EP2705510A1

EP2705510A1 - Plastic fastening device comprising a recycled thermoplastic resin

Info

Publication number: EP2705510A1
Application number: EP12721084.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Shilale; Charles J. Burout
Original assignee: Avery Dennison Corp
Current assignee: Avery Dennison Corp
Priority date: 2011-05-06
Filing date: 2012-05-01
Publication date: 2014-03-12
Also published as: EP2705509B1; US20120279023A1; CN103650019A; ES2786037T3; EP2705509A1; CN103650019B; CN103650018A; WO2012154443A1; WO2012154442A1

Abstract

A plastic fastening device (10) that includes a recycled material. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the fastening device (10) includes a blend of two or more thermoplastic resins, at least one of which is a recycled material. The blend may include, for example, a fresh thermoplastic resin and a recycled thermoplastic resin. The fresh thermoplastic resin may include, for example, one or more of a polyethylene (PE), a polyamide (PA), or a polycarbonate (PC). The recycled thermoplastic resin may include, for example, a recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET). In a preferred embodiment, the blend of two or more thermoplastic resins includes a blend of (i) rPET and (ii) one of a low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a LDPE/LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene) blend and LLDPE, (iii) wherein the rPET constitutes about 88% to 98% of the total material content and the LDPE, the LDPE/LLDPE blend, or the LLDPE constitutes the balance.

Description

PLASTIC FASTENING DEVICE COMPRISING A RECYCLED THERMOPLASTIC RESIN

Cross-Reference to Related Application

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. patent Application No. 13/102,509 filed May 6, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Field

[0002] The invention relates generally to fastening devices and more specifically to plastic fastening devices and to assemblies of plastic fastening devices.

Background

[0003] Plastic fastening devices are commonly used to attach tags to articles of commerce, also known as merchandise, and/or to bind items together. One common type of plastic fastening device is a plastic fastener of the type comprising an elongated flexible filament having a first enlargement at one end thereof and a second enlargement at the opposite end thereof. In one common type of plastic fastener, the first enlargement has the shape of a crossbar, and the second enlargement has the shape of a second crossbar, a paddle, a pin head, or the like. Such fasteners are often molded, typically through injection molding, as part of a unitary fastener clip. An example of such a fastener clip is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,733,657, which is incorporated herein by reference. The clip of the aforementioned '657 patent includes a plurality of fasteners, each of said fasteners comprising a flexible filament having a crossbar at one end thereof and a paddle or a second crossbar at the opposite end thereof, the crossbar and the paddle (or the second crossbar) extending in planes parallel to one another. The fasteners are arranged relative to one another so that the respective crossbars are spaced apart and oriented side-by-side and parallel to one another and so that the respective paddles (or second crossbars) are spaced apart and oriented side-by-side and parallel to one another. The clip of the '657 patent also includes a runner bar, the runner bar extending perpendicularly relative to the respective crossbars and being connected to each of the crossbars by a severable connector. The clip of the '657 patent further includes a severable member interconnecting each pair of adjacent paddles (or second crossbars).

[0004] Plastic fasteners of the type described above may alternatively be manufactured as part of a length of continuously-connected fastener stock. In this type of continuously-connected fastener stock, the fasteners comprise a flexible filament having a cross-bar at one end thereof and a paddle (or second crossbar) at the opposite end thereof, the respective cross-bars and paddles of successive fasteners being arranged end-to-end and being joined together by severable connectors.

[0005] Additional examples of assemblies of plastic fasteners are disclosed in the following patents, all of which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Patent No. 6,308,386; U.S. Patent No. 5,622,257; U.S. Patent No. 4,901,854; U.S. Patent No. 3,103,666; and U.S. Reissue Patent No. 34,891.

