US4379372A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plant tag
Assignee: HORTICULTURAL PRINTERS Ltd
•
Filing: 1981-12-08
•
Granted: 1983-04-12
•
Expires: 2001-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A plant tag is provided for placement on a plant. The plant tag has a resilient tag portion with first and second holes formed therethrough. Guide notches are provided at exposed edges of the tag portion on either side of a scored line. Cuts extend from each of the first and second holes to a guide surface on the same side of the scored line. The tag is foldable about the scored line to align the first and second holes. The guide surfaces guide the tag onto the plant with the edges of the cuts being separated to permit the plant to pass through and into the first and second holes. The resilient tag unfolds to lock the tag on the plant and the cuts are nonaligned to form tabs to lock the tag to the plant by resisting simultaneous separation of the edges of the cuts.
Inventors
- 👤 Lee J. Alexander
- 👤 Harold E. Vanberg
- 👤 Clyde E. King
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:35
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F3/00; G09F3/04; A; A01; A01G; A01G9/00; A01G9/006; G09F3/08; G09F3/18; G09F3/20; G09F3/206; G09F23/00; G09F2023/0016
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A plant tag for use on a plant comprising: a resilient portion having first and second nonoverlapping holes formed therethrough with nonlinear cuts extending from the edge of each of the holes, the resilient portion being foldable along a predetermined line between the first and second holes to align the holes, the cuts extending from each of the holes to an edge of the resilient portion, the resilient portion permitting placement of the tag on the plant by separating the edges of the cuts for passage of the plant into the first and second holes, the resilient portion resiliently unfolding after placement on the plant until the portion of the edge of each of said first and second holes adjacent to the predetermined line contacts one side of the plant and the portion of the edge of each of said first and second holes distal the predetermined line contacts the opposite side of the plant to lock the tag on the plant and maintaining the tag in a fixed position on the plant for facilitating observation, the cuts being nonaligned to lock the tag on the plant.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A plant tag for use on a plant comprising: a resilient portion having first and second nonoverlapping holes formed therethrough with nonlinear cuts extending from the edge of each of the holes, the resilient portion being foldable along a predetermined line between the first and second holes to align the holes, the cuts extending from each of the holes to an edge of the resilient portion, the resilient portion permitting placement of the tag on the plant by separating the edges of the cuts for passage of the plant into the first and second holes, the resilient portion resiliently unfolding after placement on the plant until the portion of the edge of each of said first and second holes adjacent to the predetermined line contacts one side of the plant and the portion of the edge of each of said first and second holes distal the predetermined line contacts the opposite side of the plant to lock the tag on the plant and maintaining the tag in a fixed position on the plant for facilitating observation, the cuts being nonaligned to lock the tag on the plant.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The plant tag of claim 1 wherein the resilient portion further includes a guide notch formed in an edge of the resilient portion on each side of the fold, the nonlinear cuts extending from the edge of each of the holes to one of the guide notches, the guide notches acting to guide the tag onto the plant.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The plant tag of claim 1 wherein the resilient portion is scored along the fold line to assist the fold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The plant tag of claim 2 wherein said guide notch is formed by a third hole through the resilient portion over a portion of the fold to define the guide notches after folding.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
267 words
A plant tag for use on a plant comprising: a display portion having information displayed thereon; and a resilient portion secured to the display portion having a score line across its surface with first and second holes being formed on opposite sides of the score line, guide surfaces being formed at an exposed edge of the resilient portion on both sides of the score line when folded about the score line to align the first and second holes, cuts being made between the first hole and guide surface on one side of the score line and between the second hole and guide surface on the other side of the score line, the guide surfaces guiding the tag on the plant so that the separation of the edges of the cuts permits the plant to move through the cuts and into the first and second holes with the display portion in a position for facilitating observation of the information displayed thereon, the resilient portion resiliently unfolding after placement on the plant until the portion of the edge of each of said first and second holes adjacent the score line contacts one side of the plant and the portion of the edge of each of said first and second holes distal the score line contacts the opposite side of the plant to lock the tag on the plant and maintaining the tag fixed in the position on the plant for facilitating observation, the cuts being nonaligned to overlap sections of the resilient portion on either side of the scored lines to resist separation of the edges of the cuts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
267 words
A plant tag for use on a plant comprising: a display portion having information displayed thereon; and a resilient portion secured to the display portion having a score line across its surface with first and second holes being formed on opposite sides of the score line, guide surfaces being formed at an exposed edge of the resilient portion on both sides of the score line when folded about the score line to align the first and second holes, cuts being made between the first hole and guide surface on one side of the score line and between the second hole and guide surface on the other side of the score line, the guide surfaces guiding the tag on the plant so that the separation of the edges of the cuts permits the plant to move through the cuts and into the first and second holes with the display portion in a position for facilitating observation of the information displayed thereon, the resilient portion resiliently unfolding after placement on the plant until the portion of the edge of each of said first and second holes adjacent the score line contacts one side of the plant and the portion of the edge of each of said first and second holes distal the score line contacts the opposite side of the plant to lock the tag on the plant and maintaining the tag fixed in the position on the plant for facilitating observation, the cuts being nonaligned to overlap sections of the resilient portion on either side of the scored lines to resist separation of the edges of the cuts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The plant tag of claim 5 wherein said guide surfaces are formed by a third hole formed through the resilient portion over a portion of the score line so that upon folding, guide surfaces are formed on the exposed edge of the resilient portion on either side of the score line.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
