Adjustable tagging system

Abstract

Products, systems and methods are provided for applying a tag or other label/indicia to an item, particularly an item with a circular, elliptical or irregular cross-section. The tag may take various forms. The tags may be secured to a variety of items, e.g., hoses, pipes, equipment, powered industrial units, and the like. The disclosed products, systems and methods allow the tag/label/indicia to be secured relative to the item in an easy and efficient manner. In addition, the securement mechanism includes cooperative mushroom style hooks and loops, and is generally susceptible to only a single use and is disabled and/or ineffectual if the securement is “reversed/undone” and reuse of the securement mechanism is attempted.

Claims

1. A system for securing a tag, label or other indicia relative to an item, comprising: a. a tag, label or indicia; b. a first securement member attached relative to the tag, label or indicia; and c. a second securement member adapted to engage the first securement member; wherein at least one of the first securement member and the second securement member includes a region with mushroom style hooks; wherein at least one of the first securement member and the second securement member includes a region with loops adapted to engage with the mushroom style hooks; wherein the first securement member is adapted to securely engage the second securement member based on engagement between the mushroom style hooks and the loops; and wherein once the first securement member is securely engaged with the second securement member, separation and attempted subsequent reattachment of the first securement member relative to the second securement member is ineffective to establish a secure attachment therebetween based on damage to the mushroom style hooks and the loops that occurs in the separation.

2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a strap attached relative to the tag, label or indicia, and wherein the second securement member is associated with the strap.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first securement member is stitched relative to the tag.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the tag, label or indicia takes the form of a printed or etched label.

5. A method for securely mounting a tag, label or indicia relative to an item, comprising: a. providing a tag system that includes the tag, label or indicia, a first securement member that includes one of mushroom style hooks and loops adapted to engage with the mushroom style hooks, and a second securement member that includes loops adapted to engage with the mushroom style hooks if the first securement member includes mushroom style hooks, or mushroom style hooks if the first securement member includes loops adapted to engage with mushroom style hooks; b. positioning the tag system relative to the item and securing the first attachment member relative to the second securement member; wherein once the first securement member is securely engaged with the second securement member based on engagement between the mushroom style hooks and the loops, separation and attempted subsequent reattachment of the first securement member relative to the second securement member is ineffective to establish a secure attachment therebetween based on damage to the mushroom style hooks and the loops that occurs in the separation.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein the tag system further comprises a strap attached relative to the tag, label or indicia, and wherein the second securement member is attached relative to the strap.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the tag, label or indicia takes the form of a printed or etched label.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) To assist those of skill in the art in making and using the systems and methods of the present disclosure, reference is made to the appended figures, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a top view of a tag system according to the present disclosure;

(3) FIG. 1a is an exploded sectional side view of a first portion of the tag system of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the tag system of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 2a is an exploded sectional side view of a second portion of the tag system of FIG. 2

(6) FIG. 3 is a top view of an alternative tag system according to the present disclosure;

(7) FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the tag system of FIG. 3;

(8) FIG. 5A is an exploded side view of a strap and cooperative member prior to engagement therebetween according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

(9) FIG. 5B is a side view of the strap and cooperative member of FIG. 5a engaged with each other according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

(10) FIG. 5C is an exploded side view of the strap and cooperative member of FIGS. 5a and 5b after disengagement therebetween according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and

(11) FIG. 6 is a side view of a tag system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in which a strap and cooperative member are in engagement with each other.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT(S)

(12) The disclosed system provides an advantageous solution for tagging/labeling a variety of items, including specifically synthetic ropes, fire hoses and other cylindrical shapes. The disclosed securement system may be employed to secure tags/labels/indicia of the types disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,262,710 and 8,490,882, i.e., the tags make take the form of inspection tags, serial # and data tags and GHS tags using data matrix patented tags. Thus, according to the present disclosure, various modifications and/or refinements to the previously patented data matrix system may be incorporated/implemented, a range of adjustable, super durable tags/labels/indicia may be achieved that require no tools or metallic/additional fasteners and that can offer a “no tool” installation for any number of diameters. For example, laser etched modalities may be employed in connection with tags/labels/indicia according to the present disclosure.

