CA2224179A1 - Plastic fastener - Google Patents
Plastic fastener Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2224179A1 CA2224179A1 CA002224179A CA2224179A CA2224179A1 CA 2224179 A1 CA2224179 A1 CA 2224179A1 CA 002224179 A CA002224179 A CA 002224179A CA 2224179 A CA2224179 A CA 2224179A CA 2224179 A1 CA2224179 A1 CA 2224179A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- transverse bar
- filament
- fastener
- meat
- inches
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 235000013372 meat Nutrition 0.000 claims abstract description 32
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 241000282320 Panthera leo Species 0.000 description 3
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 241001674048 Phthiraptera Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000007796 conventional method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002674 ointment Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
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
- G09F3/14—Fastening or securing by means not forming part of the material of the label itself by strings, straps, chains, or wires
-
- 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
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T24/00—Buckles, buttons, clasps, etc.
- Y10T24/50—Readily interlocking, two-part fastener requiring either destructive or tool disengagement
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Labeling Devices (AREA)
- Meat, Egg Or Seafood Products (AREA)
Abstract
A plastic fastener for insertion into meat for tagging purposes and then subsequently removed therefrom intact comprises an elongated unitary plastic member including a transverse bar (33), a paddle (35), and a flexible filament (37) interconnecting the transverse tag and paddle (35). The transverse bar (33) is interconnected to the filament (37) in a T-shaped configuration. In one embodiment, the portion of the transverse bar (55) constituting the trailing end thereof when the transverse bar (55) is inserted into the meat is made smaller than normal so as to minimize the likelihood of the transverse bar (55) severing from the filament (53) when the fastener is withdrawn from the body of the meat. In another embodiment, the transverse bar (61) is connected at its midpoint to the filament (65), the length of the transverse bar (61) being made smaller than normal and the filament (65) having an ovaloid cross section so as to prevent the severing of the transverse bar from the filament.
Description
.
W O 96/41~40 PCTrUS96/10427 PLASTIC FASTENER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVEN~ION
The present invention relates generally to plastic r~:jLal ,ers and more particuiarly to a plastic fasLener which is especially useful in tagging meat but which is also useful in many other applicaLions where a fastener is either desired or required.
Plastic fasteners are well known and widely used in a variety of ay~,lic~LiGns.
One such application is tagging meat. Fasteners constructed for this purpose generally are of the type co",~ ;ing an elongaled plastic member having a thin filament, circular in cross-section, a transverse bar at one end of the filament and a paddle at the other end of the filament. The transverse bar is connected to the filament in a T shaped configuration with the portions of the transverse bar on each side of the filament being equal in length. The transverse bar typically has a length of about 0.40 inches or yrealer and a cross sectional dia",eLer of about 0.045 inch.
Usually, such fasteners are mass-produced by a ",oldi"g process in either one oftwo ~irr~rel ll forms known as fastener stock. One type of fastener stock, which is shown in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 3,103,666 and incorporated hereunto by reference, comprises a plurality of fasteners joined together at their respective transverse bars by an orthogonally disposecl runner bar. The other type of fastener stock, which is shown in cGmr"or,ly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,475 and incorporated hereunto by It:rt:rence, comprises a plurality of fasteners arranged in an end-to-end aligl~lllellL, the heads and opposite ends of successive fastenersbeing joined together by severable CGnne~;lur::i SO as to form a continuously connected rd~lener stock.
Typically, the transverse bar portion of a single fastener is separated from a quantity of fastener stock and then inserted into the meat being tagged with ahand-held apparatus commonly referred to as a tagging gun. Connections, if any, between the paddles of a pair of ~dj~cel,l fasteners are severed by pulling the tagging gun away from the item a~ter the transverse bar of one of the fasteners has been inserted thereunto. E~al"ples of Laggi"g guns are illustrated in commonly-assigned ~J.S. Pat. Nos. 5,024,365, 4,121,487, and 4,456,161, all of which are W O 96/41540 PCT~US96/10427 incorporated hereunto by rt:r~rence~ as well as the above noted U.S. Patent No.
3, 1 03,666.
When being used to tag meat, after the fastener is inserted in the meat and the meat has been inspected and/or fùrther processed, the fastener is usually 5 pulled back out and discarded.
It has been found that in some instances, especially when the meat has been chilled and the fastener has been inserted, when a person ~L~~ to pull the fastener back out it will break at the junction of the transverse bar and the filament leaving the transverse bar embedded in the meat. The severed transverse10 bar must then be removed, either by hand or with an app~ riale tool. Th;s, of course, is time consuming, dif~icult, and costly.
W O 96/4154~ PCT~US96/10427 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTlON
It is an obiect of the present invention to provide a new and improved plastic fastener.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a plastic fastener 5 which is especially useful in ldyyillg meat.
It is still another ob~ect of the present invention to provide a plastic rasL~ner especially designed for intact removal from a solid type object such as meat into which it has been embedded.
