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EP1311434B1 - Agents de fixation plastiques et aiguilles d'application - Google Patents

Agents de fixation plastiques et aiguilles d'application Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1311434B1
EP1311434B1 EP01955966A EP01955966A EP1311434B1 EP 1311434 B1 EP1311434 B1 EP 1311434B1 EP 01955966 A EP01955966 A EP 01955966A EP 01955966 A EP01955966 A EP 01955966A EP 1311434 B1 EP1311434 B1 EP 1311434B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
cross
bar
longitudinally
length
shaped
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP01955966A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1311434A1 (fr
EP1311434A4 (fr
Inventor
William J. Cooper
Jeffrey A. Raymond
Charles L. Deschenes
Daniel Gilbertson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Avery Dennison Corp
Original Assignee
Avery Dennison Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/625,334 external-priority patent/US6427895B1/en
Priority claimed from US09/740,700 external-priority patent/US6564939B1/en
Application filed by Avery Dennison Corp filed Critical Avery Dennison Corp
Publication of EP1311434A1 publication Critical patent/EP1311434A1/fr
Publication of EP1311434A4 publication Critical patent/EP1311434A4/fr
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1311434B1 publication Critical patent/EP1311434B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
    • G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
    • G09F3/00—Labels, tag tickets, or similar identification or indication means; Seals; Postage or like stamps
    • G09F3/08—Fastening or securing by means not forming part of the material of the label itself
    • G09F3/12—Fastening or securing by means not forming part of the material of the label itself by pins, staples, or the like
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C7/00—Affixing tags
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65C—LABELLING OR TAGGING MACHINES, APPARATUS, OR PROCESSES
    • B65C7/00—Affixing tags
    • B65C7/003—Affixing tags using paddle-shaped plastic pins

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to plastic fasteners and to the dispensing of plastic fasteners of the type that are used, for example, to attach tags to articles of commerce.
  • Plastic fasteners of the type comprising an elongated flexible filament having a first cross-bar at one end and a second cross-bar (or other enlargement, such as a paddle or a knob) at the opposite end are well-known and have been widely used in a variety of applications, such as in the attachment of merchandise tags to articles of commerce, in the attachment of buttons to garments, in the lasting of shoes, and in various packaging applications.
  • plastic fasteners are mass-produced by molding processes into either one of two different types of assemblies.
  • One suchassembty an example of which is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
  • a clip-type assembly comprising a plurality of fasteners, each such fastener comprising a flexible filament having a first cross-bar at one end thereof and a paddle or second cross-bar at the opposite end thereof.
  • the fasteners are arranged in a spaced, side-by-side orientation, with the respective first cross-bars parallel to one another and the respective paddles or second cross-bars parallel to one another, each of the first cross-bars being joined to a common, orthogonally-disposed runner bar by a severable connector.
  • Adjacent second cross-bars or paddles also may be interconnected by severable connectors extending therebetween.
  • the aforementioned fastener clip is typically made by injection molding.
  • Several, commercial embodiments of the above-described fastener clip have been sold by the present assignee, Avery Dennison Corporation, as DENNISON® SWIFTACH® fastener clips.
  • a second type of fastener assembly is known as continuously connected fastener stock.
  • the fasteners comprise a flexible filament having a cross-bar at one end thereof and a paddle (or second cross-bar) at the opposite end thereof, the respective cross-bars and paddles of successive fasteners being arranged end-to-end and being joined together by severable connectors.
  • the fastener stock is formed from two elongated and continuous side members coupled together by a plurality of cross-links equidistantly-spaced apart by a distance of 6.35mm (0.25 inch).
  • Continuousily connected fastener stock is typically-made by a rotary extrusion process of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,462,784, inventor Russell, which issued July 31, 1984.
  • Said rotary extrusion process typically involves the use of a rotating molding wheel whose periphery is provided with molding cavities that are complementary in shape to the desired fastener stock.
  • plastic is extruded into the cavities of the molding wheel, and a knife in substantially elliptical contact with the wheel is used to skive the molded plastic from the molding wheel.
  • the filament portions of the fasteners are typically stretched.
  • first cross-bar, the filament, and the second cross-bar are flat on one side thereof, with the flattened sides of the first cross-bar, the filament and the second cross-bar all lying in the same plane (see e.g., Fig. 1B of U.S. Patent No. 4,462,784).
  • the opposite sides of the first-cross bar, the filament, and the second cross-bar (or paddle) conform to the shapes of the molding cavities and are typically not flat.
  • the first cross-bar its opposite side is curved, thereby resulting in a cross-bar whose transverse cross-section has a shape resembling a semicircle or semi-ellipse.
  • Such tools typically comprise a needle, the needle typically including a stem portion.
  • the stem portion typically is generally cylindrical in shape and has a longitudinally-extending, cylindrically-shaped bore adapted to receive the first cross-bar of a fastener.
  • said stem portion also typically has a longitudinally-extending slot adapted to permit the filament portion of a fastener to extend therethrough while the first cross-bar of the fastener is disposed in the longitudinal bore of the stem portion.
  • the stem portion also typically has a tip adapted for insertion into a desired article of commerce.
  • the needle also may include a base portion, said base portion being attached to the rear of the stem portion and being adapted to be removably received in the tool.
  • the stem portion and the base portion may be a unitary structure or, as is more often the case, the base portion is insert-molded onto the rear end of the stem portion.
  • Such tools also typically comprise an ejector rod for ejecting a first cross-bar from the needle and into the article of commerce and may also include a knife or similar severing means for cutting the severable connector between the first cross-bar being dispensed and its adjacent first cross-bar and feeding means for advancing the assembly of fasteners in the tool so as to align the forwardmost first cross-bar with the needle.
