U.S. patent application number 16/159605 was filed with the patent office on 2020-02-13 for carrier for the storage, distribution and re-use of a plurality of hook and loop fasteners.
The applicant listed for this patent is Chris Karnowski, Steve Pope. Invention is credited to Chris Karnowski, Steve Pope.
Application Number | 20200046086 16/159605 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 69405224 |
Filed Date | 2020-02-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20200046086 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pope; Steve ; et
al. |
February 13, 2020 |
CARRIER FOR THE STORAGE, DISTRIBUTION AND RE-USE OF A PLURALITY OF
HOOK AND LOOP FASTENERS
Abstract
This invention relates generally to carriers for carrying a
plurality of hook and loop fasteners. More specifically, the
invention relates to carriers for carrying a plurality of hook and
loop fasteners that define hooks on at least a portion of one side
of the fastener and loops on at least a portion of the other.
Inventors: |
Pope; Steve; (Wilmette,
IL) ; Karnowski; Chris; (Racine, WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Pope; Steve
Karnowski; Chris |
Wilmette
Racine |
IL
WI |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
69405224 |
Appl. No.: |
16/159605 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62571544 |
Oct 12, 2017 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 83/0894 20130101;
B65D 25/10 20130101; B65D 85/62 20130101; B65D 85/67 20130101; A44B
18/0088 20130101; B65D 2313/02 20130101; B65D 71/0003 20130101;
A44B 18/0084 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A44B 18/00 20060101
A44B018/00; B65D 71/52 20060101 B65D071/52; B65D 83/08 20060101
B65D083/08; B65D 85/67 20060101 B65D085/67 |
Claims
1. A carrier for carrying a plurality hook and loop fasteners that
define hooks on at least a portion of one side of the fastener and
loops on at least a portion of the other, the carrier comprising: a
holding member defining at least one receiver having a bottom
adhering surface configured for operable engagement with a first
hook and loop fastener of the plurality.
2. The carrier of claim 1 wherein the receiver further comprises at
least one aligning surface configured to align an outer edge of the
fasteners of the plurality with one another.
3. The carrier of claim 2 wherein the at least one aligning surface
of the receiver and the outer edge of the fasteners of the
plurality are about spoon-shaped.
4. The carrier of claim 3 wherein the aligning surface defines at
least one opening for exposing at least one end of the plurality of
hook and loop fasteners.
5. The carrier of claim 4 wherein the at least one opening is about
co-terminus with the least one end of the plurality of hook and
loop fasteners.
6. The carrier of claim 4 wherein the at least one opening falls
beyond the at least one end of the plurality of hook and loop
fasteners.
7. The carrier of claim 4 wherein the at least one opening falls
short of the at least one end of the plurality of hook and loop
fasteners.
8. The carrier of claim 2 wherein the at least one aligning surface
comprises opposing first and second opposing side surfaces defining
opposing open ends of the receiver and configured to align a pair
of opposing elongated outer edges of the plurality of hook and loop
fasteners, the plurality of hook and loop fasteners about
rectangular-shaped.
9. The carrier of claim 8 wherein the opposing open ends are about
respectively co-terminus a pair of opposing ends defined by the
plurality of hook and loop fasteners.
10. The carrier of claim 8 wherein the opposing open ends
respectively fall beyond a pair of opposing ends defined by the
plurality of hook and loop fasteners.
11. The carrier of claim 8 wherein the opposing open ends
respectively fall short of a pair of opposing ends defined by the
plurality of hook and loop fasteners.
12. The carrier of claim 8 wherein one of the open ends is closed
ley an end surface of the at least one aligning surface to define a
remaining open end and the plurality of hook and loop fasteners
defines a pair of opposing ends, the end surface configured to
align a first end of the pair of opposing ends.
13. The carrier of claim 12 wherein the remaining open end is about
co-terminus with a second end of the pair of opposing ends.
14. The carrier of claim 12 wherein the remaining open end falls
beyond a second end of the pair of opposing ends.
15. The carrier of claim 12 wherein the remaining open end falls
short of a second end of the pair of opposing ends.
16. The carrier of claim 1 wherein the bottom adhering surface
defines a rectangle having opposing ends.
17. The carrier of claim 16 wherein at least one end of the bottom
adhering surface is about co-terminus with at least one end of the
plurality of hook and loop fasteners.
18. The carrier of claim 16 wherein at least one end of the bottom
adhering surface falls beyond at least one end of the plurality of
hook and loop fasteners.
