US20080260302A1

US20080260302A1 - One-piece flexible bag closure and method

Info

Publication number: US20080260302A1
Application number: US12/173,019
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Anthoney Martinez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-05-23
Filing date: 2008-07-14
Publication date: 2008-10-23
Also published as: US20040231111A1

Abstract

A one-piece clip for flexible bags intended both to prevent the contents from spilling out and to prevent the migration of air through the bag. A method for closing flexible bags.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Continuation of Ser. No. 10/444,251, filed May 23, 2003.

STATEMENTS REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

The embodiments of the present invention satisfy the need of a closing a flexible bag, such as a plastic bag, both to prevent the contents from spilling out and to prevent the migration of air through the bag.
Information relevant to attempts to address these problems can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,164,250; 3,417,912; 3,822,441; 4,026,413; 4,361,935; 4,509,231; 4,694,542; 4,760,624; 4,783,886; 5,138,748; 5,311,646; 5,495,645; 5,852,851; and 6,695,364; which are not admitted to be prior art with respect to the present invention by its mention in this Background Section. It is desirable to have better apparatuses and/or methods than what is disclosed in each of the identified references.

SUMMARY

The embodiments of the present invention belong to the class of which is sometimes referred to as bread clips, bread tags, or bag closures. These are one-piece clips that close a flexible bag such as a plastic bag to prevent the contents from spilling out. Existing one-piece clips that close flexible bags are intended to stop the contents of the bag from fatting out, and they can be effective for that purpose.
However, existing one-piece clips are generally not intended to stop food in bags from going state, and in fact they do not generally prevent food in bags from going state. Often food such as bread will be wrapped in plastic inside the plastic bag to inhibit the process of going state. What causes food in bags to go state is excessive air migration through the length of the plastic bag. The embodiments of the present invention, in addition to preventing the contents from spilling out, have the additional objective and advantage of preventing the migration of air through the bag. Our experiments have shown that the embodiments of the present invention reduce air migration in the plastic bag that they clip closed by up to six to twelve times as compared to other one-piece bag clips.
Furthermore, most of the expense in producing bread for retail is due to the enzymes that are added to the bread to prolong its shelf life. The instant invention would negate the need to add such enzymes.
Moreover, existing one-piece clips are generally not intended to stop odors from escaping from bags, which is desirable in cases of trash bags, and in fact they do not generally prevent odors from escaping from bags. The embodiments of the present invention, in addition to prevent the contents from spilling out, have the additional objective and advantage of preventing odors from escaping from bags, which is accomplished again by preventing the migration of air through the bag.
Of the one-piece clips, only U.S. Pat. No. 5,311,646 claims to provide an airtight seat. U.S. Pat. No. 4,296,529 discloses a clip that provides an airtight seat, but it is not a one-piece device; rather it is a two-piece clamp. The embodiments of the present invention are not intended to create an airtight seat. However, an airtight seal is undesirable, as it would trap moisture and encourage the growth of mold. Such a seal, for example, would reduce the shelf life of bread to three days.
The embodiments of the present invention can be either removable or non-removable. Removable embodiments are those suitable for closing bread bags. These clips are intended to be put in place, then removed and replaced multiple times. Non-removable embodiments are those suitable closing for trash bags. These clips are intended to be put in place and not removed.
The removable embodiments of the present invention consist of: a flat plate having a perimeter, a longitudinal axis, a first end with respect to said longitudinal axis, said first end having a v-notch symmetric with respect to said longitudinal axis, said v-notch having a width as measured transverse to the longitudinal axis that is comparable to or larger than the diameter of the twisted neck of a flexible bag, and a second end with respect to said longitudinal axis, said plate made of non-frangible material; a funnel-shaped centrally-positioned opening or “resting orifice” in said plate, said centrally-positioned opening symmetric with respect to said longitudinal axis, said centrally-positioned opening having a first end and a second end corresponding to the two ends of said plate, said centrally-positioned opening having a perimeter, said centrally-positioned opening tapering towards said first end symmetrically with respect to said longitudinal axis, said centrally-positioned opening having at least one barb protruding into it generally from said second end towards said first end or protruding from said side, or protruding from said perimeter towards said longitudinal axis; and a straight elongated slit on said longitudinal axis in said first end generally as long as one to two diameters of the twisted neck of a flexible bag, said slit extending from said perimeter to said centrally-positioned opening, symmetrically dividing said first end into two wings flush along said slit. The barbs that are positioned on the second end side of the centrally-positioned opening point towards the slit, engaging and holding the twisted neck of the flexible bag when the neck is in the centrally-positioned opening; the position and orientation of said barbs also allow the user to remove the twisted neck of the flexible bag from the centrally-positioned opening without tearing the neck against the barbs.
