Twist tie

A twist tie is a fastener made of one or more metal wires encased in a thin strip of paper or plastic, in such a way that it can bend and retain its shape. Wireless polymeric twist ties have also been developed.

Use
It is used to tie the openings of containers including bags, such as garbage bags or bread bags. It is also called garden twist wire. A twist tie is used by wrapping it around the item to be fastened, then twisting the ends together. They are often included with boxes of plastic food bags or trash bags, and are commonly available individually in pre-cut lengths, on large spools, or in perforated sheets called gangs.

The outer covering can be in a variety of colors with or without printing. Plain paper, metallic paper, plastic, poly, or custom coatings are popular for different applications. The plastic, poly, or metallic paper twist ties withstand water better than the uncoated paper versions. Different sizes and strengths are used for different applications, from a small closure for a bag of bread to a large, heavy tie to hold unwieldy garden hoses in place. A twist tie with a broad paper covering may also be used for labeling.

The wire is often made of stainless steel or galvanized steel with a diameter between 19 and 31 AWG (0.2 and 0.9 mm).

They were invented by Charles E. Burford in 1961.

Application
Twist ties can be applied manually. They can be reapplied several times, facilitating reusable packaging.

Twist ties are often found in grocery stores in the United States for customers to use to secure their purchases into bags.

Banner/flag style twist ties have a large portion extended out from the twist tie that allows user to write and identify PLU/BIN numbers when purchasing things like trail mix, granola, hardware, and more.

Automatic and semi-automatic twist-tying equipment is also available; The US Patent Office has listed several hundred patents for automation methods.

History
Before the invention of the twist-tie, small cuts of sheep or cow intestine were used as a rubber band. Before the use of the intestinal rubber band, thin pieces of metal would be hammered into a wire-like shape. These were called wire-twisties and were used by wrapping it around the item to be fastened, then twisting the ends together. According to the 1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, twist ties are not allowed to hold candies together. After 1938, all licorice factories began binding their candies together with small pieces of twine or thin pieces of other licorice.