CLOSURE DEVICE

Abstract: In a device for the tight closure of bags made of flexible material are included a first section (1) and a second section (2) which are in hinged connection at one end (10, 20) of each section. After movement to a position adjacent to one another (closing position) the sections fix between themselves the portion of the bag within which it is to be closed. At the other end (11, 21) a manually openable snap lock which automatically fixes the sections in closing position is arranged. The first section is provided with a groove (13) located in longitudinal direction into which a rib (23) provided on the second section in longitudinal direction is introduced with a tight fit when the sections are moved to the closing position. In this process the portion of the bag within which the bag is to be closed is clamped in the groove (13) by means of the rib (23).

Description: TITLE OF THE INVENTION CLOSURE DEVICE The present invention relates to a device for the tight closure of bags made of flexible material, where the closure device includes a first section and a second section, being in hinged connection at the one end of each section and adapted so that after movement to a position adjacent to one another (closing position) they take up, fixing between them, the portion of the bag within which it is closed, where in the other end of each section a manually openable snap lock is arranged which automatically closes on movement of the sections towards one another, and where the surface of the first section facing towards the second section has a groove provided in longitudinal direction of the section. In, many connections there is a need for a simple mechanical device enabling the closure of bags made of a flexible material, e.g. plastic bags. This need is especially great where packages are emptied of their contents in batches, a procedure encountered in_ industrial as well as in domestic contexts. Conditions are parti¬ cularly awkward when the size of the bag virtually coincides with the size of the packed.goods, and when after removal of a small part of tl^ese it ought toi be closed again. In such a case a reusable closing de ! vice is required, where the package can be closed by pressing together the walls of the package material. The present invention relates to a device which meets the above- mentioned requirement; The device includes a first section and a second section which are in hinged connection at one end of each section. The sections are adapted so that after movement to a position adjacent to one another (closing position) they take up, fixing between them, the portion of the bag within which it is closed. At its other end each section is provided with a snap lock which on movement of the sections towards one another automatically fixes the sections adjacent to one another and which snap lock is manually openable. The first section, moreover comprises a groove provided in longitudinal direction of the section and located in the surface of the first section facing towards the second section. In accordance with the invention the second section is provided with a rib located in longitudinal direction of the section the rib, with the sections in closing position, substantially forming a tight fit >> with, the groove and being at least partly enclosed by the same. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the groove is formed by two slablike elements Situated at a distance from one another, each of which being attached to the first section only along its one edge. In another preferred embodiment of the invention the first section between the edges just mentioned consists of a material portion which is deformed res liently when the rib is introduced into the groove. As a result inherent stresses arise in the material which endeavour to return the edges to the initial position and thereby fix the relevant bag portion between the edges and the rib. Through the choice of material and the dimensioning of the thickness of the material portion the resilience, and consequently the pressure of the sections against the- bag. material, is adapted to the particular _ application for which the closing device is intended. j j ; In yet anotherembodiment of the invention the edge the rib facing towards the first section in closing position is provided with a rounded shape so that on closure of the bag it guides the rib into the groove and prevents any damage to the flexible material of the bag. A suitable embodiment of the invention is described in greater detail in connection; with a number of figures where Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a device in accordance with the invention with the sections of the device placed at an angle to one another, Fig. 2 shows a lateral view of the device in extended position. Fig. 3 shows the device from above in extended position, Fig. 4 shows the section 4-4 in Fig. 3, Fig. 5 shows the device in closing position, Fig. 6 shows the section 6-6 in Fig. 2 and Fig. 7 shows the section 7-7 in Fig. 2. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures can be found a first section 1 and a second section 2 which at one end 10, 20 of each .. section are joined to one another by means of a hinge 3. At its other end 11 the section 1 is provided with a snap hook 12 whilst the second section 2 is provided at its other end 21 with a snap lip 22. The sections are, pivotable about the ' hinge 3 in order to assume a position corresponding to that as shown in Fig. 5, when the snap hook 12 and the snap lip 22 co-operate to fasten the sections in the position (closing position) shown in Fig. 5. The first section 1 is provided with a groove 13 which is formed with the help of two slablike elements 14, 15 which along their one edge 16, 17 are attached to the remaining parts of the first section. Between the two edges 16, 17 just mentioned the section forms a material portion 18 adapated to be bent along a line between the slablike elements in longitudinal direction of the section so as to twist the slablike elements 14,15 to a limited extent from one another when they are acted upon by forces directed from a vertical plane through the said centre line. For certain applications a certain springiness is permissible also in the slablike elements whilst in other applications, where extra stiffness is desired, for example in case of long slablike elements, reinforcement profiles 19 are arranged along the outsides 32, 33 of the elements. When the slablike elements are in a position where they are not subjected to the abovementioned forces the two sides 30, 31 of the elements facing one another are positioned mainly in two planes parallel with one another. The second section 2 is provided with a rib 23 located in longi¬ tudinal direction of the section and placed so that when the sections are moved to the position shown in Fig. 5 it can be guided into the groove 13. The rib 23 forms a substantially rigid body with an out- wardly facing rounded edge 24. In certain applications the rib 23 is dimensioned so that it can be bent laterally to a certain extent when the rib is introduced into the groove 13. It is evident from the figures that in the embodiment shown the second section is given a U-shaped cross-section into which as a rule is placed at least one reinforcement element 25 so as to increase the mechanical stability of the section. When a bag of flexible material is to be closed the portion of material of the bag relevant for the closure is* placed over e.g. the groove 13. Subsequently, the sections are moved towards one another so as to press the rib 23 into the groove 13 until the snap lock 12, 22 fixes the sections in the position shown in Fig. 5. The bag material is fixed thereby between the rib 23 and the slablike elements 14, 15 at the same time as the elements are moved resi- liently slightly avijaiy from one another, mainly owing to the first section having been slightly deformed in the material portion 18 between the elements. In this manner a tight closure of the bag is brought about. When the bag is to be opened the snap hook 12 is manually moved outwards from the snap lip 22 and the sections are twisted from one another as a result of which the bag is released. Thanks to the invention a simple and reliable device for the closing of bags made of flexible material, e.g. plastic material is obtained. The device in accordance with the invention can be used a great number of times. It is realizable in different sizes adapted to the particular closure possibility and elasticity of the particular bag material. It will be obvious to those versed in the art that the embodiment shown in connection with the figures is particularly suitable to be manufactured in one single piece by injection moulding in one mould form. The above detailed description related only to a limited number of embodiments of the invention, but it will be readily evident to those versed in the art that the invention embraces a large number of embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A device ' for the tight closure of bags made of flexible material, where the closing device includes a first section (1) and a second section (2), being in hinged connection at one end (10, 20) of each section and adapted so that after movement to a position adjacent to one another (closing position) they take up, fixing between them, the portion of the bag within which it is closed, where in the other end (11, 21) of each section a manually openable snap lock ( 12, 22) is arranged which auto¬ matically closes on movement of the sections towards one another, and where the surface of the first section facing towards the second section has a groove (13) provided in longitudinal direc¬ tion of the section, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the second section (2) is provided with a rib (23) located in longi¬ tudinal direction of the section which, with the sections in closing position, substantially forms a tight fit with the groove (13) and is at least partly enclosed by the same. 2. A device in accordance with claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the groove (13) is formed by two slablike elements (14, 15) situated at a distance from one another, each of which being attached to the first section substantially only along its one edge (16, 17). 3. A device in accordance with claim 1 or 2, c h a r c t e ¬ i z e d in that the first section (1) between the edges (16, 17) consists of a material portion (18) which is deformed resiliently when the rib is introduced into the groove (13). 4. A device in accordance with claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that reinforcement sections (19) are arranged on the outside of the slablike elements (14, 15). 5. A device in accordance with anyone of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the sides (30, 31) of the slablike elements (14, 15) facing one another are substantially parallel with one another. 6. A device in accordance with anyone of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the edge (24) of the ' rib (23) facing towards the first section (1) is of a rounded shape.

Inventors: SKILLIUS HANS, SKILLIUS, HANS
Applicants: UDDMO PLASTBOLAGET AB, PLASTBOLAGET UDDMO AB
Application year: 1987
Main classification: B65D33
IPC codes: B65D33