Patent Abstract:
The invention relates to a multi-part closure device or clip having a first and a second clip body component. The clip has a releasable latch at one end, a rigid connection at an opposite end, and at least one flexible neck disposed between the releasable latch and the rigid connection. The flexible neck hinges one clip body component with respect to the other clip body component while enabling the rigid connection to remain stationary with respect to both clip body components.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
   The present invention relates to a multi-part closure device such as an ice pack clip for releasably sealing ice packs and similar flexible open-ended containers. 
   It is known to seal ice packs used for a variety of purposes with ice pack clips which are generally of the blade and trough (or sheath) type. The known devices generally include a hinge at one end connecting the blade and the trough and a latch at the other end for releasably closing the clip to seal a bag which passes between the trough and the blade when the clip is closed. Similar clips or clamps are also suitable for a variety of other purposes, including ostomy bags, umbilical cord clamps, etc. 
   Depending upon the type of clip or clamp chosen, there are shortcomings. For instance, some clips presently used with ice packs consist of a one-piece construction having a blade portion and a trough portion pivotally connected by a hinge. This construction is not easily adapted to automated sorting and feeding. Due to the inherent flexibility of the hinge, the blade and trough move with respect to one another when the clip is subjected to the vibrations often encountered during automated mechanical sorting processes. This movement makes automated feeding difficult. As a result, currently it is required that these clips be attached to ice packs manually resulting in limited production capacity and requiring human participation in the assembly process. 
   As such, there exists a need for a clip suitable for use on ice packs, ostomy bags, umbilical cord clamps, etc. that exhibits all the advantages of the presently used clip but lends itself to automated sorting, feeding, and assembly. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   As such, one aspect of the present invention discloses a multi-part closure device including a substantially planar blade and a trough. Each piece has a latch end and a connector end. The trough has a necked portion proximal to the trough connector end. Each of the connector ends are fastened one to the other so as to create a rigid joint between the blade and the trough. This enables the necked portion to form a hinge which in turn enables the trough to hinge at the necked portion. Hinging is accomplished substantially about one axis while the blade and rigid joint remain stationary with respect to the trough. 
   Another aspect of the present invention provides a multi-part closure device or clip having a first and a second clip body component. The clip also has a releasable latch at one end, a rigid connection at an opposite end, and at least one flexible neck disposed between the releasable latch and the rigid connection. The flexible neck hinges one clip body component with respect to the other clip body component while enabling the rigid connection to remain stationary. 
   Another aspect of the present invention provides a multi-part closure device having a first and a second clip body component each having a connecting portion. A flexible neck is disposed upon at least one of the clip body components proximate to the connecting portion. The flexible neck forms a hinge between the first and second clip body components when the first and second connecting portions are secured one to the other. The first and second connecting portions serve to rigidly connect the two clip body components one to the other at a rigid connection while allowing each clip body component having a flexible neck disposed thereon to move with respect to the other clip body component and the rigid connection. 
   Still another aspect of the present invention provides a multi-part closure device having a first and second clip body component. The second clip body component is securely fastened to the first clip body component at a rigid connection. At least one flexible region is disposed proximate to the rigid connection. The flexible region serves to enable at least one clip body component to hinge with respect to the rigid connection. 
   In yet another aspect of the present invention a multi-part closure device is disclosed. The device includes a first and a second clip body component. Each clip body component terminates in a releasable latch end and a rigid connection end. A flexible neck is disposed upon at least one clip body component proximal to the rigid connection end. The flexible neck enables the clip body component upon which it is disposed to hinge about the flexible neck and move with respect to the rigid connection end. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of an open clip of the prior art design. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view in partial cutaway of the  FIG. 1  prior art design. 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of an open clip of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of the rigid connection end of the clip of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  shows an alternative embodiment of the rigid connection end of the clip of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the  FIG. 3  open clip of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the  FIG. 3  open clip of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention and its advantages are best understood by referring to the drawings, like numerals being used for like and corresponding parts of the various drawings. 
