EP0356850A2 - Clip, especially for packaging purposes, and method for closing bags with this clip - Google Patents

Abstract

The clip has two dimensionally stable halves (2,3) made of plastic. In the closed position, these are connected to one another in two places (4,7) and form an opening (5) to receive a bag package end. In the first place (7), the connection is formed as a separable predetermined breaking point or cut-off zone. In the second place (4), the connection is formed in such a manner that the two halves (2,3), when the predetermined breaking point or cut-off zone has been separated, are pivotable towards one another for the release or for the reclosing of the bag package end. The clip thus serves as a guarantee closure. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to a clip, in particular for packaging purposes, with two halves formed from plastic, which are connected to one another at two points in the closed state and form at least one opening between them for enclosing a packaging item or container, the two halves at one of the points are pivotally connected to one another for opening or closing, and in the region of the other point on the halves a part of an openable and a reclosable closure member is arranged. Such clips are e.g. from US Pat. No. 3,818,553. Resealable clips of this type have relatively complicated shaped locking members, both hands of which are required to open. You also have several protruding hook-like parts, which are unfavorable both for the processing of the clips and on the packaging (due to risk of damage, mutual damage to the packaging, etc.). These closure members also do not allow them to be additionally secured with a seal or the like.

Against this background, the task arises to improve a clip of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that it can be opened and closed simply and essentially with one hand. If possible, the closure member should not be able to get caught with other clips. It should be free of injuries and not damage other packs. It should also be possible to design the clip as a guarantee closure.

To achieve this object, the clip is equipped according to the invention with the features defined in the patent claims.

Due to the dimensionally stable design of the clip halves, including the two interacting parts of the closing member, the clip can be closed by simply pressing on the two clip halves. This can easily be done with one hand. During the packaging process, the attachment of the clip is also made easier by simply swiveling the two dimensionally stable clip halves together mechanically around the gathered neck of the bag. A corresponding clip pliers, in which the clip can be inserted in the open position, has two jaws that can be pivoted relative to one another, the pivot axes of which essentially coincide with the pivot axis of the inserted clip. The clip pliers can form part of the gathering mechanism for the neck of bags to be closed.

The clip according to the invention can be used as such or else as a base module with different shapes. The formations can in particular be designed as tongues, which form a guarantee closure and / or an opening aid.

• Fig. 1 eine erste Ausführung eines erfin­dungsgemässen Clips mit Garantieverschluss im Längs­schnitt vor dessen Anbringung;
• Fig. 2 eine Aufsicht auf den geöffneten Clip nach Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3 einen Querschnitt entlang der Linie III-III in Fig. 1;
• Fig. 4 einen Querschnitt entlang der Linie IV-IV in Fig. 1;
• Fig. 5 einen Querschnitt entlang der Linie V-V in Fig. 1;
• Fig. 6 ein Clip in geschlossenem Zustand im Längsschnitt;
• Fig. 7 ein Bandstück aus solchen Clips in Aufsicht;
• Fig. 8 eine schematische Schnittansicht einer zweier Lagen einer Bandrolle aus solchen Clips;
• Fig. 9,10,11 eine zweite Clipausführung je in der Aufsicht, im Längsschnitt geschlossen sowie im Längsschnitt offen und gestapelt, wobei der Garantieverschluss eine Plombe besitzt;
• Fig. 12,13,14 eine dritte Clipausführung ohne Garantieverschluss, jedoch mit Oeffnungshilfe, in der Aufsicht, im Längsschnitt geschlossen und im Längsschnitt offen gestapelt,
• Fig. 15,16,17,18 eine vierte Clipausführung ohne Garantieverschluss, mit abgewandelter Oeffnungshilfe, in der Aufsicht sowie im Längsschnitt je in offener und geschlossener Form,
• Fig. 19,20,21,22 weitere mögliche Clipausführungen, jeweils im Längsschnitt geöffnet und geschlossen, sowie in Aufsicht geschlossen;
• Fig. 23 die schematische Darstellung einer Maschine zum Anbringen der Clips am Hals von Beutelpackungen, sowie
• Fig. 24 eine schematische Darstellung einer abgewandelten solchen Maschine.