The non-removable embodiments of the present invention consist of: a flat plate having a perimeter, a longitudinal axis, a first end with respect to said longitudinal axis, said first end having a v-notch symmetric with respect to said longitudinal axis, said v-notch having a width as measured transverse to the longitudinal axis that is comparable to or larger than the diameter of the twisted neck of a flexible bag, and a second end with respect to said longitudinal axis, said plate made of non-frangible material; a centrally-positioned opening in said plate, said centrally-positioned opening symmetric with respect to said longitudinal axis, said centrally-positioned opening having a first end and a second end corresponding to the two ends of said plate, said centrally-positioned opening having two bulbous circles in said second end symmetrically positioned with respect to said longitudinal axis, said bulbous circles forming a barb between them generally positioned on said longitudinal axis; and a straight or zig-zagged elongated slit on said longitudinal axis in said first end generally as long as one to two diameters of the twisted neck of a flexible bag, said slit extending from said perimeter to said centrally-positioned opening, symmetrically dividing said first end into two wings flush along said slit; said slit ending in a barb protruding into said centrally-positioned opening, said barb pointing generally away from said first end and generally towards the second end, said barb preventing said bag from slipping through the slit; and optionally more barbs on the sides of the centrally-positioned opening pointing away from the first end, which barbs catch hold of the twisted neck of the flexible bag and inhibit it from sliding out through the slit.
Regarding the removable embodiments, none of the references discloses or claims a funnel-shaped centrally-positioned opening in said plate, the funnel tapering towards the slit symmetrically with respect to said longitudinal axis, having the effect of facilitating removing the bag from the centrally-positioned opening.
Regarding the removable embodiments, the slit is elongated extending generally as long as one to two diameters of the twisted neck of a flexible bag in order to catch and hold an unraveled neck or a partially unraveled neck of a flexible bag. The slit is straight to allow the twisted neck to be pushed into and out of the centrally-positioned opening without catching and tearing, as would occur for example with a zig-zag slit.
Regarding the removable embodiments, the depth (measured along the longitudinal axis) of the “v,” whether shallow or steep, is not critical. However, the width of the “v” (measured transverse to the longitudinal axis) affects the ease with which the twisted neck of the flexible bag is pushed into the straight elongated slit. The references claim or disclose a v-notch that has a width that it smaller than that of the diameter of the twisted neck of a flexible bag. Such a configuration makes it difficult to push the bag into slit. The instant invention however claims a v-notch of a width comparable to or larger than the diameter of the twisted neck of a flexible bag. This configuration facilitates pushing the twisted neck into the slit.
The plate in a preferred embodiment is of sufficient dimensions to be graspable by fingers.

DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the embodiments of the apparatus and/or methods will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 shows a top view of a removable clip having three barbs;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a removable clip having three barbs;

FIG. 3 shows a top view of a non-removable clip having ten barbs;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a non-removable clip having ten barbs.

REFERENCE NUMERALS FOR DRAWINGS

10 flat plate;
11 longitudinal axis;
12 perimeter of flat plate;
20 v-notch;
21 first end;
22 second end;
30 centrally-positioned opening;
31 perimeter of centrally-positioned opening;
35 bulbous circle;
40 slit;
50 wing;
60 barb;
70 gripping opening; and
80 clip.

DEFINITIONS

Removable embodiments are those suitable for closing bread bags. These clips are intended to be put in place, then removed and replaced multiple times.
Non-removable embodiments are those suitable closing for trash bags. These clips are intended to be put in place and not removed.
The centrally-positioned opening is also called a resting orifice.
The straight elongated slit is also called a throat.
Barbs are also called thorns.

