Abstract:
A guidance channel radiating from each side of clip holding chamber centered on a flat plate. A prying tool slideably and rotatably held within each guidance channel by a spring strip. A split ring held snugly within the holding chamber. The tool tips are forced between the split ring coils, which are separated further by simultaneous rotation of the prying tool handles 90-degrees in opposite clock directions. A pellet placed inside folded bag material forms a bump. The material with bump is placed between the separated coils into the split ring interior. Reverse 90-degree handle rotation partly closes the coils around the bump. Withdrawing the prying tools completely allows the coils to fully close, capturing the pellet-containing material. Tool stops prevent the tool tips from entering the split ring interior too far into or away from the clip holding chamber. Suspension of the tool and bags facilitates production.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of PPA Ser. No. 60/367,036 filed 2002 Mar. 23 by the present inventor 

   BACKGROUND 
   1. Field of Invention 
   This invention relates to split ring coil separating tools, and particularly to improvements to applicant&#39;s coil separating tool and method as disclosed in his U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,354 issued Sep. 28, 1999. 
   2. Prior Art 
   Applicant&#39;s issued patent (FIG. 2, split ring spring clip 66, and FIGS. 4 a , 4 b , 4 c , 4 d , 4 e , 4 f , tool 34) discloses a stitchless fastener which is constructed and operates as follows: a pellet is placed inside a folded high strength material, which creates a bump. Once the coils are separated, the folded bump sandwich is inserted between the coils and into the interior periphery of a split ring (like a key ring) whose coils are so powerful they can only be parted with a prying tool. Tool withdrawal permits the coils to close, thereby trapping the pellet-containing material inside the split ring. The high tensile force generated in use can pull the bump created by the pellet no further than against the coils interior periphery because their powerful resistance to separation prevents escape of the pellet-containing high-strength material from between the coils. 
   Although the applicant&#39;s issued patent discloses the use of two tools for prying the coils apart in the Specification (col. 20, lines 49–51), it is obvious that only one operator&#39;s hand is free to hold a tool (not shown) since the other hand must be free to hold a split ring. No provision is made for holding the split ring in a fixed position so that both operators&#39; hands can be occupied with the coil-prying tools. What is more, any attempted use of a conventional holding tool, such as a vise, to stabilize the split ring merely prevents coil separation and/or blocks access into the coils interior via between the coils. 
   Neither is there any means disclosed in the applicant&#39;s issued patent for the split rings to be firmly held in place while the operator overcomes the powerful resistance of the coils to separation from attempted entrance of the tool tips between them. Nor is there any resistance to attempted tool withdrawal from the coils&#39; powerful grip (see Operation below). 
   Furthermore, nothing in the applicant&#39;s issued patent discloses what anti-rotational stabilizing force opposes the operators ¼ turn rotating action after the tool tips have been inserted between the coils. Without such opposition, rotating the tips merely rotates the clip along with the tips as a whole, without any coil separation occurring. 
   Since there is nothing to guide the tool tips into its correct position, the time that it takes an operator to position the tool tips exactly where necessary prior to insertion between the coils is relatively lengthy because the operator must hunt for the correct position each time. Lack of guidance of the tool tips towards their destination between the coils contributes immensely to undesirably long production cycle times. 
   There is also nothing to guide the bag corner bumps on its way into its correct position between the coils. The time that it takes an operator to position the bag corner exactly where necessary prior to insertion between the coils is relatively lengthy because the operator must hunt for the correct position each time. Lack of such guidance also means undesirably long production cycle times. 
   After completion of a loading cycle and withdrawal of the tool tips from between the coils, there is no provision for stopping the tool tips from traveling too far away and holding them in position just outside of the coils in order to be ready for the next loading cycle. 
   Using two unguided prying tools, uneven and asymmetrical tool tip insertion causes the separation distance between the opposing coils to be non-uniform across the width of the split ring, which interferes with ease of insertion of the bag corner bump. 
   Due to the tremendous force of their coils, without positively controlling them at the time of prying them apart, the split rings are unstable and dangerous. They can easily and suddenly snap out of position, go flying violently and cause operator injury, or at the least, damage the bag material; 
   Unlike the disclosure of  FIG. 4   e , reference number  28  of applicant&#39;s issued patent, in actual practice, the tool tip—after bag corner bump  28  is in its clamped position, but prior to the tool&#39;s withdrawal—makes contact with the bag corner, causing it damage. 
