Patent Abstract:
A label holder and closure device which secures the draw tape of draw tape-type bags without the need for tying or knotting the draw tape. The label holder and closure device remains on the draw tape during use and will not easily become disassociated with its bag. There is also a provision for two sizes of labels to be easily slid into the label holder and closure device where they are frictionally engaged until intentionally removed. The label holder and closure device may also be used with drawstring-type bags and the like.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is for a label holder and closure device commonly used by the Post Office for labeling and securing plastic draw tape mail bags. The labels typically contain a bar code and routing information which are slid into and frictionally engage the label holder. The label holder and closure device secures the cinched up draw tape bags by routing the draw tape through several slots without the need for tying or knotting the draw tape. The label holder and closure device can also be used with drawstring-type bags and the like. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The present label holders and closure devices commonly fall off of the draw tape of mail bags during normal use. Since the label holder doubles as a closure device, the usefulness of the draw tape bag is greatly lessened when the label holder and closure device is separated from the draw tape bag. Existing label holders of this type are made of molded plastic and have a top slot which begins at an edge of the label holder and terminates at a circular aperture into which a draw tape is lodged after passing through the top slot. The problem with these existing label holders is that the width of the top slot is too great. As a result, the draw tape frequently passes back through the top slot, whereupon the label holder falls off and becomes disassociated with the draw tape bag. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The general purpose of the present invention is a label holder and closure device. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a label holder and closure device for use with draw tape bags, including a top slot which is molded narrower than the draw tape it secures. There is also provided a label holder with a narrow top slot which is attain by controlled deformations with or without the application of heat. There is yet another provision which incorporates a thin plastic, solid webbing which extends across the top slot and is slit either during the manufacturing process or just prior to use. There is an additional provision for installing a staple across the top slot which also secures the label holder and closure device to the draw tape. A label holder and closure device which secures the draw tape of draw tape-type bags without the need for tying or knotting the draw tape. The label holder and closure device remains on the draw tape during use and will not easily become disassociated with its bag. It is to be understood that the present invention may be slightly modified for use with drawstring-type bags and the like. There is also a provision for two sizes of labels to be easily slid into the label holder and closure device where they are frictionally engaged until intentionally removed. 
     One significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a top slot which is molded narrower than the thickness of the draw tape or drawstring used. 
     Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a set of controlled deformations at each side of the top slot which is narrower than the thickness of the used draw tape or drawstring. 
     Still another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a thin solid webbing which extends across the top slot which is slit either during the manufacturing process or just prior to use. 
     Yet another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a staple which is installed after the draw tape or drawstring is inserted into the top slot. 
     A further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the ability to keep direct contact with the draw tape or drawstring when the secured bag is opened and closed repeatedly. 
     A still further significant aspect and feature of the present invention is provision for two different sized labels. 
     Having thus described embodiments of the present invention, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a label holder and closure device which will not become disassociated with its intended draw tape or drawstring. 
     One object of the present invention is to provide a top slot which is molded narrower than the thickness of the draw tape or drawstring it secures. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a top slot with controlled deformations which creates a top slot narrower than the thickness of the draw tape or drawstring it secures. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a thin solid webbing across the top slot which is cut either during the manufacturing process or just prior to use and is narrower than the thickness of the draw tape or drawstring it secures. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a staple installed across the top slot once the draw tape or drawstring is slid into the top slot, preventing removal. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a label holder and closure device with a molded narrower top slot, the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a label holder and closure device with a narrower top slot created by controlled deformations; 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of a label holder and closure device with a thin solid webbing molded across the top slot; 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a label holder and closure device with a staple across the top slot; and, 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of a label holder and closure device appropriately securing a draw tape. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a label holder and closure device  10  with a molded narrower top slot  12 , the present invention. The label holder and closure device is comprised of a main body  24  having a centrally located top slot  12  which terminates at a circular aperture  14  and two opposing side slots  16  and  20  which also terminate at circular apertures  18  and  22 , all of which are located at the upper end of the body  24 , as illustrated. The body  24  of the label holder and closure device  10  incorporates two sets of opposing outer extruded tabs  26   a - 26   c  and  28   a - 28   c  and a middle set of extruded tabs  30   a - 30   c . The three sets of extruded tabs  26   a - 26   c ,  28   a - 28   c  and  30   a - 30   c  are intended to frictionally hold a label  34  in place. If a small label  34  is used, extruded tabs  28   a - 28   c  and  30   a - 30   c  are used to hold label  34 , as illustrated. If a larger label  36  (FIG. 2) is used, extruded tabs  26   a - 26   c  and  28   a - 28   c  are used. There is also provided a retention hook  32  centrally located at the lower end of body  24  of the label holder and closure device  10 . The purpose and use of the retention hook  32  will be further described in detail with reference to the mode of operation (FIG.  5 ). Illustrated in particular is top slot  12  which is molded narrower than the width or thickness of a draw tape  46  (FIG. 5) and narrower than side slots  16  and  20 . The narrower top slot  12  prevents the draw tape  46  (FIG. 5) from passing back through the top slot  12 , whereupon the label holder and closure device  10  disassociates itself from the draw tape  46  (FIG.  5 ). It is to be understood that the label holder and closure device  10  can be used with drawstring-type bags and the like. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a label holder and closure device  10  with a narrower top slot  12  created by controlled deformations  38  and  40 , where all numerals correspond to those elements previously described. Illustrated in detail is a narrower top slot  12  which is created by controlled deformations  38  and  40 . Controlled deformations  38  and  40  are created by mechanical pressure with or without heat applied to the entrance area of top slot  12  so as to cause the plastic of the label holder and closure device  10  to compress controlled deformations  38  and  40  so as to narrow the entrance of top slot  12  to less than the width or thickness of a draw tape  46  (FIG.  5 ). Also illustrated is a large label  36  which frictionally engages extruded tabs  26   a - 26   c  and  28   a - 28   c . Label  36  flexes and passes over extruded tabs  30   a - 30   c , as illustrated. 
     FIG. 3, illustrates a front view of a label holder and closure device  10  with a thin solid webbing  42  is molded across the top slot  12 , where all numerals correspond to those elements previously described. Illustrated in particular is the solid webbing  42  which is molded across the top slot  12 . Either during the manufacturing process or just prior to use, the solid webbing is slit with a scissor, knife or other suitable device and the draw tape  46  (FIG. 5) is slid into aperture  14 . The slit in the solid webbing  42  produces an opening less than the width or thickness of draw tape  46  (FIG. 5) which prevents the label holder and closure device  10  from falling off draw tape  46  (FIG.  5 ). It is to be understood that even though no label is illustrated, the label holder and closure device  10  can accept a large or small label, as previously described and illustrated. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a label holder and closure device  10  with a staple  44  across the top slot  12 , where all numerals correspond to those elements previously described. Once a draw tape  46  (FIG. 5) is slid into aperture  14  a staple  44  is installed across top slot  12 , as illustrated, which secures the label holder and closure device  10  to the draw tape  46  and prevents the label holder and closure device  10  from disassociating itself from draw tape  46  (FIG.  5 ). Once again, no label is illustrated, but it is to be understood that the label holder and closure device can accept either a large or small label, as previously described and illustrated. 
     MODE OF OPERATION 
     FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of a label holder and closure device  10  appropriately securing a draw tape  46 , where all numerals correspond to those elements previously described. The process for appropriately installing any of the previously described variations of the label holder and closure device  10  will now be described with special detail as to the path and routing of the draw tape  46 . It is to be understood that draw tape  46  is looped through a passage in a cinch-type bag, commonly used by the U.S. Postal Service, and typically creates a loop with no loose ends. The label holder and closure device  10  is applied to the right portion  50  of draw tape  46 , once the bag to be used is cinched tight. The right portion  50  of draw tape  46  is slid downwardly through top slot  12  and into circular aperture  14  and the left portion  48  is slid sideways into side slot  16  and then into circular aperture  18 . Both the left and right portions  48  and  50 , respectively, are then wrapped snugly across the front of the body  24  of the label holder and closure device  10  and slid through side slot  20  and into circular aperture  22 . Left portion  48  and right portion  50  are then wrapped snugly around the back side of body  24  and slid through side slot  16  and into circular aperture  18 . Once leaving circular aperture  18 , left portion  48  and right portion  50  pass over the body  24  and once again slid through side slot  20  into circular aperture  22 . At this point, both the left and right portions  48  and  50 , respectively, are pulled downwardly along the rear surface of body  24  and are slid into retention hook  32 , as illustrated. This configuration appropriately secures the draw tape  46  and keeps the left and right portions  48  and  50  of draw tape  46  tucked behind the extruded tabs  26   a - 26   c ,  28   a - 28   c  and  30   a - 30   c so the user has an unobstructed view of a label  34  or  36  (FIGS.  1  AND  2 ). 
     Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the apparent scope hereof. The spacing of the slots is such to frictionally engage the draw tape. The spacing of the hook is such to frictionally engage the draw tape through the gap. The extruded tabs are spaced so as to engage or even frictionally engage a label

Technology Classification (CPC): 6