Tag assembly for retaining and displaying products

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017129673-A1
Application number	US-201515322596-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 1, 2015
Priority date	Jul 2, 2014
Publication date	May 11, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

A tag assembly ( 10, 210, 310, 410 ) includes a tag panel ( 14, 314, 414 ) and a elastomer panel ( 16 ). The tag panel ( 14, 314, 414 ) includes a first panel segment ( 22 a, 322 a, 422 a ) and a second panel segment ( 22 b, 322 b, 422 b ) demarcated from the first panel segment (22 a, 322 a, 422 a ) by a first fold line ( 48 a, 348 a ). The second panel segment (22 b, 322 b, 422 b ) includes a panel aperture ( 34 ) and a plurality of slits ( 36, 236 ) communicating with the panel aperture ( 34 ) and defining a plurality of tabs ( 38, 238 ) therebetween. A retention aperture ( 24, 52, 58 ) is positioned on and through the tag panel ( 14, 314, 414 ). The elastomer panel ( 16 ) is bonded to the second panel segment (22 b 322 b 422 b ) and comprises a stretchable aperture ( 44 ), wherein the stretchable aperture ( 44 ) overlaps the panel aperture ( 34 ). A method for displaying a product ( 12 ) includes providing a tag assembly ( 10, 210, 310, 410 ), inserting a first portion ( 12 a ) of the product ( 12 ) through the stretchable aperture ( 44 ), inserting the first portion ( 12 a ) of the product ( 12 ) through the panel aperture ( 34 ), and restricting the first portion ( 12 a ) from withdrawing through the panel aperture ( 34 ) with the radially-separated tabs ( 38, 238 ) of the tag panel ( 14, 314, 414 ).

First claim

1 . A tag assembly comprising:
a tag panel comprising:
a first panel segment;
a second panel segment demarcated from the first panel segment by a first fold line, the second panel segment comprising:
a panel aperture; and
a plurality of slits communicating with the panel aperture and defining a plurality of tabs therebetween; and

a retention aperture positioned on and through the tag panel; and
an elastomer panel bonded to the second panel segment and comprising a stretchable aperture, wherein the stretchable aperture overlaps the panel aperture.

2 . The tag assembly of claim 1 , wherein the tag panel is inelastic.

3 . The tag assembly of claim 1 , wherein the panel aperture and the stretchable aperture are substantially concentric.

4 . The tag assembly of claim 1 , wherein the panel aperture and the stretchable aperture are substantially flush.

5 . The tag assembly of claim 1 , wherein the panel aperture is in the form of a circle, and wherein the plurality of slits radiate from a center of the circle.

6 . The tag assembly of claim 5 , wherein the second panel segment further comprises a circular line of perforations, slits, or combinations thereof, around the panel aperture, and wherein the circular line intersects the plurality of slits.

7 . The tag assembly of claim 1 , wherein the elastomer panel is not bonded to a portion of the second panel segment.

8 . The tag assembly of claim 1 , and further comprising a third panel segment demarcated from the second panel segment by a second fold line.

9 . The tag assembly of claim 8 , and further comprising a fourth panel segment demarcated from the third panel segment by a third fold line.

10 . The tag assembly of claim 9 , the fourth panel segment further comprising an adhesive layer.

11 . A method for displaying a product, the method comprising:
providing a tag assembly comprising a tag panel and an elastomer panel bonded to the tag assembly, wherein the tag panel comprises a panel aperture and a plurality of radially-separated tabs extending around the panel aperture, and wherein the elastomer panel comprises a stretchable aperture that overlaps with the panel aperture; inserting a first portion of the product through the stretchable aperture such that the stretchable aperture stretches from a relaxed state to a stretched state; inserting the first portion of the product through the panel aperture such that the first portion presses the radially-separated tabs of the tag panel in an insertion direction; moving the inserted first portion of the product past the stretchable aperture and the panel aperture such that a second portion of the product having a smaller outer dimension than the first portion moves through the stretchable aperture and the panel aperture; relaxing the stretchable aperture from its stretched state to a partially-relaxed state such that the stretchable aperture conforms to the outer dimension of the second portion of the product extending therethrough; and restricting the first portion from withdrawing through the panel aperture with the radially-separated tabs of the tag panel.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein inserting the first portion of the product through the stretchable aperture occurs substantially simultaneously with inserting the first portion of the product through the panel aperture.

13 . The method of claim 11 , and further comprising folding the tag panel into a tent-like configuration.

14 . The method of claim 13 , and further comprising securing the tag panel in the tent-like configuration using adhesive.

15 . The method of claim 11 , and further comprising suspending the tag assembly with the inserted product from a retention mechanism.

Assignees

• Bedford Ind Inc

Inventors

• Wintz Trevor

Classifications

• B65D23/003

  Suspension means · CPC title

• B65D73/0064

  the articles being supported by or suspended from a tag-like element · CPC title

• B65D2571/0029

  Openings in top or bottom walls · CPC title

• B65D2571/00475

  and extending ion a substantially vertical plane · CPC title

• B65D2571/0066

  formed from one single sheet · CPC title