CA1120441A

CA1120441A - Method and apparatus for dispensing fasteners

Info

Publication number: CA1120441A
Application number: CA000309128A
Authority: CA
Inventors: David B. Russell
Original assignee: Dennison Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Dennison Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1977-08-24
Filing date: 1978-08-10
Publication date: 1982-03-23
Also published as: FR2406116A1; DE2837101C2; DK153110B; IT7826968A0; IT1098105B; FR2416770A1; MX159597A; AU529308B2; GB2053296B; SE433544B; BE869938A; ES472791A1; FR2406116B1; JPS5913375B2; ES479220A1; SE457701B; BR7805471A; MX148990A; HK45383A; JPS5463949A

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An improved system is described for attaching price tags to garments and for other joining applications using plastic fasteners dispensed through hollow, slotted needles. The system comprises a new method and tool for dispensing fasteners supplied in long lengths, together with improved fastener stock adapted for use therewith and for molding in continuous lengths.

Description

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~C~GI~OUN~ OF ~ INv~NlrIoN
l In recent years a larye and successful business has 1~ been developed which emL~loys flexible plastLc fa~tenerq of a type ¦I designed to be inserted through hollow slotted needles for ,I tagging or for jolning two objects together. Such fasteners, toge-ther with apparatus for applying them, have been widely employed for the attachment of buttons to garments, for price tagging in retail establishments, for the pairin~ of items such ¦ as shoes, and in various industrial applications. Such fasten~ L-~
l¦ and apparatus are shown in numerous references, including amony !1 o-thers, U.S. Patent Nos. 3,103,666; 3,399,432; 3,380,122;
3,444,597; 3,457,589; 3,470,834; 3,659,769; 3,733,657i 3,759,435;
~ 3,875,648; 3,893,612; 3,895,753; and 3,948,128.
I ll Most conveniently, plastic fasteners have been provided 11 in assemblies for feeding sequentially through the dispensing apparatus. They have been supplied, as shown or example in 1, U.S. Patent No. 3,103,666, attached by means of severable necks Il to a runner bar, or, as descri.bed for example in U.SO Patent jj 3,875,648, as a stock of continuous side members cross-coupled I by a plurality of filaments, from which individual fasteners are severed. Fastener assemblies employing runner bars limit the ,1 number of fasteners which can be conveniently supplied in a sinyl~
assembly and waste material since the runner bar 1~ not put to ¦productive end use. While these Iimitations are partially 1l overcome by the fastener stock described in U.S. Patent 3,875,648, a need has persisted for improvements in manufacture and in ~feeding and dispensing the fasteners, especially for applications llsuch as price tagging where a single fastener end-bar is ~ldispensed by means of a hand powered tool.
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i SUMMARY OF TIIL~ DISCLOSUR~
Princlple objects of the present invention are to pro vide improved methods and apparatus for feeding, severi~g and Il dispensing fasteners furnished in long lengths, and to provide 1I fasteners of improved design suitable Eor economic manufacture Il and for use in the improved method and apparatus.
1~ Fastener stock~ ~ disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,875,648, 'li comprises two continuous elongated plastic side members cross-coupled by a plurality of filaments or cross-links, the stock o !i being proportioned to be fed as a unit to a position where jl individual fasteners ara separated -therefrom within a machine, 1l at least one of the side members being proportioned so that I lleach separated fastener includes an end-bar formed from a portion : ! of the side member and is configured for feeding through the `~ 15 ll bore of a hollow needle having a longitudinal slot for passage ' l :
of the associated filament, and~in which each filament is foldable toward the associated end-bar for feeding throu~h the hollow needle. Preferably, and as shown, the filaments and end-bars ~, .
! are substantially circular in cross-section.
jl According to the present improvement, th~ cross-section-are modified such that one side of each filament is a su~stan-jtially flat surface corresponding to the parting line of the mold lin which they are formed. The filament cross~section is ¦Isubstantially D-shaped and provides draft o`n surfaces extending ll from the plane to facilitate removal from the mold. The side members are reduced in cross-sectional area between individual fasteners to provide severable connectors to facilitate separatior.
~The connectors join the end-bars of adjacent fasteners end-to-end I, .~1 ~ Ij -3-I I
