Closure device and method of manufacture

Abstract

A closure for enclosing a flexible container that may contain any type of product. The closure is composed of a collar element that surrounds the flexible container and can have one of several projections extending therefrom. The open end of the flexible container is compressed by use of an apparatus once a desired product is contained therein. The compressing apparatus contains two mateable die elements that, when engaged with each other, form an annular cavity or socket that surrounds the flexible container. Molten thermoplastic material is then injected via an inlet port to surround the flexible container and harden to form a collar.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A closure device attached to at least one end of a flexible container that is open, comprising: 
 a molded in place generally annular collar for encircling a compressed neck of the flexible container and for closing the open end of the neck, the collar having an outer diameter and an inner surface located a distance from the outer diameter that is integrally connected to the bag to substantially eliminate void spaces between the inner surface of the closure and the flexible container;    wherein the collar is contained around the flexible container collar and is formed of a flowable, thermoplastic material that is contained directly on the compressed neck of the flexible container.    
     
     
         2 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an outwardly projecting member that protrudes from the outer diameter of the collar.  
     
     
         3 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the collar is continuous in shape.  
     
     
         4 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the collar comprises a cylindrical body with an annular flange extending outwardly therefrom.  
     
     
         5 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the collar has a semi toroidal shape.  
     
     
         6 . The device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the collar is sealed at its outward end across the open neck of the flexible container.  
     
     
         7 . The device as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the projecting member is a continuous loop or handle.  
     
     
         8 . A closure device attached to at least one end of a flexible container that is open and that encloses any product, comprising: 
 a molded in place collar for encircling a neck of the flexible container and closing the open end of the neck; and    an outwardly projecting member that protrudes from the collar;    wherein the collar is formed of a flowable, thermoplastic material that is contained directly on the compressed neck of the bag and is integrally connected with the bag.    
     
     
         9 . The device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the collar is ring shaped and comprises a molded loop.  
     
     
         10 . The device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the collar has an outer diameter and an inner surface located a distance from the outer diameter that is integrally connected to the bag such that there any void spaces are substantially eliminated between the inner surface of the collar and the flexible container.  
     
     
         11 . The device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the projecting member is a continuous loop or handle.  
     
     
         12 . The device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the collar comprises a cylindrical body with an annular flange extending outwardly therefrom.  
     
     
         13 . The device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the collar has a semi toroidal shape.  
     
     
         14 . The device as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the collar is sealed at its outward end across the open neck of the flexible container.  
     
     
         15 . A closure device attached to a food casing or netting package that is open at one end and that encloses food products, comprising: 
 a molded in place collar for encircling a neck of a food casing or netting package and closing the open end of the neck, the collar is contained around the food casing or netting package that is compressed to form the neck; and    an outwardly projecting member that protrudes from the collar and allows the enclosed food product to be maintained in a hanging position;    wherein the collar is formed of a flowable, thermoplastic material that is contained directly on the compressed neck of the bag and integrally connected with the bag.    
     
     
         16 . The device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the collar is continuous in shape and has an outer diameter.  
     
     
         17 . The device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the collar has an inner surface located at a distance from the outer diameter that is integrally connected to the bag to substantially eliminate void spaces between the inner surface of the collar and the flexible container.  
     
     
         18 . The device as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the projecting member is a continuous loop or handle.  
     
     
         19 . A method of making a collar enclosing a flexible container, comprising the steps of: 
 compressing at least one open end of the flexible container by use of an apparatus that forms an annular channel or socket around the periphery of the flexible container; and    injecting a molten thermoplastic material into the annular channel formed around the periphery of the flexible container in order to allow the material to harden into place.    
     
     
         20 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the step of compressing at least one open end of the flexible container comprises mating first and second dies each having a recess whereby the guide of one die piece fits into the mateable recess of the second die piece, and once the two die pieces are engaged with each other, the neck of the flexible container is contained between the die pieces in a compressed position.  
     
     
         21 . The method as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the apparatus contains an inlet port for introduction of molten thermoplastic material into the annular cavity or socket so that the molten material fills the entire channel and then hardens into a collar that encloses the entire flexible container.  
     
     
         22 . The method as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the die elements additionally contain a mold that forms a outwardly projecting member that protrudes from the collar when the molten thermoplastic material is introduced through the inlet port.  
     
     
         23 . The method as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein the projecting member is a loop or handle.  
     
     
         24 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the collar comprises a cylindrical body with an annular flange extending outwardly therefrom.  
     
     
         25 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the collar has a semi toroidal shape.  
     
     
         26 . The method as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the collar is sealed at its outward end across the neck of the flexible container.  
       domed protrusion.  
     
     
         27 . A method of enclosing a flexible bag that contains a food product, comprising the steps of: 
 placing the food product into the flexible bag so that it entirely encloses the food product;    compressing an open end of the flexible bag with an apparatus that forms a molded ring in an annular channel in a neck around the periphery of the bag; and    injecting molten thermoplastic material into the annular channel formed around the periphery of the flexible bag in order to mold the material into a hardened loop directly onto the compressed neck of the bag.    
     
     
         28 . The method as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the step of compressing the bag comprises mating first and second dies each having a recess whereby the guide of one die piece fits into the mateable recess of the second die piece and once the two die pieces are engaged with each other, the neck of the casing bag is contained between the die pieces in a compressed position and a channel surrounding the neck of the bag is formed.  
     
     
         29 . The method as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the step of injecting molten thermoplastic material into the annular channel formed around the periphery of the net casing comprises the steps of filling the channel with molten material that hardens, after some time interval, into a hardened plastic material via an inlet port contained on the apparatus such that the entire channel may be filled with molten material from introduction into the inlet port and then flowing entirely around the compressed neck of the mandrel net bag so that a uniform hardened collar is formed onto the compressed neck of the bag.  
     
     
         30 . A packaging assembly, comprising: 
 a bag or a tube to make a bag containing a product to be packaged and having a neck with an open end for access to the product;    a collar molded around the neck and compressing the neck to close the open end of the bag; and    an attachment projecting from the collar for suspending or carrying the bag and contents.    
     
     
         31 . A closure device attached to an open end of a flexible container that is open, comprising: 
 a molded in place capped lid for entirely containing a compressed neck of a flexible container and for closing the open end of the flexible container;    wherein the capped closure is contained around the flexible container end and is formed of a flowable, thermoplastic material that is contained directly on the compressed neck of the flexible container and wherein the flowable thermoplastic material entirely fills the voids of the flexible container.