Patents by Inventor James R. Helseth

James R. Helseth 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: 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
  • Publication number: 20190202616
    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: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    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
  • Publication number: 20170259969
    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: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventor: James R. Helseth
  • Publication number: 20170129672
    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: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventor: James R. Helseth
  • Publication number: 20170112297
    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: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Publication date: April 27, 2017
    Inventors: James R. Helseth, Jeffrey Michael Helseth, Matthew James Helseth, David J. Benson
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20150034513
    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: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: James R. 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: 4948202
    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 staton 205.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Twist-Ease, Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Helseth
  • Patent number: D323594
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Twist-Ease Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Helseth