Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to methods of making elastic tags.
Background of the Invention
[0002] There is a need in the art for elastic tags that are (i) suitable for a variety of
uses including, but not limited to, binding one or more articles to one or more other
articles or to itself, and identifying merchandise, (ii) easy to use, and (iii) relatively
inexpensive to manufacture.
[0003] FR 2 793 339 describes an information and identification label for a boot or a shoe on sale. The
display consists of a strip (1) of material long enough to go round the instep, with
its ends fastened together in the lace zone.
[0004] WO2007/084119 A1 describes a seperable composite labelling article in sheet or roll form. The connected
unitary sheet-like merchandise labeling articles, each of which comprises a labeling
tag are flatly cojoined along a unifying flat bond zone with a flexible elastic layer
that extends away from the tag and includes an elastic fastening loop.
Summary of the Invention
[0005] The present invention is directed to a method of making elastic tags. The elastic
tags of the present invention may be used in a variety of applications, and are particularly
useful in the medical industry for controlling the position of a drape relative to,
for example, a piece of equipment (e.g., a microscope).
[0006] The present invention is directed to methods of making and using the disclosed elastic
tags. In one exemplary method of making an elastic tag, the method comprises integrally
attaching a second tag portion to a first tag portion so that the second tag portion
extends beyond a first edge portion of an outer edge of the first tag portion, the
second tag portion comprising a first closed loop having a loop inner periphery, at
least a portion of the loop inner periphery being positioned a distance from the first
tag portion and comprising an elastomeric material; and at least one step selected
from the steps of: (1) forming at least one slotted opening within the first tag portion
so as to be in communication with an outer periphery of the first tag portion, and
(2) providing a second closed loop of elastic material along the outer periphery of
the first tag portion.
[0007] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent
after a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments
and the appended claims.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0008] The present invention is further described with reference to the appended figures,
wherein:
FIGS. 1A-1D depict frontal views of exemplary elastic tags
FIGS. 2A-2D depict exemplary cross-sectional views of the exemplary elastic tag shown
in FIG. 1A as viewed along line A-A as shown in FIG. 1A.
FIGS. 3A-3C depict frontal and side views of the exemplary elastic tags of FIGS. 1A
and 1C when a closed loop portion of a given exemplary elastic tag is connected to
at least one slotted opening of the given exemplary elastic tag;
FIGS. 4A-4B depict frontal views of other exemplary elastic tags; and
FIG. 5 depicts a side view of the exemplary elastic tag of FIG. 4A when a first closed
loop portion of the exemplary elastic tag is connected to a second closed loop portion
of the exemplary elastic tag via a connection member.
Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments
[0009] Although the present invention is herein described in terms of specific embodiments,
it will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art that various modifications,
rearrangements, and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of
the invention. The scope of the present invention is thus only limited by the claims
appended hereto.
[0010] The present invention is directed to a method of making elastic tags. The elastic
tags comprise a first tag portion having an outer periphery extending along an outer
edge of the first tag portion, and a second tag portion integrally attached to the
first tag portion and extending beyond a first edge portion of the outer edge of the
first tag portion. The second tag portion comprises a first closed loop having a loop
inner periphery. At least a portion of the loop inner periphery is positioned a distance
from the first tag portion and comprising an elastomeric material. The first tag portion
further comprises (a) at least one slotted opening positioned along and in communication
with the outer periphery, (b) a second closed loop of elastic material, or (c) both
(a) and (b).
[0011] Exemplary elastic tags of the present invention are shown in FIGS.
1A-1D As shown in FIG.
1A, exemplary elastic tag
10 comprises a first tag portion
11 having an outer periphery
111 extending along most of an outer edge
112 of first tag portion
11. Exemplary elastic tag
10 further comprises a second tag portion
12 integrally attached to first tag portion
11. As shown in FIG.
1A, second tag portion
12 extends beyond a first edge portion
113 of the outer edge
112 of first tag portion
11, and comprises a first closed loop
13 having a loop inner periphery
131 that surrounds a first closed loop opening
14.
