HK1126097B - Packaging tie-downs - Google Patents

Description

Packaging binding device

Priority is claimed herein for prior provisional patent application 60/741,786 "package binder" filed on 1/2005 12/2005, prior provisional patent application 60/742,807 "package binder" filed on 5/2005 12/119, and prior provisional patent application 60/758,115 "package binder" filed on 10/2006 1/2006; each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Background

Various devices and techniques have been used to secure packaged items. For example, the packaged item may be secured by a molded foam or inflated cushion, but is also typically secured to the backing plate using one or more securing devices. Previous examples of such securing means include Tancredi's U.S. patent 3,811,565 reinforcement strip (1974) and small Robley's U.S. patent 6,575,302 secure packaging system (2003), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Fastening members for fastening articles to walls and other hard surfaces are described in Delahunty, european patent application 0115692, also incorporated herein by reference.

Previous securing devices typically included coated flexible wires or "ties". For example, in the example of packaged toy 10 shown in fig. 1, toy figure 12 is secured to backing plate 14 of display case 16. Character 12 is secured to backing plate 14 by a plurality of straps 18. The ends of the straps extend out from the rear of the backing plate 14 as shown in figure 2. To remove the toy figure from the packaging, the backing sheet must be removed from the display case 16, but then the straps must be unwrapped and pulled through a backing (backing) to release the figure. This process is both useless and time consuming, especially for small children. In addition, the straps require time and attention to use when packaged.

The tie-down of the present disclosure can be inexpensively produced, quickly and easily used when packaged, and can be easily removed even by children.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is an isometric cross-sectional view of a packaged toy figure according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the back of the backing plate of the packaged toy figure of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of an exemplary package tie-down;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the exemplary packaging tie-down of FIG. 3 in combination with a backing, with a retention strap (retention strap) inserted through the backing and the tie-down;

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the exemplary packaging tie-down of FIG. 1 flush with the backing, with a retention strap inserted through the backing and the tie-down;

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the exemplary packaging tie-down of FIG. 5 with a retention strap pressed against the tie-down;

FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the exemplary packaging tie-down of FIG. 6 with the retention strap folded at a right angle;

FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of the exemplary packaging tie-down of FIG. 7 with the retention strap folded and inserted into an engagement structure of the tie-down;

FIG. 9 illustrates a front view of two exemplary packaging binders, as shown in FIG. 3, in combination with retention straps to secure an article to a backing;

FIG. 10 illustrates a view of the inner face (underside) of the exemplary package tie-down of FIG. 3;

FIG. 11 illustrates a partial view of an engagement structure of the exemplary packaging tie-down of FIG. 3;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of another alternative exemplary package tie-down of the present disclosure;

fig. 13 is a perspective view of an exemplary retention plate of the present disclosure;

FIG. 14 illustrates a perspective view of an article secured to a packaging material by an exemplary retention plate and an exemplary packaging tie-down according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 15 is a plan view of another alternative exemplary package tie-down of the present disclosure;

FIG. 16 is a plan view of another alternative exemplary package tie-down of the present disclosure;

FIG. 17 is a plan view of another alternative exemplary package tie-down of the present disclosure;

FIG. 18 is a plan view of another alternative exemplary package tie-down of the present disclosure;

FIG. 19 is a plan view of another alternative exemplary package tie-down of the present disclosure;

FIG. 20 illustrates an exemplary row of package binders produced in accordance with an exemplary manufacturing technique;

FIG. 21 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method of securing a retention strap using the package tie-down of the present disclosure;

FIG. 22 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method of securing an item using the packaging tie-down of the present disclosure;

FIG. 23 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method of removing the packaging tie-downs of the present disclosure from the retention strap;

FIG. 24 is an isometric cross-sectional view of a packaged toy figure secured by an exemplary packaging tie-down and retention strap according to the present disclosure;

figure 25 is an isometric view of the back side of the backing plate of the packaged toy figure of figure 24.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of a packaging tie-down that may incorporate a retention strap to secure an object to a packaging material are provided. Fig. 3-12 illustrate an exemplary package tie-down 20. The binding 20 includes a substantially planar base 22 and an engagement structure 24 that securely engages the retention strap. The exemplary engagement structure 24 includes an open slot 26 defined by a tongue 28.