Description

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the removable embodiments of the present invention consist of: a flat plate 10 having a perimeter 12, a longitudinal axis 11, a first end 21 with respect to said longitudinal axis 11, said first end 21 having a v-notch 20 symmetric with respect to said longitudinal axis 11, and a second end 22 with respect to said longitudinal axis; a funnel-shaped centrally-positioned opening 30 in said plate 10, said centrally-positioned opening 30 symmetric with respect to said longitudinal axis 11, said centrally-positioned opening having a first end 21 and a second end 22 corresponding to the two ends 21, 22 of said plate 10, said centrally-positioned opening 30 tapering towards said first end 21 symmetrically with respect to said longitudinal axis 11, said centrally-positioned opening 30 having a perimeter 31, said centrally-positioned opening 30 having at least one barb 60 protruding into it generally from said second end 22 towards said first end 21, or protruding from said perimeter 31 towards said longitudinal axis 11, said plate 10 made of non-frangible material; and a slit 40 on said longitudinal axis in said first end 21, said slit 40 extending from said perimeter to said centrally-positioned opening 30, symmetrically dividing said first end 21 into two wings flush along said slit 50. The barbs 60 that are positioned on the second end 22 side of the centrally-positioned opening 30 point towards the slit 40, engaging and holding the twisted neck of the flexible bag when the neck is in the centrally-positioned opening 30; the position and orientation of said barbs 60 also allow the user to remove the twisted neck of the flexible bag from the centrally-positioned opening 30 without tearing the neck against the barbs 60.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the non-removable embodiments of the present invention consist of: a flat plate 10 having a perimeter 12, a longitudinal axis 11, a first end 21 with respect to said longitudinal axis 11, said first end 21 having a v-notch 20 symmetric with respect to said longitudinal axis, and a second end 22 with respect to said longitudinal axis 11, said plate 10 made of non-frangible material; a centrally-positioned opening 30 in said plate 10, said centrally-positioned opening 30 symmetric with respect to said longitudinal axis, said centrally-positioned opening having a first end 21 and a second end 22 corresponding to the two ends 21, 22 of said plate 10, said centrally-positioned opening 30 having two bulbous circles 35 in said second end 22 symmetrically positioned with respect to said longitudinal axis 11, said bulbous circles 35 forming a barb 60 between them generally positioned on said longitudinal axis 11; and a slit 40 on said longitudinal axis 11 in said first end 21, said slit 40 extending from said perimeter 12 to said centrally-positioned opening 30, symmetrically dividing said first end 21 into two wings flush along said slit 50; said slit 40 ending in a barb 60 protruding into said centrally-positioned opening 30, said barb 60 pointing generally away from said first end 21 and generally towards the second end 22, said barb 60 preventing said bag from slipping through the slit 40; and optionally more barbs 60 on the sides of the centrally-positioned opening 30 pointing away from the first end 21, which barbs 60 catch hold of the twisted neck of the flexible bag and inhibit it from sliding out through the slit 40.
The shape of the plate 10 may vary. A pear shape as shown in the Figures reduces the amount of material required to make the device. In this case the v-notch 20 is positioned in the neck of the pear, and the relatively smaller openings 70 that serve to facilitate gripping are positioned in the rounded and bulging end, which gripping openings 70 have radii smaller than the centrally-positioned opening. In an alternate embodiment, the flat plate 10 is pear-shaped, the first end 21 tapers medially, gradually and symmetrically with respect to said longitudinal axis 11, and the second end 22 is bulging and rounded.
In the removable embodiments, the centrally-positioned opening 30 must be funnel-shaped, with the first end 21 in the narrow end of the funnel shape, to facilitate removing the bag from the centrally-positioned opening 30: it funnels the bag out the slit 40.
In the non-removable embodiments, the centrally-positioned opening 30 must not be funnel-shaped, to prevent the bag from slipping out of centrally-positioned opening 30 into and through the slit 40.
The v-notch 20 funnels the twisted bag into the centrally-located opening 30.
The slit 40 must show little or no air space. In other words, the wings 50 must be flush to each other, and when displaced, they must flick back to the original flush position or “zero.” Otherwise the bag, once in the centrally-positioned opening 30, could bleed into the slit 40, which could allow enhanced air migration and which might tear the bag. The length of the slit 40 is not critical.
In the removable embodiments, the lack of barbs 60 on the slit 40 side of the centrally-positioned opening 30 facilitate releasing the bag from the clip 80 as the bag is pulled out of the centrally-positioned opening 30 into the slitted space. Moreover, barbs 60 on the slit 40 side of the centrally-positioned opening 30 would tend to puncture the bag as it is pulled into the slit 40. The barbs 60 on the second side of the centrally-positioned opening 30 help hold the twisted neck of the flexible bag in the centrally-positioned opening 30; these barbs usually number three or five.
