The Holotypic Occlupanid Research Group occupies itself by doing “research in the classification of occlupanids.” They explain: “These small objects are everywhere, dotting supermarket aisles and sidewalks with an impressive array of form and color.”
Much of their work in on display at the Holotypic Occlupanid Research Group’s web site.
Some years ago, Eric Grundhauser wrote an archaeological treatise. for Atlas Obscura, about these (in many cases) patented thingies: “Most of the World’s Bread Clips Are Made by a Single Company“