# US 7,607,280 B2 · Clamp for sheets of material > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,607,280 B2 - Document ID: US7607280B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/832,999 - Filed: 2007-08-02 - Published: 2008-02-07 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2006-08-02 - Inventors: Jacques Dussault - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607280B2 ## CPC - B65B 41/04: by grippers - Y10T 29/49998: Work holding - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A clamp for sheets of material. The clamp includes a longitudinal main body with an external clamping side. The external clamping side comprises an external dragging surface for engaging a sheet of material. An internal clamping area inwardly extends from the external clamping side. The external dragging surface is at least partially movable into the internal clamping area so as to frictionally drag at least a portion of the sheet of material, engaged thereby, into the internal clamping area therewith. Clamping devices and bagging apparatus including such clamps are also disclosed. A method of clamping overlaying sheets of material is also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A clamping member for sheets of material, said clamping member comprising: an external clamping side for engaging a sheet of material; an internal clamping area inwardly extending from said external clamping side; and a pair of dragging sheets mounted on said external clamping side and comprising respective external ends thereof being secured to said external clamping side and respective opposite ends being retractable into said internal clamping area, wherein said external dragging sheets are at least partially retractable into said internal clamping area so as to frictionally drag therebetween at least a portion of the sheet of material, engaged thereby, into said internal clamping area therewith. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A clamping member according to claim 1, wherein said respective opposite ends of said two dragging sheets comprise a common junction thereof within said clamping area. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A clamping member according to claim 2, wherein said common junction is mounted to an actuator for said at least partial retraction movement of said two dragging sheets into said clamping area. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A clamping member according to claim 1, wherein each said external end is secured to said external clamping side via a resilient member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A clamping member according to claim 1, wherein said internal clamping area further comprises a gripper for gripping said at least a portion of the sheet of material dragged within said clamping area. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A clamping member according to claim 5, wherein said gripper comprises a pair of oppositely disposed gripping members. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A clamping member according to claim 6, wherein said external dragging sheets envelope said at least a portion of the sheet of material for dragging said portion of sheet material between said gripping members. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A clamping member according to claim 1, wherein said dragging sheets are reciprocally movable outwardly of said clamping area in order to release said at least portion of the sheet material. ### Claim 9 A clamping member for sheets of material, said clamping member comprising: an external clamping side comprising an external dragging surface for engaging a sheet of material; and an internal clamping area inwardly extending from said external clamping side, said internal clamping area comprising pneumatic members for being inflated and deflated; wherein said external dragging surface is at least partially movable into said internal clamping area so as to frictionally drag at least a portion of the sheet of material, engaged thereby, into said internal clamping area therewith, said pneumatic members being inflated so as to grip said at least a portion of the sheet of material and deflated so as to release said at least a portion of the sheet of material. ### Claim 10 A clamping member for sheets of material, said clamping member comprising: an external clamping side comprising an external dragging surface for engaging a sheet of material; and an internal clamping area inwardly extending from said external clamping side, said internal clamping area comprising a pair of oppositely disposed pivotable clamping plates; wherein said external dragging surface is at least partially movable into said internal clamping area so as to frictionally drag at least a portion of the sheet of material, engaged thereby, into said internal clamping area therewith, said clamping plates providing for clamping said at least a portion of the sheet of material dragged within said clamping area. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A clamping member according to claim 10, wherein said external dragging surface envelopes said at least a portion of the sheet of material for dragging said portion of sheet material between said clamping members. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) A clamping member according to claim 10, wherein said internal clamping area further comprises a gripper for acting on said clamper thereby adding additional clamping force to said portion of the sheet material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A clamping device for sheets of material, said clamping device comprising: a longitudinal support member; a pair of the clamping members of claim 1 being movably mounted to said longitudinal support member; wherein each said external dragging surface of each said first and second clamping member is at least partially movable into a respective said internal clamping area so as to frictionally drag at least a portion of the sheet of material, engaged thereby, into said respective internal clamping area therewith. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A clamping device for sheets of material, said clamping device comprising: a longitudinal support member; and a pair of the clamping members of claim 1 being movably mounted to said longitudinal support member and being oppositely disposed so as to clamp the sheets of material positioned therebetween. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) An apparatus for bagging material comprising the clamping device of claim 14. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) A clamping device for sheets of material, said clamping device comprising: a longitudinal support member; and a pair of the clamping members of claim 9 being movably mounted to said longitudinal support member and being oppositely disposed so as to clamp the sheets of material positioned therebetween. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) An apparatus for bagging material comprising the clamping device of claim 16. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) A clamping device for sheets of material, said clamping device comprising: a longitudinal support member; and a pair of the clamping members of claim 10 being movably mounted to said longitudinal support member and being oppositely disposed so as to clamp the sheets of material positioned therebetween. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) An apparatus for bagging material comprising the clamping device of claim 18.