Method and device for retaining partially rolled-up collapsible containers

Abstract

A method and device for retaining, in a rolled-up configuration, a portion of a collapsible container that holds a quantity of a product. The method includes forming a roll of a collapsible container holding a quantity of a product. The opening of a U-shaped clip is then urged into engagement with the roll of the collapsible container until the opening passes about the roll, and the roll becomes disposed between arms of the U-shaped clip. Thus arranged, an layer of a resilient, open-cell foam material lining the inside of the U-shaped clip is juxtaposed with and compressed by the roll of the collapsible container.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A U-shaped clip adapted for retaining in a rolled-up configuration a portion of a collapsible container that holds a quantity of a product, the U-shaped clip comprising: 
 an inner layer of a resilient foam material; and    a continuous, outer layer of structural material to which said inner layer of foam material is bonded, said layer of structural material mechanically supporting said inner layer of foam material; said layer of structural material including a pair of opposing, spaced-apart arms that are joined to each other by a juncture segment of said layer of structural material located at a base of the U-shaped clip; said inner layer of foam material substantially filling a gap located between the opposing, spaced-apart arms of the U-shaped clip; and the opposing, spaced-apart arms providing an opening between projecting ends thereof that extend away from the base of the U-shaped clip, the opening being adapted for admitting a convoluted roll of a collapsible container into the U-shaped clip between the opposing, spaced-apart arms thereof with open-cell foam material included in said inner layer of foam material becoming juxtaposed with and compressing to conform to the convoluted roll.    
     
     
         2 . The U-shaped clip of  claim 1  wherein said inner layer of resilient foam material is open-cell foam material that is much thicker than said layer of structural material.  
     
     
         3 . The U-shaped clip of  claim 1  wherein the inner layer of resilient foam material is laminated having a first layer of foam material that is bonded to said layer of structural material, the first layer of foam material being covered by a second layer of open cell foam material which is bonded to a surface of the first layer opposite to a surface thereof that is bonded to said layer of structural material.  
     
     
         4 . The U-shaped clip of  claim 3  wherein the second layer encircles the projecting ends of the opposing, spaced-apart arms of said layer of structural material.  
     
     
         5 . The U-shaped clip of  claim 1  wherein said inner layer of resilient foam material is open-cell foam material having a thickness approximately equal to a thickness of said layer of structural material, said inner layer of resilient foam material encircling the projecting ends of the opposing, spaced-apart arms of said layer of structural material.  
     
     
         6 . The U-shaped clip of  claim 1  wherein the gap between the opposing, spaced-apart arms of the U-shaped clip varies along the opposing, spaced-apart arms extending from the juncture segment located at the base of the U-shaped clip to the projecting ends of the opposing, spaced-apart arms distal from the base thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The U-shaped clip of  claim 6  wherein the opposing, spaced-apart arms of the U-shaped clip diverge away from each other about the projecting ends thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The U-shaped clip of  claim 1  wherein the opposing, spaced-apart arms of the U-shaped clip diverge away from each other about the projecting ends thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The U-shaped clip of  claim 1  wherein the foam material of said inner layer is a high-density, open-cell polyurethane material.  
     
     
         10 . The U-shaped clip of  claim 1  wherein said layer of structural material is formed from a thermoformable, hi-impact styrene material.  
     
     
         11 . The U-shaped clip of  claim 10  wherein the foam material of said inner layer includes a high-density, open-cell polyurethane material.  
     
     
         12 . The U-shaped clip of  claim 1  wherein said layer of structural material is formed from a polycarbonate material.  
     
     
         13 . The U-shaped clip of  claim 12  wherein the foam material of said inner layer includes a high-density, open-cell polyurethane material.  
     
     
         14 . The U-shaped clip of  claim 1  wherein said layer of structural material is formed from a metal.  
     
     
         15 . The U-shaped clip of  claim 14  wherein the foam material of said inner layer includes a high-density, open-cell polyurethane material.