Abstract: In some embodiments, a system and/or method for installing a tracking fastener using a fastener insertion device. The fastener insertion device may include a handle and a fastener receiver. The handle may form a receiving chamber therein. The receiving chamber may receive, during use, tracking fasteners within. The tracking fasteners may include an antenna at least partially positioned in a proximal end of the plastic tracking fastener including a first end or a first and a second end extending out of the proximal end of the tracking fastener. The fastener receiver may include a striker, a diverter, a router, and a tapered reverse angle guide. The diverter, guide (e.g., router, tapered reverse angle guide), and a designed striker may position, during use, the antenna around the driver mechanism and away from the striker tip. The striker inserts the fastener into a substrate without damage to the antenna.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a tracking fastener may include a plastic tracking fastener. The plastic tracking fastener may include a plastic tracking staple or a plastic tracking nail. The plastic tracking fastener may include at least one elongated member comprising at least one distal end, and a proximal end. The distal end(s) may penetrate, during insertion, a surface of an object. The tracking fastener may include a wireless identification device. The wireless identification device may contain electronically stored information associated with an item to which the plastic tracking fastener is coupled. The plastic tracking fastener may have a primary antenna electrically coupled to the wireless identification device. The plastic tracking fastener may have a secondary antenna electromagnetically coupled to the primary antenna of the wireless identification device. The secondary antenna may provide higher read range/distance relative to the primary antenna itself.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a tracking fastener may include a plastic tracking fastener. The plastic tracking fastener may include a plastic tracking staple or a plastic tracking nail. The plastic tracking fastener may include at least one elongated member comprising at least one distal end, and a proximal end. The distal end(s) may penetrate, during insertion, a surface of an object. The tracking fastener may include a wireless identification device. The wireless identification device may contain electronically stored information associated with an item to which the plastic tracking fastener is coupled. The plastic tracking fastener may have a primary antenna electrically coupled to the wireless identification device. The plastic tracking fastener may have a secondary antenna electromagnetically coupled to the primary antenna of the wireless identification device. The secondary antenna may provide higher read range/distance relative to the primary antenna itself.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system and/or method for installing a tracking fastener using a fastener insertion device. The fastener insertion device may include a handle and a fastener receiver. The handle may form a receiving chamber therein. The receiving chamber may receive, during use, tracking fasteners within. The tracking fasteners may include an antenna at least partially positioned in a proximal end of the plastic tracking fastener including a first end or a first and a second end extending out of the proximal end of the tracking fastener. The fastener receiver may include a striker, a diverter, a router, and a tapered reverse angle guide. The diverter, guide (e.g., router, tapered reverse angle guide), and a designed striker may position, during use, the antenna around the driver mechanism and away from the striker tip. The striker inserts the fastener into a substrate without damage to the antenna.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a tracking fastener may include a plastic tracking fastener. The plastic tracking fastener may include a plastic tracking staple or a plastic tracking nail. The plastic tracking fastener may include at least one elongated member comprising at least one distal end, and a proximal end. The distal end(s) may penetrate, during insertion, a surface of an object. The tracking fastener may include a wireless identification device. The wireless identification device may contain electronically stored information associated with an item to which the plastic tracking fastener is coupled. The plastic tracking fastener may have a primary antenna electrically coupled to the wireless identification device. The plastic tracking fastener may have a secondary antenna electromagnetically coupled to the primary antenna of the wireless identification device. The secondary antenna may provide higher read range/distance relative to the primary antenna itself.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a tracking fastener may include a plastic tracking fastener. The plastic tracking fastener may include a plastic tracking staple or a plastic tracking nail. The plastic tracking fastener may include at least one elongated member comprising at least one distal end, and a proximal end. The distal end(s) may penetrate, during insertion, a surface of an object. The tracking fastener may include a wireless identification device. The wireless identification device may contain electronically stored information associated with an item to which the plastic tracking fastener is coupled. The plastic tracking fastener may have a primary antenna electrically coupled to the wireless identification device. The plastic tracking fastener may have a secondary antenna electromagnetically coupled to the primary antenna of the wireless identification device. The secondary antenna may provide higher read range/distance relative to the primary antenna itself.

Abstract: Provided in some embodiments is a method that includes coupling portions of one or more members using at least one impact driven fastener. At least one impact driven fastener includes at least one penetrating portion formed of plastic, and at least one head portion having a heat deformation temperature less than about 250° F. Plastic of the penetrating portion provides the penetrating portion with a flexural strength greater than about 9500 psi. The method also includes applying heat to at least partially deform the head portion of at least one fastener.

Abstract: Provided in some embodiments is a method that includes coupling portions of one or more members using at least one impact driven fastener. At least one impact driven fastener includes at least one penetrating portion formed of plastic, and at least one head portion having a heat deformation temperature less than about 250° F. Plastic of the penetrating portion provides the penetrating portion with a flexural strength greater than about 9500 psi. The method also includes applying heat to at least partially deform the head portion of at least one fastener.

