Attachment tags and methods of manufacture and use thereof.

(54) Title: FASTENING LABELS AND METHODS FOR ITS MANUFACTURE AND USE.

(54) Title: ATTACHMENT TAGS AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURE AND USE THEREOF.

(57) Summary

A holding tag (10) including a tag portion (14) having a first surface (14a) and a second surface (14b), and an adhesive layer (18) provided on the second surface (14b) of the portion label (14) and configured to adhere to a product (34). The fastener tag (10) also includes an elastomeric portion (16) having an expandable portion (22) configured to further secure the fastener tag (10) to the product (34) and / or to secure the fastener tag ( 10) to a second product (38), and a layer portion (20) that is co-extensive with the expandable portion (22) and includes an attachment area that is attached to the label portion (14).

(57) Abstract

An attachment tag (10) that ineludes a tag portion (14) having a first surface (14a) and a second surface, and an adhesive layer disposed on the second surface of the tag portion (14) and configured to adhere to a product. The attachment tag (10) also ineludes an elastomer portion (16) having an expandable portion (22) configured to further secure the attachment tag (10) to the product and / or to secure the attachment tag (10) to a second product, and a layer portion (20) that is coextensive with the expandable portion (22), and ineludes a bond zone that is bonded to the tag portion (14).

PATENT TITLE No. 359649

Owner (s): BEDFORD INDUSTRIES, INC.

Address: 1659 Rowe Avenue, PO Box, 39, Worthington, Minnesota, 56187, USA,

Name: FASTENING LABELS AND METHODS FOR ITS MANUFACTURE AND USE.

Classification:

Inventors):

C1P: B65D23 / 14; B65D73 / 00; G09F3 / 14

CPC: B65D23 / 14; B65D73 / 00; G09F3 / 14

COLIN M. O'DONNELL: CURTIS J. HEINRICHS: JEFFREY TSCHETTER; MIKE SCHULTZ: DAVID SCHLLE

N Number:

MX / a / 2015/002510

REQUEST

International Presentation Date:

August 2013

PRIORITY

NUMBERS

61/694,597

61/736,962

Effective: Vi Date of E Date:

The reference patent

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In accordance with the starting date of pr &lt;

Who subscribes to this title (Official Gazette of the Federation

01/25/2006, 05/06/2009, 01/06/2010, and 12® sections I and 111 of Ri 07/28/2004 and 09/07/2007); articles 1 '.

Industrial property (DOF 12/27/1999. Powers in Ice Deputy General Directors.

Departmental Coordinators and other subordinates (07/29/2004, 08/04/2004 and 09/13/2007).

(flpTOrragafales, told to 'eehos.

the Industrial Property Law

999. 01/26/2004, 06/16/2005, Τ ', 3' fraction V Clause a), 4 'lo on 07/01/2002, 07/15/2004, Organic of the Mexican Institute of 3' and 5® Clause a) of the Agreement that delegates are Regional, Divisional Deputy Directors, (DOF 15/12/1999, amended on 02/04/2000,

This letter is signed with an advanced electronic signature (FIEL), based on articles 7 BIS 2 of the Industrial Property Law: 3rd of its Regulations, and 1 section III, 2 section V, 26 BIS and 26 TER of the Agreement by which the guidelines for the use of the Electronic Payment and Services Portal (PASE) of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property are established, in the procedures indicated,

THE DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR. PATENT

NAHANNY CANAL REYES

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Air! No. 550, Floor 1, Pueblo Santa María Pepepán. Xochimflco, 15020. Mexico City, (86) 53340700 www.gcAi.mx/impi

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FASTENING LABELS AND METHODS FOR ITS MANUFACTURE AND USE

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a tag article and in particular to an item with a tag portion and an expandable ring portion. The exhibition also describes methods of using the tag article with an object.

Label articles in accordance with the present disclosure may be attached to various manufactured products and other articles to convey information or serve another function. Exemplary functions include, for example, carrying a sample of a second product onto a first product, providing means to reseal a bag on which the label article is attached, to hold articles together, or to allow one article to be attached to another. article (eg, about a product or sales ad). Such label articles may be preprinted with text or other information or include other distinctive indications or features. Depending on the application and design, the label items are attached to various products using different bonding mechanisms.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to a fastener label that includes a label portion having a first surface and a second surface, and an adhesive layer disposed on the second surface of the label portion and configured to adhere to a product. The fastener tag also includes an elastomeric portion having an expanded portion configured to additionally secure the fastener tag to the product or to secure the fastener tag to a second product, and a layer portion that is co-extensive with the portion expanded, and includes a bonding area that attaches to the label portion.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a multiple clamp tag feeder. The feeder includes a release liner having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface has one or more release agents. The feeder also includes multiple retaining tags that are attached removably to the release liner. Each fastener tag includes an adhesive layer releasably adhered to the first surface of the release liner, a label portion disposed against the release layer on an opposite side of the release liner, and an elastomer portion. The elastomeric portion includes an expanded portion, and a layer portion that is co-extensive with the expanded portion, wherein the layer portion comprises a bonding area that is attached to the label portion and separates from the expandable portion .

Another aspect of the present discussion is directed to a method of using a fastener tag with a product. The method includes affixing an adhesive layer of the fastener tag to the product, wherein the fastener tag also includes an elastomer portion and a tag portion attached to the elastomer portion along the bonding area, and wherein the adhesive layer is disposed on the label portion. The method also includes expanding the elastomer portion, and performing an action including securing the expanded elastomer portion around the product and / or securing the expanded elastomer portion around a second product.

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of one or more concepts in a simplified form which is further described later in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify the key characteristics or essential features of the subject matter claimed, is not intended to describe each modality described, or each implementation of the subject matter claimed, and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of subject matter to be claimed. claims. Many other novel advantages, features, and relationships will become apparent as the description proceeds. The figures and the following description more particularly exemplify illustrative embodiments.

