# US 2019/0316288 A1 · Plastic clip and method of construction > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0316288 A1 - Document ID: US20190316288A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/314,538 - Filed: 2017-06-30 - Published: 2019-10-17 - Earliest claimed: 2016-06-30 - Inventors: TOMMY WORKMAN - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190316288A1 ## CPC - D06F 55/00: Clothes-pegs - B29C 64/393: for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes - B33Y 50/02: for controlling or regulating additive manufacturing processes - B33Y 80/00: Products made by additive manufacturing - D06F 95/008: {Devices for keeping articles together during laundering, e.g. for keeping socks in pairs (D06F95/004 takes precedence); Devices for protecting or shielding certain parts of the articles during laundering, e.g. button protectors} - B29L 2031/7282: {Snap fasteners, clips, press-buttons} - D06F: LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract The plastic clip 1 comprises a strip of plastic material 2 defining a tapered slot 3 extending from an inlet 4 at the edge of the strip 2 to an internal terminal position 5 in the strip 2. The width of the tapered slot 3 at the inlet 4 is wider than the width of the tapered slot 3 at the internal terminal position 5. The tapered slot 3 provides a clamping surface for clamping articles positioned within the tapered slot 3 and holding them in place. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A plastic clip (1) comprising a strip (2) of plastic material defining at least one tapered slot (3), the tapered slot (3) extending from an inlet (4) at the edge of the strip (2) to an internal terminal position (5) in the strip (2), the width of the tapered slot (3) at the inlet (4) being wider than the width of the tapered slot (3) at the internal terminal position (5), the tapered slot (3) providing a clamping surface for clamping articles positioned within the tapered slot (3) and holding them in place. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A plastic clip (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tapered slot (3) tapers from a wide inlet (4) at the edge of the strip (2) of plastic material to a narrow internal terminal position (5). ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A plastic clip (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tapered slot (3) tapers by decreasing gradually and continuously from a wide inlet (4) at the edge of the strip (2) of plastic material to a narrow internal terminal position (5). ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A plastic clip (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tapered slot (3) tapers intermittently from a wide inlet (4) at the edge of the strip (2) of plastic material to a narrow internal terminal position (5). ### Claim 5 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the tapered slot (3) is configured so that, as the articles are fed through the inlet (4) of the tapered slot (3), they are subject to a clamping force defined by the clamping surface of the tapered slot (3). ### Claim 6 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the tapered slot (3) is configured so that the clamping force defined by the clamping surface of the tapered slot (3) increases as the articles are advanced through the tapered slot (3) towards to the internal terminal position (5). ### Claim 7 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the tapered slot (3) is configured so that in use the articles are advanced through the tapered slot (3) until the clamping force defined by defined by the clamping surface of the tapered slot (3) is sufficient to hold them in place. ### Claim 8 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the tapered slot (3) is configured so that the clamping force provided by the surface of the tapered slot (3) continuously increases as the articles are fed through the tapered slot (3). ### Claim 9 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the tapered slot (3) is configured so that the force for clamping articles and holding them in place is defined by the friction engagement with the surface of the slot (3) due to the tapering of the slot (3). ### Claim 10 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in the preceding claims, wherein the tapered slot (3) is configured so that the force for clamping articles and holding them in place is defined exclusively by the friction engagement with the surface of the slot (3) due to the tapering of the slot (3). ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A plastic clip (1) as claimed in claim 10, wherein the tapered slot (3) is configured so that the force for clamping articles and holding them in place is additionally defined by roughness of the surface of the tapered slot (3). ### Claim 12 (depends on 10, 12) A plastic clip (1) as claimed in claim 10 or 12, wherein the tapered slot (3) is configured so that the force for clamping articles and holding them in place is additionally defined by the corrugated the surface of the tapered slot (3). ### Claim 13 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the tapered slot (3) is configured so that in use the articles are advanced until the internal terminal position (5). ### Claim 14 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the tapered slot (3) is configured so that in use the articles are advanced until the internal terminal position (5) that is defined by a decreasing width. ### Claim 15 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the internal terminal position (5) defines the narrowest portion of the tapered slot (3). ### Claim 16 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the width of the tapered slot (3) at the internal terminal position (5) is greater than 0 mm, and is preferably between 1 and 5 mm, most preferably in the range of 2 to 4 mm. ### Claim 17 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the tapered slot (3) tapers substantially to a point at the internal terminal position (5). ### Claim 18 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the width of the tapered slot (3) at the inlet (4) is between 5 and 30 mm, and most preferably in the range of about 15 to about 25 mm. ### Claim 19 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping surface is provided along the entire length of the tapered slot (3), such that articles can be clamped in place anywhere along the tapered slot (3). ### Claim 20 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the width of the inlet (4) and the internal terminal position (5), and the gradient of the taper of the slot (3) are defined so that a wide range of different sizes of articles can be received in the inlet (4) and securely clamped in place at different positions along the tapered slot (3). ### Claim 21 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the plastic material being a rigid plastic material. ### Claim 22 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the plastic material being one of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate or a combination