Abstract: Needle for use in a plastic fastener dispensing tool. In one embodiment, the needle is a two-piece structure including a stem and a base. The stem, which is made from stamped and rolled metal, has a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion is generally cylindrical in shape and has a longitudinal bore adapted to receive a cross-bar, a longitudinal slot adapted to permit a filament to pass therethrough while a cross-bar is seated in the bore, and a tip adapted for insertion into an article. The rear portion of the stem is provided with an asymmetric V-shaped cutting notch along its rear edge for use in severing the severable connector between a fastener and its runner bar. The notch has an internal angle of approximately 110° and a width of approximately 0.050-0.055 inch. The vertex of the notch is positioned at the centerline of the bore. The base, which is made of molded plastic, is mounted onto the rear portion of the stem.

Abstract: Improved continuously connected plastic fastener stock for attaching price tags to garments and other joining applications. The fastener stock includes two side members connected by a series of filaments, one of the side members comprising a series of severally connected T-bars. The T-bar connectors are defined by saw-tooth-like indentations in that end bar, having a perpendicular or slightly angled surface which is eventually engaged by the plunger when ejecting the severed T-bar.