It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide a plastic 10 fastener of the type described above which can be mass-produced according to conventional techniques to form fastener stock of either the continuously connected variety or the runner bar variety and which can be disuel)sed using conventionaltagging guns.
In fu,Ll-erd"ce of the otjectc broadly set forth above such a fastener 15 co,.". rises in one embodiment an elongated l;la,~,enl circular in cross-section and a transverse bar disposed at one end 11 .el ~ur the transverse bar being interconl,ec~d to the filament in a T shaped configuration with the portion of the transverse bar constituting the trailing end thereof when the transverse bar is inserted into the meat being sized s"~- er than normal in order to reduce the 20 likelihood that the transverse bar will break off when the fastener is s-~hsetluently withdrawn from the meat and the other portion of the transverse bar being the normal size to prevent sli~",aye of the rd~l~ner after it is inserted into the meat.
In another embodiment of the invention the transverse bar of the first embo.li..,el-l is interco,-,-e-;led to the filament in an L shaped configuration rather 25 than a T shaped configuration, the leg portion of the L shape serving as the leading edge of the transverse bar.
In a third embodiment of the present invention the transverse bar of the first embodiment is connected at its midpoint to the filament the length of the transverse bar being sized smaller than normal and the filament having an ovaloid 30 cross-section in order to reduce the likelihood that the transverse bar will break off W O 96/41540 PCTfUS96/10427 when the fastener is s~hsequently withdrawn from the meat, with the major axis of the filament being parallei to the axis of the transverse bar.
Additional obj~t~, as well as features and adval,ldges, of the present Invention will be set forth in part in the desc, i,ulion which follows, and in part will be 5 obvious from the descri~,tion or may be learned by practice of the inventlon. In the desc,i~,lion, reference is made to the accoll"~anying drawings which form a partthereof and in which is shown by way of illu:jLIdlion specific embodiments for practicing the invention. These e,-.bodi,--ents will be desc,ibed in surl;cie.ll detail to enable those skilled in the art to ,~ra~lice the invention, and it is to be u- Ide, slood 10 that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without de~ a~ y from the scope of the invention. The following detailed des.i.i}.lio,l is, lhererole, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best d~ led by the appe"ded claims.
_ W O 96/41540 PCTrUS96/10427 BRIEF DESC~I~ ON OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are hereby incorporated into and co"slil~lte a part of this speciricdLion, illustrate various embodiments of the invention and, together with the desc-i,uLion, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
5 In the drawings wherein like ,~r~rt:l,ce numerals represent like parts:
Fig. 1 is a side view of a prior art plastic rd:jLe,)er;
Fig. 2 is a side section view showing how the plastic rd~L~Ier shown in Fig.
1 appears when it is being withdrawn from a body of meat;
Fig. 3 is a side view of a first elllbu.lilllelll of a plastic fastener constructed 1û according to the teachings of the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a side se..LiGu view illusL,dLi"g how the plastic rasLener of Fig. 3 appears when it is being wilhdr.~n from a body of meat;
Fig. 5 is a side view of a secor,<3 embGdil "enl of a plastic faslener constructed -accGrllillg to the ledcl,i"gs of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a side view of a third embodiment of a piastic fastener constructed accordi"y to the teachings of the p~ese"l invention;
Fig. 7 is a front view of the plastic fastener shown in Fig. 6; and Fig. 8 is a secliol,al view of the plastic r~ "er of Fig. 6 taken along lines 8.
W O 96!41540 PCTAUS96/10427 Di~TAlLED DESCRIPTION OF l~'Ktt ~RED EMBODIMENTS
Rert :n i, Ig now to Fig. 1 there is shown a prior art plastic fastener of the type used for tagging a body of meat, the prior art plastic fastener being repr~se"l~d generally by rer~r~"ce numeral 11.
Fastener 11 is an elongated unitary plastic member shaped to define a transverse bar 13, a paddle 15, and a filament 17, filament 17 il,lerconnecting transverse bar 13 and paddle 15. Transverse bar 13 has a length 11 Of about 0.400 inches and a cross-se-;liGIlal diameter d1 of about 0.045 inches. Filcullenl '17 has a length 12 Of about 2 inches~ is circular in cross-section and has a cross-sectional diameter d2 of about 0.035 inches.
Transverse bar 13 is connected at its midpoint to filament 17 to form a T
shape configuration. The legs of the T in transverse bar 13 are idellliried by reference numerals 19 and 21, respectively, each leg 19 and 21 having a length 13 and 14, respectively of about 0.20 inches. When transverse bar 13 is inserted into a body of meat (not shown) by a suitable tagger gun, leg 19 is the leading end whereas leg 21 is the trailing end i.e. the end conlac~d by the ejector rod in the tagger gun. As can readily be apprec; te~ r~:,lel.er 11 may be molded as part ofa quantit,v of either continuously connected rasL~"er stock or ra~Lel ~er stock of the type having an olLl.ogonally disposed runner bar.
