Patents by Inventor F. Gerard Merser

F. Gerard Merser has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5799425
    Abstract: A tag adapted to be attached to an article of clothing or the like with a fastener of the type comprising an elongated plastic member having a cross-bar at one end. In one embodiment, the tag comprises a continuous sheet of plastic material heat sealed to a backing sheet in a blister pack type configuration so as to define a pocket into which the cross-bar may be inserted, the pocket having a sidewall which includes a guide notch. The tag is attached to an article of clothing by inserting the cross-bar of the fastener first through the article of clothing and then through the plastic sheet into the pocket, using the needle on a tagger gun to penetrate the article of clothing and also to penetrate the plastic sheet and using the notch on the plastic sheet to assist in positioning the needle of the tagger gun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1998
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventors: F. Gerard Merser, Richard J. Madigan, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5692274
    Abstract: A fastener for tying together a pair of shoelace eyelets on a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the appropriate spacing therebetween while the shoe upper is being lasted. In one embodiment, the fastener is a unitary plastic member shaped to include an elongated flexible filament having a cross-bar at one end and a paddle at the opposite end, the paddle being provided with two or more alternative openings through which the cross-bar may be inserted to from a loop. The openings are preferably disposed at different points along the length of the paddle so that the different sized loops may be used for different eyelet spacings. In another embodiment, a feed bar is severably connected to the fastener for use in positioning the paddle so that the cross-bar may be aligned with and easily inserted into a desired cross-bar opening. Alternatively, the paddle may be provided with registration means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: Augry Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: F. Gerard Merser
  • Patent number: 5586353
    Abstract: A fastener for tying together a pair of shoelace eyelets on a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the appropriate spacing therebetween while the shoe upper is being lasted. In one embodiment, the fastener is a unitary plastic member shaped to include an elongated flexible filament having a cross-bar at one end and a paddle at the opposite end, the paddle being provided with two or more alternative openings through which the cross-bar may be inserted to form a loop. The openings are preferably disposed at different points along the length of the paddle so that the different sized loops may be used for different eyelet spacings. In another embodiment, a feed bar is severably connected to the fastener for use in positioning the paddle so that the cross-bar may be aligned with and easily inserted into a desired cross-bar opening. Alternatively, the paddle may be provided with registration means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corp.
    Inventor: F. Gerard Merser
  • Patent number: 5546688
    Abstract: A tag adapted to be attached to an article of clothing or the like with a fastener of the type comprising an elongated plastic member having a cross-bar at one end. In one embodiment, the tag comprises a sheet of material folded and sealed to define a pocket, the pocket being provided with an opening through which a cross-bar may be inserted. Both the pocket and the opening are appropriately sized and shaped so that, when a cross-bar of a fastener is inserted into the pocket through the opening, the cross-bar cannot easily be removed from the pocket without tampering with the pocket in a readily identifiable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corp.
    Inventor: F. Gerard Merser
  • Patent number: 5465442
    Abstract: A fastener system and for use in tying together a pair of opposing shoelace eyelets of a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the appropriate spacing between the eyelets while the shoe upper is being lasted. In one embodiment, the fastener system comprises a plastic fastener having a first cross-bar at a first end, a second cross-bar at a second end and a filament portion interconnecting the first cross-bar and the second cross-bar. The fastener system also comprises a plastic retaining tab, the retaining tab being appropriately constructed so that the first cross-bar and the second cross-bar may be inserted therethrough for securement thereto. The retaining tab may be provided with appropriately placed openings to facilitate insertion of the cross-bars through the retaining tab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: F. Gerard Merser
  • Patent number: 5438724
    Abstract: A fastener for tying together a pair of shoelace eyelets on a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the appropriate spacing therebetween while the shoe upper is being lasted. In one embodiment, the fastener is a unitary plastic member shaped to include an elongated flexible filament having a cross-bar at one end and a paddle at the opposite end, the paddle being provided with two or more alternative openings through which the cross-bar may be inserted to form a loop. The openings are preferably disposed at different points along the length of the paddle so that the different sized loops may be used for different eyelet spacings. In another embodiment, a feed bar is severably connected to the fastener for use in positioning the paddle so that the cross-bar may be aligned with and easily inserted into a desired cross-bar opening. Alternatively, the paddle may be provided with registration means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corp.
    Inventor: F. Gerard Merser
  • Patent number: 5373656
    Abstract: A tag adapted to be attached to an article of clothing or the like with a fastener of the type comprising an elongated plastic member having a cross-bar at one end. In one embodiment, the tag comprises a sheet of material folded and sealed to define a pocket, the pocket being provided with an opening through which a cross-bar may be inserted. Both the pocket and the opening are appropriately sized and shaped so that, when a cross-bar of a fastener is inserted into the pocket through the opening, the cross-bar cannot easily be removed from the pocket without tampering with the pocket in a readily identifiable manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1994
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: F. Gerard Merser
  • Patent number: 5321872
    Abstract: Tamper-resistant plastic fastener for use in attaching a tag to a piece of fabric, such as a garment of clothing, a product label or the like. In one embodiment, the fastener comprises an elongated unitary plastic member having a first end shaped to define a cross-bar, a second end shaped to define a paddle, and a flexible filament interconnecting the cross-bar and the paddle. The filament is shaped to include an enlarged portion, which is appropriately sized, shaped, and positioned to prevent a sufficient amount of the filament to be drawn through the fabric to permit the cross-bar to be easily aligned with the filament. Consequently, the cross-bar and the filament cannot easily be pushed back through the same opening in the piece of fabric through which they were originally inserted, making intact removal of the fastener from the piece of fabric extremely difficult.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: Avery Dennison Corporation
    Inventor: F. Gerard Merser