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at a portion of their periphery, pre~erably having DBR a flat face at said plane and extending DBR from said plane on either the same side as the filaments or the opposite sideof. Preferably they extend from the same side and joined end-bars are substantially D-shaped. Where the connectors extend from -the opposite side, the section thereof is preferably continued across the joined end-bars to provide a more rounded cross-section for feeding through circular needle bores. The filaments may be stretched, if desired, after forming to reduce their size and increase their strength as previously disclosed. Filament stock so proportioned is adapted for continuous molding in endless lengths and is well adapted for feeding, severing and dispensing by the method and apparatus hereinafter described.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, the novel method of dispensing fasteners comprises advancing a .
fastener from a first position remote from the needle to a second position adjacent the rear position of the needle bore with the end-bar transversely disposed thereto, aligning the end-bar with said bore, severing said connector and forcing said end-bar through said bore. Preferably the connector is restrained from substantial movement, and the end end-bar is rotated about said connector which acts as a hinge.
Apparatus for practicing the method comprises a casing, a dispensing hollow slotted needle mounted to the casing, means for advancing a fastener to a position adjacent the rear of the needle bore with its end-bar transversely disposed to the longitudinal axis of the bore, means for aligning the end-bar with the needle bore, and means for dispensing the end-bar through the bor_ Preferably the apparatus comprises a feed ,, : ' ' 3 ~ ~1 wheel, an alicJning means comprising a reciprocating cam slide which also actuates the feed wheel, a dispensing means com-prising a plunger carried by a reciprocating support wh:ich also actuates the cam slide, and means for reciprocating the support~
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided fastener stock of the type comprising two con-tlnuous and ; elongated plastic side members that are cross-coupled by a ~ plurality of filaments, the stock being proportioned to be fed as - a unit to a position where individual fasteners are separated therefrom within a machine, one of said side members being proportioned so that each separated fastener includes an end-bar formed from a portion of the said side member and is configured for feeding through the bore of a hollow needle having a longi tudinal slot for passage of the associated filament, and in which each filament is Eoldable towards the associated end~bar that is feedable through said hollow needle; the improvement adapted for continuous molding and for feeding and dispensing individual fasteners therefrom wherein each of sald filaments is molded with a D-shaped cross-section having its maximum width at a substanti.ally flat plane at one side thereof, said end-bars ~ being wider in cross-section at said plane than in other planes parallel thereto, and wherein adjacent end-bars are connected end-to-end at a portion of their peripheries adjacent to said plane by means of a severable connector substantially smaller in cross-sectional area than said end bars to expose a major portion of the end of at least one of the connected end-bars.
In accordance with the present invention, there is also provided an assemblage of connected fasteners comprising a ~irst side member constituted by a longitudinally connected ~;: - 5 -4~
set of melllbers, a second side member cons~ituted by a longitudinally connected set of encl bars, and a filamentary cross link coupling each first side member to each end-bar, a longitudinal portion of each cross link having a continuous planar configuration. Preferred embodiments are ~ore fully described hereinafter.
DESCRIPTION OF ~IE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of fastener stock according to this invention;
Figure 2 is a rear view of the fastener stock of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a side view of the stock oE Figure l;
Figure 4 is an end view of the stock of Figure l;
Figure 4A is an enlarged view of one end of Figure 4;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a portion of the fastener stock of Figure 1 illustrating one end bar and its associated connectors;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the other end of the fastener stock of Figure l;
Figure 7 is a plan view of a second embodiment of fastener stock according to the present invention;
Figure 8 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 7;
Figure 8A is an enlarged view of one end of Figure 8;
Figure 9 is a plan view of a third embodimen-t of fastener stock;
Figure 10 is a schematic view of continuous molding apparatus;

