Maya Ellison
Those small, often colourful, pieces of plastic used to seal bread bags are called many things, including bread clips, bread tabs, bag clips, bread bag clips, bread buckles, bread ties, bread tags, bread climps, and pradles. However, one term that stands out from the rest is occlupanids, a name coined by John Daniel, the creator of the website horg.com, who also created a mock phylogeny of the different clip designs, as well as a formal taxonomy including families and binomial scientific names.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common Names | Bread clips, bread tabs, bag clips, bread bag clips, bread buckles, bread tags, bread ties, bread climps, pradles, occlupanids, Kwik Lok closures |
| Purpose | Hold plastic bags closed, such as the ones in which sliced bread is commonly packaged |
| Color Coding | Indicates when the loaf was baked and stocked on the store's shelves |
| Inventor | Floyd G. Paxton |
| Manufacturer | Kwik Lok Corporation |
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What You'll Learn
Bread clips are also called occlupanids
Plastic bread clips, also known as bread ties, bread tags, bread tabs, bread climps, or bread-bag clips, are called occlupanids. The term "occlupanids" was coined by John Daniel, the creator of the website horg.com, to describe plastic bread clips. The term is derived from "occlu", meaning "to close", and "pan", meaning "bread". The Holotypic Occlupanid Research Group (HORG) has further classified occlupanids into the phylum "Plasticae" (referring to plastic) and the kingdom "Microsynthera". As of 30 August 2022, HORG had catalogued 208 'genuine species' of occlupanids into 17 different families.
The bread clip was invented by Floyd G. Paxton and manufactured by the Kwik Lok Corporation, based in Yakima, Washington. Kwik Lok Corporation's clips are called "Kwik Lok closures". Paxton often told the story of how he came up with the idea for the bread clip. He claimed that while on an aeroplane in 1952, he opened a bag of peanuts but had no way to reclose it. He then rummaged through his wallet and found an expired credit card, which he used to hand-carve his first bag clip with a small pen knife.
The website HORG has done extensive research on occlupanids, treating them as biological entities with a system of taxonomy that parodies biological taxonomy. This has included creating a mock phylogeny of different clip designs and a formal taxonomy with "families" and binomial scientific names. Researchers of occlupanids are called occlupanologists. The HORG website has also led to the creation of a subreddit, r/occlupanids, dedicated to the study and classification of occlupanids.
Occlupanids are commonly found on bagged pastries in supermarkets, hardware stores, and other large commercial establishments. They are known to take nourishment from the plastic sacs that surround the bagged product, not the product itself. They often situate themselves towards the centre of the plastic bag, leading to speculation that their relationship with the bag may be more symbiotic than purely parasitic. Their stunning diversity and mysterious habits have fascinated many scientists who study, collect, and catalogue specimens.
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The colour of the plastic tie indicates the day the bread was baked
The plastic clips used to seal bread bags are called bread clips, bread tabs, bag clips, bread bag clips, bread buckles, bread ties, bread climps, or bread tags. They are also referred to as occlupanids, a term coined by John Daniel, creator of the website horg.com, who created a mock phylogeny and formal taxonomy for the different clip designs.
The colour of these plastic ties indicates the day the bread was baked. This colour system helps store staff rotate the freshest bread and remove older loaves. Typically, commercial bread is baked and delivered to grocery stores five days a week, with bakeries taking a break on Wednesdays and Sundays. This means that shoppers will usually see only two colours of twist ties in the bread aisle on any given day. The colours are often in alphabetical order by day of the week, but this system is not universal, and each bakery uses its own code.
While the colour of the bread tie can indicate freshness, shoppers should focus on the sell-by date to ensure they are getting the freshest loaf. The coloured tags often have dates on them, but this is the "sell by" date, not the date the bread was baked. The date the bread was baked is indicated by the colour of the tag. This colour-coded system helps bakery staff keep track of what was baked when and when to rotate out older loaves.
Although the colour of the plastic tie can be a helpful indicator of the day the bread was baked, it is not a foolproof system for determining freshness. The system varies between bakeries, and some bakeries may bake multiple batches of the same kind of bread per day, each with a different coloured tag. Additionally, some types of bread may have a longer shelf life and be delivered less frequently, while others with a shorter shelf life may be delivered more often.
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Kwik Lok Corporation's clips are called Kwik Lok closures
The plastic clips used to seal bread bags are commonly known as bread clips, bread ties, or bread tags. These plastic clips are also referred to as "occlupanids," a term coined by John Daniel, the creator of the website horg.com. Occlupanids have their own mock phylogeny, formal taxonomy, and even researchers who are called "occlupanologists."