[0012] Exemplary elastic tag
10 further comprises at least one slotted opening
15 positioned along and in communication with outer periphery
111. As used herein, the phrase "in communication with" refers to outer periphery
111 and a given slotted opening
15 sharing a common edge, namely, outer edge
112 of first tag portion
11 (i.e., the portion of outer edge
112 of first tag portion
11 that extends into and forms an inner edge of a given slotted opening
15). Each slotted opening
15 comprises a loop containment reservoir
151 and a channel
152 that connects loop containment reservoir
151 with outer periphery
111.
[0013] As used herein, outer periphery
111 is used to describe an outer perimeter extending along first tag portion
11 and includes (i) portions of outer edge
112 and (ii) any gaps within outer edge
112 due to the presence of one or more channels
152 along outer periphery
111. In contrast, as discussed above, outer edge
112 is used to describe a continuous outer edge of first tag portion
11 that includes (i) portions of outer edge
112 extending along outer periphery
111 and (ii) inner edge portions of any slotted openings
15 (i.e., inner edge portions of one or more channels
152 and inner edge portions of one or more loop containment reservoirs
151 positioned within outer periphery
111.
[0014] Another exemplary elastic tag
20 is shown in FIG.
1B. Exemplary elastic tag
20 comprises a first tag portion
11 having an outer periphery
111 extending along an outer edge (not shown) of first tag portion
11. Exemplary elastic tag
20 further comprises a second tag portion
12 integrally attached to first tag portion
11. As shown in FIG.
1B, second tag portion
12 extends beyond a first edge portion
113 of the outer edge
112 of first tag portion
11, and comprises a first closed loop
13 having a loop inner periphery
131 that surrounds first closed loop opening
14. In addition, exemplary elastic tag
20 comprise a pair of slotted openings
15 positioned along and in communication with outer periphery
111. As shown in FIG.
1B, a first pair
155 of slotted openings
15 is positioned a substantially equal first distance
d1 from first closed loop
13, and a second pair
156 of slotted openings
15 is positioned a substantially equal second distance
d2 from first closed loop
13.
[0015] A further exemplary elastic tag
30 is shown in FIG.
1C. Exemplary elastic tag
30 comprises a first tag portion
11 having an outer periphery
111 extending along an outer edge (not shown) of first tag portion
11, Exemplary elastic tag
30 further comprises a second tag portion
12 integrally attached to first tag portion
11. As shown in FIG.
1C, second tag portion 12 extends beyond a first edge portion
113 of the outer edge
112 of first tag portion
11, and comprises a first closed loop
13 having a loop inner periphery
131 that surrounds first closed loop opening
14. In this embodiment, exemplary elastic tag
30 comprises a single slotted opening
15 positioned along and in communication with outer periphery
111.
[0016] Yet another exemplary elastic tag
40 is shown in FIG.
1D. Exemplary elastic tag
40 comprises a first tag portion
11 having an outer periphery
111 extending along an outer edge (not shown) of first tag portion
11. Exemplary elastic tag
40 further comprises a second tag portion
12 integrally attached to first tag portion
11. As shown in FIG.
1D, second tag portion
12 extends beyond a first edge portion
113 of the outer edge
112 of first tag portion
11, and comprises a first closed loop
13 having a loop inner periphery
131 that surrounds first closed loop opening
14. In this embodiment, exemplary elastic tag
40 comprises three slotted openings
15 positioned along and in communication with outer periphery
111.
[0017] As shown in FIGS.
1A-1D, elastic tags may have one or more slotted openings
15 positioned along and in communication with outer periphery
111. In one exemplary embodiment, outer periphery
111 of first tag portion
11 comprises (i) a second edge portion (e.g., second edge portion
120 shown in FIG.
1A) opposite a first edge portion (e.g., first edge portion
113), (ii) opposite side edges connecting the second edge portion to the first edge portion,
and (iii) at least one slotted opening
15 positioned along each of the opposite side edges. In another exemplary embodiment,
outer periphery
111 of first tag portion
11 comprises (i) a second edge portion (e.g., second edge portion
120 shown in FIG.
1A) opposite a first edge portion (e.g., first edge portion
113), (ii) opposite side edges connecting the second edge portion to the first edge portion,
(iii) at least one slotted opening positioned along the second edge portion, and (iv)
at least one slotted opening positioned along one or both of the opposite side edges.
[0018] In each of the exemplary elastic tags shown in FIGS.
