Closing Clip for a Packaging Tube and Device for Treating Said Closing Clip

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and method involving closing clips designed for closing a flexible packaging tube, comprising two clip limbs ( 3 ) and a clip base ( 2 ) arranged between the clip limbs ( 3 ), the clip limbs ( 3 ) being disposed parallel to each other and perpendicular to the clip base ( 2 ). Each clip limb ( 3 ) has planar inner surfaces ( 4 ) each of which is oriented towards the respective other clip limb ( 3 ), and the clip base ( 2 ) has an inner surface ( 41 ) connecting the inner surfaces ( 4 ) of the clip limbs ( 3 ). The clip limbs ( 3 ) have planar side surfaces ( 6 ). When the clip limbs ( 3 ) are viewed in cross-section, said side surfaces ( 6 ) are arranged perpendicular to the inner surfaces ( 4 ) of the clip limbs ( 3 ), and the cross-sectional height of the closing clip ( 1 ) is smaller than the cross-sectional width ( 14 ) of the closing clip ( 1 ).

1 . A closing clip for closing a packaging tube ( 8 ), having two clip legs ( 3 ) and a clip base ( 2 ) arranged between the clip legs ( 3 ), the clip legs ( 3 ) being arranged parallel to one another and at right angles to the clip base ( 2 ), having planar inner surfaces ( 4 ) which are arranged on the clip legs ( 3 ) and are oriented in the direction of the respectively other clip leg ( 3 ), and having a planar inner surface ( 41 ) which is arranged on the clip base ( 2 ) and connects the inner surfaces ( 4 ) of the clip legs ( 3 ), characterized in that the clip legs ( 3 ) have planar lateral surfaces ( 6 ), and in that, as seen in a cross section of the clip legs ( 3 ), the lateral surfaces ( 6 ) are arranged perpendicularly to the inner surfaces ( 4 ) of the clip legs ( 3 ), and in that the cross-sectional height ( 13 ) of the closing clip ( 1 ) is smaller than the cross-sectional width ( 14 ) of the closing clip ( 1 ). 
   
   
       2 . The closing clip as claimed in  claim 1 , characterized in that the clip legs ( 3 ) have planar outer surfaces ( 5 ), which are located opposite the inner surfaces ( 4 ). 
   
   
       3 . The closing clip as claimed in  claim 1  or  2 , characterized in that the planar inner surface ( 4 ) extends over at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, further preferably at least 90% of the cross-sectional width ( 13 ) of the closing clip ( 1 ). 
   
   
       4 . The closing clip as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  3 , characterized in that the planar outer surface ( 5 ) extends over at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, further preferably at least 90% of the cross-sectional width ( 13 ) of the closing clip ( 1 ). 
   
   
       5 . The closing clip as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  4 , characterized in that the planar lateral surfaces ( 6 ) extend over at least 70%, preferably at least 80%, further preferably at least 90% of the cross-sectional height ( 14 ) of the closing clip ( 1 ). 
   
   
       6 . The closing clip as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  5 , characterized in that the edges between the lateral surfaces ( 6 ) and the inner surface ( 4 ) and outer surface ( 5 ) are rounded. 
   
   
       7 . The closing clip as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  6 , characterized in that the ratio of cross-sectional height ( 13 ) of the closing clip ( 1 ) to cross-sectional width ( 14 ) of the closing clip ( 1 ) is smaller than 0.9:1, preferably smaller than 0.8:1. 
   
   
       8 . The closing clip as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  7 , characterized in that the cross section of the clip base ( 2 ) corresponds to cross section of the clip legs ( 3 ). 
   
   
       9 . The closing clip as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  8 , characterized in that the lateral surfaces ( 6 ) of the clip legs ( 3 ) are provided with a structure ( 16 ). 
   
   
       10 . The closing clip as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  9 , characterized in that the clip legs ( 3 ) terminate in planar end surfaces ( 7 ), and in that the edges of the end surfaces ( 7 ) are rounded. 
   
   
       11 . The closing clip as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  10 , characterized in that the cross-sectional width ( 13 ) of the closing clip ( 1 ) is between 1.5 mm and 6 mm, preferably between 2 mm and 4.5 mm and in that the cross-sectional height ( 14 ) of the closing clip ( 1 ) is between 1 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 1.2 mm and 3.5 mm. 
   
   
       12 . The closing clip as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  11 , characterized in that it has a length between 10 mm and 70 mm, preferably between 20 mm and 50 mm. 
   
   
       13 . The closing clip as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  12 , characterized in that it is produced from aluminum or aluminum alloys. 
   
   
       14 . The closing clip as claimed in one of  claims 1  to  13 , characterized in that the ratio between the length of the clip legs ( 3 ) and the length of the clip base ( 2 ) is between 3:1 and 1:1. 
   
   
       15 . A chain made of a plurality of closing clips ( 1 ) designed in accordance with one of  claims 1  to  14 , characterized in that the respectively following closing clip ( 1 ) butts laterally against the respectively preceding closing clip. 
   
   
       16 . The chain as claimed in  claim 15 , characterized in that the closing clips ( 1 ) are located against one another by way of the clip bases ( 2 ). 
   
   
       17 . The chain as claimed in  claim 15  or  16 , characterized in that the closing clips ( 1 ) are connected to an adhesive strip ( 17 ). 
   
   
       18 . The chain as claimed in one of  claims 15  to  17 , characterized in that the closing clips ( 1 ) rest on a rail. 
   
   
       19 . An apparatus for closing a packaging tube by means of closing clips ( 8 ) designed in accordance with one of  claims 1  to  14 , having a feed channel ( 18 ) for feeding closing clips ( 1 ), having a punch ( 10 ) for moving the closing clips ( 1 ) in the feed channel ( 18 ), and having two slide channels ( 11 ,  12 ) defining the deformation path of the clip legs ( 3 ), characterized in that the slide channels ( 11 ,  12 ) each comprise two mutually opposite, planar lateral guide surfaces ( 19 ,  20 ), and in the guide surfaces are spaced apart parallel to one another by a distance which is adapted to the cross-sectional width ( 13 ) of the closing clips ( 1 ). 
   
   
       20 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 19 , characterized in that the slide channels ( 11 ,  12 ) comprise base guide surfaces ( 21 ) which, as seen in the cross section of the slide channels ( 11 ,  12 ) are planar. 
   
   
       21 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 19  or  20 , characterized in that the feed channel ( 18 ) has guide surfaces which are adapted to the lateral surfaces ( 6 ) of the clip base ( 2 ). 
   
   
       22 . The apparatus as claimed in one of  claims 19  to  21 , characterized in that it comprises a device for applying symbols ( 15 ) to the outer surfaces ( 6 ) of the clip legs ( 3 ).