Clip type system for bags and methods of manufacture

Abstract

The clip system to close/open bag mouth, comprises in combination:—female-male-elements;—means of articulation acting as snap free spring;—anti-tampering means;—sealing means;—means to smoothly tear cutting;—handle means to transport the container;—and reinforcing sleeve to avoid unhooking of heavy containers.

Description

DESCRIPTION

The invention concerns systems for sheet bodies preferably formed as containers, comprising:—a device substantially of the clip type;—a sheet body to be repeatedly opened and closed as well as to be protected against tamperings.

The invention comprises also the relevant methods to manufacture said devices as well as their application on preferably preformed zones of said bodies.

In an embodiment of wide, immediate and economical utilization, the system substantially comprises:—a body of containement with invitations in prestablished positions; and—a clip device consisting of two major components of reciprocal coupling/.uncoupling, in particular of the male respectively female type, integral with:—conjunction means of controlled elasticity;—articulation means;—sealing means;—movimentation means;—tear-cut means;—anti-tampering means; and—undesired unhooking inhibiting means.

The invention further comprises methods to manufacture said devices and to assembly them with said containers, as well as an additional process, mechanism or station of on-line assembly.

PRIOR ART

With the always increasing diffusion of the packaging mainly made of synthetic flexible materials, is exponentially increased the need of systems and devices able to block, close, open, handle, and protect said bodies, as well as to dose the material therein contained generally in quantities above the mono-dose.

To face these exigencies several solutions have been proposed, which have patent croweded the relevant technological field, not only because of the diversity of the demands but also because of the inadequacy and inexistence of a radical solution capable to satisfy at least the most urgent market needs.

Just to fix the ideas it seems convenient to refer to the most significants inventions according f.i. to the U.S. Pat. No. 3,266,711, U.S. Pat. No. 4,487,945, U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,335, U.S. Pat. No. 4,926,526, U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,572 and to the European Patent Applications EP No. 0156779 and No. 0625949 B1 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,608 and WO 93/16930).

The major part of the suggested solutions is centralized and resort to additional mechanism to block and unblock said clip devices.

Emblematically claim 1 of said EP 0625949 B1 recites a plastic clip applicable on a container portion and consisting of two articulated members which can be coupled so to lock or seal said portion, and to be uncoupled (unlocked) with the aid of a snaplock arrangement at the free ends of said members, one of which additionally comprises an elastically resilient bridge having a slight arcuate convex configuration with a tongue which locks on a shoulder of the other member.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,108 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,054,168 describe and claim means comprising tongues, shoulders and flanges, associated to the locking and reception members, respectively means to cut container portions.

On its turn U.S. Pat. No. 6,058,572 claims the improvement consisting in a “laguna” obtained by ribs and lips portions.

In substance the Prior Art seems conditioned by the need to provide separate additional mechanisms each of which accomplish one or at most two functions: indeed it is neither described nor hinted a multi-functional, simple, synthetic device. And this might be one of the reasons of the absence or disappearance out of the market of the major part of the Prior Art devices at least apparently near or similar to those according to the invention.

One of the main objects of the present invention is to provide a system comprising a bag clip which eliminates the inconveniences and deficiences of the Prior Art.

Nay the fondamental object of the invention is to provide a device so structured to accomplish not only one contemporaneous ensemble of functions but also to attain a maximum-maximorum of characteristics and performances, on the combination of which lay heavy not only the silence but also the technical prejudice of the Prior Art.

A further object of the invention is to provide methods for the best manufacture and utilization of said device and for its preferably on-line assembly with the containers.

The more important characteristics of the invention are recited in the claims at the end of this specification which may however be considered herewith incorporated.

