Patents Assigned to Twist-Ease, Inc.
  • Patent number: 11945675
    Abstract: A bag dispenser includes a frame with a roller portion for receiving a bag roll defined by a plurality of bags attached to a leading bag to be dispensed, the roller defining a longitudinal axis. A brake plate is configured to capture the leading bag against the frame for providing frictional force on the leading bag to limit sliding thereof, the brake plate pivotally attached to the frame via a pivot arm, the brake plate pivotable with respect to the frame between a non-pivoted friction-application position and a pivoted bag roll-installment position, the pivot arm configured to pivot with respect to the frame along a pivot plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Twist-Ease Inc.
    Inventors: James Ray Helseth, Ralph Paul Stillman
  • Patent number: 11930941
    Abstract: A twist-tie dispenser comprises a twist-tie cluster and a base. The base includes a top portion, a rear wall extending downward from the top portion, and an open front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Twist-Ease, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Helseth, Jeffrey Michael Helseth, Matthew James Helseth, David J. Benson
  • Patent number: 11760547
    Abstract: A twist-tie dispensing assembly for dispensing of loose twist-ties in bulk form comprises a base defining a rear wall and an open front, wherein a flexible portion of the rear wall is configured to elastically deflect through a cut-out provided on the rear wall in a direction from the rear wall toward the open front. A box is mounted to the base, the box defining a back wall and a storage compartment configured to hold twist-ties, the back wall of the base defining a slot exposing the storage compartment to an exterior of the box, wherein the slot is configured to receive at least partially the flexible portion of the rear wall of the base from the exterior of the box toward the storage compartment when the box is mounted to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Twist-Ease, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Helseth, Jeffrey Michael Helseth, Matthew James Helseth, David J. Benson, David Edwin Bade
  • Patent number: 11718458
    Abstract: A fastener includes an elongate body defined by a first end, a second end, a first side portion, and a second side portion. The elongate body includes a plurality of discrete slits along at least the first side portion, and the plurality of slits extend at least partially into the elongate body of the fastener. The elongate body of the fastener includes a biodegradable material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Twist-Ease, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Benson, James R. Helseth
  • Patent number: 11214420
    Abstract: A twist-tie dispensing assembly for dispensing of loose twist-ties in bulk form comprises a base defining a rear wall and an open front, wherein a flexible portion of the rear wall is configured to elastically deflect through a cut-out provided on the rear wall in a direction from the rear wall toward the open front. A box is mounted to the base, the box defining a back wall and a storage compartment configured to hold twist-ties, the back wall of the base defining a slot exposing the storage compartment to an exterior of the box, wherein the slot is configured to receive at least partially the flexible portion of the rear wall of the base from the exterior of the box toward the storage compartment when the box is mounted to the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: Twist-Ease, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Helseth, Jeffrey Michael Helseth, Matthew James Helseth, David J. Benson, David Edwin Bade
  • Patent number: 11033123
    Abstract: A twist-tie dispenser comprises a twist-tie cluster and a base. The base includes a top portion, a rear wall extending downward from the top portion, and an open front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Twist-Ease, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Helseth, Jeffrey Michael Helseth, Matthew James Helseth, David J. Benson
  • Patent number: 10661956
    Abstract: A twist-tie dispenser refill comprises a twist-tie cluster and a base. The twist-tie cluster includes a top cluster portion. The base includes a top portion, which is generally U-shaped and forms an opening configured and arranged to receive the top cluster portion of the twist-tie cluster. The base also includes a rear portion that defines mounting members used for mounting the base to a fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Twist-Ease, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Helseth
  • Patent number: 10654680
    Abstract: A bag dispenser includes a frame with a roller portion for receiving a bag roll defined by a plurality of bags attached to a leading bag to be dispensed, the roller defining a longitudinal axis. A brake plate is configured to capture the leading bag against the frame for providing frictional force on the leading bag to limit sliding thereof, the brake plate pivotally attached to the frame via a pivot arm, the brake plate pivotable with respect to the frame between a non-pivoted friction-application position and a pivoted bag roll-installment position, the pivot arm configured to pivot with respect to the frame along a pivot plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Twist-Ease Inc.
    Inventors: James Ray Helseth, Ralph Paul Stillman
  • Patent number: 10542830
    Abstract: A twist-tie dispenser comprises a twist-tie cluster and a base. The base includes a top portion, a rear wall extending downward from the top portion, and an open front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Twist-Ease, Inc.
    Inventors: James R. Helseth, Jeffrey Michael Helseth, Matthew James Helseth, David J. Benson
  • Patent number: 10538372
    Abstract: A twist-tie includes a fastener having a malleable material surrounded by an outer coating having a longitudinal axis and extending between a first end and a second end; and an indicia portion extending at least partially along the longitudinal axis, the indicia portion including at least a portion that is attached to the fastener and at least a portion that is separated from the fastener, wherein a separation between the indicia portion and the fastener defines a slit that extends from an open end toward a closed end in a direction of at least one of the first end toward the second end and the second end toward the first end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2020
    Assignee: Twist-Ease, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Helseth
  • Patent number: 10138039
    Abstract: A twist-tie dispenser refill comprises a twist-tie cluster and a base. The twist-tie cluster includes a top cluster portion. The base includes a top portion, which is generally U-shaped and forms an opening configured and arranged to receive the top cluster portion of the twist-tie cluster. The base also includes a rear portion that defines mounting members used for mounting the base to a fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Twist-Ease, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Helseth
  • Patent number: 9751712
    Abstract: A bag dispenser includes a frame with a roller portion for receiving a bag roll defined by a plurality of bags attached to a leading bag to be dispensed, the roller defining a longitudinal axis. A brake plate is configured to capture the leading bag against the frame for providing frictional force on the leading bag to limit sliding thereof, the brake plate pivotally attached to the frame via a pivot arm, the brake plate pivotable with respect to the frame between a non-pivoted friction-application position and a pivoted bag roll-installment position, the pivot arm configured to pivot with respect to the frame along a pivot plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Twist-Ease Inc.