269 words
A plant tag for use on a plant comprising: a display portion having information displayed thereon; and a resilient portion secured to the display portion having first and second circular holes formed therethrough for receiving a portion of the plant, a score line being formed in the surface of the resilient portion between the first and second holes to permit folding of the resilient portion about the score line to align the first and second holes, a semicircular guide notch being formed on an exposed edge of the resilient portion on each side of the scored line with a cut interconnecting each of the guide notches with the holes positioned on the same side of the score line, the guide notches guiding the tag onto the plant, the tag permitting separation of the cuts between the guide notches and first and second holes to pass a portion of the plant through the cuts and into the holes with the display portion in a position for facilitating observation of the information displayed thereon, the resilient portion resiliently unfolding after placement on the plant until the portion of the edge of each of said first and second holes adjacent the score line contacts one side of the plant and the portion of the edge of each of said first and second holes distal the score line contacts the opposite side of the plant to lock the tag on the plant and maintaining the tag fixed in the position on the plant for facilitating observation, the cuts being nonaligned to form tabs to resist simultaneous separation of the edges of the cuts.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
269 words
A plant tag for use on a plant comprising: a display portion having information displayed thereon; and a resilient portion secured to the display portion having first and second circular holes formed therethrough for receiving a portion of the plant, a score line being formed in the surface of the resilient portion between the first and second holes to permit folding of the resilient portion about the score line to align the first and second holes, a semicircular guide notch being formed on an exposed edge of the resilient portion on each side of the scored line with a cut interconnecting each of the guide notches with the holes positioned on the same side of the score line, the guide notches guiding the tag onto the plant, the tag permitting separation of the cuts between the guide notches and first and second holes to pass a portion of the plant through the cuts and into the holes with the display portion in a position for facilitating observation of the information displayed thereon, the resilient portion resiliently unfolding after placement on the plant until the portion of the edge of each of said first and second holes adjacent the score line contacts one side of the plant and the portion of the edge of each of said first and second holes distal the score line contacts the opposite side of the plant to lock the tag on the plant and maintaining the tag fixed in the position on the plant for facilitating observation, the cuts being nonaligned to form tabs to resist simultaneous separation of the edges of the cuts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
289 words
A plant tag for use on a plant comprising: a display portion having information displayed thereon; and a resilient portion secured to the display portion having a score line across its surface for permitting a fold along the score line, first and second circular holes being formed through the resilient portion on either side of the score line, a third circular hole being formed through the resilient portion between the first and second holes and centered on the score line, cuts being made between the edges of the first hole and third hole and between the edges of the second hole and third hole, the semicircular portions of the third hole on opposite sides of the score line forming guide surfaces when the resilient portion is folded along the score line to guide the tag onto a plant, the edges of the cuts being separable to permit passage of a portion of the plant therebetween into the first and second holes with the display portion in a position for facilitating observation of the information displayed thereon, the resilient portion resiliently unfolding after placement on the plant until the portion of the edge of each of said first and second holes adjacent the score line contacts one side of the plant and the portion of the edge of each of said first and second folds distal the score line contacts the opposite side of the plant to lock the tag onto the plant with the tag maintained fixed in the position for ready observation, the cuts being nonaligned after folding to define tabs on the resilient portion on either side of the score line to resist simultaneous separation of the edges of the cuts to resist removal of the tag.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
289 words
A plant tag for use on a plant comprising: a display portion having information displayed thereon; and a resilient portion secured to the display portion having a score line across its surface for permitting a fold along the score line, first and second circular holes being formed through the resilient portion on either side of the score line, a third circular hole being formed through the resilient portion between the first and second holes and centered on the score line, cuts being made between the edges of the first hole and third hole and between the edges of the second hole and third hole, the semicircular portions of the third hole on opposite sides of the score line forming guide surfaces when the resilient portion is folded along the score line to guide the tag onto a plant, the edges of the cuts being separable to permit passage of a portion of the plant therebetween into the first and second holes with the display portion in a position for facilitating observation of the information displayed thereon, the resilient portion resiliently unfolding after placement on the plant until the portion of the edge of each of said first and second holes adjacent the score line contacts one side of the plant and the portion of the edge of each of said first and second folds distal the score line contacts the opposite side of the plant to lock the tag onto the plant with the tag maintained fixed in the position for ready observation, the cuts being nonaligned after folding to define tabs on the resilient portion on either side of the score line to resist simultaneous separation of the edges of the cuts to resist removal of the tag.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