19. The carrier of claim 16 wherein at least one end of the bottom
adhering surface falls short of at least one end of the plurality
of hook and loop fasteners.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 62/571,544 filed on Oct. 12, 2017.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to carriers for carrying a
plurality of hook and loop fasteners. More specifically, the
invention relates to carriers for carrying a plurality of hook and
loop fasteners that define hooks on at least a portion of one side
of the fastener and loops on at least a portion of the other.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A hook and loop fastener or strap, comprises a strip of
fabric material having tiny hooks defined on one side of the
fastener and smaller loops defined on the other side. When the
fastener is looped around onto itself such that the ends of the
fastener overlap one another, the overlapping ends, when pressed
together, will removably bind to one another due to the tiny hooks
"hooking" or catching the smaller loops. Of course, because the
binding nature of the hooks to the loops is removable, the bound
overlapping ends can be "pulled apart" and again separated from one
another for repeated use. The fastener, due to its geometry of
binding to itself as a loop, is thus commonly used to bind bundles
of materials together, such as ropes, wires, cables and other
similar materials.
[0004] Because of its ease of use, hook and loop fasteners are used
in a wide variety of applications where a temporary fastening of
such bundles is required. Such applications often include assembly
line work involving cable or wire harnessing operations (i.e., the
cable or wire harnessing work stations of an auto assembly plant).
However, complications arise in the handling of the fasteners
themselves due to the fact that they are only temporarily applied
to a wire or cable bundle during harnessing operations and
thereafter removed there-from for re-use. The same hooks and loops
of the fastener that allow for the ease of bundling or harnessing
of materials often cause the fastener to tangle onto itself and/or
other fasteners during its storage and re-use, thus resulting in
wasted time and effort spent untangling the fasteners.
[0005] Thus, what is needed is a carrier for carrying or holding a
plurality of hook and loop fasteners. The carrier should allow for
both the ready and organized placement of hook and loop fasteners
thereon and for the immediate and ready availability of removing
the fasteners there-from. When holding the fasteners, the carrier
should prevent the fasteners from becoming disorganized and/or
tangled with one another. The carrier should include a standard
interface that allows it to be stacked vertically with other
carriers. The carrier should also have an overall "flat" design
such that it can be easily bagged or boxed for its storage and/or
shipment. The carrier should further include attachment means to
allow it to be attached to another object or hung or mounted onto a
wall. The present invention satisfies the foregoing needs and
desires.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] This invention relates generally to carriers for carrying a
plurality of hook and loop fasteners. More specifically, the
invention relates to carriers for carrying a plurality of hook and
loop fasteners that define hooks on at least a portion of one side
of the fastener and loops on at least a portion of the other.
[0007] In one embodiment, the carrier comprises a holding member
defining at least one receiver having a bottom adhering surface
configured for operable engagement with a first hook and loop
fastener of the plurality. In other embodiments, the receiver
further comprises at least one aligning surface configured to align
an outer edge of the fasteners of the plurality with one another.
The at least one aligning surface of the receiver is about spoon or
rectangular shaped for aligning the outer edges of a plurality of
hook and loop fasteners of respectively similar shape. The aligning
surface defines at least one opening for exposing least one end of
the plurality of hook and loop fasteners, with the at least one
opening is about co-terminus with the at least one end of the
plurality of hook and loop fasteners, falling beyond the at least
one end of the plurality of hook and loop fasteners, or falling
short of the at least one end of the plurality of hook and loop
fasteners.
[0008] In another embodiment, the bottom adhering surface defines a
rectangle having opposing ends and is configured for engagement
with either spoon or rectangular shaped fasteners. At least one end
of the bottom adhering surface is about co-terminus with at least
one end of the plurality of hook and loop fasteners, falls beyond
at least one end of the plurality of hook and loop fasteners or
falls short of at least one end of the plurality of hook and loop
fasteners.
