Abstract: A fastener assembly for coupling together two or more articles includes a plastic fastener and an anchoring member. The plastic fastener includes a pair of parallel cross-bars that are interconnected by a transverse filament. The anchoring member is constructed as a unitary, solid, plastic disc with opposing flattened surfaces. In use, the anchoring member is disposed against an outer surface of the articles to be coupled together. During the fastener dispensing process, the ejected cross-bar penetrates through the articles as well as the anchoring member. Upon completion, the ejected cross-bar lies directly upon the exposed surface of the anchoring member. As such, the stiffened anchoring member provides structural integrity to articles that are deformable in construction. In this manner, the anchoring member prevents intact removal of a dispensed fastener by either intentional or unintentional widening of the hole in the articles through which the fastener extends.

Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a molded plastic fastener shaped to define a filament, a paddle at one end of the filament, and a cross-bar at the other end of the filament. The fastener assembly additionally includes a printed label embedded in the paddle, the printed label including an electrically chargeable, stiffness enhancing laminate that is applied to a print receptive polymer substrate. An in-line system for manufacturing a continuously connected supply of the fastener assemblies includes a rotatable mold wheel, a feed mechanism for advancing a continuous, ionized, printed polymer web in a near tangential relationship relative to the mold wheel periphery, a cutting mechanism for transversely cutting through the web to form a plurality of rectangular printed labels that are magnetically drawn into corresponding cavities in the mold wheel, an extruder for applying molten plastic into the cavities and a knife for skiving excess hardened plastic from the mold wheel periphery.

Abstract: A fastener assembly for coupling together two or more articles includes a plastic fastener and an anchoring member. The plastic fastener includes a pair of parallel cross-bars that are interconnected by a transverse filament. The anchoring member is constructed as a unitary, solid, plastic disc with opposing flattened surfaces. In use, the anchoring member is disposed against an outer surface of the articles to be coupled together. During the fastener dispensing process, the ejected cross-bar penetrates through the articles as well as the anchoring member. Upon completion, the ejected cross-bar lies directly upon the exposed surface of the anchoring member. As such, the stiffened anchoring member provides structural integrity to articles that are deformable in construction. In this manner, the anchoring member prevents intact removal of a dispensed fastener by either intentional or unintentional widening of the hole in the articles through which the fastener extends.

Abstract: A fastening assembly that has an item made of, or that includes, a water-soluble material; and related methods for manufacturing, or dissolving or weakening, the fastening assembly, which has at least one water-soluble portion that includes the water-soluble material.

Abstract: A two-piece cable tie for bundling a plurality of objects, such as cables or wires, includes a front portion that is insert-molded onto a connective segment of a flexible strap, the front portion being constructed out of a higher tensile strength plastic than the strap to maximize the load rating of the tie without significantly increasing material costs. In one embodiment, the connective segment of the strap is shaped to include a pair of opposing semi-circular cutouts in its side rails to enhance the strength of mechanical bonding achieved by the front portion around the strap. In addition, the connective segment is shaped to include a circular hole that is offset longitudinally from the opposing cutouts, the diameter of the circular opening not exceeding 40% of the maximum width of the strap to ensure the integrity and strength of the strap along the entirety of its length.

Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a molded plastic fastener shaped to define a filament, a paddle at one end of the filament, and a cross-bar at the other end of the filament. The fastener assembly additionally includes a printed label embedded in the paddle, the printed label including an electrically chargeable, stiffness enhancing laminate that is applied to a print receptive polymer substrate. An in-line system for manufacturing a continuously connected supply of the fastener assemblies includes a rotatable mold wheel, a feed mechanism for advancing a continuous, ionized, printed polymer web in a near tangential relationship relative to the mold wheel periphery, a cutting mechanism for transversely cutting through the web to form a plurality of rectangular printed labels that are magnetically drawn into corresponding cavities in the mold wheel, an extruder for applying molten plastic into the cavities and a knife for skiving excess hardened plastic from the mold wheel periphery.

