1. A locking clip for releasably securing at least one object thereon, the locking clip comprising:
a loop portion defining first and second ends interconnected by first and second intermediate segments, the first intermediate segment including a gap defined therein configured to permit passage of the at least one object therethrough for securing the at least one object to the loop portion; and
a sleeve disposed about the first and second intermediate segments of the loop portion between the first and second ends of the loop portion, the sleeve rotatable relative to the loop portion between a closed position, wherein the sleeve extends completely along a length of the gap to inhibit passage of the at least one object through the gap, and an open position, wherein the sleeve extends only partially along the length of the gap to permit passage of the at least one object through the gap;
wherein, at least one of the loop portion and the sleeve includes a feedback feature configured to produce at least one of an audible feedback response and a tactile feedback response when the sleeve is rotated to at least one of the closed position and the open position.
2. The locking clip according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve defines a first length along a first side thereof and a second length along a second side thereof, the first length being greater than the length of the gap and the second length being smaller than the length of the gap such that, when the sleeve is positioned with the first side thereof extending along the gap, the sleeve is disposed in the closed position, and such that, when the sleeve is rotated such that the second side thereof extends along the gap, the sleeve is disposed in the open position.
3. The locking clip according to claim 2, wherein the sleeve defines an angled tip at one end thereof, the angled tip angling from the first side thereof to the second side thereof.
4. The locking clip according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is rotatable approximately 180 degrees in either direction relative to the loop portion to transition the sleeve between the closed position and the open position.
5. The locking clip according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve includes at least one engagement member and wherein at least one of the first intermediate segment and the second intermediate segment includes a complementary engagement member configured to engage the engagement member of the sleeve upon rotation of the sleeve to at least one of the closed position and the open position to retain the sleeve in the at least one of the closed position and the open position.
6. The locking clip according to claim 5, wherein at least one of engagement between the engagement member and the complementary engagement member and disengagement between the engagement member and the complementary engagement member produces the at least one of the audible feedback response and the tactile feedback response.
7. The locking clip according to claim 5, wherein the engagement member of the sleeve is an aperture defined therein and wherein the complementary engagement member of the at least one of the first intermediate segment and the second intermediate segment is a protrusion configured for releasable engagement within the aperture.
8. The locking clip according to claim 1, wherein the first end of the loop portion defines a generally circular configuration having a first diameter.
9. The locking clip according to claim 8, wherein the second end of the loop portion defined a generally circular configuration having a second diameter.
10. The locking clip according to claim 9, wherein the second diameter is different from the first diameter.
11. The locking clip according to claim 1, wherein the at least one object is permitted to pass through the gap and into the first end of the loop portion when the sleeve is disposed in the open position.
12. The locking clip according to claim 1, wherein the first and second intermediate segments are generally linear.
13. The locking clip according to claim 12, wherein the first and second intermediate segments are generally parallel relative to one another.
14. The locking clip according to claim 1, wherein the loop portion is formed from a single piece of wire stock.
15. The locking clip according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is formed from a non-corrosive material.
16. The locking clip according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is formed from a flexible material.
17. The locking clip according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve is formed from a transparent material to permit a user to visually confirm a position of the sleeve relative to the loop portion.
18. The locking clip according to claim 1, wherein the feedback feature of the at least one of the loop portion and the sleeve produces both an audible feedback response and a tactile feedback response when the sleeve is rotated to at least one of the closed position and the open position.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
What is claimed is:
1. A method of manufacturing a film to form a reclosable bag, comprising the steps of:
moving the film; and
attaching sequentially and crosswise with respect to the direction of movement of said film, a fastener comprising a first strip containing at least one reclosable profile interlocked with another reclosable profile that is complementary thereto and contained by a second strip, which will be subsequently attached to said film;
wherein each of said first and second strips contains at least one web extending substantially laterally on one side of the profile contained thereon;
wherein the first web is attached to the film by the longitudinal ends of the first strip; and
wherein the first web is attached to the film in at least two points located on the web on opposite longitudinal ends of the first profile.