In the non-removable embodiments, the presence of one or more barbs 60 on the slit 40 side prevents the bag from slipping through the slit 40. The barbs 60 point generally away from the first end 21, and generally towards the second end 22. Not counting the barbs 60 on either end of the centrally-positioned opening 30, the slit-side barbs 60 usually number four, eight or ten, with two, four or ten on each side of the centrally-positioned opening 30 respectively.
The barbs 60 have a radius that is small with respect to the centrally-positioned opening 30. These barbs 60 hold the bag and prevent it from unraveling white it sits in the centrally-positioned opening 30, thereby inhibiting air migration. The bag may come unraveled above the clip 80 or below the clip 80, but the portion of the bag in the plane of the clip 80 and on which the barbs 60 grip will stay raveled. At least one barb 60 in the centrally-positioned opening is required to prevent unraveling.
One or more gripping openings 70 in the bulging and rounded side, which openings have small radii with respect to the centrally-positioned opening 30, facilitate gripping the clip 80, especially when one's hands or the clip 80 are greasy or oily or otherwise difficult for a person to grip. However, these gripping openings 70 are not required. An alternate embodiment has one or more gripping openings 70 in the second end, these gripping openings 70 having radii smaller than the centrally-positioned opening 30.
In an alternative embodiment, the plate 10 is made of 30 mil polystyrene.
In an alternative embodiment, the plate 10 is approximately 1.478 inches along the longitudinal axis and 1.086 inches transverse to the longitudinal axis in the plane of the plate. Such a clip 80 can easily close a 13-gallon flexible bag.
In an alternative embodiment, the plate 10 is made of 45 mil polystyrene.
In an alternative embodiment, the plate 10 is approximately 2.009 inches along the longitudinal axis and 1.476 inches transverse to the longitudinal axis in the plane of the plate 10. Such a clip 80 can easily close a 30-gallon flexible bag.
In an alternative embodiment, the wings 50 have rounded and inwardly cut tips.
In an alternative embodiment, the elongated slit 40 is zig-zagged.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In a preferred embodiment for a removable closure 80, the embodiment comprises a flat plate 10 having a perimeter 12, a longitudinal axis 11, a first end 21 with respect to said longitudinal axis 11, said first end 21 having a v-notch 20, and a second end with respect to said longitudinal axis 11; a funnel-shaped centrally-positioned opening 30 in said plate 10, said centrally-positioned opening 30 symmetric with respect to said longitudinal axis 11, said centrally-positioned opening 30 tapering towards the first end 21 symmetrically with respect to said longitudinal axis 11, said centrally-positioned opening 30 having at least one barb 60 protruding into it from said second end 22 towards said first end 21, preferably having three such barbs 60 and two barbs 60 protruding from said perimeter 31 towards said longitudinal axis 11; and a straight elongated slit 40 on said longitudinal axis 11 in said first end 21, extending from said perimeter to said centrally-positioned opening 30, symmetrically dividing said first end 21 into two wings flush along said slit 50.
In a preferred embodiment for non-removable closure, the embodiment comprises a flat plate 10 having a perimeter 12, a longitudinal axis 11, a first end 21 with respect to said longitudinal axis 11, said first end 21 having a v-notch 20, and a second end 22 with respect to said longitudinal axis 11; a centrally-positioned opening 30 in said plate 10, said centrally-positioned opening 30 symmetric with respect to said longitudinal axis 11, said centrally-positioned opening 30 having two bulbous circles 35 in said second end symmetrically positioned with respect to said longitudinal axis 11, said bulbous circles 35 forming a barb 60 between them generally positioned on said longitudinal axis 11; and a straight elongated slit 40 on said longitudinal axis 11 in said first end 21, extending from said perimeter to said centrally-positioned opening 30, symmetrically dividing said first end 21 into two wings flush along said slit 50; said slit ending in a barb 60 protruding into said centrally-positioned opening 30, said barb 60 pointing generally away from the first end 21 and generally towards the second end 22, said barb 60 preventing said bag from slipping through the slit 40; one barb 60 positioned at second end 22 of the centrally-positioned opening 30 pointing towards the first end or slit 40; and five barbs 60 on each side of the centrally-positioned opening 30 for a total of ten side barbs 60 pointing away from the first end or slit 40, which side barbs 60 catch hold of the twisted neck of the flexible bag and inhibit it from sliding out through the slit 40.
The plate in a preferred embodiment of either removable or non-removable types is of sufficient dimensions to be graspable by fingers.

