Patents by Inventor William J. Cooper
William J. Cooper 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).
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Patent number: 6837413Abstract: According to one embodiment, the plastic fastener comprises a flexible filament having a length of about 4.3 mm and a tensile strength of about 2 pounds, a first transverse bar located at one end of the flexible filament, and a second transverse bar located at the opposite end of the flexible filament. The fastener clip, which preferably does not contain a runner bar, comprises a plurality of identical fasteners of the aforementioned type, each of the fasteners being arranged in a parallel, side-by-side, spaced relationship. A connector post connects the first transverse bars of adjacent fasteners, and a connector post connects the second transverse bars of adjacent fasteners. An extra transverse bar is connected by a connector post to the first transverse bar of the last fastener, and another extra transverse bar is connected by a connector post to the second transverse bar of the last fastener, the extra transverse bars not being interconnected by a flexible filament.Type: GrantFiled: March 2, 2000Date of Patent: January 4, 2005Assignee: Avery Dennison CorporationInventors: Jeffrey A. Raymond, Paul A. Davignon, Charles L. Deschenes, William J. Cooper, Clark L. Grendol
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Publication number: 20040205940Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2003Publication date: October 21, 2004Inventors: William J. Cooper, Thomas Shilale, John Earley
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Publication number: 20040205939Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2003Publication date: October 21, 2004Inventors: William J. Cooper, Thomas Shilale, John Earley
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Publication number: 20040031838Abstract: A needle (51) particularly well-suited for use in the dispensing of plastic fasteners (21) of the type comprising a filament (15) having a cross-bar (23-1, 23-2) at a first end thereof, each of the cross-bar (23-1, 23-2) and the filament (15) including a first flat side, the first flat sides of the cross-bar (23-1, 23-2) being coplanar. The needle (51) includes a stem portion (53). The stem portion (53) terminates in a tip (57) at its front end and is shaped to define a longitudinal bore (59) and a longitudinal slot (61) for receiving the filament (15) and the cross-bar (23-1, 23-2). The longitudinal bore (59) has a first flat side, and the longitudinal slot (61) has a first flat side, wherein the flat sides are coplanar.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2003Publication date: February 19, 2004Inventors: William J. Cooper, Jeffrey A. Raymond, Charles L. Deschenes, Daniel Gilbertson
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Publication number: 20030218043Abstract: A tool for dispensing fasteners from a fastener clip having a runner bar comprises a housing shaped to include a handle portion, a barrel portion and a guide channel for receiving the used portion of the runner bar. A trigger assembly is pivotally mounted in the handle portion. The tool also includes a needle slide slidably mounted in the barrel portion, a needle coupled to the needle slide, and a needle slide link coupling the needle slide to the trigger assembly. An ejector slide is slidably mounted within the needle slide and adapted to receive an ejector rod which is insertable back and forth through the hollow needle. The needle slide and the ejector slide are independently coupled to the trigger assembly. An anvil extends out in front of the barrel portion and is adapted to receive a removable brush, the needle being aligned to selectively project into the brush.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2002Publication date: November 27, 2003Inventors: William J. Cooper, Jeffrey A. Raymond
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Patent number: 6569369Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: Avery Dennison CorporationInventors: Thomas Shilale, William J. Cooper, Steven E. Flannery, Jeffrey A. Raymond
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Patent number: 6536648Abstract: A system for coupling two or more items with a plastic fastener includes a device for dispensing the plastic fastener and an anvil adapted to support the two or more items to be coupled by the plastic fastener. In one embodiment, the anvil comprises a support block and a plurality of tufts of filaments fixed to the support block. The support block is constructed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and includes a flat top surface. A plurality of holes are formed into the top surface, each hole being circular in lateral cross-section with a diameter of approximately 0.098 inches. Each hole formed in the top surface of the support block is adapted to receive a corresponding tuft of filaments. Each filament is constructed of nylon and is circular in lateral cross-section with a diameter of approximately 0.018 inches.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2001Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Avery Dennison CorporationInventors: Steven E. Flannery, William J. Cooper
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Publication number: 20030011097Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 23, 2001Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventors: Thomas Shilale, William J. Cooper, Steven E. Flannery, Jeffrey A. Raymond
