Method of Manufacturing Plastic Clips

Abstract

A method of manufacturing clips is described, The method comprises the steps of extruding a incited thermoplastic resin into thin extrudate and forming the extrudate into a plurality of clips. The forming step comprises one of (a) a step of vacuum thermoforming the extrudate into a plurality of clips by pulling the extrudate over a female mold and pulling a vacuum between the mold and the extrudate; or (b) the steps of providing a forming tool perpendicular to the extrudate, the extruding tool having a shape corresponding to the inside of a single clip; forming the single clip by contacting the extrudate with the forming tool and retracting the forming tool; advancing the extrudate; forming a second single clip by contacting the extrudate with the forming tool and retracting the forming tool; and cooling the formed clips.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing clips, comprising the steps of:
 extruding a melted thermoplastic resin into thin extrudate; and   thermoforming the extrudate into a plurality of clips.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the forming step comprises one of a step of vacuum thermoforming the extrudate into a plurality of clips by pulling the extrudate over a female mold and pulling a vacuum between the mold and the extrudate; or the steps of providing a forming tool perpendicular to the extrudate, the extruding tool having a shape corresponding to the inside of a single clip; forming the single clip by contacting the extrudate with the forming tool and retracting the forming tool; advancing the extrudate; forming a second single clip by contacting the extrudate with the forming tool and retracting the forming tool; and cooling the formed clips. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising gathering the plurality of clips onto a reel. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the clips each comprise a top section having an internal face, an external face, and opposite ends, the clips each further comprise two legs extending from the opposite ends, each leg having an outer edge and an inner edge, and each leg further comprises a connecting portion projecting outwardly from the outer edge of each leg, at least one connecting portion of each clip being joined to a connecting portion of an adjacent clip. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein each clip further comprises a shoulder projecting outwardly from the external face. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein a space is defined by the internal face and the inner edges of each leg of each clip and each clip further comprises a pin projecting into the space. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein a space is defined by the internal face and the inner edges of each leg of each clip and each clip further comprises a pin projecting into the space. 
     
     
         8 . A method of manufacturing clips, comprising the steps of:
 extruding a melted thermoplastic resin into thin extrudate;   vacuum thermoforming the extrudate into a plurality of clips by pulling the extrudate over a female mold and pulling a vacuum between the mold and the extrudate.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising gathering the plurality of clips onto a reel, 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the female mold is configured to form clips each comprising a top section having an internal face, an external face, and opposite ends, the clips each further comprising two legs extending from the opposite ends, each leg having an outer edge and an inner edge, and each leg further comprising a connecting portion projecting outwardly from the outer edge of each leg, at least one connecting portion of each clip being joined to a connecting portion of an adjacent clip. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein each clip further comprises a shoulder projecting outwardly from the external face. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a space is defined by the internal face and the inner edges of each leg of each clip and each clip further comprises a pin projecting into the space. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a space is defined by the internal face and the inner edges of each leg of each clip and each clip further comprises a pin projecting into the space. 
     
     
         14 . A method of manufacturing a plurality of clips, comprising the steps of:
 extruding a melted thermoplastic resin into thin extrudate;   providing a forming tool perpendicular to the extrudate, the extruding tool having a shape corresponding to the inside of a single clip;   forming the single clip by contacting the extrudate with the forming tool and retracting the forming tool;   advancing the extrudate;   forming a second single clip by contacting the extrudate with the forming tool and retracting the forming tool; and   cooling the formed clips.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising gathering the plurality of clips onto a reel. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the forming tool is configured to form clips each comprising a top section having an internal face, an external face, and opposite ends, the clips each further comprising two legs extending from the opposite ends, each leg having an outer edge and an inner edge, and each leg further comprising a connecting portion projecting outwardly from the outer edge of each leg, at least one connecting portion of each clip being joined to a connecting portion of an adjacent clip. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein each clip further comprises a shoulder projecting outwardly from the external face. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein a space is defined by the internal face and the inner edges of each leg of each clip and each clip further comprises a pin projecting into the space. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein a space is defined by the internal face and the inner edges of each leg of each clip and each clip further comprises a pin projecting into the space.