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Figure 11 i8 a section along the lines 11-11 of Figure 10 illustrating molding apparatus to make the e~odiment shown in Figure l;
Figure 12 is an alternate section along the lines 11-11 : of Figure 10 illustrating molding apparatus for making the embodi-ment shown in Figure 7;
Figure 13 is a perspective view of the preferred embodi-ment of the dispensing apparatus of -this invention, illustrating insertion of a fastener through woven material;
Figure 14 is another perspective view oE the apparatus of Figure 13;
Figure 15 is a plan view of the apparatus of Figure 13 with portions of the casing broken away to show the operative interior mechanism, broken lines illustrating par-tial compression of the trigger to actuate the mechanism;
Figure 16 is a view similar to Figure 15 showing the trigger compressed;
Figure 17 is a view similar -to Figure 15 showing the trigger return stroke;
Figure 18 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figures 13-17 showing the operative internal mechanism;
Figure 19 is a perspective view of the cam slide of the apparatus of Figure 18;
Figure 20 is a side vlew of a portion of the needle, feed wheel and aligning cam illustratiny the alignment of a fastener end-bar.with the needle bore;
Figure 21 is a perspective view of a hollow slotted needle useful with the present invention; and . .

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Figure 22 is a perspective view of a needle and needle retaining pin.
Referring to Figures 1-6, one embodiment o:E the fastener stock of the present invention is shown which comprises elongated, continuous side members 50 and 51 cross-coupled by a plurality of cross-links or filaments 52. ~ide member 50 comprises a plurality of tab or paddle end members 53 joined together by severable connectors 54, one face of the tabs 53 being op-tionally embossed at 55 for inclusion of identification or decorative matter. Side member 51 comprises a plurality of end-bars 56 joined together by severable connectors 57.
As shown for example in Figure 5, the filaments 52 a.re approximately D-shaped in cross-section with the maximum width at a substantially flat plane 58 at one side thereof. The remainder of their cross-section decreases in width from the plane 58 to the other side thereof and may be of any suitable shape, including converging curves, lines or combinations thereof. Preferably the end-bar 56, as shown for example in Figure 4A, is larger in cross-section than the filament 52 and also has its widest parallel cross-section dimension 60 in the plane 58. As shown in Figure 6, tab ends 53 are also flat and have their greatest cross-sectional dimension at the plane 58.
In the embodiment of Figures 1-6, tab connectors 54 and end-bar connectors 57 have one face at the plane 58, are substantially thinner than either filament 58, cross-bar 56, or tab 53, and extend away from the plane 58 on the side thereof opposite to the body of filament 52, They also extend contin-`:

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uously not only between adjacent tabs 53 and adjacent end-bars 56, but alsQ extend across end-bars 56 and tabs 53 respectively.
Such extension provides a more rounded end-bar 56 (see Figure Il 4A) and can be molded as continuous runners as herelnafter '¦ described.
,¦ As shown in Figures 1, 2 and 7, the filaments 52 ~
be molded somewhat wider and of greater circumferential dimension '¦ adjacent tabs 53 than at end-bars 56 to facilitate stretching I¦ adjacent the end-bars where the filaments are folded during o ~ I! dispensing throuyh a hollow needle.
jl A second embodiment of fastener stock of the ~resent il invention is shown in Figures 7, 8 and 8A which is identical-¦ to the fastener stock shown in Figures 1-6 except that severable ,¦ connectors 54A and 57a extend ~rom the plane 58 in -the same 1S i! direction as the body of filament 52 and do not extend visibly !1 across either end-bars 56a or tabs 53a. T~liS embodiment is most preferred.
¦l A third embodiment of fastener stock is shown in Figure 9 in which two side members 51a are employed to provlde ~ end-bars at both ends of the filament 52a. In this embodiment, the filament 52a is molded somewhat wider at its mid-portion and is somewhat narrower or smaller in circumferential dimension Il adjacent each end-bar to facilitate stretching and strengthening ¦l of the filament 52 at those portions which are folded during 1¦ di~pensing. In all other respects, the embodiment of Fi~ure 9 Il is identical to the embodiment of Figure 7.