[0006] Another common type of plastic fastening device is a plastic staple, an example of which is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,039,078, which is incorporated herein by reference. A plastic staple is typically manufactured as part of a length of continuously-connected fastener stock. The continuously-connected fastener stock is typically made by a rotary extrusion molding technique, such as is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,462,784, which is incorporated herein by reference. The length of continuously-connected fastener stock is typically shaped to include two elongated and continuous parallel side members coupled together by a plurality of cross-links equidistantly spaced from one another. Individual plastic staples having an H-shape are dispensed from the fastener stock by cutting the side members at appropriate points between the cross-links.

[0007] Other examples of plastic staples are disclosed in the following patents, both of which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Patent No. 4,456,123; and U.S. Patent No. 7,681,730.

[0008] Still another common type of plastic fastening device is a plastic cable tie. Cable ties, also known as bundling ties and harnessing devices, are well-known devices commonly used to couple together a plurality of elongated objects, such as wires or cables. One type of cable tie comprises an elongated strap having an apertured head disposed at one end thereof. The opposite end of the elongated strap is typically shaped to define a tail of narrowed width adapted for insertion through the apertured head to form a closed loop. A plurality of serrations or teeth are formed along the length of the elongated strap, and an internal pawl (or locking tang) is disposed within the apertured head, the internal pawl being adapted to sequentially engage the serrations on the strap. In this manner, the engagement of the internal pawl with the serrated strap is used to lock the cable tie in a closed loop configuration.

[0009] Cable ties are typically formed by injection molding. More specifically, this typically involves the use of a two-piece mold into which the impression of one or more whole cable ties has been formed. Molten plastic is injected into the mold through a single opening or gate in the mold until the one or more impressions therein are filled. The molten plastic is then allowed to harden in the one or more impressions. The thus-formed cable ties are then removed from the mold.

[0010] Other examples of plastic cable ties are disclosed in the following patents, all of which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Patent No. 4,183,119; U.S. Patent No. 4,658,478; U.S. Patent No. 4,754,529; U.S. Patent No. 5,593,630; and U.S. Patent No. 5,669,111.

[0011] The above-described plastic fastening devices are typically made from conventional polymers that are derived from fossil fuels, e.g., petroleum. Examples of these conventional polymers include the following: polyurethanes ("PUs"), polyethylenes ("PEs"), polypropylenes ("PPs"), and polyamides ("PAs"). Fossil fuels are not renewable and, thus, will not be available indefinitely. Also, the use of fossil fuel derived polymers has become disadvantageous because the price of fossil fuels has increased steadily due to the increase in the worldwide demand for fossil fuels and political instabilities in several countries that export fossil fuels.

[0012] Notwithstanding the above, existing plastic fastening devices are made from fresh raw thermoplastic material sources. Although such devices may contain a small percentage of regrind material, i.e., reused material scrap generated from internal manufacturing processes, they do not contain recycled material content, i.e., material recovered from discarded "waste" product. The use of recycled material would prevent the waste of potentially useful material and would reduce the need for fresh raw materials. Plastic recycling lags behind those of other items as when compared to different materials such as glass and metal, because plastic polymers require greater processing to be recycled. Heating alone is insufficient most of the time and because of this plastics must often be of nearly identical composition in order to mix efficiently. Additionally, when different types of plastics are melted together they tend to phase separate and set into layers which cause structural weakness in the resulting final article constructed out of recycled material.

[0013] It should, therefore, be appreciated that there is a need for plastic fastening devices and assemblies thereof that are efficiently made from or that use recycled materials which overcome the previously mentioned problems with regards to plastics. The present invention satisfies this need.

Brief Summary

[0014] The present invention is directed at a plastic fastening device, at least a portion of which is made of, or comprises, a recycled material. [0015] The present invention is also directed at an assembly of plastic fastening devices of the aforementioned type, as well as to a method of manufacturing such a plastic fastening device or such an assembly of plastic fastening devices.