  • the needle has a circular transverse cross-sectional shape
  • the effect of the bore being larger in cross-sectional shape than the fastener is that the needle has an outer width or diameter that is larger than that required by the fastener. Consequently, the needle creates an insertion hole in the article of commerce that is greater than that required by the fastener. Because it is desirable to minimize the size of the insertion hole (to minimize damage to the article), the outcome described above is undesirable.
  • Russell describes in the U.S. Patent No. 3,990, 619 an improved hollow needle for inserting through a material a fastener having a flexible filament with a retaining cross-bar at one end.
  • Hussey et al. describes in the U.S. Patent No. 5,042,558 the manufacture of a fastener dispensing needle by a machining process, which includes bending a metal tube to assist in obtaining an important configuration for the tip of the needle.
  • fastener stock that permits more fasteners to be fitted to a length of stock than to a comparable length of prior art stock. This object is achieved by a fastener stock as defined by claim 1.
  • Related fasteners and combinations of fasteners and needles are defined by claims 10, 11, 18 and 20.
  • a needle useful in dispensing plastic fasteners of the type comprising a filament having a cross-bar at a first end thereof, said needle comprising a stem portion, said stem portion terminating in a tip at a front end thereof and being shaped to define a longitudinally-extending bore and a longitudinally-extending slot, said longitudinally-extending bore being dimensioned to receive said cross-bar, said longitudinally-extending slot being dimensioned to permit said filament to extend therethrough while said cross-bar is disposed within said longitudinally-extending bore, said longitudinally-extending bore having a first flat side, said longitudinally-extending slot having a first flat side, said first flat sides of said longitudinally-extending bore and said longitudinally-extending slot being coplanar.
  • the aforementioned needle is particularly well-suited for use with plastic fasteners wherein each of the filament and the cross-bar has a flat side and wherein said flat sides are coplanar.
  • fasteners include fasteners formed as part of continuously connected fastener stock made by rotary extrusion, such as plastic staples.
  • plastic staples of the type comprising a filament and a cross-bar that collectively have a "d"-shape are to be dispensed using the needle of the present invention
  • the longitudinally-extending bore and the longitudinally-extending slot of the stem portion of the needle preferably collectively have a complementary "d"-shaped transverse cross-section.
  • the longitudinally-extending bore may have a generally semi-elliptical transverse cross-sectional shape, a generally rectangular transverse cross-sectional shape, a generally B-shaped transverse cross-sectional shape, a generally wedge-shaped transverse cross-sectional shape or a like complementary transverse cross-sectional shape.
  • the stem portion of the needle is preferably made of a steel or boron/nickel alloy and is preferably fabricated using electroforming.
  • the needle preferably further comprises a base portion, said base portion being insert-molded onto a rear end of said stem portion.
  • a needle useful in dispensing plastic fasteners of the type comprising a filament having a cross-bar at a first end thereof, said needle comprising a stem portion, said stem portion terminating at a front end thereof in a tip, said stem portion having a longitudinally extending slotted bore, said longitudinally extending slotted bore having a flat side in transverse cross-section.
  • the aforementioned needle may be used with a variety of plastic staples or other plastic fasteners wherein each of the filament and the cross-bar has a flat side and wherein said flat sides are coplanar.
  • An example of such a fastener is a plastic staple wherein the filament and the cross-bar have coplanar flat sides and wherein the cross-bar has a "B"-shape in transverse cross-section.
  • the needle preferably has a slotted bore that is complementary in shape to the cross-bar and filament of the fastener.
  • a method of fabricating a needle well-suited for use in the dispensing of plastic fasteners of the type comprising a filament having a cross-bar at a first end thereof comprises the steps of (a) fabricating an unfinished stem portion, said fabricating step comprising electroforming a metal onto a master, said master having a "d"-shaped transverse cross-section, and then removing the master from the electroformed metal; and (b) finishing said unfinished stem portion, said finishing step comprising machining the unfinished stem portion to yield a finished stem portion, said finished stem portion terminating in a tip at a front end and being shaped to define a longitudinally-extending bore and a longitudinally-extending slot, said longitudinaily-extending bore being shaped to receive said cross-bar, said longitudinally-extending slot being shaped to permit said filament to extend therethrough while said cross-bar is disposed within said longitudinally-extending bore, said longitudinally-extending bore and said longitudinally-extending slot collectively having a "d"-shaped transverse cross-section.
  • the needle made by the aforementioned method is particularly well-suited for use with plastic staples and other plastic fasteners wherein the filament and the cross-bar collectively, have a generally "d"-shaped longitudinal cross-section (said cross-section being defined as being along the longitudinal axis, of the filament and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cross-bar).
  • the metal of the aforementioned method is a steel or boron/nickel alloy, and said electroforming step preferably comprises depositing metal onto said master to a thickness of about 0.076 to 0.127mm (0.003-0.005 inch).
  • the above-described method preferably further comprises insert-molding a base portion onto a rear end of the finished stem portion.
  • a combination of a plastic fastener and a needle can be provided, in which said plastic fastener comprises a flexible filament having a cross-bar at a first end thereof, said cross-bar and said flexible filament collectively having a generally "d"-shaped longitudinal cross-section, said needle comprising a stem portion, said stem portion terminating in a tip at a front end thereof and being shaped to define a longitudinally-extending bore and a longitudinally-extending slot, said longitudinally-extending bore being dimensioned to receive said cross-bar, said longitudinally-extending slot being dimensioned to permit said flexible filament to extend therethrough while said cross-bar is disposed within said longitudinally-extending bore, said longitudinally-extending bore and said longitudinally-extending slot collectively having a generally "d"-shaped transverse cross-section.
  • the fastener cross-bar of the aforementioned combination is generally semi-elliptical in transverse cross-sectional , shape or is generally rectangular, in transverse cross-sectional shape.
