# US 2016/0355309 A1 · Enhanced multipurpose twist tie and method of fabrication and operation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2016/0355309 A1 - Document ID: US20160355309A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/919,651 - Filed: 2015-10-21 - Published: 2016-12-08 - Earliest claimed: 2015-10-21 - Inventors: Kevin Clark - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20160355309A1 ## CPC - B21F 45/16: of devices for fastening or securing purposes - B65D 63/12: Joints produced by deformation or tying of ends of elements - B21F: WORKING OR PROCESSING OF METAL WIRE (rolling of metal wire B21B1/16; by drawing, auxiliary operations used in connection with metal-working without essentially removing material B21C) - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract An enhanced multipurpose twist tie is formed with two helically disposed wires encased in a sheath having a polygon shaped cross section, a longitudinal ridges, and detachable end caps. The wires are defined by a longitudinal length and a pair of wire termini. The wires intertwine in a helical configuration along the length of the sheath. The helical configuration compresses the wires together and also allows for a greater concentration of wire to be fit into the sheath. The sheath is defined by an outer face having a plurality of longitudinal ridges that extend along the length of the sheath to provide a grip for facilitated twisting and tying of the twist tie. An inner face has a polygon shaped cross section that restricts longitudinal and rotational slippage by the wires. The end caps detachably attach at sheath termini to form a smooth surface over wire termini. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A twist tie for enabling enhanced twisting and tying, the twist tie comprising: a pair of deformable wires, the pair of wires defined by a longitudinal axis and a pair of wire termini, the pair of wires disposed in a generally helical configuration; a sheath, the sheath configured to at least partially encase the pair of wires, the sheath defined by an outer face having a generally polygon shaped cross section, the polygon shaped cross section of the outer face of the sheath configured to help restrict longitudinal and rotational movement of items wrapped with the twist tie, the outer face having a plurality of longitudinal ridges, the plurality of longitudinal ridges configured to enable formation of a grip for enhanced manipulation of the twist tie, the sheath further defined by a pair of sheath termini, whereby the pair of wire termini at least partially protrude from the sheath termini; and a pair of cap ends, the pair of cap ends configured to attach to the pair of sheath termini, whereby the pair of wire termini are detachably covered. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The twist tie of claim 1, wherein the pair of wires are metal. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The twist tie of claim 1, wherein the pair of wires contact each other in the helical configuration. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The twist tie of claim 1, wherein the helical configuration of the pair of wires compresses the wires in the sheath. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The twist tie of claim 1, wherein the pair of wires are concentrically disposed in the sheath. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The twist tie of claim 1, wherein the sheath is a plastic, poly, paper, or metallic material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The twist tie of claim 1, wherein the outer face of the sheath has a generally cylindrical shape. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The twist tie of claim 1, wherein the polygon shaped cross section of the inner face of the sheath is an octagonal shape. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The twist tie of claim 1, wherein the pair of end caps are plastic and generally rounded. ### Claim 10 A twist tie for enabling enhanced twisting and tying, the twist tie comprising: a pair of wires, the pair of wires defined by a longitudinal axis and a pair of wire termini, the pair of wires disposed in a generally helical configuration; a sheath, the sheath configured to at least partially encase the pair of wires, the sheath defined by an inner face having a generally octagonal shaped cross section, the octagonal shaped cross section of the inner face of the sheath configured to help restrict longitudinal and rotational movement by the pair of wires, the sheath further defined by an outer face having a plurality of longitudinal depressions, the plurality of longitudinal depressions configured to enable formation of a grip for enhanced manipulation of the twist tie, the sheath further defined by a pair of sheath termini, whereby the pair of wire termini at least partially protrude from the sheath termini; and a pair of cap ends, the pair of cap ends configured to detachably attach to the pair of sheath termini, whereby the pair of wire termini are detachably covered. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The twist tie of claim 10, wherein the pair of wires are metal. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The twist tie of claim 10, wherein the pair of wires contact each other in the helical configuration. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The twist tie of claim 10, wherein the helical configuration of the pair of wires compresses the wires in the sheath. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The twist tie of claim 10, wherein the pair of wires are concentrically disposed in the sheath. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The twist tie of claim 10, wherein the sheath is a plastic, poly, paper, or metallic material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The twist tie of claim 10, wherein the outer face of the sheath has a generally cylindrical shape. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The twist tie of claim 10, wherein the pair of end caps are plastic and generally rounded. ### Claim 18 A method for fabricating and operating an enhanced multipurpose twist tie, the method comprising: intertwining a pair of wires in a generally helical configuration; encasing the helically configured wires within a sheath; restricting longitudinal and rotational slippage of the wires through an inner face having a polygon shaped cross section; gripping a plurality of longitudinal ridges or depressions on an outer face of the sheath for manipulating the twist tie; and attaching a pair of end caps to a pair of sheath termini to at least partially cover a pair of protruding wire termini. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the pair of wires contact each other in the helical configuration. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the helical configuration of the pair of wires compresses the wires in the sheath.