DEFINITIONS

Unless otherwise specified, the following terms as used herein have the meanings provided below:

The term provide, as in provides a fastener, when cited in the claims, is not intended to require any particular feeder or receipt of the article provided. Rather, the term provides is used only to cite articles that will be referred to in subsequent elements of claim (s), for purposes of clarity and readability.

The terms approximately and substantially used herein with respect to values ​​and ranges that can be measured due to expected variations known to those skilled in the art (eg, limitations and variabilities in measurements).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter of the description will be further explained with reference to the attached figures, where like structures are referred to by like numerals through all the various views.

Figure 1 is a front view of a ί VI i I to label

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subject of the first embodiment of the present description.

Figure 2 is a view of the back of a fastening tag of the first embodiment.

Figure 3 is a front view of a plurality of fastening labels of the first embodiment arranged on a liner.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along section 4-4 in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a plurality of first embodiment fastener labels on a liner in a rolled configuration.

Figure 6 is a view of the back of a first embodiment fastener tag attached to a sample product.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the holding tag of the first embodiment and a sample product attached to a main product.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary manufacturing system arranged to form a plurality of packages, each package provided with a first embodiment fastening tag attached thereto.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of one of the packages formed with the first embodiment attachment tag attached.

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the package in a re-closed rolled configuration using the fastening tag of the first embodiment.

Figure 10 is a rear view of a fastening tag of the second embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 11 is a rear view of the fastening tag of the second embodiment, with sections of the elastomer portion separated and stretched along a plurality of lines.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a rolled-up and re-sealed package using the holding tag of the second embodiment.

Figure 13A is a top view of a fastener tag of the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

Figure 13B is a bottom view of the holding tag of the third embodiment.

FIG. 14A is a top perspective view of the third embodiment clamp tag with an object inserted through the grooves in the elastomer portion.

FIG. 14B is a bottom perspective view of the fastener tag of the third embodiment with an object inserted through the grooves of an elastomeric portion of the fastener tag.

Figure 15 is a top view of the holding tag of the third embodiment with a second object inserted into its grooves.

FIG. 16 is an end perspective view of the third embodiment fastener tag and a second object, with a fastener tag label portion wound around the object and a tag portion hook engaged in an opening. hook coupling of the elastomer portion.

Figure 17 is a top view of a fastening tag of the fourth embodiment of the present description.

FIG. 18A is a front view of a retaining tag of the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, having a tag portion and a band-shaped elastomer portion with three protrusion segments.

Figure 18B is a front view of the fifth embodiment clamp tag with sections of the elastomer portion.

FIG. 18C is a view of the back of the fifth embodiment clamp tag.

Figure 19 is a front view of a plurality of fifth embodiment fastening labels arranged on a liner.

Figure 2 0 is a front view of a fastening tag of the sixth embodiment of the present disclosure, having a tag portion and a band-shaped elastomer portion with five protrusion segments.

FIG. 21 is a front view of a fastening tag of the seventh embodiment of the present disclosure, having a tag portion and a band-shaped elastomer portion with three angled protrusion segments.

FIG. 22 is a front view of a fastener tag of the eighth embodiment of the present disclosure, having a tag portion and a band-shaped elastomer portion with four protrusion segments.

FIG. 23A is a front view of a fastening tag of the ninth embodiment of the present disclosure, having a tag portion and a band-shaped elastomer portion with six protrusion segments.

Figure 23B is a view of the back of the ninth embodiment fastener tag.

Figures 24A through 24F are perspective views of the ninth embodiment fastening tag attached to a package, illustrating a process for re-closing the package.

FIG. 25A is a front view of a tenth embodiment fastener tag of the present disclosure, having a tag portion and a band-shaped elastomer portion, and an insertable tab and hole arrangement.

Figure 25B is a view of the back of the tenth modality holding tag.

Figure 26 is a perspective view of a rolled-up and re-sealed package using the tenth-modality holding tag.

Figure 27 illustrates a rounded terminal having an elliptical geometry that is cut transversely relative to a parting line.

Figure 28 illustrates a rounded terminal having an elliptical geometry that is in line with a parting line.

Figure 29 illustrates a rounded terminal having a circular geometry with a single average radius.

Although the figures identified above expose various characteristics of the subject matter described, other combinations of characteristics are also contemplated, as noted in the description. In all cases, this description presents the matter described by way of representation and not as a limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and combinations of features can be devised by those skilled in the art that fall within the scope and spirit of the principles of this disclosure. It should be understood that the figures have not been drawn to scale since it has been necessary to enlarge certain portions for the clarity of the illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is directed to fastener labels to hold a variety of different product samples. As described below, the fastener labels of the present disclosure include label portions and elastomer portions connected to the label portions. In some embodiments, the label portions can be attached to products for retail sale, allowing the fastening labels to be suspended from other products or retention mechanisms (eg hooks) by the elastomer portions. Alternatively (or additionally), the elastomer portions can be configured to wrap around flexible containers, such as bags or food packages, to function as re-closure devices to keep the flexible containers closed between uses. Additionally, the label portions of the fastener labels can function as product labels to display information (such as machine or human readable indications) related to the products for retail sale. Although the present description cites a variety of illustrative uses for fastener labels, its use is not limited to the specific applications described herein.

Figures 1 to 9B illustrate the fastener label 10, which is a first embodiment fastener label of the present disclosure that can be adhesively secured to a product or sample for retail sale, where multiple fastener labels can be provided 10 on a liner (eg, liner 12, shown in Figures 3 and 4) for use. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the clamp tag 10 includes a tag portion 14 and an elastomer portion 16, wherein the tag portion 14 includes a first face or front surface 14a (shown in Figure 1) and a second face or back surface 14b (shown in Figure 2).