  • the cross-bar may be generally rectangular in transverse cross-sectional shape and has a transverse cross-sectional height and a transverse cross-sectional width, said transverse cross-sectional height being greater than said transverse cross-sectional width and being parallel to the length of said flexible filament.
  • Said plastic fastener may comprise a flexible filament having a cross-bar at a first end thereof, each of said cross-bar and said-flexible filament having a flat side, said flat sides being coplanar, said cross-bar being generally "B"-shaped in transverse cross-section, said needle comprising a stem portion, said stem portion terminating in a tip at a front end thereof and being shaped to define a longitudinally-extending bore and a longitudinally-extending slot, said longitudinally-extending bore and said longitudinally-extending slot being complementarily shaped to said plastic fastener.
  • a plastic fastener may comprise a flexible filament having a cross-bar at a first end thereof, said cross-bar and said flexible filament collectively having a generally "d"-shaped cross-section taken along the length of said flexible filament and transverse to the length of said cross-bar, said cross-bar having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape with its transverse length being larger than its transverse width.
  • Said plastic fastener may comprise a flexible filament having a cross-bar at a first end thereof, said cross-bar having a flat side and being generally "B"-shaped in transverse cross-section.
  • said flexible filament also has a flat side, said flat side of said flexible filament and said flat side of said cross-bar being coplanar.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a perspective view of a length of conventional continuously connected fastener stock of the plastic staple variety, said length of fastener stock being represented generally by reference numeral 11.
  • Fastener stock 11 which is made by the above-described rotary extrusion method and is typically made of polyurethane, comprises two elongated and continuous side members 13-1 and 13-2.
  • Side members 13-1 and 13-2 are coupled together by a plurality of flexible cross-links or filaments 15, cross-links 15 being equidistantly-spaced apart by a distance of 6.35 mm (0.25 inch).
  • individual fasteners having an H-shape often referred to as "plastic staples,” are produced.
  • Each of the cross-bars of an individual staple has a length of 6.35 mm (0.25 inch).
  • FIG. 2 there is shown an enlarged end view of an individual plastic staple obtained in the aforementioned manner from a length of fastener stock 11, the individual plastic staple being represented generally by reference numeral 21.
  • Staple 21 comprises a first cross-bar 23-1, which has been cut from side member 13-1., and a second cross-bar 23-2, which has been cut from side member 13-2, cross-bars 23-1 and 23-2 being interconnected by flexible filament 15.
  • cross-bars 23-1 and 23-2 and filament 15 are flat on sides 25-1, 25-2 and 25-3, respectively, sides 25-1, 25-2 and 25-3 being coplanar with one another.
  • cross-bar 23-1 and filament 15 collectively have a generally "d"-shape when viewed from an end, with cross-bar 23-1 having a substantially semi-oval shape in cross-section and being generally symmetric about line 1-1.
  • Cross-bar 23-1 has a transverse width Tw 1 greater than its transverse length Tl 1.
  • Cross-bar 23-2 and filament 15 also collectively have a generally "d"-shape when viewed from an end, with cross-bar 23-2 being sized and shaped identically to cross-bar 23-1.
  • FIGs. 3 and 4 there are shown top and left side views, respectively, of a conventional needle adapted for use in dispensing fasteners, such as the plastic staple of Fig. 2, said needle, being represented generally by reference numeral 51.
  • Needle 51 comprises a stem portion 53 and a base portion 55.
  • Stem portion 53 may be made, for example, by stamping and rolling or by machining a piece of metal (e.g., stainless steel) or by the eletroforming/machining technique described in U.S. Patent No. 5,489,057, inventor Deschenes, issued February 6, 1996.
  • stem portion 53 can be seen to be an elongated member that is substantially cyliridrical over most of its length (and annular in transverse cross-section).
  • the front end of stem portion 53 is formed into a spoon-shaped tip 57, tip 57 being sufficiently sharp to enable its penetration into a desired article of commerce.
  • a generally cylindrical bore 59 extends longitudinally across substantially the entire length of stem portion 53. Bore 59 is appropriately dimensioned to receive a cross-bar of a plastic fastener, such as cross-bar 23-1 of plastic staple 21.
  • Stem portion 53 is also shaped to include a slot 61 extending longitudinally across substantially the entire length of stem portion 53, slot 61 being appropriately dimensioned to permit a filament, such as filament 15, to extend therethrough while its associated cross-bar is disposed within bore 59.
  • a conventional stamped and rolled stainless steel stem portion 53 used in the dispensing of plastic staples 21 typically has a width w 1 of about 1,65 mm (0.065 inch) and a cross-sectional thickness t 1 of about 0.20 ⁇ 0.25 mm (0.008 ⁇ 0.010 inch).
  • base portion 55 is made in the conventional manner by insert-molding plastic onto the rear end 60 of stem portion 53.
  • Base portion 55 which is generally cylindrical in shape, includes a generally cylindrically-shaped longitudinal bore aligned with (and sized similarly to) bore 59 of stem portion 53 and also includes a longitudinal slot aligned with (and sized similarly to) slot 61 of stem portion 53.
  • Base portion 55 is provided with a recessed area 63 for use in correctly positioning needle 51 within a fastener dispensing tool and for locking the same into place.
  • Fig. 6 there is shown a transverse section view of stern portion 53, with plastic staple 21. being loaded therein.
  • the present inventor has noted that, because filament 15 and cross-bar-23-1 are flat on sides 25-3 and 25-1, respectively, whereas bore 59 is circular in transverse cross-section and slot 61 bisects bore 59 from the top thereof, a considerable portion of bore 59 is left unoccupied by staple 21. Consequently, because bore 59 is larger than necessary to hold staple 21, the overall size or width w 1 of stem portion 53 is unnecessarily large, thereby leading to an insertion hole created by stem portion 53 unnecessarily large, thereby leading to an insertion hole created by stem portion 53 that is larger than needed.