[0009] Yet other embodiments of the carrier are configured for
operable engagement with hook and loop fasteners defining tabs
and/or labels.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a stack of "spoon"
shaped hook and loop fasteners;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a stack of
rectangular hook and loop fasteners;
[0012] FIG. 3A is a an exploded perspective view of a stack of
rectangular hook and loop fasteners having a different hook and
loop configuration from that of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 3B is an exploded side elevation view of the stack of
rectangular hook and loop fasteners of FIG. 3A;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a carrier for carrying the
hook and loop fasteners of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a carrier for carrying the
hook and loop fasteners of FIGS. 2 and 3;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of a
carrier for carrying the hook and loop fasteners of FIGS. 1-3;
[0017] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a stack of "spoon"
shaped hook and loop fasteners of FIG. 1 having optional tabs;
[0018] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a stack of
rectangular hook and loop fasteners of FIG. 2 having optional tabs;
and
[0019] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a stack of
rectangular hook and loop fasteners of FIG. 3 having optional
tabs.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0020] This invention relates generally to carriers for carrying a
plurality f hook and loop fasteners. More specifically, the
invention relates to carriers for carrying a plurality of hook and
loop fasteners 5 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3) that define hooks 15 on at
least a portion 17 of one side 20 of the fastener and loops 25 on
at least a portion of the other 30.
[0021] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate fasteners 5, having about elongated
"spoon" and rectangular shapes, respectively, each fastener having
hook and loop material portions 17 extending along the entire
length of their respective opposite sides 20 and 30. The plurality
of fasteners 5 are stacked one-on-top-of-another such that the
hooks 15 and loops 25 of their respective sides 20 and 30 are
operably engaged with one another to form a stack 32. In contrast,
FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate rectangular shaped fasteners 5 having
hook and loop material portions 17 extending only partially along
the lengths of their respective opposite sides 20 and 30, and in
apposition with one another. The portions 17 of the sides of the
fastener opposite of the hook or loop material portions 17 have no
hooks or loops thereon. The plurality of fasteners 5 are thus
stacked one-on-top-of-another in alternating positions(i.e., each
fastener rotated 180 degrees in relation to another fastener) such
that the hook and loop portions of their respective sides 20 and 30
are operably engaged with one another, again to form the stack 32.
Due to those portions 17 of the fasteners 5 not having hooks or
loops thereon, the stack defines and "alternating fan-fold"
configuration. While spoon-shaped and rectangular shaped fasteners
are used by example, herein, it is understood that various shapes
of fastener are available that may be used as part of or with this
invention, to include fasteners having circular, ovular, square,
triangular and numerous other shapes and combinations thereof.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 4, the carrier 35 comprises a holding
member 40 defining at least one receiver 45. The at least one
receiver 45 comprises a bottom adhering surface 50 and at least one
aligning surface 55. The bottom adhering surface 50 is configured
for operable engagement with a first hook and loop fastener 60 of
the plurality 5 (FIG. 1) while the at least one aligning surface 55
is configured to align an outer edge 61 of each fastener of the
plurality with one another. However, it is understood that the
receiver 45 may comprise only the bottom surface 50 without the any
aligning surface whatsoever (to be further discussed).
[0023] In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the bottom adhering surface 50
of the receiver 45 is spoon-shaped and defines at least one hook or
loop surface segment 62 configured for operable engagement with the
respective hooks 15 or loops 25 of the first fastener 60 of FIG. 1.
The hook or loop surface segment 62 of this embodiment covers the
entire area of and is unitary with the bottom adhering surface 50
of the receiver 45. However, it is understood that the at least one
segment could only partially cover a portion of the area as well.
The bottom adhering surface of this embodiment is thus comprised of
a material (to be further discussed) having the hooks or loops
unitary with or molded into the receiver's bottom surface to create
the hook or loop surface. In other embodiments, the bottom adhering
surface is preferably smooth and has a layer of hook or loop
material attached to at least one segment thereof, via glue or
adhesive, to create the hook or loop surface. Yet other embodiments
have the layer of hook or loop material attached to at least one
segment of the bottom adhering surface with mechanical fasteners
such as screws, nut and bolt combinations, rivets or other
fasteners known to one of skill in the art, to create the hook or
loop surface.
[0024] The at least one aligning surface 55 of FIG. 4 is about
spoon-shaped to align the plurality of hook and loop fasteners 5
having an outer edge 61 also defining an approximate, elongated
spoon (FIG. 1). Although the aligning surface 55 of FIG. 4 is
illustrated defining angular corners, it is understood that the
aligning surface can define curved corners as well. The plurality
of fasteners 5 are stacked one-on-top-of-another within the
aligning surface 55 and have the hooks and loops of their
respective sides 20 and 30 operably engaged with one another, each
having an outer edge about aligned with the aligning surface. The
at least one hook or loop portion of the bottom surface of the
first fastener of the plurality is operably engaged with the hook
or loop surface of the receiver. The at least one aligning surface
preferably defines at least one opening 65 such that at least one
end 67 of the plurality of fasteners stacked therein are preferably
exposed. The end 67 can be about co-terminus with the opening, fall
beyond the opening, or fall short of the opening. It is understood,
however, that the at least one opening can be defined anywhere
along the aligning surface. Regardless, one seeking to use one or
more fasteners of the plurality can thus grasp the fasteners' outer
ends through the opening to peel and remove one or more of the
fasteners from the stack.
