GB2158138A

GB2158138A - A clip and related application

Info

Publication number: GB2158138A
Application number: GB08410789A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Rigby
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-04-25
Filing date: 1984-04-25
Publication date: 1985-11-06
Also published as: GB8410789D0

Abstract

A clip for attaching a flexible liner bag to a container comprises a single synthetic plastics material moulding having a tongue (1) and surrounding part (2). Either the tongue and/or part (2) are formed to produce a clasping force. This force may be varied by changing the shape of the clip, its dimensions or the material from which it is made. The lower edges of the clip are curved to facilitate its introduction over a container and clip to clasp the two together. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A clip and related application The invention relates to a clip and to an application of the clip.

It is now a common practice for refuse collection agencies and organisations to col lect refuse in synthetic plastics material bags and to promote that use by supplying such bags. The bags are used as liners in the refuse containers and are generally held there by turning the upper end of the bag over the lip of the container so that it is trapped between that edge and the container lid when the lid is replaced. This is not a satisfactory arrangement. When refuse is deposited in the container it tends to drag the liner bag down pulling the liner off the container edge and causing the upper edge of the bag to fold in on itself. This in turn increases the difficulty of depositing more refuse in the bag.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clip for attaching a flexible liner bag to a container comprising first and second parts which may be resiliently displaced relative to one another to enable the clip to be disposed over a bag and container and then released to resiliently clasp the bag and container together, one of the parts being speciaily formed to facilitate the production of the clasping force.

Advantageously, the first and second parts are integrally formed. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clip comprises a single moulding advantageously of synthetic plastics material. The material may be nylon.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of attaching a liner bag to a container including the steps of turning the periphery of the liner bag adjacent the bag opening over the upper edge of the container and pushing a plurality of clips over the periphery and upper edge at spaced positions along the circumference of the upper edge.

The invention also comprises a container and liner bag attached by the above defined clip or method.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, one embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a clip prior to final forming, Figure 2 is a front elevational view of a clip after final forming, Figure 3 is a side elevational view in section taken along the line A-A of Fig. 2, Figure 4 shows the clip of Figs. 2 and 3 in a displaced operative condition, and Figure 5 shows a partial view of an application of a number of clips to a refuse container.

Referring to the drawings, the clip comprises a single integral piece of synthetic plastics material. Any suitable material, such as nylon, or mixtures of materials, may be used. The piece comprises a first part in the form of a tongue 1 and a second part 2 which surrounds the tongue 1. The piece is moulded to give tongue 1 and part 2 the curved forms shown more particularly in Fig. 3. In this embodiment, the thickness of the material is 3mm and the depth of the clip 1 Omm. The radius of curvature of the lower edges 3 and 4 of tongue 1 and part 2 are 1 Omm and 1 5mm respectively. The height and width of the clip are 65mm and 55mm respectively and of the aperture containing the tongue 1 45mm and 35mm respectively.The curved lower edges facilitate the introduction of the clip over the refuse container edge on which it is to be used. The clasping force produced by the clip can be varied by varying the clip shape, the clip dimensions or the material from which the clip is made. In this example, these parameters are chosen to give an opening/closing force of 1 to 1.5 kilogrammes and to avoid fracture at less than a 25 deformation and permanent deformation at less than 20 , as shown in Fig. 4.

Referring particularly to Fig. 5, four of the above described clips are used to attach a flexible synthetic plastics material liner bag to a refuse container or dustbin. The upper periphery 10 of the liner bag is turned over the upper edge 11 of the refuse container and a number of the clips 1 2 are pushed over bag and edge to clasp the bag to the edge. Clips are disposed at regularly spaced intervals. In the example shown, four clips at 90 intervals are employed, but more or less could be employed as appropriate. Apart from preventing the bag from slipping down on the container, the bag is also held fully open facilitating the deposition of refuse. To empty the container the clips are removed and the bag closed and lifted out of the container. A replacement bag may then be clipped in the container.

It will be appreciated that the embodiment has been described by way of example only and that many embodiments may be provided without departing from the scope of the invention.

1. A clip for attaching a flexible liner bag to a container comprising first and second parts which may be resiliently displaced relative to one another to enable the clip to be disposed over a bag and container and then released to resiliently clasp the bag and container together, one of the parts being specially formed to facilitate the production of the clasping force.

