Safety lock spring clip, method for attaching label to product, and use of safety lock spring clip

Abstract

The invention relates to a safety lock spring clip (1; 100) for attaching a label (14) having at least one through hole to a product (16). The safety lock spring clip (1; 100) comprising a base (2; 2 ') for arrangement into a first through-hole (20) and / or a second through-hole (22) in a label (14); 102) and from the base (2; 102) and at least one protruding leg (4) extending from the base (2). The at least one protruding leg (4) has at least one protruding portion (5) for holding the spring clip (1; 100) extending through an outer end (10A) of said first (20) or said second (22) through-hole in the label (14) when attached to the product (16) and label (14), the at least one protruding leg (4) being movable relative to the base (2; 102) are arranged in a transverse direction (L). The leg (4) has an extension projecting tangentially (T) through a first through-hole (20) or a second through-hole (22) in the tag (14) such that the outer end (10A) is at a distance from the first through-hole (20) or the second through-hole (22). The invention also relates to a safety lock spring clip (1; 100) for attaching a label (14) to a product (16), and a safety lock spring clip (1; 100) for providing a label (14) to a product (16); 100) is provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a safety lock spring clip for attaching a label to a product, a method for attaching a label to a product and the use of the safety lock spring clip. Background Art

[0002] The invention is advantageously used as a safety lock spring clip for attaching tags to products such as products produced by the metal and wood industries, for example coils or tendons. Examples of known safety lock spring clips are disclosed in US2015 / 290812 A1, CN 112404 297A and KR 2012 0139307.

[0003] Metal wires, such as steel wire and rebar, can be produced in various thickness sizes. In order to distribute the produced wire to the end customer, the wire can be arranged into coils in the form of endless loops for easy handling and transportation for delivery to the customer. For rebar, the rebar is usually arranged into bundles by wrapping wire, tape or steel bands around the bundles for easy handling and transportation. It is important that each bundle or coil is properly labeled so that the customer can understand the basic information of the delivered wire or rebar. For example, the information can be presented via a barcode on the label. If there are any questions about the quality of the wire or rebar product, for example, the exact batch, production date and time, and other production data can be traced.

[0004] A common marking of products, such as tendons or individual coils, is to place a tag on each tendon or coil. The tag is attached to a wire, steel band or the like on the product, such as the coil or rebar, by a conventional key ring. The key ring is made of a thin wire with several loops. Products, such as rebar or coils, are usually transported on an open bed of a truck or van, which is subject to wind and strong air currents. This may cause the key ring to start rotating when attached to the product. As a result, the tag may fall off the key ring, or the key ring itself may become unattached to the product.

[0005] Therefore, different criteria may need to be considered when designing the attachment of a tag to a product such as a rebar or coil. While attaching the tag to these products should be easy and not time consuming, at the same time the attachment of the tag should be secure to avoid the tag falling off from its attachment to the product.

[0006] There is a desire to improve upon traditional key rings used to attach tags to products.

[0007] There is also a desire to eliminate the risk of tags falling off a key ring or the like when subject to wind and strong air currents during transport and distribution.

[0008] It would be a further desire to provide a simple, efficient and inexpensive attachment of a tag to a product such as a rebar or coil that can be efficiently produced. Summary of the invention

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to improve upon the conventional key ring used to attach a tag to a product.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to find a secure attachment of the tag to avoid that the tag falls off from its attachment to the product, such as a rebar or a coil.

[0011] Another object is to provide a tag attachment that is easy to handle and not time consuming when attaching to tags and products such as rebar or coils.

[0012] Another purpose is to eliminate the risk of the tag falling off a key ring or the like when it is exposed to wind and strong air currents during transport and distribution.

[0013] Another object is to provide a simple, efficient and inexpensive attachment of a tag to a product such as a rebar or coil that can be produced efficiently.

[0014] These objects are achieved by a spring clip according to claim 1. These objects are therefore achieved by a safety lock spring clip for attaching a tag having at least one through hole to a product (such as a coil or a tendon). The spring clip comprises a base for being arranged into a first through hole and / or a second through hole in the tag, and at least one protruding leg extending from the base. The at least one protruding leg has an outer end for extending through the first through hole or the second through hole in the tag when the spring clip is attached to the product and the tag. The at least one protruding leg is arranged transversely with respect to the base, wherein the leg has an extension that protrudes in a tangential direction (T) through a first through hole (20) or a second through hole (22) in the tag (14) such that the outer end (10A) is at a distance from the first through hole (20) or the second through hole (22).

