Patent Description:
Such devices are described in <CIT>), <CIT>), <CIT>. ), and <CIT>).

Objectives of the present invention are to provide a crimp device which is simpler to use, and/or provides improved sealing of the liner opening, and/or requires fewer components.

We describe a bag or liner film crimping device comprising:.

In some examples, the cover is dual-purpose and includes at least one tine for, in a second use after removal from said covering position, prising a socket limb from the plug as the cover is pressed distally.

In some examples, the cover comprises at least two tines, at least one for each interface between a socket limb and the plug. In some examples, the cover comprises the top wall, and an end wall, and the tines extend from the end wall.

In some examples, the socket includes recesses to accommodate the tines when the cover is in the covering position. In some examples, at least one limb of said socket top and bottom components has inwardly directed teeth.

In some examples, at least one plug component has outwardly directed teeth for engagement with the teeth of the socket.

In some examples, the cover and the plug lower component are configured to engage each other to be removed as a unit to expose the socket lower component limbs and allow removal of a liner through the socket in the proximal direction.

In some examples, the plug lower component and the cover comprises snap-fitting features configured for engaging together when the cover has been pressed distally to prise the socket limbs apart.

In some examples, said features comprise ridges on the plug or the cover and slots in the plug or the cover.

In some examples, the socket is symmetrical about a lateral plane in the proximal-distal direction and being through the socket bridge, and wherein the plug is symmetrical about a lateral plane in the proximal-distal direction and being through the plug bridge, whereby the first and second components are interchangeable.

In some examples, the device comprises at least two covers, one configured to act as a cover for the bottom socket component and one configured to act as a cover for the top component, after separation of said components.

We also describe a method of use of a device as described herein in any example, the method comprising:.

In some examples, the cover is dual-purpose and includes at least one tine, and the method comprises further steps of removing the cover from the covering position and pressing the cover distally so that its tines prise open the socket limbs, and releasing the crimped film.

In some examples, the cover and the plug are removed together, and the liner is removed by proximal movement between and away from the socket limbs. Preferably, the cover is pressed distally until snap-fitting features of the cover and the plug engage.

We also describe a bag or liner film crimping device comprising:.

Preferably, the cover is dual-purpose and includes at least one tine for, in a second use, prising a socket limb from the plug as the cover is pressed distally. Preferably, the cover comprises at least two tines, at least one for each interface between a socket limb and the plug. Preferably, the cover comprises the top wall and an end wall, and the tines extend from the end wall.

Preferably, the socket includes recesses to accommodate the tines when the cover is in the covering position. Preferably, at least one limb of said socket top and bottom components has inwardly directed teeth. Preferably, at least one plug component has outwardly directed teeth for engagement with the teeth of the socket.

We also describe a method of use of a device of any example, the method comprising:.

Preferably, the cover is dual-purpose and includes at least one tine, and the method comprises further steps of removing the cover and pressing the cover distally so that its tines prise open the socket limbs and releasing the crimped film.

Referring to <FIG> a liner crimping device <NUM> comprises a U-shaped socket <NUM>, a plug <NUM>, and a cover <NUM>. The plug <NUM> is configured to fit within the U-shaped socket so that the closed end and limbs of the socket <NUM> form an enclosure together with the leading end of the plug <NUM> to crimp the neck of a film liner. In this specification the open end of the socket <NUM> is defined as being the proximal end, the closed end of the socket being the distal end, whereby the plug <NUM> is pushed distally into the socket for crimping.

In more detail, as shown in <FIG> the socket <NUM> has a top half <NUM> and a bottom half <NUM> which are joined together by a bridge <NUM> at the closed end. The top half <NUM> has limbs <NUM> and <NUM>, and the bottom half has limbs <NUM> and <NUM>. The top half has inwardly facing teeth <NUM> and <NUM> on the limbs <NUM> and <NUM> respectively, and the bottom half has opposing lines of teeth <NUM> and <NUM> on the limbs <NUM> and <NUM> respectively. The top component <NUM> has a pair of parallel recesses <NUM> and <NUM> extending in the proximal direction, for accommodation of tines of the cover <NUM> as described in more detail below.

