Abstract: An improved system for attaching price tags to garments and other joining applications, in which individual fasteners are severed from fastener stock having a continuous, elongated plastic side member joined to a plurality of space-apart filaments. The fastener stock is advanced to a transfer site along a feed axis which is parallel to and proximate the axis of the needle through which severed fasteners are dispensed. A knife is mounted on a support slide which is slideable transversely to the feed axis, such support slide being urged toward the feed axis to cause the knife to sever an individual fastener from the fastener stock. A transfer slide engages a portion of the side member which becomes a T-bar of the severed fastener, and urges it toward the needle axis. The transfer slide is yieldably coupled to the support slide to permit the transfer slide to lag behind the knife until severing occurs.

Abstract: An improved system for dispensing a fastener through a slotted hollow needle from a continuously connected fastener stock, such apparatus incorporating an actuator slide with a central channel, such actuator slide being secured to the ejector rod and fastener stock feed mechanism to actuate these functions. The apparatus further includes a shuttle assembly which reciprocates transversely to the needle axis to cause the severing of a fastener from the fastener stock, and transport of the severed fastener to the needle axis. The cam bar is linked to the shuttle mechanism and pivotally mounted so that the pivotting of the cam bar causes the transverse shuttle motion. The cam bar passes through the actuator slide channel, whereby sliding of the actuator slide causes pivotting of the cam bar according to the profile of the cam.

Abstract: A needle assembly for dispensing plastic fasteners as part of a tool having a feed track through which a fastener assemblage is fed, such needle assembly including the needle which is encased in a holder which may be easily secured to and removed from such tool. The holder defines in conjunction with the remainder of the tool at least a major portion of the feed track. The holder may include an antiback device for permitting the motion of the fastener assemblage within such feed track toward the needle but not in reverse direction. Such antiback device may be engagable by the user to deflect the antiback and a fastener feed mechanism within the tool out of the feed track, thereby to permit withdrawal of a fastener assemblage from the tool. The needle comprises a hollow, slotted metal structure, and the holder is a plastic structure which is injection molded around such needle.

Abstract: A loop attachment in which each attachment has a plurality of filaments, joined in a loop by a seamless connector. Each attachment is insertable through at least one object and has an elongated filament that extends from a flattened object-penetrating part to the seamless connector. The attachments are formed into an assembly with their flattened penetrating parts connected in a spaced relationship for consecutive detachment.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the dispensing of attachments. The attachments are fed from a continuous roll of stock into position where an individual attachment is separated from the stock. Thereafter the stock and the separated attachment are advanced so that the attachment enters a movable slide and the stock occupies the prior position of the severed attachment. The slide is then moved with respect to one or more output needles so that a plunger may force the attachment from the slide through the needle or needles and dispense it into the material with which the attachment is being used. When the dispenser has dual needles, the attachments severed from the stock can be used as plastic staples for securing objects and items.

Abstract: Dispensing of attachment members, each formed by a filament with a head at one end and a cross bar at the other end, using an ejector with forward and return strokes. Each attachment member is dispensed during the forward stroke of the ejector and an antijam mechanism is operated for assuring completion of the return stroke of the ejector and prevention of premature operation.