FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to the field of a releasable clip assembly for releasably sealing flexible bags/pouches.

BACKGROUND

There are many types of 'products' packed in flexible bags/pouches which are to be opened in order to partially/completely use packaged products stored therein. The term 'products' includes food items, perishable products, liquids, viscous fluids and non-organic products such as cement, POP and the like. The flexible bags/pouches once opened are difficult to close in an air-tight manner in order to store the remaining products in the flexible bags/pouches. The products tend to become inedible, perish or losses their properties when the flexible bags/pouches are not kept in an air tight condition. There are chances of spillage due to poor sealing.

Conventionally, a spring biased clip is used to releasably close the bags/pouches until further use of the products contained therein. The conventional spring biased clip is provided with a gripping portion which is widened for the purpose of sealing the top portion of the bags/pouches. The clips are made of injection molded plastic or metal fabrication, has two halves which are pinned together by a shaft at a central pivot point where a torsion spring placed on the shaft enables holding the spring biased clip in a closed position. Though the conventional spring biased clip enable closing and opening of the bags/pouches, the conventional spring biased clip has some deficiencies. One of the deficiencies of the conventional spring biased clip is that it tends to be bulky because they are required to have spread apart compressible members that are required to be squeeze to cause the clip to open for use. Also the sealing is not complete as well as springs tend to lose its tension over repeated usage. In an attempt to overcome the deficiency of the conventional spring biased clip, United States Patent No. US 4,847,956 disclose a clip comprising two limbs which are hinged together at one end thereof. The other ends of the limbs are held together by a multi-step latch such that the clip is able to accommodate flexible bag materials of different thicknesses as a result of an expandable hinge structure. However, the clip disclosed in US 4,847,956 is complicated in structure and hence is difficult to manufacture. Further, the clip disclosed in US 4,847,956 fails to provide air tight sealing of flexible bags/pouches...

Hence, there is a need for a sealing clip which will overcome the drawbacks of prior art.

OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the system of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:

It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a sealing clip which is compact.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a sealing clip which enables efficient sealing of flexible bags/pouches containing products such as solids, powdered materials, liquids and semi-liquids. Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a sealing clip which enables efficient sealing of flexible bags/pouches of varying types and thicknesses.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a sealing clip that prevents slipping of flexible bags/pouches when suspended from the clip under the weight of products contained therein.

An added object of the present disclosure is to provide a sealing clip that prevents leakage of flexible bags/pouches resulting from piercing of the flexible bags/pouches when suspended from the sealing clip over a prolonged time period.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY

A sealing clip is disclosed in accordance with an embodiment of the . present disclosure. The sealing clip includes a first arcuate elongate arm, a second arcuate elongate arm and an intermediate arcuate elongate arm. The second arcuate elongate arm is pivotably connected to the first arcuate elongate arm and is having a first radius of curvature and an angular cross-section subtending a first angle. The intermediate arcuate elongate arm is disposed between and pivotably connected to the first arcuate elongate arm and the second arcuate elongate arm. The intermediate arcuate elongate arm is having a second radius of curvature less than first radius of curvature and an angular cross-section subtending a second angle greater than the first angle. The intermediate arcuate elongate arm engages with the first and second arcuate elongate arms as the first and second arcuate elongate arms configures an operative sealing configuration of the sealing clip in which the first arcuate elongate arm, the intermediate arcuate elongate arm and the second arcuate elongate arm are engaged with each other. In an inoperative configuration of the sealing clip the first arcuate elongate arm, the intermediate arcuate elongate arm and the second arcuate elongate arm are disengaged from each other.

Typically, the first arcuate elongate arm is provided with a centrally disposed rib extending there-along, wherein the rib is extending operatively downwardly from the first arcuate elongate arm.

Typically, the intermediate arcuate elongate arm is a resilient element.

Generally, the first arcuate elongate arm, the second arcuate elongate arm and the intermediate arcuate elongate arm are of a polymeric material.