1A-1D (and in FIG.
4B described below), it should be understood that each slotted opening
15 may independently have any desired shape, size and configuration as long as the slotted
opening
15 is positioned within first tag portion
11 and in communication with outer periphery
111. For example, although each loop containment reservoir
151 is shown as having a circular shape, each loop containment reservoir
151 may independently have any desired shape including, but not limited to, a triangular
shape, a square shape, a rectangular shape, a diamond shape, a polygonal shape, a
hexagonal shape, a trapezoidal shape, an oval shape, an oblong shape, an irregular
shape (e.g., a "figure 8" shape), or any other desired shape. Further, each loop containment
reservoir
151 may independently have any desired size. Typically, each loop containment reservoir
151 has a largest dimension (e.g., diameter, length, width, etc.) that is less than an
overall width W of first tag portion
11, more typically, less than half of an overall width of first tag portion
11 (i.e., ½W). In one exemplary embodiment, each loop containment reservoir
151 has a largest dimension (e.g., diameter, length, width, etc.) that is less than about
25.4 millimeters (mm) (1.0 inches (in.)), typically, less than about 12.7 mm (0.5
in.), and more typically, between about 0.64 mm (0.25 in.) to about 12.7 mm (0.5 in.).
[0019] In addition, each channel
152 may independently have any desired shape, size and configuration. For example, although
each channel
152 is shown as having a rectangular shape with a channel width and a channel length
greater than the channel width, each channel
152 may independently have any desired shape including, but not limited to, a square
shape, a diamond shape, a polygonal shape, a. trapezoidal shape, an irregular shape
(e.g., an "S" shape), or any other desired shape. Further, each channel
152 may independently have any desired dimensions. Typically, each channel
152 has a channel length greater than a channel width. Further, typically, the channel
width remains substantially constant along the channel length. In one exemplary embodiment,
each channel
152 has a channel width that is less than about 12.7 mm (0.5 in.), typically, less than
about 0.64 mm (0.25 in.), and more typically, between about 0.01 mm (0.4 mils) to
about 0.64 mm (0.25 in.); and a channel length that is less than about 25.4 mm (1.0
in.), typically, less than about 12.7 mm (0.5 in.), and more typically, between about
0.64 mm (0.25 in.) to about 12.7 mm (0.5 in.).
[0020] In each of the exemplary elastic tags shown in FIGS.
1A-1D (and in FIG.
4B described below), first tag portion
11 may be integrally attached to second tag portion
12 using a variety of bond configurations such as the exemplary bond configurations
shown in FIGS.
2A-2D. FIGS.
2A-2D depict exemplary cross-sectional views of the exemplary elastic tag shown in FIG.
1A as viewed along line
A-A as shown in FIG.
1A. As shown in FIG.
2A, first tag portion
11 is integrally attached to second tag portion
12 via an exemplary bond configuration wherein a portion of first tag portion
11 is embedded within second tag portion
12. In this exemplary embodiment, first tag portion
11 has an upper surface
114 and a lower surface
115. A portion
116 of lower surface
115 and outer edge
112, in particular, first edge portion
113, is in contact with and integrally attached to second tag portion
12 along a bond length
bL, and a bond height b
h as shown in FIG.
2A, and a bond width b
w (see, for example, bond width
bw shown in FIG.
1A). Bond width
bw, bond length
bL, and bond height
bh may have dimensions that vary depending on a number of factors including, but not
limited to, the desired degree of bond strength between first tag portion
11 and second tag portion
12, the materials used to form first tag portion
11 and second tag portion
12, and the overall dimensions of the elastic tag.
[0021] FIG.
2B provides another exemplary bond configuration. In this exemplary embodiment, first
tag portion
11 is integrally attached to second tag portion
12 via an exemplary bond configuration wherein portion
116 of lower surface
115 is in contact with and integrally attached to an upper surface
121 of second tag portion
12 along a bond length
bL and a bond width
bw. As discussed above, bond width
bw and bond length b
L may have dimensions that vary depending on a number of factors.
[0022] FIG.
2C provides yet another exemplary bond configuration. As shown in FIG.