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Publication number: 20030011096Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2001Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventors: Thomas Shilale, William J. Cooper, Steven E. Flannery, Jeffrey A. Raymond
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Publication number: 20020134810Abstract: A system for coupling two or more items with a plastic fastener includes a device for dispensing the plastic fastener and an anvil adapted to support the two or more items to be coupled by the plastic fastener. In one embodiment, the anvil comprises a support block and a plurality of tufts of filaments fixed to the support block. The support block is constructed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and includes a flat top surface. A plurality of holes are formed into the top surface, each hole being circular in lateral cross-section with a diameter of approximately 0.098 inches. Each hole formed in the top surface of the support block is adapted to receive a corresponding tuft of filaments. Each filament is constructed of nylon and is circular in lateral cross-section with a diameter of approximately 0.018 inches.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2001Publication date: September 26, 2002Inventors: Steven E. Flannery, William J. Cooper
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Patent number: 6446801Abstract: A unitary plastic fastener clip comprising a plurality of individual fasteners which are disposed in a substantially parallel, side-by-side, spaced relationship. Each fastener comprises an elongated flexible filament having a first enlarged end and a second enlarged end. In one embodiment, each of the first enlarged end and the second enlarged end is a substantially cylindrical transverse bar. In another embodiment, the first enlarged end is a transverse bar of non-uniform transverse cross-section and the second enlarged end is a generally knob-shaped head. A first connector post connects the first enlarged end of the first fastener to the first enlarged end of the second fastener at the approximate midpoints of their mutually-opposing sides. A second connector post connects the second enlarged end of the first fastener to the second enlarged end of the second fastener at the approximate midpoints of their mutually-opposing sides.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2001Date of Patent: September 10, 2002Assignee: Avery Dennison CorporationInventor: William J. Cooper
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Publication number: 20020121538Abstract: A tool for dispensing plastic fasteners from a fastener clip, each plastic fastener in the fastener clip having a cross bar coupled to a common runner bar by a stub. The tool comprises a gun shaped casing having a front, a rear and a top. A guide groove extends down from the top for receiving the fastener clip. A hollow slotted needle is mounted in the front of the gun shaped casing, the hollow needle having an inlet opening in communication with the guide groove and an outlet opening. The hollow needle includes an anti-back and a knife edge. An ejector slide is disposed within the gun shaped casing and movable back and forth therein. A feed slide is disposed within the gun shaped casing and movable back and forth therein. A feed cam is disposed inside the casing is rotably mounted at one place onto the casing and pivotally mounted at another place onto the feed slide. The feed cam includes a front surface having a pair of outwardly extending spaced apart pins.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2001Publication date: September 5, 2002Inventors: William J. Cooper, Jeffrey A. Raymond
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Patent number: 6418597Abstract: Plastic fastener, fastener clip, fastener dispensing tool and method of fastening objects. According to one embodiment, the plastic fastener comprises a flexible filament having a length of about 4.3 mm and a tensile strength of about 2 pounds, a first transverse bar located at one end of the flexible filament, and a second transverse bar located at the opposite end of the flexible filament. The fastener clip, which preferably does not contain a runner bar, comprises a plurality of identical fasteners of the aforementioned type, each of the fasteners being arranged in a parallel, side-by-side, spaced relationship. A connector post connects the first transverse bars of adjacent fasteners, and a connector post connects the second transverse bars of adjacent fasteners.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2000Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: Avery Dennison CorporationInventors: Charles L. Deschenes, William J. Cooper, Clark L. Grendol
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Patent number: 6364191Abstract: A fastener dispensing tool for dispensing individual loop fasteners of the type comprising a flexible filament having a socket at one end and an inserting element at the opposite end. The tool comprises a housing and a hollow, slotted needle extending outwardly from the housing, the needle being dimensioned to dispense a fastener inserting element. An arm assembly extends outwardly from the housing, the arm assembly defining a feed channel dimensioned to receive a fastener socket and to define a stop engageable with the rear end of the socket to align the socket with the inserting element that has been dispensed through the needle. A piston is removably insertable into the needle for dispensing an inserting element through the needle. A belt is removably insertable into the arm assembly for feeding a socket through the feed channel. A trigger is operatively coupled to each of the piston and the belt.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: Avery Dennison CorporationInventors: Charles L. Deschenes, William J. Cooper, Clark L. Grendol, Clinton N. Matthews