The clip according to the invention and its possible modifications are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings. In it show:

• 1 shows a first embodiment of a clip according to the invention with a guarantee closure in a longitudinal section before it is attached;
• FIG. 2 shows a top view of the opened clip according to FIG. 1;
• 3 shows a cross section along the line III-III in Fig. 1.
• Fig. 4 is a cross section along the line IV-IV in Fig. 1;
• 5 shows a cross section along the line VV in Fig. 1.
• 6 shows a clip in the closed state in longitudinal section;
• 7 shows a piece of tape from such clips in supervision;
• 8 is a schematic sectional view of two layers of a tape roll made from such clips;
• 9, 10, 11 a second clip version, each in the top view, closed in the longitudinal section and open and stacked in the longitudinal section, the guarantee closure having a seal;
• 12, 13, 14 a third clip version without a guarantee closure, but with an opening aid, in the top view, closed in the longitudinal section and stacked open in the longitudinal section,
• 15, 16, 17, 18 a fourth clip version without a guarantee closure, with a modified opening aid, in the top view and in longitudinal section, each in an open and closed form,
• 19, 20, 21, 22 further possible clip designs, each opened and closed in longitudinal section, and closed in supervision;
• 23 shows the schematic representation of a machine for attaching the clips to the neck of bag packs, and
• Fig. 24 is a schematic representation of a modified such machine.

First of all, the invention is illustrated with the aid of a first clip design, which is shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 as a single clip and in FIGS. 7 and 8 in conjunction with other corresponding clips. This clip 1 is designed as a guarantee closure, which is shown in Fig. 6 in the closed state before its first opening. The clip 1 is constructed from two halves 2 and 3, which are pivotally connected to one another via a hinge 4. The hinge 4 can be designed in various ways, for example as a film hinge, as a self-closing hinge with a pull that interacts with a film hinge or as a snapper that acts as a hinge. In the present exemplary embodiments, the hinge 4 is designed as a simple film hinge which is injection-molded in one piece with the two halves 2, 3 made of plastic.

In contrast to the elastic film hinge zone, the two halves 2 and 3 are essentially dimensionally stable, so that they form a defined opening 5 (see FIG. 6) for receiving the end of the bag pack. The shape of the two halves can be adapted to the size of the bag package to be closed, so that an optimal hold is created which prevents the clip 1 from being pulled off over the end of the bag. This is also prevented by stiffening ribs 6, which are formed on the inside of the half parts 2 and 3 and press the bag material together when the clip is closed.

In order to enable a manual reclosure of the bag once it has been opened, in the clip according to the invention on the inner side of the predetermined breaking zone 7, closing and closing elements 10, 10 'are provided. On a half part 2, a resilient projection 10 is formed, which engages in a corresponding recess 10 'on the other half part 3. The snap connection formed in this way can be easily opened and closed by hand. When closed, the clip holds the end of the bag together. As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 1 and 6, the closure members are molded onto the dimensionally stable halves 2, 3. They can therefore be closed or opened by simply compressing or pulling these halves 2, 3 around the hinge 4.

Instead of or in addition to this snap connection, a self-closing hinge 4 can be provided which, in addition to the film hinge, has a pull which presses the two halves against one another when a certain dead center occurs during pivoting is exceeded. Finally, a corresponding effect can be achieved by a hinge that has to be swung open against an elastic closing force and always returns to the closed starting position.

The halves 2, 3 are preferably trapezoidal in the exemplary embodiment described. This offers the advantage that printable outer surfaces are formed, which can be provided with brand names and / or expiry dates, for example. Furthermore, these surfaces are advantageous for the mechanical closing of the clips 1.

So far, these are basic elements of the clip, which are also present in the modifications to be described and to a certain extent form a basic module. The shape of the base module now allows additional tongues to be molded onto it, which fulfill special functions as required. In the present embodiment, the clip is designed as a guarantee closure. For this purpose tongues 9.9 'are formed on each outside of a predetermined breaking or cutting zone 7 on the closure members of the clip halves 2,3.

The cross section of the predetermined breaking or cutting zone 7 is dimensioned in such a way that the plastic can be cut through manually without the use of special force. The predetermined breaking zone 7 is formed in the present embodiment by two webs 8 with reduced wall thickness. The tongues 9, 9 'formed on the outside at the predetermined breaking point 7 need not be of identical design, as can be seen from FIGS. 1, 3 and 5. The tongues 9.9 'have organs which create a manually unsolvable connection between them in the closed state. In the present exemplary embodiment, the two tongues 9, 9 'are connected to one another when closed by ultrasound welding, the cross sections shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 intermeshing by fusing. In the closed state, as can be seen in FIG. 6 is, the two tongues 9,9 'are inseparably united into one part. Instead of this welded connection, another, non-detachable connection can be provided, such as by hooking, gluing, riveting or caulking, as will be explained in more detail.

The tongues 9.9 'together form a gripping bottle for manually separating the predetermined breaking zone 7 by twisting the tab relative to the clip, pivoting it several times or cutting it off with scissors.