The various features and advantages of the invention will better appear from the following description of the (illustrative but not limitative) embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic perspective views of the clip device according to the invention, with the two components, male M and female F, in open (uncoupled) position (1), respectively in closed (coupled) position (2) (FIG. 2); therefore wherever the references (1) and (2) appear associated to components M, F and C (containers, bags), they characterize same components in said positions, open (1) respectively closed (2);

FIGS. 3.1 and 3.2 are schematic transversal cross-section views of M and F in said positions open (1) respectively closed (2);

FIGS. 4.1-4.2, 5.1-5.2, 6.1-6.3 are schematic perspective views of the system of the invention in its configuration of the device D.1 open on bag C, respectively closed D.2, with the anti-tampering means LA open in position LA1 (FIG. 5.1) respectively closed in position LA2 (FIG. 5.2) and cut LA3 (FIG. 6.3) with the consequent return to the initial open configuration D1 (FIG. 6.1);

FIGS. 7, 7′; 8 and 8′ are perspective views of clips inserted on-line on already closed bags, thus with antitampering tongue opened (FIG. 7) and advantageously soldered (FIG. 7′) at the end of the line (FIGS. 7 and 7′), respectively of clips for the heavy bags (f.i. above 3 Kg) reinforced with a sleeve RS on female component F (FIGS. 8 and 8′);

FIG. 7″ is a front view of said post-soldered tongues;

FIG. 8″ is a cross-section view of the reinforcing sleeve RS on the female component F for heavy bags; and

FIGS. 9, 9′, 9″ and 10 are top view of systems apparatus to assembly on-line the clips and bags.

In all the drawings the invention core, i.e. the multifunctional clip device D to repeatedly open-close, to tear cut, to signal tampering, movement, volumes to extract, conjunctions without snap-springs, on-line assembly etc, comprises the elements male M and female F in their various phases and positions of:—opening or uncoupling (1) (FIGS. 1, 3.1 and 5.1);—coupling or closure (2) (FIGS. 2, 3.2 and 5.2); —assembly on the container body C (FIGS. 4.1 and 5.1); and—disassembly (3) (FIGS. 6.3 and 6.1).

Typically the male element M has an outer surface ME f.i. semicylindrical (FIG. 1) or flat (FIG. 3.1) and an inner surface MI of the tongs jaws type consisting of two stiff portions 6, 6′ separated by a pit or empty space V (f.i. in the shape of an upset V).

The inner surface FI of the female element F can have a horseshoe configuration comprising flanks 7-7′ forming an open mouth at the end facing element M, and bottom SF within which is a projection (projecting ridge) RI having f.i; a truncated cone shape with cylindrical generatrix, complementary to said pit V within the male element M.

Preferably flanks 7, 7′ are so chamfered to create an invitation IF which facilitates the penetration of M within F (see FIGS. 3.1 and 3.2). Typically at least one of said two flanks, f.i. flank 7, is provided at its top with a cut knurl 10.

The inner structures MI of M and FI of F are such to realize a rigid-elastic coupling which can be uncoupled by manual forces. Still typically, said two members M and F are coupled at one end with an articulation A formed by two extensions AM and AF (integral with M respectively F) having material compounds less rigid than that of the major portions of M and F, and dimensions (above all, the length of the protrusion ES) and thicknesses such as to bring about an elastic means of a spring without uncontrollable snaps or releases which could unexpectedly cause the opening or detachement of the device D from the container C.

At the end apposed to A, each member M and F is provided with a tongue LM, LF which bring about an anti-tampering means LA by their reciprocal coupling.

Also the structure (composition and dimessions) of tongues LM and LF is preferably different from that of the bodies or major portions of M and F as well as of A. Preferably said tongues will be easely bondable to each other and their union LA will be detached or cut, f.i. with the aid of scissors 15 (FIG. 6.3).

Indeed to act as an anti-tampering means LA has not to be opened or closed by a difficultly observable action. If LA is anyhow opened, it must leave a visible sign of the modification of its initial or precedent configuration.

Typically also the limb LA of the closed mouth of container C has an invitation IC in one or more positions.