   Objects &amp; Advantages 
   Accordingly, it would be desirable for a coil-separating tool to:
         enable both operators&#39; hands to be free and available for tool and bag handling;   efficiently guide both tool tips towards their correct insertion points at the split ring coils;   efficiently guide pellet-loaded bag corners towards their insertion points between separated split ring coils;   hold the split ring steady while an operator
           forces the tool tips between the coils;   rotates the coil-separating tools ¼ turn in opposition to the holding force,   rotates the tools ¼ turn back to its pre-load position, and   withdraws the tool tips from between the coils;   
           force coils open uniformly across the entire width of the split ring;   separate the split ring coils without the tool tips occupying the space reserved for the bag corners;   keep the split rings stable and safe while performing its specified tasks, and   be withdrawn without damaging the clamped bag corner part with its pellet contents;   freely release the split ring with its captured bag corner as a unit, and   remain in position to efficiently accept the next assembly cycle.
 
Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.
       

   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A split ring is placed into and held stationary in the holding compartment at the center of a flat plate. A pair of L-shaped prying tools with round shafts and screw driver-like tips are controlled by a pair of guidance channels which point their prying tips at the parting groove defined by the top and bottom coils of the split ring. A spring strip attached to the flat plate keeps each tool snugly within its guidance channel and its tip aligned with the parting groove by pressing against a flat portion of the tool shafts. The prying tools are free to slide a limited distance along their guidance channels and rotate around their own axis. Their handles overhang the flat plate at each end. The operator pushes on the backs of both handles simultaneously, sending the tool tips between the coils, parting them slightly. The tool tips are prevented from traveling too far into the split ring&#39;s interior by either of two alternative stopping means: The first is a collar affixed to the tool shaft which fits partway into a box-shaped widened portion of the guidance channels whose front and rear walls limit the tools&#39; travel in both directions along the guidance channels. The other stopping means is a rivet or pin affixed to the flat portion of the tool tips at a predetermined distance from the tip ends. The rivet or pins&#39; contact with the coils prevents the tips from entering too far into the split ring&#39;s interior. In the other direction, the rivet or pins&#39; contact with the spring strips stops the tools. Utilizing the leverage of the L-shaped handles to overcome the power of the coils, the operator rotates them 90-degrees, simultaneously, in opposite clock directions thereby separating the coils a distance equal to the width of the tool tips. The operator now places a bag corner bump between the separated coils and into a portion of the split ring interior unoccupied by the tips. The operator then reverses the handle rotation, which partially closes the coils around the bag corner bump, then pulls the prying tools out from between the coils, away from the holding compartment, which allows the coils to close completely, thereby capturing the bag corner bumps. Now the bag corner and its attached split ring can be lifted out of the clip holding compartment as a unit. Cantilevered suspension of the coil-spreading tool above a work surface with a bracket facilitates bag handling in production. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES 
       FIG. 1  shows a rear overhead perspective view of the solid cast, molded, or fabricated version of the first embodiment of the coil-separating tool. In this embodiment, each guidance channel has a stop box. 
       FIG. 2  shows a rear overhead perspective view of the solid cast, molded, or fabricated version of the second embodiment of the coil-separating tool in which there are no stop boxes on the guidance channels. 
       FIG. 3  shows a rear perspective view of the stop box/stop collar first embodiment of a coil separating tool in its first sequential position; the tips of the prying tools are poised outside of, and a split ring is already loaded inside the clip holding compartment. The one piece solid cast, molded, or fabricated version is shown, as in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  continues the sequence from  FIG. 3 . The coil-separating tool is in its second position; the tips of the prying tools have entered between the coils and into the periphery of the split ring, which has partially separated coils and a locked-in split ring inside clip holding compartment. 
       FIG. 5  continues the sequence from  FIG. 4 . The coil-separating tool is in its third position; each prying tool has been rotated 90-degrees, which has fully separated the split ring coils. 
       FIG. 6  shows an overhead perspective view of a coil-separating tool suspended above a work table or base by a suspension bracket. A split ring is attached to the right corner bump of the bag edge. The Prying tools are withdrawn from between the coils and are again in position  1 . The handle that&#39;s over the bag is pointing up; the other handle that&#39;s not over the bag is pointing down. 
       FIG. 6   a  is the same as  FIG. 6  except a second split ring is attached to the left corner of the same bag. The handle directions are now reversed. 
