US3721028A

US3721028A - Suspension shield

Info

Publication number: US3721028A
Application number: US00139787A
Authority: US
Inventors: H Lehner
Original assignee: Stoba AG
Current assignee: Stoba AG
Priority date: 1970-05-06
Filing date: 1971-05-03
Publication date: 1973-03-20
Anticipated expiration: 1990-03-20
Also published as: NL7106237A; CH524210A; GB1351498A; FR2091264A5; BE766522A

Abstract

A suspension shield, such as a marking or a price shield or the like, embodying a substantially flat label support or carrier and attachment means for securing this shield to a package, such as a packaging net or the like of a packaged article. The invention contemplates that the attachment means comprises at least one tongue member provided at at least one edge of the label support, this tongue member being equipped with at least one barb. The end of such at least one barb forms together with an edge of the label support or with a second tongue a narrow passageway.

Description

United States Patent 1191 1111 3,721,028 Lehner 1March 20, 1973 541 SUSPENSION SHIELD 795,391 7/1905 Harper ..40/22 1,079,617 11/1913 Tennie ....40/125 Inventor: Harry Lehner, Graemchen, Swnzer- 806,229 12/1905 Young ..40/22 land . l Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene [73] Assignee. Stoba AG, Plombenfabnk, Horn, Assistant Examiner Gregory E McNem Switzerland Attorney-Werner W. Kleeman [22] Filed: May 3, 1971 Appl. No.: 139,787

[5 7] ABSTRACT A suspension shield, such as a marking or a price shield or the like, embodying a substantially flat label support or carrier and attachment means for securing this shield to a package, such as a packaging net or the like of a packaged article. The invention contemplates that the attachment means comprises at least one tongue member provided at at least one edge of the label support, this tongue member being equipped with at least one barb. The end of such at least one barb forms together with an edge of the label support or with a second tongue a narrow passageway.

13 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMARZO 197a INVENTOR. yon/2y LEI/NB)? 3am; w

SUSPENSION smsu) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to novel constructions of suspension shields, typically marking or price shields, of the type embodying a substantially flat label carrier or support and attachment means for securing the shield to a package, typically a packaging net.

Suspension shields or tags of this general type are already well known to the art. The label support generally possesses the shape of a substantially rectangular placard and is dimensioned such that labels dispensed by an automatic weighing device or balance can be applied thereto. In particular, a suspension shield is known to the art which is intended to be secured to a material or article packaging net in which fruit and vegetables are packaged in units and displayed in stores. This suspension shield is formed by a placard, at the rear face of which there is provided at least one strip member which is inclined at an acute angle with respect to the plane of the placard, and this strip member is equipped with atleast one barb or hook forming an attachment element for securing the suspension shield to a packaging net. The actual attachment of the shield to the packaging net is undertaken such that the meshing of the packaging net is placed between the rear face of the placard and the strip member or strip members whereby the meshing can become engaged by the barb or barbs.

However, due to the inclined position of the strip members with respect to the plane of the associated placard, these prior 'art suspension shields cannot be stacked absolutely flat against one another.

Furthermore, a label holder or support has become known to the art for the suspension of banana bunches or for insertion into vegetables, for instance cabbageor lettuce heads, which approximately possesses the configuration of a key for a cylindrical lock. At the location of the key ring there is provided a surface for accommodating a label and at the location of the shank there are formed a series of barbs or hooks. While these label holders or supports can be'certainly constructed to be absolutely flat and therefore can be stacked in flat condition, nonetheless they cannot be attached with the necessary security to the packaging nets of goods which are packaged therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it will be seen that the art is still in need of a suspension shield, typically a marking or price shield for goods, which is not associated with the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art constructions. Hence, a primary object of this invention is to provide constructions of suspension shields which are not associated with the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art constructions and which effectively and reliably fulfill the existing need in the art.

Another and more specific object of the present invention is the construction of suspension shields of the previously mentioned type which combine the advantages of the previously discussed known suspension shields and still permit of a very rapid and very simple attachment of these shields to the packaging net or package.

Still a further significant object of the present invention relates to novel constructions of suspension shields which are relatively easy to manufacture at low cost, capable of mass-production techniques, and afford easy and rapid as well as secure attachment of these shields with the package or the like to be marked.

