Push/pull clip feed configuration for selectively delivering or withdrawing a clip to allow output of one clip alone or two clips concurrently and associated devices, methods, systems and computer program products

An apparatus for supplying a clip to a clip window associated with a closure attachment mechanism having a closure delivery path for attaching a single clip or two clips to leading and/or trailing edge portions of covering material enclosing a target object in a clip closure zone, comprising:

• means for forcing a plurality of clips to travel in a first predetermined clip travel path having a forward direction toward a first closure delivery path in a closure zone at a first point in time;
• means for selectively retracting the plurality of clips so that the clips travel in a reverse direction along the first predetermined clip travel path;
• means for forcing the plurality of clips to again travel in the forward direction along the first predetermined clip travel path at a second point in time;
• and
• a frame member configured to hold the means for forcing and means for retracting in cooperating alignment with the plurality of clips held on a curvilinear clip rail,
• wherein the means for forcing comprises a clip pusher pivotably mounted to the frame member and in communication with a first actuation cylinder, and
• wherein the means for retracting comprises a mounting member that holds the retraction assembly to the frame member, and wherein the retraction assembly comprises a second actuation cylinder, the retraction assembly having a retraction jaw with cooperating spaced apart first and second legs, each leg having opposing top and bottom portions, the leg top portions being pivotably attached to the mounting member, the retraction jaw further comprising an extension spring extending between the first and second legs, wherein, in operation, when the second actuation cylinder is in an extended state, the retraction assembly is configured with the jaw legs spaced apart sufficiently to not contact the clips on the clip rail, and when the second actuation cylinder travels to a retracted state, the legs of the retraction assembly jaw close a distance to engage opposing sides of at least one clip and move the clips on the clip rail upward so that the clip window is devoid of a clip therein.

A clipping apparatus for supplying a clip to a clip window for attaching a single clip or multiple clips to gathered edge portions of a target article in a closure zone, comprising:

• a curvilinear clip rail in communication with a reel of clips held above the clip rail;
• means for forcing a plurality of clips to travel along the clip rail in a forward direction toward a first closure delivery path in a closure zone at a first point in time and a later second point in time, the means for forcing including a pusher member;
• means for selectively retracting the plurality of clips so that the clips travel in a reverse direction along the clip rail between the first and second points in time, the means for retracting including a retraction member with a hinged jaw that closes to contact a clip and opens to avoid contact with a clip on the clip rail;
• and
• a frame member configured to hold the means for forcing and means for retracting in cooperating alignment with the plurality of clips held on the curvilinear clip rail.

An apparatus for supplying a clip to a clip window associated with a closure attachment mechanism having a closure delivery path for attaching a single clip or two clips to leading and/or trailing edge portions of covering material enclosing a target object in a clip closure zone, comprising:

• a downwardly extending curvilinear clip rail that supports a plurality of closely spaced clips;
• a forcing member configured to force a plurality of the clips to travel along the clip rail in a forward clip feed direction toward a clip closure delivery path in a closure zone;
• and
• a retracting member configured to cooperate with the forcing member to selectively retract the plurality of clips so that the clips travel in a reverse direction along the clip rail,
• whereby the apparatus has an automated clip cycle to successively enclose articles in packaging material, wherein, in operation, the forcing member automatically forces the clips to travel in a clip feed direction along the clip rail, and the retracting member automatically and forcibly retracts the clips so that the clips travel in a reverse direction along the clip rail, then the forcing member again automatically forces the clips to travel in the clip feed direction along the clip rail toward the clip closure delivery path to thereby successively package the articles.