Abstract: A dispenser is configured for use with a chain of rupturably connected elastic bands, each of the bands having an aperture. The dispenser includes a fixed convex surface and a stop element. The chain of bands is configured to be drawn over the fixed convex surface in a direction from a first side to a second side of the surface. The stop element is positioned proximate the second side of the surface and is configured for insertion into the aperture of one of the elastic bands. In another aspect, an assembly is configured for use with a chain of rupturably connected elastic bands. The chain is provided on a spool, and each of the bands has an aperture therethrough. The assembly includes a dispenser and a shaft configured to support the spool. A method is described for dispensing elastic bands from a chain of rupturably connected elastic bands.

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: In one aspect, an article includes a tag, an elastic panel, and a tab. The tag has a perimeter. The tag includes an aperture and a first cut connecting the aperture and the perimeter. The elastic panel is bonded to the tag. The tab is bonded to the elastic panel at a joint, wherein a portion of the tab is configured for insertion into the aperture.

Abstract: An apparatus (100, 200, 400, 500, 600) includes a stack (110, 310) having a plurality of connected tie web sheets (106, 306) and an image (114) disposed on each of the tie web sheets (106, 306), wherein the image (114) is the same on each tie web sheet (106, 306) and is disposed in overlay registration from sheet (106, 306) to sheet (106, 306). Each tie web sheet (106, 306) includes a plurality of twist ties (104, 304), each twist tie (104, 304) having a proximal end (118) and a distal end (120), each twist tie (104, 304) being removably attached to the stack (110, 310) at its proximal end (118). A method of dispensing a plurality of twist ties (104, 304) includes mounting a stack (110, 310) within reach of a user and displaying an image (114) disposed on each of the tie web sheets (106, 306). Removal of a twist tie (104, 304) of the plurality of twist ties (104, 304) of the stack (110, 310) does not alter the image (114) viewable by the user.

Abstract: A tie article that includes an attachment portion and a bib portion, where the bib portion includes at least one arm segment and at least one closure device (e.g., a retention wire, tin tie, clasp tie, and the like), where the attachment portion and the bib portion are integrally fabricated from a printed sheet having a first surface and a polymeric film adhered to the first surface of the printed sheet such that the closure device(s) is disposed between the first surface of the printed sheet and the polymeric film at the attachment portion. Multiple tie articles may be manufactured with an in-line process.

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 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.

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: A unitary sheet-like merchandise labeling article that has a labeling tag flatly conjoined along a unifying flat bond zone with a flexible elastic layer that extends away from the tag and includes an elastic fastening loop. The loop sides that define the loop are wider than the thickness of the elastic layer. Further, the flexible elastic layer that extends away from the tag has a thickness greater than the thickness of the tag and has a dispersion zone adjacent the unifying flat bond zone. The dispersion zone allows dissipation of elastic loop in-line stretching forces sufficiently to reduce transmission of such forces into the bond zone.

Abstract: A bundling article that includes a panel that defines panel apertures, and at least one elastomer element, where the at least one elastomer element is bonded to the panel and has non-bonded portions that overlay the panel apertures. The non-bonded portions of the at least one elastomer element define stretchable apertures having dimensions that are smaller than respective dimensions of the panel apertures.

Abstract: A labeling sleeve assembly includes a label strap having a first end segment and a second end segment, where the label strap is configured to be formed into a loop, and an elastic band. The elastic band includes a first anchor region configured to bond to the first end segment of the label strap while the label strap is formed into the loop, a second anchor region configured to bond to the second end segment of the label strap while the label strap is formed into the loop, and a bridging segment derived from an elastic layer, where the bridging segment connects the first anchor region and the second anchor region.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a plurality of labeling bands includes extruding an elastic material, co-extruding a label material with the elastic material, curing the elastic material and the label material, and locating a plurality of demarcations at intervals along the length of the tube to define the plurality of labeling bands. Co-extruding the label material with the elastic material includes forming a tube having an outer surface, an inner surface and a length, so that the label material forms a stripe on the outer surface. In another aspect, an article of manufacture includes an endless band of a first elastic material and a label of a second material embedded into an outer surface of the endless band. The endless band includes the outer surface, an inner surface and first and second opposed perimeter edges, each of the first and second opposed perimeter edges having a common unstretched perimeter dimension.

Abstract: A tag assembly (10, 210, 310, 410) includes a tag panel (14, 314, 414) and a elastomer panel (16). The tag panel (14, 314, 414) includes a first panel segment (22a, 322a, 422a) and a second panel segment (22b, 322b, 422b) demarcated from the first panel segment (22a, 322a, 422a) by a first fold line (48a, 348a). The second panel segment (22b, 322b, 422b) includes a panel aperture (34) and a plurality of slits (36, 236) communicating with the panel aperture (34) and defining a plurality of tabs (38, 238) therebetween. A retention aperture (24, 52, 58) is positioned on and through the tag panel (14, 314, 414). The elastomer panel (16) is bonded to the second panel segment (22b 322b 422b) and comprises a stretchable aperture (44), wherein the stretchable aperture (44) overlaps the panel aperture (34).

Abstract: A hang tab and product tag assembly comprising a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel. The first panel includes an aperture configured to engage with a retention mechanism, the second panel includes an aperture that is configured to adjust to different dimensions.

Abstract: A labeling article and a method of use and assembly of the labeling article, where the labeling article comprises a label, an elastic securing band, and a release liner, and where the elastic securing band is configured to be stretched to define a loop between the elastic securing band and the release liner.

Abstract: A linear series of connected unitary sheet-like merchandise labeling articles, each of which comprises a labeling tag flatly cojoined along a unifying flat bond zone with a flexible elastic layer that extends away from the tag and includes an elastic fastening loop. Adjacent labeling 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 merchandise labeling articles from the series. In one embodiment, the linear series is wound into roll form.