thereof. ### Claim 23 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in the preceding claims, wherein the plastic material being polypropylene. ### Claim 24 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the plastic material has a level of rigidity/springiness so that it returns easily to its original shape after the insertion of the articles into the inlet (4) of the tapered slot (3). ### Claim 25 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the tapered slot (3) has at least one bend (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) for obstructing the path from the internal terminal position (5) to the inlet (4), thereby increasing the difficulty with which the articles clamped between the clamping surface of the tapered slot (3) can be inadvertently removed from the plastic clip (1). ### Claim 26 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the tapered slot (3) has at least in part a serpentine path (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d). ### Claim 27 (depends on 25, 26) A plastic clip (1) as claimed in the claim 25 or 26, wherein the tapered slot (3) has a serpentine path (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) from the inlet (4) to the internal terminal position (5). ### Claim 28 (depends on 26, 27) A plastic clip (1) as claimed in claim 26 or 27, wherein the serpentine path has at least two bends (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d). ### Claim 29 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the strip (2) is an elongate strip (2). ### Claim 30 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the elongate strip (2) comprises a first end portion (7), a second end portion (8), and side surfaces (9) extending between the first end portion (7) and second end portion (8). ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) A plastic clip (1) as claimed in claim 30, wherein the inlet (4) is defined at or in the side surfaces (9). ### Claim 32 (depends on 30) A plastic clip (1) as claimed in claim 30, wherein the inlet (4) is defined at or in the first end portion (7) or the second end portion (8). ### Claim 33 (depends on 30, 31, 32) A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the claims 30-32, wherein the internal terminal position (5) is defined at or in the first end portion (7) or the second end portion (8). ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) A plastic clip (1) as claimed in claim 33, wherein the inlet (4) is defined at or in the first end portion (7) and the internal terminal position (5) is defined at or in the second end portion (8), or vice versa. ### Claim 35 (depends on 30, 31, 32, 33, 34) A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the claims 30-34, wherein the first end portion (7) and/or the second end portion (8) and/or the side surfaces (9) comprise an opening (10). ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) A plastic clip (1) as claimed in claim 35, wherein the opening (10) can be threaded with fastening means to allow it to be conveniently carried and manipulated. ### Claim 37 (depends on 35, 36) A plastic clip (1) as claimed in claim 35 or 36, wherein the opening (10) is configured to conveniently tie and carry around multiple plastic clips (1). ### Claim 38 (depends on 35, 36, 37) A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the claims 35-37, wherein the opening (10) is configured to securely attach the plastic clip (1) to a washing line. ### Claim 39 (depends on 35, 36, 37, 38) A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the claims 35-38, wherein the opening (10) is spaced apart from and separate to the tapered slot (3). ### Claim 40 (depends on 35, 36, 37, 38, 39) A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the claims 35-39, wherein the strip (2) is reinforced around and/or in correspondence of the opening (10). ### Claim 41 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the strip (2) comprises a tool implement. ### Claim 42 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein second end portion (8) comprising a tool implement. ### Claim 43 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the strip (2) comprises at least one reinforcing sections. ### Claim 44 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in the preceding claim, wherein the reinforcing sections comprise a thicker construction. ### Claim 45 (depends on 43, 44) A plastic clip (1) as claimed in the claim 43 or 44, wherein the first end portion (7) and/or the second end portion (8) and/or side surfaces (9) comprise a thicker construction than the main body of the strip (2). ### Claim 46 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the outer edge of the strip (2) is reinforced. ### Claim 47 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the strip (2) is of unitary construction. ### Claim 48 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein it is adapted for hanging articles of clothing from a washing line, the inlet (4) being sized to receive the articles and the washing line. ### Claim 49 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein it is adapted for clipping to sailing lines. ### Claim 50 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the strip (2) comprises at least two of said tapered slots (3). ### Claim 51 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least two tapered slots (3) are spaced longitudinally apart on the strip (2). ### Claim 52 A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the plastic clip (1) is formed by injection moulding. ### Claim 53 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51) A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the claims 1-51, wherein the plastic clip (1) is formed using 3D printing. ### Claim 54 Method for producing a plastic clip (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: producing a digital model (400) of a strip (2) of plastic material defining a tapered slot (3) having a serpentine path extending from an inlet (4) at the edge of the strip (2) to an internal terminal position (5) in the strip (2), the width of the tapered slot (3) at the inlet (4) being wider than the width of the tapered slot (3) at the internal terminal position (5), the tapered slot (3) providing a clamping surface for clamping articles positioned within the tapered slot (3) and holding them in place, and using the digital model of the plastic clip (1) for controlling a 3D printing apparatus (300) to perform a 3D printing process to produce the plastic clip (1) as specified by the digital model, thereby producing the plastic clip (1). ### Claim 55 (depends on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53) A computer-readable storage medium having computer executable instructions recorded thereon which, when executed by at least one processor (500, 505), cause the at least one processor to perform operations for controlling a 3D printing apparatus (300) to perform a 3D printing process to produce a plastic clip (1) as specified by the computer executable instructions, thereby producing a plastic clip (1) according to one or more of the claims 1-53.