The presence of the tab serves as a guarantee that the clip has not yet been opened. If the tab is missing, this is a sign that the packaging has already been tampered with. Packaging with a missing tab can be easily recognized by the sales staff and taken out of circulation.

If the tab is removed, the two half parts 2, 3 remain from clip 1, as shown in FIG. 6 to the right of the dashed line. These two half parts 2, 3 can now be opened manually by pivoting, removed from the end of the bag and used to reclose them

Before being attached to bag packs, the clips 1 according to the present exemplary embodiment are combined to form a band 11, a piece of which is shown in FIG. 7. For this purpose, clips 1 are separably connected to one another. In the example described, this is achieved in that the clips are sprayed onto two parallel threads 12 during the injection molding, which connect the clips 1 to one another. These threads 12 are arranged in the area of the outer trapezoidal corners of the halves 2, 3, as can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2. On the other hand, the connection between the individual clips could also be made by means of molded plastic webs or the like. In contrast, the use of threads 12 has the advantage that the threads pass through the injection mold can be guided, wherein in each case a whole band section with several clips 1 is injection molded and pushed out of the mold on the threads, after which a further band section is sprayed onto the same threads.

The band 11 thus formed can e.g. be rolled up. For this purpose, the individual clips 1 are shaped so that they are stackable, i.e. e.g. center when rolling up and form a roll of balanced thickness across the entire width. 8 two layers from a roll or a stack are shown schematically.

The use of the clips 1 in this form simplifies the attachment device in that the individual clips do not have to be particularly positioned in a magazine before the attachment. The frontmost clip of a tape is cut off, placed around the end of the bag and finally closed.

The clip tapes can also be designed in other ways, e.g. by connecting several clips lengthways. Instead of in the form of rolls, the tapes can also be manufactured and processed in rows or stacks.

For the production of such clip tapes 11, as shown in FIG. 7, an extruded profile can also be assumed, which may be pre-perforated and then cut into individual clips on the attachment device.

The previously described embodiment of the clip, which has been completely preformed in plastic, has the advantage, in addition to the advantages already mentioned, that it does not need to be deformed by the attachment device when it is attached. Its stable, trapezoidal half-parts clearly and predictably determine the opening of the clip. This allows the clip shape to be adjusted very precisely to the respective bag pack. The attachment device is also simplified.

In other exemplary embodiments, curved or polygonal halves can also be used instead of the trapezoidal ones. The two halves 2, 3 need not be shaped identically.

As already mentioned, different tongues can be formed on the two half parts 2, 3 'with their closure members 10, 10' for reclosing the clip. FIGS. 9 to 11 show a clip 1, the two halves 2, 3 of which are designed in accordance with the basic module already described and are therefore no longer described. A tongue 30, 30 'is formed over predetermined breaking points 7, which form a somewhat modified guarantee closure. One of the tongues 30 'has a fixed plate at predetermined breaking points, detachable plate 31 as a seal. In addition to the reclosure already existing on the base module, the tongues are hooked together by means of the plate 31 in such a way that, when the tongues are opened deliberately, a visible sign is produced by the plate 31 falling out. The clip is opened by tearing off the hooked tongues at the predetermined breaking point 7. The clip can be closed again by the reclosable closure members 10, 10 'on the base module.

In Figures 12 to 14, an embodiment is described which does not have a guarantee closure, but instead an opening and closing aid integrally molded onto the half-parts 2, 3 in the form of two V-shaped diverging, rigid tongues 32, 32 '. By pressing in between with your thumb (see arrow in Fig. 13) the clip can be easily opened. To reclose the two tongues 32,32 'pressed together and the clip with the closure members 10,10' can be closed again. This is possible in particular because the two half parts 2, 3 including the tongues 32, 32 'are designed to be dimensionally stable.

In Figures 15 to 18 a modification of the clip with opening aid is shown, the tongues 33,33 'are formed as offset tabs, which can be easily opened in their non-overlapping areas (see Fig. 18) by pulling with your fingers . These tabs 33,33 'can be rigid, as in the previous example. However, it is also possible to make them thin-walled and flexible, as will be explained with reference to FIG. 21.

The offset tabs have the advantage that they work together as decorative elements, e.g. as stylized loop parts, cloverleaf halves, heart halves etc., as indicated in FIG. 18.

Finally, FIGS. 19 to 22 show further explanations in the form of a table, in which the features described from the examples already explained are combined. A clip is always shown in open and closed side view and in top view, with FIG. 22 again showing the basic module.

19 is the guarantee closure with the seal-like plate 31 combined with the offset tabs 33,33 'as opening aids. After opening for the first time, plate 31 is missing.

