System and Clip for Holding and Filling a Stack of Flexible Packages
Inactive Publication Date: 2007-05-17
AMCOR FLEXIBLES HEALTHCARE
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- Abstract
- Description
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- Application Information
AI Technical Summary
Benefits of technology
[0006] The invention provides a packaging system that overcomes many of the aforementioned problems. In one embodiment, the packaging system comprises a plurality of flexible packages that are arranged in a stack and held together with a clip having a pair of fingers and a retaining tongue that support and hold the flexible packages in the stack. The clip permits an outermost package to be filled and then removed from the stack with minimal tearing or damage to the flexible package.
[0008] The flexible packages include at least one opening through which the body of the clip is at least partially insertable so that the fingers engage an outer surface of the outermost package on the stack. The retaining tongue is also configured to engage the outermost package of the stack so that the fingers and the retaining tongue retain the stack of flexible packages. An operator may then remove a flexible package from the stack by applying a pulling force on the outermost flexible package in a direction away from the stack. In one embodiment, the clip and the fingers comprises a flexible material so that as the outermost flexible package is pulled away from the stack, the fingers may collapse and permit the openings to slide over them. As a result, the packaging system may permit the easy removal of a flexible package from the stack with minimal damage to the flexible package.
[0009] In some embodiments, each flexible package includes a mouth through which an item can be placed into the interior of the package. In one embodiment, each flexible package within the stack may be arranged so their respective mouths are oriented in an upward direction and face outwardly away from the stack. As a result, an operator may efficiently place an item in the mouth without having to fumble about in an attempt to open the package or remove the package before inserting the item into the flexible package.
[0011] Thus, the invention provides an efficient means of storing, filling, and removing a flexible package from a stack of such packages.
Problems solved by technology
Devices such as staples typically include sharp edges that may loosen or detach.
In some cases an operator may inadvertently contact a sharp edge of the staple and sustain an injury.
Similar to the devices above, wicket wires may also result in tears or damage to the packaging.
In some cases, traditional wicket wires may tear or separate pieces of the package, which may result in accumulation of small particles within a packaging area.
In addition, because wicket wires typically are in a form of a U-shaped wire holder, they may also require a bigger foot print.
In some packaging applications space may be limited and accommodating a wicket wire may not be feasible.
In some cases, such parts, such as rubber grommets, rubber tips, chip board header, etc, may be inadvertently separated from the U-shaped wire holder and may fall into a package.
Method used
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[0024] The present inventions now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
[0025] With reference to FIG. 1, a packaging system for detachably retaining a plurality of flexible packages is illustrated and broadly designated by reference number 10. In one alternative embodiment, the packaging system 10 may comprise a plurality of flexible packages 12 that are arranged in a stack 13 and a clip 20 for retaining and holding the flexible packages in a stack. The flexible package may include at least one opening 18 formed in the flexible package adjacent to the open edge 14. The opening 1...
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The invention is a packaging system having a plurality of flexible packages that are arranged in a stack and held together with a clip having a pair of fingers and a retaining tongue that support and hold the flexible packages in the stack. The clip permits an outermost package to be filled and then removed from the stack with minimal tearing or damage to the flexible package. The clip comprises a body formed of a resilient flexible material, a pair of fingers extending outwardly in opposite directions from the body, and a resiliently deformable retaining tongue formed in the body that is configured and arranged to apply a clamping force against the stack so that the packages are retained in a stack. The clip and the fingers may comprise a flexible material that can collapse so that the flexible bag may be easily removed from the stack.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is related to commonly owned copending Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 737,817, filed Nov. 17, 2005, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and claims the benefit of its earlier filing date under 35 U.S.C. 119(e).BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Flexible packages, such as bags, are commonly used to package a wide variety of items. In some cases, it may be desirable to ship and store a plurality of such packages in a configuration that may permit an operator to fill and remove an individual package from the plurality of packages. [0003] Traditional means of securing a plurality of packages to each other includes the use of staples, rubber stoppers, or similar devices. Such devices may sometimes damage the flexible packages as they are being separated. Devices such as staples typically include sharp edges that may loosen or detach. In some cases an operator may inadvertently contact a sharp edge of the sta...
Claims
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CPCA61B19/0256A61B19/0264A61B19/0287A61B2019/0242A61B50/20A61B50/31A61B50/36A61B2050/0086
InventorHINLEY, ROBERT W. JR.KENNEDY, JAMES D.
OwnerAMCOR FLEXIBLES HEALTHCARE