2. A method of manufacturing a film to form a reclosable bag, comprising the steps of:
moving the film; and
attaching sequentially and crosswise with respect to the direction of movement of said film, a fastener comprising a first strip containing at least one reclosable profile interlocked with another reclosable profile that is complementary thereto and contained by a second strip, which will be subsequently attached to said film;
wherein each of said first and second strips contains at least one web extending substantially laterally on one side of the profile contained thereon; and
wherein said fastener includes a peel-seal strip connecting the webs and disposed outside of the bag with respect to the first and second profiles.
3. A method of manufacturing a film to form a reclosable bag, comprising the steps of:
moving the film; and
attaching sequentially and crosswise with respect to the direction of movement of said film, a fastener comprising a first strip containing at least one reclosable profile interlocked with another reclosable profile that is complementary thereto and contained by a second strip, which will be subsequently attached to said film;
wherein each of said first and second strips contains at least one web extending substantially laterally on one side of the profile contained thereon; and
wherein said fastener includes a gasket membrane disposed between the reclosable profiles.
4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said gasket membrane is disposed between engaged reclosable profiles.
5. The method according to claim 3, wherein said gasket membrane is disposed between disengaged reclosable profiles.
6. The method according to claim 3, wherein said gasket membrane is disposed between partially engaged reclosable profiles.
7. The method according to claim 3, wherein gasket membrane is perforated.
8. The method according to claim 3, wherein the longitudinal ends of said fastener are cross-sealed.
9. The method according to claim 3, wherein each end of said gasket membrane includes a cut-out portion located proximal to said cross-seals, said reclosable profiles being in engagement only along a length substantially corresponding to said cut-out portion.
10. The method according claim 3, wherein said gasket membrane is attached to one of said webs on an interior side of said reclosable profiles.
11. The method according to claim 3, wherein said gasket membrane is attached to one of said webs on an exterior side of said reclosable profiles.
12. The method according to claim 3, wherein said gasket membrane is attached to said webs on an interior side of said reclosable profiles.
13. The method according to claim 7, wherein said gasket membrane is perforated on an interior side of said reclosable profiles.
14. The method according to claim 7, wherein said gasket membrane is perforated on an exterior side of said reclosable profiles.
15. A method of manufacturing a film to form a reclosable bag, comprising the steps of:
moving the film; and
attaching sequentially and crosswise with respect to the direction of movement of said film, a fastener comprising a first strip containing at least one reclosable profile interlocked with another reclosable profile that is complementary thereto and contained by a second strip, which will be subsequently attached to said film;
wherein each of said first and second strips contains at least one web extending substantially laterally on one side of the profile contained thereon; and
wherein said fastener includes a membrane adapted for forming a pouring spout.
16. A method of manufacturing a film to form a reclosable bag, comprising the steps of:
moving the film; and
attaching sequentially and crosswise with respect to the direction of movement of said film, a fastener comprising a first strip containing at least one reclosable profile interlocked with another reclosable profile that is complementary thereto and contained by a second strip, which will be subsequently attached to said film;
wherein each of said first and second strips contains at least one web extending substantially laterally on one side of the profile contained thereon;
and wherein said fastener includes a slider for opening and closing said fastener.
17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said film includes first cut-outs spaced on the film at a distance equal to the dimension of the bag in the direction parallel to the movement of the film.
18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising a step of positioning the fastener at the location of the first cut-out, one of said webs being welded to the film at the location of at least one edge of the first cut-out.
19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising a step of making a second cut-out in the film opposite to said first cut-out.
20. The method according to claim 16, wherein said film includes side cuts, said fastener being attached to said film so that a film extension extends from said side cuts to beyond said reclosable profiles and said slider, said film extensions being sealed together beyond said reclosable profiles and said sealing slider.
21. The method according to claim 20, wherein said sealed film extensions include a perforation disposed beyond said reclosable profiles and said sealing slider and substantially parallel to said reclosable profiles.
22. The method according to claim 21, wherein said film extensions must be torn along said perforation before said slider may be used to open and close said fastener.
23. The method according to claim 16, further comprising a step of aligning said slider with one of guide grooves or ribs of a filling tube of a forming, filling and sealing machine.
