US 12,227,326 B2
Closure strip guide and method
Dale L Vantrease, Naches, WA (US)
Assigned to Irwin Research and Development, Inc., Yakima, WA (US)
Filed by Irwin Research and Development, Inc., Yakima, WA (US)
Filed on Oct. 20, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/970,082.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/270,490, filed on Oct. 21, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0129996 A1, Apr. 27, 2023
Int. Cl. B65B 51/04 (2006.01); B65B 7/02 (2006.01)
CPC B65B 51/043 (2013.01) [B65B 7/02 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A bag closing apparatus, comprising:
a frame configured to carry a strip of clips; and
a closure strip guide having:
a front plate;
a back plate;
at least one strip guide cooperating between the back plate and the front plate to define a strip guide track having a width and a depth to guide a strip of clips; and
a displaceable retainer configured to retain together the front plate and the back plate into a stack to have a slot depth sized to slidably receive and guide the strip of clips and enable expansion between the front plate and the back plate under a stack-up jam to accommodate multiple layers of clips in the event the strip of clips dislodges or jams.