HÖGLUND, Christopher (Okgränd 3, Västerhaninge, S-137 38, SE)
HÖGLUND, Christopher (Okgränd 3, Västerhaninge, S-137 38, SE)
| Claims 1. A tie band (1) facilitating the handling of oblong objects (9, 11), such as ear phone cables, medical tubing and other oblong objects subject to being entangled and/or damaged, characterized in that it is comprised of two layers (2,3) of material, forming the respective sides of the band (1), a first layer (2) having hooks, the second layer (3) being a soft, thin material functioning as a loop side of a hook and loop band, in that said two layers (2,3) are adhered (4) to each other forming a laminated structure having hooks on one side, and loops on the other side, and in that at one end, the second layer projects beyond the first layer, said projecting part (7) being sticky, initially covered by a protective cover (8), and after removal of said protective cover (8), said sticky part (7) of the band (1) is to be folded over a part of said oblong object (9) and permanently fixed thereon by pressing said sticky part against said object (9) and onto itself. 2. The tie band (1) according to claim 1, wherein the two layers (2, 3) are adhered (4) to each other by heat lamination . 3. The tie band according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two layers (2, 3) are adhered (4) to each other with the aid of a double-stick tape. 4. The tie band according to any of claim 1 - 3, wherein the stickiness of the protruding part (7) is provided by an applied adhesive or glue. 5. The tie band according to any of claim 1 - 3, wherein the stickiness of the protruding part is provided by an applied double-stick tape. 6. The tie band according to claim 3, wherein the double-stick tape on the projecting part (7) is part of the double-stick tape layer adhering to the first and second layers (2, 3) . |
The present invention is related to a tie band facilitating the handling of oblong objects, such as ear phone cables, medical tubing and other oblong objects subject to being entangled and/or damaged.
Background
The problem with entangled ear phone cables in connection with mp3 players and mobile phones is well known, and most people being subjected to this problem starts thinking of solutions to the problem.
However, the same problem occurs with e.g. medical tubing, in both cases there is also a risk for involuntary damage of the objects because they hang freely or is just lying around. For example, US 5,048,158 discloses a hook and loop band for cables, having on one side hooks and on the other side loops. This band is provided with means for forming a loop around one cable part for maintaining the band on the cable. The rest of the band is used for forming a loop around a bundle formed of the cable keeping it from being entangled, one side of the band being placed against the opposite side of the band, and locking the cable bundle. One problem with this concept is that the band slides on the cable, and has to be brought to an appropriate place on the band before bundling up the cable. US 4,939,818 discloses a hook and loop band having hooks on both sides at its respective ends, and loops on both sides in its middle part, and US 4,815,172 discloses a band having only hooks on one side, and loops at its respective ends and hooks in its middle part on the other side. Both embodiments allow the formation of loops for securing the band onto an oblong object and bundling of a cable or similar objects.
Although there are a number of bands devised for bundling of cables and similar objects on the market, there is still a need for an improved tie band that facilitates the handling of ear phone cables and other oblong objects.
Summary of the invention
Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide an improved tie band that facilitates the handling of cables and similar oblong objects that prevents entanglement and also makes it possible to fasten a single strand of the object or a bundle of the whole or part of the object at a suitable place.
This object is achieved with the tie band according to the present invention as it is defined in the appended main claim. Further developments and preferred embodiments of the
invention are disclosed in the dependant claims.
A major advantage with the tie band according to the invention is that it is very easy to fasten it onto an oblong object simply by removing the cover layer on the sticky part and folding that part around the object and pressing the sticky part against said object and against itself, and then the band will remain stationary where it is supposed to fulfil its purpose optimally.
Further advantages are that the tie band according to the invention, once it has been attached, will always be ready for use; it will not get lost; it is easier to use since it is always at one and the same place, e.g. on an ear phone cable.
Further, with the tie band construction the point of
attachment will be pliable and will not interfere with the use of the object in question, such as ear phone cables; and it also provides for the attachment of an oblong object to a holder so it cannot move in respect to that, and still it can be loosened in a moment. Short description of the drawings
The invention will be described more in detail in the
following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, on which Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of the improved tie band according to the invention,
Fig. 2 shows a schematic view in perspective of the tie band of Fig. 1 fastened on an oblong object,
Fig. 3 shows bundled ear phone cables, and Fig. 4 shows an oblong object fastened to a holder using the tie band according to the invention.
Detailed description of the Invention
The tie band according to the invention is a band 1 consisting of two layers of material 2, 3, which are adhered to each other, such as by heat lamination, an intermediate double- stick tape layer, or any other suitable means, at 4. A first layer 2 is a hook layer, and the second layer 3 is a loop layer, in the form of a thin flexible layer functioning as the loop side of a hook and loop band. According to one embodiment of the invention the material constituting the hook layer is the more rigid layer of said first and second layer, e.g. made of plastic, and giving the band a desired stability, while at the same time it is easily rolled over itself. However, when this stability feature is not requested, also said first layer may be soft and pliable.
At one end 5 of the band the two layers overlap each other, while at the other end 6, the second layer 3 protrudes beyond the first layer 2. The protruding part 6 of the second layer is made sticky, by the application of glue, or by the
application of double-stick tape. Prior to use the sticky part 7 is covered by a cover sheet 8, which is removed immediately prior to the fastening the tie band according to the invention onto an oblong object.
The tie band according to the invention can be produced very efficiently by adhering sheets of the respective layers together in any suitable manner, applying the sticky material onto the protruding part of the second layer, applying a cover sheet on top of said sticky part, and finally cutting the two- layered sheet into discrete tie bands.
In Fig. 2 the tie band 1 according to the invention is shown fastened on an oblong object 9 such as an ear phone cable, a medical tubing etc. When doing this, the cover sheet is removed, the sticky part is folded over a part of the oblong object, at a selected place thereon, and is then pressed onto said object and against itself. The second layer, which is soft, thin and pliable results in a soft, pliable, and thin joint . Fig. 3 shows schematically the use of the tie band 1 according to the invention for bundling ear phone cables 11 as one example of the use of the improved tie band according to the invention .
Fig. 4 shows another possible use of the tie band 1 according to the invention, wherein the band has been fastened on an oblong object 12, such as medical tubing, a cable, etc. to be attached to a holder 13. The object 12 will not be able to move in respect to the holder, but at the same time the tie band offers a soft and flexible attachment, minimizing the risk for damage of the object. The fastening and unfastening of the object is very quick and easy.
The improved tie band according to the invention can be used whenever there is a problem of entanglement with oblong, above all thin objects, but, as discussed above, is also useful in certain other situations, thanks to the fact that the tie band is fixed on said object.