Referring now to Fig. 2 there is shown a view of how fastener 11 appears as it is being pulled out from a body of meat after insertion therein, the direction of withdrawal being shown by arrow A. As can be seen, meat wiil coliect in the areaB, i.e. the area between filament 17 and trailing end 21 of transverse bar 13.
It is believed that this buildup of meat in area B as r~sL~,-er 11 is withdrawn will occasionally cause transverse bar 13 to sever from filament 17 at the junction of filament 17 and leg 21.
R~rt:nil Ig now to Figs. 3 through 5, there is shown a first embodiment of a plastic fastener constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, the plastic fastener being represenl~d generally by reference numeral 31.
3~ As can readily be seen, plastic fastener 31 is similar in construction and cGr..position to plastic rasL~,.er 11, plastic fastener 31 being an elongated unitary ' CA 02224l79 l997-l2-08 .
W O 96t41540 PCT~US96/10427 plastic member shaped to define a transverse bar 33, a paddle 35, and a rilar~e.,L
37, filament 37 being circular in cross-section and interconnecting transverse bar 33 and paddJe 35. Transverse bar 33 has a cross-sectional diameter d3 about 0.045 inches and filament 37 has a length 15 of about 2 inches and a cross S se~;Liol .al ~iar"~ r d4 of about O.û35 inches. Leg 39 of bar 33 has a length i6 about .200 inches. To this extent, rd~lener 31 is the same as fastener 11. Plastic ra~l~,.er 31 diflers from plastic fd~l~ner 11, however, in that leg 41 of bar 33 has a length 17 of only about 0.050 inches. As illuslldlecl in Fig. 4, bec~use of the shor~ened length i7 of leg 41 when r~lel~er 31 is being wiLlldld~Nn from a body of meat in the direction as shown by arrow C, less meat will accumulate in the areaD between leg 41 and rlla~ner.l 37 then in area B, hec~ se the area is smaller.
Thus the likelihood of bar 33 br~:ai~il.5J off from rildlllelll 37 will be reduced.
In Fig. 5 there is shown a second embod;l..e.,l of the present invention, identified by ~t:r~ nce numeral 51. Fastener 51 differs from ra:~Lel.er 31 in that leg 41 is completely cl;.-,il,aled. Thus, fastener 51 includes a lild.-~enL 53, a transverse bar 55 and a paddle 57, the transverse bar being connected at one end to r~hn-enL
53 to form a L shape. Since the leg at the trailing edge is cor."~l~,t~ly eli...i.,aled, there is no area co--~spo,-di-,~ to area B in Fig. 2 or area D in Fig. 4 where meat can build up when the fastener is withdrawn.
In Fig. 6 there is shown a third el"bodi",enL of the ~pr~sel-l invention, identified by re~r~l-ce numerai 59. As can readily be seen, plastic r~s~ner 59 is similar in construction and composition to plastic fastener 11, plastic fastener 59 in that it co"-~ ri~es an elons~ated unitary plastic ~ember shaped to define a transverse bar 61, a paddle 63, and a r~ldllll:nl 65, r~ldn~el-l 65 inler.iGI~l~ecting transverse bar 61 and paddle 63.
Plastic ra~Lener 59 differs from piastic fastener 11, however, in that transverse bar 61 has a length i7 of about .170 inches whereas, as noted above, transverse bar 13 of rasL~ner 11 has a length 11 of .400 inches or g.~-dLer.
Transverse bar 61 is connected at its l-lid,.G;,IL to r,lal..el1t 65 to form a T shape 30 configuration. The le~s of the T in transverse bar 61 are identified by relFerence =
CA 02224l79 l997-l2-08 W O 96/41540 PCT~US96/10427 .
numerals 67 and 69 respectively, each leg 67 and 69 having a length 18 and 19, respectively, of about .085 inches.
Rec~ se of the shortened length 17 of transverse bar g1, when fastener 5g is being withdrawn from a body of meat, less meat will accumulate at the ~unction of transverse bar 61 and filament 65. Thus, the likelihood of bar 61 breaking off from filament 65 wlll be reduced.
Plastic fastener 59 also differs from plastic r~L~n er 11 in that cross-section of filament 65 is ovaloid whereas, the cross-section of filament 17 is circular. The major axis of filament 65 is parallel to the axis of transverse bar 6~. Fig. 8 shows the cross-section of filament 65 at the lines 8 of Fig. 6. Fild",enl 65 has a cross-sectional major axis length l,0 of about .060 inches and a cross-sectiol~al minor axis length 11, of about .03~ inches. }n co""~dri~o[" filament 17 of prior art rdsle"er 11 has a cross-sectional diameter d2 of .035 inches, which results in a s~ sl~r,lially smaller cross-sec~iG"al surface area in nlal"e"l 17 than in ~ilan~el-l 65.
