Abstract: A fastener for tying together a pair of shoelace eyelets on a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the appropriate spacing therebetween while the shoe upper is being lasted. In one embodiment, the fastener is a unitary plastic member shaped to include an elongated flexible filament having a cross-bar at one end and a paddle at the opposite end, the paddle being provided with two or more alternative openings through which the cross-bar may be inserted to from a loop. The openings are preferably disposed at different points along the length of the paddle so that the different sized loops may be used for different eyelet spacings. In another embodiment, a feed bar is severably connected to the fastener for use in positioning the paddle so that the cross-bar may be aligned with and easily inserted into a desired cross-bar opening. Alternatively, the paddle may be provided with registration means.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in tying together a pair of opposing shoelace eyelets of a shoe upper with a plastic fastener of the type comprising a flexible filament having a cross-bar disposed at one end thereof and a paddle comprising an opening disposed at the opposite end thereof. The apparatus includes a hollow slotted needle insertable through the pair of opposing shoelace eyelets and the opening in the paddle, a paddle positioning assembly for aligning the opening in the paddle with the pair of opposing shoelace eyelets, a cross-bar feeding assembly for loading the cross-bar into the needle, and a cross-bar ejecting assembly for ejecting the cross-bar from the needle.

Abstract: A fastener for tying together a pair of shoelace eyelets on a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the appropriate spacing therebetween while the shoe upper is being lasted. In one embodiment, the fastener is a unitary plastic member shaped to include an elongated flexible filament having a cross-bar at one end and a paddle at the opposite end, the paddle being provided with two or more alternative openings through which the cross-bar may be inserted to form a loop. The openings are preferably disposed at different points along the length of the paddle so that the different sized loops may be used for different eyelet spacings. In another embodiment, a feed bar is severably connected to the fastener for use in positioning the paddle so that the cross-bar may be aligned with and easily inserted into a desired cross-bar opening. Alternatively, the paddle may be provided with registration means.

Abstract: A plastic fastener which may be inserted into a body of meat for tagging purposes and then subsequently removed therefrom intact comprises an elongated unitary plastic member shaped to include a transverse bar, a paddle, and a flexible filament interconnecting the transverse tag and paddle. The transverse bar is interconnected to the filament in a T shaped configuration. In one embodiment, the portion of the transverse bar constituting the trailing end thereof when the transverse bar is inserted into the meat is made smaller than normal so as to minimize the likelihood of the transverse bar severing from the filament when the fastener is withdrawn from the body of the meat.

Abstract: A plastic fastener which may be inserted into a body of meat for tagging purposes comprises an elongated unitary plastic member shaped to include a transverse bar, a paddle, and a flexible filament interconnecting the transverse tag and paddle. The portion of the transverse bar constituting the trailing end thereof when the transverse bar is inserted into the meat is made smaller than normal so as to minimize the likelihood of the transverse bar severing from the filament when the fastener is withdrawn from the body of the meat.

Abstract: A fastener system and for use in tying together a pair of opposing shoelace eyelets of a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the appropriate spacing between the eyelets while the shoe upper is being lasted. In one embodiment, the fastener system comprises a plastic fastener having a first cross-bar at a first end, a second cross-bar at a second end and a filament portion interconnecting the first cross-bar and the second cross-bar. The fastener system also comprises a plastic retaining tab, the retaining tab being appropriately constructed so that the first cross-bar and the second cross-bar may be inserted therethrough for securement thereto. The retaining tab may be provided with appropriately placed openings to facilitate insertion of the cross-bars through the retaining tab.

Abstract: A fastener for tying together a pair of shoelace eyelets on a shoe upper in such a way as to maintain the appropriate spacing therebetween while the shoe upper is being lasted. In one embodiment, the fastener is a unitary plastic member shaped to include an elongated flexible filament having a cross-bar at one end and a paddle at the opposite end, the paddle being provided with two or more alternative openings through which the cross-bar may be inserted to form a loop. The openings are preferably disposed at different points along the length of the paddle so that the different sized loops may be used for different eyelet spacings. In another embodiment, a feed bar is severably connected to the fastener for use in positioning the paddle so that the cross-bar may be aligned with and easily inserted into a desired cross-bar opening. Alternatively, the paddle may be provided with registration means.

Abstract: A combination shoe, lace and new merchandise indicia and lace retainer, the shoe being fully or substantially fully laced, and the new merchandise indicia and lace retainer having a central portion looped around doubled end portions of the lace and having overlapping end portions secured together. The doubled end portions of the lace and the new merchandise indicia and lace retainer are tucked into the foot inlet of the shoe during storage and are pulled out of the foot inlet for trial fit of the shoe.

Abstract: A process for sewing certain pieces of a shoe together is disclosed. The shoe pieces are registered and held with respect to each other during an automatic sewing operation. In accordance with the invention, a particular shoe piece is held down with respect to the other registered pieces during only a portion of the automatic sewing operation.

Abstract: A lace is secured in a shoe through a mechanical securing device comprising: A piston-type device having an opening which closes upon the lace and thereby secures the lace and close the footwear.

Abstract: A process for temporarily fastening the flaps of shoe uppers for a lasting step includes aligning pairs of opposed eyelets of the flaps, propelling one of a pair of substantially parallel legs of each of a plurality of generally U or H shaped fastening element through respective pairs of the aligned opposed eyelets and positioning the thus prepared upper on a last for a lasting operation. The substantially parallel legs of the fastening elements serve to maintain the flaps in connected relationship and are readily removed from the eyelets by severing of a bridge element which extends between and connects the legs.