Fastener assembly and method of making the same

Abstract

A fastener assembly includes, in one embodiment, a fastener and a label secured to the fastener. The fastener is an elongated unitary plastic member having a first end shaped to define a cross-bar, a second end shaped to define a paddle, and a thin flexible filament which interconnects the cross-bar and the paddle. The label, which is provided with a product identifier such as a company or product name, is secured to the paddle of the fastener using a pressure-sensitive adhesive. An in-line system for manufacturing a continuous clip of the fastener assemblies includes an apparatus for molding a continuous strip of fasteners, a stretching device for stretching selected portions of each fastener, a pressure-sensitive labeling device for applying a label onto the paddle of each fastener, and an apparatus for winding the clip into a roll suitable for packaging.

1 . A fastener assembly comprising: 
 (a) a label, and    (b) a fastener insert molded around at least a portion of adapted to display said label, said fastener comprising, 
 (i) a filament,  
 (ii) a paddle at one end of said filament, and  
 (iii) a cross-bar at the other end of said filament.  
   
     
     
         2 . (Canceled).  
     
     
         3 . The fastener assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said label includes an image layer which displays a marking.  
     
     
         4 - 5 . (Canceled).  
     
     
         6 . The fastener assembly as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said label is secured to the paddle of said fastener using a pressure-sensitive adhesive.  
     
     
         7 . The fastener assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the paddle of said fastener is insert molded around at least a portion of said label.  
     
     
         8 . The fastener assembly as claimed in  claim 7  wherein the paddle of said fastener is insert molded entirely around said label.  
     
     
         9 . A method of manufacturing one or more fastener assemblies, each fastener assembly comprising a label and a fastener adapted to display said label, each fastener comprising a filament, a paddle at one end of said filament, and a cross-bar at the other end of said filament, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) molding one or more of said fasteners, and    (b) applying a label onto the paddle of each of said one or more of said fasteners.    
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said molding step is performed using a continuous molding process.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein said applying step is performed using a pressure-sensitive labeling device.  
     
     
         12 . A method of manufacturing one or more fastener assemblies, each fastener assembly comprising a label and a fastener adapted to display said label, each fastener comprising a filament, a paddle at one end of said filament, and a cross-bar at the other end of said filament, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing one or more labels, and    (b) molding the paddle of a fastener at least partially around each of said one or more labels.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein said molding step is performed using an insert molding process.  
     
     
         14 . A system for manufacturing one or more fastener assemblies, each fastener assembly comprising a label and a fastener adapted to display said label, each fastener comprising a filament, a paddle at one end of said filament, and a cross-bar at the other end of said filament, said system comprising: 
 (a) a molding apparatus for molding one or more of said fasteners, and    (b) a labeling device for applying a label onto each of said one or more of said fasteners.    
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14  wherein said system is a continuous in-line system.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14  wherein said labeling device is a pressure-sensitive labeling device.  
     
     
         17 . A molding apparatus for manufacturing one or more fastener assemblies, each fastener assembly comprising a label and a fastener adapted to display said label, each fastener comprising a filament, a paddle at one end of said filament, and a cross-bar at the other end of said filament, said molding apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a rotatable molding wheel having cavities in a peripheral surface thereof,    (b) a label depositing device for inserting a label into selective cavities in said rotatable molding wheel,    (c) a manifold for applying molten plastic material into the cavities in said rotatable molding wheel such that a layer of controlled film overlies said cavities, and    (d) a knife for skiving the layer of controlled film overlying said cavities.    
     
     
         18 . A fastener assembly comprising: 
 (a) a fastener, said fastener comprising, 
 (i) a filament,  
 (ii) a paddle at one end of said filament, said paddle comprising a substantially flat top surface, and  
 (iii) a cross-bar at the other end of said filament, and  
   (b) a label secured to the substantially flat top surface of the paddle of said fastener using an adhesive.    
     
     
         19 . The fastener assembly as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said label includes an image layer which displays a marking.