FASTENING DEVICE FOR PRODUCTS
SPECIFICATION
Field of the Invention This invention relates, generally, to an apparatus of products for packaging commercial products and, particularly, to the devices used in securing these products within their respective packages.
Background of the Invention One of the major challenging aspects of packaging consumer products, such as toy products, is found in the devices used to secure the products within their respective packages. Many products, such as dolls or the like, can be safely attached to their surrounding package elements, in a manner directed toward achieving several simultaneous and often conflicting goals. The goals of such packaging include the provision of an attractive presentation of the product to consumers, safely keeping the product within its package, resisting the vibrations and impacts that occur during transportation, providing easy product removal from the package, by the consumer and maintaining the cost associated with such product safety, at a reasonably acceptable level in the trade. The typical package used in the products, such as dolls or the like, uses a large box of sufficient volume to enclose the wrist product and usually made of cardboard or particle board material. Often such packages include a transparent, clear front panel, to facilitate viewing of the product and the interior of the package. This package includes a back panel, which has formed a plurality of openings, together with a plurality of flexible wire connections, which enclose portions of the body of the wrist and pass through the openings in the back panel. The wire joints are then twisted for secure connection and tightening on the rear side of the rear panel. While typical wire joints safely hold the wrist product or the like, during transit, and meet the various requirements of the strength and safety of the package, they have also proven to be of greater discomfort to consumers. Without exception, consumers complain about the extensive effort required to loosen each wire joint, in order to remove the product from the back panel of the package. However, such wire ties continue to be widely used, because a reasonable alternative, which simultaneously meets all the various requirements, such as those noted above, has not been apparent so far. In related techniques, other fastening devices have been developed, which use a variety of structures. For example, U.S. Patent No. 4, 510649, issued to Yudis et al., Shows a UNION STRIP, having a tape-like, flexible, elongated body that defines a plurality of raised portions on the same. One end of the body is sharpened while the remaining end is enlarged and defines a slit, sufficient in size to receive the tape-like elongated body. The sharp end is passed through the slit and pulled by it, so that the raised portions contact the edge of the slit, to maintain a secure connection. U.S. Patent No. 4,477,950 issued to Sisek et al. Shows a LOCK having an elongated tape-like body defining a sharp end and an enlarged end. This enlarged end defines an opening, which has formed a locking tab. The tape type body defines a plurality of locking projections, which extend to the outside thereof. The sharpened end passes through the slit, so that the projections extend outward beyond the slit and secure the joint. U.S. Patent No. 4,403,375, issued to Blum, shows a BINDING DEVICE, having an elongated ribbon-like body, which supports a sharp end and an enlarged end. This enlarged end defines a rectangular opening, in which the sharpened body can pass. The elongated portion also defines outwardly extending elements, to secure the joint in the slit. U.S. Patent No. 4,466,159, issued to Burrage, shows an ADJUSTABLE JOINT STRAP, having an elongated plastic body, which defines a plurality of rectangular openings and a plurality of notches between the openings. U.S. Patent No. 5,396,684, issued to Yocom, teaches an ELECTRICAL UTENSIL DEVICE, WITH CORD ANCHOR, having an elongated body defining a sharp end and an enlarged end. This enlarged end defines a slit, while the elongated body defines a plurality of outwardly extending projections and a longitudinal slit. U.S. Patent No. 6,073,315, issued to Rasmussen, shows a BRAID HOLDER, having an elongated body, which defines tips at its opposite ends. The body further defines a plurality of openings, which have slits, which extend between pairs of adjacent openings. U.S. Patent No. 5,685,048, issued to Benoit, shows a UNION OF MERCHANDISE COUPLES, having a rectangular housing, which defines a rectangular opening there, attached to an elongated, ribbon-like body. The body, of tape type, defines a plurality of openings and an orthogonal tongue. A sharp end is formed at the opposite end of the tape-like body from the rectangular housing. U.S. Patent No. 3,255,501, issued to Lagurre, shows a RESILIENT STRIP HOLDER, having an elongated end portion, generally rectangular, defining a pair of openings, attached to a tape-like, elongated portion. , somewhat thinner, with a plurality of arrowhead tips supported therein. U.S. Patent No. 2,361,506, issued to Smith and U.S. Patent No. 5,651,376, issued to Thomson, show additional examples of belt-type attachment devices. U.S. Patent No. 4,676,536, issued to Mautner, shows a SAFETY SEAL FOR USE IN A COIN OR SIMILAR BAG, having a plurality of ratchet teeth, which can be received within a ring locked U.S. Patent, Des.265, 175, issued to Lloyd, shows a STRIP CLAMP FOR SKIRT EQUIPMENT OR SIMILAR ITEM, having an elongated tape-like body / defining sharp opposite ends. This tape-like body defines a plurality of openings and a plurality of triangular locking notches, extending into the interior. The tape type body is able to form a first loop to encircle an article and invert each end to again lock internally and form a second loop to lock an additional article. U.S. Patent, Des.252, 741, issued to Taylor and U.S. Patent, Des.319, 559, issued to Weiss, show designs of yet other variants of the joining devices. While the prior art devices, previously described, in some cases, have generally improved the clamping technique, an economical, easy to use and secure enough clamping manner, suitable for use in packaging products, such as dolls and the like, has not been available so far.