The increase in the overall cross-sectional suRace area of r~ld"-e"l 65 created by its ovaloid shape serves to i"~r~ase the ~ llylll of rldmel,l 65""aki"y it less suscel,LiL,le to br_ahi"g off from transverse bar 61. It should be noted that the cross-sectional minor axis of filament 65 is ",ai"ldi"ed at the same length 11, as the prior art cross-s~c~i6nal diamel.2r d2 of filament 17, namely .035 inches to enable plastic fastener 59 to fit through the longitudinal slot in a sldndard needle of a common tagging gun.
It should also be noted that rlld~"enl~ 37 and 53 of the first and second embodiments respectively could also be made ovaloid in cross-se-;lion rather than circular in cross-section.
The embodiments of the ~rt:senl invention recited herein are intended to be merely exemplary and those skilled in the art will be able to make numerous variations and modir,c~lions to it without depdrlilly from the spirit of the prese"L
invention. All such vdridlions and modir~;dliGns are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.
W O 96/41~40 PCTrUS96/10427 PLASTIC FASTENER
BACKGROUND OF THE INVEN~ION
The present invention relates generally to plastic r~:jLal ,ers and more particuiarly to a plastic fasLener which is especially useful in tagging meat but which is also useful in many other applicaLions where a fastener is either desired or required.
Plastic fasteners are well known and widely used in a variety of ay~,lic~LiGns.
One such application is tagging meat. Fasteners constructed for this purpose generally are of the type co",~ ;ing an elongaled plastic member having a thin filament, circular in cross-section, a transverse bar at one end of the filament and a paddle at the other end of the filament. The transverse bar is connected to the filament in a T shaped configuration with the portions of the transverse bar on each side of the filament being equal in length. The transverse bar typically has a length of about 0.40 inches or yrealer and a cross sectional dia",eLer of about 0.045 inch.
Usually, such fasteners are mass-produced by a ",oldi"g process in either one oftwo ~irr~rel ll forms known as fastener stock. One type of fastener stock, which is shown in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 3,103,666 and incorporated hereunto by reference, comprises a plurality of fasteners joined together at their respective transverse bars by an orthogonally disposecl runner bar. The other type of fastener stock, which is shown in cGmr"or,ly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,475 and incorporated hereunto by It:rt:rence, comprises a plurality of fasteners arranged in an end-to-end aligl~lllellL, the heads and opposite ends of successive fastenersbeing joined together by severable CGnne~;lur::i SO as to form a continuously connected rd~lener stock.
Typically, the transverse bar portion of a single fastener is separated from a quantity of fastener stock and then inserted into the meat being tagged with ahand-held apparatus commonly referred to as a tagging gun. Connections, if any, between the paddles of a pair of ~dj~cel,l fasteners are severed by pulling the tagging gun away from the item a~ter the transverse bar of one of the fasteners has been inserted thereunto. E~al"ples of Laggi"g guns are illustrated in commonly-assigned ~J.S. Pat. Nos. 5,024,365, 4,121,487, and 4,456,161, all of which are W O 96/41540 PCT~US96/10427 incorporated hereunto by rt:r~rence~ as well as the above noted U.S. Patent No.
3, 1 03,666.
When being used to tag meat, after the fastener is inserted in the meat and the meat has been inspected and/or fùrther processed, the fastener is usually 5 pulled back out and discarded.
It has been found that in some instances, especially when the meat has been chilled and the fastener has been inserted, when a person ~L~~ to pull the fastener back out it will break at the junction of the transverse bar and the filament leaving the transverse bar embedded in the meat. The severed transverse10 bar must then be removed, either by hand or with an app~ riale tool. Th;s, of course, is time consuming, dif~icult, and costly.
W O 96/4154~ PCT~US96/10427 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTlON
It is an obiect of the present invention to provide a new and improved plastic fastener.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a plastic fastener 5 which is especially useful in ldyyillg meat.
It is still another ob~ect of the present invention to provide a plastic rasL~ner especially designed for intact removal from a solid type object such as meat into which it has been embedded.
It is yet still another object of the present invention to provide a plastic 10 fastener of the type described above which can be mass-produced according to conventional techniques to form fastener stock of either the continuously connected variety or the runner bar variety and which can be disuel)sed using conventionaltagging guns.
In fu,Ll-erd"ce of the otjectc broadly set forth above such a fastener 15 co,.". rises in one embodiment an elongated l;la,~,enl circular in cross-section and a transverse bar disposed at one end 11 .el ~ur the transverse bar being interconl,ec~d to the filament in a T shaped configuration with the portion of the transverse bar constituting the trailing end thereof when the transverse bar is inserted into the meat being sized s"~- er than normal in order to reduce the 20 likelihood that the transverse bar will break off when the fastener is s-~hsetluently withdrawn from the meat and the other portion of the transverse bar being the normal size to prevent sli~",aye of the rd~l~ner after it is inserted into the meat.