[0015] Thus, an improved attachment of the tag to a product, such as a coil or reinforcing bar tendon, may be provided. Since at least one protruding leg of the spring clip has an outer end for extending through the first through hole or the second through hole in the tag when the spring clip is attached to the product and the tag, a secure attachment of the tag is provided to avoid the tag falling off from its attachment to the product.

[0016] Furthermore, since the legs cannot pass through the limited space between the cord or strap and the product itself when the spring clip is attached to the product, the result is that at least one protruding leg of the spring clip prevents the key ring from rotating around the cord or strap. A secure attachment of the tag is provided to avoid the tag from falling off its attachment to the product.

[0017] Another advantage is that the spring clip is easy to handle and can quickly attach the tag to a product such as a reinforcing bar or coil. In addition, in addition to being efficiently produced, an efficient and inexpensive spring clip for attaching to a product is provided.

[0018] According to one aspect of the invention, the base is annular and comprises a wire thread which provides the ring with at least one turn of wire thread. Preferably, the ring is provided with at least one and a half turns of wire thread, or preferably at least two turns of wire thread. According to other possible embodiments of the invention, the ring may preferably be provided with three turns or four turns or more than four turns. These aspects further improve the prevention of the key ring from rotating around the wire or band of the spring clip, which also improves the secure attachment to the tag.

[0019] According to one aspect of the present invention, the base is annular. The terms "annular" and "ring" are intended to refer to a component having a closed loop structure.

[0020] According to one solution of the present invention, the base is annular, preferably circular. According to possible variations, the base may have a shape other than circular, such as square, rectangular, oval or other closed shapes.

[0021] According to one aspect of the present invention, the thickness of the wire thread is preferably between about 0.5 mm and about 4 mm.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the present invention, suitably, the thickness of the wire thread is at least 1.0 mm, preferably at least 1.3 mm, more preferably at least 1.5 mm, and most preferably at least 1.7 mm. In a further example of the present invention, the thickness of the wire thread may be about 1.8 mm. According to other examples, the thickness of the wire thread may be 3 mm, 3.2 mm, and 4 mm. By adjusting the different sizes of the wire thread, the spring clip may be suitable for different labels and products.

[0023] According to another aspect of the invention, the protruding leg is formed by one end of a thread extending tangentially in a direction away from the annular base. Suitably, the protruding leg extends tangentially over a distance corresponding to at least half the diameter of the annular base. The length of the protruding leg of the spring clip is essential to provide sufficient but not too strong pressure for the attachment of the peripheral edge in the through hole of the tag.

[0024] According to another aspect of the invention, the protruding leg extends through the first or second hole in the tag by at least half of the length of the protruding leg. This provides a secure attachment to the tag, thereby preventing the tag from detaching from the protruding leg.

[0025] According to another aspect of the present invention, the diameter of the base is preferably between about 30 mm and about 90 mm.

[0026] According to another aspect of the invention, the base, which is suitably annular, has a diameter of at least 30 mm, preferably at least 40 mm, more preferably at least 50 mm. In a further example of the invention, the base has a diameter between about 55 mm and 65 mm. The effect provided is that a suitably secure attachment of the spring clip can be achieved, easy to handle, and can be quickly and simply attached to or detached from the tag.

[0027] According to another aspect of the invention, the annular base is provided with a ring having one turn of thread, which is then arranged to extend through the annular base. Preferably, the annular base is provided with a ring having two turns of thread adjacent to each other on one side of the annular base, which are then arranged to extend through the annular base on the other side of the annular base. The effect provided is that a properly secure attachment of the spring clip can be achieved, it is easy to handle, and can be quickly and simply attached to or detached from the tag.

[0028] According to another aspect of the invention, these objects are also achieved with a method of attaching a tag to a product such as a coil or tendon by means of the safe lock spring clip of the invention as described above and defined in the claims.

[0029] The method is configured to wrap a wire thread around both the at least one binding element and the at least one through hole of the tag to confine both the base and the at least one protruding leg passing through the through hole to a position where the protruding leg is urged against a circumferential edge of the through hole.

[0030] Since at least one protruding leg of the spring clip has an outer end for extending through the first through hole or the second through hole in the label when the spring clip is attached to the product and the label, a method for firmly attaching the label is provided to avoid the label from being detached from its attachment to the product. Another advantage of the method is that the spring clip is easy to handle and the label can be quickly attached to a product such as a steel bar or a coil. In addition, in addition to being efficient to produce, an efficient and inexpensive method for attaching the spring clip to a product is provided.

[0031] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a use of a safety lock spring clip according to any one of claims 1 to 10 for providing a tag to a product such as a coil or tendon.

