CN1449968A

CN1449968A - Flexible clamp device

Info

Publication number: CN1449968A
Application number: CN 02146371
Authority: CN
Inventors: 罗伯特·J·麦卡利斯特
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-04-10
Filing date: 2002-10-29
Publication date: 2003-10-22

Abstract

A one piece clamp for affixing a pliable bag to a container. The device can be deformed to an open position and normally assumes a closed position. While in the closed position, the clamp is in condition to secure a bag to a container. The clamp may be deformed to place it in position on the lid of a container, and to allow release of the bag from the container.

Description

Flexible clamp device

MULTIPLE-BLADE

The application is for application number is 09/877,511, the applying date is the application that continues of the application in June 8 calendar year 2001, and an application then is that application number is 09/373,485 again, the applying date is the application that continues of the application on August 12nd, 1999.

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of holding device, particularly a kind of simple and effective clamp apparatus is in order to be fixed in a plastic garbage bag on one rigid container.

Background technology

In the real life, all mankind's activities all can cause producing some wastes or rubbish.The refuse collection and the storage that meet hygienic requirements are the signs of civilization of human society.Usually, people by be distributed in everywhere, small containers storage rubbish or the waste of size between 1 to 55 gallon, and often use the liner of plastics or papery or cleaning that sack keeps these containers and the taking-up of being convenient to these rubbish.These liners are positioned over the inside of rigid trash containers, and usually the top of sack are folded to the upper limb of container, and it is fixed on the container.

There is the following shortcoming in this mode.When rubbish was put into bag, sack usually can and drop down onto container bottom from the container edge disengagement, and then self also becomes rubbish.For remedying this point, when with bag collapses on container edge, the opening that makes sack is during with the corresponding as far as possible coupling of vessel port, usually causes breaking or tearing of sack again.And sack can't be realized its ccontaining waste and prevent the effect that container is got dirty because of breaking or alternate manner separates with container.

Summary of the invention

The invention solves the problem that flexible bag easily separates with container.Generally, the invention provides a kind of can be with the removable securing device of bag attachment on container.

More particularly, one embodiment of the present of invention are by being provided with a clip on the oral area of sack and container, and the holding part of clip is the sack clamping, and make it be posted by container, thereby have realized this flexible bag is fixed on this container.During use, exert pressure, the arm of clip is fully separated, and be placed on the sack that is laid on container edge, thereby this clip is set on sack and the container by the Handheld Division that projects upwards to this clip.In case the Handheld Division upward pressure is removed, this clip just is fixed together sack and container.

Embodiment among the present invention can bring many outstanding beneficial effects to the user.At first, refuse bag no longer needs to be folded on the container edge, thereby has avoided the possibility of bag breakage.Secondly, sack remains and firmly is fixed on the container edge, therefore, can realize its ccontaining waste and prevent container from not go out of use the expectation function that thing pollutes.In addition, clip of the present invention has lower appearance profile, thereby the top of cap covers container is used in unlikely in use influence.

Description of drawings

After reading in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and considering following detailed, to those skilled in the art, purpose of the present invention, technical characterictic and beneficial effect will be clearer.In the accompanying drawing:

Fig. 1 is the transparent view of one embodiment of the present of invention, shows the holder that is positioned on container edge and the sack, and a clamping element is shown in broken lines and shows its part and is installed on the holder.

Fig. 2 is the transparent view of holder shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is the transparent view of clamping element shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is the birds-eye view of holder shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is the end elevation of holder shown in Fig. 1 and the dotted line end elevation of clamping element.

Fig. 6 is the transparent view of an optional embodiment of holder of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is the birds-eye view of holder shown in Figure 6.

Fig. 8 is the transparent view of an optional embodiment of clamping element, and this clamping element and holder shown in Figure 6 are used.

Fig. 9 shows a clamping element that is represented by dotted lines shown in Figure 6, an arm is in the view of the holder of closed clip position, and is shown in broken lines arm and is in open position.

Figure 10 is the birds-eye view of a kind of optional integral type clip embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 11 is the lateral plan of clip shown in Figure 10.

Figure 12 is for to cut open the end sectional view of getting along 12-12 face among Figure 10.

Figure 13 is a transparent view embodiment illustrated in fig. 10.

Figure 14 is the another kind of optionally transparent view of integral type clip embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 15 is the birds-eye view of clip shown in Figure 14.

Figure 16 is for to cut open the end sectional view of getting along 13-13 face among Figure 15.And

Figure 17 is a upward view embodiment illustrated in fig. 14.

