HK1185991B - Notched fastener stock - Google Patents

Description

Grooved fastener stock

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/420,856, filed on 8/12/2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to fasteners and fastening systems, and in particular to fasteners or staples (staples) and fastener stock (stock) configured to enable enhanced precision and uniformity in feeding fasteners to needle assemblies of fastening systems.

Background

Plastic fasteners or elastic staples having flexible filament-like structures (filaments) connecting their enlarged side members are becoming an increasingly popular alternative for attaching and securing a variety of different items, particularly in retail or other similar applications. For example, plastic fasteners are now commonly used to attach product labels, price tags, or other materials to fabric materials such as garments, articles of clothing. Alternatively the plastic fastener is used as a means to secure a product or article to a hang tag or similar packaging without the need to fully enclose the product within the packaging. Plastic or elastic fasteners can enable a product to be securely fastened to a product package or label with the risk of injury or damage to the product through the use of metal spikes having sharp edges. In addition, plastic fasteners are generally much less expensive than other packaging methods such as metal staples, cable ties, and/or twist ties.

These plastic fasteners are typically applied or inserted using a fastener dispensing (dispensing) tool or system. These fastener dispensing systems include manually operated tools, commonly referred to as "tagging guns" and automatic stapling devices that feed and cut fasteners from a continuously connected fastener supply (supply) into needle assemblies for inserting the fasteners into articles such as clothing items and the like. For example, U.S. Pat. nos. 4,039,078 and 4,121,487 illustrate continuously connected fastener stock and systems for dispensing plastic fasteners from such fastener stock. As noted in these patents, fastener stock is typically formed having a ladder-like structure including elongate side members with filament-like structures extending therebetween at spaced intervals. Fastener stock is typically fed or wound around a supply roll and will be fed by a feed mechanism to a needle assembly of a fastener dispensing system, whereupon fasteners are separated or cut from the stock and inserted into an article.

In conventional systems, the feed mechanism for feeding fastener stock into the needle assembly of the fastener dispensing system generally includes a feed wheel or similar rotating mechanism that engages the filamentary structure extending between the side members and pulls or forces the fastener stock forward to feed the next fastener into the needle assembly for cutting and insertion. However, such rotary feed systems may often be somewhat bulky and may produce variations in the cutting position. The filamentary structures of the fastener stock typically have a desired amount of elasticity or flexibility, and thus can stretch or expand an amount that changes as the filamentary structures are engaged by the feed wheel, causing a change or difference in the distance the fastener stock is pulled forward. As a result, variations or inconsistencies in the cut locations of successive fasteners cut from the fastener stock are created. Inconsistencies or variations in the location at which these fasteners are cut or severed from their fastener stock result in inconsistencies or reduced dimensions of the side members of the plastic fasteners, which can subsequently lead to improper retention of the fasteners in use. Such rotary feed wheel systems may also be somewhat complex and expensive to operate.

Accordingly, it can be seen that a need exists for a fastener and fastener stock system that addresses the foregoing and other related and unrelated problems in the art.

Summary of The Invention

The embodiments of the present invention described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present invention.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved supply of substantially continuous fastener stock.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a fastener stock as described above which is shaped to include a pair of longitudinal and continuous side members connected to a plurality of equally spaced cross-bars. The pair of longitudinal and continuous side members extend in parallel spaced apart relation and a series of cross bars are arranged at spaced apart intervals between the side members for connecting the side members. Along at least one side member, a series of engagement grooves are present at spaced intervals between each of the cross bar members, and the engagement grooves are rectangular or square in shape.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method of applying a fastener to an article. The method includes the step of first feeding a substantially continuous fastener stock from a supply, wherein the fastener stock includes a pair of longitudinal and continuous side members connected by a rail extending and aligned at spaced intervals along the side members. A second step in which at least one engagement groove is formed along at least one side member and engaged with the feed mechanism. And a third step in which the fastener stock is forced forward by the feed mechanism. A fourth step in which the fastener stock is fed to a needle assembly of the fastener dispensing system. A fifth step in which the fastener is cut from the fastener stock at the cutting location, and a final step in which the fastener is inserted into the article.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a fastener stock as described above which is shaped to include a pair of longitudinal and continuous side members connected to a plurality of equally spaced cross-bars. The pair of longitudinal and continuous side members extend in parallel spaced apart relation and a series of cross bars are arranged at spaced apart intervals between the side members for connecting the side members. Along at least one side member, a series of engagement grooves are present at spaced intervals between each of the cross bar members, and the engagement grooves are rectangular or square in shape.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a paddle fastener stock as described above that is shaped to include a longitudinal and continuous side member connected to a plurality of equally spaced cross bars and a plurality of paddle heads. The longitudinal and continuous side members and the paddle head extend in parallel spaced relationship and a series of cross bars are arranged at spaced intervals between the side members and the paddle head to connect the side members and the paddle head. Along the side members, a series of engagement grooves are present at spaced intervals between each of the cross bar members, and the engagement grooves are rectangular or square in shape.