Further, the sealing clip include a snap locking arrangement for facilitating engagement between the first arcuate, elongate arm and the second arcuate, elongate arm and selectively configuring the operative sealing configuration of the sealing clip.

Generally, the snap locking arrangement include lip and latch elements configured on either of the first arcuate elongate arm and the second arcuate elongate arm for facilitating engagement there-between. Generally, the intermediate arcuate elongate arm is provided with a lifting tongue configured on an operative free end thereof, the lifting tongue is having at least two snap locking edges that engage with a locking opening configured on the second arcuate elongate arm -for facilitating engagement between the intermediate arcuate elongate arm and the second arcuate elongate arm.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure a sealing clip is disclosed. The sealing clip includes a first elongate arm, a second elongate arm and an intermediate elongate arm. The second elongate arm is pivotably connected to the first elongate arm. The intermediate elongate arm is disposed between and pivotably connected to the first elongate arm and the second elongate arm. The intermediate elongate arm engages with the first and second elongate arms as the first and second elongate arms configures an operative sealing configuration of the sealing clip in which said first elongate arm, said intermediate elongate arm and said second elongate arm are- engaged with each other. In an inoperative configuration of the sealing clip, the first elongate arm, the intermediate elongate arm and the second elongate arm are disengaged from each other.

Typically, the intermediate, elongate arm is provided with a snap locking projection having at least two snap locking edges. The snap locking projection extends operatively downwardly from the intermediate elongate arm and engages with a locking opening configured on the second elongate arm for facilitating a first sealing arrangement between the intermediate elongate arm and the second elongate arm. Further, the sealing clip includes a snap locking arrangement with lip and latch elements thereof configured on either of the first elongate arm and the second elongate arm for facilitating engagement there-between and selectively configuring the second sealing arrangement between the first and second elongate arms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The sealing clip of the present disclosure will now be described with the help of accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a sealing clip in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure in released, inoperative configuration, wherein a first elongate arm, an intermediate elongate arm and a second elongate arm configuring the sealing clip are disposed away from each other;

Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the sealing clip of Figure 1 in a partially sealing configuration, wherein the intermediate arm is resting on and engaging with the second elongate arm that is disengaged from the first elongate arm;

Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of the sealing clip of Figure 1 in an operative sealing configuration, in which the second elongate arm and the first elongate arm are engaged with each other;

Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the sealing clip in the operative sealing configuration as illustrated in Figure 3; Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of a sealing clip in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure in a released, inoperative configuration, wherein a first arcuate elongate arm, a second arcuate elongate arm and an intermediate arcuate elongate arm- configuring the sealing clip are disposed away from each other;

Figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the sealing clip of Figure 5 in a partially sealing configuration, wherein the intermediate arm is resting on the second arcuate elongate arm that is disengaged from the first arcuate elongate arm;

Figure 7 illustrates a perspective view of the sealing clip of Figure 5 -in an operative sealing configuration, in which the second arcuate elongate arm and the first arcuate elongate arm are engaged;

Figure 8 illustrates a schematic representation of the sealing clip in a partially sealing configuration as illustrated in Figure 6;

Figure 9 illustrates a schematic representation of the sealing clip in the partially sealing configuration as illustrated in Figure 6, wherein such configuration of the intermediate arcuate elongate arm and the second arcuate elongate arm define a receiving space there-between; and

Figure 10 illustrates a schematic representation of the sealing clip in the operative sealing configuration as illustrated in Figure 7, wherein the first arcuate elongate arm presses the intermediate arcuate elongate arm against the second arcuate elongate arm. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

The sealing clip of the present disclosure for selectively sealing an opening of a packaging will riow be described with reference to the embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure:

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The clips disclosed in the prior art for releasably sealing flexible bags/pouches are plagued with several drawbacksr ^¾ One of the drawbacks of prior art is that they fail to provide efficient air tight sealing or leak proof sealing of the flexible bags/pouches.

