A device for use in conveying information concerning an article of commerce. In one embodiment, the device comprises a fastener, the fastener comprising an elongated unitary plastic member having a first end, a second end, and a flexible filament. The flexible filament interconnects the first end and the second end. The first end is shaped to define a cross-bar insertable through an article of commerce using a tagger gun, the tagger gun having a hollow slotted needle. The second end is sized and shaped to define a paddle for preventing the flexible filament from being pulled completely through the article of commerce. The device also includes a transponder incorporated into the cross-bar portion of the fastener for transmitting, in response to an interrogation, a response signal communicating information concerning the article of commerce to which the fastener is attached.

Abstract: A fastener for use in attaching a button to a garment or a piece of fabric and a fastener clip including one or more of said fasteners. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener comprises a U-shaped flexible filament and a pair of transverse feet, the transverse feet being disposed at opposite ends of the U-shaped flexible filament. The U-shaped flexible filament is generally rectangular in cross-section. The width of the filament is substantially uniform over its length whereas the thickness of the filament is greatest in its arcuate region (to maximize the strength of the fastener) and least towards the feet. Because of its U-shape, the filament is permitted to extend between adjacent button holes, thereby creating the appearance of thread.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing attachments from continuously connected ladder stock of the type comprising a pair of plastic side members coupled together by a plurality of plastic cross links includes a mount, a support movably mounted on the mount, and a pair of carrier blocks mounted on the support. A needle block is mounted on each carrier block and a hollow, slotted needle is mounted on each needle block. A feed mechanism including a pair of feed wheels, is mounted on said support for advancing the ladder stock into the hollow slotted needles and a pair of feed tracks, one for each hollow slotted needle, are provided through which the ladder stock passes from the feed wheels into the pair of hollow slotted needles. A pair of knifes are provided for severing an attachment from the ladder stock, and a pair of ejector rods are provided for ejecting the severed attachment through the hollow slotted needles.

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 body having a front end. A pair of needles are pivotally mounted at the front end of the body, each needle 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 is shaped to include a transverse feed slot 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.