Abstract:
A product tagging system includes a tag tool having a housing and a tag tool needle that extends from the housing. The system includes a protective assembly that is mounted to the housing, a first retaining member adjacent the needle, and a second retaining member adjacent the first retaining member. The first retaining member includes a first aperture and the second retaining member includes a second aperture substantially aligned with the first aperture. The retaining members define a gap therebetween that is adjustable to receive at least a portion of a tag. The system further includes a protective member that is adjacent the second retaining member and includes a third aperture substantially aligned with the first and second apertures with a curved surface disposed around at least a portion of the third aperture. The first, second, and third apertures may receive at least a portion of the needle therethrough.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/540,956, filed Aug. 13, 2009, and entitled “Tag Tool Protective Device, System, and Method,” which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/467,431, filed May 18, 2009, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,015,689. The contents of each of the previous applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to devices and systems for attaching tags to product material, and more particularly, to safety and protective devices, systems, and methods used with tag tools or tagging guns. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various methods and devices are used for securing product tags to consumer and commercial products. In some instances, such product tags may include tags made of plastic, metal, or other hard materials, and may include one or more electronic devices used as, for example, theft prevention devices. In other instances, product tags may be made of paper, cardboard, or other more pliable material and may be used to provide identifying information regarding the product itself. As one example, product tags for clothing products may generally be paper tags identifying such information as manufacturer, size, price, as well as other information. 
     Clothing product tags may often be attached to the clothing item (e.g., shirts, pants, socks) by a variety of techniques. For example, certain techniques utilize a device or tool called a tag tool or tagging gun. Tag tools often operate to create a small hole through the product and, in some cases, the product tag, through the use of a hollow needle or other penetrating component. Upon creation of the small hole, the tag tool may be manipulated to insert a fastener (e.g., nylon, plastic) through the hollow needle and then through the holes formed in the product tag and product material. Such fasteners, typically, are flexible filaments with enlarged portions on each end. For instance, the fasteners may be shaped substantially similar to the cross-section of an “I-beam.” Upon insertion of the nylon fastener through such holes, the enlarged ends of the fastener extend, thereby securing the product tag to the product material. 
     Tag tools or tagging guns may come in a variety of forms. Typically, however, such tag tools may include either a fixed needle or a retractable needle. In fixed needle tag tools, for instance, product material may be manually forced over the needle by the tag tool user. In other words, fixed needle tag tools may include a hollow needle secured in the tag tool and extended from the tag tool at all times. Such fixed needle tag tools, therefore, may create safety concerns with respect to possible injuries to the tag tool user as well as possible damage to the product material. Previous solutions to such safety issues may not fully address this problem. For example, various fixed needle tag tools may include a removable cap or thimble designed to cover the needle during periods of non-use. Such caps or thimbles may be easily lost or misplaced. While some caps or thimbles may be tethered to the tag tool itself by a lanyard or string, such protection relies on the user to replace the cap or thimble on the needle after using the tag tool. 
     Retractable needle tag tools may generally include a hollow needle that retracts into a housing or handle of the tag tool during periods of non-use. More specifically, a user of a retractable needle tag tool may initiate an action (e.g., pull a trigger or lever) that extends the needle from the tag tool and through the product material and product tag, while simultaneously forcing the product tag through the hollow needle and the resultant holes. Such tag tools, while possibly providing increased safety to user and product material, typically include greater mechanical complexity. Such complexity may decrease the reliability of the tool while increasing cost. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one general embodiment, a method for replacing a tag tool needle includes securing at least a portion of a tag tool needle coupled to a tag tool in a needle container; and removing the tag tool needle from the tag tool with the needle container. More specific aspects may include the feature of securing at least a portion of a tag tool needle coupled to a tag tool in a needle container without human contact of the tag tool needle. Further, securing at least a portion of a tag tool needle coupled to a tag tool in a needle container without human contact of the tag tool needle may include securing a sharpened end of the tag tool needle in a needle container without human contact of the tag tool needle. Removing the tag tool needle from the tag tool with the needle container may include removing the tag tool needle from the tag tool with the needle container without human contact of the tag tool needle. 
     In certain specific embodiments, the method may further include applying a force to a portion of the tag tool needle extending from the needle container, where the force is operable to urge the portion of the tag tool needle into the needle container. The force may be applied without human contact of the tag tool needle. In addition, applying the force without human contact of the tag tool needle may include applying the force through contact of a base portion of the tag tool needle with a rigid or semi-rigid surface. 
     In some aspects, at least a portion of the needle container may include a compression-fit housing and the method may further include securing the portion of the tag tool needle in the compression-fit housing without human contact of the tag tool needle. The method may further include releasing the tag tool needle from the tag tool subsequent to securing the portion of the tag tool needle in the compression-fit housing. 
     In specific aspects, the tag tool needle may be a used tag tool needle and the method may further include: inserting a base portion of a new tag tool needle into the tag tool, where a sharpened end of the new tag tool needle is substantially enclosed in the needle container; securing the new tag tool needle in the tag tool; and removing the needle container from the new tag tool needle to expose the sharpened end of the new tag tool needle. In some aspects, inserting a base portion of a new tag tool needle into the tag tool may include inserting a base portion of a new tag tool needle into the tag tool without human contact of the new tag tool needle. Securing the new tag tool needle in the tag tool may include securing the new tag tool needle in the tag tool without human contact of the new tag tool needle. 
     The general embodiment may further include storing at least the sharpened end of the new tag tool needle in the needle container prior to inserting the base portion into the tag tool. In some aspects, at least a portion of the needle container may include a compression-fit housing and the method may further include securing the sharpened end of the new tag tool needle in the compression-fit housing. The method may further include transporting the needle container enclosing the tag tool needle without human contact of the tag tool needle. The method may further include disposing of the needle container enclosing the tag tool needle without human contact of the tag tool needle. 
     In another general embodiment, a tag tool needle container includes a first tubular aperture adapted to receive at least a portion of a first tag tool needle therein, where the first tubular aperture has a compression-fit adapted to securely enclose the portion of the first tag tool needle when urged over the first tag tool needle; and a second tubular aperture coupled to the first tubular aperture and adapted to receive at least a portion of a second tag tool needle therein, where the second tubular aperture has a compression-fit adapted to adapted to securely enclose the portion of the second tag tool needle when urged over the second tag tool needle. 
