GB768490A - Improved method of, and ligature for, closing the ends of flexible tubes or containers - Google Patents

Abstract

768,490. Closing bags and tubes. IDECO, Inc. April 5, 1955 [May 20, 1954], No. 9916/55. Class 94(1). [Also in Groups VI and XV] The mouth of a bag or tube, Fig. 16, is collapsed and secured by applying a ligature 14, Fig. 20, which comprises a deformable metal strip 57 having a lining 58 of softer material, e.g. polyethylene, which extends around the edges of the strip and is slidable longitudinally relative thereto. The ligature is bent around the bag mouth by a pair of reciprocating jaws so that the lining 58 is caused to overlap the ends of the strip 57 as shown in Fig. 17 and protect the material of the bag. Alternative shapes to which the ligature may be bent are shown in Figs. 18 and 19. A machine for applying the ligatures is shown in Fig. 3 and comprises a guide slot 115 into which the collapsed bag mouth is introduced and pivoted forks 19 and 20 (not shown) which swing downwardly when engaged by the bag mouth and thereafter hold it in position. The movement of the forks operates a switch to start a motor whereby a plunger 28 is moved to the left and a reciprocating gripper 31 is operated to feed ligature stock 14 from a supply roll. A cam surface on the plunger actuates an arm 36 which operates through links 38 and a lever 39 to cause upward movement of a lower jaw 40, see also Fig. 13, to cut off a strip from the stock and deform it to U- shape about the bag mouth. The plunger then operates a toggle 49, 50 connected to the arm 36 and an upper jaw 41, Fig. 13, so that the jaws are brought together to compress the ligature about the bag mouth.