The embodiments of the present invention described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present invention.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description of the various embodiments and specific examples, while indicating preferred and other embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

Drawings

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will be more completely understood and appreciated by reference to the following more detailed description of the presently preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of the length of fastener stock being continuously connected;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating fastener stock engaged by fingers of a linearly moving feed mechanism;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fastener cut from fastener stock according to the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a plastic fastener dispensing hand tool for applying fasteners;

FIG. 5A is a side view illustrating a fastener stock engaged by fingers that move linearly using a draw (track) mechanism;

FIG. 5B is a side view illustrating a fastener stock engaged by fingers linearly moved by a pulling mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating fastener stock engaged by fingers linearly moving with a carousel-type structure;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are side views illustrating a fastener applied to articles of different thicknesses;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a length of continuously connected paddle fastener stock; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective illustration of a paddle fastener cut from a paddle fastener supply.

Detailed Description

The apparatus and method disclosed in this document are described in detail by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise indicated, like numbers in the drawings indicate reference to the same, similar or corresponding elements throughout the drawings. It is to be appreciated that the disclosed and described examples, arrangements, configurations, assemblies, elements, devices, methods, materials, etc., may be modified and may be desired for specific applications. In this disclosure, any identification of particular shapes, materials, techniques, arrangements, etc., relates to the specific examples presented or merely a general description of such shapes, materials, techniques, arrangements, etc. The acknowledgement of specific details or examples is not intended and should not be construed as mandatory or limiting unless specifically indicated as such. Selected examples of the apparatus and methods are disclosed and described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a length of continuously connected fastener stock 16 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Fastener stock 16 includes a pair of longitudinal and continuous side members or rails 18-1 and 18-2, and a plurality of equally spaced cross-bars 13. The fastener stock 16 includes a plurality of attached fasteners or staples 10 (fig. 3).

The side members 18-1 and 18-2 are spaced from each other a desired fastener distance "d". Along one or both of the side members 18-1 and 18-2, a series of engagement grooves 25 will typically be formed. Each recess 25 will be formed at a location substantially corresponding to or proximate to the actual or desired cutting location 22 of the fastener 10 (fig. 2). For a consistently sized fastener 10 (FIG. 3), the cutting locations 22 on the side members 18-1 and 18-2 should be generally aligned or parallel with each other. The groove 25 will generally be on the outer side 35 of the side members 18-1 and 18-2, facing outwardly and away from the cross bar 13. The side members 18-1 and 18-2 can have various lengths, spacings, and thicknesses.

The cross bar 13 extends between the side members 18-1 and 18-2 to connect the side members 18-1 and 18-2 together. The cross bars 13 are arranged at spaced intervals along the side members 18-1 and 18-2. The cross-bar 13 may be thinner or have a reduced cross-section as compared to the side members 18-1 and 18-2. Additionally, the desired approximate stretch range of the cross-bar 13 may vary depending on the desired application of the fastener 10 (FIG. 3). The cross bars 13 may have various lengths, spacings and thicknesses.

The fastener stock 16 differs in large part from prior art fastener stock in that the fastener stock 16 includes a series of grooves 25 formed along the sides of the side members 18-1 and 18-2. Referring to FIG. 2, the flutes 25 on the side members 18-2 help sever the fastener stock 16 at the appropriate cutting location 22 to ensure a consistent cut for each fastener 10 (FIG. 3). For example, each groove 25 may be aligned with a cutting location 22, or may be offset, shifted by about one pitch, from the cutting location 22. Typically, the groove 25 is located approximately midway between successive rails 13. The recess 25 is further shown as being generally square or rectangular; however, other groove configurations may also be provided.