[0016] In other, more detailed features of the invention, at least a portion of the plastic fastening device comprises a recycled material. Prefera bly, at least a portion of the plastic fastening device comprises a blend of two or more thermoplastic resins, at least one of which is a recycled material. The present invention contemplates that the entire blend of thermoplastic resin is recycled material. The blend of thermoplastic resins may comprise, for example, a fresh thermoplastic resin and a recycled thermoplastic resin. The fresh thermoplastic resin may include, for example, one or more of a polyethylene (PE), a polyamide (PA), or a polycarbonate (PC). The recycled thermoplastic resin may comprise, for example, a recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET). In a preferred em bodiment, the blend of two or more thermoplastic resins may comprise of a blend of (i) rPET and (ii) one of a low- density polyethylene (LDPE), a LDPE/LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene) blend and LLDPE, (iii) wherein the rPET constitutes a bout 88% to 98% of the total material content and the LDPE, the LDPE/LLDPE blend, or the LLDPE constitutes the balance. The LDPE/LLDPE blend may comprise a mixture of virgin LDPE material with a color concentrate that was derived from a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) base. The color concentrate may be as high as 4%, depend ing on the color.

[0017] Additives may also be included in the blend, for example, to promote compatibility between the resins.

[0018] In other, more detailed features of the invention, the plastic fastening device may be, for example, a plastic fastener, a plastic staple, or a plastic ca ble tie. Where the plastic fastening device is a plastic fastener, the aforementioned blend of thermoplastic resins may be used to make one or more of the crossbar, the paddle (or second crossbar, knob, etc.), and the filament. Where the plastic fastening device is a plastic staple, the aforementioned blend of thermoplastic resins may be used to make one or more of the first crossbar, the second crossbar, and the filament. Where the plastic fastening device is a plastic cable tie, the aforementioned blend of thermoplastic resins may be used to make one or more of the strap, the head, the tang, and the teeth.

[0019] The embodiments of the present invention described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of the present invention.

[0020] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. It is to be understood, however, that the detailed description of the various embodiments and specific examples, while indicating preferred and other embodiments of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not limitation. Many changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] These, as well as other objects and advantages of this invention, will be more completely understood and appreciated by referring to the following more detailed description of the presently preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, of which:

[0022] FIGURE 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary plastic fastener according to the invention, the plastic fastener being shown secured to an article of commerce and supporting a merchandise tag;

[0023] FIGURE 2 depicts an enlarged perspective view of the plastic fastener shown in FIGURE 1; [0024] FIGURE 3 depicts a top plan view of an exemplary length of plastic fastener stock according to the invention, the fastener stock including the fastener of FIGURE 1;

[0025] FIGURE 4 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary length of a continuously- connected length of plastic staple stock according to the invention;

[0026] FIGURE 5 depicts an enlarged end plan view of an exemplary individual plastic staple according to the invention, the plastic staple obtained from the length of the continuously-connected plastic staple stock of FIGURE 4;

[0027] FIGURE 6 depicts an enlarged front plan view of the plastic staple of FIGURE 5;

[0028] FIGURE 7 depicts a top plan view of an exemplary cable tie according to the invention;

[0029] FIGURE 8 depicts a bottom plan view of the cable tie of FIGURE 7;

[0030] FIGURE 9 depicts a flowchart for an exemplary method of manufacturing a fastening assembly according to the present invention; and

[0031] FIGURE 10 depicts a block diagram that illustrates a recycled material being input to a manufacturing process, which, in turn, forms the recycled material into a plastic fastening assembly.

Detailed Description

[0032] The present invention relates to plastic fastening devices, assemblies of plastic fastening devices, and related methods for forming plastic fastening devices, wherein the plastic fastening devices are made of, or comprise, recycled material. Fastening devices and fastening device assemblies come in a multitude of different mechanical configurations. A few non-limiting examples are discussed below.