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., ~acll oE the foreyoirlcJ embodlrnents of f~stener stock ~ are especially adaL)ted for continuous molding and for feedLng ¦l and dispensing as hereillafter described. Continuous moLding Il of plastic parts is known and is disclosed for example in 1l U.S. Patent Nos. 3,Q85,292; 3,196,196; 3,515,778i and~numerous ¦l others; and is schematically illustratecl in Figures 10~12.
I Heated plastic is extruded from extruder 70 through orifices !1 in platen 71 into cavities in the periphery of rotating molding l! wheel 72. After cooling, the continuously molded parts are lQ l¦ removed from molding wheel 72 by take-off roLler 73 and I feed rolls 74, 75, stretched if desired at 76 by any suitable apparatus, and the stock 77 wound onto take-up roll 78. Stretch-ing can be omitted or separately performed if desired~
' As shown in Figure 11, cavities 52', 56' and 53' are jl provided in the periphery of molding wheel 72 for the filaments 52, end-bars 56, and tabs 53, respectively. Connectors 54 and 57 are provided as continuous runner cavities 54 and S7 in the platen 71. Tabs 53 may be of the sallle or difEerent thickness ,I from the thickness of the filaments 52 as desired. As shown in ¦I Figure 12, connec-tors 54a and 57a may be provided by grooves 54a' and57a'~ in the periphery of molding wheel 72a between Il fastener cavities.
!¦ By comparing Figures 10-12 with Fiyures 1-9, it will ~ be seen that the plane 58 is defined by the meeting surface ¦ of the platen 71 and the wheel 72. It should be understood that the dimensions previously described refer to the fast,ener ¦ assemblie as they are molded. If the filaments are thereafter I
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i str~tclled, ~IS L~rc~rred and as described in the foregoiny lll patents, the edc~es of the flat pLane 58 rnay be rounded somewhat !~ in stretching but the filaments will maintain their ~eneral ¦I cross-sectional shape. End-bars 56 and tabs 53 are generally not 5: 1¦ stretched. Some distortion from shrinkage and cooling may also ¦l be noted.
j The preferred apparatus employing the method of the i present invention is, a hand-actuated dispensing gun as shown in ~ ~igures 13-22. The gun 100 comprises a hollow casiny 10~
L0 I preferably of mol,ded plastic i~ two halves joined together in ¦ any suitable manner. Affixed to the casing lQ2 is vertical extension 104 to which is affixed a projecting rod 106 about which a spirally wound assembly of fasteners may be secured.
The fastener stock may be re-tained on the rod 106 by means Oe ! sprLng loaded detents 108 and 110 which may be folded towards ¦ each other for insertion of the fastener stock and moved to a ¦¦ vertical disposition for retention. The free en~ of the fastener -1¦ assembly stock, with the ~lane 58 faciny upwardly as hereinafter described, is then fed over the periphery of feed wheel 112 which ¦ is journaled for rotation within the casiny 102. Wheel 112 has ¦ means such as notches 114 about its periphery for receiving fasteller filaments 52 and advancing them in an arcuate E~ath about the wheel to,a position adjacent the rear end of forwardly l projecting needle 116. Wheel 112 is spaced from the inner wall i of casing 102 to define a passageway for receiving and guiding fastener end-bars 56 as the wheel rotates. Casiny 102 has a p~oje_tion L15 over hanglnq wheel 112 to aid in restra1ning the I

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end-bars for travel within the provided passageway. Detent pin 118 is mounted to caslng 102 and is biased to restrain i backward movement of wheel 112 by means of s~ring 120. ~otches ¦ 114 are spaced about the periphery of the wheel 112 equal to the I . .
S I spacing between successive fastener filaments 5~.
As shown for example in Figures 17 and 20, the end-most fastener end-bar 56e is indexed about the feed wheel 112 to a ~¦ positlon transverse to the rear end of the bore 122 of the needle j lL6. A severing ed~e 124 may be secured to the needle or to the casing opposite the connector 57 connecting end-bar 56e with the ¦ end-bar of the next following fastener. As shown for example in Figure 20, reciprocating cam means 126 is then advanced to rotate the end-most end-bar 56e about its connec-tor as a hlnge ¦¦ into alignment with the bore of the needle. A projecting tab 128 ¦¦ is provided in the casing in the vertical plane of wheel 112 ¦ forming an extension of the passageway about the wheel for the ¦1 end-bars to guide the same during rotation. Tab 128 has a curved ¦¦ u~per surface configured to guide the filament projecting from th~
¦~ wheel as the end-bar 56e is rotated into allgnment.
I 2-0 ;¦ After the end-bar is aligned with the needle bore 122, a plunger 130 is brought forward to contact the free rear end of aligned end-bar 56e to push i-t through the hollow needle bore, ¦ simultaneously breaking or cutting connector 57 at severing means l 124. As illustrated in Figure 13, the plunger drives the end-bar through the hollow needle which, if lnserted through one or more layers of material 132 will secure them together or will secure ¦ a tag ther~to. As the needle is w1thdrawn from the materlal 132, !l .