       FIG. 7  shows an elevation close up view, part breakaway/part section, of the first embodiment (stop box/stop collar not shown) of coil-separating tool  48 . Its prying tool tips are in their first position. The tool comprises two layers, wherein the top layer thickness is equal to the height of the split ring bottom coil (½ the split ring height). 
       FIG. 8  is the same as  FIG. 7  except the prying tools are in their second position wherein the coils are partially separated. 
       FIG. 9  is the same as  FIG. 7  except the prying tools are in their third position wherein the coils are fully separated. 
       FIG. 10  shows a rear perspective close-up view designated by the dashed line circle in  FIG. 6   a , except the prying tools tips are still between the coils prior to their withdrawal. This figure shows how the corner angles of the tips avoid contact with the bag edge. 
       FIG. 11  shows how the clip attachment edge of the bottom panel of the preferred bag embodiment is typically manufactured to be on the same plane with its rear major upper portion. 
       FIG. 12  shows a rear overhead perspective breakaway view of the right side only of a solid cast, molded, or fabricated version of the second embodiment of the coil separating tool. It uses rivets or pins and its spring strips and split rings as stops in its first and second positions. 
       FIG. 13  shows an elevation, part breakaway/part section close up view of the second embodiment of the coil separating tool with its prying tools in their first position, as in  FIG. 12 , except both sides are shown. 
       FIG. 14  is the same view as  FIG. 13  except the Prying Tools are shown in their second position (coils partially separated), also as in  FIG. 21 . 
       FIG. 15  is the same view as  FIG. 13  except the Prying Tools are shown in their third position (coils fully separated). 
       FIG. 19  shows an overhead exploded view of the two-layered version of the coil-separating tool first embodiment that has stop boxes. 
       FIG. 20  shows an overhead exploded view of the two-layered version of the coil-separating tool second embodiment that has no stop boxes. 
       FIG. 21  shows a rear overhead perspective breakaway view of the left side only of a solid cast, molded, or fabricated version of the second embodiment of the coil separating tool, the same embodiment as  FIG. 12 . It is in the same second position as  FIG. 14 . 
       FIG. 22  shows side elevation, part breakaway, and part section view of the coil-separating tool suspended above a work table or base by a suspension bracket. The split ring coils are fully separated. The bag corner bump is entering the space between the coils, while the rear portion of the bag is being supported by a suspended tube. The space under the coil-separating tool (or support tube) provides clearance for the major upper portion of the bag, which can dwell forward, under the tool (broken lines), or rearward (solid lines) under the tube, while the split rings are being attached. 
       FIG. 23  shoes sequentially how steel wedges are used as an alternate coil separation tool. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Each coil-spreading tool comprises a:
         flat plate  11  of an appropriate material and size, which can be molded, cast, or fabricated in one piece ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 ), or it can be layered sheet materials ( FIGS. 19 ,  20 ). In the layered embodiment, the top layer  43 ,  46 ,  49 ,  50  thickness is equal to the bottom coil  70  thickness (½ the split ring  66  height. See Guidance Channels  17  below and  FIGS. 7 ,  13 ,  22 ). The floor plates  45 ,  51  can be any appropriate thickness;   clip holding compartment  10  recessed into and centered on flat plate  11 , its floor recessed a distance equal to the thickness of bottom coil  70  of split ring  66  when placed therein. Split Ring  66  (in this embodiment, round, 1 inch OD) should fit snugly in clip holding compartment  10 ;   front platform area ( FIG. 3 , bracket  40 ) surrounds the front half of clip holding compartment  10 , is flat and serves to guide bag corner  20  ( FIGS. 6 ,  6   a ,  10 ,  22 ) with its bumps into its destination at the 12 o&#39;clock position between the coils ( FIG. 5 , arrow  29 , and  FIG. 22 ) of split ring  66 , once they are separated. Flat surface  11  of front platform area  40  is advantageously aligned with parting groove  71  ( FIGS. 7 ,  13 ,  22 ) of split ring  66 .       