[0033] A first example of a plastic fastening device according to the invention is a plastic fastener of the type used to attach a merchandise tag to a piece of fabric, such as an article of clothing, product label, and the like. This type of fastener includes, for example, an elongated plastic member having a first end shaped to define a crossbar, also known as a "T-bar," a second end shaped to define an enlarged paddle, and a thin filament portion that interconnects the crossbar and the paddle. As will be described further below, the crossbar is adapted to be inserted first through the tag and then into the piece of fabric, with the paddle being appropriately sized and shaped to keep the tag from being pulled off the second end of the filament portion.

[0034] Referring now to FIGURE 1, there is shown a first exemplary embodiment of a plastic fastener 10 of the present invention. Plastic fastener 10 is shown securing a merchandise tag 12 to an article of commerce 14. For the purposes of the present invention, the article of commerce represents any product that can be tagged with the plastic fastener. As an example, the article of commerce can be an article of clothing, such as a shirt, a pair of socks, or a label, e.g., a woven label, affixed to the article of clothing. In another example, the article of commerce can be a rug or other similar length of fabric or material. In yet another example, the article of commerce can be a food product, e.g., cooked or uncooked chicken, beef, or fish, that is displayed for sale. It is to be understood that additional applications for a plastic fastener to articles of commerce could be envisioned without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0035] Referring additionally to the enlarged perspective view shown in FIGURE 2, the exemplary plastic fastener 10 is a unitary member having a first end, which is shaped to define a crossbar 18, a second end, which is shaped to define an enlarged paddle 22, and a thin filament 24, which interconnects the crossbar 18 and the paddle 22. The crossbar 18 is sized and shaped to be inserted through a merchandise tag and into an article of commerce 14. The paddle 22 is in the form of an enlarged, thin rectangular member that has an appropriate size and shape to prevent a merchandise tag, which is slidably mounted on the filament (as shown in FIGURE 1), from being removed. [0036] Plastic fasteners 10 of the type described above can be mass-produced in either one of two different forms of fastener stock 32 (see FIGURE 3). A first form of fastener stock is a clip-type assembly 32 that includes a plurality of fasteners 10, where each fastener includes a flexible filament 24 having a crossbar 18 at one end and a paddle 22 at the opposite end. The present invention contemplates that an image layer may be applied or inscribed on the paddle 22. An image layer in the form of a label may be adhered to the paddle 22. The present invention also contemplates that the paddle 22 may be molded into an object such as a company's logo or trademark. The fasteners are arranged in a spaced, side-by-side orientation, with the respective crossbars parallel to one another and the respective paddles parallel to one another. The crossbars 18 are joined to a common, orthogonally- disposed runner bar 34 by severable connectors 36. Adjacent paddles 22 also may be interconnected by severable connectors (not shown). This first type of fastener stock can be formed using injection molding processes. Fastener clips that are similarly-shaped to fastener clip 32, but are not made using a recycled material, have been sold by the present assignee, Avery Dennison Corporation of Pasadena, CA, as DENNISON^® SWIFTACH^® fastener clips.

[0037] The second form of fastener stock, which is shown in U.S. Patent No. 4,955,475, which is incorporated herein by reference, includes a plurality of fasteners arranged in an end-to-end alignment, where the paddles and crossbars of successive fasteners are joined together using severable connectors so as to form a supply of continuously-connected fastener stock. Fastener stock having this form can be manufactured through a process that is referred to as "continuous molding." An example of continuously-connected fastener stock that is manufactured using a process of continuous molding is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,462,784. In the '784 patent, the continuously-connected fastener stock is made using a rotary extrusion process that involves a rotating molding wheel whose periphery is provided with molding cavities that are complementary in shape to the molded fastener stock. To form the fastener stock, molten plastic is extruded into the cavities of the molding wheel with a layer of controlled film overlying the peripheral impression. The molten plastic is then allowed to solidify. A knife that is in substantially elliptical contact with the peripheral impression is then used to skive excess plastic from the rotating molding wheel, i.e., the layer of controlled film, leaving plastic only in the molding cavities. After the skiving process, the continuously connected fastener stock is removed, inline, from the cavities in the molding wheel. Transfer rolls advance the fastener stock typically to a stretching station where selected portions of the fastener stock are selectively distended, e.g., using diverging sprocket wheels. After the stretching process, the fastener stock is collected onto a windup roll for packaging.