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end-bar 56e will resiliently resume its -transverse position with respect to the filament to prevent withdrawal of -the filament from the material. Motion of the tool as it is removed from the material 132 will break the connector 54 joining -tab 53 to the next following tab in the manner illustrated for example in U.S. Patent 3,733,657. For this purpose, connector 54 should be relatively weak. Any other suitable means for severing may also be provided.
A knob or knurled wheel 134 is provided on the exterior of the casin~ 102 to turn the feed wheel 112 for feeding fastener stock into and out of the apparatus.
Plunger 13V is fixed at its rearward end to a rear slide or plunger support 136 which slides back and forth within slide grooves in the casing to recipxocate the plunger in and out of the needle bore 122. ~lide 136 is pivotally joined to the upper end 138 of lever member 140 which extends downwardly into the hollow handle portion 141 of the casing 102. The lower end :
of lever member 140 is secured by means of slot 142 to a pin 144 carried by hollow trigger 146 which is pivotally joined at 148 to~casing 102 for movement back and forth within hollow handle 141. Pin 144 acts as a cam and the wall of slot 142 as a cam follower to impart motion to the lever member 140. Member 140 is joined intermediate its ends to a floa-ting pivot 150 which is secured to one end of member 153, the opposite end of which is pivotally secured at 155 to the handle 141. Trigger 146 is biased in the open position by means of compression spring 156 described more fully hereinafter. Lever member 140 is biased by the spring 156 to retain the plunger support 136 in its rearward position. Upon sclueezing the handle 141 and trigger 146 7 men~er Il 140 pivots about floating pivot point 150 to actuate support 136, ¦I causing it to slide from its rearward to its forward position, ¦I pushing the plunger through the needle bore 122 and ejecting I a fastener end-bar throuyh the needle. Plunger 130 is withdrawn Il from the needle bore by the energy stored in spring 156 when pressure on the trigger is released.
A forward slide 152 is mounted in the forward end of casing 102 and slides back and for-th in slide grooves 154a and 154b in the casing. Slide 152 has a recess 159 which, together with the interior wall of the casing~ houses a compressi~
¦spring 158 which constitutes means for biasing the slide 152 in l¦its forward position. Slide 152 has a rearwardly extending ¦¦ flexible arm 160 which has at its rearward end a detent surface ~,¦162 and an inclined cam surface 164~ Plunger support 136 carries ¦la coopera-ting cam surface 166 and detent surface 168 which actuates slide 152 as follows. When the trigger 146 is s~ueezed, I and lever member 140 is actuated to advance plunger support 13~;
1I cam surface 166 rides up and over cam surface 16~, deflecting flexible arm 160. On the return stroke of plunger support 136, ~ detent surfaces 162 and 168 engage as shown for example in !I Figure 17 and the plunger support 136 then moves slide 152 llrearwardly, compressing biasing spring 158.
1¦ As the plunger support 136 approaches its rearward position, a fixed cam 170 mounted to the casing engages a rearward extension of cam surface 164 which deflects arm 160 Ij .

