Patent Grant
7197842
The invention relates generally to bracelets. More particularly, the invention relates to a tape of bracelets with tear lines defining the bracelets.
There is a great need for identification bracelets that can be used in various environments, such as sports events, hospitals, music concerts and the like. Over the years, many types of identification bracelets have been developed for these purposes. However, such bracelets have comfort issues relating to their use and/or waste material that needs to be discarded. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,914,843 discloses a roll of bracelets arranged end-to-end along a tape of uniform width. However, the roll includes waste areas along opposite sides of the strap portion of each bracelet which need to be separated from the bracelets and discarded. In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,799,426 discloses a bracelet of uniform width along the length of the entire bracelet. However, while the width is useful in the central area to accommodate the placement of information, the width of the bracelet is likely to cause discomfort to the wearer. In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,637 discloses a roll of bracelets arranged end-to-end along a tape of uniform width. However, this tape of bracelets also includes waste portions of the tape which need to be separated from the bracelets and disposed of.
Accordingly, there is a need for a bracelet that provides the wearer with a comfortable fit. There is a further need for a roll of bracelets where no part of the roll is wasted. The present invention satisfies these needs and provides other related advantages.
The present invention provides a bracelet that is comfortable for the wearer. The present invention further provides a roll of bracelets where no part of the roll is wasted.
An embodiment of the present invention, in the form of a flexible, substantially non-stretchable, imprintable tape, includes parallel side edges. The tape has lines of weakness constituting tear lines defining in outline a longitudinal series of identification bracelets.
Each bracelet has a generally rectangular imprintable portion, a first elongated strap portion at one end of the imprintable portion, and a second elongated strap portion at an opposite end of the imprintable portion. The imprintable portion has a width equal to the width of the tape and the first and second portions each have a width substantially less than that of the tape. The first strap portion has a longitudinal edge defined by with one of the side edges of the tape and an opposite longitudinal edge defined by one of the lines of weakness. The second strap portion has a longitudinal edge defined by an opposite side edge of the tape relative to the first strap portion and an opposite longitudinal edge defined by another one of the lines of weakness.
Each bracelet in the tape is symmetrical such that no part of the tape is wasted. The bracelets are aligned, generally end-to-end, the first strap portion of at least one bracelet generally adjacent and parallel to the second strap portion of an adjacent bracelet. The tape is rolled into a coil.
The imprintable and first strap portions share a common edge of the tape and the imprintable and second strap portions share an opposite common edge of the tape. The first and second strap portions of adjacent bracelets are separated by the lines of weakness. The lines of weakness extend generally along the longitudinal midline of the tape and extend to the edges of the tape at the extremities of the lines of weakness. The lines of weakness can be in the form of die-cuts extending partially through the tape.
The first strap portion of each bracelet includes means for operatively connecting the first and second strap portions. The connecting means includes at least one aperture.
The first strap portion further includes a plurality of longitudinally extending apertures. The second strap portion also includes a plurality of longitudinally extending apertures.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:
As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, the present invention resides in an imprintable (via hand or machine) tape with tear lines defining symmetrical identification bracelets. As illustrated in
The bracelets 14 form the entire body 12 of the tape 10. Each bracelet 14 including a strap portion 18, tab portion 20, and intermediate or imprintable portion 22 therebetween. Each bracelet 14 is generally S-shaped. The intermediate portion 22 equal in width to the body 12. The strap 18 and tab 20 portions each have a width generally half that of the intermediate portion 22 or the width of the body 12. All of the bracelets 14 have the same orientation with respect to the body 12.
The S-shape of the bracelet 14 provides a comfortable fit for the wearer. The bracelets 14 of the body 12 are aligned, generally end-to-end along the length of the tape 10. The strap portion 18 of at least one bracelet 14 is generally adjacent and parallel to the tab portion 20 of an adjacent bracelet 14. The intermediate 22 and tab 20 portions share a common edge 24 of the body and the intermediate 22 and strap 18 portions share an opposite common edge 26 of the body 12. The shape and positioning of the bracelets 14 along the length of the tape 10 ensure that no part or material of the body 12 is wasted.
The bracelets 14 of the tape 10 are separable from one another along lines of weakness or tear lines 16. The tear lines 16 are perforations or die-cuts extending partially through the body 12. These tear lines 16, forming most of the border between adjacent bracelets 14 are primarily located between the tab 20 and strap 18 portions of adjacent bracelets 14. Another portion of the border between adjacent bracelets 14 are tear lines 16a located between the tab 20 and intermediate 22 portions and strap 18 and intermediate 22 portions of adjacent bracelets 14. In the alternative, the tear lines 16 can be scored or kiss-cut in order to provide a smooth edge. The tear lines 16 extend through nearly the full thickness of the tape 10.
The tape 10 can be rolled into a coil 28. This allows the tape 10 to be placed within a dispenser (not shown), fed through a computer printer (not shown), such as a direct thermal printer or a thermal transfer printer, etc.
The strap portion 18 includes a plurality of openings or apertures 30 extending longitudinally along a portion of the strap portion 18. The apertures 30 extend along a longitudinal midline of the strap portion 18 and are evenly spaced along the length of the strap portion 18. As illustrated in
As illustrated in
Information is imprintable upon each bracelet 14, primarily upon the intermediate portion 22 of the bracelet 14. The length of the strap 18, tab 20 and intermediate 22 portions each form approximately one third the total length of each bracelet 14 although the respective lengths of the portions 18, 20, 22 may vary.
A non-contact machine readable radio frequency identification (RFID) chip 40 is located on or embedded within each bracelet 14. An antenna 42 is operatively connected to the chip 40. Alternatively, the chip 40 may be a self-contained module that includes an antenna. In another alternative, the antenna 42 is embedded in the fastener 32 and operatively connected to the chip 40. In yet another alternative, both the chip 40 and the antenna 42 are operatively connected to each other and embedded in the fastener 32.
As illustrated in
In use, the tape 10 provides a bracelet 14 that is comfortable for the wearer. The S-shape of the bracelet 14 allows the bracelet 14 to be held on the wearer while minimizing the width of the bracelet 14 and area of the wearer's body that the bracelet 14 comes in contact with. The tape 10 also provides a coil roll 28 of bracelets where no part of the roll 28 is wasted. The S-shape of the bracelets 14 and the way that the strap and tab portions 18, 20 of adjacent bracelets 14 are arranged, allow the entirety of the tape 10 to be used.
The above-described embodiments of the present invention are illustrative only and not limiting. It will thus be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the appended claims encompass all such changes and modifications as falling within the true spirit and scope of this invention.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2399545 | Davis | Apr 1946 | A |
| 3825463 | Amann | Jul 1974 | A |
| 4914843 | DeWoskin | Apr 1990 | A |
| 5581924 | Peterson | Dec 1996 | A |
| 5799426 | Peterson | Sep 1998 | A |
| 5873188 | Gehris | Feb 1999 | A |
| 6058637 | Duncan | May 2000 | A |
| 6335686 | Goff et al. | Jan 2002 | B1 |
| 6598800 | Schmit et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20040237367 A1 | Dec 2004 | US |