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved fastener device, suitable for use in products, such as dolls or the like. It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved fastener device, suitable for use in wrist products or the like, which is economical, easy to use and relatively easy to remove, while simultaneously providing a secure product bond. According to the present invention there is provided a fastening apparatus for securing a product within a package, this fastening apparatus comprises: a fastening device having an elongated body, first and second arrowhead-type portions, separated by a spacer in a end of the elongate body and a tongue defining first and second spaced openings, at its remaining end; and a package portion having a third and fourth openings spaced apart, the fastening device is made of a flexible material and is constructed to form a first loop about a portion of an article, wrapping the body in a portion of the product and passing the first and second arrowheads and the spacer through the first opening and to form a second loop, placing the tab and the second arrowhead through the third and fourth openings and then passing the first arrowhead through the second opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are pointed out with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with its objects and further advantages, can be better understood with reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the various figures of which like reference numbers identify similar elements and in which; Figure 1 shows a top view of a fastener, constructed in accordance with the present invention, in its flattened configuration; Figure 2 shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of the fastener of the present invention, in its flattened configuration; Figure 3 shows a rear view of the fastener of the present invention, initially secured to the bracelet of a typical doll; Figure 4 shows a rear view of the fastener of the present invention, which secures the wrist bracelet of Figure 3 to a sheet of the package;
Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the fastener of the present invention, taken along the lines of section 5-5 in Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a rear view of a wrist body, initially secured by a fastener, constructed in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 7 shows a partial perspective view of the fastener of the present invention, during untying of the fastener union.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 shows a top view of a fastening device, constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally with the reference number 10. The fastener 10 is configured to provide the double-loop joining method, within the system of the present invention. The fastener 10 is shown in Figure 1 in its flattened or extended configuration and is preferably formed of a thin flexible plastic material, such as a mild grade polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The reason for preferably manufacturing the fastener device of the present invention of a mild grade polyvinyl chloride, or its equivalent, is indicated below in Figure 7 in greater detail. However, it is sufficient to note here that it has been found that soft, flexible grade material, such as mild grade polyvinyl chloride, resists tearing under stresses and additionally provides for easy removal of the bonding device, while still retaining sufficient resistance when subjected to tension, to retain the wrist or other product inside your package. More specifically, the fastener device 10 includes an elongated, tape-like body 11 that supports a pair of arrowheads, 12 and 13. A small spacer portion 18 extends between the arrow heads, 12 and 13. At the end opposite the body 11, the fastener device 10 includes a lengthened tongue portion 14, generally wider, having a pair of spaced openings, 16 and 17, and a slightly rounded end 15 formed therein. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fastening device 10 is formed of a thin flexible material, which generally has a uniform thickness across the length of the fastening device 10. Figure 2 shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of the fastener device of the present invention, which generally carries the reference number 20. The fastener 20 is also shown in its flattened configuration and is also preferably formed of a flexible, grade material soft, such as soft grade PVC or its equivalent. The fastener 20 is a single loop embodiment of the present invention and includes an elongate body 21, which supports an arrow head 22 at one end and a tongue 23 at the opposite end. The tongue 23 defines an opening 25 and a rounded end 24. During the operation, and as shown below in greater detail, the fastening devices, 10 and 20, function in a similar manner, in that a loop is formed around the product that it will be secured by bending the fastener body portion in a loop and passing an arrowhead through an opening. In both the fastener 10 and the fastener 20, the size of the arrowheads and openings is selected to allow the arrowheads, once they pass through the opening, to be