2C, first tag portion
11 is integrally attached to second tag portion
12 via an exemplary bond configuration wherein a portion of first tag portion
11 is completely embedded within second tag portion
12. A portion
116 of lower surface
115, first edge portion
113, and a portion
117 of upper surface
114 of first tag portion
11 is in contact with and integrally attached to second tag portion
12 along two bond length
bL (i.e., extending along portions
116 and
117) and a bond height
bh (i.e., extending along first edge portion
113) as shown in FIG. 2C, and two bond width
bw (i.e., extending along portions
116 and
117). As discussed above, bond widths
bw, bond lengths
bL and bond height
bh may have dimensions that vary depending on a number of factors.
[0023] In another exemplary bond configuration shown in FIG.
2D, first tag portion
11 is integrally attached to second tag portion
12 via an exemplary bond configuration wherein a portion of second tag portion
12 is completely embedded within first rag portion
11. In this exemplary embodiment, second tag portion
12 has an upper surface
121 and a lower surface
122. A portion
123 of lower surface
122, an edge portion
125, and a portion
124 of upper surface
121 of second tag portion
12 is in contact with and integrally attached to first tag portion
11 along two bond length
bL (i.e., extending along portions
123 and
124) and a bond height
bh (i.e., extending along edge portion
125) as shown in FIG.
2D, and two bond width
bw (i.e., extending along portions
123 and
124). As discussed above, bond widths
bw, bond lengths
bL and bond height
bh may have dimensions that vary depending on a number of factors.
[0024] As discussed above, some elastic tags of the present invention may comprise a first
tag portion that further comprises a second closed loop of elastic material. Exemplary
elastic tags of the present invention comprising a second closed loop of elastic material
are shown in FIGS.
4A-4C.
[0025] As shown in FIG.
4A, exemplary elastic tag
50 comprises a first tag portion
11 having an outer periphery
111 extending along an outer edge (not shown) of first tag portion
11. Exemplary elastic tag
50 further comprises a second tag portion
12 integrally attached to first tag portion
11. As shown in FIG.
4A, second tag portion
12 extends beyond first edge portion
113 of first tag portion
11, and comprises first closed loop
13 having loop inner periphery
131 that surrounds first closed loop opening
14. Exemplary elastic tag
50 further comprises a second closed loop
16 having a loop inner periphery
161 that surrounds a second closed loop opening
17. In this exemplary embodiment, second closed loop
16 is an integral component of first tag portion
11. In other words, second closed loop
16 and first tag portion
11 are formed from the same piece of material (e.g., an elastic film sheet).
[0026] Another exemplary elastic tag
60 is shown in FIG.
4B. Exemplary elastic tag
60 comprises first tag portion
11 and second tag portion
12 integrally attached to first tag portion
11. As shown in FIG.
4B, second tag portion
12 extends beyond first edge portion
113 of first tag portion
11, and comprises first closed loop
13 having loop inner periphery
131 that surrounds first closed loop opening
14. In this exemplary embodiment, exemplary elastic tag
60 further comprises a third tag portion
18 integrally attached to first tag portion
11. As shown in FIG.
4B, third tag portion
18 extends beyond another edge portion
118 of the outer edge of first tag portion
11, and comprises second closed loop
16 having a loop inner periphery
161 that surrounds a second closed loop opening
17. At least a portion of loop inner periphery
161 is positioned a distance from first tag portion
11, and as shown in FIG.
4B, all of loop inner periphery
161 may be positioned a distance from first tag portion
11. Desirably, at least a portion (and possibly all) of loop inner periphery
161 comprises an elastomeric material.
[0027] Yet another exemplary elastic tag
70 is shown in FIG.
4C. Exemplary elastic tag
70 comprises first tag portion
11, second tag portion
12 integrally attached to first tag portion
11, and third tag portion
18 integrally attached to first tag portion
11. In this exemplary embodiment, exemplary elastic tag
70 further comprises a pair of slotted openings
15 positioned along and in communication with outer periphery
111 of first tag portion
11. As shown in FIG.
4C, a first pair
157 of slotted openings
15 is positioned a substantially equal first distance
d1 from first closed loop
13, and a second pair
158 of slotted openings
15 is positioned a substantially equal second distance
d2 from first closed loop
13.
[0028] In the exemplary embodiments shown, in FIGS.