     In some specific aspects, the first tubular aperture may be adapted to receive the portion of the first tag tool needle coupled to a tag tool. Further, the portion of the first tag tool needle may include a sharpened end, where the first tubular aperture further is adapted to enclose the sharpened end when urged over the first tag tool needle while a base portion of the first tag tool needle may extend from the first tubular aperture. The first tubular aperture may be adapted to enclose the sharpened end and the base portion of the first tag tool needle upon application of a force to the first tag tool needle urging the first tag tool needle into the first tubular aperture. The second tubular aperture may be adapted to enclose a sharpened end of the second tag tool needle, where a base portion of the second tag tool needle may extend from the second tubular aperture when the sharpened end of the second tag tool needle is enclosed in the second tubular aperture. At least one of the first or second tubular apertures may be adapted to allow visual inspection of the first or second tag tool needle. 
     In another general embodiment, a method includes replacing a used tag tool needle in a tag tool with a new tag tool needle in the tag tool without human contact of at least one of the used tag tool needle and the new tag tool needle. The method may further include removing the used tag tool needle from the tag tool with a needle container; and storing the used tag tool needle in the needle container. In some aspects, replacing a used tag tool needle in a tag tool with a new tag tool needle in the tag tool without human contact of at least one of the used tag tool needle and the new tag tool needle may include replacing a used tag tool needle in a tag tool with a new tag tool needle in the tag tool without human contact of both the used tag tool needle and the new tag tool needle. 
     In another general embodiment, a protective assembly for a tag tool includes a shoe, a shoe spring coupled to the shoe, a tag spring, and a thimble. The shoe includes a shoe bore extending through a distal end of the shoe, where the shoe is adapted to attach to a tag tool having a tag tool needle extending from the tool. The shoe bore has a centerline substantially aligned with a longitudinal dimension of the tag tool needle. The tag spring is coupled to the shoe adjacent the shoe spring and distal ends of the shoe spring and tag spring define an opening to receive a product tag therebetween. The distal end of the tag spring is adjacent the shoe and the distal end of the tag spring and the shoe define a slot to receive a product material therebetween. The thimble is coupled to the shoe and adapted to move through the shoe bore in response to a force applied to a distal end of the thimble and transmit at least a portion of the force to the tag spring and the shoe spring. 
     In some specific embodiments, the protective assembly may further include a thimble tip coupled to the distal end of the thimble, where the thimble tip is adapted to receive the force and transmit the force to the thimble. The protective assembly may further include a thimble spring disposed over the thimble, where the thimble spring is adapted to constrict to a compressed state in response to the force applied to the thimble and extend to an uncompressed state in response to release of the force from the thimble. The thimble spring may urge the thimble through the shoe bore away from the tag spring as the thimble spring extends from the compressed state to the uncompressed state. In some aspects, the tag spring and the shoe spring may include corresponding slots substantially aligned therethrough, where the tag spring and the shoe spring may be adapted to be impaled over the tag tool needle through the corresponding slots in response to the portion of the force transmitted to the tag spring and the shoe spring from the thimble. 
     In particular embodiments, the tag spring and the shoe spring may be adapted to secure the product tag therebetween without support of the product tag by a user. Further, the shoe and the shoe spring may be adapted to secure the product material therebetween without support of the product material by a user. 
     In another general embodiment, a product tagging system includes a tag tool and a protective assembly. The tag tool includes a housing and a tag tool needle extending from the housing. The protective assembly includes a shoe, a shoe spring coupled to the shoe, a tag spring, and a thimble. The shoe is attached to the tag tool and includes a shoe bore extending through a distal end of the shoe, where the shoe bore has a centerline substantially aligned with a longitudinal dimension of the tag tool needle. The tag spring is coupled to the shoe adjacent the shoe spring and distal ends of the shoe spring and tag spring define an opening to receive a product tag therebetween. The distal end of the tag spring adjacent the shoe and the shoe define a slot to receive a product material therebetween. The thimble is coupled to the shoe and adapted to move through the shoe bore in response to a force applied to a distal end of the thimble and transmit at least a portion of the force to the tag spring and the shoe spring to move the tag spring and the shoe spring over a sharpened end of the tag tool needle. 
     In specific embodiments, the product tagging system may further include a thimble tip coupled to the distal end of the thimble, where the thimble tip is adapted to receive the force and transmit the force to the thimble. The product tagging system may further include a thimble spring disposed over the thimble, where the thimble spring is adapted to constrict to a compressed state in response to the force applied to the thimble and extend to an uncompressed state in response to the force released from the thimble. The thimble spring may urge the thimble through the shoe bore away from the tag spring as the thimble spring extends from the compressed state to the uncompressed state. Further, the tag spring and the shoe spring may include corresponding slots substantially aligned therethrough, where the tag spring and the shoe spring are impaled on a portion of the tag tool needle through the corresponding slots in response to the portion of the force transmitted to the tag spring and the shoe spring from the thimble. 
     In particular embodiments, the tag spring and the shoe spring may be adapted to secure the product tag therebetween without support of the product tag by a user. Further, the tag spring and the shoe may be adapted to secure the product material therebetween without support of the product material by a user. In addition, the tag tool needle may be held substantially stationary in the housing as the tag spring and shoe spring move over the sharpened end of the tag tool needle. 
     In some embodiments, the product tagging system may further include a needle container including a tube adapted to receive at least a portion of the tag tool needle; and a cap substantially enclosing a first end of the tube. The tube may be adapted to enclose at least two tag tool needles. Further, in some embodiments of the product tagging system, at least a portion of the shoe may be integrally formed with a portion of the housing. The shoe and the housing may be integrally formed as a two-piece clam shell. 