The positioning of device D.1 (open) takes place as in FIG. 5.1 namely by placing M and F each on a face of container C, in correspondence of the invitation IC (FIGS. 4.1 and 5.1), in that disposition male element M is pushed (arrow Z of FIG. 3.1 and arrows X of FIG. 4.1) against female element F taking thereby the pit V of M on horseback of protrusion RI of F as in FIG. 3.2 and taking limb LE of the mouth of bag C from its erect position LE.1 of FIG. 4.1 to the fold position LE.2 of FIG. 4.2. The uncoupling takes place as in FIGS. 6.3 and 6.1. Starting from the configuration of FIG. 5.2 the closed anti-tampering means LA.2 is opened by detaching the tongues LM2 from LF2 (or viceversa) or, more rapidly, by cutting with scissors 15 the coupled elements LM2-LF2. At this point limb LE2 is raised upwards (arrow G) taking it from the fold position of FIG. 4.2 to the raised position of FIG. 6.1 and a force is applied on device D′.1 in the direction of arrow P, so to detach the jaws 6-6′ of MI from the protrusion RI of F.

The raised limb LE.1 of container C is thereby pushed against the knurl 10 which carries out a soft tear or cut.

Advantageously a handle 9 is obtained on the outer surface of one of the two elements, preferably of the element which will take the more external disposition, f.i. on the back of female element F as in the FIGS. 3.1, 3.2.

This handle acts as effective means to move or desplace container C which, even if fully loaded, will have such a weight to not disconnect the form- or joint-coupling of FIG. 3.2.

The complex members M and F of clip device D are manufactured by extrusion-injection of plastomeric compounds such as olefinic co-polimers with major or minor amounts of elastomers (natural or synthetic rubbers in particular ter-co-polimers of styrene, butadine, butylene, acrylontrile, ethylene, propylene, dienes etc.).

Significantly the articulation means S (spring without unexptectable loosing snaps) and the antitampering means LA are made from compounds of polyolefinic plastomers (PE, PP etc.) and of not-negligeable amounts of elastomers so to have the desired elasticity and softness in contrast with the stiffness of the compound forming the major portions of M and F. The same applies to the inner surface of M and F. After all, differentiated compounds will be extruded in succession to form thus members M and F with relevant appendices A and LA, having also differentiated plastic-elastomeric behaviour.

In the current industrial practice are commercially avaiable machines, compounds, ingredients etc. for the simplest and mostly performant embodiment of the system according to the invention involving a clip device with the surprising combination of an opening/closing means, of an articulation means (spring withouth snaps), of an anti-tampering means, of a displacing means, of a tear-cut means, of a conjunction means etc. to assembly in correspondence of the container limb portions provided with adeguate invitation;

FIGS. 7, 7′ and 7″ show a clip D which is inserted on the closed mouth LA of a bag C, out or at the end of a fill and form line; the insertion and closure means being simply indicated in the form of pliers, sucker-pliers, robotizable arms (not represented) and the like.

After the insertion (at the end of f.i. a form and filling line, FFL) and the closure (preferably with the aid of pliers) the closed mouth portion LA is folded downwards (90° rotation) and two soldering heads H-H′ weld the tongues LF-LM in their horizontal superposed position of FIGS. 7′ and 7″; The advantage is that the insertion and closure step of FIG. 7 f.i. with the aid of any plier, the downward folding of the bag mouth with the closed clip, and the welding of said lips LF-LM can be made at any moment, out of the f.i. FFL line, with portable means generally at the disposal of any user, even f.i. housewifes.

In FIGS. 8, 8′ is shown an improved clip to avoid easy unhooking or uncoupling. Indeed especially in the case of heavy bags, f.i. above three kilos, clips tend easely to uncouple and unhook. It has been found that by simply applying a reinforcing sleeve RS showing preferably a toothed grip TG, on at least a portion of the female F, this last element presses the male element M exerting thereby a strong coupling force avoiding any unexpected unhooking under a bag heavy load.