168 words
A method of manufacturing a plant tag for placement on a plant comprising the steps of: forming first and second nonoverlapping holes through a resilient portion of the tag; and forming cuts extending from the edge of each of the holes to an exposed edge of the plant tag when the resilient portion is folded about a predetermined line between the first and second holes to permit the edges of the cuts to be separated for passing a portion of a plant therethrough into the first and second holes so that the resilient portion expands after placement on the plant until the portion of the edge of each of said first and second holes adjacent the predetermined line contacts one side of the plant and the portion of the edge of each of said first and second holes distal from the predetermined line contacts the opposite side of the plant to lock the tag on the plant and maintain the tag in a fixed position for ready observation.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
168 words
A method of manufacturing a plant tag for placement on a plant comprising the steps of: forming first and second nonoverlapping holes through a resilient portion of the tag; and forming cuts extending from the edge of each of the holes to an exposed edge of the plant tag when the resilient portion is folded about a predetermined line between the first and second holes to permit the edges of the cuts to be separated for passing a portion of a plant therethrough into the first and second holes so that the resilient portion expands after placement on the plant until the portion of the edge of each of said first and second holes adjacent the predetermined line contacts one side of the plant and the portion of the edge of each of said first and second holes distal from the predetermined line contacts the opposite side of the plant to lock the tag on the plant and maintain the tag in a fixed position for ready observation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of forming at least one guide surface at the exposed edge of the resilient portion when folded along the predetermined line, the cuts extending to the guide surface from the hole on the same side of the predetermined line, the guide surfaces guiding the tag onto the plant.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of scoring the resilient portion along the predetermined line to facilitate the folding thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the step of forming a guide surface on each side of the predetermined line includes the step of forming a third hole through the resilient portion over a portion of the predetermined line so that when folded about the predetermined line, edges of the third hole form the guide surfaces on each side of the predetermined line.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the plant tag is manufactured from a sheet of a resilient material and the method further includes the step of cutting plant tags from the sheet to minimize the waste material formed after cutting.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
248 words
A method of manufacturing plant tags from a sheet of a resilient material for placement on a plant comprising the steps of: forming first and second nonoverlapping holes through each of the plant tags; scoring a line between the first and second holes on each of the tags for folding the tags about the score line to align the first and second holes and forming a guide surface at an exposed edge of the tag on each side of the score line when the tag is folded; forming cuts extending from the guide surface to the hole on the same side of the score line; and cutting the plant tags from the sheet, the guide surfaces on each tag for guiding the tag onto the plant and the edges of the cuts being separable to permit a portion of the plant to move into the first and second holes with the tag resiliently unfolding until the portion of the edge of each of said first and second holes adjacent the score line contacts one side of the plant and the portion of the edge of each of said first and second holes distal from the score line contacts the opposite side of the plant to lock the tag onto the plant with the tag in a fixed position for ready observation, the cuts in each plant tag being nonaligned to define tabs to resist simultaneous separation of the edges of each of the cuts on the plant tag.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
248 words
A method of manufacturing plant tags from a sheet of a resilient material for placement on a plant comprising the steps of: forming first and second nonoverlapping holes through each of the plant tags; scoring a line between the first and second holes on each of the tags for folding the tags about the score line to align the first and second holes and forming a guide surface at an exposed edge of the tag on each side of the score line when the tag is folded; forming cuts extending from the guide surface to the hole on the same side of the score line; and cutting the plant tags from the sheet, the guide surfaces on each tag for guiding the tag onto the plant and the edges of the cuts being separable to permit a portion of the plant to move into the first and second holes with the tag resiliently unfolding until the portion of the edge of each of said first and second holes adjacent the score line contacts one side of the plant and the portion of the edge of each of said first and second holes distal from the score line contacts the opposite side of the plant to lock the tag onto the plant with the tag in a fixed position for ready observation, the cuts in each plant tag being nonaligned to define tabs to resist simultaneous separation of the edges of each of the cuts on the plant tag.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the step of forming guide surfaces on each side of the score line in the plant tag includes the step of forming a third hole through the plant tag over a portion of the score line so that the edges of the third hole on either side of the score line defines the guide surfaces.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US478185A
Cited
US1304417A
Cited
US1382426A
Cited
US1430641A
Cited
US2669047A
Cited
SU704530A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-04-11 | 1986-10-11 | 1987-04-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-04-11 | 1990-10-11 | 1991-04-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-04-11 | 1994-10-11 | 1995-04-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |