US 2011/0253579 A1 · PRODUCT AND PACKAGE FASTENING APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract

An apparatus for fastening a product to its package for shipment and display. The apparatus includes a key having a base, an inner pad and outer ring portions. The base includes two bridges supporting two pairs of living hinges, each of the pairs being connected to an outer ring portion. The outer ring portions are enabled to pivot between a position generally aligned with the inner pad and a position generally perpendicular to the inner pad so as to act as a handle to rotate the key. The inner pad supports a post and a pair of protrusions. Between the inner pad and the outer ring portions are openings for receiving a strip of stiff paper. After the key is inserted through the package and into the product, the key is rotated to cause an abutment of the protrusions with the product to fasten the product and package together. The strip is then inserted to prevent inadvertent rotation of the key. After purchase, a consumer may easily and quickly remove the strip, rotate the key and remove it from the product and the package to enable the product to be separated from the package, and the package and the key to be disposed. Multiple keys are used with multiple strips incorporated in a stiff paper panel. Each strip takes the form of a hole in the panel flanked by two strip tabs that connect to the key inserted through the hole of the strip. A reinforcing support may be placed between the panel and the package.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for fastening a product to packaging comprising:

the product;
a package defining at least one hole therein;
a rotatable key having a post and a protrusion thereon, wherein the post and protrusion are sized to pass through the at least one hole in the package and through an opening in the product when the post and protrusion are in a first position, and upon rotation of the key to another position the protrusion misaligns with the opening in the product to form an abutting relationship with the product;
a strip of material for engaging the rotatable key to prevent rotation of the rotatable key;
and
said rotatable key further comprising a base which defines at least one base opening of said rotatable key, wherein said strip of material removably engages said rotatable key through said at least one base opening to prevent rotation of said rotatable key.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Product and package fastening apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Product and package fastening apparatus and method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20