Method

To use the removable embodiments of the device, the neck of a flexible bag such as a plastic bag is twisted or raveled. The raveled neck is then pushed into the v-notch 20 in the first end 21 of the plate 10. The clip 80 is twisted and the raveled neck is pushed into the slit 40, which opens, and further pushed through the length of the slit 40 into the centrally-positioned opening 30. The raveled neck then reaches the centrally-positioned opening 30, where it is kept raveled by one or more barbs 60. At this point the slit 40 flicks back to its original position. The width of the v-notch 20 facilitates pushing the bag into the slit 40. The elongated slit 40 will catch any unraveled or partially unraveled bag. The straight slit 40 facilitates pushing the twisted neck into the centrally-positioned opening 30. The barb 60 at the second end of the centrally-positioned opening 30 helps to hold the bag in place. To remove the bag, pull the neck down the funnel-shape towards the slit 40. The funnel-shape facilitates pulling the neck into the slit. Pull the neck through the length of the slit 40.
To use the non-removable embodiments of the device, the neck of a flexible bag such as a plastic bag is twisted or raveled. The raveled neck is then pushed into the v-notch 20 in the first end 21 of the plate 10. The clip 80 is twisted and the raveled neck is pushed into the slit 40, which opens, and further pushed through the length of the slit 40 into the centrally-positioned opening 30. The raveled neck then reaches the centrally-positioned opening 30, where it is kept raveled by one or more barbs 60. At this point the slit 40 flicks back to its original position. The width of the v-notch 20 facilitates pushing the bag into the slit 40. The elongated slit 40 will catch any unraveled or partially unraveled bag. The straight slit 40 facilitates pushing the twisted neck into the centrally-positioned opening 30, but a zig-zagged slit 40 is not unworkable. The barb 60 at the entrance of the slit 40 to the centrally-positioned opening 30 inhibits removal of the bag from the centrally-positioned opening 30, as would a zig-zagged slit 40.
Some advantages of the embodiments of the apparatus were previously enumerated in the Summary section. Every advantageous feature does not need to be incorporated into every embodiment of the apparatus and/or methods.
Although these versions of the invention have been described in considerable detail, other versions are possible. For example, the number of barbs can vary, the plate can be any number of shapes besides pear-shaped, such as round or square; the barbs can be pointed or blunted; and the number and arrangement of the gripping openings can vary. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the versions contained therein.

Claims

1. A flexible bag closure comprising:

A. a flat plate having a perimeter, a longitudinal axis, a first end with respect to said longitudinal axis, said first end having a v-notch in said perimeter, and a second end with respect to said longitudinal axis, said v-notch having a width as measured transverse to the longitudinal axis that is comparable to or larger than the diameter of the twisted neck of a flexible bag, said plate being of non-frangible material;

B. a funnel-shaped centrally-positioned opening in said plate, said opening symmetric with respect to said longitudinal axis, said opening tapering towards said first end symmetrically with respect to said longitudinal axis, said opening having at least one barb protruding into it from said second end towards said first end; and

