Patent ID: 6846235

Claim:
An apparatus for closing tubular containers of flexible material, with a clip, the apparatus comprising: a carrier having an opening for the passage of a container of flexible material; a plurality of constricting components pivotally mounted on the carrier and pivotally movable toward each other and into engagement with such a container at the opening for constricting the container and providing a container constriction; a clip guide mounted on one of the plurality of constricting components for guiding clips to the container constriction; a matrix mounted on another of the plurality of constricting components for receiving and closing a clip at the container constriction; a punch mounted on said one of the constricting components and which can be advanced along a path for engaging and moving a clip toward the constriction and into engagement with the matrix and thereby closing the clip on the constriction; and a power source mounted on and movable with said one of the constricting components and coupled to said punch for moving said punch into engagement with a clip and pressing the clip into engagement with the matrix.