  • cross-bar 23-1 is much smaller than bore 59 and has considerable freedom to move laterally within bore 59, the proper translational movement of cross-bar 23-1 through bore 59 during ejection cannot be assured.
  • FIG. 7 there is shown a left side view of a first example of a needle, the needle being represented generally by reference numeral 101.
  • Needle 101 comprises a stem portion 103 and a base portion 105.
  • Base portion 105 which is identical in all respects to base portion 55, may be made by insert-molding plastic onto the rear end of stem portion 103.
  • Stem portion 103 is similar in certain respects to stem portion 53.
  • stem portion 103 is an elongated member terminating at its front end in a spoon-shaped tip 107, tip 107 being sufficiently sharp to enable its penetration into a desired article of commerce.
  • stem portion 103 differs Markedly from stem portion 53 in that stem portion 103 has a generally "d"-shaped transverse cross-section, instead of the generally annular transverse cross-section of stem portion 53.
  • stem portion 103 defines a generally semi-elliptical bore 109 and a generally rectangular slot 111, bore 109 and slot 111 communicating with one another and extending longitudinally across substantially the entire length of stem portion 103.
  • Bore 109 is bounded on one side thereof by a flat side 109-1 and is bounded on its opposite side by a curved or"single-humped" side 109-2.
  • Slot 111-1 is bounded one on side thereof by a flat side 111-1, flat sides 109-1 and 111-1 lying in the same plane and forming a single continuous wall.
  • Bore 109 is appropriately dimensioned to receive a cross-bar of a plastic fastener, such as cross-bar 23-1 of plastic staple 21, and slot 111 is appropriately dimensioned to permit a filament, such as filament 15, to extend therethrough while its associated cross-bar is disposed within bore 109.
  • stem portion 103 As can be seen in Fig. 8, because the shape of stem portion 103 more closely conforms to that of staple 21, the amount of unoccupied or wasted space in bore 109 is considerably less than that in bore 59, and the overall size or width w 2 of stem portion 103 can be made to be smaller than that for stem portion 53. Moreover, because of the truncated shape of bore 109, cross-bar 23-1 has much less freedom to move laterally within bore 109 as it is being ejected therefrom. Furthermore, because slot 111 is shaped so as to surround comparatively more of the length of filament 15 than does slot 61, staple 21 is afforded increased protection against becoming broken in the vicinity of the juncture between filament 15 and cross-bar 23-1.
  • Stem portion 103 may be made by extrusion or by any of the same techniques discussed above in connection with the fabrication of stem portion 53; however, the above-described electroforming/machining technique is prefened.
  • Said electroforming step is preferably performed using a suitably shaped master (e.g., a "d"-shaped master) and preferably involves depositing a boron/nickel (or steel) alloy onto the master to a substantially uniform thickness of about 0.076-0.127 mm (0.003-0.005 inch).
  • stem portion 103 One of the advantages of using electroforming and the aforementioned boron/nickel alloy to form stem portion 103 is that the cross-sectional thickness t 2 of stem portion 103 can be kept smaller than that for stem portion 53 (i.e., about 0,076 ⁇ 0,127 mm (0,003-0.005 inch) versus about 0.20 ⁇ 0.25 mm (0.008 ⁇ 0.010 inch), without a concurrent loss in strength (or even with an improvement in strength).
  • stem portion 103 This reduction in the cross-sectional thickness of stem portion 103, together with the truncated shape of stem portion 103, permits the overall size or width w 2 of stem portion 103 to be kept to a minimum (e.g., about 1,27 mm (0.050 inch) for stem portion 103 versus about 1,65 mm (0.065 inch) for stem portion 53).
  • a minimum e.g., about 1,27 mm (0.050 inch) for stem portion 103 versus about 1,65 mm (0.065 inch) for stem portion 53).
  • Fig. 9 there is shown a transverse section view of a second embodiment of a stem portion of a needle constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, the stem portion being represented generally by reference numeral 151.
  • Stem portion 151 is identical in virtually all respects to stem portion 103, the principal difference between stem portion 151 and stem portion 103 being that stem portion 151 is shaped to define a generally rectangular bore 153, instead of the generally semi-elliptical bore 109 of stem portion 103.
  • Bore 153 has a transverse cross-sectional height h 1 and a transverse cross-sectional width w 3 , height h 1 being greater than width w 3 and extending parallel to the length of a filament in slot 155.
  • Stem portion 151 is preferably made in the same manner as stem portion 103, and a suitably shaped base portion (not shown) is preferably insert-molded onto the rear end of stem portion 151 in the conventional manner.
  • stem portion 151 is particularly well-suited for use with a plastic fastener having a complementary generally rectangular cross-sectional shape.
  • An example of such a fastener is shown in Fig. 10 and is represented generally by reference numeral 171.
  • cross-bar 173 of fastener 171 has a substantially rectangular cross-section, rather than a substantially semi-oval shaped cross-section, and has a comparatively increased transverse cross-sectional length Tl 2 and a comparatively decreased transverse cross-sectional width Tw 2 , with length Tl 2 being larger than width Tw 1 .
  • the overall masses of cross-bar 23-1 and cross 173 are generally equivalent.
  • the increased transverse cross-sectional height endows cross-bar 173 with increased strength to resist collapsing towards its midpoint and being withdrawn through an article when a withdrawing force is applied to filament 175 (a phenomenon known in the art as "Y"-ing).
  • Figs. 11 and 12 there are shown side and perspective views, respectively, of a length of plastic staple stock constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, said length of plastic staple stock being represented generally by reference numeral 201.
  • Stock 201 which is preferably made a rotary extrusion method of the type described above and which is preferably made of polyurethane or the like, comprises two elongated and continuous side members 203-1 and 203-2.
