TIE WRAP FOR BUNDLING OBJECTS

• US 20110286217A1
• Filed: 08/02/2011
• Published: 11/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nite Ize Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nite Ize Incorporated
• Inventors: Martinson, Daniel J., Ormsbee, Bowden, Case, Richard N.
• Granted Patent: US 8,806,723 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/253
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 63/00 Flexible elongated elements, e.g. straps, for bundling or supporting articles attached to or integral with bags or sacks B65D33/165; for securing load B60P7/0823
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/13 Article holder attachable to apparel or body
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1394 Article held by clip
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/14 Bale and package ties, hose clamps
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/1498 Plastic band
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/157 Twist-to-close bag tie
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3449 and hook
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3489 having securing means

Abstract

A twist tie device has an elongated piece of shape-retaining deformable material. A cover covers the shape-retaining deformable material along the length of the elongated piece. The cover has a bond between the elongated piece and the cover. The bond between the cover and the elongated piece is along the entire interior surface of the cover. An outer cover may be bonded to the cover. The outer cover may have a gripping surface and a non-gripping surface. The gripping surface will provide more grip for the twist tie device when it is wrapped around itself, and the gripping surface will provide more grip when it is wrapped around objects.

Claims

1. A method of making a twist tie device comprising:

providing an elongated piece of shape-retaining deformable material;

heating said shape-retaining deformable material;

coextruding a cover to surround said elongated piece of shape-retaining deformable material so that a bond is formed between said shape-retaining deformable material and said cover; and

coextruding an end cap beyond a length of the elongated piece of shape-retaining deformable material.

2. A holder comprising:

(a) a body;

(b) a cylindrical holder interconnected with the body; and

(c) a tie comprised of an elongated piece of shape-retaining deformable material and a cover covering said shape-retaining deformable material along the length of said elongated piece;

said covering and said shape-retaining deformable material being bonded along their length;

the tie located in the cylindrical holder; and

the cylindrical holder having a first circular cross-section approximately equal to a second circular cross-section of the tie.

3. The holder of claim 2 wherein the cylindrical holder includes an aperture along a length of the cylindrical holder with the aperture more narrow than a width of the tie, such that, when compressed, the tie may be moved through the aperture releasing it from the cylindrical holder.

4. The holder of claim 3 wherein the body includes a slot for receiving a clip.

5. The holder of claim 3 wherein the body is integrated into the housing of an object.

6. The holder of claim 3 wherein the body includes a connection mechanism for attaching to another object.

7. The holder of claim 3 wherein a plurality of cylindrical holders are attached to the body, the cylindrical holder being one of the plurality of cylindrical holders.

8. The holder of claim 7 wherein the body has a first and second edge with the first and second edge opposite each other and parallel to each other;

the cylindrical holder located on the first edge;

the cylindrical holder having a first length parallel to the first circular cross section;

the first length of the cylindrical holder parallel to the first edge;

a second cylindrical holder of the plurality of cylindrical holders located on the second edge;

the second cylindrical holder having a third circular cross-section and a second length parallel to the third circular cross section; and

the second length of the second cylindrical holder parallel to the second edge.

9. The holder of claim 8 wherein the tie is located in the second cylindrical holder and a first portion of the tie stretches between the cylindrical holder and the second cylindrical holder;

a second portion of the tie extends from the cylindrical holder opposite the first portion; and

a third portion of the tie extends from the second cylindrical holder opposite the first portion.

10. The holder of claim 9 wherein the first portion of the tie is bent away from the body in order to form a support structure in conjunction with the body.

11. The holder of claim 9 wherein the second and third portion of the tie is bent approximately perpendicular from the body for insertion into a gap.

12. The holder of claim 11 wherein the gap is a vent of a car.

13. The holder of claim 7 wherein the body has a first and second side with the first and second side opposite each other;

the cylindrical holder located on the first side;

the cylindrical holder having a first length parallel to the first circular cross section;

a second cylindrical holder of the plurality of cylindrical holders located on the second side;

the second cylindrical holder having a third circular cross-section and a second length parallel to the third circular cross section; and

the second length of the second cylindrical holder parallel to the first length of the cylindrical holder.

14. The holder of claim 13 wherein the body includes a cavity for a lighting module.

15. The holder of claim 14, further comprising a cap configured to cover the cavity.

16. The holder of claim 15 wherein a third side of the body opposite the cap is curved to mimic the shape of a bar.

17. The holder of claim 16 wherein the bar is part of a bike.

18. An attachable lighting device, comprising:

(a) a lighting device having a body and an aperture in the body;

(b) a tie comprised of an elongated piece of shape-retaining deformable material and a cover covering said shape-retaining deformable material along the length of said elongated piece;

said covering and said shape-retaining deformable material being bonded along their length; and

the tie attached to the lighting device via the aperture wherein the tie is coiled around itself after passing through the aperture.