As shown in fig. 2, the recesses 25 in the side members 18-2 of the fastener stock 16 can be engaged by one or more linearly moving fingers of a fastener dispensing system or advancement mechanism 26 of a feeding system 27. Thus, instead of using a rotating wheel engaging the crossbar 13, which can stretch or bend due to its inherent flexibility; the present invention enables the linearly moving fingers 26 to engage the side members 18-1 and 18-2 to feed the fastener stock 16 to the needle assembly 21 (fig. 4). Unlike the cross bars 13, the side members 18-1 and 18-2 generally have less flexibility or stretch in their longitudinal direction as indicated by arrow M. Thus, the side members 18-1 and 18-2 may provide enhanced consistency in engagement and forward movement of the fingers 26 through linear movement of the feed system 27. In addition, the recesses 25 in the side members 18-1 and 18-2 help ensure that a consistently sized fastener 10 (FIG. 3) is cut, engaged, and inserted into the needle of the needle assembly 21 (FIG. 4).

Referring to fig. 3, a severed fastener 10 is shown. A plurality of individual plastic fasteners 10 can be produced from the fastener stock 16 (fig. 1 and 2) by severing the side members 18-1 and 18-2 (fig. 1 and 2) at the cutting location 22 between the adjacent recess 25 and the continuous cross-bar 13 (fig. 1 and 2). Fastener 10 includes a pair of cross-bars 14-1 and 14-2 interconnected by a thin, flexible filament 23. The cross-bars 14-1 and 14-2 originate from the side members 18-1 and 18-2 (fig. 1 and 2), respectively, and the filamentary structures 23 originate from the corresponding cross-bars 13 (fig. 1 and 2). Depending on the desired size, fastener 10 may be comprised of rails 14-1 and 14-2 with recesses 25.

Fastener stock 16 (fig. 1 and 2) is typically formed by an extrusion or molding process of a plastic or synthetic material such as polypropylene, polyurethane, nylon, polyvinyl chloride, or other similar durable, flexible thermoplastic or elastomeric material. Preferably, the plastic or synthetic material of the fastener will be sufficiently flexible along the filamentary structures 23 and sufficiently rigid along its rails 14-1 and 14-2 so that the fastener 10 can be easily inserted into and pushed through the needle slot of the needle assembly 21 (fig. 4). In addition, the rails 14-1 and 14-2 (FIG. 3) of the fastener 10 must be of sufficient size and/or length to function properly and securely hold the article such that the fastener 10 has sufficient strength to be retained or retained within a garment, paper, fabric or other article.

As shown in fig. 4, fastener stock 16 can be stored or wound about a storage reel (storage reel)17 for feeding to the fastener dispensing system. The fastener stock 16 of the present invention may have a particular elasticity that allows the fastener stock 16 to be wrapped around itself and run through the needle assembly 21. To attach fasteners 10 (fig. 3) to an article, a fastener stock 16 is fed from a supply, such as a storage reel 17. The grooves 25 (fig. 1-3) along the side members 18-1 and 18-2 are engaged in the forward direction by the feed mechanism 27 as indicated by arrow M. The feed mechanism 27 consists of a linearly moving finger 26 that engages the recess 25 (fig. 1-3). Similarly, fastener stock 16 is urged in the advancing direction by feed mechanism 27. The fastener stock 16 is then fed into a needle assembly 21 of the fastener dispensing system, depicted as hand tool 11 in FIG. 4. Individual fasteners 10 (fig. 3) are severed from the fastener stock 16 at a cutting location 22 (fig. 1 and 2) along the side members 18-1 and 18-2. The flutes 25 (fig. 1-3) help to determine the cutting location 22 (fig. 1 and 2) of an individual fastener 10 (fig. 3). Typically, the cutting location 22 (fig. 1 and 2) will be about the groove (fig. 1-3) and about centered between the cross bars 13. Once cut, fastener 10 (fig. 3) is inserted into the article through needle assembly 11. In addition to the hand tool 11, the fastener stock 16 may be utilized with any supplemental (complementary) fastener dispensing system, such as a variable needle binding assembly (variable needle binding assembly).

In addition to the described feed mechanism 27 (fig. 4), fig. 5A illustrates how a plurality of linearly moving fingers 26A, 26B and 26C engage the recess 25 on the fastener stock 16 toward the needle assembly 21 (fig. 4). The linearly moving fingers 26A, 26B and 26C may be mounted on tracks 32 that are incrementally numbered (incrementallonded) forward with each activation of the needle assembly 21 (fig. 4), as indicated by arrow N.