[0038] Typically, the practice of at least partially separating an individual plastic fastener 10 from a supply of fastener stock 32 and, in turn, inserting the individual plastic fastener through a tag 12 and into an article of commerce 14 is achieved using a hand-held apparatus commonly referred to as a tagger gun. Examples of tagger guns are disclosed in the '475 patent and in the '784 patent.

[0039] The practice of using a tagger gun to secure a tag 12 to an article of commerce 14 is typically accomplished in the following procedure: The supply of fastener stock 32 is loaded into the tagger gun. The tagger gun includes a needle having a sharpened tip, which is inserted through the tag and into the article of commerce. An ejector rod in the tagger gun is then activated, for example, through the compression of a trigger, which, in turn, ejects the crossbar 18 first though the tag and then the article of commerce, thereby disposing the crossbar 18 and the paddle 22 on opposite sides of the article of commerce with the tag slidably disposed on the filament 24 of the fastener 10. As noted above, the paddle 22 is appropriately sized and shaped to keep the tag from being pulled off the filament portion of the fastener.

[0040] A plastic staple is a second example of a plastic fastening device according to the invention. The plastic staple can be formed as part of a supply of continuously-connected fastener stock comprising the following items: two elongated and continuous side members coupled together by a plurality of equidistantly-spaced cross-links. The common name for this form of continuously-connected stock is "ladder stock." The individual staples have an H-shape and are dispensed from the fastener stock by cutting the side members at appropriate points between cross-links. The continuously- connected stock that includes the staples can be made using the previously discussed molding process and can be dispensed using a tagger gun.

[0041] Referring now to FIGURE 4, there is shown a perspective view of a length of continuously connected fastener stock 38 according to the invention, the fastener stock 38 including two elongated and continuous side members 40 and 42. The side members are coupled together by a plurality of equidistantly-spaced, flexible cross-links or filaments 44. By cutting the side members at appropriate points between cross-links, individual plastic staples, which have an H-shape, are produced.

[0042] Referring additionally to FIGURE 5, there is shown an enlarged end view of an individual plastic staple 46 obtained in the aforementioned manner from a length of fastener stock 38. The staple includes a first crossbar 48, which has been cut from side member 40, and a second crossbar 50, which has been cut from side member 42, respectively. The first and second crossbars are interconnected by a flexible filament 44. A top plan view of the plastic staple is shown in FIGURE 6.

[0043] A cable tie, also known as a bundling tie or a harnessing device, is a third type of plastic fastening device according to the invention. An exemplary type of cable tie includes the following items: an elongated strap having an apertured head at one end. Typically, the opposite end of the elongated strap is shaped to define another item, a tail of narrowed width that is adapted for insertion through the apertured head to form a closed loop. A plurality of serrations or teeth is formed along the length of the elongated strap, and an internal pawl (or locking tang) is located within the apertured head. The internal pawl is adapted to prevent a serration on the strap, once inserted past the internal pawl, from being withdrawn. In this manner, the engagement of the internal pawl with the serrated strap is used to lock the cable tie in a closed loop configuration. [0044] Another type of exemplary cable tie differs from the above-described cable tie in that it includes an apertured or ladder-type strap, instead of a serrated strap. The head of the cable tie typically has a buckle-like shape and includes a tongue that is adapted to enter the apertures of the strap and to lock the strap in a fixed loop configuration. Examples of this type of cable tie are disclosed in the following patents, all of which are incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Patent No. 3,766,608; U.S. Patent No. 4,347,648; and U.S. Patent No. 4,866,816.

[0045] Cable ties, whether of the serrated-strap variety or of the ladder-strap variety, both described above, can be formed by injection molding. This may involve the use of a two-piece mold into which the impression of one or more whole cable ties has been formed. Molten plastic is injected into the mold through a single opening or gate in the mold until the one or more impressions within the mold are filled. The molten plastic is then allowed to harden in the one or more impressions, and then, the cable ties are removed from the mold.