securely restrained from being withdrawn therefrom. tension. Figure 3 shows a rear view of a conventional wrist, which generally carries the reference number 30, of the type to which the fastening device of the present invention is most likely directed. The wrist 30 is made with a body 31, which defines a narrow waist 32, hips, 33 and 34, and a lower torso 35. The narrow configuration of the wrist body 31 at the waist 32 forms a convenient location for securing a fastening device , such as the fastener 10, constructed in accordance with the present invention. As described above, the fastener 10 includes a body 11, which supports a pair of arrowheads, 12 and 13, separated by a spacer 18. The body 11 further supports a tongue 14 defining the openings, 16 and 17, together with one end 15 generally rounded. In Figure 3, the fastener 10 is shown having formed the initial loop of the fastening apparatus of the present invention, in which the body 11 is wrapped generally around the waist 32 and in which the arrowheads, 12 and 13, They have passed through the opening 16. The expansion of the arrow head 13 beyond the width of the opening 16 allows the fastener 10 to safely surround the waist 32 of the wrist 30. At this point, the first of the two loops used in the fastening apparatus of the present invention, has been formed surrounding the waist 32. Also at this point, the free ends of the fastener 10, formed by the spacer 18 and the arrow head 12, on one side and the rest of the tongue 14 and the end 15 on the other side, are free to supply the second loop of the fastening apparatus of the present invention. Thus, the fastener 10 has provided a secure connection to the waist 32 of the wrist 30, in preparation for completing the attachment of the wrist 30 to the back panel of its package, in the manner shown in the Figure. Figure 4 shows a partial rear view of the fastener 10, which has completed the attachment of the wrist 30 to the rear panel 50. This rear panel 50 is trellised from the back panel, used in the package of the conventional wrist product, and is generally formed of a material, such as cardboard or particle board. The rear panel 50 defines a pair of slits, 51 and 52, which are spaced at an appropriate distance for the attachment of the wrist 30. Generally speaking, the spacing of the slits, 51 and 52, is selected to correspond generally to the width of the wrist 30, in the region occupied by the waist 32. More specifically, the wrist 30 includes a body 31, which defines a wrist portion 32 together with the hips 33 and 34 and a lower torso 35. In accordance with the present invention , the fastener 10 includes a tongue 14, having a rounded end 15 and an opening 17 formed therein. This fastener 10 further includes the arrowheads, 12 and 13, separated by a portion 18 of the spacer. In the joint shown in Figure 4, the combination of the wrist 30 and the fastener 10 achieved in the manner illustrated above in Figure 3 is placed against the back panel 50, so that the free portion of the tongue 14 and end 15 can pass through the slit 62, while the free portion of the arrow heads, 12 and 13, like the spacer 18, can pass through the slit 51. Then, the tongue 14 is bent at inside, while the arrow head 12 is forced through the opening 17 and a tension is applied to this arrowhead 12 and the end 15 of the tab 14 to the outside, in the directions indicated by arrows 26 and 27. A Once the entire structure of the arrow head 12 has passed through the opening 17, the attachment of the fastener 10 to the rear panel 50 is completed. The extended dimension of the arrow head 12 beyond the width of the opening 17, allows this arrow head 12 to resist the tension forces in the direction indicated by the arrows 26 and 27. The removal of the fastener 10 is carried forward in the manner shown below in Figure 7. However, it is sufficient to note here that, in contrast to wire ties of the prior art, often used to secure products, such as the wrist 30, the fastener 10 is easily removed only grasping the end 15 and stretching it upwards away from the rear panel 50 and turning it in the direction in which the arrow head 12 points. One end 15 and the tongue 14 have been removed from the arrow head 12, the support 10 assumes the joint shown above in Figure 3 and repeats the same operation of gripping the tongue 14 and pulling it against the arrow head 13 in the direction towards which the arrow head 12 aims, it allows to loosen the fastener 10. Next, the tongue 14 is furthermore pulled against the arrow head 12 to produce a similar removal. The soft grade material, used in the fastener of the present invention, facilitates this easy removal while simultaneously providing a strong, stress resistant joint for the fastener device of the present invention. Figure 5 shows a sectional view of the fastening apparatus of the present invention, taken along the lines of section 5-5 in Figure 4. As described above, a rear panel 50 defines a pair of spaced apart slits, and 52 and is preferably formed of a material, such as cardboard or particle board. As also described above, a fastener 10 includes a body 11 that generally surrounds the waist 32 of a wrist. The fastener 10 further includes a tongue 14 having an aperture 16 formed. This fastener 10 further includes an opening 17 and a rounded end 15 together with a pair of spaced arrowheads, 12 and 13, having a spacer 18 therebetween. In the joint shown in Figure 5, the arrow head 13 passes through the opening 16, to provide the initial connection indicated above in Figure 3. Next, the remainder of the tongue 14 is passed through the slit. 52 of the rear panel 50, while the remainder of the arrow head 13 and the spacer 18 pass through the slit 51 of the rear