In addition to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B depicts only a single linearly moving finger 26D for engaging the recess 25 of the fastener stock 16. A single linearly moving finger 26D may be mounted on a track 32A that is incrementally numbered forward with each activation of the needle assembly (fig. 4), as indicated by arrow N1.

Alternatively, one or more linearly moving fingers 26D may be mounted on an elliptical belt or carousel-type structure 33 that moves the linearly moving fingers 26D forward incrementally, as indicated by arrow F, and thus the fastener stock 16 moves forward along the length of the desired linear stroke. The linearly moving finger 26 disengages from the recess 25 just prior to the fastener stock 16 reaching the needle assembly 21 (fig. 4). Once disengaged, the linearly moving finger 26 disengages and moves along a return path. The recess 25E in the fastener stock 16 continues to travel forward to the needle assembly 21 (fig. 4) and the linearly moving finger 26D moves into engagement with the next recess 25F.

Once the fastener stock 16 is cut, the severed fasteners 10 (fig. 3) are inserted into the article with the fastener dispensing system. Fig. 7 and 8 illustrate the attachment of fasteners 10 of different configurations for securing stacks 29 of articles of different thicknesses and shapes. In fig. 7, fastener 10 secures two stacks of articles 29, while in fig. 8, fastener 10 secures nine stacks of articles 29. In fig. 7 and 8, the cross-bars 14-1 and 14-2 secure the back 30 of the article while the filamentary structures 23 penetrate the stack of articles 29 and surround the front 31 of the article. The filamentary structures 23 provide flexibility to the fastener 10 and a desired approximate amount of stretch that can be used in different fastening configurations. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate how fastener 10 may be used to secure a stack of articles 29; however, fastener 10 may be used in a variety of applications, including packaging and label stock.

Additionally, while the fastener 10 (FIG. 3) of the present invention is generally illustrated as a plastic nail or T-tip type fastener, various plastic fasteners of other configurations, such as paddle fasteners (paddle fasteners) and loop fasteners (loop fasteners), may be formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Figure 9 provides a perspective view of the length of a continuously connected paddle fastener supply 37. Paddle fastener stock 37 includes a longitudinal and continuous side member or rail 18-3, a plurality of paddle heads 36 and a plurality of equally spaced cross bars 13-1. Paddle fastener stock 37 includes a plurality of connected paddle fasteners 41 (fig. 10).

The paddle head 36 and side member 18-3 are spaced apart from or parallel to each other by a desired fastener distance "p". Along side member 18-3, a series of engagement grooves 39 will typically be formed. Each recess 39 will be formed at a location substantially corresponding to or proximate to the actual or desired cutting location 22 of paddle fastener 41 (fig. 10). For a consistently sized paddle fastener 41 (fig. 10), the cutting locations 22 on the side members 18-3 should be generally aligned or parallel with each other. The groove 39 will generally be on the exterior side 35-1 of the side member 18-3, facing outwardly and away from the cross bar 13-1. The side member 18-3 may have various lengths, spacings, and thicknesses.

The paddle heads 36 are interconnected along rectangular side portions 42. The paddle head 36 is attached to the cross bar 13-1 by attachment along the inner wall 39 of the paddle head 36 near the midpoint 43. The paddle head 36 may have various lengths, spacings, and thicknesses.

The cross bar 13-1 extends between the side member 18-3 and the paddle head 36, connecting the side member 18-3 and the paddle head 36 together. The cross bars 13-1 are arranged at spaced intervals along the side members 18-3 and the paddle heads 36. The cross-bar 13-1 may be thinner or have a reduced cross-section as compared to the side member 18-3. In addition, the desired approximate stretch range of the trip strip 13-1 may vary depending on the desired application of the paddle fastener 37 (FIG. 10). The cross-bars 13-1 may have various lengths, spacings, and thicknesses.

Referring to fig. 10, a severed paddle fastener 41 is shown. A plurality of individual plastic paddle fasteners 41 can be created from the paddle fastener stock 37 (fig. 9) by severing the side members 18-3 (fig. 9) and the paddle head 36 (fig. 9) at the cutting location 22 adjacent the recess 39 and between the continuous rail 13-1 (fig. 9). The paddle fastener 41 includes a cross-bar 14-3 and a rectangular portion 38 interconnected by a thin flexible filament 23-1. Cross-bar 14-3 originates from side member 18-3 (FIG. 9), and filamentary structures 23-1 originate from the corresponding cross-bar 13-1 (FIG. 9). The rectangular portions 38 originate from paddle heads 36 (fig. 9) interconnected along rectangular side portions 42 (fig. 9). Depending on the desired dimensions, paddle fastener 41 may be comprised of crossbar 14-3 with groove 39.