In another embodiment of the invention the transverse bar of the first embo.li..,el-l is interco,-,-e-;led to the filament in an L shaped configuration rather 25 than a T shaped configuration, the leg portion of the L shape serving as the leading edge of the transverse bar.
In a third embodiment of the present invention the transverse bar of the first embodiment is connected at its midpoint to the filament the length of the transverse bar being sized smaller than normal and the filament having an ovaloid 30 cross-section in order to reduce the likelihood that the transverse bar will break off W O 96/41540 PCTfUS96/10427 when the fastener is s~hsequently withdrawn from the meat, with the major axis of the filament being parallei to the axis of the transverse bar.
Additional obj~t~, as well as features and adval,ldges, of the present Invention will be set forth in part in the desc, i,ulion which follows, and in part will be 5 obvious from the descri~,tion or may be learned by practice of the inventlon. In the desc,i~,lion, reference is made to the accoll"~anying drawings which form a partthereof and in which is shown by way of illu:jLIdlion specific embodiments for practicing the invention. These e,-.bodi,--ents will be desc,ibed in surl;cie.ll detail to enable those skilled in the art to ,~ra~lice the invention, and it is to be u- Ide, slood 10 that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without de~ a~ y from the scope of the invention. The following detailed des.i.i}.lio,l is, lhererole, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best d~ led by the appe"ded claims.
_ W O 96/41540 PCTrUS96/10427 BRIEF DESC~I~ ON OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are hereby incorporated into and co"slil~lte a part of this speciricdLion, illustrate various embodiments of the invention and, together with the desc-i,uLion, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
5 In the drawings wherein like ,~r~rt:l,ce numerals represent like parts:
Fig. 1 is a side view of a prior art plastic rd:jLe,)er;
Fig. 2 is a side section view showing how the plastic rd~L~Ier shown in Fig.
1 appears when it is being withdrawn from a body of meat;
Fig. 3 is a side view of a first elllbu.lilllelll of a plastic fastener constructed 1û according to the teachings of the present invention;
Fig. 4 is a side se..LiGu view illusL,dLi"g how the plastic rasLener of Fig. 3 appears when it is being wilhdr.~n from a body of meat;
Fig. 5 is a side view of a secor,<3 embGdil "enl of a plastic faslener constructed -accGrllillg to the ledcl,i"gs of the present invention;
Fig. 6 is a side view of a third embodiment of a piastic fastener constructed accordi"y to the teachings of the p~ese"l invention;
Fig. 7 is a front view of the plastic fastener shown in Fig. 6; and Fig. 8 is a secliol,al view of the plastic r~ "er of Fig. 6 taken along lines 8.
W O 96!41540 PCTAUS96/10427 Di~TAlLED DESCRIPTION OF l~'Ktt ~RED EMBODIMENTS
Rert :n i, Ig now to Fig. 1 there is shown a prior art plastic fastener of the type used for tagging a body of meat, the prior art plastic fastener being repr~se"l~d generally by rer~r~"ce numeral 11.
Fastener 11 is an elongated unitary plastic member shaped to define a transverse bar 13, a paddle 15, and a filament 17, filament 17 il,lerconnecting transverse bar 13 and paddle 15. Transverse bar 13 has a length 11 Of about 0.400 inches and a cross-se-;liGIlal diameter d1 of about 0.045 inches. Filcullenl '17 has a length 12 Of about 2 inches~ is circular in cross-section and has a cross-sectional diameter d2 of about 0.035 inches.
Transverse bar 13 is connected at its midpoint to filament 17 to form a T
shape configuration. The legs of the T in transverse bar 13 are idellliried by reference numerals 19 and 21, respectively, each leg 19 and 21 having a length 13 and 14, respectively of about 0.20 inches. When transverse bar 13 is inserted into a body of meat (not shown) by a suitable tagger gun, leg 19 is the leading end whereas leg 21 is the trailing end i.e. the end conlac~d by the ejector rod in the tagger gun. As can readily be apprec; te~ r~:,lel.er 11 may be molded as part ofa quantit,v of either continuously connected rasL~"er stock or ra~Lel ~er stock of the type having an olLl.ogonally disposed runner bar.
Referring now to Fig. 2 there is shown a view of how fastener 11 appears as it is being pulled out from a body of meat after insertion therein, the direction of withdrawal being shown by arrow A. As can be seen, meat wiil coliect in the areaB, i.e. the area between filament 17 and trailing end 21 of transverse bar 13.
It is believed that this buildup of meat in area B as r~sL~,-er 11 is withdrawn will occasionally cause transverse bar 13 to sever from filament 17 at the junction of filament 17 and leg 21.