[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of carrier 35. The
carrier 35 again comprises a holding member 40 defining at least
one receiver 45. Although the at least one receiver 45 of this
embodiment again has a bottom adhering surface 50, the at least one
aligning surface 55 preferably comprises opposing first and second
elongated side surfaces 70 and 75. The bottom adhering surface 50
is again configured for operable engagement with a first hook and
loop fastener 60 of the plurality 5 while the first and second
elongated side surfaces 70 and 75 are configured to align opposing
elongated outer edges 85 and 90 of a plurality of elongated
rectangular fasteners (FIGS. 2 and 3) with one another. In the
embodiment of FIG. 5, the bottom adhering surface 50 of the
receiver 45 is preferably of an elongated rectangular shape and
defines at least one hook or loop surface segment 62 configured for
operable engagement with the respective hooks 15 or loops 25 of the
first fastener 60.
[0026] In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the hook or loop surface
segment 62 covers the entire area of and is unitary with the bottom
adhering surface 50 of the receiver 45. However, it is understood
that the at least one segment could only partially cover a portion
of the area as well. The receiver of this embodiment defines an
adhering bottom surface that is preferably smooth and has a layer
of hook or loop material attached to at least one segment thereof,
via glue or adhesive, to create the hook or loop surface. Other
embodiments have the layer of hook or loop material attached to the
at least one segment of the bottom adhering surface with mechanical
fasteners such as screws, nut and bolt combinations, rivets or
other fasteners known to one of skill in the art, to create the
hook or loop surface. In yet other embodiments, the bottom adhering
surface is comprised of a material (to be further discussed) having
the hooks or loops unitary with or molded into the receiver's
bottom surface to create the hook or loop surface.
[0027] The opposing side surfaces 70 and 75 of FIG. 5 thus
preferably define a channel 80 to align the plurality of hook and
loop fasteners 5 defining the opposing, elongated outer edges 85
and 90 of a rectangle. The plurality of fasteners 5 of FIG. 2 are
stacked one-on-top-of-another within the channel 80 and have the
hooks and loops of their respective sides 20 and 30 operably
engaged with one another while the plurality of fasteners 5 of FIG.
3 are stacked one-on-top-of-another in alternating positions (i.e.,
each fastener rotated 180 degrees in relation to another fastener)
such that the hooks and loops portions of their respective sides 20
and 30 are operably engaged with one another. The elongated outer
edges of each fastener of FIG. and 3 are about aligned with the
receiver's side alignment surfaces. Nonetheless, the bottom hook or
loop surface of the first fastener of the plurality is operably
engaged with the hook or loop surface of the receiver.
[0028] In one embodiment, the channel is "open-ended" such that
that the opposing ends 67 and 68 of the plurality of rectangular
fasteners stacked therein are exposed via a pair of openings. The
ends 67 and 68 can be about co-terminus with the openings, fall
beyond the openings, or fall short of the openings. One seeking to
use one or more fasteners of the plurality can thus grasp one or
both of the fasteners' outer ends through the openings to peel and
remove the fasteners) from the stack. In another embodiment, as
illustrated in FIG. 5, one end of the channel is "closed" by an end
surface 110 of the at least one aligning surface 55 such that only
one of the opposing ends of the plurality of fasteners stacked
therein is exposed. The end surface is thus configured to align the
other opposing end of the plurality. It is understood however, that
either end of the fastener may be aligned by end surface 110 as
well. With one end of the fastener located at the end surface, the
other end is exposed at opening 65. Again, the end can be about
co-terminus with the opening, fall beyond the opening, or fall
short of the opening. In yet other embodiments, the end surface 110
and/or first and/or second opposing side surfaces 70 and 75 may
have the at least one surface opening 65 defined therein to provide
multiple access points to the stacked plurality of fasteners 5.