  • Side members 203-1 and 203-2 are coupled together by a plurality of flexible cross-links or filaments 205, cross-links 205 being equidistantly-spaced apart by a distance of about 4.57 mm (0.18 inch).
  • cross-links 205 By cutting side members 203-1 and 203-2 at appropriate points between cross-links 205, individual fasteners having an overall H-shape and a cross-bar length of about 4.57 mm (0.18 inch) are produced.
  • stock 201 having a pitch of about 4.57 mm (0.18 inch), as opposed to the 6.35 mm (0.25 inch) pitch of stock 11, is that the number of fasteners per unit length of stock is greater in stock 201 than in stock 11, thereby permitting more fasteners to be fitted to a length of stock 201 than to a comparable length of stock 11.
  • FIG. 13 there is shown a fragmentary enlarged end view of an individual plastic staple obtained in the aforementioned manner from a length of fastener stock 201, the individual plastic staple being represented generally by reference numeral 221.
  • Staple 221 comprises a first cross-bar 223-1, which has been cut from side member 203-1, and a second cross-bar 223-2, which has been cut from side member 203-2, cross-bars 223-1 and 223-2 being interconnected by flexible filament 205.
  • cross-bars 223-1 and 223-2 and filament 205 are flat on sides 225-1, 225-2 and 225-3, respectively, with sides 225-1, 225-2 and 225-3 being coplanar with one another.
  • cross-bars 223-1 and 223-2 are shaped to include a pair of protrusions or humps on sides 225-4 and 225-5, respectively. Consequently, each of cross-bars 223-1 and 223-2 has a generally "B"-shape when viewed from the ends thereof.
  • FIG. 14 there is shown a fragmentary perspective view of a third example of needle, said needle being represented generally by reference numeral 251.
  • Needle 251 comprises a stem portion 253 and a base portion (not shown), said base portion being similar to base portion 55 and preferably being made by insert-molding plastic onto the rear end of stem portion 253.
  • Stem portion 253 is similar in many respects to stem portion 103.
  • stem portion 253 is an elongated member terminating at its front end in a spoon-shaped tip 257, tip 257 being sufficiently sharp to enable its penetration into a desired article of commerce.
  • stem portion 253 differs primarily from stem portion 103 in that stem portion 253 has a longitudinal bore 259 of a generally "B"-shaped transverse cross-section, instead of the generally semi-elliptical bore 109 of stem portion 103.
  • Bore 259 is bounded on one side thereof by a flat side 259-1 and on an opposite side thereof by a curved or "double-humped" side 259-2.
  • Stem portion 253 defines a longitudinal slot 261 bounded one on side thereof by a flat side 261-1, flat sides 259-1 and 261-1 lying in the same plane and forming a single continuous wall.
  • Bore 259 is appropriately dimensioned to receive a cross-bar of a plastic staple, such as cross-bar 223-2 of plastic staple 221, and slot 261 is appropriately dimensioned to permit a filament, such as filament 205, to extend therethrough while its associated cross-bar is disposed within bore 259.
  • the outer width of stem portion is about 1.067 mm (0.042 inch)
  • FIG. 16 there is shown a fragmentary end view of a third example of an individual plastic staple, said plastic staple being referred to generally by reference numeral 301.
  • Staple 301 is similar in virtually all respects to staple 221, staple 301 comprising a pair of mirror image cross-bars (only first cross-bar 303-1 being shown) interconnected by a flexible filament 305.
  • cross-bar 303-1 and filament 305 are flat on sides 307-1 and 307-2, with sides 307-1 and 307-2 being coplanar with one another.
  • cross-bar 303-1 is shaped to include a pair of protrusions or humps 311-1 and 311-2 on opposite side 309-1, humps 311-1 and 311-2 being spaced further apart than the corresponding humps on cross-bar 223.
  • stem portion 321 is similar in virtually all respects to stem portion 253 of needle 251, stem portion 321 being an elongated member terminating at its front end in a spoon-shaped tip and being shaped to include a longitudinal bore 323 and a longitudinal slot 325.
  • Slot 325 is bounded one on side thereof by a flat side 329-1, flat sides 327-1 and 329-1 lying in the same plane and forming a single continuous wall.
  • Stem portion 321 differs from stem portion 253 only in that bore 323 is appropriately shaped to conform to the shape of side 309-1 of cross bar 303-1, as opposed to side 225-4 of cross-bar 223-1.
  • FIG. 18 there is shown a fragmentary end view of a fourth example of an individual plastic staple, said plastic staple being referred to generally by reference numeral 401.
  • Staple 401 is similar in many respects to staple 221, staple 401 comprising a pair of mirror image cross-bars (only first cross-bar 403-1 being shown) interconnected by a flexible filament 405.
  • cross-bar 403-1 and filament 405 are flat on sides 407-1 and 407-2, with sides 407-1 and 407-2 being coplanar with one another.
  • cross-bar 403-1 is shaped to include a sloped side 411 opposite to side 407-1, sloped side 411 giving cross-bar 403-1 a generally wedge-shaped transverse cross-section.
  • stem portion 421 is similar in many respects to stem portion 253 of needle 251, stem portion 421 being an elongated member terminating at its front end in a spoon-shaped tip and being shaped to include a longitudinal bore 423 and a longitudinal slot 425.
  • Bore 423 which has a generally wedge-shaped transverse cross-section, is bounded on one side thereof by a flat side 427-1 and on an opposite side thereof by a sloped side 427-2.
  • Slot 425 is bounded one on side thereof by a flat side 429-1, flat sides 427-1 and 429-1 lying in the same plane and forming a single continuous wall.
  • bore 423 of stem portion 421 is appropriately shaped to conform to the shape of cross bar 403-1.
