Bag closure device, machine and method

Abstract

A closure device which a consumer or bag manufacturer may affix to most any bag comprises an elongated first strip of flexible material and a thin bendable wire and second strip of material of substantially the same length as the first strip and longitudinally aligned with and affixed to the first strip. The first strip includes an opposite adhesive surface which is covered by a protective strip of release paper at the time of manufacture. A plurality of individual closure devices may be manufactured in sheet form with perforations extending between each adjacent closure device on the sheet. When needed, the consumer tears a closure device from the sheet. The consumer peels away the release paper revealing the adhesive surface and affixes the closure device to the outer surface of a bag. In one preferred method, the consumer affixes the closure device in a traversing manner with the closure device extending between the opposite closed and open ends of the bag. In another preferred method, at least two closure devices are affixed to opposite sides of the bag whereby the consumer may alternately open and close the bag by twisting and untwisting the closure devices together and apart, respectively.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bag closure device comprising:
 a) a first elongated strip of flexible material having first and second opposing surfaces, said second surface having an adhesive thereon;   b) a bendable wire affixed to said first surface and traversing substantially the entire length of said first strip;   c) a second strip of flexible material affixed to said first strip of flexible material over said wire and in covering relation to said first surface; and   d) an elongated strip of release paper removably applied to said second surface of said first strip and traversing substantially the entire length thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The bag closure device of  claim 1 , and further comprising a plurality of said closure devices formed as a sheet with each of said closure devices positioned in parallel relationship, and wherein said sheet includes perforations formed between each individual closure device such that individual closure devices may be separated from said sheet by tearing along said perforations. 
     
     
         3 . The bag closure device of  claim 1 , and further comprising a bag having opposite open and closed ends, and wherein upon removing said release paper, said adhesive second surface of said first strip is affixed to said bag in traversing relationship and extending between said open and closed ends of said bag. 
     
     
         4 . The bag closure device of  claim 1  wherein said second strip of material is paper having optional indicia applied to the surface thereof opposite said wire. 
     
     
         5 . A method of applying the closure device of  claim 1  to a bag, said method comprising the steps of:
 a) removing said release paper from said adhesive second surface of said first strip; and 
 b) affixing said adhesive second surface of said first strip to said bag. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said closure device is a first closure device, and further comprising the step of removing said release paper from a second closure device and affixing said second closure device adhesive second surface to said bag in a location on said bag opposite said first closure device. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said bag in elongated and includes opposite open and closed ends, and wherein said first and second closure devices are affixed to said bag in traversing relationship thereto and extending between said open and closed ends thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A machine for making the closure device of  claim 1 , said machine comprising:
 a) a frame;   b) a first spindle mounted to said frame and adapted to hold a first roll of said first strip of material;   c) a second spindle mounted to said frame and adapted to hold a second roll of said bendable wire; and   d) a third spindle mounted to said frame and adapted to hold a third roll of said second strip of material; and   e) a plurality of auxiliary rollers mounted to said frame, said auxiliary rollers and said spindles being arranged to direct said bendable wire onto said adhesive surface of said first strip of material and subsequently direct said second strip of material onto said bendable wire and said adhesive surface of said first strip of material.   
     
     
         9 . The machine of  claim 8  wherein said second spindle is adapted to hold a plurality of individual rolls of said bendable wire loaded in longitudinally spaced relationship on said second spindle and used to form a respective plurality of parallel and connected closure devices in sheet form. 
     
     
         10 . The machine of  claim 9  and further comprising a perforation wheel positioned to form perforations between each adjacent closure device on said sheet. 
     
     
         11 . The machine of  claim 10  and further comprising a printer operable to print indicia on said second strip. 
     
     
         12 . The machine of  claim 8  wherein said second strip of material is paper.