   After coil separation ( FIG. 22 ), front platform area  40  remains aligned with gripping surface  76  of bottom coil  70 . Forward edge  12  ( FIGS. 6 ,  6   a ,  22 ) of front platform area  40 , including forward edge  18  of suspension bracket  15 , should be sized and shaped to fit into wedge-shaped bag space  83  formed by the leading half of gusset width  16  and bag major upper portion  58  behind bag clip attachment edge  13  (see cantilever suspension bracket  15  below). Accordingly, front platform area  40  must be shorter than ½ the bag gusset width  16  ( FIG. 11 ) or corner bumps  20  with leading edge  13  cannot reach their destination inside the coils of split ring  68 ;
     rear platform area  42  ( FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5 ) begins where front platform area  40  ends, and comprises;
       guidance channels  17  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 ), a pair, located one on each side and opening into clip holding compartment  10  at the 3 o&#39;clock and 9 o&#39;clock positions. Channel  17  width is such that it permits only lengthwise movements of prying tool  19 . Channel  17  depth is equal to split ring  66  bottom coil  70  height (½ the shaft diameter), so that prying tool tip apex  33  ( FIGS. 7 ,  13  and below) can be aligned, prior to coil separation, with groove  71  located between and defined by rounded perimeter  73  of split ring coils  68  and  70 . Guidance channels  17  are advantageously offset at an angle from clip holding compartment  10 , sloping away from front platform area  40 . The angle should be such that no part of prying tools  19  will come close enough to bag bottom edge  13  to damage it, no matter what its position.   each guidance channel  17  having a:
           stop box  52 , a widened portion of guidance channel  17  that receives and cooperates with stop collar  27  ( FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5 ) to prevent the prying tool tips  34  from entering interior coil space  54  too far inside split ring  66 , and keeps them close to clip holding compartment  10 , in position, ready for the next split ring  66 . No stop box  52  is needed ( FIGS. 2 ,  20 ) if alternative stop  28  ( FIGS. 12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  21 ) is used;   Prying Tool  19 , one occupying each guidance channel  17 ; each prying tool  19  comprising a;
               rod shaft  21  having a diameter (x) equal to the height of abutted coils  68 ,  70  of split ring  66  ( FIGS. 7 ,  13 );   each rod shaft  21  having at its end nearest to the split ring holding compartment  10  a:
                   symmetrical tip  34  ( FIGS. 3 ,  10 ,  12 ,  21 ) with back-to-back surfaces  32  ( FIGS. 7 ,  13 ,  22 ) that slope at equal angles from full shaft  21  diameter to a blunt knife edge apex  33 —like a screw driver with a “cabinet” style (straight sides, no flair) tip, its width x ( FIGS. 9 ,  15 ) being the same as shaft  21  diameter, which is the distance the coils  68 ,  70  are to be separated. For example, a shaft diameter/tip width of 4-mm (0.1575) requires a split ring having approximately the same total thickness. The tool tip corners  36  ( FIG. 10 ) are tapered at an angle equal to the offset angle of the guidance channels  17  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 ). Unless so tapered, the tip corners would contact and damage edge  13  at bag corner bumps  20  when rotated back into Position  2  just prior to tool withdrawal (see Operation below);   
                   each rod shaft  21  having at its other end a:
                   handle  44  ( FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  12 ,  21 ) projecting at a right angle to its shaft  21  axis (not shown) and perpendicular to knife edge apex  33  of tip  34 . Handle  44  must be sufficiently long relative to shaft  21  diameter to generate the leverage necessary to pry apart split ring  66  coils  68 ,  70  (see Operation). Care must be taken in the tool design that handle  44  makes no contact with flat plate  11  or table top or base  80  when in its down position (broken line handle  44 );   
                   each rod shaft  21  having at its middle portion a:
                   stop collar  27  ( FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5 ) affixed with a set screw  47  inside a threaded hole or a slot cut into the shaft, or a rivet or pin (not shown) that enters a drilled hole;   or alternatively a   stop rivet or pin  28  ( FIGS. 12 ,  13 ,  14 ,  15 ,  21 ) which is affixed to tip  34  at a distance from tip apex  33  such that its contact with coils  68  and  70  prevents the further entrance of prying tool  19  into split ring  66  interior  54 . Total rivet or pin  28  length through the tool tip cannot exceed shaft  21  diameter so that it fits snugly into guide channel  17  when in Position  1  (see Operation). Rivet or pin  28  also cooperates with spring strip  56  ( FIGS. 12 ,  13  and below), by preventing excessive outward travel of prying tool  19 , thus keeping it in Position  1 . Whichever prying tool stop embodiment is most cost effective for a given production run (see Operations) should be selected;   
                   spring strips  56  for:
                   keeping prying tool tip apex  33  horizontally aligned with parting groove  71  ( FIGS. 7 ,  13 ) when clip holding compartment  10  contains split ring  66  (Position  1 ) by pressing against the upward facing flat sloping surface  32  while also causing handles  44  of Prying Tools  19  to point straight up or down (see Operation);   keeping prying tools  19  firmly inside guidance channels  17  by maintaining constant downward pressure, yet yielding upward, thereby allowing shafts  21  to lift when prying tools  19  are pushed by the operator into position  2  ( FIGS. 8 ,  14 ), and rotated ¼ turn to separate the coils into Position  3  ( FIGS. 9 ,  15 );   stopping the outward travel of alternative stop  28  ( FIGS. 12 ,  13 ).