[0032] According to the present invention, there is provided a labelling system comprising a label having at least one through hole provided with a circumferential edge, and a safety lock spring clip attached to the label and attachable to a product such as a rebar or a coil.

[0033] The spring clip comprises a base arranged to the first through hole and / or the second through hole in the tag, and at least one elongated protruding leg extending tangentially from the base.

[0034] The at least one protruding leg has an outer end extending through the first through hole or the second through hole in the tag when the spring clip is attached to the product and the tag, the at least one protruding leg is arranged in a transverse direction relative to the base, wherein the leg has an extension protruding tangentially through the first through hole or the second through hole in the tag so that the outer end is at a distance from the first through hole or the second through hole. The protruding leg is pushed against the circumferential edge of the through hole.

[0035] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the labeling system also includes at least one binding element such as a wire or a belt that can be wrapped around the product, wherein the base is arranged around the at least one binding element, and wherein the label is positioned between the binding element and the at least one protruding leg with limited movement ability.

[0036] Further advantages and advantageous features of the invention will be disclosed in the following description and in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0038] - Figure 1 A safety lock spring clip attached to a tag according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in a perspective view;

[0039] - Figure 2 The figure shows an annular base provided with a ring having a circle of thread according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] - Figure 2a , 2b The figure shows another embodiment of the safety lock spring clip according to the present invention;

[0041] - Figure 3a , 3b and 3c show labels with through holes of different sizes, in particular Figure 3c The label shows a single through hole, and

[0042] - Figure 4 A safety lock spring clip is shown in perspective view attached to a tag and coil according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] Figure 1 A safety lock spring clip 1 is shown, comprising a base 2 and at least one protruding leg 4 extending from the base 2. The base 2 is preferably annular, made of a wire thread 6 forming a ring 8 formed by the wire thread 6 at least once. Figure 1The annular base 2 in the figure shows a ring 8 with about two turns of the thread 6, although the ring 8 can have three turns, four turns or more than four turns. At least one protruding leg 4 extending from the ring 8 is formed by an end 10 of the thread 6 that leaves the annular turn. Preferably, the ring 8 is provided with at least one and a half turns by the thread 6. More preferably, the ring 8 is provided with at least two turns by the thread 6. At least one protruding leg 4 has a first outer end 10A formed by the thread 6, which is located at a distance from the annular base 2. At least one protruding leg 4, also called first protruding leg 4A, can be arranged in a transverse direction L and preferably extends in a tangential direction T relative to the annular base 2. The second end 12 of the thread 6 is preferably arranged inside the annular base 2. However, the second end 12 can form a second protruding leg, which is configured to be arranged in a transverse direction L and extend in a tangential direction T relative to the annular base 2, similar to the first protruding leg 4.

[0044] The protruding leg 4 has an elongated shape.

[0045] according to Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the protruding leg 4 may have a curved elongated shape, the radius of curvature of which is greater than, ie significantly different from, the radius of the ring 8 .

[0046] According to other examples not shown in the drawings, the elongated shape of the protruding legs 4 may be linear.

[0047] The first outer end 10a is a free end, ie not attached or attachable to a binding element of a product or wrapped around a product.

[0048] The safety lock spring clip 1 is used to attach the tag 14 to a product, such as Figure 4 The coil 16 shown. Figure 4 As shown, the coils in the coil 16 are typically held together by another wire, bonding element or wire 18. The safety lock spring clip 1 can also be used to attach the tag 14 to other products, such as reinforcing steel tendons. Reinforcing steel tendons are held together by bonding wire 18, steel bands or the like arranged around the bundle to facilitate handling and transportation.

[0049] The labels 14 used with the present invention can have a variety of sizes, from relatively small labels 14 having a length and width of about 50x50 mm to larger labels 14 having a length and width of about 300x150 mm. Preferably, the labels used with the present invention can be about 200x110 mm. In further examples, the length and width of the labels can be greater than 300x150 mm. The thickness of the labels 14 is relatively thin, ranging from about 0.1 mm to about 6 mm, such as between about 0.2 mm and about 2 mm.

[0050] The tag 14 used with the present invention should be provided with at least one through hole 20. The base 2 of the spring clip 1 can be arranged into the first through hole 20 and / or the second through hole 22 in the tag 14. Although Figure 1 The embodiment of arranging the base 2 into both the first through hole 20 and the second through hole 22 in the label 14 is not shown, but this is a preferred option for certain applications where the label can be fixed and arranged on the product in a specific way.

