Polymeric Bib Tie with Perforations for Metal Detector Compatibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing merchandise banding and labeling solutions lack durability and effective information display, particularly when used with food items, as metal retention wires interfere with metal detectors and provide inadequate holding force.

Innovation Solution

A bib tie with a tie portion and a bib portion connected by a wire assembly, featuring perforations for enhanced holding force and made from polymeric materials to avoid metal detector interference, allowing for secure bundling and information display.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metal retention wires are used in bib ties, then the bib tie provides structural support and holding force, but it interferes with metal detectors and reduces reliability for food item packaging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding forceVSAvoidmetal detector interference
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the metal wire component from the bib tie structure and replaces it with a polymeric tie portion that has inherent strength through its construction. The tie portion is formed with spaced-apart perforations that create segments, allowing it to be twisted and secured without metal wires, thereby eliminating metal detector interference while maintaining holding force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the material parameter from metal to polymeric material. The tie portion is made of polymeric material with specific properties (elongation at break between 5-50%, tensile strength between 1-10 MPa) that provide the necessary holding force without the harmful electromagnetic properties of metal that trigger detectors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the tie portion is made from polymeric materials, then metal detector interference is eliminated, but the holding force and durability may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemetal detector compatibilityVSAvoidholding force
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The tie portion is divided into multiple segments by spaced-apart perforations. These perforations create discrete sections that can twist and interlock with each other, providing mechanical locking and enhanced holding force. The segmented structure allows the polymeric material to achieve the necessary strength through geometric configuration rather than relying solely on material properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If perforations are added to the tie portion, then holding force is enhanced through segment formation, but the structural integrity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding forceVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The tie portion is divided into multiple segments by spaced-apart perforations. These perforations create discrete sections that can twist and interlock with each other, providing mechanical locking and enhanced holding force. The segmented structure allows the polymeric material to achieve the necessary strength through geometric configuration rather than relying solely on material properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent specifies precise parameters for the perforations and tie portion material to balance segmentation benefits with structural integrity. The perforations are spaced at specific intervals, and the polymeric material has controlled elongation (5-50%) and tensile strength (1-10 MPa) properties that ensure the segmented structure remains sufficiently strong for its intended use.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3207540B1Perforated bib tie articles and method of use
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 BEDFORD IND INC
  • EP3207540B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3207540B1 patent drawingFigure 1C
  • EP3207540B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A labelling tie (10) includes a tie portion (14), a wire assembly (24), and a bib portion (16) connected to the tie portion. The tie portion (10) has a first arm (18-R), a mid- segment, and a second arm (18-L). Spaced apart perforations (20) intersect each of the first and second arms. The wire assembly (24) has a retention wire (26) that spans across the first arm, the mid-segment, and the second arm. A sheet of labelling ties (62) includes separably connected labelling ties. A method attaches a labelling tie to an item or a group of items. The method includes wrapping the first arm (18-R) and second arm (18-L) around at least one object (12, 12'), allowing the first and second arms to meet at a location with a portion of the first arm and a portion of the second arm extending past the location, and twisting the first and second arm portions together, thereby securing the tie portion around the object(s).