TWIST-TIE PRODUCT

Abstract

A twist-tie fastener has a main body with a length extending from a first end to a second end and a width extending from a first side to a second side. The main body has a pre-marked portion positioned at an intermediate location between the first end and the second end of the main body. The main body has a first label area adjacent the first end and a second label area adjacent the second end. The combination of the pre-marked portion and the first and second label areas are configured to signal a user to mark only in the first and second label areas during use of the twist-tie fastener.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to fasteners, specifically to twist-tie fasteners and methods of use.

BACKGROUND

There are many uses for twist-ties. In a grocery store, for example, consumers commonly place produce items, bakery items, bulk food items, and the like in bags and use twist-ties to temporarily close the bags. Cost-effective manufacture, refill, or replacement of the twist-ties is advantageous.

For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for an improved twist-tie fastener.

SUMMARY

The following summary is made by way of example and not by way of limitation. It is merely provided to aid the reader in understanding some of the aspects of the inventive features.

In one example, a twist-tie fastener has a main body with a length extending from a first end to a second end and a width extending from a first side to a second side. The main body has a pre-marked portion positioned at an intermediate location between the first end and the second end of the main body. The main body has a first label area adjacent the first end and a second label area adjacent the second end. The combination of the pre-marked portion and the first and second label areas are configured to signal a user to mark only in the first and second label areas during use of the twist-tie fastener. In certain examples, the main body includes a malleable material surrounded by an outer coating. The malleable material is configured to allow the main body of the twist-tie to be affixed to an object. In certain examples, the outer coating is paper or polymeric material. In certain examples, a majority of the first and second label areas define a blank portion. In certain examples, the pre-marked portion is marked by a registered printing process.

In another example, a fastener has a main body with a length extending from a first end to a second end and a width extending from a first side to a second side. The main body includes a pre-printed portion between first and second label areas. The first and second label areas are adjacent the first and second ends respectively. The first and second label areas are configured for marking by a user. In certain examples, the fastener is a twist-tie fastener.

In another example, a fastener has a main body with a length extending from a first end to a second end and a width extending from a first side to a second side. The main body includes a pre-printed portion between blank portions. The blank portions are adjacent the first and second ends, respectively, of the fastener. The blank portions are configured for marking by a user during use of the fastener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The inventive aspects of the present disclosure can be more easily understood, and further advantages and uses thereof can be more readily apparent, when considered in view of the detailed description and the following Figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a twist-tie fastener having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a twist-tie fastener having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example embodiment of a twist-tie cluster formed from the twist-ties of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates another example embodiment of a fastener having features that are examples of inventive aspects in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a specific example of the type of fastener disclosed by FIG. 4.

In accordance with common practice, the various described features may not be drawn to scale but are drawn to emphasize specific inventive features relevant to the present disclosure. Reference characters denote like elements throughout the Figures and the text.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration, embodiments in which the inventions may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the inventive features, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present inventive features are defined only by the claims and equivalents thereof.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide improved twist-tie fasteners.

A first embodiment of a twist-tie 10 having features that are examples of inventive aspects is illustrated in FIG. 1. The twist-tie 10, as shown, defines a fastener portion 12 extending between a first end 14 and a second end 16. The fastener portion 12 extends along a longitudinal axis A and defines a length L between the first and second ends 14, 16. The fastener portion 12 of the twist-tie 10 provides the closure function for the twist-tie 10 and, in certain examples, includes a malleable material surrounded by an outer coating. According to certain examples, the malleable material can be manufactured from various metals and the outer coating may be of paper or polymeric construction.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the twist-tie 10 of the present disclosure also includes an indicia portion 18 extending at least partially along the fastener portion 12 of the twist-tie 10. The indicia portion 18 provides an area or space 20 for the application of indicia. For example, the indicia portion 18 may be used by the consumers to provide indicia on the twist-tie 10 in addition to the fastening function of the twist-tie 10, where the consumers can label the packages/bags enclosed by the twist-ties, take notes, or apply other indicia thereon. In contrast to consumer use, the area 20 provided by the indicia portion 18 may be used for branding and include pre-applied or printed indicia such as coupon codes, advertising, or trademarks.

