U.S. patent application number 11/894888 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-26 for multi-function drawstring.
Invention is credited to Tawei Tsao.
Application Number | 20090049668 11/894888 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40378405 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090049668 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tsao; Tawei |
February 26, 2009 |
Multi-function drawstring
Abstract
A multi-function drawstring that may be used on various
containers and for various purposes comprising a drawstring that is
slidably enclosed in a flexible cover which encloses substantially
the entire length of the drawstring. The flexible cover may have
perforations or openings at various positions to enable the
drawstring to be exposed and pulled. An adhesive means may be
applied to one or more sides of the flexible cover to enable the
multi-function drawstring to be affixed to various surfaces and at
various positions.
Inventors: |
Tsao; Tawei; (Diamond Bar,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOE NIEH
18760 E. AMAR ROAD #204
WALNUT
CA
91789
US
|
Family ID: |
40378405 |
Appl. No.: |
11/894888 |
Filed: |
August 21, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/712 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 63/10 20130101;
B65D 33/28 20130101; Y10T 24/37 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/712 |
International
Class: |
A43C 7/00 20060101
A43C007/00 |
Claims
1. A multi-function drawstring comprising: a flexible cover; and a
drawstring slidably enclosed in said flexible cover; wherein
perforations are formed on said flexible cover to enable the
opening of the flexible cover to expose said drawstring.
2. A multi-function drawstring as in claim 1, wherein said
perforations are lines perpendicular to an axis of said flexible
cover.
3. A multi-function drawstring as in claim 1, wherein said
perforations are semi-circles.
4. A multi-function drawstring as in claim 1, wherein said
perforations are circles.
5. A multi-function drawstring as in claim 1, wherein an adhesive
means is affixed to said flexible cover.
6. A multi-function drawstring as in claim 1, wherein an adhesive
means is affixed to said drawstring.
7. (canceled)
8. (canceled)
9. (canceled)
10. (canceled)
11. (canceled)
12. (canceled)
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a drawstring.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a drawstring
enclosed in a flexible cover.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Strings, ropes, and various tying implements have been used
to close bags and similar containers. Generally, the string or rope
is wrapped around the bag near the opening of the bag and tightened
to close the opening of the bag. The string or rope is separate
from the bag and may be misplaced. More conveniently, the string or
rope may be enclosed around the open edge of the bag so that it
remains with the bag and will not be misplaced. Generally, the open
edge of the bag is folded over and affixed to the bag to form a
channel around the open end of the bag. The string or rope is
placed inside the channel with a portion of the string or rope
exposed from the channel to enable it to be pulled tight and close
the open end of the bag thus forming a drawstring.
[0005] One common application of the drawstring is for trash bags.
Generally, a large plastic trash bag is formed with a channel
around its open end with a plastic cord placed in the channel. The
plastic cord is exposed at one or more locations around the channel
to enable it to be pulled to close the open end of the trash bag.
Initially, the open end of the trash bag is open with the plastic
cord relaxed within the channel around the open end of the trash
bag. When the trash bag is full and ready to be removed for
disposal, the plastic cord is pulled through one or more of the
openings in the channel to tighten and close the open end of the
trash bag. A knot may also be tied on the plastic cord to prevent
it from relaxing and to prevent the end of the trash bag from
reopening.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is a multi-function drawstring that
may be used on various containers and for various purposes. The
drawstring is slidably enclosed in a flexible cover that encloses
substantially the entire length of the drawstring. The flexible
cover may have perforations or openings at various positions to
enable the drawstring to be exposed and pulled. An adhesive means
may be applied to one or more sides of the flexible cover to enable
the multi-function drawstring to be affixed to various surfaces and
at various positions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the multi-function
drawstring.
[0008] FIG. 2 shows the multi-function drawstring with the
drawstring being pulled during application.
[0009] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the preferred embodiment of the
multi-function drawstring.
[0010] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the multi-function
drawstring with perforated flaps.
[0011] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the multi-function
drawstring with perforated holes.
[0012] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the multi-function
drawstring with perforated sections and cut-outs.
[0013] FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the multi-function
drawstring with adhesive applied to perforated flaps.
[0014] FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the multi-function
drawstring with adhesive applied around perforated holes.
[0015] FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the multi-function
drawstring with adhesive applied to one side.
[0016] FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the multi-function
drawstring with drawstring weaving through the cover and with
adhesive applied on the cover.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] The following description and figures are meant to be
illustrative only and not limiting. Other embodiments of this
invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in
view of this description.
[0018] The present invention is a multi-function drawstring that
may be used on various containers and for various purposes. FIGS. 1
and 3 show the preferred embodiment of the multi-function
drawstring. In the preferred embodiment, the drawstring 1 is
slidably enclosed in a flexible cover 2 that encloses substantially
the entire length of the drawstring 1. The drawstring 1 is
preferably made of plastic but may also be made of other materials,
such as metallic wire, cotton, or leather. As the drawstring 1 is
pulled outward, the flexible cover 2 may be forced to collapse upon
itself and contract to a shorter length as shown in FIG. 2.