Abstract: A plastic fastening device that includes a recycled material. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the fastening device includes a blend of two or more thermoplastic resins, at least one of which is a recycled material. The blend may include, for example, a fresh thermoplastic resin and a recycled thermoplastic resin. The fresh thermoplastic resin may include, for example, one or more of a polyethylene (PE), a polyamide (PA), or a polycarbonate (PC). The recycled thermoplastic resin may include, for example, a recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET). In a preferred embodiment, the blend of two or more thermoplastic resins includes a blend of (i) rPET and (ii) one of a low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a LDPE/LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene) blend and LLDPE, (iii) wherein the rPET constitutes about 88% to 98% of the total material content and the LDPE, the LDPE/LLDPE blend, or the LLDPE constitutes the balance.

Abstract: A low-melt plastic fastener. According to one embodiment, the low-melt plastic fastener is shaped to include a flexible filament having a first cross-bar at a first end, and a second cross-bar at a second end. The filament, the first cross-bar, and the second cross-bar may be formed from the same material and may be molded as a unitary structure. Preferably, the fastener is molded as part of a length of continuously connected ladder stock. The plastic fastener is preferably made from a formulation consisting of about 60-99%, by weight, of a low-melt polyurethane and 1-40%, by weight, of a styrene acrylonitrile. The formulation is selected so that the filament melts when heated for about 10 minutes at 130-180° C.

Abstract: A two-piece cable tie for bundling a plurality of objects, such as cables or wires, includes a front portion that is insert-molded onto a connective segment of a flexible strap, the front portion being constructed out of a higher tensile strength plastic than the strap to maximize the load rating of the tie without significantly increasing material costs. In one embodiment, the connective segment of the strap is shaped to include a pair of opposing semi-circular cutouts in its side rails to enhance the strength of mechanical bonding achieved by the front portion around the strap. In addition, the connective segment is shaped to include a circular hole that is offset longitudinally from the opposing cutouts, the diameter of the circular opening not exceeding 40% of the maximum width of the strap to ensure the integrity and strength of the strap along the entirety of its length.

Abstract: A fastening assembly that has an item made of, or that includes, a water-soluble material; and related methods for manufacturing, or dissolving or weakening, the fastening assembly, which has at least one water-soluble portion that includes the water-soluble material.

Abstract: A fastening assembly that has an item made of, or includes, a sustainable material; and a related method for manufacturing the fastening assembly, which has at least one portion. The method includes providing a sustainable material, and forming the at least one portion of the fastening assembly from the sustainable material.

Abstract: A low-melt plastic fastener. According to one embodiment, the low-melt plastic fastener is shaped to include a flexible filament having a first cross-bar at a first end, and a second cross-bar at a second end. The filament, the first cross-bar, and the second cross-bar may be formed from the same material and may be molded as a unitary structure. Preferably, the fastener is molded as part of a length of continuously connected ladder stock. The plastic fastener is preferably made from a formulation consisting of about 60-99%, by weight, of a low-melt polyurethane and 1-40%, by weight, of a styrene acrylonitrile. The formulation is selected so that the filament melts when heated for about 10 minutes at 130-180° C.

Abstract: Continuously connected fastener stock and a method of making same. The method, in one embodiment involves providing a rotating molding wheel, the wheel being provided with a peripheral impression comprising a pair of peripherally-extending side members interconnected by a plurality of cross-links. Molten plastic is extruded into the peripheral impression of the wheel, with a layer of controlled film overlying the peripheral impression. The molten plastic is then allowed to solidify. A knife in substantially elliptical contact with the peripheral impression is then used to skive excess plastic from the rotating molding wheel. The knife is provided with a pair of cut-out portions along its bottom edge, each cut-out portion being aligned with one of the peripherally-extending side members so as to augment the transverse cross-sectional size thereof. The continuously connected fastener stock thus formed is then removed from the rotating molding wheel.

Abstract: A method of providing information relating to an article of commerce includes the steps of providing a unitary plastic fastener with the information relating to the article being formed therein and tagging the fastener to the article, such as using a conventional tagger gun. The unitary plastic fastener includes a filament, a paddle at one end of the filament, and a cross-bar at the other end of the filament. The paddle of the fastener is either embossed, cut-out and/or shaped to display the information relating to the article to which the fastener is to be attached. Types of information which may be formed into the paddle of the fastener include, among other things, a brand name associated with the article, a company name associated with the article, a logo associated with the article, size information relating to the article, instructional information relating to use of the article, identification information relating to the article, and certification information relating to the article.