The indicia portion 18 of the twist-tie 10 includes at least a portion 22 that is attached to the fastener 12 and at least a portion 24 that is separated from the fastener 12. The separation between the indicia portion 18 and the fastener 12 of the twist-tie defines a slit 26. The slit 26 defines an open end 28 and a closed end 30 and extends between the open and closed ends 28, 30.

In the example embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the twist-tie 10 includes a single slit 26 that extends in a direction from the first end 14 toward the second end 16. As will be discussed in further detail below, other twist-tie designs that provide for a first slit extending from an open end toward a closed end in the direction of the first end 14 toward the second end 16 and a second slit extending from an open end toward a closed end in the direction of the second end 16 toward the first end 14 are also contemplated as shown in FIG. 2. Such designs may include indicia portions 18 that extend generally the entire length of the fastener portions 12 of the twist-ties 10 and may provide a larger area/length for application of indicia, especially pre-applied or printed indicia.

The separation of the indicia portion 18 and the fastener portion 12 of the twist-tie 10 via the slit 26 enables provision of a longer fastener portion 12 for the twist-tie 10 than would otherwise be possible by an indicia portion that was fully attached to the fastener portion 12. Thus, in this manner, the length of the usable fastener portion 12 is increased as compared to a twist-tie that does not utilize a slit. Since a longer usable portion is enabled for the fastening function, the overall length of the fastener portion 12 extending from the first end 14 to the second end 16 (as well as the overall length of the twist-tie 10) can be reduced for space savings. Conventional twist-ties that do not provide for a separation between the indicia portion and the fastener portion of the twist-tie often require a substantially longer fastener portion in order to fully utilize the closure function of the twist-tie, making the overall twist-tie longer for a given indicia portion.

As shown in the example of FIG. 1, the indicia portion 18 defines an angled side 32. The provision of the angled side 32 improves manufacturability. The angled side 32 allows a pair 34 of symmetric twist-ties 10 shown in FIG. 1 to be provided as a unit in a cluster 36 of twist-ties 10, where each twist-tie 10 of the pair 34 is positioned opposing each other and positioned so as to at least partially overlap along the longitudinal axis/direction A. When positioned in this manner, the open end 28 of the slit 26 for each twist-tie 10 of a given pair 34 is located at an opposite end of the pair 34.

With the specific design of the twist-tie 10 shown in FIG. 1, a blade of a manufacturing apparatus can efficiently make the required slits 26 in forming two separate twist-ties 10, each with a separate indicia portion 18, from a single given piece of paper. A twist-tie cluster 36 that includes a plurality of the described twist-tie pairs 34 is shown in FIG. 3.

Another example of a twist-tie 110 is shown in FIG. 2. As noted above, in certain examples, the twist-tie 110 may define an indicia portion 118 that extends generally along the entire length L of the fastener portion 112. Such a design provides for a first slit 126a extending from an open end 128a toward a closed end 130a in the direction of a first end 114 toward a second end 116 and a second slit 126b extending from an open end 128b toward a closed end 130b in the direction of the second end 116 toward the first end 114. This type of a design may be advantageous for providing branding on the twist-ties 110, where the branding can extend along the entire length L of the twist-tie 110, while the fastener portion 112 is used for the closure function.

Although illustrated as such, it should be noted that the open ends 128a, 128b of the slits 126a, 126b do not have to be adjacent the ends 114, 116 of the fastener portion 112. The indicia portions 118 do not have to extend all the way to the ends 114, 116 of the fastener portions 112 and can be provided in differing lengths/sizes. The same is applicable to all of the noted embodiments of the twist-ties.