20, the tongues serving as opening aids 34, 34 'are arranged laterally next to a central guarantee closure with a seal-like plate 31.

Figure 21 shows an opening aid with tongues 35, 35 ', which are flexibly formed on the base module and are thin-walled themselves. These tongues can be gripped with your fingers to open them. The reclosure then takes place by pressure on the two dimensionally stable half-parts.

Depending on the type of use, other formations on the essentially unchanged base part (see FIG. 22) are also possible.

The clip shapes shown are all suitable for production and processing in tape form, namely as a stack or rolls of tape. This simplifies both clip production and further processing. If the clips are made in bulk, they can be further processed by hand, i.e. attached to packs.

The mechanical processing of such clips takes place by means of clip machines, which are part of packaging lines. Embodiments of such a clip machine for attaching clips according to the invention for closing bag packs are explained with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24.

23 shows a first embodiment of a clip machine, the drives, in particular a cam disk 200, being shown only schematically.

As with existing clip machines, the bags 28 to be closed are fed on a straight 21 or a curved path 22, 22 'by means of a bucket elevator 213 or the like.

The independent (free-standing) bucket elevator is clocked and driven separately. As a variant, free-standing, clocking carousel bucket elevators are possible, which feed the bag on a curve 22 or 22 '. Solutions are also possible in which the clip machine and bucket elevator (straight or carousel) form one unit.

In existing clip machines, the bag 28 fed to the straight line 21 or on the curved track 22/22 'is pressed with its neck against a surface 23 and gathered and clipped along this surface. This results in asymmetrical and offset compartments on the bag, since the bag is always clipped outside of its center.

In contrast, the machine described here allows the bag to be on the feed line or on the feed curve itself flatten, gather and clip, which guarantees a point-symmetrical bag closure. This is done in that flat holding flaps 23 and 24 close synchronously in axis 21 via a cam drive 25 and a fixed gearwheel 26 by means of racks 27 and flatten the bag material there.

A plate 227 supported by springs 228 can be embedded in the one flat holding flap 24, via which the bag ruffle quality can be influenced by changing the spring pressure and by choosing the material and design of the plate 227 in order to obtain an optimal large-angle ruffle.

The functioning of the clip machine is as follows: A clip feed and separating unit 29 pushes the clip 1, which is separated and thus isolated from the clip band, into a clip pliers 212 in time via a plunger 210, during which a bag in bucket elevator 213 (regardless of the clip machine) is advanced by a clock 219. The unit 29 has a separate drive. By advancing, cutting and inserting the clip in pliers 212 during the bucket elevator cycle, cycle time is saved on the main drive 214, which results in higher clip outputs.

The clip inserted in pliers 212 is moved by means of a cam drive 215 simultaneously with the synchronous moving together of the flat holding flaps 23/24 after the bucket elevator cycle onto the bag axis 21, together with a gatherer 217 fastened to a common slide 216.

Using pliers 212 and raffer 217, the bag flattened in the bag axis 21 is gathered symmetrically in the bag center 220 via cam drive 218/218 '.

In the gathered state and when the rafters 212/217 are at a standstill, a rod 221 is advanced over the cam drive 224 by a pin 222, which at this point is in engagement with a pawl 223, which causes the tong halves to close 225/226 and thus closing the clip. The two pliers halves are pivoted about a common pivot point, which coincides with the hinge 4 of the inserted clip 1. The two dimensionally stable halves 2, 3 of the clip are held in the pliers halves 225, 226 and are pressed together in the area of the closure members with sufficient force so that they snap into place or the guarantee closure parts interlock with one another (see FIG. 10).

Subsequently, the pliers are opened again by returning the cam drive 224. The packer 212/217 and the slide 216 return to their original position; the clip cycle is finished.

As a variant of the solution mentioned, the bag can be flattened according to the embodiment in FIG. 24 by means of a rounded plate 330 against a fixed, rounded plate 331 and gathering along a curve 32 by means of pliers 312 and rafters 317, the bag feeding on axis 31 done in a straight line. With this solution too, the bag is clipped into the center 320.

The clip described is particularly suitable for closing bag packs, but can also be used for fixing or clamping other objects. In this case, the dimensionally stable half parts 2, 3 can be adapted to the shape of these objects. In all versions, the clip has no metal parts, which in the case of pouch packaging allows the pre-packed pouch to pass through metal detectors. The clip is injury-free in all its designs, with no sharp tips or corners protruding, and is light, i.e. can be opened and closed with one hand.