 
The Necessity of Suspending Coil Separation Tool  48  ( FIGS. 6 ,  6   a ,  11 ,  22 )
   
                   
               
           
       

   The preferred type of bag disclosed in the applicant&#39;s issued U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,354 (entitled Back Sack, trade named Baxac™), as manufactured ( FIG. 11 ), has its bag bottom  16  flat against major upper portion  58 , making bag bottom edge  13  inaccessible for attaching split rings  66  at corner bumps  20 . To be accessible, edge  13  must be separated from bag upper portion  58  by suspension to form wedge-shaped space  83 . 
   Coil Separating Tool  48  Suspension Bracket(s)  15  ( FIGS. 6 ,  6   a ,  22 ) 
   With coil separation tool  48  suspended and occupying wedge-shaped space  83  ( FIG. 22 ), edge  13  can approach its destination to have split rings  66  attached, and provides bag upper portion  58  places to dwell. 
   A single coil separating tool  48  suspended by bracket  15  cantilevered from one side allows bags to be fed in laterally from the open side. Two brackets, one on each side (not shown) would be sturdier, but permits only vertical bag feeding. Either way, there should be enough lateral space underneath bracket  15  for coil-separating tool  48  to reach both left ( FIG. 6   a ) and right ( FIG. 6 ) bag corners  20  without interference of the widest anticipated bag. Otherwise, bracket  15  could be made laterally adjustable to match different bag widths (not shown). When deciding suspension height (vertical space  60 ), care should be taken to avoid contact between worktable surface or base  80  and tool handles  44  regardless of their position (see Operation). 
   Alternatively, two short bracket coil separating tools  48  mounted in tandem (not shown), one for each side of the bag, would enable operators to achieve faster assembly cycle times. And if mounted adjustable for distance between them, different bag widths would be accommodated. 
   Rear Bag Bottom Support  82  ( FIGS. 6 ,  6   a ,  22 ) 
   In order for both operators&#39; hands to be free to operate handles  44  of coil separating tool  48  (see Operation), rear bag edge  14  must also be supported. Rear support tube  82  can provide this, as can a duplicate of suspension bracket  15 , or the front edge of a low shelf or platform (not shown). Whatever the rear support method, cantilevered mounting (not shown) on the same side as cantilevered bracket  15 , or its equivalent, would provide the advantage of a fully open opposite side for easier, unobstructed lateral bag feeding and facilitate the rearward dwelling place option  58 . 
   Operation 
   POSITION  1  is the loading position. With the help of spring strips  56 , the operator points one handle  44  up, the other down, both perpendicular to coils  68  and  70  of split ring  66 . If the bag forward position is used (broken lines  59  of  FIGS. 6 ,  6   a ,  22 ), which handle  44  is up depends on which bag corner is having its split ring  66  attached. The bag and tool handle positions must be coordinated to avoid their making unwanted contact with each other in vertical space  60  underneath coil separating tool  48 ; specifically, when attaching split ring  66  to the left corner ( FIG. 6 ), the right handle must point up, and vice versa. Coordination is unnecessary if the bag rearward position is used (solid lines  58 ,  FIGS. 6 ,  6   a ,  22 ). Both prying tool tips  34  must be outside clip holding compartment  10  in order for it to be loaded. The operator now places a split ring  66  snug and flat into clip holding compartment  10  with the ring&#39;s Z-shaped part  72  at the 6 o&#39;clock position ( FIG. 3 ). Prying tool tips  34  will then be correctly poised at the 3 and 9 o&#39;clock positions. Once in Position  1  and loaded, the operator, with open hands, simultaneously strikes the backs of both handles  44  gently, but sharply enough to send tips  34  towards each other ( FIG. 3 , arrows  35 ) and into interior coil space  54  as far as their respective stop collars  27 , or rivets (or pins)  28  permit ( FIGS. 14 ,  21 ). This lifts coil  68  partially away from bottom coil  70 , which is now safely locked inside clip holding compartment  10  by prying tools  19 . Coil separating tool  48  is now in . . . 