4A-4C, first tag portion
11 may be integrally bonded to second tag portion
12 and third tag portion
18 using any of the above-described bond configurations. As discussed above, the degree
of bonding between (i) first tag portion
11 and (ii) second tag portion
12 and/or third tag portion
18 may be varied as desired, for example, by adjusting bond width(s)
bw, bond length(s)
bL and bond height
bh. In some embodiments, it may be desirable for the bond strength between first tag
portion
11 and second tag portion
12 to be greater than the bond strength between first tag portion
11 and third tag portion
18. In other embodiments, it may be desirable for the bond strength between first tag
portion
11 and second tag portion
12 to be less than the bond strength between first tag portion
11 and third tag portion
18. In yet other embodiments, it may be desirable for the bond strength between first
tag portion
11 and second tag portion
12 to be substantially equal to the bond strength between first tag portion
11 and third tag portion
18.
[0029] The elastic tags of the present invention may be formed from a variety of materials.
For example, first tag portion
11, second tag portion
12 and third tag portion
18 may each independently comprise an elastomeric material. Suitable elastomneric materials
include, but are not limited to, styrene-containing block copolymers (e.g., styrenebutadiene-styrene
copolymers, styrene-isoprene styrene copolymers, and styrene-ethylenebutylene-styrene
copolymers), ethylene-propylene copolymers, natural rubbers, etc
[0030] In some exemplary embodiments, first tag portion
11 comprises a sheet of inelastic material while second tag portion
12 and third tag portion
18 (when present) comprise any of the above-mentioned elastomeric materials. Typically,
a substantial portion (i.e., greater than 50 wt-%) of second tag portion
12 and third tag portion
18 (when present) comprises an elastomeric material. More typically, at least 90 wt-%
(or at least 95 wt-%, or at least 98 wt-%) of second tag portion
12 and third tag portion
18 (when present) comprises an elastomeric material.
[0031] Suitable inelastic materials may include, but are not limited to, paper, a polymeric
film material, a fiber-reinforced polymeric film material, a polymeric foam material,
an electrically conductive material, a ceramic material, a glass material, and any
combinations thereof. When multiple inelastic materials are used in combination, first
tag portion
11 may comprise a single layer of inelastic materials or multiple layers or inelastic
materials. For example, first tag portion
11 may comprise a single sheet of paper or polymeric film, a single sheet of fiber-reinforced
polymeric film material, or a multilayered structure comprising a paper layer and
one or more outer polymeric film layers on one or more major outer surfaces of the
paper layer.
[0032] In one desired embodiment, first tag portion
11 comprises a sheet of material (i.e., a single layer or multi-layer sheet of material)
having opposite outer major surfaces (e.g., upper surface
114 and lower surface
115), wherein at least one of the opposite outer major surfaces (e.g., upper surface
114 and lower surface
115) is capable of accepting and displaying indicia thereon. For example, in some embodiments,
it may be advantageous to be able to print indicia on an outer surface of first tag
portion
11, for example, using a laser or inkjet printer. In some embodiments, it may be advantageous
to be able to write indicia on an outer surface of first tag portion
11, for example, using a pen, pencil or marker.
[0033] Various additives may be included in the materials used to form first tag portion
11, second tag portion
12 and/or third tag portion
18 of the plastic tags of the present invention. These additives may be, for example,
added to a polymeric blend melt or added to the formed material after casting/molding
(e.g., during a coating step). Such additives include, but are not limited to, ultraviolet
radiation absorbers, antioxidants, organic or inorganic colorants (e.g., dyes or pigments),
stabilizers, fragrances, plasticizers, anti-microbial agents, flame retardants, antifouling
compounds, and combinations thereof. The amount of each optional additive is generally
no more than about 15 wt-% of the material used to form a given elastic tag component,
often no more than 5 wt-% of the material used to form a given elastic tag component.
[0034] The elastic tags of the present invention may have overall dimensions that vary depending
on the intended use. Typically, the overall thickness of an elastic tag, the thickness
of first tag portion
11, the thickness of second tag portion
12 and the thickness of third tag portion
18 (when present) may each vary independently from one another based on a number of
factors including, but not limited to, the materials used, and a particular application
or use. Typically, each of (i) the overall thickness of an elastic tag, (ii) the thickness
of first tag portion
11, (iii) the thickness of second tag portion
12 and (iv) the thickness of third tag portion
18 (when present) is less than about 0.64 mm (0.25 in.), more typically, less than about
0.32 mm (0.12 in.), and more typically, between about 0.01 mm (0.4 mils) to about
0.32 mm (0.12 in.).