Label portion 14 may be derived from one or more paper and / or polymeric materials, and may include an adhesive layer 18 applied to at least a portion of second face 14b (shown in Figure 2), as described below. . Examples of suitable materials for label portion 14 include polyethylene, polyethylene, polypropylene terephthalate films (eg, polypropylene (such as Targeted Examples), and combinations thereof. Label portion 14 in an exemplary embodiment is formed from materials such as those commercially available under the trade designation TESLIN from PPG Industries, Pittsburgh, PA.

In some embodiments, the label portion 14 is formed at least in part from biodegradable, degradable, or recyclable materials (eg, one or more polypropylene and / or styrene based materials), and may be suitable for receiving printed information Additional human or machine readable indications of materials suitable for label portion 14 include those cited for the label portion in Ring et al., US Patent No. 7,836,622; Ludlow et al., US Patent No. 7,281,345; and Ludlow et al., International Application Publication No. W007 / 084119.

The elastomer portion 16 extends from the tag portion 14 and is formed of a relatively thin sheet of one or more elastomer materials, and is joined to the tag portion 14 along a bonding area or bonding segment. 20 type sheet. In particular, joint segment 20 overlaps a label portion 14 and is attached to at least a portion of first face 14a of label portion 14. The overlapping region of the bonding segment 20 and the first face 14a of the tag portion 14 is sufficient for the elastomer portion wr not to separate from the tag portion 14 during use.

Suitable elastomeric materials for elastomer portion 16 include thermoplastic elastomers, such as styrene block copolymers (eg, styrene-butadiene styrene and styrene-ethylenebutylene), olefinic elastomers (eg, chloride-based elastomers). polyvinyl based on ethylene and polypropylene), urethanes, nylon, silicon, and the like. The elastomer material (s) provide the elastomer portion 16 with sufficient elasticity to stretch and recover from a stretched condition.

The elastomeric portion 16 includes a relatively flexible portion that extends from the joint segment 20 to form the expanded ring 22. The expanded ring 22 is formed around an open area, or cutout area 24, of the relatively flexible portion of the portion elastomer 16. Expandable ring 22 can be dimensioned and configured to provide sufficient expansion such that expandable ring 22 can be secured around (ie, stretched over) various articles or products depending on the desired application or use. Alternatively, the expandable ring 22 can be sized and configured to extend around a package to which the label portion 14 is adhered with the adhesive layer 18 (shown eg, as the shaded area 18 in Figure 2). As will be described later, this allows the tether tag to keep the package closed between uses.

Although expandable ring 22 is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 with a particular ring shape or design, the fastener tag 12 is not limited to the particular shape or design shown. For example, expandable ring 22 may be oval, round, or elongated in shape depending on the application and desired characteristics of elastomer portion 16 (eg, elasticity), width of the ring band, size of open area 24, and the similar.

The size, shape and dimensions of the expandable ring 22 desirably allow the ring to be stretched to a size at least three times greater than the relaxed size without stretching. The relaxed, unstretched opening can range from as little as about 1.5 inches to illustratively 5 inches. In an illustrative embodiment, the width of a perimeter of the expandable ring 22 is in the range of about 1/10 inch (100 millimeter) to about 1/12 inch (50 millimeters) and the thickness of the expandable ring 14 is between approximately 0.012 inches (12 millimeters) and approximately 0.030 inches (30 millimeters).

As shown, the relatively flexible portion of elastomer portion 16 further includes a transition portion 26 disposed between joint segment 20 and expandable ring 22. Accordingly, transition portion 26 extends from joint segment 20. , and the expandable ring 22 extends from the transition portion 26. Thus, the expandable ring 22 is separated from the joint segment 20 by the transition portion 26. In some embodiments, the transition portion 26 may include a neck portion 28 and flanges 3 0 having a top edge 31 that functions to disperse the tension force created as a result of stretching or expansion of expandable ring 22.

For example, when expandable ring 22 is stretched, this generates tensile forces on elastomer portion 14 (see eg, stretched expandable ring 22 as shown below in Figure 7). The transition portion 26 disperses the tension forces, which is desirable to reduce the stress on the elastomer at the joint segment 20. The dimension and contour of the transition or neck portion 28 can be designed based on the size, shape, and elastic characteristics of the expandable ring 22. Together, the joint segment 20, the transition portion 24, and the neck portion 28 they can be viewed as a layer portion of the fastener tag 10 that is co-extensive with the expandable ring 22. In an exemplary embodiment, tag portion 14 is attached to elastomer portion 16 only along bond segment 20.

As shown in Figure 2, the adhesive layer 18 is applied to one or more portions of the second face 14b. Adhesive layer 18 can be used to adhere label portion 14 to a retail product, as described below. Additionally, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the adhesive layer 18 can also be used to secure the label portion 14 to the liner 12 (shown in Figures 2 and 3) such that multiple fastener labels 10 can be provided to from a single liner strip or roll 12. Examples of suitable adhesives include pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) (eg, heat melting PSAs), such as those based on acrylic monomers and polymers (eg, bio-based acrylates), block copolymer rubber adhesives, silicone rubber adhesives, and the like, which may optionally include one or more additional viscosity resins.

Liner 12 is a release liner or other suitable carrier mesh that is configured to detachably hold fastener labels 10 by adhesive layers 18. Liner 12 can be made from paper and / or polymeric mesh (eg, a mesh of polyolefin and / or polyethylene terephthalate) coated with one or more release agents (eg, a silicone release liner). In the embodiment shown in Figure 3, adjacent fastener labels 10 are separated from each other along liner 12 to form separate fastener labels 10 that can be easily removed from liner 12. In this embodiment, label portion 12 and The elastomer portion 16 of each adjacent fastener tag 10 is separated from each other by gaps 32, each having a suitable distance to easily remove the fastener tags 10 from the liner 12.