R~rt:nil Ig now to Figs. 3 through 5, there is shown a first embodiment of a plastic fastener constructed according to the teachings of the present invention, the plastic fastener being represenl~d generally by reference numeral 31.
3~ As can readily be seen, plastic fastener 31 is similar in construction and cGr..position to plastic rasL~,.er 11, plastic fastener 31 being an elongated unitary ' CA 02224l79 l997-l2-08 .
W O 96t41540 PCT~US96/10427 plastic member shaped to define a transverse bar 33, a paddle 35, and a rilar~e.,L
37, filament 37 being circular in cross-section and interconnecting transverse bar 33 and paddJe 35. Transverse bar 33 has a cross-sectional diameter d3 about 0.045 inches and filament 37 has a length 15 of about 2 inches and a cross S se~;Liol .al ~iar"~ r d4 of about O.û35 inches. Leg 39 of bar 33 has a length i6 about .200 inches. To this extent, rd~lener 31 is the same as fastener 11. Plastic ra~l~,.er 31 diflers from plastic fd~l~ner 11, however, in that leg 41 of bar 33 has a length 17 of only about 0.050 inches. As illuslldlecl in Fig. 4, bec~use of the shor~ened length i7 of leg 41 when r~lel~er 31 is being wiLlldld~Nn from a body of meat in the direction as shown by arrow C, less meat will accumulate in the areaD between leg 41 and rlla~ner.l 37 then in area B, hec~ se the area is smaller.
Thus the likelihood of bar 33 br~:ai~il.5J off from rildlllelll 37 will be reduced.
In Fig. 5 there is shown a second embod;l..e.,l of the present invention, identified by ~t:r~ nce numeral 51. Fastener 51 differs from ra:~Lel.er 31 in that leg 41 is completely cl;.-,il,aled. Thus, fastener 51 includes a lild.-~enL 53, a transverse bar 55 and a paddle 57, the transverse bar being connected at one end to r~hn-enL
53 to form a L shape. Since the leg at the trailing edge is cor."~l~,t~ly eli...i.,aled, there is no area co--~spo,-di-,~ to area B in Fig. 2 or area D in Fig. 4 where meat can build up when the fastener is withdrawn.
In Fig. 6 there is shown a third el"bodi",enL of the ~pr~sel-l invention, identified by re~r~l-ce numerai 59. As can readily be seen, plastic r~s~ner 59 is similar in construction and composition to plastic fastener 11, plastic fastener 59 in that it co"-~ ri~es an elons~ated unitary plastic ~ember shaped to define a transverse bar 61, a paddle 63, and a r~ldllll:nl 65, r~ldn~el-l 65 inler.iGI~l~ecting transverse bar 61 and paddle 63.
Plastic ra~Lener 59 differs from piastic fastener 11, however, in that transverse bar 61 has a length i7 of about .170 inches whereas, as noted above, transverse bar 13 of rasL~ner 11 has a length 11 of .400 inches or g.~-dLer.
Transverse bar 61 is connected at its l-lid,.G;,IL to r,lal..el1t 65 to form a T shape 30 configuration. The le~s of the T in transverse bar 61 are identified by relFerence =
CA 02224l79 l997-l2-08 W O 96/41540 PCT~US96/10427 .
numerals 67 and 69 respectively, each leg 67 and 69 having a length 18 and 19, respectively, of about .085 inches.
Rec~ se of the shortened length 17 of transverse bar g1, when fastener 5g is being withdrawn from a body of meat, less meat will accumulate at the ~unction of transverse bar 61 and filament 65. Thus, the likelihood of bar 61 breaking off from filament 65 wlll be reduced.
Plastic fastener 59 also differs from plastic r~L~n er 11 in that cross-section of filament 65 is ovaloid whereas, the cross-section of filament 17 is circular. The major axis of filament 65 is parallel to the axis of transverse bar 6~. Fig. 8 shows the cross-section of filament 65 at the lines 8 of Fig. 6. Fild",enl 65 has a cross-sectional major axis length l,0 of about .060 inches and a cross-sectiol~al minor axis length 11, of about .03~ inches. }n co""~dri~o[" filament 17 of prior art rdsle"er 11 has a cross-sectional diameter d2 of .035 inches, which results in a s~ sl~r,lially smaller cross-sec~iG"al surface area in nlal"e"l 17 than in ~ilan~el-l 65.
The increase in the overall cross-sectional suRace area of r~ld"-e"l 65 created by its ovaloid shape serves to i"~r~ase the ~ llylll of rldmel,l 65""aki"y it less suscel,LiL,le to br_ahi"g off from transverse bar 61. It should be noted that the cross-sectional minor axis of filament 65 is ",ai"ldi"ed at the same length 11, as the prior art cross-s~c~i6nal diamel.2r d2 of filament 17, namely .035 inches to enable plastic fastener 59 to fit through the longitudinal slot in a sldndard needle of a common tagging gun.
