Method for coupling together a plurality of items and plastic fastener for use therewith

Abstract

A plastic fastener is rendered tacky so as to adhere to the items which it couples, thereby enhancing securement. The plastic fastener is constructed as an H-shaped staple that includes a pair of parallel cross-bars interconnected by a flexible filament. In one embodiment, the plastic fastener includes an inner plastic core constructed using at least one flexible plastic material and an adhesive-based outer coating constructed using at least one of a pressure-sensitive adhesive and a heat-activatable adhesive. In another embodiment, the plastic fastener is constructed using a mixture of at least one flexible plastic material and at least one adhesive material. In lieu of incorporating an adhesive material into the plastic fastener, a novel item coupling process achieves fastener tackiness by applying heat onto the plastic fastener either prior to, during, or after being dispensed into the desired items.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.