当前申请(专利权)人地址：
5 Alisa Gardens, Larne, Antrim BT40 2JY, GB
摘要：
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. Method for producing the plastic clip 1 comprising the following steps: producing a digital model of the plastic clip 1 and using the digital model of the plastic clip 1 for controlling a 3D printing apparatus to perform a 3D printing process to produce the plastic clip 1 as specified by the digital model.
技术问题语段：
The present invention provides a plastic clip for use as a clothes-peg that can be easily manufactured and has a clamping force that increases as the article is fed through the clip. The clip has a tapered slot with a wide inlet and a narrow internal terminal position, which provides a clamping force to hold the article in place. The technical problem addressed by the invention is to provide a plastic clip that is simple to manufacture, strong, and can be used as a clothes-peg for hanging articles on a washing line.
技术功效语段：
The invention is a plastic clip used for clamping objects, such as garden tools or clothes, and can be easily attached to a washing line. The clip is made from polypropylene, which has a level of rigidity/springiness, allowing it to easily return to its original shape after inserting objects. The clip has a serpentine path that makes it difficult for the objects to be accidentally removed. The clip can also be attached to a tool implement, making it more versatile for outdoor activities like camping and orienteering.
权利要求：
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 an 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 that can be positioned within the tapered slot (3) and holding them in place, wherein the width of the tapered slot (3) tapers by decreasing gradually and continuously from the inlet (4) to the internal terminal position (5) characterized in that the tapered slot (3) has at least in part a serpentine path (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d).
2. A plastic clip (1) as claimed in claim 1, 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).
3. A plastic clip (1) as claimed in claim 2, 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) and is additionally defined by roughness of the surface of the tapered slot (3).
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. A plastic clip (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tapered slot (3) has a serpentine path (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d) from the inlet (4) to the internal terminal position (5).
7. A plastic clip (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the serpentine path has at least two bends (6a, 6b, 6c, 6d).
8. A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the strip (2) is an elongate strip (2) comprising 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).
9. A plastic clip (1) as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first end portion (7) and/or the second end portion (8) and/or the side surfaces (9) comprise an opening (10) configured to securely attach the plastic clip (1) to a washing line.
10. A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the strip (2) comprises at least one reinforcing section having a thicker construction.
11. A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the outer edge of the strip (2) is reinforced.
12. A plastic clip (1) as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the strip (2) is of unitary construction.
13. 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).
14. A method for producing a plastic clip (1), characterized in that the method comprises the following steps: producing a digital model (400) of a plastic clip (1) according to any one of claims 1-13, 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).
15. 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 carry out the steps of the method of claim 14 and to perform operations for controlling a 3D printing apparatus (300) to perform a 3D printing process to produce a plastic clip (1) according to any one of claims 1-13.