The plastic bread clips were invented by Floyd G. Paxton and manufactured by the Kwik Lok Corporation, based in Yakima, Washington. The company also has manufacturing plants in New Haven, Indiana. Kwik Lok Corporation's clips are specifically called "Kwik Lok closures." The clips were invented when a fruit packer, Pacific Fruit, wanted to replace rubber bands with a better closure for its new plastic bags. Paxton recalled a time when he was on an aeroplane and, after opening a bag of peanuts, had no way to reclose it. He carved his first bag clip from an expired credit card using a small pen knife.
Kwik Lok closures are quick and easy to apply, providing benefits to both packers and consumers. The mechanically simple machinery required to apply the closures results in lower original and maintenance costs for packers, while consumers appreciate a closure that is easy to remove and reuse, keeping their food fresh. Kwik Lok's new Enviro-Lok closure is made from polypropylene, using 34% less plastic, 67% less water, and emitting 44% less carbon than the standard Kwik Lok closure, all while maintaining the same strength and reliability.
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Bread clips were invented by Floyd G. Paxton
The ubiquitous plastic bread ties, also known as bread clips, bread tags, bread tabs, bread buckles, or bread-bag clips, were invented by Floyd G. Paxton. Paxton, a manufacturer of ball bearings during World War II, founded the Kwik Lok Corporation in Yakima, Washington, after creating the bread clip. The Kwik Lok Corporation's clips are known as "Kwik Lok closures".
The idea for the bread clip came to Paxton while he was on a flight in 1952. He opened a bag of peanuts and realized there was no way to reseal the bag. He then used an expired credit card and a small penknife to hand-carve his first bag clip. Paxton's simple yet ingenious invention revolutionized food packaging, offering a more efficient and effective way to seal bags and replace traditional twist ties.
The bread clip's invention addressed the growing need in the early 1950s for a method to close plastic bags quickly and securely on the packaging line. Manufacturers were increasingly automating food production and packaging, requiring higher production volumes and cost reduction. At the same time, consumers wanted convenient and fast solutions for opening and resealing food bags. The bread clip's ability to provide a nearly hermetic seal helped preserve the contents for longer, reducing food spoilage.
Although Paxton never received a patent for the clips themselves, he was granted numerous patents for the high-speed "bag closing apparatus" that manufactured and applied the clips to the bags. Kwik Lok became the main manufacturer of bread clips, and Paxton's invention continues to be widely used today, with billions of clips produced annually. The bread clip's impact on the food industry and its enduring popularity demonstrate Paxton's creativity and innovation in solving a common problem, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of packaging.
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Researchers of occlupanids are called occlupanologists
Plastic ties used to hold bread bags closed are commonly known as bread clips, bread tags, bread tabs, bread ties, bread climps, or bread-bag clips. Interestingly, these plastic bread closures have also been dubbed "occlupanids", a term coined by John Daniel, the creator of the website horg.com. Occlupanids have even inspired a fantasy-bread-tie-creature rabbit hole, with people creating fictional animals based on inanimate objects.
Researchers of these occlupanids are called "occlupanologists". Occlupanology, as a field of study, involves delving into the world of these plastic bread closures, which some have jokingly claimed are living organisms that feed off the plastic wrapping of their host (bread bags). The website HORG, dedicated to the study of occlupanids, has furthered this playful notion by creating a mock phylogeny of different clip designs and a formal taxonomy, including "families" and binomial scientific names.
The term "occlupanologist" has been referenced in popular media, adding a layer of whimsical intrigue to these otherwise mundane objects. While it may seem amusing to elevate plastic bread ties to the level of scientific study, it is a testament to human curiosity and creativity. Occlupanologists explore the various forms these plastic closures take, their functionality, and their role in our daily lives, providing a unique lens through which to view the familiar.
The bread clip itself was invented by Floyd G. Paxton, who found himself inspired by a bag of peanuts on an aeroplane in 1952. Paxton, unable to reclose the bag, fashioned a makeshift clip using an expired credit card and a pen knife. This inventive solution led to the creation of the bread clip, which was later manufactured by the Kwik Lok Corporation. While Paxton's invention revolutionised how bread was packaged, the journey into the world of occlupanology showcases how even the simplest objects can spark curiosity and imaginative exploration.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastic bread ties are called bread clips, bread tabs, bag clips, bread bag clips, or bread buckles.
The colour of the plastic bread tie indicates when the loaf was baked and stocked on the store's shelves.
The plastic bread tie was invented by Floyd G. Paxton and manufactured by the Kwik Lok Corporation.
Plastic bread ties are made of plastic.
Plastic bread ties are used to hold plastic bags closed and help keep the bread fresh.