As shown in <FIG> the plug <NUM> has top and bottom halves or components <NUM> and <NUM> corresponding to the socket halves <NUM> and <NUM> respectively. The components are joined by a bridge <NUM> at the distal end. The plug top half <NUM> has laterally outwardly facing lines of teeth <NUM> and <NUM>, and the bottom half <NUM> has corresponding lines of teeth <NUM> and <NUM>. The teeth of the plug <NUM> are matched for engagement with the teeth of the socket <NUM> when the plug is pressed into the socket, and the plug <NUM> is configured to be a press-fit in the socket with force from a tool being required for pushing the plug distally into the socket for complete engagement for crimping. The plug <NUM> has top and bottom plates <NUM> and <NUM> which provide exposed top and bottom surfaces, and which overhang the lines of teeth and, in use, overlie parts of the top and bottom surfaces of the plug <NUM> alongside the teeth. The plug <NUM> also has snap-fit lugs <NUM> and <NUM>, which engage with corresponding recesses in the socket for snap-fitting engagement.

Referring to <FIG> the cover <NUM> is configured to fit around the closed end of the socket, with a web <NUM> overlying the closed end of the socket and the leading end of the plug-in use, and hance covering exposed edges of crimped and cut film, as described in more detail below. The cover <NUM> also has an end wall <NUM> for engaging the closed end of the socket, and a pair of prongs or tines <NUM> and <NUM> extend from the end wall <NUM>. The prongs or tines <NUM> and <NUM> fit into the elongate recesses <NUM> and <NUM> of the socket <NUM> when the cover <NUM> is in the covering position.

The cover is dual-purpose and as described in more detail below, it can be removed from the covering position and used as a tool to open the device because the tines <NUM> and <NUM> are configured and located so that they can engage the small space on each lateral side of the plug at its proximal end.

Use of the device <NUM> is shown in <FIG> inclusive. As shown in <FIG> the socket is positioned so that its limbs surround the neck of a film or liner near its mouth to form a neck of liner L. The plug <NUM> is then pressed into the socket between the limbs with manual pressure as shown in <FIG>. The pressure required increases as the leading moves distally into the socket, as more teeth are engaged and there is less play in the distal, closed, end of the socket <NUM>. Finally, to complete the crimping operation, a tool <NUM> is used to apply the final pressure to force the plug <NUM> the final distance into the socket <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. At this stage the liner L is fully crimped, with the neck of film material pressed very tightly together to that there are no openings or gaps and the contents of the liner are fully sealed.

At some later stage, the socket and plug top and bottom halves are separated by use of a scissorstype tool which cuts through the bridges <NUM> and <NUM> and the liner itself. That leaves the bottom halves <NUM> and <NUM> crimping the liner and the liner edges are exposed. This is shown in <FIG>. The top halves <NUM> and <NUM> with the excess liner may be discarded safely.

Then, the cover <NUM> is slid into position so that the wall <NUM> covers over the exposed liner edges, as shown in <FIG>. The cover may be left in situ for a prolonged period because the bag is fully sealed and there are no exposed liner or film edges.

When, subsequently, it is desired to open the crimp for access to the contents of the bag formed by the film the cover <NUM> is slid off the socket/plug combination, and is then pushed towards them from the opposed, proximal, side. The tines <NUM> and <NUM> are positioned, and have leading tapered ends, to engage in the small space on each side. These are indicated by the numerals <NUM> and <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> the cover <NUM> is pushed distally, thereby prising the limbs <NUM> and <NUM> of the socket apart.

As shown in <FIG> the combined cover and plug are moved together proximally away from the socket, leaving a clear path for movement of the liner L proximally between the limbs, as shown particularly in <FIG>. By removing the cover <NUM> and the plug lower component <NUM> as a unit together and moving the socket lower component <NUM> distally (or the liner L proximally) the action of opening the liner is particularly convenient, with little chance of any powder near the top of the liner being dislodged.