Now, in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the novel construction of suspension shield as contemplated by the invention manifests itself by the features that the attachment means thereof comprise at least one tongue member arranged at at least one edge of the label support, and this tongue member is equipped with at least one barb or book. Further, the end of at least one such barb forms together with an edge of the label support or together with a second tongue member a narrow passage or passageway.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be better understood, and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawing illustrating three different embodiments of inventive suspension shields, and specifically wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a first embodiment of such suspension shield;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a second embodiment of inventive suspension shield; and

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the third embodiment of inventive suspension shield.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings, in FIG. 1 there is illustrated a first embodiment of inventive suspension shield, typically a marking or price indicating shield, which will be seen to comprise a substantially flat and rectangular support or carrier 1 formed of plastic for instance. Along a side edge 2 of the carrier or support 1 there is arranged a tongue member 3 which extends substantially parallel to such edge 2. Now, at the side of the tongue member 3 confronting the edge 2 of the support 1 such is provided with a number of hooks or barbs 4 oriented towards the base or root 3a of this tongue member 3. These barbs 4 extend into the space 5 formed between the tongue member 3 and the edge 2 of the support 1. The barb 6 located at the inlet side of the space or gap 5 can be designed to be somewhat larger in size than the remaining barbs or books 4. The end of this larger size barb 6 or the ends of all of the barbs 4, 6 together with the edge 2 of the support 1 form a narrow passage or passageway 7, which is preferably resilient or capable of giving, for insertion of the package or the like for engagement by the barb or barbs.

This construction of suspension shield is exceptionally suitable for labeling net-type packages. The actual labels, which may bear any desired information and which for convenience in illustration have been omitted from the drawing, are applied in any convenient fashion to the flat surface of the label support 1. This support 1 is then grasped and with the tongue member 3 directed towards the packaging net is placed with its free tongue end leading over the packaging net.

As a result, the tongue member 3 penetrates through the net meshing. However, once the threads of the net have moved behind the barbs 4, 6 into the gap or space 5, then they hardly again can escape therefrom, the suspension shield with the label facing towards the outside being then practically non-detachably secured with the packaging net.

A somewhat similar construction of suspension shield has been depicted in FIG. 2. Here, this embodiment of labeling shield differs from that construction discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 1 in that instead of a single tongue member 3 there are provided two such tongue members 3 which, as shown, are arranged at oppositely situated edges 2 of the label carrier or support 1. Apart from such difference, it will be further recognized that in this embodiment not only are the tongue members 3 provided with barbs 4 at their sides confronting the associated edges 2 of the support 1, similar to the arrangement of FIG. 1, but in this case the corresponding edges 2 of the support 1 also carry barbs or hooks 8 which are oriented or directed towards the base or root 3a of the associated tongue member 3, in other words directed towards the bottom of the corresponding space or gap 5. Furthermore, it will be recognized that in this arrangement the hooks or barbs 4 and 8, as illustrated, extend transversely with respect to one another or engage above one another. In other words, the lengthwise axis of any one given barb or hook extends substantially transversely with respect to the lengthwise axis of the next adjacently arranged barb or hook, as shown. This construction of shield provides for an even more positive connection with the goods, especially net-type packages, than the construction discussed above in connection with FIG. 1. Of course, the embodiment of FIG. 1, only having one tongue 3, could also be provided in this manner at both sides of the gap 5 with hooks or barbs arranged in the fashion of the construction of FIG. 2, wherein such hooks extend from both sides into the space or gap 5 and engage over one another as discussed above.

The suspension shield disclosed according to FIG. 2 is generally used in such manner that only one of the tongue members 3 is connected with the goods to be labeled, in other words for instance inserted into the packaging net. This affords a sufficient anchoring of the labeling shield which then can lie randomly on the package or protrude somewhat therefrom. However, it is also possible to conjointly attach both tongue members 3 to the goods.

Finally, in FIG. 3 there is shown a further construction of inventive labeling shield where here such will be seen to be equipped at an edge 2 of the carrier or support 1 with a pair of protruding tongue members 3, each tongue member 3 possessing only a single respective stronger barb or hook 4 which confronts or faces the hook or barb 4 at the other tongue member. The tongue members 3 enclose among themselves and between the barbs 4 forming a narrow passage an opening 5. Apart from being useful for labeling goods which are packaged in nets the suspension shield depicted in FIG. 3 is also suitable for labeling goods which are packaged in bags or sacks. The tongue members 3 then serve for connecting the support 1 with the grasped together end of the sack or bag, the grasped together portions of the bag end entering the gap or space 7 between the barbs 4, yet owing to the provision of these barbs 4 can no longer depart out of the opening 5. The substantially V-shaped cut-out or recess 4a forming both tongue ends outside of the region of the barbs 4 facilitates the introduction and insertion of the grasped together portions of the bag or package. Further, the carrier or support 1 of the arrangement of FIG. 3 will be seen to be equipped with stiffening or reinforcement ribs 9, and such can be similarly provided at the other embodiments of shields discussed above in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2.

In all of the exemplary embodiments of labeling shields disclosed herein, but in particular then when only a single barb or hook is provided which is oriented or faced towards the root of the associated tongue member, such can be equipped with a second smaller barb or hook, as shown by reference character 10 in FIG. 3, and which second smaller hooks 10 are located behind the tip of the associated barb in order to further secure parts of the package which are engaged by and behind each such primary barb. These second smaller hooks 10 act in a direction opposite to the associated first or primary barb and are oriented towards the base thereof.