[0051] At least one protruding leg 4 extending from the base 2 of the spring clip 1 is used to be arranged in the first through hole 20 or the second through hole 22 in the tag 14. The length of the through hole 20 and the second through hole 22 in the tag 14 according to the present invention is suitably in the range of about 30 mm to 80 mm, for example, about 30 mm to about 50 mm, and the width is 10 mm to 20 mm. In addition, a plurality of through holes can be provided in the tag 14, and their size and function are the same as the first and second through holes 20, 22 described above.

[0052] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the through holes 20, 22 may have different shapes, such as circular, elliptical, polygonal (such as square, rectangular, trapezoidal), and different sizes, such as Figure 3a-3c shown.

[0053] When the base 2 is arranged into both the first through hole 20 and the second through hole 22 in the tag 14, the through holes 20, 22 where the thread is first inserted may have a greater Figure 3b The other through hole 22, 20 in the label is smaller in size. In fact, the wire thread is better guided at the beginning (first through hole), but when it passes through the second through hole next, there is a risk of hitting the label wall because the curvature is no longer controlled.

[0054] When the spring clip 1 is attached to the product and the tag 14, the end of at least one protruding leg 4 is intended to extend through said first through hole 20 or second through hole 22 in the tag 14. Furthermore, the leg 4 can be pushed by the spring force to press against the peripheral edge 24 of the through hole 20. However, the fact that at least one protruding leg of the spring clip prevents the key ring from rotating around the wire or strap, since the leg cannot pass through the limited space between the wire or strap and the product itself when the spring clip is attached to the product. A secure attachment of the tag is provided to avoid that the tag may fall off from its attachment to the product.

[0055] The thickness of the wire thread is preferably between about 0.5 mm and about 4 mm. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the wire thread 6 for the safety lock spring clip 1 is appropriately equal to or not less than about 1.0 mm and up to or equal to or not greater than about 3.0 mm, preferably equal to or not less than about 1.3 mm and up to or equal to or not greater than about 2.8 mm, more preferably equal to or not less than about 1.5 mm and up to or equal to or not greater than about 2.6 mm, most preferably equal to or not less than about 1.7 mm and up to or equal to or not greater than about 2.4 mm.

[0056] Typically, the diameter D of the base 2 is preferably between about 30 mm and about 90 mm.

[0057] According to a possible embodiment, the diameter D of the base 2 is appropriately in the range of equal to or not less than about 30 mm, in some cases, up to or equal to or not more than about 100 mm, preferably equal to or not less than about 40 mm and up to or equal to or not more than about 90 mm, more preferably equal to or not less than about 50 mm and up to or equal to or not more than about 80 mm.

[0058] According to another aspect of the invention, the protruding leg 4 extends along the tangential direction T by a length DL corresponding to at least half of the diameter D of the annular base 2. Furthermore, the protruding leg 4 extends through the first through hole 20 or the second through hole 22 in the tag 14 by at least half of the length DL of the protruding leg 4.

[0059] Figure 2 FIG. 2 shows a safety lock spring clip 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 Corresponding features shown and described are marked with the same reference numerals. Figure 2 As shown, the annular base 102 is provided with a ring having a circle of thread 6, and then the thread 6 is arranged to extend through the annular base 102. In addition, according to another embodiment (such as Figure 2a , 2b As shown), the annular base 102 is provided with a ring having two turns of thread 6 adjacent to each other on one side of the annular base 102, and then the thread 6 is arranged to extend through the annular base 102 on the other side of the annular base 102, as shown Figure 2b shown.

[0060] The present invention also relates to Figure 1 and Figure 4The steps in the method of attaching a tag 14 to a product (such as a coil 16 or a tendon) of a safety lock spring clip 1 are described. Thus, the method involves providing the tag 14 with the safety lock spring clip 1 so that the end 10A of the protruding leg extends through the first through hole 20 or the second through hole 22 in the tag 14, so that the outer end 10A is a distance from the first through hole 20 or the second through hole 22, and attaching the safety lock spring clip 1 to the product. The method is preferably performed by a tool configured to pass the wire thread 6 through the first through hole 20 and / or the second through hole 22 in the tag 14,

[0061] The invention also relates to a Figure 1-4 The described use of the SafeLock spring clip 1 is for providing a label 14 to a product such as a coil 16 or tendon.