   POSITION  2 , ready to overcome the power of the coils for full coil separation, which requires the upward pointed handle  44  to be rotated down 90-degrees (¼ turn) towards the operator ( FIG. 5 ), so that it is horizontal, and downward pointed handle  44  to be rotated up 90-degrees (¼ turn), also towards the operator, so that it, too, is horizontal. Coil-separating tool  48  is now in . . . 
   POSITION  3  when tool tips  34  are vertical (and the handles horizontal). The coils are now fully separated and ready to receive bag corner bump  20  between them ( FIGS. 5 ,  22 ). As long as the tips remain perpendicular to the coils in this loaded position, their tremendous energy keeps them secure and stable. This frees the operator to use both hands to feed a bag corner bump  20  into position between open coils  68  and  70 . 
   If coil separation tool  48  is suspended on only one side ( FIGS. 6 ,  6   a , support  22 ), bags can be fed in from the opposite open side, or vertically. If two supports  22  are used, one on each side (not shown), only vertical feeding is possible. The operator now directs bag major upper portion  58  either towards him/her self, under bracket  15 , to dwell during clip attachment, as in  FIGS. 6 ,  6   a , and  FIG. 22  (broken lines  59 ), or towards the rear (solid lines), under rear bag support  82 . 
   Once a bag corner bump  20  is in that portion of interior coil space  54  adjacent to front platform area  40  and unoccupied by prying tool tips  34 , the operator returns his/her hands to handles  44  and reverses the sequence by rotating them back to Position  2 . This allows the coils to partially close on bag corner bump  20 , and then the operator pulls handles  44  in opposite directions, out from between the coils and back into Position  1 . This allows the coils to fully close on the bag corner bump, thereby capturing it. The bag corner and split ring assembly is then free to be lifted out of the clip holding compartment as a unit. 
   CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, &amp; SCOPE 
   Thus, it is clear that the present split ring coil separating tool and method invention:
         Enables both operators&#39; hands to be free for tool and bag handling;   Keeps both prying tool tips ready near their correct insertion points at the split ring coils;   Guides both tool tips towards their correct insertion points at the split ring coils;   Holds the split ring steady hands free while an operator
           Forces the tool tips between the coils;   Rotates the coil prying tools ¼ turn;   Forces the coils to separate uniformly across the width of the split ring without the tool tips occupying the space reserved for the bag corners;   Rotates the tools ¼ turn back to its pre-load position;   Withdraws the tool tips from between the coils without damaging the clamped bag corner with its pellet contents;   
           Releases the split ring with its captured bag corner as a unit;   Remains in position to efficiently accept the next assembly cycle;   Keeps the split rings stable and safe while performing its specified tasks.       

   Although the above description sets forth specific embodiments of the invention, it should not be construed as limitations on its scope. Many variations are possible. For example, the split ring coils  68  and  70  could be separated by different prying techniques, such as steel wedges ( FIG. 23 ) that enter between the coils and exit without the need for rotation. Such wedge tips would permit various coil separation distances depending on how far they enter between the coils, and thus accommodate different split ring sizes. Or, instead of the prying tools being operated manually, they would be moved by mechanical means, such as solenoids or actuators. And they could be triggered by optical, or other type sensors, so that when an operator gets close to the split ring with a bag corner (or the like), the coils would separate automatically and close when its destination is reached. Or, the prying tools could be operated via mechanical linkage, with or without electric, pneumatic, or air assist by an operator&#39;s foot or knee, so their hands are always free. The split ring holding compartment could be a modified flange attached to a flat plate, and the guidance channels could be defined by angle strips similarly attached. An alternate way to spread the coils utilizes very coarse threaded sheet metal type screws, which taper to a sharp point. The more turns of the screw, the further apart the coils are separated. The shape of the split rings could vary, such as having one or more straight sides, or more than two prying tools might be needed, not only to accommodate different split ring shapes, but to facilitate the entrance between the coils of two or more material packets with pellets folded within approaching the split rings from different sides. Such an embodiment could find use in the fashion industry, for example, where the split rings would be valued as being both decorative and functional. A hand-held embodiment designed to operate with only one hand could be used in the field for attaching banners and other displays. This embodiment would enable an operator to move the tool towards the fixed in place pellet-loaded material instead of the reverse, as described above. 
   Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments presented herein, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.