Furthermore, it is here remarked that all of the discussed embodiments of suspension shields are suitable for being individually dispensed from an automatic dispensing device. They can be stacked upon one another in completely flat condition and removed individually from the end of a stack of such shields. Care must only be taken to ensure that during ejection of the individual shields from the stack the barbs are not effective, that is, that the tips of the barbs are located rearwardly of the direction of ejection.

From what has been discussed above it will be recognized that in all of the constructions of shields for marking goods as discussed herein the end of each provided barb is positioned to cooperate with a part of the suspension shield in such a manner that there is formed therebetween a narrow passage. In the constructions of shields depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 the barb ends cooperate with an edge of the label support to form such narrow passage, while in the construction of FIG. 3 the end of at least one barb also cooperates with a part of the label support which here is in the form of a second tongue member to form such narrow passage.

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims. AC- CORDINGLY,

What is claimed is:

1. A suspension shield for a packaged article, comprising a substantially flat label support and attachment means operatively connected with the label support for securing the shield to a package, said attachment means embodying at least one tongue member arranged along at least one edge of the label support, said tongue member being equipped with at least one barb, the end of said at least one barb forming together with a part of the shield a narrow passage, said barb extending towards the label support and lying substantially in the same plane thereof, said narrow passage providing a path of insertion for the package for engagement by the barb, said barb being located in confronting relationship with said part of the shield to minimize the danger of contact with and possible damage to the article which is packaged.

2. The suspension shield as defined in claim 1, wherein said part of said shield together with which said end of at least one barb forms said narrow passage is defined by an edge of said label support.

3. The suspension shield as defined in claim 2, wherein said edge of said label support defining said part of said shield which together with said end of said at least one barb forms said narrow passage is said edge at which said tongue member is arranged;

4. The suspension shield as defined in claim 1, wherein said part of said shield which together with said end of said at least one barb forms said narrow passage is defined by a further tongue member.

5. The suspension shield as defined in claim 1, wherein said edge at which said tongue member is arranged is a side edge of said label support, said tongue member extending substantially parallel to said side edge of said support, said tongue member being provided with at least said one b'a r b which is situated in a space formed between said tongue member and said label support and said barb extending towards the base of said tongue member.

6. The suspension shield as defined in claim 5, wherein such tongue members are provided at two oppositely situated edges of said label support.

7. The suspension shield as defined in claim 5, wherein said side edge of said label support situated opposite said tongue member is also provided with at least one barb.

8. The suspension shield as defined in claim 7, wherein said barb of said tongue member and said barb of said side edge of said label support are directed in overlying relationship towards one another.

9. The suspension shield as defined in claim 1, further including a plurality of barbs, each of said barbs being substantially the same size.

10. The suspension shield as defined in claim 1, further including a plurality of barbs arranged in at least one row, wherein the first barb of such row is larger in size than the successive barbs.

11. The suspension shield as defined in claim 1, wherein said at least one barb is provided with a further barb member oriented oppositely to said at least one barb.

12. The suspension shield as defined in claim 1, further including an additional tongue member protruding from said support, each of said tongue members being provided with a respective inwardly directed barb behind which barbs there is formed a space for receiving a part of the package.

13. A suspension shield for a packaged article, comprising a substantially flat label support and attachment means operatively connected with the label support for securing the shield to a package, said attachment means embodying at least one tongue member arranged along at least one edge of the label support, at least one barb provided for said shield, the end of said at least one barb forming together with a part of the shield a narrow passage, said barb extending towards the label support and lying substantially in the same planethereof said narrow passage providing a path of insertion for the package for engagement by the barb,

said barb being located in confronting relationship with said part of the shield to minimize the danger of contact with and possible damage to the article which is packaged.

Claims

3. The suspension shield as defined in claim 2, wherein said edge of said label support defining said part of said shield which together with said end of said at least one barb forms said narrow passage is said edge at which said tongue member is arranged.

5. The suspension shield as defined in claim 1, wherein said edge at which said tongue member is arranged is a side edge of said label support, said tongue member extending substantially parallel to said side edge of said support, said tongue member being provided with at least said one barb which is situated in a space formed between said tongue member and said label support and said barb extending towards the base of said tongue member.

8. The suspension shield as defined in claim 7, wherein said barb of said tongue member and said barb of said side edge of said label support are directed in overlying relationship towards one another. 9. The suspension shield as defined in claim 1, further including a plurality of barbs, each of said barbs being substantially the same size.

13. A suspension shield for a packaged article, comprising a substantially flat label support and attachment means operatively connected with the label support for securing the shield to a package, said attachment means embodying at least one tongue member arranged along at least one edge of the label support, at least one barb provided for said shield, the end of said at least one barb forming together with a part of the shield a narrow passage, said barb extending towards the label support and lying substantially in the same plane thereof, said narrow passage providing a path of insertion for the package for engagement by the barb, said barb being located in confronting relationship with said part of the shield to minimize the danger of contact with and possible damage to the article which is packaged.