[0062] It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; on the contrary, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A safety lock spring clip (1; 100) for attaching a tag (14) having at least one through hole to a product (16), the spring clip (1; 100) comprising a base (2; 102) which can be arranged into a first through hole (20) and / or a second through hole (22) in the tag (14), and at least one elongated protruding leg (4) extending from the base (2; 102) in a tangential direction (T), characterized in that The at least one protruding leg (4) has an outer end (10A) capable of extending through the first through hole (20) or the second through hole (22) in the label (14) when the spring clip (1; 100) is attached to the product (16) and the label (14), and the at least one protruding leg (4) is arranged in a transverse direction (L) relative to the base (2; 102), wherein the leg (4) has an extension capable of protruding through the first through hole (20) or the second through hole (22) in the label (14) in a tangential direction (T) so that the outer end (10A) is at a distance from the first through hole (20) or the second through hole (22), and wherein the protruding leg (4) can be pushed against a circumferential edge (24) of the through hole (20).

2. The safety lock spring clip (1; 100) according to claim 1, wherein the base (2; 102) is annular and includes a thread (6), and the thread (6) provides at least one circle of thread (6) for the ring (8).

3. Safety lock spring clip (1; 100) according to claim 2, wherein the ring (8) is provided with at least one and a half turns of thread (6), or preferably at least two turns of thread (6).

4. The safety lock spring clip (1; 100) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the thickness of the wire thread (6) is between about 0.5 mm and 4 mm, preferably about 1.8 mm.

5. A safety lock spring clip (1; 100) according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the protruding leg (4) is formed by one end (10) of a linear thread (6) extending tangentially (T) in a direction away from the annular base (2; 102).

6. Safety lock spring clip (1; 100) according to claim 5, wherein the protruding leg (4) extends in the tangential direction (T) for a distance (DL) corresponding to at least half the diameter (D) of the annular base (2; 102).

7. A safety lock spring clip (1; 100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protruding leg (4) is capable of extending through the first through hole (20) or the second through hole (22) in the tag (14) by at least half of the length of the protruding leg (4).

8. The safety lock spring clip (1; 100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the diameter of the base (2; 102) is between 30 mm and 90 mm, preferably at least 30 mm, more preferably at least 40 mm, even more preferably at least 50 mm.

9. The safety lock spring clip (1; 100) according to any one of claims 2-8, wherein the annular base (2; 102) is provided with a ring (8), the ring (8) having a circle of thread (6), and the thread (6) is then arranged to extend through the annular base (2; 102).

10. A safety lock spring clip (1; 100) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the annular base (2; 102) is provided with a ring (8), the ring (8) having two turns of thread (6) adjacent to each other on one side of the annular base (2; 102), and then the thread (6) is arranged to extend through the annular base (2; 102) on the other side of the annular base (2; 102).

11. A labeling system, comprising: - a label (14) having at least one through hole (20, 22) provided with a circumferential edge (24); - a safety lock spring clip (1; 100) attached to the tag (14) and capable of being attached to a product (16), the spring clip (1; 100) comprising a base (2; 102) arranged to fit into a first through hole (20) and / or a second through hole (22) in the tag (14), and at least one elongated protruding leg (4) extending from the base (2; 102) in a tangential direction (T), wherein the at least one protruding leg (4) has a shape extending through the tag (16) when the spring clip (1; 100) is attached to the product (16) and the tag (14). The outer end (10A) of the first through hole (20) or the second through hole (22) in the tag (14), the at least one protruding leg (4) is arranged in a transverse direction (L) relative to the base (2; 102), wherein the leg (4) has an extension portion protruding through the first through hole (20) or the second through hole (22) in the tag (14) in a tangential direction (T) so that the outer end (10A) is a distance away from the first through hole (20) or the second through hole (22), wherein the protruding leg (4) is pushed against the circumferential edge (24) of the through hole (20, 22).

12. A labeling system according to claim 11, wherein the labeling system includes at least one binding element (18) capable of being wrapped around the product (16), wherein the base (2; 102) is arranged around the at least one binding element (18), and wherein the label (14) is positioned between the binding element (18) and the at least one protruding leg (4) with limited movement capability.

13. A method for attaching a tag (14) to a product (16) by means of a safety lock spring clip (1; 100) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the product (16) such as a coil or a steel bar bundle is combined by at least one binding element (18), wherein the method is configured to wrap a wire thread (6) around both the at least one binding element (18) and at least one through hole (20, 22) of the tag (14) to confine both the base (2; 102) and at least one protruding leg (4) passing through the through hole (20, 22) in a position such that the protruding leg (4) is pushed against the circumferential edge (24) of the through hole (20, 22).

14. Use of a SafeLock spring clip (1; 100) according to any one of claims 1-10 for providing a tag (14) to a product (16) such as a coil or tendon.

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