  • FIG. 20 there is shown a fifth example of an individual plastic staple, said plastic staple being referred to generally by reference numeral 501.
  • Staple 501 is similar in virtually all respects to staple 301, staple 501 comprising a pair of mirror image cross-bars (only first cross-bar 503-1 being shown) interconnected by a flexible filament 505.
  • cross-bar 503-1 and filament 505 are flat on sides 507-1 and 507-2, with sides 507-1 and 507-2 being coplanar with one another.
  • cross-bar 503-1 is shaped to include a pair of protrusions or humps 511-1 and 511-2 on opposite side 509-1, humps 511-1 and 511-2 differing from humps 311-1 and 311-2 of staple 301 in that hump 511-1 protrudes further away from side 507-1 than does hump 511-2.
  • Stem portion 521 is similar in virtually all respects to stem portion 321, stem portion 521 being an elongated member terminating at its front end in a spoon-shaped tip and being shaped to include a longitudinal bore 523 and a longitudinal slot 525.
  • Bore 523 which has a generally "B"-shaped transverse cross-section, is bounded on one side thereof by a flat side 527-1 and on an opposite side thereof by a curved or "double-humped" side 527-2.
  • Slot 525 is bounded one on side thereof by a flat side 529-1, flat sides 527-1 and 529-1 lying in the same plane and forming a single continuous wall.
  • Stem portion 521 differs from stem portion 321 only in that bore 523 is appropriately shaped to conform to the shape of side 509-1 of cross bar 503-1, as opposed to side 309-1 of cross-bar 303-1.
  • FIG. 22 there is shown a fragmentary end view of a sixth example of an individual plastic staple, said plastic staple being referred to generally by reference numeral 601.
  • Staple 601 is similar in many respects to staple 401, staple 601 comprising a pair of mirror image cross-bars (only first cross-bar 603-1 being shown) interconnected by a flexible filament 605.
  • cross-bar 603-1 and filament 605 are flat on sides 607-1 and 607-2, with sides 607-1 and 607-2 being coplanar with one another.
  • cross-bar 603-1 is shaped to include a protrusion or hump 609 on a side 611 opposite to side 607-1.
  • Stem portion 621 is similar in many respects to stem portion 421, stem portion 621 being an elongated member terminating at its front end in a spoon-shaped tip and being shaped to include a longitudinal bore 623 and a longitudinal slot 625.
  • Bore 623 is bounded, on one side thereof by a flat side 627-1 and on an opposite side thereof by a side 627-2 shaped to conform to side 611 of cross-bar 603-1.
  • Slot 625 is bounded one on side thereof by a flat side 629-1, flat sides 627-1 and 629-1 lying in the same plane and forming a single continuous wall.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Labeling Devices (AREA)
  • Adornments (AREA)
  • Polishing Bodies And Polishing Tools (AREA)
  • Nonwoven Fabrics (AREA)
  • Slide Fasteners, Snap Fasteners, And Hook Fasteners (AREA)

Claims (23)

  1. Longueur de matière d'agent de fixation (201), ladite longueur de matière d'agent de fixation (201) comprenant une paire d'éléments latéraux continus (203) et une pluralité de liaisons transversales flexibles (205) interconnectant lesdits éléments latéraux continus (203), lesdites liaisons transversales flexibles (205) étant espacées d'une façon équidistante les unes par rapport aux autres, ladite longueur de matière d'agent de fixation (201) étant caractérisée en ce que lesdites liaisons transversales flexibles (205) sont espacées d'une façon équidistantes en respectant un pas d'environ 4,57 mm (0,18 pouce).
  2. Longueur de matière d'agent de fixation (201) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle lesdits éléments latéraux continus (203) sont parallèles l'un à l'autre, et dans laquelle lesdites liaisons transversales (205) sont perpendiculaires à chacun desdits éléments latéraux continus (201).
  3. Longueur de matière d'agent de fixation (201) selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle chacun desdits éléments latéraux continus (203) comprend un côté plat (225-1, 225-2, 307-1, 407-1, 507-1, 607-1), et dans laquelle chacune desdites liaisons transversales flexibles (205) comprend un côté plat (225-3, 307-2, 407-2, 507-2, 607-2), et dans laquelle lesdits côtés plats (225-1, 225-2, 307-1, 407-1, 507-1, 607-1) desdits éléments latéraux continus (203) et desdites liaisons transversales flexibles (205) sont coplanaires.
  4. Longueur de matière d'agent de fixation (201) selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle chacun desdits éléments latéraux continus (203) présente une section transversale semi-elliptique.
  5. Longueur de matière d'agent de fixation (201) selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle au moins un desdits éléments latéraux continus (203) présente une section transversale en forme de "B".
  6. Longueur de matière d'agent de fixation (201) selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle au moins un desdits éléments latéraux continus (203) présente une section transversale en forme de coin.
  7. Longueur de matière d'agent de fixation (201) selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle au moins un desdits éléments latéraux continus (203) comprend un deuxième côté (225-4, 225-5, 309-1, 411, 509-1, 611) opposé audit côté plat (225-1, 225-2, 307-1, 407-1, 507-1, 607-1), ledit deuxième côté (225-4, 225-5, 309-1, 411, 509-1, 611) comprenant au moins une bosse (311-1, 311-2, 511-1, 511-2, 609).
  8. Longueur de matière d'agent de fixation (201) selon la revendication 7, dans laquelle ledit deuxième côté (225-4, 225-5, 309-1, 509-1) comprend une paire de bosses (311-1, 311-2, 511-1, 511-2).
  9. Longueur de matière d'agent de fixation (201) selon la revendication 8, dans laquelle une première de ladite paire de bosses (511-1) fait saillie plus loin que l'autre de ladite paire de bosses (511-2).