   Prior art  FIGS. 1 and 2  show a clip  10  which in pertinent part is formed of four major components, a substantially planar blade  12 , a trough  14 , a hinge  16 , and a latching mechanism  18 . The blade  12  is designed to fit within the trough  14  such that when a bag (not shown) is interposed between the closed blade  12  and the trough  14 , the blade  12  and trough  14  cooperate to effectively seal the bag. The blade  12  and trough  14  are designed to be manufactured as a single unit and remain connected via the hinge  16 . The hinge commonly used is preferably a strap-like hinge, known in the art as a “living hinge”. The present invention eliminates this living hinge  16  and substitutes a new configuration. 
   In the present invention, shown in  FIG. 3 , a new clip  20  is depicted. The clip  20  is manufactured as two separate components or clip body components  22  and  24 . The clip body components  22  and  24  may be configured similarly to the trough and hinge arrangement disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,604,959, which is fully incorporated herein by reference. However, in the present invention, it is not until the two portions  22 ,  24  are attached one to the other, that the clip  20  itself is ultimately formed. 
   Looking to  FIG. 3 , it can be seen that each clip body component  22 ,  24  is provided with a portion of a latch or latching mechanism  26  and a blade connector end, also referred to as a connecting end, or connecting portion  28 . The specific design of the latching mechanism  26  is not critical to the invention and therefore the mechanism  26  may be configured similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,604,959. 
   Proximate to the connecting portion  28  of at least one of the clip body components  22 ,  24  is a necked portion or necked region  30 . The necked region  30  is sufficiently thin and flexible enough to enable the clip body component  22  or  24  upon which it is located to hinge at the necked region  30  once the clip  20  is assembled. As shown in  FIG. 3 , this necked region  30  effectively allows the clip  20  to open and close enabling movement between a latched and an unlatched position. Formation of the clip  20  is accomplished when the connecting portions  28  of each clip body component  22  and  24  are fastened in some manner to one another resulting in the creation of a rigid configuration or connection  32 . 
   To better enable the necked region  30  to hinge properly at the rigid connection  32 , the components  22  and  24  may be constructed so as to possess added thickness and rigidity at the connecting portions  28 . Further, the necked region  30  may be made sufficiently thin so as to flexibly hinge between the connecting portion  28  and the remainder of the clip body component  22  and/or  24 . This arrangement moves the latching mechanism  28  toward and away from a clip open and a clip closed position allowing a bag (not shown) to be captured between the clip body components  22  and  24 . 
   More specifically, the necked region  30  permits the clip body component  22  having the necked region to hinge with respect to the other clip body component and the rigid connection  32 . Although the necked region  30  is depicted as being on clip body component  22 , it may alternatively be located on clip body component  24  as depicted in FIG.  6 . Other embodiments, such as that depicted in  FIG. 7 , may include providing at least one necked region  30  on each clip body component  22  and  24 . This would enable both clip body components  22  and  24  to hinge with respect to each other while the rigid connection  32  remained stationary. 
   A number of possible alternatives are available to fasten the clip body components  22  and  24  together. In the  FIG. 4  embodiment, two surfaces,  34  and  36  are depicted, one at each of the connecting portions  28 . These surfaces when joined together form the rigid connection  32 . The rigid connection  32  can be made permanent via the application of adhesives, through the use of thermal and/or ultrasonic bonding, etc. It is well known in the art that a typical bond may be configured so as to include raised features (not shown) in order to create a bond concentration. Alignment nibs  38  depicted in the  FIG. 4  may also be provided on either or both connecting portions  28  to assist in alignment of the clip body components  22 ,  24 . Alignment nibs  38  may take any number of forms including raised areas and complementary recessed areas and be located on either or both of the surfaces  34  and/or  36 . 
   One possible alternative, as shown for example in  FIG. 5 , provides fasteners  40  which serve to fasten the clip body components  22  and  24  one to the other. Examples of such fasteners  40  may include bayonet-type fasteners as shown having a male portion  42  and a female portion  44 , however, post and post aperture arrangements, single and multiple tab and slot arrangements, as well as other male/female type fittings are suitable as well. In general, it is desirable to design the fasteners  40  so that more force is required to separate the connecting portions  28  than is required to unlatch the latch mechanism  26 . As such, in some embodiments, the fasteners  40  may be semi-permanently joined. In other embodiments, the fasteners  40  may be permanently joined. Likewise, it should be apparent that it is also desirable to design the fasteners  40  to have sufficient strength to entrap and seal a bag or other material, such as an ice pack, between the body components  22  and  24  so that the material does not leak fluid therefrom. 
   Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1