Patent ID: 8650740

Claim:
A method for making a collated fastener assembly comprising the steps of: arranging a plurality of fasteners in a row parallel to one another, the fasteners being arranged in a plane and spaced from one another to define a gap therebetween; preheating the plurality of fasteners to elevate the temperature of the fasteners; applying a molten polymer material onto the preheated plurality of fasteners; conveying the fasteners with the molten polymer thereon into a mold cavity; maintaining the fasteners in the plane; molding the molten polymer material onto the preheated fasteners and between adjacent fasteners to form a molding having a collar encircling a shank of each fastener and a connecting portion between adjacent fasteners, the molding maintaining the space between the fasteners; and introducing a cooling stream onto the fasteners and the molding as the fasteners and the molding exit from the mold cavity.