During manufacture, the adhesive layer 18, a mesh of the label portion 14, and a mesh of the elastomer portion 16 can be extruded onto the liner 12. The gaps 32 between the adjacent fastener labels 10 can be achieved by a treatment of punching of the fastener tag components onto the liner 12 to separate the fastener tags 10 and yet retain them on the liner 12. Such a cut is particularly suitable when each fastener label 10 is removed from the liner 12 and is adhered by adhesive layer 18 to a product or package automatically, such as by using a label applicator or labeling machine. Die cutting results in the cut gaps 32 that extend through the thickness of each fastener label 10 but are not cut through the liner 12. In this embodiment, the label articles 10 are disposed on the liner 12 as separate articles that do not touch each other, and a residue strip of the label and elastomer materials can be removed from the cut sites and recycled. The resulting liner 12 with multiple fastener labels 10 can then be provided as a sheet, or alternatively, as shown in Figure 5, in a rolled configuration.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the fastener labels 10 may be attached to one another by perforations 33 along the label portions 14 and / or the elastomer portions 16. In addition, many configurations are possible. of fastening labels 10. For example, although the fastener labels 10 shown in Figures 1 to 4 have label portions 14 and elastomer portions 16 that are approximately the same width, the label portion 14 may alternatively be wider or narrower than the portion made of elastomer 16. In addition, the fastening labels 10 can be asymmetric. Additionally, the elastomer portion 16 of a fastener tag 10 can extend over the tag portion 14 of an adjacent fastener tag 10, or vice versa. Furthermore, it is contemplated that the plurality of fastener labels 10 provided as a roll or on a liner need not be identical in shape to each other; that is, a pattern of label articles of different shapes can be provided in a single manufacturing round.

In use, a tether tag 10 can be peeled off and removed from the liner 12, and attached to the retail product. For example, as shown in Figure 6, the label portion 14 of a fastener label 10 can be adhered to a sample product 34 by an adhesive layer 18. Because adhesive layer 18 is applied to second face 14b, and desirably not to elastomer portion 16, the adhesion interface between fastener label 10 and sample product 34 does not interfere with the capacity of the portion of elastomer 16 for stretching. Furthermore, any portion of the first face 14a of the label portion 14 that is not covered by the joint segment 20 is exposed and may carry indications, such as on the exposed portion 35 of the first face 14a, as seen in Figure 6.

<td></td><td>How</td><td>shown in Figure 7, the label of</td>

<td>restraint</td><td>10 and</td><td>the sample product attached 34 can</td>

<td>join</td><td>a</td><td>main product, such as the product</td>

<td>principal</td><td> 38 .</td><td>In this situation, the expandable ring 22 is</td>

attaches to main product 38 by stretching expandable ring 22 around a portion of product 38. As illustrated, the fastener label 10 can be adhered to a rear side 36 of the sample product 34 such that when the expandable ring 22 is attached to a main product 38, a front side 40 of the sample product 34 is visible to the consumer, and the label portion 14 can then go unnoticed without further manipulation of sample product 34 relative to product 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the holding tag 10 is used in conjunction with the sample product 34 as a sample carrier for easily and removably attaching a sample product 34 to a main product 38.

As discussed above, the holding tag 10 can also be used as a reclosing device for a flexible container such as a bag or food package, such as for a package 42 shown in Figures 8 and 9A and 9B. For example, as shown in Figure 8, tether labels 10 can be attached to packages 42 during assembly and filling of packages 42, where fastener labels 10 can then function as re-closure devices during subsequent consumer use of packages 42.

As shown, a series of packages 42 can be formed from a continuous length of a flexible sheet material 44 (eg, polymeric and / or aluminum foil-based materials having one or more layers). The sheet material 44 is driven past a hollow mandrel 46 such that the edges 48 of the sheet material 44 approach each other in an overlapping relationship. The overlapping edges 48 are brought together as they pass under or through a heater 50 in a longitudinally extending continuous seam 52 to form a tubular member 54.

The distal end of the tubular member 54 is sealed with a transverse bottom seam 56 to form an open-ended package 42 having its open mouth wound around the hollow mandrel 46. The package can then be filled with the product (eg, foods such as potatoes chips or sunflower seeds, or small items such as screws, washers etc.) through the mandrel 46. After filling, the top of the package 42 is sealed with a transverse top seam 58. The filled and sealed package 42 shrinks from the sheet of material 44.

In the embodiment shown, a label applicator 60 supports a roll 62 of fastener labels 10 adhered to the liner 12, as described above. Label applicator 60 can apply a single fastener label 10 to each package 42 while it is being formed, and fastener label 10 is affixed to package 42 by adhesive layer 18. In alternative embodiments, label applicator 60 may apply multiple fastener labels 10 to each package 42, if desired, such that each package 42 desirably retains one or more fastener labels 10.

In an exemplary embodiment, fastener label 10 is applied to package 42 at or near a longitudinal seam 52 on a rear side of package 42. This central location is less likely to obscure printed information on package 42 and facilitates use. of holding tag 10 as a re-closing device for package 42. In another embodiment, the fastener labels 10 can be applied at specific locations on the sheet material 44 before the sheet material 44 is formed into packages 42. The flat shape of the label article 10 allows it to flow easily through the equipment bag formation processing without requiring special adaptations. Alternatively, a tether tag 10 can be attached to a package 42 after the package 42 has been formed and / or formed and filled.

Figures 9A and 9B are perspective views of package 42 having a tether tag 10 attached thereto. As shown in Figure 9A, during use, package 42 typically opens at or near transverse top seam 58. With many products, the user does not use the entire contents of package 42 at one time. Therefore, it is desirable to re-close package 42. In one embodiment, package 42 may be reclosable by winding down or folding up an upper portion 64 of package 42, as shown in Figure 9B.