The exemplary binding 20 also includes an aperture in the base 22. As shown in fig. 3, the aperture may be a slot 34. In general, the slots 34 and open slots 26 are disposed at an angle to each other; preferably positioned at about 90 degrees to each other.

The packaging tie-downs of the present disclosure may generally be used in conjunction with one or more sheets of packaging material to secure packaged items. As used herein, "packaging material" includes any material that will secure an item using the tie-downs of the present disclosure. Although not required, the packaging material typically includes a substantially flat surface or partial surface. The packaging material may be used to package items for storage, shipment or display. The packaging material may be the surface of the box, a backing plate, an interior divider, or another sufficiently strong material.

Fig. 4 shows an exemplary tie-down 20 in combination with a portion of a planar packaging material 30, wherein the retention strap 32 is first threaded through an opening 35 in the packaging material 30 and then through a slot 34, as shown.

Once the retention strap 32 is threaded through the packaging material and through-slot 34 of the tie-down, the tie-down may be placed against the packaging material, as shown in FIG. 5. The retention strap may be flattened against the base of the tie down, as shown by the arrows in fig. 5. That is, retention strap 32 is folded downward as shown in FIG. 6. To further secure the tie-down, the retention strap may be folded over the tongue 28, as indicated by the arrow in fig. 6, to create an approximately right angle fold in the retention strap, as shown in fig. 7. The binding may then be secured by passing and/or sliding the retention strap 32 under the tongue 28 into the slot 26, as indicated by the arrow in fig. 7. Fig. 8 shows the structure of the resulting retention strap and binder.

By folding the retention strap and inserting the engagement structure 24, the retention strap may be securely engaged by the tie down. Optionally, the fastening bit strip is tensioned before the engagement structure engages. Tensioning the retention strap includes removing slack in the retention strap and pulling the retention strap to enhance interaction of the retention strap and the binder. The retention strap may be tensioned by pulling on the free end of the retention strap, by pressing the tie down on the wrapper, or by a combination thereof. The retention strap may be tensioned prior to folding and/or prior to engagement by the engagement structure. Once the retention strap 32 is engaged and tensioned, excess retention strap 32 may be removed by trimming, but a sufficient length of retention strap may remain protruding from the tie down to facilitate removal of the tie down. Although the retention strap shown in fig. 7 and 8 is folded over itself at approximately a right angle, the retention strap may also be folded under itself without affecting the utility and security of the packaging tie-down. The description of the folded retention strap in this specification should be understood to include a retention strap that folds over and under when securing the binder.

The disclosed tie-down may be used to securely fasten one end of a retention strap that is threaded through a piece of packaging material. By securing the retention strap in this manner, a variety of articles may be secured within and/or against the selected wrapper. For example, the disclosed ties may be used in pairs, with one tie securing one end of a single selected retention strap, as shown in FIG. 9. By using paired binders in this manner, the item 36 may be secured to the packaging material 30. The structure of the tie-down allows the retention strap to be tightened when secured, as described above. By tensioning the fastening station 32, the article 36 is more securely held against the wrapper 30.

Item 38 represents any of a variety of items or objects that may be secured using the disclosed tie-down. Modern packaging typically includes a transparent plastic cover or transparent window (transparent window) in which the packaged item is preferably held in place and/or orientation for display. Alternatively, or in addition, suitable packaging helps to avoid damage to the items during shipment. The disclosed tie-downs may be used to secure a variety of objects and items, and the size of one or both of the tie-downs, the retention straps, or both may be scaled up or down as appropriate for the item or object to be secured. In particular, the disclosed tie-downs are particularly useful when used in conjunction with any type of packaged toy, including, for example, action figures, figurines, dolls, vehicles, or other toys.