[0029] FIG. 6 illustrates yet another embodiment of the carrier 35.
The carrier 35 again comprises a holding member 40. The at least
one receiver 45 of this embodiment is defined by at least one
adhering surface 50 of the carrier, with the at least one aligning
surface 55 being absent. The bottom adhering surface 50 is again
configured for operable engagement with a first hook and loop
fastener 60 of the plurality 5 (FIGS. 1-3) In the embodiment of
FIG. 6, the bottom adhering surface 50 of the receiver 45 is
preferably of an elongated rectangular shape and defines at least
one hook or loop surface segment 62 configured for operable
engagement with the respective hooks 15 or loops 25 of the first
fastener 60.
[0030] In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the hook or loop surface
segment 62 covers the entire area of and is unitary with the bottom
adhering surface 50. However, it is understood that the at least
one segment could only partially cover a portion of the area as
well. The bottom adhering surface is again preferably smooth and
has a layer of hook or loop material attached to at least one
segment thereof, via glue or adhesive, to create the hook or loop
surface. Other embodiments have the layer of hook or loop material
attached to the at least one segment of the bottom adhering surface
with mechanical fasteners such as screws, nut and bolt
combinations, rivets or other fasteners known to one of skill in
the art, to create the hook or loop surface. In yet other
embodiments, the bottom adhering surface is comprised of a material
(to be further discussed) having the hooks or loops unitary with or
molded into the carrier itself to create the hook or loop
surface.
[0031] Although the aligning surface is absent, the plurality of
fasteners 5 of FIG. 2 are nonetheless stacked one-on-top-of-another
on the bottom adhering surface 50 defining the receiver 45 and have
the hooks and loops of their respective sides 20 and 30 operably
engaged with one another, while the plurality of fasteners 5 of
FIG. 3 are stacked one-on-top-of-another in alternating positions
(i.e., each fastener rotated 180 degrees in relation to another
fastener) such that the hooks and loops portions of their
respective sides 20 and 30 are operably engaged with one another.
The elongated outer edges of each fastener of FIGS. 1-3 are about
aligned with the bottom adhering surface 50 and one another.
Nonetheless, the bottom hook or loop surface of the first fastener
of the plurality is operably engaged with the hook or loop surface
of the bottom adhering surface.
[0032] Because the at least one receiver of FIG. 6 does not define
a channel, the opposing ends 67 and 68 of the plurality of
fasteners stacked thereon are exposed. At least one end of the
plurality of hook and loop fasteners can be about co-terminus with
at least one end of the bottom adhering surface, fall beyond at
least one end of the surface, or fall short of at least one end of
the surface. One seeking to use one or more fasteners of the
plurality can thus grasp one or both of the fasteners' outer ends
through the openings to peel and remove the fastener(s) from the
stack. Also, because there is no channel, multiple access points to
the stacked plurality of fasteners 5 are inherently provided.
[0033] Regardless of embodiment, the holding member 40 is
preferably sheet-form in structure and comprised of rigid or
semi-rigid materials to include rubbers, plastics, metals, woods,
carbon-fiber or fiberglass materials or any other material
understood in the art as providing rigid or semi-rigid properties.
However, it is understood that the holding member 40 can have other
shape as well, to include shapes embodying cylinders, blocks, or
spheres and other shapes as well, alone or in combination. The
holding member optionally defines at least one mounting means 112
to facilitate mounting or attaching the carrier to another object.
In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the at least one mounting means
comprises a through penetration of the holding member to facilitate
the use of common mechanical fasteners understood in the art.
However, in other embodiments, the mounting means may comprise
adhesive or magnetic surfaces, hooks, brackets or other similar
materials understood in the art attached to, embedded in or unitary
with the holding member. It is noted that the carrier is optionally
stackable, one-on-top-of-another, to facilitate its improved use
and storage. As such, the lower surface of the mounting member may
include one or more voids or protrusions for stacking engagement
with the at least one receiver 45 located on the member's upper
surface of other similar carriers. In the alternative, the lower
surface may define at least one receiver as well (as per its upper
surface).