In addition to the advantages already mentioned, it has the advantage that it can be stacked or wound in tapes and when attached by a Clip machine does not need to be deformed. Its dimensionally stable half-parts clearly and predictably determine the opening of the clip. This allows the clip shape to be adjusted very precisely to the respective bag pack. The clip machine can thus work more precisely and at a higher frequency.

Claims (19)

1. Clip, in particular for packaging purposes, with two halves (2, 3) molded from plastic, which in the closed state are connected to one another at two points (4, 10) and form at least one opening between them for enclosing a packaging item or container, wherein at one of these points (4) the two halves are pivotally connected to each other for opening or closing, and in the area of the other point (10) at the halves (2, 3) each have a part of an openable and reclosable closure member (10, 10 ) is arranged, characterized in that each of the clip halves (2, 3) between the two connection points (4, 10) and including the parts of the closing member (10, 10) is dimensionally stable, the two parts of the closing member cooperating in such a way that they can only be opened or closed manually by pivoting the dimensionally stable halves (2, 3) against one another. 2. Clip according to claim 1, characterized in that the parts of the closing member are each arranged on sections of the dimensionally stable clip halves (2, 3) which abut one another in the closed state. 3. Clip according to claim 2, characterized in that a tongue (9; 30; 32; 33) is integrally formed on the mentioned sections of each of the clip halves. 4. Clip according to claim 3, characterized in that the two tongues (9; 30) via predetermined breaking points (7) are integrally formed on the mentioned sections and are non-detachably connected in the closed state such that they open the clip at the predetermined breaking points (7 ) as The security seal must be separated from the clip halves (2,3). 5. Clip according to claim 4, characterized in that the tongues (30) are connected to one another in such a non-detachable manner that in the event of violent separation, a central seal section (31) is separated from at least one tongue, the missing seal section in the tongue indicating the engagement. 6. Clip according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that each tongue (32; 33) has an area as an opening aid which, when closed, is exposed from the corresponding area of the other tongue. 7. Clip according to claim 2, characterized in that a rigid tongue (32) is molded onto the portions of each of the clip halves (2, 3) in a dimensionally stable manner, each tongue having an area as an opening aid, which in the closed state is different from the corresponding area the other tongue is exposed. 8. Clip according to one of claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the tabs (32; 33) protrude from one another in a V-shape. 9. Clip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each clip half (2,3) has a substantially trapezoidal, semi-circular or semi-elliptical shape. 10. Clip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the half parts are shaped in such a way that a plurality of clips can be stacked on one another in the open state substantially without a space. 11. Clip tape made of clips according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each clip is connected to a neighboring clip by means of a separable connection (12). 12. Clip tape according to claim 11, characterized in that the separable connection is formed by at least one continuous, separable thread (12) onto which the clips are sprayed. 13. Clip tape according to one of claims 11 and 12, characterized in that it can be rolled up onto a tape roll on itself. 14. A method for the mechanical closing of bags by means of a clip according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filled bags are individually fed to a closing point along a straight or circular feed axis, that there the bag neck to be closed is flattened in a direction that the flattened bag neck along this direction by means of a rafforgan and a pair of clip pliers with an openly inserted clip, which are moved towards each other to the center of the bag neck, and that after the gathering is completed by actuating the clip pliers, the clip inserted therein with its dimensionally stable halves around the pivotable one The connection point is pivoted together and placed around the finished gathered neck of the bag. 15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that while a bag is being fed to the closure point, a clip is separated from a clip band and inserted into the clip pliers. 16. Machine for carrying out the method according to one of claims 15 and 16, characterized in that a clip pliers (212) is provided, into each of which a clip (1) can be inserted in the open position, the clip pliers having two jaws (225, 226) which can be pivoted relative to one another ) has such that its pivot axes essentially coincide with the pivotable connection point (4) of the inserted clip. 17. Machine according to claim 16, characterized in that for flattening the bag neck two plates (23, 24) are provided which are arranged on both sides of a feed axis (21; 22) and can be displaced relative to one another in order to flatten the bag neck, the clip pliers (212 ) and a Rafforgan (217) along the flattened neck of the bag can be moved towards each other. 18. Machine according to claim 17, characterized in that the clip pliers (212) and the Rafforgan (217) are arranged on a carriage (21b) which is displaceable transversely to the feed axis (21) of the bag, after which the clip pliers and the Rafforgan on the slide along the feed axis are mutually displaceable. 19. Machine according to claim 17, characterized in that the clip pliers (312 and the Rafforgan (317 are pivotally arranged such that the gathering of the flattened bag neck is carried out by pivoting the clip pliers and Rafforgan together.

Images