The specific embodiment

Explanation given below, embodiment reach and give an example only as illustration, are not as restriction of the present invention.In following paragraph, describe embodiments of the invention in detail in illustrative mode with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Clamp apparatus according to various embodiments of the present invention, a kind of quick failure-free mode is provided, by two clamping limbs and with one can force on the clamping limb clamping element with sack removably relative fixed on container, thereby a flexible bag is fixed or is clamped on the container.This clamp apparatus also has a low appearance profile, makes this clamp apparatus not hinder container top to be covered on the container.In addition, this clamp apparatus also has easy to use and cheap advantage.

Referring to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, show a kind of according to an embodiment of the invention clamp apparatus, and indicate with numeral 10.This clamp apparatus has a holder 15, and holder 15 has two and is generally rectangle and forniciform arm of tool or fin 2 slightly.Each arm has inside face with ribbing 3, so that the edge 8 of flexible bag 4 with container or bucket 5 is clamped together.Alternatively, this inside face can be made of projection, convex ridge, groove, grid or other suitable structure.Among other embodiment of this holder, also can make arm be divided into two or more independent parts.As shown in Figure 4, holder 15 can have the slight curving arm 2 close with the curvature of container 5 among this embodiment.

As Fig. 2 and shown in Figure 5, two arms 2 link together by connecting bridge or attaching parts 6.This connecting bridge has two location or locking part 7, to match with clamping element 20 shown in Figure 3.The exterior guiding portion 9 of each arm 2 is positioned at the below of this locking part.This guide portion can be formed with convex ridge, groove or any suitable structure to match with clamping element.

Referring now to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7,, show an optional embodiment of holder 15.Wherein connecting bridge 6 is narrower, to adapt with the narrower container edge that is common in the metal sewage disposer.In this embodiment, two arms 2 are drawn close together further, and can be bending or flat, adapt with the container with bending.Similar reason, connecting bridge also should be had nothing in common with each other to be suitable for different containers with the ratio between arm.

Clamp or Fastener 20 shown in Figure 3, and represented that in Fig. 1 it is in the use location and the view that draws of with dashed lines.This clamping element is " U " shape usually, has a upper surface 11 and two arms or side 12.In a preferred embodiment, the end of each arm stops with a crimping segment 13, and this crimping segment extends on the whole width of arm.Alternatively, this crimping segment can only be arranged on the position of each arm, also can be arranged on its a plurality of positions.Crimping segment 14 is positioned at the upper end of each arm 12, and in certain embodiments, same crimping segment 14 both can only be arranged on the position of arm, also can be arranged on a plurality of positions of arm.

Fig. 8 shows an optional embodiment of clamping element 20.Its upper surface 11 is narrower, is complementary with the narrower connecting bridge with the holder shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 7.At this moment, two arms 12 draw closer together, so that match with guide portion 9.

As shown in Figure 1, container 5 has the edge of the warp song of a relative broad, and container matches with it at 8 places that keep to the side by two arms 2.In an embodiment of holder 15, as Fig. 2 and shown in Figure 6, two arms 2 are open or stretch, holder can be located on container easily.As seeing among Fig. 9, clamping element 20 can make the clip closure on sack and container edge then, and the arm that shows this narrower holder in the drawings is in clip position and has been shown in broken lines the position of launching.Two arms are around moveable hinge contact 16 pivoted of antifatigue, make that two arms can be from unclamping or expanded position circulates repeatedly to clip position and can damage many times and not.If necessary, two arms 2 can depart to expanded position usually, are positioned on the container edge being easy to.

Referring now to Fig. 1 and Fig. 9,, clamping element 20 places on the connecting bridge 6, and its crimping segment 13 places the state that matches with holder.The most handy spring steel of this clamping element is made, and when making clamping element arrive final position when exerting pressure downwards, its crimping segment 13 snaps in the lower concave part 9 of arm 2 bottoms, forces two arms 2 to be in clip position sack 4 is tightly limited or fixedly is posted by on the container 5.But the crimping segment 14 on clamping element top provides the projection of clamping, and this clamping element can upwards be spurred, so that described clamp apparatus is thrown off from sack and container.In a preferred embodiment, this clamping element is provided with a plurality of location divisions along its exterior guiding portion, thereby permission puts on the container with different Clamping forces and clamp apparatus 10 is taken off quickly and easily from container.

Described holder and clamping element can be made by plastics, spring steel, glass fibre, rubber, polyurethane or other suitable material.