Also, as shown in the depicted embodiments, in the twist-ties 10, 110 of the present disclosure, the closed ends of the slits are generally provided at a location that is positioned close to but at generally less than halfway along the length L of the fastener when taken in a direction from either the first end toward the second end or the second end toward the first end (see, e.g., FIG. 1). In the example of the twist-tie 110 shown in FIG. 2, the closed end 130a of the first slit 126a is positioned close to but at less than halfway along the length L when taken in a direction from the first end 114 toward the second end 116, and the closed end 130b of the second slit 126b is positioned close to but at less than halfway along the length L when taken in a direction from the second end 116 toward the first end 114. This configuration allows sufficient connection between the indicia portion 18, 118 and the fastener portion 12, 112 of the twist-tie 10, 110, while maximizing the length of the indicia portion 18, 118 along the longitudinal direction. Placing the closed end of the slit close to the center-point of the fastener 12, 112 (in combination with an angled side 32) also allows overlapping positioning of symmetric twist-ties 10, 110 as shown in FIG. 3 to facilitate manufacturability and provide space saving.

In another embodiment, a fastener 200 includes inventive aspects as illustrated in FIG. 4. The fastener 200 defines a main body 210 with a first end 214 and a second end 216. The main body 210 defines a first side 218 and a second side 220. A length L2 is defined extending between the first end 214 and the second end 216. A width W is defined between the first side 218 and the second side 220. According to the inventive aspects of the disclosure, the fastener 200 includes a pre-marked portion 222 and first and second label areas 224, 226. The pre-marked portion 222 may be used for branding and include pre-applied or printed indicia such as coupon codes, advertising, trademarks, or other branding information. In contrast, the first and second label areas 224, 226, are designed to be used by a user/consumer to label the packages/bags enclosed by the fastener 200, take notes, or apply other indicia thereon.

In the depicted embodiment and according to the inventive aspects, the first label area 224 is adjacent the first end 214 of the main body 210. The first label area 224 extends partially about length L2 between the first end 214 and a first end 232 of the pre-marked portion 222. The example in FIG. 4 shows the first label area 224 extending between first and second sides 218, 220 along the width W. In certain examples, the entire first label area 224 may be a blank portion 236a. In certain examples, a majority of the first label area 224 forms the blank portion 236a while another portion of the first label area 224 may be defined by a secondary pre-marked portion 238a.

The second label area 226 is adjacent the second end 216 of the main body 210. The second label area 226 extends partially about length L2 between the second end 216 and a second end 234 of the pre-marked portion 222. The example in FIG. 4 shows the second label area 226 extending between the first and second sides 218, 220 along the width W. In certain examples, the entire second label area 226 may be a blank portion 236b. In certain examples, a majority of the second label area 226 forms the blank portion 236b while another portion of the second label area 226 may be defined by a secondary pre-marked portion 238b.

As shown in FIG. 4, the pre-marked portion 222 of the fastener 200 is positioned at an intermediate location between the first end 214 and the second end 216 of the main body 210. In certain examples, the pre-marked portion extends between the first side 218 and the second side 220 along the width W. In certain examples, the pre-marked portion 222 is centered about the length L2 between the first and second ends 214, 216. In certain examples, the pre-marked portion defines a majority of the main body 210. As shown in FIG. 4, the pre-marked portion 222 is bordered by the first and second label areas.

According to the inventive aspects of the disclosure, the pre-marked portion 222 of the fastener 200 is marked prior to a user/consumer interacting with the fastener 200. The pre-marked portion 222 may have any number of markings. For instance, there may be a background marking across the entirety of the pre-marked portion 222. There may be additional branding and/or instructions over the background marking. As a specific example, shown in FIG. 5, the pre-marked portion may include text such as “<For ease at checkout, please write BIN #/PLU (Price Look Up) on ends>” (referring to the first and second label areas 224, 226). Both the pre-marked portion 222 and the secondary pre-marked portion 238 may be printed, stamped, or otherwise formed on the fastener in a number of ways. In certain examples, a registered printing process may be used.