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downwardl~ until the detent surfaces 162 and 168 are disengaged.
Upon such disen~agement, compressed blassing spring 158 causes slide 152 to re-turn -to its Eorward position. Cam 126 is carried by the slide 152 and on its forward stroke ro-tates end-bar 56e into alignment with the needle bore 122.
Slide 152 has a second forwardly extending resilient arm 171 which has a rearwardly facing detent surface 172 and a forward cam surface 174. Feed wheel 112 is provided with cooper-ating index pins 176, one for each indexing position, each of which has a cam surface 178. As the slide 152 is drawn rearwardly by plunger support 136, cam surface 172 engages a pin 176 to rotate feed wheel 112 and feed the next fastener into position with its end-bar transverse to the longitudinal axis of -the needle bore.
On the return forward stroke of slide 152, Cam surface 17~ rides up and over cam surface 178 of the lower pin 176 to deflect arm 171 and allow its passage into its forward position ready for the next indexing stroke.
The needle 116 can be a hollow slotted needle of any known type suitable for feeding flexible fasteners, the fastener end-bar belny dispensed through the hollow bore of the needle and the filament extending through and sliding within the communicat-ing slot 180. Needle 116 is preferably removably secured to the forward end of the casing 102 by means of a pin 182 which engages a corresponding cut-out slot 186 which provides a passageway for insertion and removal of the needle. Pin 182 is bi~sed in its locking position by means of spring 188 mounted in the casing.
When the pin is pushed toward spring 188 to compress it, slot ~:

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186 aligns with the needle to free it for removal. Preferably the portion of the pin 182 engaging needle cut-out 184 in locking position is rectangular or square in cross~section.
In a hand-actuated dispensing gun of the type described, it is desirable that the actuating force to operate the ~evice be as small as possible to avoid operator fatigue. The movable linkage disclosed in U.S~ Patent 3,893,612 is preferably employed for mechanical advantage as described. In addition, it is desirable that the compression force required decrease as the trigger is depressed. Such decreasing force is provided by the spring arrangement shown. The rear end of spriny 156 is secured to a fixed pivot 157 in the handle 141. The forward end oE the spring however is fixed to a movable pivot 190 which is secured to trigger 146 and moves therewith as the trigger is depressed.
Movable pivot 190 is so located that in its normal extended position, an extension of the centerline or longitudinal axis of the spring 156 is located a substantial distance from the fixed pivot 148. As the trigger is depressed, this centerline moves with pivot 190 into a position closer to pivot pin 148 thereby decreasing the moment arm, the compressive force xequired, and the extent of compressive motion of the spring, all in a smooth and continuous manner.
It should be noted that the apparatus described is readily assembled from molded or other easily fabricated parts, requires modest actuating force for hand operation, is positive in action, and is adapted to feed long lengths of fastener stock.

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it should be further noted, for example by reference to Figure 20, that the coiled fastener stock has the connectors S7 or 57a faciny outwardly a-t the free end for feediny over the periphery of the feed wheel. This places -the connec-tor during rotation of the end-bar 56e into aliynment with the needle bore in position to ac-t as a hinye, to enyaye the severiny edge 124, and to expose the majority of the end-bar end-section to the plunger as the plunger i5 actuated to dispense the end-bar through the needle.
The operation of the apparatus described comprises the following sequence:
(1) A coil of fastener stock is placed over pin 106, or an alternative holder of fan-folded stock as shown in Figure 12 of U.S. Patent 3,875,648, connectors 57 and plane 58 at the free end facing upwardl~. The free end is fed over feed wheel 112 and knob 134 is rotated until the end fastener 56e rests against the upper surface of cam 126.

(2) Trigger 146 is squeezed against handle 141 to rotate lever member 140 about pivot 150, thereby compressiny return spring 156 and sliding plunyer support 136 forward, cam surface 166 sllding over and deflecting cam surface 164.

(3) Trigger 146 is released, spring 156 causing support 136 to return to its rearward position. As support 136 returns, slide 152 is moved to its rear position and spring 158 is compressed until cooperating detents 162 and 168 are disengaged by deflection of arm 160 by cam surfaces 170 and 164. On the rearward stroke of slide 152, detent 172 on arm 171 engages pin