2. A clip as claimed in claim 1, in which the first and second parts are integrally formed.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION A clip and related application The invention relates to a clip and to an application of the clip. It is now a common practice for refuse collection agencies and organisations to col lect refuse in synthetic plastics material bags and to promote that use by supplying such bags. The bags are used as liners in the refuse containers and are generally held there by turning the upper end of the bag over the lip of the container so that it is trapped between that edge and the container lid when the lid is replaced. This is not a satisfactory arrangement. When refuse is deposited in the container it tends to drag the liner bag down pulling the liner off the container edge and causing the upper edge of the bag to fold in on itself. This in turn increases the difficulty of depositing more refuse in the bag. According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clip for attaching a flexible liner bag to a container comprising first and second parts which may be resiliently displaced relative to one another to enable the clip to be disposed over a bag and container and then released to resiliently clasp the bag and container together, one of the parts being speciaily formed to facilitate the production of the clasping force. Advantageously, the first and second parts are integrally formed. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the clip comprises a single moulding advantageously of synthetic plastics material. The material may be nylon. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of attaching a liner bag to a container including the steps of turning the periphery of the liner bag adjacent the bag opening over the upper edge of the container and pushing a plurality of clips over the periphery and upper edge at spaced positions along the circumference of the upper edge. The invention also comprises a container and liner bag attached by the above defined clip or method. In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, one embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a clip prior to final forming, Figure 2 is a front elevational view of a clip after final forming, Figure 3 is a side elevational view in section taken along the line A-A of Fig. 2, Figure 4 shows the clip of Figs. 2 and 3 in a displaced operative condition, and Figure 5 shows a partial view of an application of a number of clips to a refuse container. Referring to the drawings, the clip comprises a single integral piece of synthetic plastics material. Any suitable material, such as nylon, or mixtures of materials, may be used. The piece comprises a first part in the form of a tongue 1 and a second part 2 which surrounds the tongue 1. The piece is moulded to give tongue 1 and part 2 the curved forms shown more particularly in Fig. 3. In this embodiment, the thickness of the material is 3mm and the depth of the clip 1 Omm. The radius of curvature of the lower edges 3 and 4 of tongue 1 and part 2 are 1 Omm and 1 5mm respectively. The height and width of the clip are 65mm and 55mm respectively and of the aperture containing the tongue 1 45mm and 35mm respectively.The curved lower edges facilitate the introduction of the clip over the refuse container edge on which it is to be used. The clasping force produced by the clip can be varied by varying the clip shape, the clip dimensions or the material from which the clip is made. In this example, these parameters are chosen to give an opening/closing force of 1 to 1.5 kilogrammes and to avoid fracture at less than a 25 deformation and permanent deformation at less than 20 , as shown in Fig. 4. Referring particularly to Fig. 5, four of the above described clips are used to attach a flexible synthetic plastics material liner bag to a refuse container or dustbin. The upper periphery 10 of the liner bag is turned over the upper edge 11 of the refuse container and a number of the clips 1 2 are pushed over bag and edge to clasp the bag to the edge. Clips are disposed at regularly spaced intervals. In the example shown, four clips at 90 intervals are employed, but more or less could be employed as appropriate. Apart from preventing the bag from slipping down on the container, the bag is also held fully open facilitating the deposition of refuse. To empty the container the clips are removed and the bag closed and lifted out of the container. A replacement bag may then be clipped in the container. It will be appreciated that the embodiment has been described by way of example only and that many embodiments may be provided without departing from the scope of the invention. CLAIMS

3. A clip as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the first and second parts comprise a single moulding.

4. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim in which the clip is moulded from synthetic plastics material.

5. A clip as claimed in claim 4, in which the material of the clip is nylon.

6. A clip as claimed in any preceding claim in which the lower edges are curved to facilitate its introduction over a container and liner.

7. A clip for attaching a flexible liner bag to a container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

8. A method of attaching a liner bag to a container including the steps of turning the periphery of the liner bag adjacent the bag opening over the upper edge of the container and pushing a plurality of clips over the periphery and upper edge at spaced positions along the circumference of the upper edge.

9. A container and liner bag attached thereto by clips as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7.

10. A container and liner bag attached thereto by the method claimed in claim 9.