  10. Agent de fixation plastique individuel (171, 221, 301, 401, 501, 601) séparé de la longueur de matière d'agent de fixation (201) selon la revendication 3 et présentant la forme générale d'un H et une longueur de barre transversale d'environ 4,57 mm (0,18 pouce).
  11. Combinaison de l'agent de fixation plastique (171, 221, 301, 401, 501, 601) selon la revendication 10 et d'une aiguille (101, 251), ledit agent de fixation plastique (171, 221, 301, 401, 501, 601) comprenant un filament flexible (175, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605) présentant une barre transversale (173, 223-1, 303-1, 403-1, 503-1, 603-1) à une première extrémité de celui-ci, ladite barre transversale (173) et ledit filament flexible (175) présentant collectivement une section transversale essentiellement en forme de "d" prise le long de la longueur dudit filament flexible (175) et transversalement à la longueur de ladite barre transversale (173), ladite aiguille (101) comprenant une partie de tige (103, 151), ladite partie de tige (103, 151) se terminant en une pointe (107) à une extrémité avant de celle-ci et étant configurée de manière à définir un alésage s'étendant longitudinalement (109, 153) et une fente s'étendant longitudinalement (111, 155), ledit alésage s'étendant longitudinalement (109, 153) étant dimensionné de manière à recevoir ladite barre transversale (173), ladite fente s'étendant longitudinalement (111, 155) étant dimensionnée de manière à permettre audit filament flexible (175) de s'étendre à travers celle-ci alors que ladite barre transversale (173) est disposée à l'intérieur dudit alésage s'étendant longitudinalement (109, 153), ledit alésage s'étendant longitudinalement (109, 153) et ladite fente s'étendant longitudinalement (111, 155) présentant collectivement une section transversale essentiellement en forme de "d".
  12. Combinaison selon la revendication 11, dans laquelle ladite barre transversale (173) présente une section transversale essentiellement semi-elliptique.
  13. Combinaison selon la revendication 11, dans laquelle ladite barre transversale (173) présente une section transversale essentiellement rectangulaire.
  14. Combinaison selon la revendication 13, dans laquelle ladite barre transversale (173) présente une certaine hauteur de section transversale et une certaine largeur de section transversale, ladite hauteur de section transversale étant plus grande que ladite largeur de section transversale et étant parallèle à la longueur dudit filament flexible (175).
  15. Combinaison selon la revendication 11, dans laquelle ledit agent de fixation plastique (171, 221, 301, 401, 501, 601) est une partie d'une longueur d'une matière d'agent de fixation connectée en continu (201) fabriquée par extrusion rotative.
  16. Agent de fixation plastique (171, 221, 301, 401, 501, 601) selon la revendication 10, dans lequel ledit agent de fixation plastique (171, 221, 301, 401, 501, 601) comprend un filament flexible (175, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605) présentant une barre transversale (173, 223-1, 303-1, 403-1, 503-1, 603-1) à une première extrémité de celle-ci, ladite barre transversale (173) et ledit filament flexible (175) présentant collectivement une section transversale essentiellement en forme de "d" prise le long de la longueur dudit filament flexible (175) et transversalement à la longueur de ladite barre transversale (173), ladite barre transversale (173) présentant une section transversale essentiellement rectangulaire avec une longueur transversale plus grande que sa largeur transversale.
  17. Agent de fixation plastique (171, 221, 301, 401, 501, 601) selon la revendication 10, dans lequel ladite barre transversale (173) présente une longueur de 4,57 mm (0,18 pouce).
  18. Combinaison de l'agent de fixation plastique (171, 221, 301, 401, 501, 601) selon la revendication 10 et d'une aiguille (101, 251), ledit agent de fixation plastique (171, 221, 301, 401, 501, 601) comprenant un filament flexible (175, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605) présentant une barre transversale (173, 223-1, 303-1, 403-1, 503-1, 603-1) à une première extrémité de celui-ci, ladite barre transversale (223-1, 303-1, 503-1) présentant une section transversale en forme de "B", ladite aiguille (101, 251) comprenant une partie de tige (253, 321, 521), ladite partie de tige (253, 321, 521) se terminant en une pointe (257) à une extrémité avant de celle-ci et étant configurée de manière à définir un alésage s'étendant longitudinalement (323, 523) et une fente s'étendant longitudinalement (325, 525), ledit alésage s'étendant longitudinalement (323, 523) étant dimensionné de manière à recevoir ladite barre transversale (223-1, 303-1, 503-1), ladite fente s'étendant longitudinalement (325, 525) étant dimensionnée de manière à permettre audit filament flexible (205, 305, 505) de s'étendre à travers celle-ci alors que ladite barre transversale (223-1, 303-1, 503-1) est disposée à l'intérieur dudit alésage s'étendant longitudinalement (323, 523), ledit alésage s'étendant longitudinalement (323, 523) présentant une section transversale essentiellement en forme de "B".
  19. Combinaison selon la revendication 18, dans laquelle chacun de ladite fente s'étendant longitudinalement (325, 525) et dudit, alésage s'étendant longitudinalement (323, 523) comprend un côté plat (225-1, 225-2, 307-1, 507-1), et dans lequel lesdits côtés plats (225-1, 225-2, 307-1, 507-1) de ladite fente s'étendant longitudinalement (325, 525) et dudit alésage s'étendant longitudinalement (323, 523) sont coplanaires.