24. A method of manufacturing a film to form a reclosable bag, comprising the steps of:
moving the film; and
attaching sequentially and crosswise with respect to the direction of movement of said film, a fastener comprising a first strip containing at least one reclosable profile interlocked with another reclosable profile that is complementary thereto and contained by a second strip, which will be subsequently attached to said film;
wherein each of said first and second strips contains at least one web extending substantially laterally on one side of the profile contained thereon;
wherein said method is performed by an automatic forming, filling and sealing machine; and
wherein said reclosable profiles are disengaged upstream of a filling tube of said forming, filling and sealing machine;
said method further comprising a step of aligning and interlocking said reclosable profiles downstream of said filling tube.
25. A machine for forming, filling and welding a reclosable bag, comprising:
a filling tube; and
first means for welding a first web of a fastener having complementary engageable reclosable profiles to a film, said first welding means being disposed upstream of said filling tube;
second means for welding a second web of said fastener to said film, said second welding means being disposed below said filling tube; and
third means for welding together longitudinal edges of said film;
wherein said first and second welding means are disposed to respectively weld said first and second webs transversely with respect to a direction of movement of the film; and
wherein said filling tube includes a longitudinal groove adapted for guiding a slider of said fastener when said fastener passes over said filling tube.
26. The machine according to claim 25, wherein said filling tube includes ribs adapted for guiding a slider of said fastener when said fastener passes over said filling tube.
27. The machine according to claim 25, wherein said reclosable profiles are disengaged upstream of said filling tube and wherein said reclosable profiles are aligned and engaged downstream of said filling tube.
28. A fastener for a reclosable bag produced on a forming, filling and sealing machine, comprising:
at least one first reclosable profile being supported on a first strip, said first strip including a first web extending substantially laterally from one side of said first profile, said first web being adapted for attachment to a film of said bag;
at least one second reclosable profile being supported on a second strip, said second strip including a second web extending substantially laterally from one side of said second reclosable profile, each of said at least one second reclosable profile being complementary to and engageable with a respective one of said at least one first reclosable profile, said second web being adapted for attachment to the film of said bag; and
a gasket membrane disposed between said first and second reclosable profiles.
29. The fastener according to claim 28, wherein said first reclosable profile is disengaged with said second reclosable; profile.
30. The fastener according to claim 28, wherein said first reclosable profile is in partial engagement with said second reclosable profile.
31. The fastener according to claim 30, wherein said gasket membrane is disposed between said first and second reclosable profiles in an area where said first and second reclosable profiles are disengaged.
32. The fastener according to claim 28, wherein said gasket membrane is connected to one of said first and second webs.
33. The fastener according to claim 28, wherein said gasket membrane is connected to said first and second webs.
34. The fastener according to claim 28, wherein said gasket membrane is perforated.
35. The fastener according to claim 28, wherein said gasket membrane is adapted to form a pouring spout.
36. A fastener for a reclosable bag produced on a forming, filling and sealing machine, comprising:
at least one first reclosable profile being supported on a first strip, said first strip including a first web extending substantially laterally from one side of said first profile, said first web being adapted for attachment to a film of said bag; and
at least one second reclosable profile being supported on a second strip, said second strip including a second web extending substantially laterally from one side of said second reclosable profile, each of said at least one second reclosable profile being complementary to and engageable with a respective one of said at least one first reclosable profile, said second web being adapted for attachment to the film of said bag; and
a slider for opening and closing said bag.
37. The fastener according to claim 36, wherein said slider is disposed on said fastener to be aligned with one of guide grooves or ribs on a filling tube of said forming, filling and sealing machine.
38. The fastener according to claim 36, wherein said strips define a U-shaped cross-section.
39. A reclosable bag, comprising:
a film forming first and second walls of said reclosable bag; and
a fastener comprising:
at least one first reclosable profile being supported on a first strip, said first strip including a first web extending substantially laterally from one side of said first profile, said first web being attached to an open end of said first wall;
at least one second reclosable profile being supported on a second strip, said second strip including a second web extending substantially laterally from one side of said second reclosable profile, each of said at least one second profile being complementary to and engageable with a respective one of said at least one first reclosable profile, said second web being attached to an open end of said second wall; and
a slider for opening and closing said first and second reclosable profiles;
wherein each wall includes a film extension extending from a side cut in said wall to beyond said reclosable profiles and said slider, said film extensions being sealed together beyond said reclosable profiles and said slider.