[0035] As shown in FIGS.
1A-1D and
4A-4C, elastic tags of the present invention may have a variety of overall shapes. It should
be understood that the elastic tags of the present invention may have any desired
shape. Further, elastic loops (e.g., first closed loop
13 and second closed loop
16) of the elastic tags may have any dimensions, sizes and shapes. In some embodiments,
the elastic loop component (e.g., first closed loop 13 and second closed loop
16) has an overall width that is equal to or less than an overall width of first tag
portion
11. In other embodiments, one or more of the elastic loop components (e.g., first closed
loop
13 and second closed loop
16) may have an overall width that is greater than an overall width of first tag portion
11.
[0036] Although the elastic tags of the present invention may have any desired dimensions,
typically, elastic tags of the present invention have an overall length of less than
about 61 centimeters (cm) (24 in.), more typically, less than about 30.5 cm (12 in.),
and more typically, between about 7.6 mm (3.0 in.) to about 30.5 cm (12 in.). Typically,
elastic tags of the present invention have an overall width of less than about 15.2
cm (6.0 in.), more typically, less than about 7.6 cm (3.0 in.), and more typically,
between about 12.7 mm (0.5 in.) to about 7.6 cm (3.0 in.).
[0037] The present invention is further directed to methods of making the disclosed elastic
tags. In one exemplary method of making an elastic tag, the method comprises integrally
attaching a second tag portion to a first tag portion so that the second tag portion
extends beyond a first edge portion of an outer edge of the first tag portion, the
second tag portion comprising a first closed loop having a loop inner periphery, at
least a portion of the loop inner periphery being positioned a distance from the first
tag portion and comprising an elastomeric material; and at least one step selected
from the steps of: (1) forming at least one slotted opening within the first tag portion
so as to be in communication with an outer periphery of the first tag portion, and
(2) providing a second closed loop of elastic material along the outer periphery of
the first tag portion.
[0038] First tag portion
11 may be formed from any of the above-described materials using any conventional method.
Suitable methods include, but are not limited to, a sheet or film forming step (e.g.,
a papermaking step or a film extrusion step); a molding step such as an injection
molding step; a coating step (e.g., to provide a writable or printable surface on
a base substrate); a lamination step (e.g., to bond two or more layers to one another);
a cutting step (e.g., stamping) so as to form outer periphery
111, any slotted openings
15, and second closed loop
16 (when present); or any combination of the above steps.
[0039] Second tag portion
12 and third tag portion
18 (when present as a separate component from first tag portion
11) may be formed using any of the above-described method steps for first tag portion
11. Second tag portion
12 and third tag portion
18 (when present as a separate component from first tag portion
11) may be integrally attached to first tag portion 11 by any known method. Suitable
attachment methods include, but are not limited to, an adhesive bonding step using
a separate adhesive component; an adhesive bonding step wherein one or materials used
to form first tag portion
11, second tag portion
12 and/or third tag portion
18 (when present as a separate component from first tag portion
11) act as an adhesive component; a molding step such as an injection molding step (e.g.,
first tag portion is positioned within a mold and second tag portion material is introduced
into the a a lamination step (e.g., to bond one or more layers of first tag portion
11 to one or more layers of second tag portion
12); or any combination of the above steps.
[0040] In one desired embodiment, second tag portion
12 (and/or third tag portion.
18) is integrally attached to first tag portion
11 via an adhesive, wherein the adhesive is (i) a component other than the materials
used to form first tag portion
11, second tag portion
12 or third tag portion
18, (ii) a component used to form first tag portion
11, second tag portion
12 or third tag portion
18, or (iii) both (i) and (ii).