Similar to fastener stock 16 (fig. 1), paddle fastener stock 37 (fig. 9) may be used with a fastener dispensing system.

It can thus be seen that a very advantageous fluted fastener has been provided in accordance with the present invention. While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, and that various modifications and equivalent arrangements may be devised within the scope of the present invention which is to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and products.

The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the doctrine of equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of their invention as pertains to any apparatus, system, method, or article not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims (20)

1. Fastener stock comprising:

a pair of longitudinal and continuous side members extending in parallel spaced apart relation;

a series of cross bars arranged at spaced intervals between the side members for connecting the side members; and

a series of engagement grooves formed along at least one of the side members and facing outwardly and away from the cross bars, the engagement grooves being located between each of the cross bars at spaced intervals,

wherein the engagement groove is shifted by about one pitch from the cutting position.

2. The fastener stock of claim 1 wherein the fastener stock is formed of a resilient, flexible plastic.

3. The fastener stock of claim 1 wherein the fastener stock is formed of a resilient, flexible synthetic material.

4. The fastener stock of claim 1, wherein the fastener stock is a paddle fastener stock.

5. The fastener stock of claim 1, wherein the fastener stock is a loop fastener stock.

6. The fastener stock of claim 1 wherein the cross-bars have a reduced cross-section as compared to the side members to provide a desired range of stretch for each fastener separated from the fastener stock.

7. The fastener stock of claim 1 wherein the engagement recess is approximately midway between successive cross-bars.

8. The fastener stock of claim 1 wherein the side members and the cross-bars are formed by an extrusion process.

9. The fastener stock of claim 1 wherein the side members and the cross-bars are formed by a molding process.

10. A method of applying a fastener to an article, comprising:

feeding a substantially continuous fastener stock from a supply, the fastener stock including a pair of longitudinal side members connected by a cross-bar extending between and arranged at spaced intervals along the side members, wherein the side members include at least one engagement groove formed along at least one of the side members, the at least one engagement groove facing outwardly and away from the cross-bar;

engaging the at least one engagement groove with a feed mechanism;

urging the fastener stock forwardly by the feed mechanism;

feeding the fastener stock to a needle assembly of a fastener dispensing system;

cutting fasteners from the fastener stock at a cutting location; and is

Inserting the fastener into the article and,

wherein the engagement groove is shifted by about one pitch from the cutting position.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein during the feeding of the fastener stock, the engagement recess of the at least one side member is engaged by an at least linearly moving finger such that the fastener stock can be incrementally advanced along a substantially linear path of travel to separate individual fasteners from the fastener stock.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein said step of urging said fastener stock forwardly by said feed mechanism includes incrementally moving said fastener stock forwardly along a linearly extending path of travel at the location of groove engagement.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the fastener dispensing system is a dispensing hand tool.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein the fastener dispensing system is a variable pin binding assembly.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein said step of urging said fastener stock forwardly by said feed mechanism includes incrementally moving said fastener stock forwardly along a track which is also withdrawn to engage the next engagement recess.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein said step of urging said fastener stock forwardly by said advancement mechanism includes incrementally moving said fastener stock forwardly along a carousel-type structure.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein feeding the fastener stock from the supply device comprises pulling the fastener stock from a supply roll as the engagement recess of the fastener stock is engaged by the feed mechanism.

18. Fastener stock comprising:

a series of longitudinal and continuous side members and paddle heads extending in parallel spaced relation;

a series of cross bars arranged at spaced intervals between the side members and the paddle head to connect the side members and the paddle head; and

a series of engagement recesses formed along at least one of said side members and facing outwardly and away from said cross bars, said engagement recesses being located at spaced intervals between each of said cross bars,

wherein the engagement groove is shifted by about one pitch from the cutting position.

19. The fastener stock of claim 18 wherein the fastener stock is formed of a resilient, flexible plastic.

20. The fastener stock of claim 18 wherein the fastener stock is formed of a resilient, flexible synthetic material.