     In another general implementation, a method for using a tag tool includes providing a tag tool system, where the system includes a housing; a tag tool needle extending from the housing; and a protective assembly. The protective assembly includes a shoe attached to the housing and including a shoe bore extending through a distal end of the shoe. The shoe bore has a centerline substantially aligned with a longitudinal dimension of the tag tool needle. The assembly also includes a shoe spring coupled to the shoe and a tag spring coupled to the shoe adjacent the shoe spring, where distal ends of the shoe spring and tag spring define an opening and the distal end of the tag spring and the shoe defining a slot. The assembly also includes a thimble coupled to the shoe and having a centerline substantially aligned with the centerline of the shoe bore. The method includes applying a force to a distal end of the thimble to urge at least a portion of the thimble through the shoe bore, where the thimble transmits at least a portion of the force to the tag spring and the shoe spring to move the tag spring and the shoe spring over a sharpened end of the tag tool needle. 
     In certain embodiments, the method may further include inserting a product tag in the opening; securing the product tag between the tag spring and the shoe spring without additional support; inserting a product material in the slot; and securing the product material between the tag spring and the shoe without additional support. The tag tool needle may be a used tag tool needle and the method may further include replacing the used tag tool needle with a new tag tool needle without human contact of the used tag tool needle or the new tag tool needle. In some embodiments, the tag tool system may further include a needle container including a tube and a cap, where the tube has open first and second ends and the cap may be adapted to enclose one of the open first and second ends. Replacing the used tag tool needle with a new tag tool needle without human contact of the used tag tool needle or the new tag tool needle may include inserting the open first end of the tube through the shoe bore; inserting the open first end of the tube over the used tag tool needle extended from the housing; releasing at least a portion of the used tag tool needle into the tube through the open first end; and withdrawing the tube including the used tag tool needle through the shoe bore. 
     In particular embodiments, the needle container may further include the new tag tool needle enclosed within the tube, where the cap encloses the open second end of the tube. Replacing the used tag tool needle with a new tag tool needle without human contact of the used tag tool needle or the new tag tool needle may include removing the cap from the open second end of the tube to expose at least a portion of the new tag tool needle from the open second end; inserting the open second end of the tube through the shoe bore; securing the portion of the new tag tool needle in the housing; and withdrawing the tube through the shoe bore. Further, replacing the used tag tool needle with a new tag tool needle without human contact of the used tag tool needle or the new tag tool needle may include replacing the used tag tool needle with a new tag tool needle without human contact of the used tag tool needle and the new tag tool needle. 
     Various implementations of a product tagging system according to the present disclosure may include one or more of the following features. For example, the product tagging system may help protect a user of a tag tool from injury from a sharp needle during periods of use, as well as non-use, of the tag tool. The product tagging system may decrease the chances for disease transmission among multiple users of a tag tool. The product tagging system may allow for removal of a used needle of a tag tool without any human contact with the used tag tool needle. Further, the product tagging system may allow for installation of a new needle in a tag tool without any human contact with the new tag tool needle. The product tagging system may allow for containment and transport of used tag tool needles safely without human contact with the needles. The product tagging system may also help protect a product or material from damage, such as unwanted holes, rips, tears, or other injury inflicted by a needle of a tag tool. The product tagging system may also provide for safer shipping of used and new tag tool needles, thereby decreasing injury to transport personnel and carriers. 
     Various implementations of a product tagging system according to the present disclosure may also include one or more of the following features. For example, the product tagging system may include a separate loading area for a product tag and product material away from an extended needle in a fixed needle tag tool. The product tagging system may allow for tagging of product material while a user maintains a safe distance from a tag tool needle. The product tagging system may allow for faster and more efficient tagging of product material with less concern for possible injury. Further, the product tagging system may help meet regulatory safety requirements imposed on a user or business enterprise. The product tagging tool may also provide for safer and more cost-effective tagging of product material using a fixed needle tag tool as compared to a retractable needle tag tool. Additionally, the product tagging system may allow for single-handed operation of a tag tool, including a fixed needle tag tool. 
     These general and specific embodiments may be implemented using a device, system, or method, or any combinations of devices, systems, or methods. The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a product tagging system according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of a tag tool including a protective assembly according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3A  illustrates one embodiment of a protective assembly for a tag tool according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates one embodiment of a tag spring and a shoe spring of a protective assembly for a tag tool according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of a needle container of a product tagging system according to the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 5A-D  illustrate another embodiment of a needle container of a product tagging system according to the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This disclosure relates to devices and systems for attaching tags to product material, and more particularly, to safety and protective devices, systems, and methods used with tag tools or tagging guns. In some embodiments, a protective assembly may be attached to a fixed needle tag tool and may provide safer handling and use of the tag tool. For instance, the protective assembly may provide a shoe including one or more spring members with apertures therethrough longitudinally aligned with a needle of the tag tool. The spring members may receive a force from the tag tool user as applied to a thimble component attached to the shoe, thereby forcing a product tag and product secured within the shoe over the needle. The tag tool user may thus be protected from the needle by separating the needle from the user through implementation of the spring members, the shoe, as well as the attached thimble. Traditional techniques to secure the tag to the product with the tag tool may then be initiated. 
     Protective methods and systems for managing a tag tool, including replacing used tag tool needles therein, are presently disclosed. In some embodiments, a tubular container for tag tool needles may be inserted through one or more of the thimble, the shoe, and the spring members and enclose a tag tool needle secured to the tag tool. The used needle may thus be removed from the tag tool within the tubular container with little or no direct contact between the user and the used needle. A new tag tool needle may be similarly installed in the tag tool. For instance, the tubular container from which a portion of a new needle is exposed may be inserted through one or more of the thimble, the shoe, and the spring members. The new needle may then be installed and secured within the tag tool and the tubular container removed from the protective assembly. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , one embodiment of a product tagging system  10 , including a tag tool  12 , a protective assembly  100 , and a needle container  135 , is illustrated. The product tagging system  10 , generally, allows for safer and more efficient tagging of product material as compared to traditional tagging techniques, methods, and devices. Further, the product tagging system  10  may be separable so as to allow various components of the system  10  to be used with existing tagging components. For example, the protective assembly  100  may be implemented as a separate component and used with an existing tag tool, such as a tag tool distinct from that shown in  FIGS. 1-2  (tag tool  12 ). Likewise, the needle container  135  may be used with existing tag tools and protective assemblies such as those distinct or different from the tag tool  12  and protective assembly  100  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2 . 