Abstract: Plastic impact driven fasteners having relatively high flexural strength and relatively low heat deformation temperature are provided. Additional embodiments relate to methods of using the fasteners. For example, the fasteners may be used in a tire retreading process. In such a case, one or more fasteners may be used to secure new tread to a tire core before and/or during a curing process. The curing process may also cause deformation of the fastener, thereby eliminating the need to remove the fasteners after the curing process.

Abstract: Plastic impact driven fasteners having relatively high flexural strength and relatively low heat deformation temperature are provided. Additional embodiments relate to methods of using the fasteners. For example, the fasteners may be used in a tire retreading process. In such a case, one or more fasteners may be used to secure new tread to a tire core before and/or during a curing process. The curing process may also cause deformation of the fastener, thereby eliminating the need to remove the fasteners after the curing process.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising a blend of at least two components, wherein the first component is at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive and second component is at least one thermoplastic material, wherein the components form a blended composition having more than one domain and, wherein one domain is substantially continuous (generally, the pressure-sensitive adhesive) and the other domain is substantially fibrillous to schistose (generally, the thermoplastic material). The second component can be (a) at least one thermoplastic elastomer, (b) at least one elastomer with a tackifying resin or (c) at least one elastomer.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising a blend of at least two components, wherein the first component is at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive and the second component is at least one thermoplastic material, wherein the components form a blended composition having more than one domain and, wherein one domain is substantially continuous (generally, the pressure-sensitive adhesive) and the other domain is substantially fibrillous to schistose (generally, the thermoplastic material). The second component can be (a) at least one thermoplastic elastomer, (b) at least one elastomer with a tackifying resin or (c) at least one elastomer.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive adhesive comprising a blend of at least two components, wherein the first component is at least one pressure-sensitive adhesive and the second component is at least one thermoplastic material, wherein the components form a blended composition having more than one domain and, wherein one domain is substantially continuous (generally, the pressure-sensitive adhesive) and the other domain is substantially fibrinous to schistose (generally, the thermoplastic material). The second component can be (a) at least one thermoplastic elastomer, (b) at least one elastomer with a tackifying resin or (c) at least one elastomer.

Abstract: A continuous impact-driven fastener pack made of ultra-high strength plastic composite materials, for example, thermoplastic or thermoset materials for use in standard impact driving fasteners machines. The individual fasteners have sufficient compressive strength and flexural modulus such that the fastener may be used with commodity woods for construction, furniture making, or for building boats. Further, this fastener pack is non-corrodible and provides plastic fasteners having a length/diameter ratios of a working nail or staple, e.g., heretofore unavailable.

Abstract: An adhesive tape is provided which comprises a woven cloth, a polymer embedded into the cloth so as to cause the warp and weft fibers of the cloth to bond together at their overlapping points but not to completely encase the fibers, and a pressure sensitive adhesive coated onto at least a portion of the polymer, wherein the adhesive tape is hand tearable in the down-web and in the cross-web direction. A method of manufacturing such a tape is also provided.

Abstract: An adhesive tape is provided which comprises a woven cloth, a polymer embedded into the cloth so as to cause the warp and weft fibers of the cloth to bond together at their overlapping points but not to completely encase the fibers, and a pressure sensitive adhesive coated onto at least a portion of the polymer, wherein the adhesive tape is hand tearable in the down-web and in the cross-web direction. A method of manufacturing such a tape is also provided.

Abstract: An adhesive tape is provided which comprises a woven cloth, a polymer embedded into the cloth so as to cause the warp and weft fibers of the cloth to bond together at their overlapping points but not to completely encase the fibers, and a pressure sensitive adhesive coated onto at least a portion of the polymer, wherein the adhesive tape is hand tearable in the down-web and in the cross-web direction. A method of manufacturing such a tape is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a pressure-sensitive adhesive composition for medical applications comprising a blend of at least two components comprised of about 5 to about 95% by weight of a first component comprised of at least one acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive and about 5 to about 95% by weight of a second component comprised of either (a) at least one elastomer with a tackifying resin, or (b) at least one thermoplastic elastomer, wherein the resulting pressure-sensitive adhesive demonstrates a T.sub.0 of at least 1 N/dm and a T.sub.48 of less than 12 N/dm when adhered to skin. The pressure-sensitive adhesive composition is prepared either in the presence of a solvent or is alternatively prepared by melt blending. A method of preparing such an adhesive is also disclosed.

Abstract: An adhesive tape is provided which comprises a woven cloth, a polymer embedded into the cloth so as to cause the warp and weft fibers of the cloth to bond together at their overlapping points but not to completely encase the fibers, and a pressure sensitive adhesive coated onto at least a portion of the polymer, wherein the adhesive tape is hand tearable in the down-web and in the cross-web direction. A method of manufacturing such a tape is also provided.

Abstract: A continuous impact-driven fastener pack made of ultra-high strength plastic composite materials, for example, thermoplastic or thermoset materials for use in standard impact driving fastener machines. The individual fasteners have sufficient compressive strength and a flexural modulus such that the fastener may be used with commodity woods for construction, furniture making, or for building boats. Further, this fastener pack is non-corrodible and provides plastic fasteners having a length/diameter ratios of a working nail or staple, e.g., heretofore unavailable.