US Patent 7131169 Hinged clip with separable jaws

A molded clip for closing bags and the like includes a pair of claws with a latch and a hinge at opposed ends. The hinge extends rearwardly from the jaws and includes a hinge bearing with a rearwardly facing opening of restricted diameter thereto. The other jaw includes a fixed hinge pin which may be snap engaged into the bearing by resilient passage through the opening. Where the jaws are relatively large, they may be provided with cooperating shoulders that restrict axial movement of the jaws under reactively generated forces. In accordance with one embodiment, one of the jaws is double sided, and the clip may be assembled with either of these sides confronting the other jaw to provide different clip functions.