C. a straight elongated slit on said longitudinal axis in said first end, generally as long as one to two diameters of the twisted neck of a flexible bag, extending from said perimeter to said centrally-positioned opening, symmetrically dividing said first end into two wings flush along said slit.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising one or more gripping openings in said second end, said gripping openings having radii smatter than said centrally-positioned opening.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said plate is of sufficient dimensions to be graspable by fingers.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said plate is made of 30 mil polystyrene.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein said plate is made of 45 mil polystyrene.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said plate is approximately 1.478 inches along the longitudinal axis and 1.086 inches transverse to the longitudinal axis in the plane of said plate.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said plate is approximately 2.009 inches along the longitudinal axis and 1.476 inches transverse to the longitudinal axis in the plane of the plate.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said flat plate is pear-shaped, said first end tapers medially, gradually and symmetrically with respect to said longitudinal axis, and said second end is bulging and rounded.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said wings have rounded and inwardly cut tips.

10. A flexible bag closure comprising:

B. a centrally-positioned opening in said plate, said opening symmetric with respect to said longitudinal axis, said opening having at least one barb protruding into it from said second end towards said first end;

C. a straight elongated slit on said longitudinal axis in said first end, generally as long as one to two diameters of the twisted neck of a flexible bag, extending from said perimeter to said centrally-positioned opening, symmetrically dividing said first end into two wings flush along said slit, said slit ending in said centrally-positioned opening in a barb.

11. The device of claim 10, further comprising one or more gripping openings in said second end, said gripping openings having radii smatter than said centrally-positioned opening.

12. The device of claim 10, wherein said plate is of sufficient dimensions to be graspable by finger.

13. The device of claim 10, wherein said plate is made of 30 mil polystyrene.

14. The device of claim 10, wherein said plate is made of 45 mil polystyrene.

15. The device of claim 10, wherein said plate is approximately 1.478 inches along the longitudinal axis and 1.086 inches transverse to the longitudinal axis in the plane of said plate.

16. The device of claim 10, wherein said plate is approximately 2.009 inches along the longitudinal axis and 1.476 inches transverse to the longitudinal axis in the plane of the plate.

17. The device of claim 10, wherein said flat plate is pear-shaped, said first end tapers medially, gradually and symmetrically with respect to said longitudinal axis, and said second end is bulging and rounded.

18. The device of claim 10, wherein said wings have rounded and inwardly cut tips.

19. The device of claim 10, wherein said elongated slit is zig-zagged.

20. A method for closing the necks of flexible bags, comprising:

A. raveling or twisting the neck of a flexible bag such as a plastic bag is twisted or raveled;

B. providing a flat plate having: a perimeter, a longitudinal axis, a first end with respect to said longitudinal axis, said first end having a v-notch symmetric with respect to said longitudinal axis, said v-notch having a width as measured transverse to the longitudinal axis that is comparable to or larger than the diameter of the twisted neck of a flexible bag, and a second end with respect to said longitudinal axis, said plate made of non-frangible material; a funnel-shaped centrally-positioned opening in said plate, said centrally-positioned opening symmetric with respect to said longitudinal axis, said centrally-positioned opening having a first end and a second end corresponding to the two ends of said plate, said centrally-positioned opening having a perimeter, said centrally-positioned opening tapering towards said first end symmetrically with respect to said longitudinal axis, said centrally-positioned opening having at least one barb protruding into it generally from said second end towards said first end or protruding from said side, or protruding from said perimeter towards said longitudinal axis; and a straight elongated slit on said longitudinal axis in said first end generally as long as one to two diameters of the twisted neck of a flexible bag, said slit extending from said perimeter to said centrally-positioned opening, symmetrically dividing said first end into two wings flush along said slit; the barbs that are positioned on the second end side of the centrally-positioned opening point towards the slit, engaging and holding the twisted neck of the flexible bag when the neck is in the centrally-positioned opening; the position and orientation of said barbs also allow the user to remove the twisted neck of the flexible bag from the centrally-positioned opening without tearing the neck against the barbs;

C. pushing the raveled or twisted neck into the v-notch in the first end of the plate;

D. twisting the clip and pushing the raveled or twisted neck into the slit, which opens, and further pushing the raveled or twisted neck through the length of the slit into the centrally-positioned opening.