A New or Improved Method of and Means for Fastening Sample Bags and the like.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 6th June, 1895-Accepted, 13th July, 1895
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Method of and Means for Fastening Sample
Bags and the like.
I, BERTHOLD SCHAEFER, Merchant, of Rossmarkt 13, Breslau, in the German
Empire do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same
is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement:―
The manner in which sample-bags, and the like are usually fastened consists
in turning down the corners of the open end of the bag so as to make them
overlap, perforating the overlapping corners and securing the same by means of a
metal fastener, the ends of which are bent apart on the opposite side. This mode
of fastening sample-bags which has so far been generally adopted, presents
numerous drawbacks. In the first place, too much of the inner space of the bag
is lost by turning down the corners (see Fig. 1), then, the necessity of perforating
the edges of the bags makes it almost impossible to use such bags for finely
grained or powdered substances, as the contents are liable to get through the
perforations; and lastly, the handling of bags so fastened is in practice inconvenient.
When the bag is full and the corners turned down previous to closing the bag, it
is generally found that the perforations no longer exactly correspond with one
another and in order to introduce the metal fastener, it is necessary to use a special
instrument either for forcing the perforations into their proper position or for
widening the same. In emptying the bag, a portion of its contents generally
escapes through the perforations, which considering the great importance of
merchants' samples is a matter by no means to be overlooked."
The insertion of the fastener, the unbending and removal of the same is difficult
to accomplish, and even the risk of cutting one's fingers is incurred.
To meet the above objections, attempts have for a long time past been made to
devise some
new means of closing sample-bags but all improvements, hitherto
introduced generally consist of fastenings that are inseparable from the bags
themselves, and they thus possess, the disadvantage of becoming useless in case of
the bag being damaged and vice versa, and they must, moreover, be acquired with:
the bags, and are of course, included in the cost..
The object of the present invention is to provide a contrivance for closing
sample-bags which has none of the drawbacks above referred to, and which is
shown in detail in the accompanying drawing. The chief feature of this method
of closing sample-bags consists in turning down the open end of the bag say
twice, or several times if required, and the edge thus turned down is securely
fastened by means of one or several cramps, made of suitable material. such as
metal-plate, wire, or the like. The cramp has, therefore, to serve a double purpose:
it must, on the one band, firmly secure the turned-down end of the bag, and, on the
other hand, prevent its becoming unfastened. With due regard to the spirit of
this invention, it is possible to modify both the shape of the cramp and the manner
of applying the same to the turned-down end of the bag. A number of suitable
shapes are shown, by way of example, on the accompanying drawings. The
cramp can be made either of springy or non-springy material. In the former case,
it may, as shown by Figs. 2 and 3, be a wire cramp with one cr several branches,
or, as shown by Fig. 4, a metal-plate. Cramps of this description may be hooked
at one end and slightly bent upwards, this end being inserted underneath the
edge of the bag. In some cases, however, such as, for instance, in the case of
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page_text: ordinary cone-shaped bags, it is sufficient to choose a cramp of the shape shown by
Fig. 5 there being no hooked end, the danger of the cramp coming off is only
obviated by the elasticity of the metal.
It is
In Figs. 6 and 7 are shown two patterns of cramps made of non-springy material.
That shown by Fig. 6 consists merely of a piece of carved tin-plate that retains
any shape given to it (either by pressure or by a blow) and the arms of which are
perforated in such a way that an inner burr or projecting edge is formed.
best to make the perforations not exactly opposite each other. In using a cramp
of this description, it is placed over the turned-down end of the bag, and the arms
pressed together with sufficient force to make the burrs penetrate into the fold of
the bag. The coming off of the cramp is thus perfectly obviated and the opening
of the bag accomplished by unbending the fastening.
Another pattern of a non-springy fastening will be found in Fig. 7 of the
accompanying drawing. A strip of sheet-metal a or wire or the like with a
hooked end b (the latter preferably of semi-circular shape) is placed over the
end of the bag with the hooked portion b under the fold, as shown. To secure the
fastening it is only necessary to bend the free end of the cramp backwards until it
comes into contact with the other side of the bag.
The characteristic feature of this mode of fastening sample-bags by means of
cramps with hooked ends (and this shape will be found to be the most practicable)
is that the possibility of the fastening coming off accidentally is altogether
prevented, and the opening of the bag may be effected by causing the cramp to
slide off sideways without altering its shape or diminishing its elasticity. This
also makes possible to use the same cramp over and over again.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. For closing and fastening sample paper bags and the like, the use of one or
more cramps, either spring or otherwise, for clipping the folded ends of bags and
preventing them from becoming accidentally opened, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
2. For use with sample bags and the like, an independent and detachable clip or
fastener, consisting of a strip of sheet metal or wire or the like bent up at one
end, and applied for the purpose and substantially in the manner hereinbefore
described with reference to Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings.
3. The method of and means for closing and securely fastening sample-bags and
the like substantially as herein before. described and as illustrated by the
accompanying sheet of drawings.
Dated this 4th day of June 1895.
STANLEY, POPPLEWELL & Co.,
7 & 8 Southampton Buildings,, London, WC.,
Agents for the Applicant.