Patent ID: 6959523

Claim:
A process for automating the positioning and fastening of a clip to a pouch comprising: providing a first clip member having ends, a clamping surface, a latching component, and a hinge component comprising a necked region disposed proximate to one of the ends; providing a second clip member having a clamping surface, a latching component, and a hinge component; loading the first clip member into a first feed mechanism; loading the second clip member into a second feed mechanism; mechanically manipulating the first clip member within the first feed mechanism into a desired orientation; mechanically manipulating the second clip member within the second feed mechanism into a desired orientation; providing a pouch having a plurality of sealed sides and an open end; dispensing the first and the second clip members in aligned, spaced apart relation with the clamping surfaces disposed one toward the other and the latching components and hinge components respectively disposed one toward the other; positioning the pouch at a location proximate to the open end between the clamping surfaces of the first and second clip members; joining the first and second clip members together by fastening the hinge component of the first clip member to the hinge component of the second clip member forming a clip that hinges at the necked region having a releasable latch operable by the selective fastening and unfastening of the latching components, the clip for capturing and retaining the pouch between the clamping surfaces of the clip members; and fastening the assembled clip to the pouch.