The present disclosure of the sealing clip stems from the observation that the prior art clips do not enable efficient air tight sealing or leak proof sealing of the flexible bags/pouches.

A preferred embodiment of the sealing clip of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The preferred embodiment does not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The following description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the . spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Referring to the accompanied drawings, a sealing clip, in accordance with the present disclosure is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10 and is particularly shown in Figure 1 to Figure 4 of the drawing. The sealing clip (10) enables releaseably sealing an open end of a flexible bag/pouch (not shown in figure) containing a product.

Figure 1 illustrates the sealing clip (10) in a released/open configuration, wherein a first elongate arm (18), an intermediate elongate arm (26) and a second elongate arm (12) configuring the sealing clip (10) are disposed. The sealing clip (10) include three elongated arms the first elongate arm (18), the second elongate arm (12) and the intermediate elongate arm (26) that are angularly displaceable relative to each other and are having a predetermined resilience/elasticity. In a sealed configuration of the sealing clip (10) as illustrated in Figure 3, the intermediate elongate arm (26) is disposed in a space defined between the first arm (18) and the second arm (12), while the first arm and the second arm engage with each other.

The first arm (18), the second arm (12) and the intermediate arm (26) are of pre-determined shapes. In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first arm (18), the second arm (12) and the intermediate arm (26) are having arcuate profile. The first arm (18), the second arm (12) and the intermediate arm (26) are of a polymeric material or metal/metal alloys. However, the intermediate arm (26) is of a material which is different from the material of the first arm (18) and the second arm (12). Further, the resilience/elasticity of the material of the · first arm (18), the second arm (12) and that of the intermediate arm (26) are different. Such a configuration enables the sealing clip (10) to seal the ^■ flexible bags/pouches of different types and thicknesses. One end of the first arm (18), the second arm (12) and the intermediate arm (26) are hinged together by a hinged joint (24) defined by at least one score hinge lines (32). The intermediate arm (26) is hinged at the hinged joint (24) between the score hinge lines (32). The first arm (18), the second arm (12) and the intermediate arm (26) are angularly displaceable, with respect to each other about the hinged joint (24) between a released inoperative configuration (as illustrated in Figure 1) , a partially sealing configuration (as illustrated in Figure 2) and an operative sealed configuration (as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4). In the sealed configuration, the hinged joint (24) is defined along a plane orthogonal to the plane of the first arm (18), the second arm (12) and the intermediate arm (26).

The free ends of the first arm (18) and the second arm (12) distal from the hinged joint (24) are provided with a snap locking arrangement. The snap locking arrangement includes lip and latch elements configured on either of the first arm (18) and the second arm (12). The lip and latch elements configured on either of the first arm (18) and the second arm (12) facilitate engagement there-between with the intermediate arm (26) sandwiched therebetween.

In accordance with an embodiment, the intermediate arm (26) may engage with the second arm (12). More specifically, the second arm (12) includes a locking opening (14) configured thereon and the intermediate arm (26) is- provided with a snap locking projection (28) projecting from an operative bottom surface of the intermediate arm (26) such that the snap locking projection (28) is receivable in the locking opening (14) formed on the second arm (12). In accordance with one embodiment, the snap locking projection (28) is having a pre-determined shape, particularly, the snap locking projection (28) is provided with at least two snap locking edges (29) which are perpendicular to the length of the intermediate arm (26) and that facilitate engagement of the intermediate arm (26) with the second arm (12). The locking opening (14) is located on the second arm (12) such that in a partially sealed configuration of the sealing clip (10), as illustrated in Figure 2 the snap locking projection (28) is aligned with and received in the locking opening (14) formed in the second arm (12). Further, the first arm (18) and second arm (12) are provided with lip and latch elements configured on either of the first arm (18) and the second arm (12) for facilitating latching engagement there- - between.