During use, the inner face of the tie-down is typically pressed firmly against the chosen packaging material. Fig. 10 shows the inner face of an exemplary binding 20. Although the tie-downs may be sufficiently secured in place by tension applied to the retention strap, additional methods of enhancing the retention of the tie-downs may be used. In other methods, the tie down may be attached to the packaging material using an adhesive, by thermal or chemical welding, or by mechanical attachment, among other methods. For example, the tie down may be secured to the packaging material by an adhesive on the inner face of the tie down. Alternatively, or in addition, the entire binder may be glued into place after the fastening position strap has been pulled, for example. In one aspect of the disclosed tie-down, the inner face of the tie-down includes one or more protrusions 38 that enhance the attachment of the tie-down to the desired packaging material. The projections 38 may have any suitable shape to positively interact with the packaging material. For example, the protrusions may be pin or spike shaped, hemispherical, conical or frusto-conical such that the protrusions may be partially embedded within a suitably recessed packaging material such as cardboard. As shown in fig. 10, the protrusions 38 may be conical and the inner face of the binder may have a plurality of protrusions, for example, at least four protrusions, as shown in fig. 10. As described above, tightening the retention strap may establish or enhance the attachment of the tie-down to a piece of wrapping material by pressing the projections to engage the surface of the wrapping material.

The slot 34 through which the retention strap 32 passes is typically a narrow slot through the base 22 of the tie-down 20. The slot 34 may generally be configured such that the retention strap may be easily inserted through the slot. The slot 34 may be rectangular with square ends, or the ends of the slot may be more or less rounded. The side walls defining the slot may be straight and parallel, or the slot opening may be chamfered (sloped) on one or both sides to make it easier for the retention strip to pass through the slot, or to obtain the desired retention strength on the passing retention strip. The description of the slot within the tie-down in this specification should be understood to include other shapes and sizes of apertures which may include features (features) to facilitate passage, enhance retention, or both.

Additionally or alternatively, one end of the tie-down slot may extend to the edge of the tie-down, thereby forming an open slot. The construction may include one or more structures that assist in securing the retention strap, as described below with respect to the engagement structure. The open structure may allow the retention strap to more easily pass through the slot.

As described above, the interaction between the retention strap and the engagement structure secures the retention strap to the tie-down. The engagement structure may include one or more features that assist in engaging and securing the retention strap. Generally, the engagement mechanism is selected so that the retention strap can be easily engaged with the engagement structure. The engagement structure is also selected so that the retention strap can be easily disengaged from the binding. Generally, the engagement structure includes an open slot, such as slot 26.

As shown in fig. 11, the tongue 28 of the engaging structure 24 may optionally include a tab 40 extending into the open slot 26 to help secure the retention strap under the tongue 28. The opposite side of the open slot 26 for the tab 40 may further have a corresponding notch 42 to cooperate with the tab 40. Tab 40 may be generally semi-conical in shape, as shown. Alternatively, tabs 40 may be semi-cylindrical, hemispherical, or any other shape that helps secure retention strap 32 within open channel 26.

The interaction between retention strap 22 and tab 28 may be further enhanced by the presence of groove 44 on the inner face of tab 28 defined by groove edges 46 and 48, as shown in fig. 10. The groove 44 may provide a channel for receiving the retention strap 32 when passing under the tongue 28, and may provide additional security to help retain the retention strap 32 without sliding out of the open slot 26, particularly when the inside of the binder is securely pressed against the packaging material. Additionally, insertion of retention strap 32 into open slot 26 may be facilitated by beveling, rounding, or otherwise contouring tip 50 of tongue 28 adjacent the entrance to open slot 26. The tongue 28 may also be raised relative to the surface of the binder base 22 to further facilitate insertion and removal of the retention strap 32 into the open slot 26.

Alternatively, or in addition, the configuration of the open slots of the engagement structure may be modified to improve the security of the retention strap. For example, as shown in fig. 12, the alternative exemplary tie-down 60 includes a slot 62 and an engagement structure 64, wherein the engagement structure includes an open slot 66. The slot 66 has serrated edges 68 to increase frictional retention and/or securement of an inserted retention strap. In other embodiments, a variety of textures may be used on the edge, other inside edges of the open grooves of the engagement structure, and/or any other surface that contacts the retention strip, with potentially useful textures including, but not limited to, serrations, crenulations, parallel lines, intersecting lines, and other regular and irregular patterns.

Typically, the disclosed packaging tie-downs can be easily removed. By grasping the free end of the retention strap 32 and sliding it out of the open slot 26, and then out from under the tongue 28, the tie is released and then can be slid out of the retention strap 32 and removed. The secured article can be quickly and easily unfastened without the need for special tools. But the engagement structure may prevent removal of the retention strap when it is desired to securely hold the article and no preference is given to ease of removal, such as when the article is to be permanently installed or displayed. For example, the entrance to the open slot of the engagement structure may optionally include a "one-way" mechanism, such as a detent, resilient latch, or inwardly extending barb.