It should also be noted that rlld~"enl~ 37 and 53 of the first and second embodiments respectively could also be made ovaloid in cross-se-;lion rather than circular in cross-section.
The embodiments of the ~rt:senl invention recited herein are intended to be merely exemplary and those skilled in the art will be able to make numerous variations and modir,c~lions to it without depdrlilly from the spirit of the prese"L
invention. All such vdridlions and modir~;dliGns are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims appended hereto.
Claims
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A plastic fastener for use in tagging meat or other similar object, said fastener comprising:
a. an elongated filament having a first end and a second end; and b. a transverse bar disposed at the first end of said elongated filament, said transverse bar being insertable into the meat or other similar object and being sized so as to reduce the likelihood that said transverse bar will break off from saidfilament on withdrawal of said fastener from the meat or other similar object.
2. The fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transverse bar is interconnected to said filament in an L shaped configuration.
3. The fastener as claimed in claim 2 wherein said filament has an ovaloid cross-section, the major axis being parallel to the axis of said transverse bar.4. The fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transverse bar is interconnected to said filament in a T shaped configuration.
5. The fastener as claimed in claim 4 wherein the portion of said transverse bar on one side of said filament is shorter than the portion of said transverse bar on the other side of said filament.
6. The fastener as claimed in claim 5 wherein said filament has an ovaloid cross-section, the major axis being parallel to the axis of said transverse bar.7. The fastener as claimed in claim 5 wherein the length of the portion of said transverse bar on one side of said filament is about 1/4 of the length of said transverse bar on the other side of said filament.
8. The fastener as claimed in claim 7 wherein the portion of said transverse bar on one side of said filament is about 0.050 inches and the portion of said transverse bar on the other side of said filament is about 0.200 inches.
9. The fastener as claimed in claim 8 wherein the cross-sectional diameter of said transverse bar is about 0.045 inches.
10. The fastener as claimed in claim 9 wherein the length of said filament is about 2 inches.
11. The fastener as claimed in claim 4 wherein said filament has an ovaloid cross-section, the major axis being parallel to the axis of said transverse bar.
12. The fastener as claimed in claim 11 wherein the portion of said transverse bar on one side of said filament is about equal to the portion of said transverse bar on the other side of said filament.
13. The fastener as claimed in claim 12 wherein the overall length of said transverse bar is about .170 inches.
14. The fastener as claimed in claim 13 wherein the cross-sectional major axis length of said filament is about .060 inches.
15. The fastener as claimed in claim 14 wherein the cross-sectional minor axis length of said filament is about .035 inches.
1. A plastic fastener for use in tagging meat or other similar object, said fastener comprising:
a. an elongated filament having a first end and a second end; and b. a transverse bar disposed at the first end of said elongated filament, said transverse bar being insertable into the meat or other similar object and being sized so as to reduce the likelihood that said transverse bar will break off from saidfilament on withdrawal of said fastener from the meat or other similar object.
2. The fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transverse bar is interconnected to said filament in an L shaped configuration.
3. The fastener as claimed in claim 2 wherein said filament has an ovaloid cross-section, the major axis being parallel to the axis of said transverse bar.4. The fastener as claimed in claim 1 wherein said transverse bar is interconnected to said filament in a T shaped configuration.
5. The fastener as claimed in claim 4 wherein the portion of said transverse bar on one side of said filament is shorter than the portion of said transverse bar on the other side of said filament.
6. The fastener as claimed in claim 5 wherein said filament has an ovaloid cross-section, the major axis being parallel to the axis of said transverse bar.7. The fastener as claimed in claim 5 wherein the length of the portion of said transverse bar on one side of said filament is about 1/4 of the length of said transverse bar on the other side of said filament.
8. The fastener as claimed in claim 7 wherein the portion of said transverse bar on one side of said filament is about 0.050 inches and the portion of said transverse bar on the other side of said filament is about 0.200 inches.
9. The fastener as claimed in claim 8 wherein the cross-sectional diameter of said transverse bar is about 0.045 inches.
10. The fastener as claimed in claim 9 wherein the length of said filament is about 2 inches.
11. The fastener as claimed in claim 4 wherein said filament has an ovaloid cross-section, the major axis being parallel to the axis of said transverse bar.
12. The fastener as claimed in claim 11 wherein the portion of said transverse bar on one side of said filament is about equal to the portion of said transverse bar on the other side of said filament.
13. The fastener as claimed in claim 12 wherein the overall length of said transverse bar is about .170 inches.
14. The fastener as claimed in claim 13 wherein the cross-sectional major axis length of said filament is about .060 inches.