Optionally, an adhesive means may be affixed to the drawstring 1 to
enable the drawstring 1 to be affixed to the flexible cover 2 after
it is pulled away from the flexible cover 2 or a surface. The
adhesive means may be an adhesive such as glue or a adhesive
surface covered with a removable backing that can be removed to
expose the adhesive surface or the adhesive means may be a
hook-and-loop type of attachment.
[0019] The flexible cover 2 is preferably made of plastic but may
also be made of other materials, such as paper, cotton, or leather.
The flexible cover 2 may be fabricated by affixing together the two
longitudinal edges along an elongated strip of material to form a
tubular form. The flexible cover 2 may have openings 4 or
perforations 5 perpendicular to its length at various positions to
enable the drawstring 1 to be exposed and pulled outward at any
desired locations. The openings 4 may further be covered with a
removable seal to enclose the drawstring 1 in the flexible cover
2.
[0020] An adhesive means 3 may further be applied to one or more
sides of the flexible cover 2 to enable the multi-function
drawstring to be affixed to various surfaces and at various
positions. The adhesive means 3 may be an adhesive such as glue or
the adhesive means may be a hook-and-loop type of attachment. The
adhesive means 3 enables the multi-function drawstring to be
affixed to any desirable surface in any orientation and position.
This multi-function function drawstring may be affixed to the open
end of any bag to enable the bag to have a convenient closing means
to quickly and easily close and reopen the open end of the bag.
[0021] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the multi-function
drawstring. In this embodiment, the perforations in the flexible
cover 2 are not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis but rather
are in the form of semi-circles. The semi-circle flap 6 may be
opened by peeling the flexible cover 2 open at the perforation to
expose the enclosed drawstring 1. Once exposed, the drawstring 1
may be pulled to contract the flexible cover 2.
[0022] FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the multi-function
drawstring. In this embodiment, the perforations in the flexible
cover 2 are in the form of circles. The circular flap 7 may be
opened and removed by peeling the flexible cover 2 open at the
perforation to expose the enclosed drawstring 1. Once exposed, the
drawstring 1 may be pulled to contract the flexible cover 2.
[0023] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the multi-function
drawstring. In this embodiment, in addition to the perpendicular
perforations 5 in the flexible cover 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3,
circular openings 4 are formed in the flexible cover 2. The
flexible cover 2 may be opened by opening the flexible cover 2 at
the perforation 5 to expose the enclosed drawstring 1. Once
exposed, the drawstring 1 may be pulled to contract the flexible
cover 2. Alternatively, the enclosed drawstring 1 may be pulled
from the existing circular openings 4.
[0024] FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the multi-function
drawstring. In this embodiment, the perforations in the flexible
cover are in the form of semi-circles. Adhesive means 8 are affixed
to the semi-circle flaps 6. The multi-function drawstring may be
affixed to a surface at the semi-circles 6, and when it is removed
from the surface, the semi-circle flaps 6 will be pulled away from
the multi-function drawstring thereby exposing the enclosed
drawstring 1. Once exposed, the drawstring 1 may be pulled to
contract the flexible cover 2.
[0025] FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of the multi-function
drawstring. In this embodiment, one or more circular openings 4 are
formed on the flexible cover 2. An adhesive means 9 is applied to a
surface of the flexible cover 2 opposite the circular openings 4 to
enable it to be attached to a surface. The drawstring 1 may be
pulled to contract the flexible cover 2 and the surface that it is
attached to.
[0026] FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the multi-function
drawstring. In this embodiment, an adhesive means 9 is applied to a
surface of the flexible cover 2 that encloses the drawstring 1 to
enable the multi-function drawstring to be attached to a surface.
The multi-function drawstring may be cut to any desired length to
be attached to a surface. The drawstring 1 may be pulled from both
ends of the flexible cover 2 to contract the flexible cover 2 and
the surface that it is attached to.
[0027] FIG. 10 shows another embodiment of the multi-function
drawstring. In this embodiment, an adhesive means 9 is applied to a
surface of the flexible cover 2 that encloses the drawstring 1 to
enable the multi-function drawstring to be attached to a surface.
Multiple elongated slots 10 are formed on the flexible cover 2
opposite the side the adhesive means 9 is applied to exposing the
enclosed drawstring 1. The multi-function drawstring may be cut to
any desired length to be attached to a surface. The drawstring 1
may be pulled from the flexible cover 2 to contract the flexible
cover 2 and the surface that it is attached to.
[0028] Although the invention has been described in terms of
particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in
the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional
embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of
or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is
to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are
proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the
invention and should not be construed to limit the scope
thereof.
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