    Inventors: James Ray Helseth, Ralph Paul Stillman
  • Patent number: 9486092
    Abstract: A twist-tie dispenser refill comprises a twist-tie cluster and a base. The twist-tie cluster includes a top cluster portion. The base includes a top portion, which is generally U-shaped and forms an opening configured and arranged to receive the top cluster portion of the twist-tie cluster. The base also includes a rear portion that defines mounting members used for mounting the base to a fixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Twist-Ease Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Helseth
  • Patent number: 9206007
    Abstract: A bag dispenser includes a frame with a roller portion for receiving a bag roll defined by a plurality of bags attached to a leading bag to be dispensed, the roller defining a longitudinal axis. A brake plate is configured to capture the leading bag against the frame for providing frictional force on the leading bag to limit sliding thereof, the brake plate pivotally attached to the frame via a pivot arm, the brake plate pivotable with respect to the frame between a non-pivoted friction-application position and a pivoted bag roll-installment position, the pivot arm configured to pivot with respect to the frame along a pivot plane generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Twist-Ease Inc.
    Inventors: James Ray Helseth, Ralph Paul Stillman
  • Patent number: 6217500
    Abstract: A twist-tie cluster is described that includes a plurality of twist ties, each having a wire retained within a strip of material, wherein a cut is made in each of said wires between said first end and said second end, and where an uncut portion of the material connects the twist ties. A connecting means connects first segments of the twist ties together. A twist-tie dispenser is also described including a back wall and a cam member rotatable between a first position and a second position, where the second position traps the twist ties between the back wall and the cam member. A method of dispensing twist-ties is described including trapping a group of twist-ties between a cam member and a back wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: Twist-Ease, Inc.
    Inventors: James Ray Helseth, Brian Ye
  • Patent number: 5961434
    Abstract: A cluster of twist-ties is formed by arranging twist-ties generally parallel to one another and interconnecting the twist-ties at a common end. The twist-ties are severed proximate the common end so that a person can pull on an opposite, free end of any twist-tie to remove it from the cluster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Twist-Ease, Inc.
    Inventor: James Ray Helseth
  • Patent number: 5232431
    Abstract: A dispenser system for dispensing a plurality of twist-ties like closure devices 52 arranged in side-by-side alignment and attached at a second end 61 in sheets 50. The attached second ends 61 are crimped about a rod 51 which is inserted in slots 107 defined in side edges 102 of dispenser 100. A plurality of sheets 50 may selectively be inserted in dispenser 100. The dispenser also includes a cover 103 and a tie alignment block 106. The individual ties have a series of transverse perforations 53, 54 through the wire 55 and proximate the wire 55 to ensure ease of removal and ensure reference of the rotating devices 242 utilized in fabricating the tie 52. Fabrication of the sheets 50 includes taking a stock of uncut twist-tie material 21, advancing it into a cutting station 203 utilizing rotating knives 242, and guillotine-style knives 245, 246. The material 20 is then advanced to a crimping station 205.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Twist-Ease Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Helseth
  • Patent number: 5213400
    Abstract: A dispenser system for dispensing a plurality of twist-ties like closure devices 52 arranged in side-by-side alignment and attached at a second end 61 in sheets 50. The attached second ends 61 are crimped about a rod 51 which is inserted in slots 107 defined in side edges 102 of dispenser 100. A plurality of sheets 50 may selectively be inserted in dispenser 100. The dispenser also includes a cover 103 and a tie alignment block 106. The individual ties have a series of transverse perforations 53, 54 through the wire 55 and proximate the wire 55 to ensure ease of removal and ensure reference of the steel rule die 250 utilized in fabricating the tie 52. Fabrication of the sheets 50 includes taking a stock of uncut twist-tie material 201, advancing it into a cutting station 203 utilizing a steel rule die 250. Advancing the material repeating the cutting step which forms the second end 61 of the advanced sheet and then advancing the cut sheet 50 to a crimping station 205.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1993
    Assignee: Twist-Ease, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Helseth
  • Patent number: 5092830
    Abstract: A dispenser system for dispensing a plurality of twist-ties like closure devices 52 arranged in side-by-side alignment and attached at a second end 61 in sheets 50. The attached second ends 61 are crimped about a rod 51 which is inserted in slots 107 defined in side edges 102 of dispenser 100. A plurality of sheets 50 may selectively be inserted in dispenser 100. The dispenser also includes a cover 103 and a tie alignment block 106. The individual ties have a series of transverse perforations 53, 54 through the wire 55 and proximate the wire 55 to ensure ease of removal and ensure reference of the steel rule die 250 utilized in fabricating the tie 52. Fabrication of the sheets 50 includes taking a stock of uncut twist-tie material 201, advancing it into a cutting station 203 utilizing a steel rule die 250. Advancing the material repeating the cutting step which forms the second end 61 of the advanced sheet and then advancing the cut sheet 50 to a crimping station 205.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1992
    Assignee: Twist-Ease, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Helseth
  • Patent number: D395566
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1998
    Assignee: Twist-Ease, Inc.
    Inventor: James Ray Helseth