FIGS. 9, 9′, 9″ show an apparatus (fully- or semi-automated) to assembly clip D and bags. It comprises substantially a line with a conveyor belt 3′ receiving, on one side, formed and filled bags 2′ from a packaging unit 1′ and, from an other side, clips D (on a suitable carrier) from the vibrating-screening basket 4′ feeding clips to a descending channel 5′ which, on its turn, feeds said clips to a device 10′ comprising pneumatic pliers 6′ that take said clips from the carrier, open them, insert and blok them on the bag heads.

The movement of the bags 2′ from the packaging unit 1′ can be facilitated by an optional pusher 8′. The pliers 6′ open the clip automatically on the first contact with the bag. Once the clips are inserted and fixedly blocked on the bag, a couple of sealing embossers 7 is taken into contact with the bag head and welds the tongues or lips LF-LM (compare FIGS. 9′ and 9″).

FIG. 10 shows a speedy apparatus in which the feed of filled bags from 1′ is quicker, the bags from conveyor 3′ are alternatively sorted on two arms 5′ which feed two stations in parallel each comprising a contact device with pneumatic pliers to open the clip OD on the arrival of the bags 2.

The opened clip arms are inserted on the bag mouth and the tongues or lips at the ends of the clip arms are automatically welded.

Even if the invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, same invention is suscettible of all those modifications, substitutions, variants additions and the like which, being at the reach of a mean technician of this field, are to be considered included in the scope and in the spirit of the invention.

Claims

1. System to open/close sheet-formed bodies in particular containers, bags, sacs and the like, made of paper and/or synthetic materials and provided with a closable mouth at one end thereof, said system comprising a clip device consisting of a male element (M) and a female element (F) having at one end thereof a common articulation able to be inserted in an open or uncoupled configuration on a portion or limb of said mouth, and to lock or seal thereupon assuming a closed or coupled configuration which imprisons said limb portion, characterized by the combination of:—means of articulation acting as a snap-free spring at one of the two ends of said essentially longitudinal elements, formed of continuous protuberances integral with each other and with said elements;—anti-tampering means at the second opposite end of same elements, comprising two small separate tongues each projecting from each element male respectively female;—sealing means resulting from the form-coupling of fixed joints complementary to each other made on/in said (M) and (F) elements;—means to smootly tear cutting made of knurl on the top of one of the flanks of the female element;—possible carrying means to move or transport the container; wherein said multifuntional and highly perfomant clip device is associated to a portion of the container mouth limb, provided with an ad hoc coupling means.

2. System according to claim 1, in which said male element has a solid cylindrical shape whereas the female element has an at least partially hollow shape.

3. System according to claim 1, in which the male element has in cross-section the shape of a partially opened pincers.

4. System according to claim 1, in which the female element has a cross section in form of a horse shoe with a central male protrusion penetrating into an empty partially opened portion of the male pincers.

5. System according to claim 1, in which the top inner portion of one of the female element flanks is in form of a knurl.

6. System according to claim 1, in which a handle is on the outer back of the female element.

7. System according to claim 1, in which a reinforcing partial sleeve is on a portion of said female element and has on outer toothed grip.

8. System according to claim 1, in which the clip male element is inserted on a bag mouth coupling means with the aid of pincers, arms and the like whereas the welding of the lips at the ends of the male and female components is carried out by heat-sealing heads, even out of line.

9. Method to assemble, deassemble on/from a container mouth a clip device according to claim 1, comprising the steps of:—providing the container mouth with a coupling means;—providing the female element with a reinforcing sleeve and a handle;—opening the clip by separating its male- and female-elements;—applying in correspondence of said coupling means the clip device in said opened configuration;—inserting the male element into the female element by forcing to a narrow coupling the penetration of the male element pincers on the central protrusion of the horse shoe shaped female element;—sealing the lips at the free ends of both elements.

10. Apparatus to automatically apply the clip of claim 1 on the mouth of a container comprising:—a conveyor of formed and filled bags from a packaging unit;—at least a vibrating-screening container of clips to be fed to a device receiving both said bags and clips and comprising pneumatic pliers to open the male and female elements on arrival of the bags against the clip proximal end;—means to insert said opened clip elements on the bag mouth invitation; and—means to seal the projecting lips.