Plastic Fastening Device Comprising a Recycled Thermoplastic Resin

Abstract

A plastic fastening device that includes a recycled material. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the fastening device includes a blend of two or more thermoplastic resins, at least one of which is a recycled material. The blend may include, for example, a fresh thermoplastic resin and a recycled thermoplastic resin. The fresh thermoplastic resin may include, for example, one or more of a polyethylene (PE), a polyamide (PA), or a polycarbonate (PC). The recycled thermoplastic resin may include, for example, a recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET). In a preferred embodiment, the blend of two or more thermoplastic resins includes a blend of (i) rPET and (ii) one of a low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a LDPE/LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene) blend and LLDPE, (iii) wherein the rPET constitutes about 88 % to 98 % of the total material content and the LDPE, the LDPE/LLDPE blend, or the LLDPE constitutes the balance.

1 . A plastic fastening device, at least a portion of which comprises a plastic recycled material. 
     
     
         2 . The plastic fastening device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plastic fastening device is a plastic fastener comprising a flexible filament having a first enlargement at a first end and a second enlargement at a second end. 
     
     
         3 . The plastic fastening device as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the first enlargement is a crossbar. 
     
     
         4 . The plastic fastening device as claimed in  claim 3  wherein the second enlargement is a paddle. 
     
     
         5 . The plastic fastening device as claimed in  claim 4  wherein at least a portion of the plastic fastener comprises a blend of at least two thermoplastic resins, at least one of which is a recycled resin. 
     
     
         6 . The plastic fastening device as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said blend comprises a fresh thermoplastic resin and a recycled thermoplastic resin. 
     
     
         7 . The plastic fastening device as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said fresh thermoplastic resin is selected from the group consisting of at least one of a polyethylene, a polyamide, and a polycarbonate. 
     
     
         8 . The plastic fastening device as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said recycled thermoplastic resin comprises a recycled polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         9 . The plastic fastening device as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said blend comprises a recycled polyethylene terephthalate and one of a low-density polyethylene, a low-density polyethylene/linear low-density polyethylene blend, and a linear low-density polyethylene. 
     
     
         10 . The plastic fastening device as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the recycled polyethylene terephthalate constitutes about 88% to 98% of the total material content and wherein the low-density polyethylene, the low-density polyethylene/linear low-density polyethylene blend, and the linear low-density polyethylene constitutes the balance. 
     
     
         11 . An assembly comprising a plurality of plastic fasteners as claimed in  claim 2  joined in a clip. 
     
     
         12 . An assembly comprising a plurality of plastic fasteners as claimed in  claim 2  joined in continuously-connected stock. 
     
     
         13 . The plastic fastening device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plastic fastening device includes a RFID device. 
     
     
         14 . The plastic fastening device as claimed in  claim 13  wherein at least a portion of the plastic staple comprises a blend of at least two thermoplastic resins, at least one of which is a recycled resin. 
     
     
         15 . The plastic fastening device as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said blend comprises a fresh thermoplastic resin and a recycled thermoplastic resin. 
     
     
         16 . The plastic fastening device as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said fresh thermoplastic resin is selected from the group consisting of at least one of a polyethylene, a polyamide, and a polycarbonate. 
     
     
         17 . The plastic fastening device as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said recycled thermoplastic resin comprises a recycled polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         18 . The plastic fastening device as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said blend comprises a recycled polyethylene terephthalate and one of a low-density polyethylene, a low-density polyethylene/linear low-density polyethylene blend, and a linear low-density polyethylene. 
     
     
         19 . The plastic fastening device as claimed in  claim 18  wherein the recycled polyethylene terephthalate constitutes about 88% to 98% of the total material content and wherein the low-density polyethylene, the low-density polyethylene/linear low-density polyethylene blend, and the linear low-density polyethylene constitutes the balance. 
     
     
         20 . A method for manufacturing a plastic fastening device, the method comprising:
 (a) providing a recycled material;   (b) forming at least a portion of the plastic fastening device using the recycled material.