[0041] The methods of forming an elastic tag may further comprise one or more of the following
method steps:
- (1) forming first closed loop 13 within second tag portion 12 prior to or after an integrally attaching step;
- (2) forming at least one slotted opening 15 within first tag portion 11;
- (3) cutting one or more slotted opening 15 within first tag portion 11;
- (4) forming at least one slotted opening 15 within first tag portion 11 simultaneously with a step of forming first tag portion 11;
- (5) providing a second closed loop of elastic material along outer periphery 111 of first tag portion 11;
- (6) integrally attaching third tag portion 18 to first tag portion 11, wherein third tag portion 18 comprises second closed loop 16, wherein second closed loop 16 comprises an elastic material and has a second closed loop inner periphery 161, and at least a portion of second closed loop inner periphery 161 is positioned a distance from first tag portion 11;
- (7) applying indicia onto first tag portion 11; and
- (8) packaging one or more elastic tags.
[0042] In one exemplary method of using an elastic tag, the method comprises surrounding
at least a portion of an article with an elastic tag comprising a first tag portion
having a first closed loop integrally attached thereto; and connecting the first closed
loop of the elastic tag with (i) one or more slotted opening within the first tag
portion or (ii) a second closed loop of elastic material along an outer periphery
of the first tag portion. FIGS.
3A-3C depict frontal and side views of the exemplary elastic tags of FIGS.
1A and
1C when a closed loop portion of a given exemplary elastic tag is connected to at least
one slotted opening of the given exemplary elastic tag.
[0043] As shown in FIGS.
3A and
3B exemplary elastic tag
10 may be used to surround a portion of an article (not shown) so that the article is
positioned along upper surface
114 of exemplary elastic tag
10. In this embodiment, first closed loop
13 of elastic tag
10 is inserted into and through channels
152 on opposite sides of first tag portion
11 so as to rest within loop containment reservoirs
151 located within an interior portion (e.g., away from outer periphery
111) of first tag portion
11. It should be noted that although not shown, exemplary elastic tag
10 could be used to surround a portion of an article (not shown) so that the article
is positioned along lower surface
115 of exemplary elastic tag
10. In other words, upper surface
114 could be facing away from the enclosed/surrounded article.
[0044] FIG.
3C provides another view of the use of an elastic tag of the present invention. In this
exemplary embodiment, exemplary elastic tag
30 may be used to surround a portion of an article (not shown) so that the article is
positioned along upper surface
114 of exemplary elastic tag
30. In this embodiment, first closed loop
13 of elastic tag
30 is inserted into and through a single channel
152 on a side of first tag portion
11 positioned away from first closed loop
13 so as to rest within loop containment reservoir
151 located within an interior portion (e.g., away from outer periphery
111) of first tag portion
11. In this embodiment, a single slotted opening
15 is used in combination with a ledge portion
119 of first tag portion
11 to temporarily secure first closed loop
13 to first tag portion
11. As discussed above, it should be noted that although not shown, exemplary elastic
tag
30 could be used to surround a portion of an article (not shown) so that the article
is positioned along lower surface
115 of exemplary elastic tag
30 (i.e., upper surface
114 could be facing away from the enclosed/surrounded articles).
[0045] In other embodiments, a separate connecting member may be used to surround a given
article. One exemplary embodiment utilizing a separate connecting member is shown
in FIG.
5. As shown in FIG.
5, exemplary elastic tag
60 of FIG.
4B is configured so as to surround an articles (not shown), wherein a connecting member
61 is used to join first closed loop
13 to second closed loop
16. Connecting member
61 may comprise, for example, a plastic molded component, a metal component, a ceramic
component, an elastomeric component, or any other type of component as long as connecting
member
61 has enough structural integrity to connect first closed loop
13 to second closed loop
16.
[0046] The elastic tags may be used to surround a variety of articles and attach the article
to another object or to itself. In one desired embodiment, the elastic tags of the
present invention are used to control the position of a drape along a piece of medical
equipment. Suitable pieces of medical equipment include, but are not limited to, a
C-arm apparatus, a microscope, a surgical knife system, endoscopy equipment, an operating
room table, a patient, a light, or a lamp.
[0047] The method of using the elastic tags of the present invention may further comprise
one or more of the following steps:
- (1) connecting first closed loop 13 with one or more slotted opening 15 within first tag portion 11; and
- (2) connecting first closed loop 13 with second closed loop 16 of elastic material positioned along outer periphery 111 of first tag portion 11.