  20. Combinaison de l'agent de fixation plastique (171, 221, 301, 401, 501, 601) selon la revendication 10 et d'une aiguille (101, 251), ledit agent de fixation plastique (171, 221, 301, 401, 501, 601) comprenant un filament flexible (175, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605) présentant une première barre transversale (173, 223-1, 303-1, 403-1, 503-1, 603-1) à une première extrémité de celui-ci, chacun dudit filament flexible (175, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605) et de ladite première barre transversale (173, 223-1, 303-1, 403-1, 503-1, 603-1) comprenant un côté plat (225, 307, 407, 507, 607), lesdits côtés plats (225, 307, 407, 507, 607) dudit filament flexible (175, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605) et de ladite première barre transversale (173, 223-1, 303-1, 403-1, 503-1, 603-1) étant coplanaires, ladite première barre transversale (173, 223-1, 303-1, 403-1, 503-1, 603-1) présentant en outre un côté opposé (309-1, 225-4, 509-1) comportant une partie courbe, ladite aiguille (101, 251) comprenant une partie de tige (103, 151, 253, 321, 421, 521, 621), ladite partie de tige (103, 151, 253, 321, 421, 521, 621) se terminant en une pointe (107, 257) à une extrémité avant de celle-ci et étant configurée de manière à définir un alésage s'étendant longitudinalement (109, 153, 233, 259, 423, 523, 623) et une fente s'étendant longitudinalement (111, 155, 261, 325, 425, 525, 625), ledit alésage s'étendant longitudinalement (109, 153, 233, 259, 423, 523, 623) et ladite fente s'étendant longitudinalement (111, 155, 261, 325, 425, 525, 625) étant configurés de manière à épouser ledit filament flexible (175, 205, 305, 405, 505, 605) et ladite première barre transversale (173, 223-1, 303-1, 403-1, 503-1, 603-1).
  21. Combinaison selon la revendication 20, dans laquelle ladite première barre transversale (223-1, 303-1, 503-1) présente une section transversale en forme de "B".
  22. Combinaison selon la revendication 20, dans laquelle ladite première barre transversale (403-1) présente une section transversale en forme de coin.
  23. Combinaison selon la revendication 20, dans laquelle ladite barre transversale (173) et ledit filament flexible (175) présentent collectivement une section transversale en forme de "d".
EP01955966A 2000-07-25 2001-07-25 Agents de fixation plastiques et aiguilles d'application Expired - Lifetime EP1311434B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US740700 1985-06-03
US625334 1996-04-01
US09/625,334 US6427895B1 (en) 2000-07-25 2000-07-25 Needle useful in the dispensing of plastic fasteners and method of manufacturing said needle
US09/740,700 US6564939B1 (en) 2000-12-19 2000-12-19 Plastic fasteners, needles useful in dispensing said plastic fasteners and method of manufacturing said needles
PCT/US2001/023451 WO2002008064A1 (fr) 2000-07-25 2001-07-25 Agents de fixation plastiques, aiguilles d'application et procede de realisation

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1311434A1 EP1311434A1 (fr) 2003-05-21
EP1311434A4 EP1311434A4 (fr) 2004-03-31
EP1311434B1 true EP1311434B1 (fr) 2006-02-08

Family

ID=27089889

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EP01955966A Expired - Lifetime EP1311434B1 (fr) 2000-07-25 2001-07-25 Agents de fixation plastiques et aiguilles d'application

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EP (1) EP1311434B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE317353T1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2416294C (fr)
DE (1) DE60117152D1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2002008064A1 (fr)

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US4039078A (en) 1973-04-04 1977-08-02 Dennison Manufacturing Company Fastener attachment stock
US4121487A (en) 1975-07-10 1978-10-24 Dennison Manufacturing Company Continuously connected fastener attachment stock
US3990619A (en) * 1975-11-12 1976-11-09 Dennison Manufacturing Company Fastener attachment needle
US4456161A (en) 1979-08-31 1984-06-26 Dennison Manufacturing Company Method and apparatus for dispensing fasteners
US4462784A (en) 1979-09-07 1984-07-31 Dennison Manufacturing Company Apparatus for continuous molding
US4392906A (en) * 1981-09-09 1983-07-12 Toska Co., Ltd. Method of and apparatus for manufacturing fastener assemblies
US4533076A (en) 1981-11-25 1985-08-06 Dennison Manufacturing Company Dispensing of attachments
JP2818171B2 (ja) 1988-09-09 1998-10-30 東洋シーシーアイ株式会社 炭化水素の水蒸気改質反応用触媒及びその製造方法
US4955475A (en) 1989-09-15 1990-09-11 Dennison Manufacturing Company Continuous fastener stock
US5024365A (en) 1989-09-15 1991-06-18 Dennison Manufacturing Company Apparatus for dispensing fasteners
US5042558A (en) * 1990-04-06 1991-08-27 Dennison Manufacturing Company Fastener dispensing needle and method of making
US5307975A (en) * 1992-09-23 1994-05-03 Avery Dennison Corporation Needle for use as part of a plastic fastener dispensing tool
US5320269A (en) 1992-11-02 1994-06-14 Avery Dennison Corp. Apparatus for dispensing individual plastic fasteners from continuously connected ladder stock
EP0687239B1 (fr) 1993-03-01 1999-01-20 Avery Dennison Corporation Dispositf de distribution d'attaches
US5489057A (en) 1993-10-01 1996-02-06 Avery Dennison Corporation Fabrication of needles useful in the dispensing of plastic fasteners
US5949336A (en) * 1997-02-03 1999-09-07 Avery Dennison Corporation Fastener assembly and method of making the same
US6009997A (en) * 1998-04-02 2000-01-04 Avery Denmson Corporation Loop fastener, fastener clip including same and loop fastener dispensing tool

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2002008064A9 (fr) 2002-10-17
CA2416294C (fr) 2008-09-30
EP1311434A1 (fr) 2003-05-21
ATE317353T1 (de) 2006-02-15
WO2002008064A8 (fr) 2002-03-28
CA2416294A1 (fr) 2002-01-31
WO2002008064A1 (fr) 2002-01-31
EP1311434A4 (fr) 2004-03-31
DE60117152D1 (de) 2006-04-20

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