A tag mounter (21) is provided for mounting a tag to an object by passing and tying a thread (23) through the object. A pipe unit (25) is configured to insert the thread (23) through it. A movement mechanism (29) is configured to move the pipe unit (25) toward a front direction and a rear direction. A gripper unit (27) is configured to grip the thread (23) inserted through the pipe unit (25) and exposed from a tip of the pipe unit (25). A driver unit (6) is configured to move the gripper unit (27) along a predetermined course. A thread tying mechanism (16) is configured to tie the thread (23) gripped by the gripper unit (27).

A device for dispensing an individual plastic fastener from a supply of fastener stock includes a motor-driven head assembly adapted to receive the supply of fastener stock, sever an individual fastener from the supply and in turn eject the severed fastener. The head assembly includes a pair of needle block assemblies that retain corresponding hollow needles, each needle block assembly being shaped to define a feed channel that transitions a side rail for the fastener stock into axial alignment behind its corresponding needle. In addition, at least one needle block assembly includes a rearward shelf and a forward bowing plate. In use, the lowermost cross-links of the fastener stock fittingly align between the shelf and the bowing plate. In this manner, the lowermost cross-links are limited to distort uniformly upward within the single plane defined by the pair of feed channels, thereby optimizing feed reliability of the device.

A device for dispensing an individual plastic fastener from a supply of fastener stock includes a motor-driven head assembly adapted to receive the supply of fastener stock, sever an individual fastener from the supply and in turn eject the severed fastener. The head assembly includes a pair of needle block assemblies that retain corresponding hollow needles, each needle block assembly being shaped to define a feed channel that transitions a side rail for the fastener stock into axial alignment behind its corresponding needle. In addition, at least one needle block assembly includes a rearward shelf and a forward bowing plate. In use, the lowermost cross-links of the fastener stock fittingly align between the shelf and the bowing plate. In this manner, the lowermost cross-links are limited to distort uniformly upward within the single plane defined by the pair of feed channels, thereby optimizing feed reliability of the device.

A reactor plate assembly for a fastener dispensing device includes a metal reactor plate mounted onto the distal end of a fixed support arm for the device, the reactor plate including a flattened top surface shaped to define a pair of elliptical, needle-receiving holes. The reactor plate assembly additionally includes a brush anvil removably secured to the underside of the support arm. The brush anvil includes four separate bristle clusters that are retained within associated bores in a block, with a first pair of bristle clusters projecting into one needle-receiving hole and a second pair of bristle clusters projecting into the other needle-receiving hole. Each bristle cluster includes a group of individual nylon bristles, the free ends of the bristles lying flush with the top surface of the reactor plate to provide a planar support surface which can be penetrated by the needles of the device during the dispensing process.

A tag applicator, and a method, for applying a tag, having an elastic loop, to a product. The tag applicator includes a linear actuator, and a pair of tag arms, one end of each being pivotably connected to the linear actuator. The two arms are biased toward each other, such as by a spring. A separator is positioned between the tag arms, so as to force the tag arms to separate as the linear actuator extends. A finger or tag hook is connected at the end of each tag arm, configured and positioned to connect to or insert into the elastic loop, and to extend the elastic loop as the tag arms are separated. With the tag loop held open, the product moves into the loop, and the tag is thereby applied to the product.

A tag applicator, and a method, for applying a tag, having an elastic loop, to a product. The tag applicator includes a linear actuator, and a pair of tag arms, one end of each being pivotably connected to the linear actuator. The two arms are biased toward each other, such as by a spring. A separator is positioned between the tag arms, so as to force the tag arms to separate as the linear actuator extends. A finger or tag hook is connected at the end of each tag arm, configured and positioned to connect to or insert into the elastic loop, and to extend the elastic loop as the tag arms are separated. With the tag loop held open, the product moves into the loop, and the tag is thereby applied to the product.

A system for use in manufacturing vapor-generating articles may include a rotatable drum that is configured to hold a plurality of the vapor-generating articles. The system may also include a tagging drum that is configured to tag a respective label to a housing of each of the vapor-generating articles. The system may also include a pressing roller that is configured to press a leading edge of the label against the housing after the tagging. The system may further include a rolling drum that is configured to roll the label around the housing after the pressing.

A system for use in manufacturing vapor-generating articles may include a rotatable drum that is configured to hold a plurality of the vapor-generating articles. The system may also include a tagging drum that is configured to tag a respective label to a housing of each of the vapor-generating articles. The system may also include a pressing roller that is configured to press a leading edge of the label against the housing after the tagging. The system may further include a rolling drum that is configured to roll the label around the housing after the pressing.

A plastic fastener is rendered tacky so as to adhere to the items which it couples, thereby enhancing securement. The plastic fastener is constructed as an H-shaped staple that includes a pair of parallel cross-bars interconnected by a flexible filament. In one embodiment, the plastic fastener includes an inner plastic core constructed using at least one flexible plastic material and an adhesive-based outer coating constructed using at least one of a pressure-sensitive adhesive and a heat-activatable adhesive. In another embodiment, the plastic fastener is constructed using a mixture of at least one flexible plastic material and at least one adhesive material. In lieu of incorporating an adhesive material into the plastic fastener, a novel item coupling process achieves fastener tackiness by applying heat onto the plastic fastener either prior to, during, or after being dispensed into the desired items.

An apparatus can comprise a first hollow needle and a first ejector pin with a first portion of an outer peripheral surface comprising a stepped recess from the second portion of the outer peripheral surface. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise a second hollow needle. In some embodiments, a first end portion of the cap can be configured for mounting to a nose of the apparatus. The cap can comprise the aperture that may be sized for insertion of the tip of the first hollow needle through the aperture when the cap is removed from the nose. In some embodiments, a nose of the apparatus can comprise a first support surface facing an outer direction and a second support surface facing the outer direction and protruding from the first support surface in the outer direction.