     Tag tool  12 , typically, is a handheld device that includes a handle  13 , a trigger  14 , and a needle  15 . The tag tool  12  may be operated by a user to create one or more holes in a product tag and a product material and then insert a fastener (e.g., a nylon “I-shaped” fastener, not shown) through such holes to secure the product tag to the product material. In some embodiments, the tag tool  12  creates aligned holes through a paper or cardboard product tag and an item of clothing and then inserts the fastener through such holes to secure the tag to the clothing. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2 , the tag tool  12  may be a fixed needle tag tool, such that the needle  15  remains extended from the housing  13  during periods of use and non-use of the tag tool  12 . In alternative embodiments, however, the tag tool  12  may be a retracted needle tag tool, such that the user can operate the tag tool  12  to extend the needle  15  from the housing  13  to engage the product tag and/or product material with the needle  15 . 
     In some embodiments, the tag tool  12  may utilize a fine fabric fastener to attach the product tag to the product material. Alternatively, the tag tool  12  may utilize a regular fastener to attach the product tag to the product material. Regardless, reference to the tag tool  12  refers to any tag tool or product tagging device operable to attach a product tag to a product material. Further, as noted above, the tag tool  12  may be a separate component from the product assembly  100  or, alternatively, the tag tool  12  and product assembly  100  may be formed as a single, integral piece. 
     Needle  15 , typically, is a tubular metallic component having a void, or hollow portion, extending therethrough. The needle  15  also includes a sharpened point at one distal end designed to penetrate various objects, such as product tags and product material. The needle  15 , generally, includes a “C” or crescent cross-sectional area, thus exposing the hollow portion of the needle  15  while maintaining the sharpened point. For example, the needle  15  is typically sharpened so as to penetrate and extend through paper, cardboard, paperboard, cloth, and other similar material. The needle  15  also includes a second distal end opposite the sharpened end, which may be secured to the tag tool  12 , thus affixing the needle  15  at a constant position relative to the housing  13 . For instance, the needle  15  may include a higher diameter, notched distal end (or base) opposite the sharpened end (as shown more fully in  FIG. 4 ), which may be secured to the tag tool  12  through a locking mechanism engaged to the notched end (base). Alternatively, the needle  15  may be affixed within the housing  13  without the notched distal end by simply providing a snug fit of the needle  15  within the housing  13 . Regardless, the needle  15  is typically removable from the tag tool  12  in order to replace the needle  15 , such as when it becomes dull, contaminated, or broken. 
     The hollow portion of the needle  15  extends to the sharpened distal end and allows the fastener to be ejected therethrough in order to secure the product tag to the product material. For example, during operation of the product tagging system  10 , subsequent to the creation of one or more holes through the product tag and product material (explained more fully below with reference to  FIG. 3A ), the user may operate the tag tool  12  to eject the fastener through the created holes, thus securing the product tag to the product material with the fastener. For instance, the user may, typically, engage the trigger  14  of the tag tool  12  (e.g., apply force to retract the trigger  14  into the housing  13 ), which forces a fastener stored in the housing  13  through the hollow portion of the needle  15 . Releasing the trigger  14  may then load an additional fastener stored within the housing  13  into a position ready to be ejected through the needle  15 . 
     The needle  15 , in some embodiments, may be a fine fabric needle rather than, for example, a regular fabric needle. In some embodiments, the needle  15  may thus have a decreased length and decreased diameter as compared to the regular fabric needle. In any event, reference to the needle  15  refers to any appropriate needle used with a tag tool, such as the tag tool  12 , as well as any other product tagging device or system. 
     Protective assembly  100 , typically, is secured to the tag tool  12  at one or more locations, such as at connection points  145  on either side of the housing  13 . For example, the protective assembly  100  may be secured to the housing  13  at points  145  by screws, rivets, or other mechanical fastening techniques, as well as adhesives or compression fittings (e.g., detents). Generally, however, the protective assembly  100  is detachable from the tag tool  12  and thus may be used with multiple tag tools  12  or alternative tag tools. 
     The protective assembly  100  includes a shoe  105 , a tag spring  110 , a shoe spring  115 , and a thimble  120 . In some embodiments, the protective assembly  100  may also include a thimble tip  130  and a thimble spring  125 . During typical operation (explained more fully with reference to  FIG. 3A ), the protective assembly  100  allows the user to apply force to the thimble  120  so as to force a product tag and product material over the needle  15 , thereby impaling the product tag and the product material on the needle  15 . In doing so, the protective assembly  100  may allow the user and the product material to avoid unwanted and harmful contact with the needle  15 . 
     The shoe  105 , typically, is made of plastic, aluminum, or other rigid material and extends from the tag tool  12  from the connection points  145  on either side of the housing  13 . As illustrated, the shoe  105  is substantially U-shaped and extends downward from the tag tool  12 , thus creating an area to receive product material. The shoe  105 , further, extends upward in front of the needle  15  and includes a shoe bore  175  therethrough. The shoe bore  175 , typically, is aligned with the needle  15  such that a centerline  173  (shown in  FIG. 3A ) traversing through the shoe bore  175  is aligned with the needle  15 . 
     In some embodiments, the shoe  105  and the housing  13  are integrally formed as a single or multi-piece structure. For example, the shoe  105  and the housing  13  may be integrally formed as a two-piece, or clam shell, structure such that the two halves of the structure are secured together to form the shoe  105  and housing  13  as a single component of the product tagging system  10 . The shoe  105  and housing  13  may be secured by any appropriate technique, including mechanical (e.g., rivets, screws, or pin and socket), as well as adhesives. 
     In some embodiments, the shoe  105  includes a recessed channel  103  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) extending around all or a portion of an interior surface of the shoe  100 . The recessed channel  103  may provide for a seating area in which one or both of the tag spring  110  and the shoe spring  115  may be inserted and secured to the shoe  105 . Further, the recessed channel  103  may provide for a lighter and less costly shoe  100 , thereby increasing the ease of connection of the shoe  100  to the housing  13 , for example. 