The user can then stretch expandable ring 22 of elastomeric portion 16 of fastener tag 10 around package 42 to secure package 42 in its re-closed, folded / folded configuration, as shown in Figure 9B. When access to the contents of package 42 is desired again, expandable ring 22 can then be removed from around package 42, although it is still readily available for reuse and closure since it remains attached to the package by adhesive layer 18 on label portion 14 .

In alternative embodiments, the adhesive layer 18 may be adhesive to the liner 12, but otherwise non-adhesive after removal from the liner 12. For example, the adhesive layer 18 may include a fugitive glue (eg, a silicone coating fugitive glue). ) instead of a pressure sensitive adhesive where the runaway glue can function as a low viscosity adhesive that produces a removable, non-resealable bond. A runaway glue allows the fastener labels 10 to be held onto the liner 12 for further processing; however, the adhesive layer 18 is not tacky once the label article 10 is removed from the liner 12. Thus, in this embodiment, the adhesive layer 18 is tacky to engage the liner 12, but is no longer tacky when removed. remove liner 12.

In an exemplary method of use, a roll 62 can be used in an automated process that removes an individual label item 10 from the carrier liner 12 and secures the expandable ring 22 around the product. For example, a label article 10 containing product information on a label portion 14 can be applied by machine to a product bottle by an automated process that places expandable ring 22 around the neck of the product bottle. Furthermore, even when it is not necessary for the label article 10 to adhere to a product, the provision of label articles 10 temporarily adhered to the liner 12 allows the elastomer portions 16 of the label articles 10 to be kept in a flat configuration. , thus facilitating the easy abuse of the label items 10. Other methods of temporary bonding include, for example, the use of static electricity or the use of inherent affinity of an extruded elastomer on a soft liner.

Figures 10 to 12 show a second exemplary embodiment of a fastener tag that can function as a re-closure device for package 42, referred to as fastener tag 110. Fastener tag 110 is similar to fastener tag 10 (shown in Figures 1 to 9B), wherein the reference numbers of the respective characteristics are increased by 100 from those of the fastening label 10.

The clamp tag 110 includes a tag portion 114 attached to an elastomer portion 116 in a bonding region or bonding segment 12 0. In an exemplary embodiment, tag portion 114 is manufactured from materials such as those described above with reference to label portion 14. Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, elastomer portion 116 is manufactured from materials such as those described with respect to elastomer portion 16 above. The construction of the fastener tag 110 may be similar to that of the tag article 10, with the configurations of the tag portion 114 compared to the tag portion 14 and the elastomer portion 116 compared to that being a major difference. elastomer portion 16. Attachment tag 110 may be secured to a package 42 in the same manner as described above for attachment tag 10 to package 42, using an adhesive layer 118, for example.

As shown in Figure 10, the tag portion 114 includes a hook 166 and the elastomer portion 116 includes a hook engagement opening 168 and a tab 170. The elastomer portion 116 is relatively compact but can slowly expand by pulling on the tab 170 at address 172 (relative to label portion wr

114) to break or separate the elastomer portion 116 along the parting lines 174, thereby revealing new edges 176, as shown in Figure 11.

Parting lines 174 can be formed in any suitable way to provide weakened or partially cut lines or curves that can be easily separated. Examples of suitable shapes include the use of perforations, including those comprising relatively long cut sections and relatively short uncut sections; or, for example, the use of a cut partially through the thickness dimension of the elastomer portion 116. In the embodiment shown, the gap lines 174 terminate at the rounded terminal 178, which can be die-cut from the elastomer portion 116 to prevent unintentional detachment of the elastomer portion 116 beyond the gap lines 174.

As shown in Figure 12, when the fastener tag 110 is provided on a package 42, a user can re-seal the package by winding down or folding up the upper portion 64, pulling on the tab 170 to expand the portion of the elastomer 116, stretching expandable portion 122 around package 42, and securing hook engagement opening 168 on hook 166. Thus, the fastener tag 110 provides a compact, low profile structure that can be fastened to the package 42 that can be expanded to easily, safely and reversibly enclose the package 42. The configuration of the clamp tag 110 shown in Figures 10 to 12 is particularly suitable for larger packages 42 where a simple expandable ring 22 of the clamp tag 10, as shown in Figures 9A to 9C, would be as large that could undesirably adhere to other products. Furthermore, the fastener tag 110 can be designed to provide greater length of the expandable portion 122, therefore not requiring as much stretch capacity of the elastomer. Although the adhesion of the holding tag 110 is described in one embodiment (by, eg, the adhesive layer 118), the holding tag 110 can be used to re-seal the package, as illustrated in Figure 12, without adhering label portion 114 to package.

Figures 13A and 13B show top and bottom views of an exemplary embodiment of fastener tag 210, comprising a tag portion 214 and an elastomer portion 216 joined at a joint area or joint segment 217 (edge ​​216a of elastomer portion 216 and edge 214a of tag portion 214 overlap to define bonding region 217 therebetween). Label portion 214 can be formed using the materials and methods described above with reference to label portion 14 and elastomer portion 216 can be formed using the materials and methods described above with reference to elastomer portion 16. In the illustrated embodiments , the tag portion 214 includes a hook 266 and the elastomer portion 216 includes a hook engagement opening 268.

As illustrated, in one embodiment, hook 266 is in the shape of a truncated arrow, with spikes 270 on two sides. In the illustrated embodiment, the label portion 214 is substantially circular to complement a circular product on which the label will be attached. However, it is understood that the label portion 214 can take many other shapes and sizes. In the illustrated embodiment, the expandable portion 222 of the elastomer portion 216 includes product coupling grooves 224. However, it is contemplated that other configurations of product coupling openings, slots, or slits may be used.