The retention strap 32 can have a variety of widths and thicknesses provided that the retention strap remains substantially flexible and the binder can receive and retain the selected retention strap. Typically, the retention strap is made of a soft plastic that is opaque or transparent.

As an alternative to securing the ends of the retention strap using wrap straps, the straps of the present disclosure may be used in combination with a retention plate (retaining plate)70 having a substantially flat base 72 and a retention strap 74 attached to the base 72, as shown in FIG. 14. The retention strap may be attached to the planar base by any suitable attachment method, including adhesive, heat staking, chemical welding, mechanical attachment, or co-molding. The retention plate may be used to secure one end of a retention strap, wherein the retention strap is used to secure an article against a selected wrapper.

For example, as shown in FIG. 14, the retention panel 70 may be used to secure a retention strap 74, which retention strap 74 in turn secures an article 76 against the wrapper 78. The ends of the retention strap 74 may be secured by, for example, the tie down 20, as described above. The use of the retainer plate 70 in place of the second binder eliminates the need for one end of the retention strap to pass through one binder. The packaging operation can therefore be quicker, more efficient and more economical.

Alternatively or additionally, to use the packaging tie-downs of the present disclosure, tie-down retention straps having two slots but no engagement structure may be used. For example, as shown in fig. 15, an alternative tie down 80 includes two substantially parallel slots 82 and 84, and no engagement structure. The tie-down 80 may be used to secure a retention strap that passes through the tie-down and possibly through a slot in the underlying packaging material by passing the retention strap 86 (shown in phantom) through the slots 82 and 84. For example, the tie downs 80 may be used to secure the midpoint of the retention strap 86 such that each end of the retention strap may be used to secure one or more different items when used in combination with one or more additional tie downs or retaining plates as described above.

Although the above description has referred to an exemplary package binding that is generally square in profile and includes a single slot, a single open slot, and a single tongue, various alternative and exemplary package binding using the same principles of operation are contemplated.

The disclosed tie down need not be approximately square but may be triangular, rectangular, circular, oval or any other shape that allows for securing of a retention strap. Alternatively or additionally, the disclosed tie downs are not limited to a single slot and engagement structure.

The binding 87 as shown in fig. 16 comprises two slots and two engagement structures, rotated 180 degrees from each other. The tie-down 87 may be used to provide flexibility in securing a single retention strap in one of two positions, or may be used to secure two retention straps, one on each side of the tie-down. Alternatively, as exemplified by the binder 88 shown in fig. 17, the two sets of slots and engagement structures may be mirrored with respect to each other. The binder 88 may allow right-handed and left-handed operators to secure the retention strap using the most comfortable motions and orientations for them. Alternatively, the tie-down 88 may be used to secure two retention straps.

Alternatively, the disclosed tie downs may include four slots and four engagement structures. For example, as shown in the exemplary tie down 89 in fig. 18, the tie down may include slots and engagement structures positioned in opposing pairs. The tie-downs 89 may provide right-handed and left-handed operation. Alternatively, the exemplary tie down 90 as shown in fig. 19 may include four slots and engagement structures that are positioned in a pinwheel configuration. Alternatively, the disclosed tie downs may include three slots and engagement structures, and may take on a triangular shape.

The packaging tie-downs disclosed herein may be made of any suitable material or combination of materials, such as plastic, foam, wood, cardboard, pressed paper, metal, and the like. Appropriate materials may be selected to provide the desired combination of weight, strength, durability, cost, manufacturability, appearance, safety, and the like. Suitable plastics may include High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polypropylene, among others. Suitable foams may include expanded polystyrene or unexpanded polystyrene, and the like. Typically, the package tie-downs themselves are made of ABS, polypropylene copolymer (PP-co), High Impact Polystyrene (HIPS), or Phosphorylcholine (PC) polymer. The binder is preferably made of ABS.

Although the retention strap is typically flexible and resilient, if the material of the retention strap is too soft or deformable, performance of the binder may be reduced. Typically, the retention strap is made of polypropylene copolymer (PP-co), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), mylar, or the like. The retention strap is preferably made of PVC.