     The shoe spring  115  is secured to the shoe  100  through a spring bore  140   a  (e.g., by rivet or screw) and, generally, is a leaf-type spring made of a flexible but rigid material such as, for example, steel, aluminum, plastic, or other appropriate material. The shoe spring  115  establishes a neutral loading area in front of the needle  15  that separates the product tag and product material from the needle  15 . This area may be adjusted according to the shoe spring  115 . For instance, the shoe spring  115  may include multiple (e.g., three) angled segments in which at least one segment is angled away from the needle  15  to create the loading area. By adjusting the angles between the segments of the shoe spring  115 , this area may be increased or decreased. 
     The shoe spring  115  typically includes a notch  170   a  formed therein, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3B . The notch  170   a , while illustrated as a cut-out or crescent-shaped aperture through the shoe spring  115 , may be any appropriately shaped aperture that allows the needle  15  to pass through the shoe spring  115  during operation of the product tagging system  10 . For example, the notch  170   a  may be a circular aperture through the shoe spring  115  with a center of the circle substantially aligned with the needle  15 . The notch  170   a , however, may typically extend to an exterior edge of the shoe spring  115 . 
     The tag spring  110  is secured to the shoe  100  through a spring bore  140   b  (e.g., by rivet or screw) and, generally, is a leaf-type spring made of a flexible but rigid material such as, for example, steel, aluminum, plastic, or other appropriate material. As illustrated, the tag spring  110  is secured to the shoe  100  immediately adjacent the shoe spring  115  such that the shoe spring  115  is between the tag spring  110  and the needle  115 . In some embodiments, the tag spring  110  and shoe spring  115  are in physical contact through at least a portion of the lengths of the springs  110  and  115 . Further, the tag spring  110  may apply a spring force against the shoe spring  115 , thereby maintaining physical contact between the springs  110  and  115 . Alternatively, the tag spring  110  and shoe spring  115  may not contact each other but may have a relatively small clearance therebetween, thereby allowing a product tag to be secured and held steady between the springs  110  and  115 . 
     The tag spring  115  typically includes a notch  170   b  formed therein, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3B , similar to or substantially the same as the notch  170   a  in the shoe spring  115 . The notches  170   a  and  170   b , however, may be distinct as long as each allows the needle  15  to penetrate through their respective springs  110  and  115  and a fastener to be removed therethrough. The notches  170   a  and  170   b  may also, in some embodiments, serve as a target guide to locate an exact penetration location of the product tag by the needle  15  and also an exact penetration location of the fastener through the product tag and product material. 
     Turning to  FIG. 3B , this figure illustrates in more detail one embodiment of the tag spring  110  and the shoe spring  115  of the protective assembly  100 . As illustrated, the springs  110  and  115  may be substantially similar in shape and design, including multiple segments therein. When coupled to the shoe  100 , such segments may be substantially aligned (as shown according to the connecting dashed lines), thereby allowing the springs  110  and  115  to be in close proximity or in contact. In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-2  and  3 A-B, the shoe spring  115  may include a top segment angled so as to create a concave or V-shaped area to receive the product tag therein. Alternatively, the shoe spring  115  and tag spring  110  may remain in close proximity or physical contact throughout the lengths of the springs  110  and  115 . 
     The combination of the springs  110  and  115 , in some embodiments, may combine to form a product tag holder. For example, the product tag holder may serve as a guard for the user of the tag tool  12  to prevent contact with the point of the needle  15 . The product tag holder may also serve as a separator from the product material to which the product tag is being attached. The product tag holder may also create a clearance for the product material such that the user may more easily locate a desired penetration point for the fastener through the product tag and the product material. In some embodiments, the product tag holder may also assist in the removal of the product material from the needle  15 , allowing the user to disconnect the fastener and tag. For instance, by pushing the product material off the needle  15 , the product tag holder may create a clearance for removal of the product material as it is removed from the shoe  105 . In other words, the product tag holder may act as a “spring” to help push the product material off of the needle  15  while protecting the user. 
     Returning to  FIGS. 1-2 , the thimble  120 , as illustrated, is a substantially cylindrical and elongated tube coupled to the shoe  100 . In some embodiments, as illustrated in these figures, the thimble  120  may be coupled to the shoe  100  through a grommet  123 . Generally, as described more fully with reference to  FIG. 3A , the thimble  120  may receive a force (e.g., applied by the user or applied by another object or surface) and extend through the shoe bore  175  to transmit the force to the springs  110  and  115 . More specifically, the thimble  120  may provide a safe (i.e., non-sharpened or rounded) location on which the user may manually apply the force in order to impale the needle  15  through the thimble  120  and the springs  110  and  115 , as well as the product tag and product material inserted therein. Thus, the user may be kept a safe distance from the sharpened end of the needle  15 . 
     In some embodiments, the thimble  120  may include an indexing notch  127  disposed lengthwise along at least a portion of an outer surface of the thimble  120 . In such embodiments, the shoe bore  175  may include an indexing rib  129  disposed on an outer surface of the shoe  105  through the shoe bore  175 . When a force is applied to the thimble  120  to urge the thimble  120  through the shoe bore  175 , the indexing rib  129  may generally mate with the indexing notch  127  to allow the thimble  120  to slide through the bore  175 . Misalignment of the indexing notch  127  with the indexing rib  129  may thus prevent or substantially prevent the thimble  120  from sliding through the shoe bore  175  and thus transferring the force to the springs  110  and  115 . Thus, in some embodiments of the protective assembly  100 , the thimble  120  is aligned with the shoe bore  175  such that the indexing notch  127  and indexing rib  129  are in substantially constant alignment, allowing the thimble  120  to travel through the shoe bore  175 . 
     In some alternative embodiments, such a mating between the thimble  120  and the shoe  105  to effectuate this transfer of force may be used as a locking technique for the product tagging system  10 . For example, use of the protective assembly  100  and tag tool  12  may be restricted, thereby preventing one or more holes to be created in the product tag and product material by the needle  15 , when the indexing rib  129  and indexing notch  127  are misaligned. 