Referring now to Figure 10,12 and 13,, show another embodiment of clamp apparatus of the present invention, clip 30 is a unitary device, it has connecting bridge 29 that is generally rectangle and the

arm

31,32 that prolongs.This structure both can adopt straight shape arm, also can adopt bend arm as shown in figure 10.Handheld

Division

33,34 is formed with enough height to allow manually to make the clip distortion, when needs place clip on sack and the vessel port, can arm 31,32 be opened slightly with hand.Yet the height of Handheld Division should not influence the use of container upper cover body.On the

inside face

37,38 of

arm

31,32 to

inner process

35,36 respectively along the horizontal axis alternative arrangement.This projection is preferably rounded, to prevent to poke sack.Alternatively,

arm

31,32 can be made of inside face with ribbing as shown in Figure 2, on the edge that a flexible bag is fixed in a container or bucket.Be appreciated that on inside

face

37,38 it can also is to have that projection, convex ridge, groove, grid or other are any to be known appropriate structures, the undesirable Bags Torn of unlikely appearance so that enough confining forces to be provided to those skilled in the art.

The corresponding height of arm 31 with Handheld Division 33 has been shown among Figure 11, clearly show that the relative position of connecting bridge 29 among Figure 11 and Figure 12.In a concrete preferred embodiment, Handheld Division 33 is positioned at the height of connecting bridge more than 29 and is about 0.28 inch, and thick about 0.075 inch of connecting bridge,

arm

31,32 extend to connecting bridge below 29 about 0.662 inch.

In one embodiment, clip 30 is an one-piece construction, can be made of an independent suitable plastic part.Plastic material should have corresponding rigidity, but in the time of on bringing pressure to bear on two corresponding

Handheld Divisions

33,34, it can produce infinitesimal deformation again, and two

arms

31,32 can be opened a little, and after the pressure that puts on the Handheld Division is eliminated, can be returned to its original relative position.For instance, the plastics that satisfy requirement of the present invention can be a kind of co-polymer polypropylene.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 10 to 13, this integral type clip comprises semi-rigid connecting bridge 29, and when bringing pressure to bear on Handheld

Division

33,34, it can produce temporary transient distortion, thereby two

arms

31,32 are separated slightly, and clip is attached on sack and the container.Material 41 in the junction of connecting bridge and arm has a kind of with respect to the comprehesive property between rigidity and the elasticity, thereby can make connecting bridge that hinged and lock function shown in embodiment among Fig. 1 and Fig. 6 can be provided.In case the Handheld Division upward pressure is eliminated, this clip returns back to its original shape immediately, thereby can provide enough pressure to make bag attachment on container.

Referring now to Figure 14 to 17,, shows another optional embodiment 50 of the present invention.In the present embodiment, clip can develop and be installed on the container edge.This clip does not have the projection of extension above container edge.In addition, clip can be bending along its horizontal axis, thus can with a kind of reinforcement mode with bag attachment on container.

Connecting bridge element 52 has end face 60, and two arms or frame pin 53,55 are linked together.The terminal edge place of arm 53 has one and stretches out limit 56, and this shape structure that stretches out the limit is arranged for ease of clip and takes off from container edge.When outward pressure put on this and stretches out limit 56, connecting bridge element 52 can temporarily be out of shape, thereby can force two arms 53,55 to separate (opening) slightly.

Although stretch out the whole terminal edge that limit 56 is across arm 53 shown in the figure, be appreciated that herein stretching out limit 56 also can for example only extend along the part of this terminal edge.In addition, can also be equipped with this at the terminal edge of two arms and stretch out limit 56.This embodiment of the present invention also can have any other structure, for example comprises the projection or the block of the terminal edge that is arranged at arm, takes off from container easily to be suitable for this clip.Be further appreciated that stretching out limit 56 can have different length, this depends on the size of desirable leverage.According to common sense, it is long more that this stretches out the limit, and promptly long more by the extension of frame pin 53 places, the leverage of playing is just big more.

Inside projection 58 is preferably along the horizontal axis alternative arrangement of the inside face 54 of arm 53,55.Projection is preferably rounded to prevent to poke sack.Alternatively, also can make the inside face of arm 53 and 55 have rib or other non-smooth structure.For example, can make the inside face of arm have the suitable construction that projection, convex ridge, groove, grid or any other those skilled in the art can expect, make it that enough confining forces can be provided and do not produce undesirable bag breakage.

End face 60 also is suitable for being arranged to, and is provided with appreciiable information thereon.In one embodiment, end face is flat, and as shown in figure 15, this end face is provided with hand-written symbol 62.Except that hand-written symbol, picture information also can be arranged on this end face.

Figure 16 is for cuing open the end elevation of the clip of getting 50 along cutting line 13-13 among Figure 15, wherein shows to inner process 58 and stretches out the layout on limit 56.Figure 17 is the upward view of clip 50, wherein also shows to inner process 58 and stretches out the layout on limit 56.If desired, clip 50 also can have identical with its container of fixing or be near identical color at least.The method known according to those skilled in the art, this color can apply during fabrication or after making.