15. The fastener as claimed in claim 14 wherein the cross-sectional minor axis length of said filament is about .035 inches.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/488,622 US5573456A (en) | 1995-06-08 | 1995-06-08 | Plastic fastener |
| US08/488,622 | 1995-06-08 | ||
| US08/560,271 US5575713A (en) | 1995-06-08 | 1995-11-02 | Plastic fastener |
| US08/560,271 | 1995-11-02 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2224179A1 true CA2224179A1 (en) | 1996-12-27 |
Family
ID=27049422
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002224179A Abandoned CA2224179A1 (en) | 1995-06-08 | 1996-06-06 | Plastic fastener |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5575713A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU6179296A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2224179A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1996041540A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (15)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JP3355469B2 (en) * | 1996-04-30 | 2002-12-09 | 保男 樋口 | Bag tie for packaging |
| AU7592598A (en) * | 1997-05-29 | 1998-12-30 | Avery Dennison Corporation | Filamentary fastener and method of making same using insert molding |
| US6308386B1 (en) * | 1998-07-15 | 2001-10-30 | Avery Dennison Corporation | Fastener clip and method of making the same |
| US6085453A (en) * | 1998-08-24 | 2000-07-11 | Volk; Daniel J. | Flavor tag for poultry and meat |
| US6507788B1 (en) * | 1999-02-25 | 2003-01-14 | Société de Conseils de Recherches et D'Applications Scientifiques (S.C.R.A.S.) | Rational selection of putative peptides from identified nucleotide, or peptide sequences, of unknown function |
| US7681730B2 (en) * | 2000-07-25 | 2010-03-23 | Avery Dennison Corporation | Plastic fasteners, needles for dispensing and method of manufacture |
| US20080235918A1 (en) * | 2007-04-02 | 2008-10-02 | Laura Mooney | Fastener |
| US20090149251A1 (en) * | 2007-12-06 | 2009-06-11 | Edwin Sanchez | Casino service and display unit |
| US8347537B2 (en) * | 2009-03-25 | 2013-01-08 | Ying-Che Huang | Label tag cord |
| US20100242320A1 (en) * | 2009-03-25 | 2010-09-30 | Ying-Che Huang | Label tag cord |
| US20120279023A1 (en) * | 2011-05-06 | 2012-11-08 | Avery Dennison Corporation | Plastic Fastening Device Comprising a Recycled Thermoplastic Resin |
| USD781692S1 (en) | 2013-08-05 | 2017-03-21 | Hellermanntyton Ltd | Identification tag holder |
| USD804583S1 (en) * | 2016-12-11 | 2017-12-05 | Ontel Products Corporation | Square toy street sign |
| USD804582S1 (en) * | 2016-12-11 | 2017-12-05 | Ontel Products Corporation | Triangular toy street sign |
| USD805137S1 (en) * | 2016-12-11 | 2017-12-12 | Ontel Products Corporation | Circular toy street sign |
Family Cites Families (14)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3103666A (en) * | 1961-12-28 | 1963-09-17 | Dennison Mfg Co | Tag attaching apparatus |
| CH420831A (en) * | 1962-05-26 | 1966-09-15 | Liersch & Wagner Fa | Label hanger |
| US3765110A (en) * | 1971-10-22 | 1973-10-16 | Monarch Marking Systems Inc | Security-type fastener |
| US4121487A (en) * | 1975-07-10 | 1978-10-24 | Dennison Manufacturing Company | Continuously connected fastener attachment stock |
| US4456161A (en) * | 1979-08-31 | 1984-06-26 | Dennison Manufacturing Company | Method and apparatus for dispensing fasteners |
| JPS60240629A (en) * | 1984-05-04 | 1985-11-29 | 株式会社 トスカ | Connector aggregate |
| US4901854A (en) * | 1988-09-29 | 1990-02-20 | Dennison Manufacturing Company | Loop connected attachments |
| 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 |
| EP0551201A1 (en) * | 1992-01-10 | 1993-07-14 | CENTRAL NOTION Co. Inc. | Tag attachment apparatus |
| US5373656A (en) * | 1992-09-17 | 1994-12-20 | Avery Dennison Corporation | Clothing tag and method of use |
| US5321872A (en) * | 1992-09-21 | 1994-06-21 | Avery Dennison Corporation | Tamper-resistant plastic fastener for use in attaching a tag to a piece of fabric |
| US5438724A (en) * | 1992-10-29 | 1995-08-08 | Avery Dennison Corp. | Method for using plastic fasteners for shoe-lasting applications |
| US5449263A (en) * | 1993-03-05 | 1995-09-12 | Cambelt International Corporation | Device and method for torque assist of drag arm |
-
1995
- 1995-11-02 US US08/560,271 patent/US5575713A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1996
- 1996-06-06 WO PCT/US1996/010427 patent/WO1996041540A1/en active Application Filing
- 1996-06-06 CA CA002224179A patent/CA2224179A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1996-06-06 AU AU61792/96A patent/AU6179296A/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US5575713A (en) | 1996-11-19 |
| AU6179296A (en) | 1997-01-09 |
| WO1996041540A1 (en) | 1996-12-27 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |