US 12,312,203 B2
Freely positionable clip line fixture for securing a free end of a clip line to a clip reel
Heiko Schleucher, Gedern (DE); and Alexander Guth, Gedern (DE)
Assigned to POLY-CLIP SYSTEM GMBH & CO. KG, Hattersheim (DE)
Filed by POLY-CLIP SYSTEM GMBH & CO. KG, Hattersheim (DE)
Filed on Sep. 30, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/491,267.
Claims priority of application No. 20199663 (EP), filed on Oct. 1, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0106151 A1, Apr. 7, 2022
Int. Cl. B65H 65/00 (2006.01); A22C 11/12 (2006.01)
CPC B65H 65/00 (2013.01) [A22C 11/125 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A clip line fixture suitable for use with a clip line wound around a clip reel, the clip line fixture comprising:
at least one attachment portion configured to be removably attachable to a mating portion of a clip reel for attaching the clip line fixture to the clip reel; and
a hold-down portion comprising a plurality of flexible engagement elements shaped to engage at least one corresponding portion of a free end portion of a clip line wound around the clip reel, wherein the plurality of flexible engagement elements are of substantially longitudinal shape and each comprise a fixed end and a free end opposite the fixed end;
wherein the at least one attachment portion and the hold-down portion are configured such that the free end portion of the clip line wound around the clip reel is securable at least against radially separating from the clip reel by attaching the at least one attachment portion to the mating portion; and
wherein the plurality of flexible engagement elements are arranged in a comb-like pattern forming at least one row of flexible engagement elements.