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', 176 o ~eed wheel 112 to index the wheel and feed end-bar 56e to the position shown in Fi~ure 17. As slide 152 returns to its j orward position, cam surfaces 174 and 178 en~aye to deflect arm I¦ 170, and cam L26 rotates end-bar 56e about connector 57 into li alignment with needle bore 122 as shown in Figure~20.
(4) Trigger 196 is again squeezed to move plunger support 136 and ~lun~er 130 forwardly to en~a~e t~e exposed end ll of end-bar S6e and dispense it through the bore 122, edge 124 ¦~ sev~rinc3 the conrl~ctor 57.
;1 (5) .~s trig~er 146 is again released, the se4uence Il described in (3) above is repeated to prepare the next end-bar ¦I for dispensing.
,¦ While the apparatus described is well adapted or ¦ hand operation, the operations may be powered by any suitable ~il means, for example, by means o~ electrical devices or fluid pressure. Such means are described for example in the afore-1 .
i' mentioned U.S. Patent 3j875,648. And while the novel fastener stock herein described is well adapted for use ln the method an~
apparatus described, other suitable fastener stock can be ;l 1l employed. The novel fastener stock may also be dispensed by mean-of other suitable apparatus, for example as disclosed in U.S.
Patent 3,875,648.
It should b~ further understood that the L~resent 1 inven-tion includes all modifications and equivalents within the ¦¦ scope of the appended claims.
¦i What is claimed is:
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Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:-

1. In fastener stock of the type comprising two continuous and elongated plastic side members that are cross-coupled by a plurality of filaments, the stock being proportioned to be fed as a unit to a position where individual fasteners are separated therefrom within a machine, one of said side members being proportion-ed so that each separated fastener includes an end-bar formed from a portion of the said side member and is configured for feeding through the bore of a hollow needle having a longitudinal slot for passage of the associated filament, and in which each filament is foldable towards the associated end-bar that is feedable through said hollow needle; the improvement adapted for continuous molding and for feeding and dispensing individual fasteners therefrom wherein each of said filaments is molded with a D-shaped cross-section having its maximum width at a substantially flat plane at one side thereof, said end bars being wider in cross-section at said plane than in other planes parallel thereto, and wherein adjacent end-bars are connected end-to-end at a portion of their peripheries adjacent to said plane by means of a severable connector substantially smaller in cross-sectional area than said end-bars to expose a major portion of the end of at least one of the connected end-bars.

2. Fastener stock according to claim 1 wherein each of said end-bars has a cross-sectional dimension greater than the cross-sectional dimension of each filament, both dimensions being perpendicular to said plane, and wherein one face of each of said connectors is located substantially at said plane.

3. Fastener stock according to claim 2 wherein each of said connectors extends from said plane on the same side thereof as said filaments.

4. Fastener stock according to claim 2 wherein each of said connectors extends from said plane on the side thereof opposite from said filaments, the section thereof being continued along the length of each end-bar to form a continuous running section along the length of said side member.

5. Fastener stock according to claim 4 wherein said end-bars are rounded in cross-section from said plane,

6. Fastener stock according to claim 2 wherein the other side member is proportioned to form an enlarged end for each filament, adjacent enlarged ends thereof being joined end-to-end by severable connectors, each of the connectors being substantially smaller in cross-sectional area than said enlarged ends.

7. Fastener stock according to claim 1 wherein each of said connectors has one face substantially at said plane, the end-bars being thicker than said connectors as measured perpendicularly to said plane, each of said connectors being adapted for bending without breaking to serve as a hinge when adjacent end-bars are bent approximately 90° from each other to expose adjacent ends of the end-bars.

8. A coiled or fan-folded package of fastener stock according to claim 7 adapted for feeding in an arcuate path over the top of the periphery of a feed wheel, the flat plane of the end filament thereof facing upwardly when the free end of said stock is extended toward said wheel.

9. An assemblage of connected fasteners comprising a first side member constituted by a longitudinally connected set of members, a second side member constituted by a longitudinally connected set of end bars, and a filamentary cross link coupling each first side member to each end bar, a longitudinal portion of each cross link having a continuous planar configuration.

10. An assemblage of connected fasteners in accordance with Claim 9 wherein each cross link has a portion thereof with a continuous planar configuration.

11. An assemblage of connected fasteners in accordance with claim 10 wherein the continuous planar configuration of each cross link extends from a paddle member to an end bar.

12. An assemblage of connected fasteners as defined in Claim 9 wherein the connection of the first side member and said end bars are contiguous therewith.

13. An assemblage of connected fasteners as defined in Claim 9 wherein the connections of the first side member and/
or said end bars form a continuously running section that is elevated above said paddle members or said end bars.