Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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ELASTIC TAGS
Technical Field
The present invention relates to elastic tags and methods of making and
using the same.
Background of the Invention
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.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention is directed to elastic tags, method of making elastic
tags, and methods of using 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).
In one exemplary embodiment, the elastic tag of the present invention
comprises 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 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, wherein 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).
The present invention is further 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
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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.
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. In
one exemplary embodiment, the article comprises a drape, and the method is
used to
secure at least a portion of the drape to a piece of medical equipment such as
a
microscope.
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
The present invention is further described with reference to the appended
figures, wherein:
FIGS. 1A-1D depict frontal views of exemplary elastic tags of the present
invention;
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 of the
present invention; 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
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portion of the exemplary elastic tag via a connection member.
Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments
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.
The scope of the present invention is thus only limited by the claims appended
hereto.
The present invention is directed to elastic tags. The elastic tags of the
i 0 present invention
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
Is 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).
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
20 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.
25 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
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
30 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.
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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
(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.
Another exemplary elastic tag 20 is shown in FIG. 1B. Exemplary elastic
110 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
15 surrounds first closed loop opening 14. In addition, exemplary elastic
tag 20 comprises 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.
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.
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
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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.
As shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, elastic tags of the present invention 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.
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.,
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1/4W). 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.).
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.).
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. lA 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 bh as shown in
FIG. 2A,
and a bond width kJ, (see, for example, bond width lb, shown in FIG. 1A). Bond
width
bvõ, 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
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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.
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 bL
may have dimensions that vary depending on a number of factors.
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.
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 tag 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.
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.
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Exemplary elastic tags of the present invention comprising a second closed
loop of elastic
material are shown in FIGS. 4A-4C.
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).
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.
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
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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.
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) bvõ, 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.
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 elastomeric
materials
include, but are not limited to, styrene-containing block copolymers (e.g.,
styrene-
butadiene-styrene copolymers, styrene-isoprene-styrene copolymers, and styrene-
ethylene-
butylene-styrene copolymers), ethylene-propylene copolymers, natural rubbers,
etc.
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.
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
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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 of 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 multi-
layered structure comprising a paper layer and one or more outer polymeric
film layers on
one or more major outer surfaces of the paper layer.
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 ink jet 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.
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 elastic
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.
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
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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.).
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.
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.).
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.
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
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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.
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 forming 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
110 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 mold); 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.
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).
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;
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(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.
The present invention is even further directed to methods of using the
disclosed elastic tags. 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. lA 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.
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.
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
13
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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 article).
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 article (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.
The elastic tags of the present invention 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.
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.
The present invention is described above in a manner, which is not to be
construed in any way as imposing limitations upon the scope of the invention.
On the
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contrary, it is to be clearly understood that resort may be had to various
other embodiments,
modifications, and equivalents thereof which, after reading the description
herein, may
suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the
spirit of the present
invention and/or the scope of the appended claims.
The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments
set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation
consistent
with the description as a whole.
