One piece plastic tether

Abstract

A tether that is formed from plastic resin is used for securing a captive article, e.g., a scoop to a container such as a bottle or the like. The tether comprises a ring-shaped body portion defining a collar that is constructed and dimensioned to fit around the neck of the container. An integral arcuate leash encircles the collar and is concentric exteriorly of the collar so as to at least partially surround the collar. An integral radially extending connecting ligament also formed from the same plastic resin is located between the collar and a proximal end of the leash. A fastener is provided on the free end of the leash for securing the tether to the captive article.

1 . A tether formed from plastic resin for securing a captive article to a container, said tether comprising, 
 a ring-shaped body portion defining a collar that is constructed and dimensioned to fit around said container,    an arcuate leash encircling the collar so as to be concentric exteriorly thereof for at least partially surrounding the collar,    an integral plastic ligament extending between the collar and a proximal end of the leash and,    a fastener at the free end of the leash for securing the tether to a captive article.    
   
   
       2 . The tether of  claim 1  wherein the leash, the collar and the connecting ligament are composed flat sheet plastic material and are formed coplanar with each other.  
   
   
       3 . The tether of  claim 1  wherein a handle extends from the tether as an aid for grasping the tether.  
   
   
       4 . The tether of  claim 3  wherein the handle is a tab that extends radially outwardly from the collar between the plastic ligament and the fastener.  
   
   
       5 . A tether formed from plastic resin for securing an article to a container, said tether comprising, 
 a ring-shaped body portion that is formed from plastic resin and defines a collar for attachment to said container,    an arcuate leash that is constructed to curve toward the collar,    said leash being integrally connected to said collar at a proximal end of said leash and    the free end of the leash being adapted to be attached to a captive article.    
   
   
       6 . The tether of  claim 5  wherein the leash and the collar are each formed as a flat plastic sheet of material and are coplanar with each other.  
   
   
       7 . The leash of  claim 5  wherein a handle extends from the tether as an aid for grasping the tether.  
   
   
       8 . The tether of  claim 5  wherein the handle extends radially outwardly from the collar adjacent a proximal end of the leash.  
   
   
       9 . The tether of  claim 5  wherein the tether is formed from injection molded plastic resin.  
   
   
       10 . A one-piece tether formed from flat of plastic resinous strip material comprising, 
 a centrally located ring defining a collar portion,    a leash that is formed coplanar with the collar and exteriorly encircles the collar,    a proximal end of the leash is integrally connected to the collar and    a fastener is located at a free end of the leash for securing the tether to a captive article.    
   
   
       11 . The tether of  claim 10  wherein the fastener comprises a flattened enlargement in the form of an arrowhead for facilitating the insertion of the free end of the leash into an opening in said article.  
   
   
       12 . The tether of  claim 10  wherein a handle comprising a tab extends radially outwardly from the collar.  
   
   
       13 . The tether of  claim 5  in combination with a bottle that extends through the collar and a scoop attached to the free end of the leash.  
   
   
       14 . The device of  claim 13  and a fastener at the free end of the leash connected to the scoop.