Figures 14A and 14B show top and bottom views, respectively, of a product 226 inserted into the product coupling grooves 224 of the expandable portion 222, where the elastomer material around the grooves 224 is stretched around and holds the product 226. With the product 226 thus inserted into the grooves 224 of the tag article 210, the tag portion 214 can be folded over or under the product 226 such that the hook 266 can be secured within the hook engagement opening 268. Information about product 226 can be provided on label portion 214, such as by printing. Accordingly, in an exemplary embodiment, fastener tag 210 provides an information packaging apparatus for a product that can be easily fastened and removed from product 226 without requiring machinery, tools, or adhesives.

Figures 15 and 16 show the use of the tag article 210 with a different product 228, including an upper portion 230 and a lower portion 232. In an exemplary method of inserting the product 228 into the expandable portion 222 of the fastener tag 210, the upper portion 230 of the product 228 is inserted through the product engagement slots 224 such that the expanded portion 222 is it stretches above the upper portion 228 and between the upper portion 230 and the lower portion 232. Subsequently, the label portion 214 folds below the lower portion 232. Hook 266 engages with hook engagement opening 268, as shown in Figure 16, to fully secure tether tag 210 to product 228 and position portion

WS »3fWÍ3« í of label 214 to display the indications carried on it.

It is contemplated that the tag article may have two or more hooks and two or more corresponding hook engagement openings, arranged in a variety of ways on the tag portion and the elastomer portion, respectively, to allow for more affirmative engagement of the label item with a product. For example, Figure 17 shows a top view of another exemplary embodiment of fastener tag 310, comprising a tag portion 314 and a portion of elastomer 316 bonded at a bonding area or bonding segment 317 {edge 316a of the elastomeric portion 316 and the edge 314a of the label portion overlap to define the bonding area 317 between them).

Label portion 314 can be formed using materials and methods such as those described above with reference to label portion 14 and elastomer portion 316 can be formed using materials and methods such as those described above with reference to elastomer portion 16 In the illustrated embodiment, tag portion 314 includes three hooks 366 and elastomer portion 316 includes three hook engagement openings 368. As illustrated, each of the hooks 36 6 is shaped like a truncated arrow, with tips 3 70 on two sides. In the illustrated embodiment, the label portion 314 is substantially circular to complement a circular product on which the label will be attached. However, it is understood that the label portion 314 can take many other shapes and sizes.

In one use, fastener tag 310 is wound around a product and elastomeric portion 316 is stretched to allow insertion of hook 366a into hook engagement opening 368a, insertion of hook 366b into opening of hook 366a. hook coupling 368b, and inserting hook 366c into hook coupling opening 368c. Therefore, in this embodiment, the product is not inserted into a slot in the 316 elastomer portion but rather is held between the tag portion 314 and the 316 elastomer portion. Although three hooks and mating openings are shown. Hook, it is contemplated that other quantities and configurations of hooks and hook engaging openings may be used.

Figures 18A to 29 illustrate additional embodiments of the fastener label of the present disclosure, which may operate similarly to fastener labels 10 and 110 (shown in Figures 9A to 12), and wherein the corresponding reference numbers they are increased by 400 of those of the fastening label 10 and by 300 of those of the fastening label 110. In these embodiments, the fastener tag can function as an elastic band, as described in Maltas et al., US Patent No. 7,763,135.

Figures 18A through 18C illustrate fastener tag 410, which includes a tag portion 414 having a band-shaped configuration with a first face 414a (shown in Figure 18B) and a second face 414b (shown in Figure 18C). ), and an elastomer portion 416 which also has a band-shaped configuration, and which is disposed on the first face 414a of the label portion 414. Examples of suitable materials for tag portion 414 and elastomer portion 416 include those described above for tag portion 14 and elastomer portion 16.

As shown in Figure 18A, the elastomer portion 416 is attached to the first face 414a of the tag portion 414 at the bonding areas or bonding segments 420, which are located in the end regions 480 of the portion of label 414 and the elastomer portion 416 (illustrated by cross hatching). However, in a central region 482 of the first face 414a between these end regions 480, the first face 414a is desirably coated with one or more release agents (eg, a silicone release agent, referred to as release liner 484 ) to prevent elastomer portion 416 from adhering firmly to first face 414a in this central region this, as described in Maltas et al., Central patent, as described in Maltas et al., US patent

No. 7,763,135.

As further shown in Figure 18A, the elastomer portion 416 is relatively compact but can be expanded in length by separating the elastomer portion 416 from the label portion 414, and to separate the elastomer portion 416 along the lines. gap 474, thus revealing three consecutive protrusion segments 486a to 486c in a reversed arrangement, as illustrated in Figures 18A and 18B. Partition lines 474 are desirably fully cut lines for separating elastomer portion 416 into consecutive boss segments 486a through 486c, and may also define small gaps between adjacent boss segments 486a through 486c.

The weak bonding of the elastomer portion 416 to the release layer 484 of the tag portion 412 holds the protrusion segments 486a to 486c in place prior to use (as seen in Figure 18A), while also allowing protrusion segments 486a to 486c easily separate from tag portion 414 with excessive pulling forces. Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 18B, the protrusion segments 486a through 486c are kept integrally connected to the rest of the elastomer portion 416 attached to the tag portion 414 at the junction segments 420. This maintains the protrusion segments 486a. 486c secured to tag portion 414 when separated and stretched.

In alternative embodiments, parting lines 474 can be formed with weakening lines (eg, perforated lines), as discussed above for parting lines 174 of fastener tag 110. In either embodiment, parting lines 474 desirably terminate at rounded terminals 478, which are die-cut with parting lines 474 from elastomer portion 416 to prevent unintentional detachment of elastomer portion 416 beyond the lines. separation 474. Partition lines 474 and rounded ends 478 are desirably die cut such that elastomer portion 416 is cut, but label portion 414 (including release liner 484) is not cut.

Each protrusion segment 486 may have a suitable length, generally defined by the length of the central region 482 between the end regions 480. Examples of suitable lengths for each protrusion segment 486 (eg, each of the protrusion segments 486a through 486c) can vary from about 0.5 inch to about 5 inch. In some embodiments, examples of suitable lengths for each protrusion segment 486 (eg, each of the protrusion segments 486a through 486c) can range from about 1 inch to about 3 inches. Examples of suitable widths for each protrusion segment (transverse to its length) range from about 0.25 inches to about 1 inch. The protrusion segments 486a through 486c may have the same lengths and widths, or alternatively, different lengths and widths based on the reversed pattern.

As shown in Figure 18C, one or more portions of the second each 414b of tag portion 414 may be coated with an adhesive layer 418, which may include the same materials as previously treated for adhesive layer 18. Adhesive layer 418 can be used to adhere label portion 414 to an item or a retail product and / or (as shown in Figure 19) can also be used to secure label portion 414 to liner 412 in such a manner. such that multiple fastener labels 410 can be provided from a single liner strip or roll 412, as discussed above for fastener label 10 and liner 12.

Liner 412 is a removable liner or other suitable carrier mesh that is configured to removably retain fastener labels 410 by adhesive layers 418. Liner 412 may also be made of a paper and / or polymeric mesh (eg, a mesh of polyolefin and / or polyethylene terephthalate) coated with one or more release agents (eg, a silicone release liner). In the embodiment shown in Figure 19, adjacent fastener labels 410 are spaced apart from one another along liner 412 to form separate fastener labels 410 that can be easily removed from liner 412. In this embodiment, the tag portion 414 and the elastomer portion 416 of each adjacent fastener tag 410 are separated from each other by the gaps 432, each having the proper distance to easily remove the fastener tags 410 from the liner 412, such as also discussed above for fastener label 10 and liner 12.

During manufacture, the adhesive layer 418, a mesh of the label portion 414, a coating of a silicone release agent to separate the coating 484, and a mesh of the elastomer portion 416 may be extruded or otherwise arranged in relative to liner 12, wherein tag portion 414, release liner 484 and elastomer portion 416 can be manufactured in the same manner as discussed in Maltas et al., US Patent No. 7,763,135. Gaps 432 between adjacent fastener labels 410 can also be achieved by die-cutting treatment of fastener label components in liner 412 to separate fastener labels 410 and yet retain them on liner 412.

Such a cut is particularly suitable when each fastener tag 410 is removed from liner 412 and adhered by adhesive layer 418 to a product or package automatically, such as by using a label applicator or labeling machine. Die cutting results in the cut gaps 432 that extend through the thickness of each fastener tag 410 but are not cut through the liner 412. In this embodiment, the label articles 410 are disposed on the liner 412 as separate articles that do not touch each other, and a residue strip of the label and elastomer materials can be removed from the cut sites and recycled. The resulting liner 412 with multiple fastener labels 410 can then be provided as a sheet, or alternatively in a rolled configuration.

Figures 20-26 illustrate alternate embodiment fastener labels 410, having different arrangements for protrusion segments 486 of elastomer portion 416, but otherwise they may function in the same manner as fastener label 410 shown in Figures 18A to 18 C and 19. As shown in Figure 20, the elastomer portion 416 of fastener tag 410 may alternatively include additional odd numbers of boss segments 486, such as five boss segments 486a to 486e, which can provide a relatively larger ring and thinner when protrusion segments 486a through 486e are separated and stretched.

As shown in Figure 21, parting lines 474 may alternatively extend at angles relative to the length of the fastener tag 410. This provides a different reverse arrangement than that of the fastener tag 410 shown in Figures 18A through 18C. and 19, and increases the size of the integral connection between the boss segments 486a and 486c with the joint segments

420 .

As shown in Figure 22, in this embodiment, elastomer portion 416 includes an even number of protrusion segments 486a through 486d (ie, four protrusion segments 486), and fastener tag 410 includes only a single segment of Bond 42 0. As such, elastomer portion 416 is attached to tag portion 414 only at one end of fastener tag 410, as shown. Similarly, the protrusion segments 486a and 486d are integrally connected to the junction segment 420 at this same end of the clamp tag 410 and the protrusion segments 4 86a to 4 86d can extend to the entire other end of the clamp tag 410. As discussed above, prior to separation, protrusion segments 486a through 486d may be weakly attached to separation liner 484 detachably.

As shown in Figures 23A and 23B, the elastomer portion 416 of fastener tag 410 may alternatively also include additional even numbers (or fewer) of boss segments 486, such as six boss segments 486a to 4 86f, which they provide a relatively larger and thinner ring when the protrusion segments 486a to 486f are separated and stretched. Accordingly, the elastomer portion 416 may include any suitable number of protrusion segments 486, wherein the number of protrusion segments 486 can dictate the expanded ring size of the clamp tag 410. Examples of suitable amounts of protrusion segments 486 for fastener tag 410 vary from two to ten, with suitable panties varying particularly from three to eight.

As shown in Figure 23B, in embodiments where the elastomer portion 416 includes an even number of protrusion segments 486, the tag portion 414 can be cut to define a notch 488. The notch 488 wr provides easy access to the protrusion segments 486 to allow the user to easily pull the protrusion segments 486 apart from the tag portion 414.

Figures 24A through 24F illustrate an exemplary process for using fastener tag 410 having six protrusion elements 486 (ie, as shown in Figures 23A and 23B) with a package 42. As shown in Figure 24A through 24C, when fastener tag 410 is provided on a package 42, the user can re-seal the package by winding down or folding up the top portion of package 42, separating the protrusion segments 486a to 486f of the elastomer portion 416 of the tag portion 414, and enclosing the package 42 within a ring that can be defined by the elastomer on the tag portion 414 and the protrusion segments 486a to

486f.

In particular, as shown in Figure 24B, the user can hold the protrusion segments 486c and 486d at the location of the notch 448, and pull the segments 486c and 486d away from the label portion 414. As shown in Figure 24C, as the user continues to pull the protrusion segments 486c and 486d away from the tag portion 414, the reversed arrangement of the protrusion segments 486a to 486f consequently causes the protrusion segments 486b and 486e, and then protrusion segments 486a and 486f, are separated from tag portion 414. As shown in Figure 24D through 24F, the user can then stretch and wrap the protrusion segments 486a to 486f around package 42 to keep package 42 in a closed configuration.

As shown above in Figure 4D, the expanded ring of fastener tag 410 is defined by protrusion segments 486a through 486f and joint segment 420. The remaining section of tag portion 414 does not define the expanded ring. As can be seen, when elastomer portion 416 includes an even number of protrusion segments 486, such that end protrusion segments 486 are integrally connected to the same bonding segment 420 at the same end of fastener tag 410 , only the joint segment 420 forms a portion of the ring when the protrusion segments 486 separate and stretch. In comparison, however, when elastomer portion 416 includes an odd number of protrusion segments 486, such that end protrusion segments 486 are integrally connected to bonding segment 420 at opposite ends of the clamp tag 410, tag portion 414 forms a portion of the ring when protrusion segments 486 are separated and stretched.

Figures 2 5A and 2 5B illustrate yet another wr mode for fastener tag 410. In this embodiment, elastomer portion 416 is separated into eight protrusion segments 486a through 486h that have a reverse pattern transverse to those shown above in Figures 18A to 24F. In this embodiment, the fastener tag 410 includes a pair of joint segments 420a and 420 b, where the elastomer portion 416 may be completely cut in the joint segment 420b further to the right by the parting lines 490 having a V-shaped pattern. Furthermore, the rightmost joint segment 42 0b includes a slit 492 in cross-sectional configuration, which desirably extends through tag portion 414 and elastomer portion 416.

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cut of joint segment 420b. As shown in Figure 25B, second face 414b includes an adhesive layer 418, which desirably does not extend over joint segment 420b to provide access to slit 492 during use.

In use, the fastener tag 410 can be attached to a package in the same manner as discussed above. The user can then detach and pull the V-shaped tip from the protrusion segment 486h (referred to ι V1 Γ 1 WBiiP '' to

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Figures 27 through 29 respectively illustrate rounded terminals 578a to 578c, which are exemplary embodiments of rounded terminals 178 and 478 used with fastener labels 110 and 410 (or any fastener labels of the present disclosure). As shown in Figure 27, terminal 578a has a cross-cut elliptical geometry relative to part line 574. Examples of suitable radii along the short axis of the rounded terminal 578a {referred to as the short radius 496a) vary from approximately 0.02 inches to approximately 0.05 inches, more suitably from approximately 0.03 inches to approximately 0.04 inches. Examples of suitable radii along the long axis of the rounded terminal 578a {referred to as the long radius 496b) range from approximately 0.05 inch to (Vi i 1 ® * · a »AA to jj · ........ , Jp íNs ϊ Π UTí 'MEaíCANO ........ wV »íi ^ · ^

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As shown in Figure 28, the rounded terminal 578b has an elliptical geometry that is in line with the parting line 574. Examples of suitable dimensions for short radius 496a and long radius 496b include those previously discussed for terminal rounded 578a, where the axis of the rounded terminal 578b is transverse to the axis of the rounded terminal 578a.

As shown in Figure 29, the rounded terminal 578c has a circular geometry with a single average radius 496. Examples of suitable radii for the 496 average radius range from about 0.05 inches to about 0.08 inches, more suitably from about 0.06 inches to about 0.07 inches. When tested with fastener 410 as shown in Figures 23A, 23B, and 24A through 24F, each of the rounded terminals 578a to 578c has the capacity of an average maximum breaking load of at least one pound, and exhibited an average maximum span at break of at least about 23 inches.

Overall, the 578c rounded terminal having a circular geometry exhibits the highest combination of maximum breaking load (above 1.2 pounds) and maximum breaking extension (above 2 8 inches). In comparison, a corresponding 410 fastener tag without any rounded terminals exhibited an average maximum breaking load of less than one pound, and an average maximum breaking extension of approximately 20 pounds. As such, the fastener labels of the present disclosure having a rounded terminal (eg, fastener labels 110 and 410), particularly with circular dimensions, increase the degree of stretch that elastomer portions 416 are capable of achieving without tearing. or otherwise break. This consequently increases the size of the packages that can be re-closed with the fastener labels 110 and 410. In addition, the rounded terminal for use with clamp tags 110 and 410 may have geometries that vary between the circular geometry of the rounded terminal 578c and the elliptical geometries of the rounded terminals 578a and 578b.

Each fastener tag in this description therefore provides the structure and function for attaching the fastener tag to an article (either, for example, by adhesive or some form of mechanical coupling of the fastening label portion to the article) and then further coupling of the elastomeric portion of the fastening label to the article (or to a portion of the label portion of the fastener). fastening label) in order to also wrap the item.

US Provisional Patent Applications Nos. 61 / 694,597 and 61 / 736,962 are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Ring et al., US Patent No. 7,836,622; Ludlow et al., US Patent No. 7,281,345; and Ludlow et al., International Application Publication No. WO 07/084119; and Maltas et al., US Patent No. 7,763,135 are incorporated herein in their entirety to the extent that they do not conflict with the present disclosure. Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to various embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes in form and detail can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

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