     In other alternative embodiments, this locking technique may be accomplished in a different fashion. For example, the shoe bore  175  and thimble  120  may each have a substantially square, triangular, pentagonal, or octagonal cross-section (to name but a few), thus requiring alignment of the cross-sections between the shoe bore  175  and thimble  120  in order for the thimble  120  to be urged through the shoe bore  175 . In other embodiments, however, the locking technique may not be included and the thimble  120  may be urged through the shoe bore  175  without substantially any indexing. 
     The protective assembly  100 , as illustrated, may also include a thimble tip  130  coupled to thimble  120  at a distal end of the thimble  120  opposite the shoe  105 . The thimble tip  130 , generally, may provide a location for the user to apply a force to the thimble  120  substantially directed along the centerline  173  of the thimble  120 . Further, the thimble tip  130  may be a rubber or plastic bumper that is snap-fit on the distal end of the thimble  120  and elastic so as to provide a protective surface to the user or any other object utilized to apply the force to the thimble  120 . In some embodiments, as illustrated by section ‘A-A’ in  FIG. 3A , the thimble tip  130  fits on and provides a skirt over the thimble spring  125 . 
     The thimble spring  125 , typically, is a metal or plastic wire compression spring disposed over the thimble  120  and in compression to urge the thimble  120  away from the springs  110  and  115  and the needle  15  and through the shoe bore  175  to its rest position. In some embodiments, the thimble spring  125  may continuously apply a spring force to the thimble  120  away from the needle  15 . In other embodiments, however, the thimble spring  125  may come to a neutral state while the thimble  120  is in the rest position and thereby apply substantially no force to the thimble  120 . In some embodiments, the thimble spring  125  is plumb at each of its ends and applies the spring force to the thimble tip  130 , which is then transmitted to the thimble  120 . Alternatively, the thimble spring  125  may be directly coupled to the thimble  120  thereby directly applying the spring force to the thimble  120 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the needle container  135  is illustrated. The needle container  135  includes a tube  160 , one or more caps  165 , and in some embodiments, a new needle  150 . The needle container  135 , typically, allows a user to remove a used tag tool needle, such as used needle  155  or the needle  15 , from a tag tool, such as tag tool  12 , without any contact with the used needle  155 . Further, the needle container  135  allows the user to install the new needle  150  into the housing  13  of the tag tool  12  without any contact with the new needle  150 . In such fashion, the needle container  135  may substantially reduce the risk of disease transmission through human contact with a contaminated tag tool needle, as well as reduce the risk of injury to the user from a new tag tool needle. 
     The tube  160  typically is an elongated and hollow container sized to accept a tag tool needle therein via one or both open ends of the tube  160 . In some embodiments, the tube  160  may serve as a shipping and handling container, and be used in multiple instances to transport the new needle  150  and/or the used needle  155 . In alternative embodiments, the tube  160  may be a disposable container that allows for safe disposal of the used needle  155 . As illustrated, the tube  160  may be translucent and include an indexing notch  153  disposed longitudinally along at least a portion of an outer surface of the tube  160 . The indexing notch  153 , in some embodiments, may mate with the indexing rib  129  of the shoe  105  during removal of the used needle  155  and installation of the new needle  150 , as described more fully below. Alternatively, the tube  160  may include a substantially smooth outer surface. Although a cylindrical shape is illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4  for the tube  160 , alternative shapes are contemplated by the present disclosure. 
     The tube  160  receives one or more used tag tool needles  155  and one or more new tag tool needles  150  therein. In some embodiments, the tube  160  may also include an indexing feature to secure one or more of the used and/or new tag tool needles  155  and  150  therein. For instance, in some embodiments, the tube  160  may include an internal indexing rib or guide (not shown) to mate with the “C” or crescent-shaped distal end of the used and new tag tool needles  155  and  150 , as well as the needle  15 . Thus, alignment of the needles to insert into the tube  160 , such as during removal of the used needle  155  and installation of the new needle  150 , may be made easier and more reliable. In alternative embodiments, however, the tube  160  may be sized to snugly accept the used needle  155  and the new needle  150  and substantially secure the needles within the tube  160  without an indexing feature. 
     In some embodiments, one or both of the used needle  155  and new needle  150  may include a base portion. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the new needle  150  may include a base portion  152  while the used needle  155  may include a base portion  157 . The base portions  152  and  157  may be permanently or semi-permanently attached to the sharpened portions of the corresponding needles and provide an increased diameter segment. In some embodiments, the base portions  152  and  157  extend to the exterior of the tube  160  when the needles  150  and  155 , respectively, are inserted into the tube  160 . 
     The needle container  135  also includes one or more caps  165 . The cap  165 , generally, may be fit over either of the open ends of the tube  160 , thereby substantially preventing accidental or unwanted removal of the used needle  155  and/or new tag tool needle  150  from the tube  160 . In some embodiments, the needle container  135  includes a single cap  165 , which initially encloses the tube  160  such that the new needle  150  remains therein. Once the used needle  155  is recovered from the tag tool  12 , the cap  165  may be removed from the tube  160 , thereby uncovering the new needle  150 , and replaced onto the tube  160  to enclose the used needle  155  therein. In some embodiments, the cap  165  may be removable from one of the open ends of the tube  160  where the new needle  150  is stored but permanently attached to the tube  160  once engaged with the tube  160  over the other open end where the used needle  155  is stored. 
     Continuing with  FIGS. 1 and 4 , one example of a hands-free operation to replace the used needle  155  with the new needle  150  is now described. This example operation may allow a tag tool user to replace the used needle  155  with a new needle  150  without any direct contact with either the used needle  155  or new needle  150 , thereby substantially decreasing the risk of injury. Utilizing the tube  160  with an uncapped open end directed towards the thimble tip  130  and a capped closed end enclosing the new needle  150 , the user inserts the tube  160  through the thimble tip  130  and the thimble  120 , which have substantially aligned bores therethrough. Thus, the thimble  120  and the thimble tip  130  may serve as guides for the tube  160  to be aligned therethrough and, eventually, over the used needle  155 . 
