Device for dispensing plastic fasteners

A method of dispensing of dispending a double fastener from a supply of fastener stock, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a supply of fastener stock which includes a pair of continuous side rails to which are coupled a plurality of equidistantly spaced cross-links,
• (b) providing a device for dispensing an individual plastic fastener from the supply of fastener stock, the device comprises a head assembly adapted to receive the fastener stock, a stepper motor for driving the head assembly through its actuation cycle, and an electronic controller for regulating the operating of the stepper motor in which the device also include a right and a left needle block assembly that each include a needle block mounted onto an underside of a shuttle, a guide block mounted on a front of the needle block and a cover plate, the right needle block assembly is laterally displaced relative to the left needle block assembly so that spacing between needles of the device are adjustable, said right and left needle block assemblies apply pressure to at least one of said plurality of equidistantly spaced cross-links to limit distortion thereof to a single plane;
• and
• (c) severing the pair of continuous side rails so as to separate a double fastener from the reminder of the supply of fastener stock, the double fastener comprising a pair of cross-bars that are interconnected by a pair of substantially parallel transverse filaments.