(13) The unique combination of materials and technology results in an original marking system that does what no other system can accomplish. It allows the user to permanently and securely mark a myriad of different products with an adjustable tag of common design/operation and without using any tools or additional fasteners. Additional benefits for the safety and inspection industries include the fact that once the tag/label/indicia is removed, it cannot be reused because the securement mushroom hooks and loops are ripped, thereby not allowing the tag/label/indicia to be moved to another item and ensuring compliance integrity. Benefits of the disclosed system/method thus include the following: “One Use Only” Security Feature—can't be reused once it is removed Fastens information to an item in a substantially permanent fashion Infinitely adjustable—can fasten to large range of sizes and shapes with dimensions from inches to feet No tools or additional fasteners (beyond the securement mechanism associated with the disclosed system) needed for installation Can be used indoor, outdoor, and in hazardous environments Resistant to most commercial cleaning products, common solvents, and petroleum products Excellent for inspections, serial numbers, and in-service date and tracking Facilitates data matrix recording system for updating information for life of the tag Facilitates secure attachment of a label/tag that can be marked, in whole or in part, after it is mounted to a desired item; for example, the label/tag can provide blank region(s) that may be marked (e.g., with a utensil such as a Sharpie) after it is attached to an item. RFID technology can be included for tracking and inspections—in exemplary implementations, an RFID tag/transmitter may be sandwiched within or between securement elements according to the present disclosure, thereby providing a “label” in an electronic sense (as opposed to a written/visible label/indicia). Tags can be laser etched or otherwise marked with desired information, e.g., laser-etched alpha-numeric characters 19 (FIG. 1), bar codes, QR codes, logos, and the like. Tags can be or include printed labels/indicia 19a (FIG. 1). Allows the user to permanently and securely mark a myriad of different products with an adjustable tag of common design (i.e., one size fits all) without using any tools or additional fasteners.

(14) With reference to the accompanying figures, FIGS. 1 and 2 are images of a first exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are images of a first component of an exemplary securement mechanism adhered to a tag according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

(15) As shown in FIG. 1 (top side) and FIG. 2 (underside), a tag system 10 is provided according to the present disclosure that includes a tag 12 and a strap 14 that is attached to the tag 12. In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the strap 14 is joined to the tag 12 by adherence and stitching 18 adjacent an edge thereof. Stitching 18 securely joins the tag 12 and the strap 14 to each other. Of note, although the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrates an implementation wherein the tag 12 is stitched to the strap 14, the present disclosure is not limited by or to such attachment modality. Indeed, any effective technique for securing the tag with respect to the strap may be employed including, for example (in addition to stitching), attachment by way of adhesive(s), heat sealing, RF or sonic welding, or other mechanical attachment mechanisms (e.g., tongue-in-groove, bayonet lock, pin-in-slot attachment, and the like), and combinations thereof.

(16) With particular reference to the underside of tag system 10 shown in FIG. 2, a second portion of the securement system takes the form of polygonal member 22—which in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 is approximately square in geometry—that is adhered and stitched to tag 12 by stitching 20. Of note, although the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrates an implementation wherein the geometry of element 22 is polygonal, the present disclosure is not limited by or to such geometry. Indeed, any geometry may be employed including, for example, circular, elliptical, and wholly irregular geometries, and combinations thereof.

(17) The top face of strap 14 and the exposed face of member 22 feature cooperative mushroom style hooks 23 on one of strap 14/member 22 and cooperating loops 15 on the other of strap 14/member 22. In this way, strap 14 may be wrapped around an item and secured relative to member 22 by pressing the mushroom style hooks 23 into engagement with the cooperating loops 15 (see FIG. 6). Strap 14 and member 22 function as first and second securement members. FIG. 1a schematically depicts an exploded sectional side view of a first portion of strap 14 that shows a cooperating loops 15 associated with strap 14. FIG. 2a schematically depicts an exploded sectional side view of a second portion of strap 14 that shows mushroom style hooks 23 associated with member 22. Once engaged, the mushroom style hooks 23 securely engage the corresponding loops 14 (cf. FIG. 5A and FIG. 58). If the mushroom style hooks 23 are subsequently separated from the corresponding loops 14 (e.g., through mechanical means), the loops 15 and mushroom style hooks 23 are damaged (see, e.g., damaged mushroom style hook 25 and damaged loop 17 in FIG. 5C), such that attempted reengagement is ineffective to securely fasten the strap 14 relative to the member 22.

(18) Turning to FIG. 3 (top side) and FIG. 4 (underside), an alternative tag system 100 is provided that includes indicia 106 on a top face of tag 102 and a securement member 104 on an underside thereof. The securement member 104 is adhered and stitched relative to tag 102 by stitching 108. The securement member 104 includes one of mushroom style hooks and cooperative loops. A second securement member (not pictured) would be used to secure tag system 100 relative to an item, as described with reference to tag system 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2, and would include cooperative loops (if securement member 104 includes mushroom style hooks) or mushroom style hooks (if securement member 104 includes cooperative loops). As with the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the present disclosure is not limited by or to the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4.

(19) The disclosed system/method is described with reference to exemplary embodiments and implementations thereof. However, the present disclosure is not limited by or to such exemplary embodiments and implementations.