Ykk Corporation of America

Chester P Dudek

Kiichiro Ishikawa

Tomonari Yoshida

James Hutcherson

A method of providing complementary fastener strips for securing one item to another item is disclosed. A dispenser allows for complementary fastener strips in a prebound configuration, to be dispensed and used in applications such as the manufacture of outdoor furniture cushions. The invention facilitates the efficient and cost effective manufacture of articles which utilize multiple strips of complementary fastener strips.

Method of securing complementary fastener strips

A machine for continuously manufacturing tape strips having at least at one end a portion folded through an aperture of a workpiece is provided. A tape supply section supplies tape to a tape feed unit which is adapted intermittently supply a first predetermined length of tape through an aperture of a workpiece and a second predetermined length of tape not through an aperture. Work pieces are supplied to and received by a workpiece receiving device adapted to hold the workpiece and position the aperture of the workpiece in the tape traveling path. Tape folders operate to fold a tape towards a fusing member positioned above the workpiece. Tape gripping arms further fold a tape into a fusing member. A tape cutter cuts the tape after a second predetermined length of tape is fed from a tape supply section. Tape gripping arms then operate to eject the finished strap from the machine.

Method and apparatus for manufacturing a tape strip folded about a workpiece

Complementary fastener product

A fastener assembly is disclosed which includes a first fastener strip having on at least one side a first fastening surface. Also provided is a second fastener strip having on at least one side a second fastening surface that is complementary to the first fastening surface. The first fastener strip overlies the second fastening surface of the second fastener strip with the first fastening surface not facing the second fastening surface. The first and second fastener strips are releasably connected.

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Marietta, GA, United States of America

Chester P Dudek