A first sealing arrangement configured between the intermediate arm (26) and second arm (12) facilitates selective engagement between the intermediate arm (26) and the second arm (12). A first sealing force is required to be applied on the intermediate arm (26) so as to angularly displace the intermediate arm (26) about the hinged joint (24) towards the second arm (12) such that the snap locking projection (28) configured on the intermediate arm (26) is received in the locking opening (14) formed on the second arm (12) for configuring the partially sealed configuration of the sealing clip (10) as illustrated in Figure 2. Thus, for the sealing clip (10) to be in the partially sealed configuration, as illustrated in Figure 2, the intermediate arm (26) is pressed against the second arm (12) such that the snap locking projection (28) formed on the intermediate arm (26) is snap locked with the locking opening (14) formed on the second arm (12) by means of the at least two snap locking ledges (29). The intermediate arm (26) is provided with a first lifting tongue (30) projecting substantially perpendicular from the intermediate arm (26) and extending from the free end of the intermediate arm (26). The lifting tongue (30) projects from the intermediate arm (26) in a direction substantially opposite to that of the direction of projection of the snap locking projection (28). The lifting tongue (30) facilitate releasing of the snap lock of the first sealing arrangement between the intermediate arm (26) and the second arm (12) by application of a first releasing force in a direction so as to angularly displace the intermediate arm (26) about the hinged joint (24), away from the second arm (12). i

The second sealing arrangement configured between the first arm (18) and the second arm (12) facilitates selective engagement between the first arm (18) and the second arm (12). The second sealing arrangement is illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2, and includes a catch portion (16) extending from the free end of the second arm (12) and a locking shoulder (20) extending from the first arm (18). The locking shoulder (20) defines a locking recess (22) and a second lifting tongue (21). The locking recess (22) is of a predetermined shape depending on the shape of the catch portion (16). The locking recess (22) extends from the locking shoulder (20) to a predetermined location of the first arm (18). As the first arm (18) is pushed towards the second arm (12), the catch portion (16) formed on the distal end of the second arm (12) engages with the locking recess (22) formed on the shoulder (20) extending from the first arm (18) to cause engagement between the first arm (18) and the second arm (12). Alternatively, the locking recess (22) is formed on the second arm (12) and the catch portion (16) is formed on the first arm (18) for facilitating engagement between the first arm (18) and the second arm (12).

In the second sealing arrangement, the locking recess (22) enables snap locking of the catch portion (16) of the first arm (12), thereby configuring the sealed configuration of the sealing clip (10), as illustrated in Figure 3 and Figure 4. In order for the sealing clip (10) to be in the sealed configuration, after the first sealing arrangement is operated to snap lock the intermediate arm (26) to the second arm (12), the second sealing arrangement is operated. A second sealing force is required to be applied on the first arm (18) so as to angularly displace the first arm (18) towards the second arm (12) about the hinged joint (24). The second sealing force is applied until the catch portion (16) formed on the second arm is snap locked with the locking recess (22) formed on the locking shoulder (20) formed on the first arm (18). The second lifting tongue (21) enables releasing of the snap lock formed by the first sealing arrangement by application of a second releasing force in a direction parallel to the' second arm (18) and subsequently angularly displacing the first arm (18) away from the second arm (12).

The sealing clip (10) receives first and second flexible, laminar members of a packaging pouch for enabling air tight sealing of the opening formed in the pouch, thereby preserving the products contained in the flexible bag/pouch' for a longer time. Such configuration of the sealing clip enables selectively accessing the interior of the packaging pouch via the opening for withdrawing the products contained therein and again using the sealing clip for ensuring air tight sealing of the products. More, specifically, the portion around the opening is folded' and the folded portion of the flexible bag/pouch is positioned between the intermediate arm (26) and the second arm (12) such that a part of the folded portion projects from the sealing clip (10). Thereafter, the first- sealing arrangement is operated so as to seal the folded portion of the flexible bag/pouch in a first position. The part of the folded portion projecting from the sealing clip (10) is folded again so as to be positioned between the intermediate arm (26) and the first arm (18) when the sealing clip (10) is sealed by the operation of the second sealing arrangement. An air tight and leak proof sealing of the flexible bag/pouch is achieved by folding the part of the folded portion projecting from the sealing clip (10) over the intermediate arm (26). The air tight and leak proof sealing of the pouch is also achieved due to a predetermined cross-sectional profile formed between the intermediate arm (26) and the second arm (12) of the sealing clip (10) when the sealing clip (10) is in the sealed configuration. In order to release the sealing clip (10), firstly, the second sealing arrangement between the first arm (18) and the intermediate arm (26) is released by application of the second releasing force applied on the second lifting tongue (21) of the first arm (18) and subsequently releasing the first sealing arrangement by application of the first releasing force on the lifting tongue (30) of the intermediate arm (26) for separating the intermediate arm (26) from the second arm (12).

