Compostable Tie

Abstract

A tie composed of a compostable material can include an elongated strip having a head end and tail end with a body between the head end and the tail end. The tail end can be received in the head end to form a loop with the tie. Some structural modifications may be made to the tie to improve the manufacture, flexibility, and compostability of the tie.

1 . In a tie that includes an elongated strip having a head end and tail end with a body between the head end and the tail end, the body having ratchet teeth on at least one side thereof and the head end having a hole therethrough and further having a pawl extending into the hole to engage the ratchet teeth of the body when the tail and body are inserted through the hole in the head end so as to form a loop with the tie, the improvement wherein the tie is composed of a compostable material in which at least 90 percent of the compostable material of the tie is degradable in a commercial composting unit within 180 days. 
     
     
         2 . The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein the tail end has an aperture therethrough. 
     
     
         3 . The improvement of  claim 2 , wherein the aperture is the same shape as the outer perimeter of the tail end. 
     
     
         4 . The improvement of  claim 3 , wherein the aperture is spaced inward from the outer perimeter of the tail end by a web of material of constant width. 
     
     
         5 . The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein the body between the head end and the tail end is solid. 
     
     
         6 . The improvement of  claim 5 , wherein the hole in the head end and an aperture in the tail end are the only two holes in the tie. 
     
     
         7 . The improvement in  claim 1 , wherein the body of the tie includes a series of living hinges thereby providing the body with flexibility. 
     
     
         8 . The improvement of  claim 7 , wherein the living hinges are a thin section located between a trough of a pair of ratchet teeth and a bottom surface of the body. 
     
     
         9 . The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein the compostable material is a polymeric resin. 
     
     
         10 . The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein the compostable material is a polylactide resin. 
     
     
         11 . The improvement of  claim 1 , wherein a wall thickness of the tie is less than 1.3 mm throughout the body of the tie. 
     
     
         12 . In a tie that includes an elongated strip having a head end and tail end with a body between the head end and the tail end, the head end having a hole therethrough and further having a pawl extending into the hole, the improvement wherein the tie is composed of a compostable material in which at least 90 percent of the compostable material of the tie is degradable in a commercial composting unit within 180 days and wherein the body includes two lateral sides with rungs extending therebetween such that a series of apertures are formed across the length of the body and, when the tail and body are inserted through the hole in the head end so as to form a loop with the tie, the pawl engages one of the rungs. 
     
     
         13 . The improvement of  claim 12 , wherein the lateral sides of the body have thin sections on the lateral ends of the series of apertures which both provide a living hinge and allow for the rungs to separate from one another during degradation of the tie. 
     
     
         14 . The improvement of  claim 12 , wherein the compostable material is a polymeric resin. 
     
     
         15 . The improvement of  claim 12 , wherein the compostable material is a polylactide resin. 
     
     
         16 . The improvement of  claim 12 , wherein a wall thickness of the tie is less than 1.3 mm throughout the body of the tie. 
     
     
         17 . In a tie that includes an elongated strip having a head end and tail end with a body between the head end and the tail end, the body having ratchet teeth on at least one side thereof and the head end having a hole therethrough and further having a pawl extending into the hole to engage the ratchet teeth of the body when the tail and body are inserted through the hole in the head end so as to form a loop with the tie, the improvement wherein the tie is composed of a compostable material in which at least 90 percent of the compostable material of the tie is degradable in a commercial composting unit within 180 days and wherein a wall thickness of the tie is less than 1.3 mm throughout the body of the tie to improve compostability.