panel 50. The joint of the present invention is completed as the tab 14 is bent against the rear panel 50 and when the head 12 arrow to through the opening 17 until the configuration shown in Figure 4 has been achieved. The resulting joint is easily realized and represents a substantial saving in material and workmanship, over that carried out by the connecting apparatus of wire of the prior art. The attachment of the waist 32 of the wrist is safe, since the arrow heads, 12 and 13, cooperate with the openings 16 and 17, respectively, of the attachment device 10, to maintain a connection to the rear panel 50. The Figure 6 shows an alternative method of using the fastener apparatus of the present invention in those situations where the winding of the initial loop around the outside of the wrist has proven to be aesthetically undesirable. In the configuration shown in Figure 6, the wrist 30 is shown using a garment 36. Thus, in the situation in which the winding of the first loop of the fastener 10 around the garment 36 is undesirable, the method of use shown in Figure 6, allows the fastener 10 to be initially bonded around the body of the wrist, under the garment 36. More specifically, the fastener 10 includes a tongue 14, which defines the openings 16 and 17, and an end 15, generally rounded. The fastener 10 further defines a body 11 (not shown) that supports a pair of arrow heads, 12 and 13, and a spacer 18. The garment 36 defines a back seam 38, which is provided with conventional fasteners, such such as snap fasteners or hook-and-loop fabric binding pads (not shown) that are typically used in doll clothing. In the joining method shown in Figure 6, the seam 27 is partially open to form an opening 38, waist wax of the wrist 30. Similarly, according to the method of the present invention, the fastener 10 is secured around of the waist of the wrist 30, in the manner shown in Figure 3, with additional consideration that the free ends formed by the arrowheads, 12 and 13, together with the spacer 18 and the tongue 14, are passed out to through the opening 38 of the seam 37. Then, the second loop supplies the union of the fastening apparatus of the present invention, used in securing the wrist 30 to the rear panel of a package, made in a manner identical to that indicated above in the Figure 4. Thus, the descriptions of use of the fastener device of the invention, indicated above in Figures 3, 4 and 5 apply equally well to the method used in Figure 6, with the only difference of the operation of the fastener device 10 through the opening 38 below the garment 36. Thus, the fastening apparatus of the present invention can be used to provide a secure and yet easy-to-remove joint for said wrist 30 · Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the tongue 14 and the arrow heads 12 during the removal process, mentioned above. It will be noted that the structure provided by the tongue 14 and the arrow head 12 of the fastening device 10 is substantially identical to the structure provided by the arrow head 22 and the indicated tongue 23 of the fastening device 20, indicated above in Figure 2. Thus, the use of the fastener device 20 in a single loop connection is operative in a manner similar to the fastening device 10, used in a double loop joint. Particularly, the removal operation, shown in Figure 7, will be understood to apply equally well to the separation of the fastening device. More specifically, the fastening device 20 includes a tongue 14, having a generally rounded end and defining an opening 17. The fastener device 10 further includes a spacer 18 that supports an arrow head 12. In the configuration shown in Figure 7, the user has started the aforementioned removal, or separation of the fastening device 10, which seeks to separate the arrow head 12 from the opening 17. With temporal reference to Figure 4, it will be noted that the arrow head 12 joins with the security within the opening 14 due to the larger size of the arrow head 12 relative to the opening 17. Returning to Figure 7, the initial stage shown there implies that the user grasps the end 15 and pulls it up and sideways, in the direction in which the arrow head 12 is pointing. This pulling direction is generally illustrated by the arrow head 40. As the end 15 of the tongue 14 is pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow head 40, the portion of the tongue 14 surrounding the opening 17 is pushed upwards in the direction indicated by the arrow 43. This upward movement causes the lateral portions of the arrow head 12 to be bent upwards and to the or inside the opening 17, in the directions indicated by the arrows 41 and 42. As the end 15 of the tongue 14 continues to be pulled upwards, the soft rubber material of the holding device 10 allows the arrowhead 12 is easily bent to a sufficiently small dimension so that the opening 17 of the tongue 14 can pass over and up from the now bent configuration of the arrow head 12. This ability to easily remove the tongue 14 from a head of arrow within one of its openings, is also easily executed with respect to the union of the arrowhead 13 within the opening 16 in the initial loop, shown in Figure 3. Thus, the fastener device of the present invention is safe in resisting the stress forces that would otherwise cause the wrist 30 to be separated from its package, while, simultaneously, it can be easily removed due to its manufacture, using a soft grade material, such as soft grade PVC, or similar. While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications can be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Thus the object of the claims is to cover all those changes and modifications that are within the true spirit and scope of the invention.