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure a sealing clip (110) is disclosed and illustrated in Figure 5 - Figure 10. The sealing clip (110) selectively seals an opening configured by separating first and second flexible, laminar members of a packaging pouch. The sealing clip (110) includes a first arcuate elongate arm (118), a second arcuate elongate arm (112) and an intermediate arcuate elongate arm (126). The intermediate arcuate elongate arm (126) is a resilient element. The first arcuate elongate arm (118), the second arcuate elongate arm (112) and the intermediate arcuate elongate arm (126) are of a polymeric material. The first arcuate elongate arm (118) is provided with a centrally disposed rib (119) extending there-along, wherein the rib (119) is extending operatively downwardly. The second arcuate elongate arm (112) is having a first radius of curvature and an angular cross- section subtending a first angle. The second arcuate elongate arm (112) is disposed operatively below the first arcuate elongate arm (118) and is pivotably connected to the first arcuate elongate arm (118) for configuring an operative sealing configuration in which the first arcuate elongate arm (118) is engaged with the second arcuate elongate arm (112) and an inoperative configuration in which the first arcuate elongate arm (118) is disengaged from the second arcuate elongate arm (112). The intermediate arcuate elongate arm (126) is having a second radius of curvature that is less than first radius of curvature and an angular cross- section subtending a second angle that is greater than the first angle wherein the intermediate arcuate elongate arm (126) is disposed between and is pivotably connected to the first arcuate elongate arm (118) and the second arcuate elongate arm (112) such that the rib (119) extending from the first arcuate elongate arm presses the intermediate arcuate elongate arm (126) towards the second arcuate elongate arm (112) for gripping the first and second flexible, laminar members between receiving space configured between the intermediate arcuate elongate arm (126) and the second arcuate elongate arm (112) as the first and second arcuate elongate arms configure the operative sealing configuration of the sealing clip (110). The sealing clip (110) further includes a snap locking arrangement with lip and latch elements thereof configured on either of the first arcuate elongate arm (118) and the second arcuate elongate arm (112) for facilitating engagement there-between and selectively configuring the operative sealing configuration of the sealing clip (110). The intermediate arcuate elongate arm (126) is provided with a lifting tongue (128) configured on a free end -thereof and protruding out through an opening (114) configured on the second arcuate elongate arm (112) for facilitating releasing of engagement between the first arcuate elongate arm (118) and the second arcuate elongate arm (112) for facilitating separating the intermediate arcuate elongate arm (126) from the second arcuate elongate arm (112), thereby configuring the inoperative configuration of the sealing clip (110). TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The sealing clip of the present disclosure offers numerous technical advancements that include the realization of:

• a sealing clip that is compact in configuration;

• a sealing clip that provide a double sealing arrangement resulting

in efficient sealing of flexible bags/pouches; and

• a sealing clip which enables sealing flexible bags/pouches of varying types and thicknesses as a result of difference in elasticity of materials used in the manufacture of the sealing clip.

• a sealing clip which does not puncture or damage the flexible pouch irrespective of the position in which the bag is stored.

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or groiip of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

The use of the expression "at least" or "at least one" suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be 01

comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the specific features of the preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated that many additional features can be added and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiment without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood -that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation thereof.