The combination of the pre-marked portion 222 and the first and second label areas 224, 226, are configured to signal to a user to mark only in the first and second label areas 224, 226. The blank portion 236 is designed to provide a user/consumer an area that is available for labeling or marking. The blank portion 236 in combination with the pre-marked portion 222 and, in some cases, the secondary pre-marked portion 238, direct or indicate to a user/consumer that the blank portion 236 is the only available place for user markings or labeling. By having all user markings/labeling near first and second ends 214, 216, the user markings remain visible when the fastener 200 is used/twisted for fastening. In this manner, a different user such as a check-out clerk at a grocery store is also able to see the marked indicia clearly during the check-out process.

As discussed in previously examples, in certain embodiments, the fastener 200 may be a twist-tie fastener. In certain examples, the fastener 200 includes a malleable material surrounded by an outer coating. The malleable material can be manufactured from various metals and the outer coating may be of paper or polymeric construction. Other materials are also contemplated for the manufacture of the fastener. When fastener 200 is a twist-tie fastener, the malleable material provides the main fastening function without the use of other means such as adhesives, etc.

Claims

1. A twist-tie fastener comprising: a main body with a length extending from a first end to a second end and a width extending from a first side to a second side;a pre-marked portion positioned at an intermediate location between the first end and the second end of the main body;a first label area adjacent the first end; anda second label area adjacent the second end;wherein the combination of the pre-marked portion and the first and second label areas is configured to signal a user to label the twist-tie fastener only in the first and second label areas.

2. The twist-tie fastener of claim 1, wherein the main body includes a malleable material surrounded by an outer coating, the malleable material configured to allow the main body of the twist-tie to be affixed to an object.

3. The twist-tie fastener of claim 2, wherein the outer coating is paper or a polymeric material.

4. The twist-tie fastener of claim 1, wherein a majority of the first and second label areas are defined by a blank portion.

5. The twist-tie fastener of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second label areas further includes a secondary pre-marked portion, while still allowing the user to label the twist-tie fastener at the first and second label areas.

6. The twist-tie fastener of claim 5, wherein the secondary pre-marked portion is a different marking than the pre-marked portion.

7. The twist-tie fastener of claim 1, wherein the pre-marked portion is marked by a registered printing process.

8. The twist-tie fastener of claim 1, wherein the pre-marked portion is provided along a majority of the main body.

9. The twist-tie fastener of claim 1, wherein the pre-marked portion is generally centered between the first and second ends.

10. The twist-tie fastener of claim 1, wherein the pre-marked portion includes corporate branding information.

11. The twist-tie fastener of claim 10, wherein the corporate branding information is a trademark.

12. The twist-tie fastener of claim 1, wherein the first and second label areas are the same size.

13. The twist-tie fastener of claim 1, wherein the entirety of the first and second label areas are defined by a blank portion.

14. The twist-tie fastener of claim 5, wherein the secondary pre-marked portion is configured to provide instructions to a user as to the content of the information to be labeled at the first and second label areas.

15. A fastener comprising: a main body with a length extending from a first end to a second end and a width extending from a first side to a second side;wherein the main body includes a pre-printed portion between first and second label areas, wherein the first and second label areas are adjacent the first and second ends, respectively, of the fastener, and wherein the first and second label areas are configured for marking by a user using the fastener.

16. The fastener of claim 15, wherein the fastener is a twist-tie fastener.

17. The fastener of claim 16, wherein the main body includes a malleable material surrounded by an outer coating, the malleable material configured to allow the main body of the twist-tie fastener to be affixed to an object.

18. The fastener of claim 17, wherein the outer coating is paper or a polymeric material.

19. The fastener of claim 15, wherein a majority of the first and second label areas defines a blank portion.

20. The fastener of claim 15, wherein each of the first and second label areas further includes a secondary pre-marked portion, while still allowing the user to label the fastener at the first and second label areas.

21. A fastener comprising: a main body with a length extending from a first end to a second end and a width extending from a first side to a second side;wherein the main body includes a pre-printed portion between blank portions, the blank portions being adjacent the first and second ends, respectively, the blank portions configured for marking by a user.