[0046] Referring now to FIGURES 7 and 8, an exemplary embodiment of a cable tie 52 is shown. The cable tie includes a front portion 54 and a strap 56. The front portion includes a head 58 and a neck 60. The head generally is rectangular in shape and includes a bottom wall 62, a top wall 64, a front wall 66, a rear wall 68, a left side wall 70, a right side wall 72, and an elongated channel 74, which extends through the head from the bottom wall to the top wall. Furthermore, the head is shaped to include a locking tang 76 that extends into the channel. The tang is similar in shape and function to the tang described in U.S. Patent No. 4,754,529.

[0047] The strap 56, which is generally rectangular, is an elongated flexible member that is shaped to include a tail 78 of narrowed width that is configured to be inserted through the channel 74 to form a closed loop. In addition, the strap 56 is shaped to include a top surface 80 and a bottom surface 82, with the bottom surface 82 shaped to include a pair of spaced-apart longitudinally extending rails 84 and 86 and a plurality of teeth 88 laterally extending between rails 84 and 86. Teeth 88 are configured to lockably engage tang 76 so as to lock the ca ble tie 52 in a closed loop configuration.

[0048] In the present invention, the plastic fastening device, e.g., plastic fastener 10, plastic staple 46, or plastic cable tie 52, or any portion of the plastic fastening device may comprise a recycled material. Preferably, at least a portion of the plastic fastening device comprises a blend of two or more thermoplastic resins, at least one of which is a recycled material. The blend of thermoplastic resins may comprise, for example, a fresh thermoplastic resin and a recycled thermoplastic resin. The fresh thermoplastic resin may include, for example, one or more of a polyethylene (PE), a polyamide (PA), or a polycarbonate (PC). The recycled thermoplastic resin may comprise, for example, a recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET). In a preferred embodiment, the blend of two or more thermoplastic resins may comprise of a blend of (i) rPET and (ii) one of a low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a LDPE/LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene) blend and LLDPE, (iii) wherein the rPET constitutes about 88% to 98% of the total material content and the LDPE, the LDPE/LLDPE blend, or the LLDPE constitutes the balance. The LDPE/LLDPE blend may comprise a mixture of virgin LDPE material with a color concentrate that was derived from a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) base. The color concentrate may be as high as 4%, depending on the color. It is also contemplated in the present invention that the thermoplastic resins may comprise a high density polyethylene (HDPE), very low density polyethylene (VLDPE), and/or medium density polyethylene (MDPE).

[0049] Referring now to FIGURES 9 and 10, an exemplary method for manufacturing a plastic fastening device 10, 46 and 52 according to the invention is illustrated in the algorithm 90 of FIGURE 9. After starting the method at step 92, the next step 94 is to provide a recycled material 96. Next, at step 98, the recycled material is formed, as part of the manufacturing process 100, into at least a portion of a plastic fastening device. The method ends at step 102. [0050] Although the present invention discusses a fastening device constructed out of recycled material, the present invention also contemplates that the fasteners of are constructed at least partially out of recycled material may themselves be utilized to construct other articles besides fasteners. Thus the fasteners which utilize recycled material may themselves be recycled into other useful products completely different from their original state as fasteners. For example, this may mean that the fasteners are melted down and casted into other plastic objects such as a bottle or a chair.

[0051] In a further embodiment, the present invention contemplates that the fastener comprised of recycled material may be in cooperation with a RFID device. For instance the paddle 22 as illustrated in figure 1 may have a RFID device connected thereto via an adhesive. The RFID device may have a substrate having an upper face and a lower face with the lower face of the substrate adhered to the paddle end of the fastener and the upper face having an integrated chip and an antenna. The RFID device may also be added during the molding operation so as to be integrated into the fastener.