     The tube  160  is then inserted through the shoe bore  175  and corresponding notches  170   a  and  170   b  of the shoe spring  115  and tag spring  110 , respectively. In some embodiments, prior to insertion of the tube  160  into the shoe bore  175 , the tube  160  may be indexed (e.g., rotated) to allow the indexing notch  153  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) to align with the indexing rib  129 . The tube  160  is then inserted over the used needle  155  (such as needle  15 ). If the tube  160  includes an indexing feature, such as the indexing feature described above, the user manipulates (e.g., rotates) the tube  160  to properly index the used needle  155  into the tube  160 . Alternatively, if the tube  160  does not include an indexing feature, the tube  160  is slid over the used needle  155  and enclosed therein. The used needle  155 , if appropriate, is then released from the tag tool  12  by the user. For example, in some embodiments, the tag tool  12  includes a locking mechanism, which secures the base  157  of the used needle  155  into the housing  13 . 
     Once the used needle  155  is secured within the tube  160 , the user withdraws the tube  160  backwards through the notches  170   a  and  170   b , the shoe bore  175 , the thimble  120 , and the thimble tip  130 . The user may then remove the cap  165  from the end of the tube  160  enclosing the new needle  150  and replace the cap  165  onto the tube  160  to enclose the used needle  155 . Next, the user rotates the tube  160  and reinserts the tube  160  through the thimble tip  130 , thimble  120 , shoe bore  175 , and notches  170   a  and  170   b . The user then aligns the new needle  150  such that the housing  13  receives the base portion  152  therein. Once inserted, the new needle  150  may be locked into the housing  13  and the tube  160  withdrawn from the protective assembly  100 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3A , one example operation and use of the protective assembly  100  of the tag tool  12  is now described. In no particular order, the user inserts a product tag  205  into the loading angle defined by the shoe spring  115  and the tag spring  110  and a product material  200  into the loading space defined by the tag spring  110  and the shoe  105  adjacent the shoe bore  175 . The user may position the product tag  205  between the tag spring  110  and shoe spring  115  substantially aligned with the centerline  173  of the shoe bore  175  and the thimble  120 . Due to the close proximity of the tag spring  110  and the shoe spring  115 , as well as, in some embodiments, the spring force applied by the tag spring  110  to the shoe spring  115 , the product tag  205  may be secured therebetween without further support by the user. Further, due to the close proximity of the tag spring  110  and the shoe  105  adjacent the shoe bore  175 , the product material  200  may be substantially secured therebetween without further support by the user. 
     When the product tag  205  and the product material  200  are properly placed within the protective assembly  100 , the user may apply a force F to the thimble  120  via the thimble tip  130 . In some embodiments, the user may manually apply the force F (e.g., by pressing with one or both hands). Alternatively, the user may employ a separate object or surface to apply the force F to the thimble  120 . In any event, at least one or both of the thimble tip  130  and the thimble  120  may allow for a greater force F to be applied by the user to impale the product material  200  and the product tag  205  over the needle  15 . Thus, in some embodiments, product tag attachment may be achieved for thicker product material and/or product tags as compared to product tag attachment techniques lacking the protective assembly  100 . 
     In some embodiments, prior to applying the force F, the user may index the thimble  120  with the shoe bore  175  by, for example, rotating the thimble  120  such that the indexing notch  127  may be aligned with the indexing rib  129 . 
     As the force F is applied in sufficient magnitude, the thimble  120  is urged from its rest position through the shoe bore  175  and contacts the product material  200 . The thimble  120  continues to press the product material  200  against the tag spring  110  and transfer at least a portion of the force F to the tag spring  110  through the material  200 . The force F is thus transferred (in part or in whole) to the shoe spring  115  through the product tag  205 , causing the product material  200 , the tag spring  110 , the product tag  205 , and the shoe spring  115  to be urged in the same direction as the force F (left-to-right as illustrated in this example). The product tag  205  and product material  200  are thus impaled against the needle  15  (shown in  FIGS. 1-2 ), creating a hole therethrough, as the needle  15  traverses through the notches  170   a  and  170   b  of the shoe spring  115  and tag spring  110 , respectively, as well as the thimble  120 . 
     Once holes are created in the product tag  205  and the product material  200  by the needle  15 , the tag tool  12  may be operated to insert the nylon fastener through the holes, thereby securing the product tag  205  to the product material  200 . The force F may be removed from the thimble  120 , thereby allowing the thimble  120 , tag spring  110 , and shoe spring  115  to return to their respective rest positions. Such return may allow the needle  15  to disengage from the product material  200  and the product tag  205 , leaving the nylon fastener securing the material  200  and tag  205  together. The tagged product material  200  may then be removed from the protective assembly  100  such that the fastener is removed through the open notches  170   a  and  170   b  of the springs  115  and  110 . 
     In such fashion, the user may more efficiently and more safely secure the product tag  205  to the product material  200 . For instance, during this example operation, the user may keep a relatively safe distance away from the needle  15 . Further, the user may be able to perform this example operation single-handedly or substantially single-handedly. Those skilled in the art will appreciate other advantages of this example operation and will appreciate that the steps described in this example operation may be performed in sequences different to that described herein. In addition, those of skill in the art will appreciate that additional steps or less steps may be performed in this example operation or other example operations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. 
       FIGS. 5A-D  illustrate another embodiment of a needle container  500  of a product tagging system according to the present disclosure. The needle container  500 , as illustrated, is a tubular container that may contain one or more tag tool needles, such as a used tag tool needle  555  and a new tag tool needle  550 . In some embodiments, as illustrated, the needle container  500  may include no caps to enclose either one or both of the used and new tag tool needles  555  and  550 , respectively, within the container  500 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5A , the needle container  500  includes two needle enclosing portions  505  and  510 . In some embodiments, the portion  505  may be a new needle enclosing portion  505  and the portion  510  may be a used needle enclosing portion  510 . Each of needle enclosing portions  505  and  510  may enclose at least a portion of a tag tool needle, such as tag tool needles  550  and  555 . Each tag tool needle may include a sharpened end (illustrated by sharpened end  556  on the used tag tool needle  555 ) coupled to a base portion (illustrated by base portion  558  on used tag tool needle  555 ). Generally, the sharpened end  556  may create one or more holes in product and/or product tags (such as product  200  and tag  205 ) while the base portion  558  may couple to a tag tool to secure the needle  555  to the tag tool. In some embodiments, all or a portion of the needle container  500  may be clear or opaque, thereby allowing the user to view one or both of the tag tool needles  550  and  555  when enclosed therein. 