During use, various embodiments of the present invention only need promote downwards or exert pressure, and the sack on can making arm and being covered in container edge engages.Clip shown in Figure 14 to 17 has certain rigid.In certain embodiments, two arms 53 can be parallel with 55 or near parallel shape.And in other embodiments, arm 53 and 55 is drawn close and is in the same place, and when being placed on sack and container cooperation position, makes it stressed and slightly separate slightly.For container, this embodiment has more failure-free stationarity.

Among the embodiment disclosed herein, when this means for engaging was on container, its position to upper process only was the thickness of connecting bridge element 52.Be appreciated that this clip can place on this container, make arm 53 and stretch out limit 56 to be positioned at the container outside, thereby when needs were removed, the user needn't stretch into contacting container inside.Alternatively, stretch out limit 56 and also can be placed on the container inner edge.Pull and stretch out limit 56, clip is removed easily, this clip falls into user's hand simultaneously.

Obviously, for a person skilled in the art, under the prerequisite that does not deviate from the spirit and scope of the present invention, can make various changes and variation to the present invention.Therefore, various change of the present invention, the content that changes by appending claims and equivalent thereof contain.

Claims

1. one kind is together used, is used for the clamp apparatus of a soft bag attachment on this container with a container, and described container has one and is equipped with the open top at edge and has a removable lid usually, and described clamp apparatus comprises:

One integral type holding device optionally is in a deployed position and a make position, and described holding device comprises:

Relative isolated arm, described arm is by a company that extends therebetween

Connect the bridge element and interconnect, described arm has one respectively from described connecting bridge unit

The extended end of part, described arm have isolated relative face, and be relative

Face roughly is parallel to each other when make position usually; And

Having one on the terminal edge of one of them described arm stretches out

The limit so that this clip can manually be out of shape, makes the terminal edge of arm can be small

Ground, optionally trail to deployed position;

Wherein said holding device shape structure is arranged to: just normally closed when being in

When closing the position, described bag attachment on the edge of a container, is located and work as

When deployed position, can make described sack break away from the edge of this container.

2. clamp apparatus according to claim 1, it is corresponding with the width of the container edge that will cooperate that wherein said connecting bridge component shape structure is arranged to its width.

3. clamp apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said arm from described connecting bridge element to be " U " type extensibility of structure substantially.

4. clamp apparatus according to claim 1, the described opposite face of wherein said arm is irregular structure, so that sack is engaged on the container edge really.

5. surface characteristics according to claim 4, wherein said irregular structure are hemispherical projection.

6. surface characteristics according to claim 5, wherein said projection are on the staggered relative face that is arranged in described arm.

7. clamp apparatus according to claim 1, the Width of the described arm in described opposite face upper edge of wherein said arm is formed with a plurality of parallel convex ridges.

8. clamp apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said connecting bridge component shape structure is arranged to have visual information thereon.

9. clamp apparatus according to claim 1, the color of wherein said clamp apparatus are close with the color of described container at least.

10. clamp apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said arm is drawn close on described terminal edge mutually.

11. one kind is together used, is used for the clamp apparatus of a soft bag attachment on this container with a container, described container has one and is equipped with the open top at edge and has a removable lid usually, and described clamp apparatus comprises:

One integral type holding device is arranged to be positioned on described sack and the container, and is described

Holding device comprises two isolated pin, and two pin are pivotally connected to a connecting bridge

Extend on the element and from it, have one on the terminal edge of at least one described pin

The limit of stretching out from described connecting bridge element extension;

Wherein said holding device is " U " shape substantially, and the shape structure is provided with

Become: when being in the close position, described bag attachment on described container, and is worked as

When being in deployed position, can make described sack break away from described container.

12. clamp apparatus according to claim 11, it is corresponding with the width of the container edge that will cooperate that wherein said connecting bridge component shape structure is arranged to its width.

13. clamp apparatus according to claim 11, the described opposite face of wherein said arm is irregular structure, so that sack is engaged on the edge of container really.

14. surface characteristics according to claim 13, wherein said irregular structure are hemispherical projection.

15. surface characteristics according to claim 14, wherein said projection are on the staggered opposite face that is arranged in described arm.

16. clamp apparatus according to claim 11, the Width of this arm of described opposite face upper edge of wherein said arm is formed with a plurality of parallel convex ridges.

17. clamp apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said connecting bridge component shape structure is arranged to have visual information thereon.

18. clamp apparatus according to claim 11, the color of wherein said clamp apparatus are close with the color of described container at least.