[0034] Also, the receivers 45 of the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5
are comprised of rigid or semi-rigid materials to include as
rubbers, plastics, metals, woods, carbon-fiber or fiberglass
materials or any other material understood in the art as providing
rigid or semi-rigid properties. In one embodiment, the receivers 45
are unitary with or embedded in the holding member 40 while in
other embodiments the receivers comprise separate structures
removably or permanently attached thereto via adhesives or glues,
welds, or mechanical fasteners such as screws, nut and bolt
combinations, rivets or other fasteners known to one of skill in
the art. A removable attachment of the at least one receiver to the
holding member facilitates its selective use in relation to the
carrier. Furthermore, although FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate receivers
that have a substantially parallel orientation with one another, it
is understood that the receiver can have any such orientation in
relation to one another, to include, without limitation, oblique,
radial, end-to-end, and other relations, alone or in
combination.
[0035] Depending upon the materials used, the at least one receiver
45 and holding member 40 may be comprised of a common material or
each may be comprised of a different material. A commonality of
materials typically exists when the at least one receiver and
holding member are unitary with one another and created with a
molding and/or machining or similar process. Differences in
material between the at least one receiver and holding member
typically exist when the components are initially independent of
one another but attached during an assembly process as discussed
above. However, it is understood that these assembled components
may be nonetheless comprised of a common material. Depending upon
the material composition of the holding member or at least one
receiver, either or both components may be readily disposable when
no longer used.
[0036] FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 respectively illustrate alternate
embodiments of the fasteners of FIGS. 1-3. In these embodiments, at
least one end of the fasteners defines a tab 115 for aid in
removing a fastener from the stack. In the embodiment illustrated
within the figures, the tab comprises fastener material that is
folded over and welded, sewn or glued to itself. Preferably, the
outer surface is loop material folded over such that it will not
engage (i.e., not stick to) the outer surface of loop material the
tab of the fastener stacked below it. However, it is understood
that the hook material may be folded over as well. For the carrier
embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, the tabs can be about co-terminus
with the opening 65 of the receiver, fall beyond the opening, or
fall short of the opening. For the carrier embodiment of FIG. 6,
the tabs can be about co-terminus with the adhering surface 50 of
the receiver, fall beyond the surface, or fall short of the
surface.
[0037] In other embodiments of the fastener 5, the tab comprises
material unitary with the fastener and missing hook and/or loop
material from one or both of the fastener's upper and lower
surfaces such that the tab surfaces of the fasteners cannot engage
one another. In further embodiments, the tab comprises labeling
material, missing hook and/or loop material from one or both if its
upper and lower surfaces, welded, sewn or glued to the at least one
end such that the tab surfaces of the fasteners cannot engage one
another. The labeling material may comprise durable textile
materials, plastic or rubber sheet-form materials, or other
materials understood in the art as suitable for durable tagging or
labeling purposes.
[0038] In use, at least a first hook and loop fastener of the
plurality is received within at least one receiver of a carrier.
Each fastener of the plurality defines hooks on at least a portion
of one side of the fastener and loops on at least a portion of the
other. The first hook and loop fastener operably engages a bottom
surface of the receiver while an outer edge of the first hook and
loop fastener about aligns with at least one aligning surface of
the receiver. The remaining hook and loop fasteners operably engage
one another to form the plurality, each having an outer edge about
aligned with the alignment surface.
[0039] The at least first hook and loop fastener and the remaining
fasteners of the stack may be received within a receiver at, their
place of manufacture (for later retail or commercial sales
distribution) or at their place of use (i.e., at home by a retail
user of fasteners or at a work station by a commercial or
industrial user). If the first hook and loop fastener of the
plurality is received within the receiver at their place of use, it
is assumed that the user possesses the carrier and fasteners
separately for self assembly (i.e., for placing the fasteners
within the receiver).
[0040] After at least the first fastener is received within the
receiver of the carrier, it and/or one or more of the remaining
fasteners of the plurality, if present, may again be removed
therefrom for fastening applications. Such a removal occurs by
grasping an end of the fastener made accessible through an open
channel end or through a surface opening of a side or end surface
of the receiver and peeling and removing the fastener from another
fastener of the plurality within the receiver, or from the bottom
surface of the receiver itself (i.e., if the fastener being removed
is the first fastener of the plurality). If the fasteners have
tabs, the user grasps the tabs for fastener removal. After the
completion of the fastening application, the fastener optionally
again placed into the received of the carrier for re-use. If the
carrier is not to be used again after all of the fasteners have
been removed from its one or more receivers, the fastener may
optionally be disposed of in the trash.
[0041] While this foregoing description and accompanying figures
are illustrative of the present invention, other variations in
structure and method are possible without departing from the
invention's spirit and scope.
* * * * *