     In some embodiments, one or both of the enclosing portions  505  and  510  may include a compression-fit aperture, thereby securing at least a portion of a tag tool needle within the portion  505  or  510  without a cap or any human support. In some embodiments, one or both of the enclosing portions  505  and  510  may enclose a substantial portion of a tag tool needle. In some embodiments, one or both of the enclosing portions  505  and  510  may enclose a majority of a tag tool needle. In some embodiments, one or both of the enclosing portions  505  and  510  may enclose a minimal portion of a tag tool needle. In some embodiments, one or both of the enclosing portions  505  and  510  may enclose a sharpened portion of a tag tool needle. 
     Turning briefly to  FIG. 5C , an end view of one embodiment of the enclosing portions  505  and  510  including the compression-fit is illustrated. One or more spokes  560  may extend within an interior of the enclosing portions  505  and  510 , thereby creating a friction, or compression-fit, with a tag tool needle. For instance, in some embodiments, the spokes  560  may be sized such that a spoke radius measured from a centerline of the enclosing portions  505  and  510  may be slightly smaller than a diameter of a sharpened end of a tag tool needle. Thus, the spokes  560  may function to grab the sharp end of a tag tool needle as it is inserted into the enclosing portion  505  or  510 . Thus, the tag tool needle, such as needles  550  and  555 , may be secured within the enclosing portions  505  and  510 , respectively. In some embodiments, each spoke  560  may be approximately 30 degrees apart from adjacent spokes  560 . Alternatively, some embodiments of one or both of the enclosing portions  505  and  510  may include a different compression-fit (e.g., less or more spokes, no spokes, to name but a few). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5A , the needle container  500  may be shipped to a user or customer with the new tag tool needle  550  already installed in the enclosing portion  505 . In some embodiments, the base portion of the new tag tool needle  550  may extend from the container  500  with the sharpened end secured within the enclosing portion  505 . Thus, users and product may be protected from the sharpened end of the new tag tool needle  550 , decreasing the possibilities of unwanted user injury, disease transmission, and product damage. In some embodiments, the enclosing portion  505  may be sized to enclose substantially all of the sharpened end of the new tag tool needle  550  but not the base portion of the needle  550 . Alternatively, the enclosing portion  505  may be sized to enclose substantially all of the new tag tool needle  550 . In some embodiments, the enclosing portion  510  may be sized to enclose substantially all of the used tag tool needle  555 . For instance, the enclosing portion may enclose both the sharpened end  556  and base portion  558  of the needle  555 . Alternatively, the enclosing portion  510  may be sized to enclose substantially all of the sharpened end of the used tag tool needle  555  but not the base portion of the needle  558 . 
     The needle container  500  may also include a coupling portion  515  connecting the enclosing portions  505  and  510 . In one embodiment as illustrated in  FIG. 5D , the coupling portion  515  may be a solid t-shaped portion of the container, thereby separating the enclosing portions  505  and  510 . Alternatively, the needle container  500  may not include a coupling portion  515  or may include a coupling portion sized or shaped differently than coupling portion  515  as illustrated herein. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A-B , one example operation of the needle container  500  is described. The enclosing portion  510  may receive the used tag tool needle  555  from the tag tool (such as tag tool  12 ). For instance, the enclosing portion  510  may be urged over the used needle  555  as it is coupled to the tag tool. Once the enclosing portion  510  has been urged over the sharpened end  556  of the used needle  555  (and secured therein), the used tag tool needle  555  may be decoupled from the tag tool. Thus, in some embodiments, the used tag tool needle  555  may be removed from the tag tool without human contact of any portion of the used tag tool needle  555 . 
     In some instances, the user may desire for the whole used tag tool needle  555  to be enclosed in the needle container  500 , such as, for shipping purposes or to discard the used needle  555  in a protective fashion. The user may push the used tag tool needle  555  further into the enclosing portion  510  until the base portion  558  of the needle  555  is substantially flush with the opening of the enclosing portion  510 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5B . Alternatively, the used tag tool needle  555  may be inserted flush into the enclosing portion  510  without human contact of the needle  555 . For instance, the user may apply a force to the base portion  558  of the used needle  555  by pressing the base portion  558  extending from the enclosing portion  510  against a rigid or semi-rigid surface (e.g., furniture, a floor, a wall to name but a few) until the end of the base portion of the needle  555  is flush with the enclosing portion  510  (as illustrated in  FIG. 5B ). Alternatively, the user may apply a force to the base portion  558  of the used needle  555  by pressing the base portion  558  extending from the enclosing portion  510  against a rigid or semi-rigid surface until a part of the base portion of the needle  555  is within the enclosing portion  510 . 
     The operations of the needle container  500  may also include installing the new tag tool needle  550  into a tag tool (such as tag tool  12 ). Installing the new tag tool needle  550  may, in some embodiments, be accomplished without human contact with the new tag tool needle  550 . For instance, as previously described, the needle container  500  may include or be shipped with a new tag tool needle  550 . The new tag tool needle  550  may be included such that the sharpened end of the needle  550  is secured within the enclosing portion  505  as illustrated in  FIG. 5A . Alternatively, the needle  550  may be shipped separately but insertable within the enclosing portion  505 . With the sharpened end of the new tag tool needle  550  secured within the enclosing portion and the base portion of the needle  550  extending therefrom, the user may insert the base portion into the tag tool. Once the base portion is coupled to the tag tool, thereby securing the new tag tool needle  550  in the tag tool, the needle container  500  may be removed from the sharpened end of the new needle  550 . Thus, the new tag tool needle  550  may be installed in the tag tool without human contact of the new needle  550 , decreasing the chances, of injury, disease transmission, or product damage. 
     A number of implementations have been described, and several others have been mentioned or suggested. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that a variety of additions, deletions, alterations, and substitutions may be made to these implementations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the scope of protected subject matter should be judged based on the following claims, which may capture one or more aspects of one or more implementations.