Any suitable molding or manufacturing process can be used to prepare the disclosed packaging tie-downs. In particular, the disclosed packaging tie-downs may be manufactured by a molding process, such as injection molding. As shown in fig. 20, the molded row of bindings 90 may include a plurality of individual bindings 92. Multiple binders may be molded in the form of a self-loading clip that can dispense a single or multiple binders. Alternatively, the tie-down is manufactured in the form of an unwound linear chain that can be wound on a reel and dispensed therefrom when required. Typically, the tie-downs are manufactured in a form that can be easily used manually or that is compatible with assembly equipment that facilitates the packaging operation.

The dimensions of the disclosed packaging tie-downs generally depend on the size of the items to be secured and the dimensions of the packaging material used. For smaller items, such as toys, the packaging tie-downs may be about 10-20mm wide, about 10-20mm long, and about 1-3mm thick, with the retention strap being about 5-7mm wide. To secure larger and/or heavier items, the packaging tie-downs may be longer, perhaps on the order of a few centimeters, or larger. Typically, the packaging tie-downs disclosed herein are about 14.5mm wide, about 15mm long, the tie-down body is about 1.5mm thick, and the retention strap is about 6mm wide.

The packaging tie-downs of the present disclosure may be used in a method 100 of securing a retention strap using a packaging tie-down, as shown in fig. 21. The method may include passing the retention strap through an aperture in the tie-down body at 102, folding the retention strap at 104, and securing the free end of the retention strap with the engagement structure of the tie-down at 106. The method 100 optionally includes one or more of threading the retention strap through an aperture in the wrapper at 108, tightening the retention strap at 112, and trimming the free end of the retention strap at 114. Generally, securing the free end of the retention strap with the engagement structure includes inserting the free end of the retention strap under the tie down tongue such that the retention strap passes through the open slot.

The package strapper described herein may be used in conjunction with automated or semi-automated methods. For example, a plurality of strappers may be manufactured in a substrate (chip) that may be loaded into and dispensed by an automated or semi-automated assembly facility. The assembly apparatus may separate the individual bindings from the substrate and pass the first end of the retention strap through the aperture of the first binding. The operator may then pass the second end of the retention strap through the slot of the second package tie-down. Alternatively, the mounting apparatus may pass the second end of the retention strap through the slot of the second package tie-down. Typically, the operator may tighten the retention strap, folding and securing the retention strap under the tongue of the tie-down.

The above-described assembly method may optionally incorporate the use of a retention plate (retention plate) in place of the combination of the first binder and the retention strap. In this regard, an operator or assembly equipment may thread the retention strap of the retention plate through the wrapping material, thread the second end of the retention strap through the wrapping material, and through the slot of the wrap binder. The free end of the retention strap in the securing tie-down can then secure the object against the packaging material.

The method of securing the retention strap may in turn be used to secure an article to a packaging material, as shown in method 120 of fig. 22. The method may include passing a retention strap through an aperture in the wrapper at 122, passing the retention strap through an aperture in the tie down body at 124, securing the item with the retention strap against the wrapper at 126, tightening the retention strap at 128, folding the retention strap at 130, and securing the free end of the retention strap with the engagement structure of the tie down at 132.

Typically, the tie down is easily removable so that it can be used in a method 140 of removing a packaging tie down, as shown in fig. 23. The method may include removing the retention strap from the engagement structure of the packaging tie-down at 142, unrolling the retention strap at 144, and removing the packaging tie-down from the retention strap at 146.

The presently disclosed tie-downs may be used to secure a variety of objects and items, including odd shaped or bulky objects. In particular, the disclosed tie downs are particularly well suited for packaging toys, such as packaged toy 150 shown in fig. 24 and 25. In the example of the packaged toy 150, a plurality of packaging ties 152 secure the ends of retention straps 154, which retention straps 154 in turn secure the toy 156 against a backing plate 158. When the retention strap is transparent, the toy may be securely held against the backing plate without the tie down disturbing the view. This is particularly true when the toy is displayed under a clear plastic cover or window 160, as shown in fig. 24. In addition, the disclosed tie-downs can be quickly and easily removed, allowing even small children to unwrap the packaged toy themselves and get a more immediate pleasure, for example, during a birthday evening or other holiday. The disclosed tie downs may be used in conjunction with a variety of toys, including action figures, figurines, dolls, and other figures.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to the foregoing operational principles and preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. The invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances, including all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein.