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Publication number: 20020017473Abstract: A unitary plastic fastener clip comprising a plurality of individual fasteners which are disposed in a substantially parallel, side-by-side, spaced relationship. Each fastener comprises an elongated flexible filament having a first enlarged end and a second enlarged end. In one embodiment, each of the first enlarged end and the second enlarged end is a substantially cylindrical transverse bar. In another embodiment, the first enlarged end is a transverse bar of non-uniform transverse cross-section and the second enlarged end is a generally knob-shaped head. A first connector post connects the first enlarged end of the first fastener to the first enlarged end of the second fastener at the approximate midpoints of their mutually-opposing sides. A second connector post connects the second enlarged end of the first fastener to the second enlarged end of the second fastener at the approximate midpoints of their mutually-opposing sides.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 3, 2001Publication date: February 14, 2002Inventor: William J. Cooper
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Patent number: 6308386Abstract: A unitary plastic fastener clip comprising a plurality of individual fasteners which are disposed in a substantially parallel, side-by-side, spaced relationship. Each fastener comprises an elongated flexible filament having a first enlarged end and a second enlarged end. In one embodiment, each of the first enlarged end and the second enlarged end is a substantially cylindrical transverse bar. In another embodiment, the first enlarged end is a transverse bar of non-uniform transverse cross-section and the second enlarged end is a generally knob-shaped head. A first connector post connects the first enlarged end of the first fastener to the first enlarged end of the second fastener at the approximate midpoints of their mutually-opposing sides. A second connector post connects the second enlarged end of the first fastener to the second enlarged end of the second fastener at the approximate midpoints of their mutually-opposing sides.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1999Date of Patent: October 30, 2001Assignee: Avery Dennison CorporationInventor: William J. Cooper
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Patent number: 6293399Abstract: A unitary plastic fastener clip comprising a plurality of individual fasteners which are disposed in a substantially parallel, side-by-side, spaced relationship. Each fastener comprises an elongated flexible filament having a first enlarged end and a second enlarged end. In one embodiment, each of the first enlarged end and the second enlarged end is a substantially cylindrical transverse bar. In another embodiment, the first enlarged end is a transverse bar of non-uniform transverse cross-section and the second enlarged end is a generally knob-shaped head. A first connector post connects the first enlarged end of the first fastener to the first enlarged end of the second fastener at the approximate midpoints of their mutually-opposing sides. A second connector post connects the second enlarged end of the first fastener to the second enlarged end of the second fastener at the approximate midpoints of their mutually-opposing sides.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2000Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: Avery Dennison CorporationInventor: William J. Cooper
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Patent number: 6267286Abstract: A fastener attaching tool particularly suited for use in attaching buttons to clothing, etc. and which is constructed for use with a fastener clip which includes a pair of runner bars and one or more U-shaped fasteners having transverse bars at opposite ends, each transverse bar being connected on its side to a corresponding runner bar by a severable connector post. The tool includes a pair of needles each having a longitudinal slotted bore adapted to receive one of the transverse bars and a knife edge formed on one side which is adapted to sever a connector post from its associated transverse bar as the transverse bar is pushed through the needle. The body includes a transverse feed slot disposed just to the rear of the needles down through which the fastener clip is manually inserted. The tool also includes an ejector mechanism, which is slidably mounted back and forth within the body and is rearwardly biased by a spring.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 1997Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Assignee: Avery Dennison CorporationInventors: Charles L. Deschenes, Terence J. Jones, William J. Cooper
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Patent number: D463259Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2001Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Avery Dennison CorporationInventors: Jeffery A. Raymond, William J. Cooper
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Patent number: D463733Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2001Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: Avery Dennison CorporationInventors: William J. Cooper, Charles L. Deschenes