# US 2019/0172375 A1 · Merchandise marking tag

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- Number: US 2019/0172375 A1
- Document ID: US20190172375A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/269,976
- Filed: 2019-02-07
- Published: 2019-06-06
- Earliest claimed: 2017-06-30
- Assignees: Bedford Industries, Inc.
- Applicants: Bedford Industries, Inc.
- Inventors: Curtis J. Heinrichs
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190172375A1

## CPC

- G09F 3/14: by strings, straps, chains, or wires
- G09F 3/02: Forms or constructions (layered products B32B)
- G09F 3/206: {specially adapted for marking or identifying plants}
- G09F: DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS

## Abstract

A marking tag is configured to attach to a product via a band. The tag includes a body formed of a sheet material and configured with an interior area defined by a perimeter cut. An interior cut is disposed in the interior area, the interior cut defining a triangular portion. The interior cut is configured to guide the band past the triangular portion. The interior area does not have any sheet material removed therefrom. In another aspect, a method of attaching a marking tag to a product via a band is described. The method includes obtaining the marking tag, guiding the band along the interior cut past the triangular portion of the marking tag, and retaining the tag relative to the product via frictional engagement of the band and the tag along the interior cut.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A marking tag configured to attach to a product via a band, the tag including:
a body formed of a sheet material and configured with an interior area defined by a perimeter cut; and
an interior cut disposed in the interior area, wherein:
the interior cut defines a triangular portion;
the interior cut is not continuous with the perimeter cut; and
the interior cut is configured to guide the band past the triangular portion;
wherein the interior area does not have any sheet material removed therefrom.

### Claim 2

(canceled)

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The tag of claim 1, wherein the interior cut is configured as a continuous curvilinear line.

### Claim 4

(canceled)

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The tag of claim 1, wherein the triangular portion is connected to an end portion of the body by a bridge area.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The tag of claim 1, wherein the interior cut includes a feature past the triangular portion that is configured to retain the band past the triangular portion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The tag of claim 6, wherein the feature is a round portion of the interior cut.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The tag of claim 1, wherein the feature is a wing portion of the interior cut.

### Claim 9

A method of attaching a marking tag to a product via a band, the method including:
obtaining the marking tag, wherein the marking tag includes:
a body formed of a sheet material and configured with an interior area defined by a perimeter cut; and
an interior cut disposed in the interior area, wherein the interior cut defines a triangular portion and wherein the interior cut is not continuous with the perimeter cut;
wherein the interior area does not have any sheet material removed therefrom;
guiding the band along the interior cut past the triangular portion of the marking tag; and
retaining the tag relative to the product via frictional engagement of the band and the tag along the interior cut.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further including attaching the band to the product.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein attaching the band to the product includes bundling a plurality of elements of the product.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, further including stretching the band.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein guiding the band along the interior cut includes guiding the band along a continuous curvilinear line.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein guiding the band along the interior cut includes guiding the band to a terminus of the interior cut.

### Claim 15 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein guiding the band along the interior cut includes moving the tag initially in a first direction with respect to the band, and moving the tag subsequently in a second direction that is different from the first direction.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the second direction is opposite the first direction.

### Claim 17 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, further including passing an end portion of the tag between the band and the product.