Claims (22)

1. A packaging tie-down, comprising:

a substantially flat tie-down body;

an aperture that is a slot within the tie-down body configured to receive a retaining strap; and

an engagement structure on the tie down body comprising an open slot and a tongue that is raised relative to the tie down body;

wherein the aperture and the open slot are arranged at about 90 degrees, and wherein the engagement structure is configured to securely engage the retention strap and comprises a groove on an inner face of the tongue configured to provide a channel for the retention strap.

2. The packaging tie-down of claim 1, where the engagement structure is configured to securely and reversibly engage the retention strap.

3. The packaging tie-down of claim 1, where the tongue defines the open slot.

4. The packaging tie-down of claim 3, where the tab includes one or more features configured to assist in engaging and retaining the retention strap.

5. The packaging tie-down of claim 4, where the member includes a tab extending into the open slot, there being a notch opposite the tab for an opposite side of the open slot of the tab.

6. The packaging tie-down of claim 3, where the tie-down is arranged such that the retention strap may be secured by passing up through the aperture, folding over on itself, and passing through the open slot and under the tongue.

7. The packaging tie-down of claim 3, further comprising one or more protrusions on an inner face of the tie-down body.

8. The packaging tie-down of claim 3, further comprising the retention strap.

9. The packaging tie-down of claim 8, where the retention strap is attached to a retention plate.

10. A packaging tie-down, comprising:

a substantially flat tie-down body;

a slot within the tie-down body configured to receive a retaining strap; and

a tongue lifted relative to the tie-down body, the tongue defining an open slot on the tie-down body, wherein the open slot is disposed at substantially a right angle to a slot within the tie-down body, wherein the open slot is configured to securely engage the retention strap.

11. The packaging tie-down of claim 11, where the open slot includes a tab extending from one side of the open slot, and a corresponding notch on the other side of the slot; and

the tongue includes a groove on an inner face of the tongue configured to provide a channel for the retention strip.

12. A packaged article comprising:

a packaging material;

a packaging tie-down having a substantially planar tie-down body, an aperture within the tie-down body configured to receive a retention strap, and an engagement structure on the tie-down body including a tongue elevated relative to the tie-down body, the tongue defining an open slot on the tie-down body, the open slot configured to securely engage the retention strap, wherein the aperture and the open slot are arranged at about 90 degrees;

a retention strap configured to secure the item to the wrapper, wherein the retention strap passes through an aperture in the wrapper, through an aperture in the tie-down body, folds and is secured by the engagement structure.

13. The packaged article of claim 12 wherein each end of the retention strap is secured by a packaging tie-down.

14. A packaged article according to claim 12 wherein the article is a toy.

15. A method of securing a retention strap using the packaging tie-down of claim 1, comprising:

passing a retention strap through an aperture in the tie-down body;

folding the retention strap;

securing the free end of the retention strap with the engagement structure of the tie down.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the engagement structure includes a tongue defining an open slot, and securing the free end of the retention strap includes inserting the retention strap into the open slot.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising tensioning the retention strap prior to inserting the retention strap into the engagement structure of the binder.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising passing the retention strap through an aperture in a packaging material before passing the retention strap through an aperture in the tie-down body.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein at least a portion of the method is performed by an assembly apparatus.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the retention strap is attached to a retention plate.

21. A method of securing an article to a packaging material, comprising:

passing a retention strap through an aperture in the wrapper;

passing the retention strap through an aperture in a tie-down, wherein the tie-down comprises: a substantially planar tie-down body, an aperture within the tie-down body for receiving the retention strap, and an engagement structure on the tie-down body, the engagement structure including a tongue elevated relative to the tie-down body, the tongue defining an open slot configured to securely engage the retention strap;

securing the article against the wrapper with the retention strap;

tensioning the retention strap;

folding the retention strap; and

securing the retention strap under the tongue of the tie-down such that the retention strap passes through the open slot of the engagement structure.

22. A method of removing a package tie-down, comprising:

removing a retention strap from an engagement structure of a packaging tie-down according to claim 1, deploying the retention strap, and removing the packaging tie-down from the retention strap.