Abstract: A system is configured to automatically band a product with a portion of twist tie material and includes a tying machine which includes a twisting barrel, a tie payout assembly, a tie feeding assembly, a main drive belt, and a tying ring. The tie payout assembly includes a spool shaft configured for mounting a tie spool of the twist tie material. The tie feeding assembly is configured to receive the twist tie material from the tie payout assembly and includes a feedroller, a nip roller, a forward feedroll clutch, a reverse feedroll clutch, and a feedroll belt. The nip roller is configured to contact the feedroller with the twist tie material therebetween. The forward feedroll clutch is engageable with a forward feedroll pulley that surrounds a forward feedroll shaft. The reverse feedroll clutch is engageable with a reverse feedroll pulley that surrounds a reverse feedroll shaft.

Abstract: A tag is configured to be inserted into a product. The tag includes a label portion and an insertion portion. The label portion has a first width. The insertion portion extends from the label portion, has a second width that is less than the first width, and has a length. An elongated wire extends along the length of the insertion portion to at least a part of the label portion. The tag has sufficient rigidity to enable a user to hold the label portion and force the insertion portion into the product. In another aspect, a method of attaching a tag to a product is described. The method includes holding the label portion and forcing the insertion portion into the product.

Abstract: A method is described for forming a plurality of articles. The method includes creasing a tag substrate between first and second ends to form a first fold, wherein a first bent portion is defined between the first end and the first fold; lifting the first bent portion away from the central span to initiate elastomer to flow under the first bent portion; disposing the elastomer on at least a portion of a central span of the tag substrate; and bonding the elastomer to the tag substrate at a first connection zone, wherein a first elastomer portion extends along a rear surface of the first bent portion and a second elastomer portion extends along a front surface of the first bent portion.

Abstract: A series of a plurality of articles includes a panel strip and a plurality of elastic fastening loops. The panel strip includes a plurality of ruptureably-connected panel portions of the plurality of articles. Each of the plurality of elastic fastening loops is secured to a respective panel portion at a bond zone.

Abstract: A unitary sheet-like article has a material sheet and an elastic sheet. The material sheet includes a first thickness and a first edge, The elastic sheet includes a second thickness that is greater than the first thickness and includes an aperture and a second edge. The material sheet and the elastic sheet overlap at an overlap portion defined between the first and second edges. The material sheet and the elastic sheet are bonded together at the overlap portion.

Abstract: In one aspect, an article includes a first sleeve formed from a first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet, the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet having opposed first and second edges, wherein the first sleeve is formed with a first seam proximate the first edge. A portion of the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet extends between the first sleeve and the second edge. A tag is bonded to the portion of the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet proximate the second edge at a first overlap zone of the tag and the portion of the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet. In another aspect, an article includes a heat-shrinkable polymer sheet and a tag bonded to the sheet. The heat-shrinkable polymer sheet has a central area and a plurality of slits disposed through the sheet, at least one of the plurality of slits oriented to partially surround the central area.

Abstract: In one aspect, an article is configured to close a first product and attach to a second product. The article includes a tag and a fastener. The tag has a perimeter. The tag includes an aperture and a first cut connecting the aperture and the perimeter. The aperture and first cut are configured to accept a portion of the first product. The fastener is connected to the tag at a joint, wherein the fastener is configured to attach to the second product.

Abstract: In one aspect, an article includes a first sleeve formed from a first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet, the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet having opposed first and second edges, wherein the first sleeve is formed with a first seam proximate the first edge. A portion of the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet extends between the first sleeve and the second edge. A tag is bonded to the portion of the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet proximate the second edge at a first overlap zone of the tag and the portion of the first heat-shrinkable polymer sheet. In another aspect, an article includes a heat-shrinkable polymer sheet and a tag bonded to the sheet. The heat-shrinkable polymer sheet has a central area and a plurality of slits disposed through the sheet, at least one of the plurality of slits oriented to partially surround the central area.

Abstract: A linear series of connected unitary sheet-like articles, each of which comprises a panel flatly conjoined along a unifying flat bond zone with a flexible elastic layer that extends away from the panel and includes an elastic fastening loop. Adjacent articles of the series are ruptureably connected in a manner permitting the series to be handled as a unit while at the same time permitting ruptureable separation of individual articles from the series. In one embodiment, the linear series is wound into roll form.

Abstract: A unitary sheet-like article has a material sheet including a first edge and an elastic sheet including an aperture and a second edge. The material sheet and the elastic sheet overlap at an overlap portion defined between the first and second edges. The material sheet and the elastic sheet are bonded together at the overlap portion. The aperture of the elastic sheet is not located on the overlap portion.

Abstract: A tie article has a substantially elongated configuration having opposed first and second longitudinal edges. The tie article includes a base layer, a cover layer, a closure device, an adhesive and an extension. The base layer includes a central segment and two arm segments, each of the arm segments extending from opposing sides of the central segment. The cover layer overlaps the base layer. The closure device is sandwiched between the base layer and the cover layer so that the base layer and cover layer are bonded together around the closure device. The adhesive is disposed on the central segment of the base layer. The extension is of either or both of the base layer and cover layer and extends beyond at least one of the first and second longitudinal edges. A method is described for attaching a second item to a first item with a tie article.