[0052] The apparatuses and methods disclosed in this document are described in detail by way of examples and with reference to the figures. Unless otherwise specified, like numbers in the figures indicate references to the same, similar, or corresponding elements throughout the figures. It will be appreciated that modifications to disclosed and described examples, arrangements, configurations, components, elements, apparatuses, methods, materials, etc. can be made and may be desired for a specific application. In this disclosure, any identification of specific shapes, materials, techniques, arrangements, etc. are either related to a specific example presented or are merely a general description of such a shape, material, technique, arrangement, etc. Identifications of specific details or examples are not intended to be, and should not be, construed as mandatory or limiting unless specifically designated as such. Selected examples of apparatuses and methods are hereinafter disclosed and described in detail with reference made to FIGURES. [0053] It will thus be seen according to the present invention a highly advantageous plastic fastening device has been provided. While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiment, and that many modifications and equivalent arrangements may be made thereof within the scope of the invention, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all equivalent structures and products.

[0054] The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of their invention as it pertains to any apparatus, system, method or article not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set out in the following claims.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1. A plastic fastening device, at least a portion of which comprises a plastic recycled material.

2. The plastic fastening device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plastic fastening device is a plastic fastener comprising a flexible filament having a first enlargement at a first end and a second enlargement at a second end.

3. The plastic fastening device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the first enlargement is a crossbar.

4. The plastic fastening device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the second enlargement is a paddle.

5. The plastic fastening device as claimed in claim 4 wherein at least a portion of the plastic fastener comprises a blend of at least two thermoplastic resins, at least one of which is a recycled resin.

6. The plastic fastening device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said blend comprises a fresh thermoplastic resin and a recycled thermoplastic resin.

7. The plastic fastening device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said fresh thermoplastic resin is selected from the group consisting of at least one of a polyethylene, a polyamide, and a polycarbonate.

8. The plastic fastening device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said recycled thermoplastic resin comprises a recycled polyethylene terephthalate.

9. The plastic fastening device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said blend comprises a recycled polyethylene terephthalate and one of a low-density polyethylene, a low-density polyethylene/linear low-density polyethylene blend, and a linear low-density polyethylene.

10. The plastic fastening device as claimed in claim 9 wherein the recycled polyethylene terephthalate constitutes about 88% to 98% of the total material content and wherein the low-density polyethylene, the low-density polyethylene/linear low-density polyethylene blend, and the linear low- density polyethylene constitutes the balance.

11. An assembly comprising a plurality of plastic fasteners as claimed in claim 2 joined in a clip.

12. An assembly comprising a plurality of plastic fasteners as claimed in claim 2 joined in continuously-connected stock.

13. The plastic fastening device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plastic fastening device includes a FID device.

14. The plastic fastening device as claimed in claim 13 wherein at least a portion of the plastic staple comprises a blend of at least two thermoplastic resins, at least one of which is a recycled resin.

15. The plastic fastening device as claimed in claim 14 wherein said blend comprises a fresh thermoplastic resin and a recycled thermoplastic resin.

16. The plastic fastening device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said fresh thermoplastic resin is selected from the group consisting of at least one of a polyethylene, a polyamide, and a polycarbonate.

17. The plastic fastening device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said recycled thermoplastic resin comprises a recycled polyethylene terephthalate.

18. The plastic fastening device as claimed in claim 15 wherein said blend comprises a recycled polyethylene terephthalate and one of a low-density polyethylene, a low-density polyethylene/linear low-density polyethylene blend, and a linear low-density polyethylene.

19. The plastic fastening device as claimed in claim 18 wherein the recycled polyethylene terephthalate constitutes about 88% to 98% of the total material content and wherein the low-density polyethylene, the low-density polyethylene/linear low-density polyethylene blend, and the linear low- density polyethylene constitutes the balance. A method for manufacturing a plastic fastening device, the method comprising: providing a recycled material;

forming at least a portion of the plastic fastening device using the recycled material.