In another embodiment the cover and the plug have snap-fitting lock features for a positive engagement after the cover has been pressed distally to prise open the socket limbs. <FIG> shows such an arrangement, in which a device <NUM> has the same features as the device <NUM>, with a socket lower component <NUM> and a plug lower component <NUM> together providing tine spaces <NUM> and <NUM>, and a cover <NUM>. A lower face of the plug <NUM> has a pair of ridges <NUM> extending laterally and being symmetrically arranged about the longitudinal axis. The cover <NUM> has a pair of slots <NUM> arranged for snap-fitting engagement with the ridges <NUM>. The features <NUM> and <NUM> are configured so that they engage when the cover has been inserted fully home to open the socket lower component <NUM>. Because the cover and the plug are locked together the cover <NUM> and the plug <NUM> can be more easily removed as a unit to open the socket lower component <NUM>, thereby allowing it to be removed without disturbing the liner and hence minimising risk of powder being dislodged. This is shown in <FIG>. The arrows in this drawing show the liner being moved proximally, however it may be just as easily achieved by moving the socket distally without any movement of the liner.

<FIG> show an alternative device, comprising a socket <NUM>, a plug <NUM>, and a cover <NUM>. The socket <NUM> has upper and lower components <NUM> and <NUM> which have teeth <NUM> and <NUM> which are shorter than those of the above devices. The top and bottom components are symmetrically arranged about a plane between them, being joined by the frangible bridge. At its distal end the socket <NUM> has a series of through holes <NUM> extending from top to bottom. These holes <NUM> allow a tie wrap to be trained through the socket for engagement with a security tag.

The plug <NUM> has corresponding shorter teeth <NUM> and <NUM>, and its top and bottom components <NUM> and <NUM> are also symmetrically arranged. The top component <NUM> has a flange <NUM> facing the bottom component <NUM>, and the bottom component <NUM> has a flange <NUM> facing the top component <NUM>. The flanges <NUM> and <NUM> each has a slot on each side extending laterally closer to the proximal end than the distal end. As shown in <FIG>, the cover <NUM> has a main body <NUM> with tines <NUM> and <NUM> for performing the same function as the tines of the other devices. However, in this case the cover housing <NUM> has a pair of ridges <NUM> and <NUM> for snap-fitting engagement in the slots <NUM> and <NUM> of the flanges of the bottom component. This shows that the snap-fitting or lock features may be arranged other than as done in the device <NUM>.

Some devices of the invention have two covers, one configured to act as a cover for the bottom components after separation, and one configured to act as a cover for the top components after separation. Hence, one cover can be used as described above for a bottom component and the other can be used to cover exposed liner in the top component after it is removed, just in case there are any particles which can dislodge from the part of the liner which is removed (see <FIG>). Because the top and bottom components of both the socket and the plug are symmetrical about a lateral plane between them and through the frangible bridges, if a second cover is provided it may be used on either component. The same comments apply to the devices <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, one cover could cover the top of the assembly in the lower part of <FIG> and the other could cover the underneath, hidden, side of the top assembly of <FIG>.

It will be appreciated that the invention provides a crimping device which is simple to manufacture and to use, employing a simple action of pushing a plug into a socket between limbs for crimping. The exposed crimped edges of the film may be easily covered by pushing the cover <NUM> over them, and the device may be left as long as is desired in this position. When the time comes to remove the crimp there is no need to obtain a particular tool, as the cover is simply removed from its covering position and used as a tool. Having a dual-purpose cover provides simplicity in use and manufacture, and the end user does not need to keep a dedicated tool for the precise dimensions of the device to open it.

Claim 1:
A bag or liner film crimping device comprising:
a socket (<NUM>) having top and bottom components (<NUM>, <NUM>) linked by a frangible bridge (<NUM>), each component having a pair of opposed limbs (<NUM>/<NUM>, <NUM>/<NUM>) extending proximally; and
a plug (<NUM>) having top and bottom components (<NUM>, <NUM>) linked by a frangible bridge (<NUM>) and being configured to fit between the socket limbs with a friction fit in a movement from proximal at an open end of the socket to distal when inserted in the socket;
characterized in that the device further comprises:
a cover (<NUM>) comprising a top wall (<NUM>) and being configured to slide over the socket bottom component to a covering position at which the top wall (<NUM>) covers a space at the distal end between the limbs when the socket and plug top and bottom components have been separated by breaking the bridges (<NUM>, <NUM>) after crimping.