Abstract: Cable tie and method of making the same. In a preferred embodiment, the method comprises continuously forming a length of strap material using a rotary extrusion process, the strap material having laterally-extending teeth disposed along its entire length. The continuous length of strap material is then cut into individual straps of desired length, with the ends of each strap being shaped to desired profiles. A transverse hole may also be formed in the strap proximate to its front end. A front portion comprising a head is then insert-molded around the front end of the strap and, if present, the transverse hole in the strap. The head is provided with a transverse channel through which the tail end of the strap may be inserted and a locking tang lockably engageable with the teeth once inserted therepast.

Abstract: A fastener assembly includes, in one embodiment, a fastener and a label secured to the fastener. The fastener is 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 thin flexible filament which interconnects the cross-bar and the paddle. The label, which is provided with a product identifier such as a company or product name, is secured to the paddle of the fastener using a pressure-sensitive adhesive. An in-line system for manufacturing a continuous clip of the fastener assemblies includes an apparatus for molding a continuous strip of fasteners, a stretching device for stretching selected portions of each fastener, a pressure-sensitive labeling device for applying a label onto the paddle of each fastener, and an apparatus for winding the clip into a roll suitable for packaging.

Abstract: A fastener assembly includes a molded plastic fastener. The molded plastic fastener includes a filament, a paddle at one end of the filament, and a cross-bar at the other end of the filament. The fastener assembly additionally includes identifying matter, such as a logo, barcode or numerical value, which is provided onto the paddle of the plastic fastener. In one embodiment, the identifying matter is retained onto the paddle using a label. In another embodiment, the identifying matter is printed directly onto the paddle using an inkjet printer. In another embodiment, the identifying matter is formed directly into the shape of the paddle either through the molding process for the plastic fastener or through a subsequent stamping process.

Abstract: Continuously connected fastener stock and a method of making same. In one embodiment, the method involves providing a rotating molding wheel, the wheel being provided with a peripheral impression comprising a pair of peripherally-extending side members interconnected by a plurality of cross-links. Molten plastic is extruded into the peripheral impression of the wheel, with a layer of controlled film overlying the peripheral impression. The molten plastic is then allowed to solidify. A knife in substantially elliptical contact with the peripheral impression is then used to skive excess plastic from the rotating molding wheel. The knife is provided with a pair of cut-out portions along its bottom edge, each cut-out portion being aligned with one of the peripherally-extending side members so as to augment the transverse cross-sectional size thereof. The continuously connected fastener stock thus formed is then removed from the rotating molding wheel.

Abstract: Continuously connected fastener stock and a method of making same. In one embodiment, the method involves providing a rotating molding wheel, the wheel being provided with a peripheral impression comprising a pair of peripherally-extending side members interconnected by a plurality of cross-links. Molten plastic is extruded into the peripheral impression of the wheel, with a layer of controlled film overlying the peripheral impression. The molten plastic is then allowed to solidify. A knife in substantially elliptical contact with the peripheral impression is then used to skive excess plastic from the rotating molding wheel. The knife is provided with a pair of cut-out portions along its bottom edge, each cut-out portion being aligned with one of the peripherally extending side members so as to augment the transverse cross-sectional size thereof. The continuously connected fastener stock thus formed is then removed from the rotating molding wheel.

Abstract: Continuously connected fastener stock and a method of making same. The method, in one embodiment involves providing a rotating molding wheel, the wheel being provided with a peripheral impression comprising a pair of peripherally-extending side members interconnected by a plurality of cross-links. Molten plastic is extruded into the peripheral impression of the wheel, with a layer of controlled film overlying the peripheral impression. The molten plastic is then allowed to solidify. A knife in substantially elliptical contact with the peripheral impression is then used to skive excess plastic from the rotating molding wheel. The knife is provided with a pair of cut-out portions along its bottom edge, each cut-out portion being aligned with one of the peripherally-extending side members so as to augment the transverse cross-sectional size thereof. The continuously connected fastener stock thus formed is then removed from the rotating molding wheel.