U.S. patent application number 10/306034 was filed with the patent office on 2003-10-09 for method and device for holding reclosable thermoplastic slider bags.
Invention is credited to Betancourt, Allison K., Gundlach, Douglas P., Stanley, Daniel Warwick JR., Turvey, Robert R..
Application Number | 20030189141 10/306034 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28678894 |
Filed Date | 2003-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030189141 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Turvey, Robert R. ; et
al. |
October 9, 2003 |
Method and device for holding reclosable thermoplastic slider
bags
Abstract
A holding device for thermoplastic bags utilizes bags having
side panels and a reclosable seal at one end thereof, the
reclosable seal comprising a pair of opposed interlocking closure
strips and a slider for opening and closing the closure strips. The
holding device comprises a support surface and a pair of elongate
holding members each having a proximal portion adjacent the support
surface and a distal portion wherein the holding members define a
channel therebetween. The channel has a first section for receiving
and enclosing a portion of the slider and a second section for
receiving only the closure strips but not the slider. The channel
further has a slot formed by the distal portions of the holding
members wherein the slot has a width sufficient to allow the side
panels of the thermoplastic bag to enter the slot but prevent
passage of the closure strips through the slot.
Inventors: |
Turvey, Robert R.; (Sanford,
MI) ; Gundlach, Douglas P.; (Racine, WI) ;
Betancourt, Allison K.; (Racine, WI) ; Stanley,
Daniel Warwick JR.; (Winter Park, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
S.C. JOHNSON & SON, INC.
1525 HOWE STREET
RACINE
WI
53403-2236
US
|
Family ID: |
28678894 |
Appl. No.: |
10/306034 |
Filed: |
November 27, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60371340 |
Apr 9, 2002 |
|
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|
60394644 |
Jul 9, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/95 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47J 47/00 20130101;
B65D 33/14 20130101; B65D 33/2508 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/95 |
International
Class: |
B65B 067/12 |
Claims
We claim:
1. A holding device for a thermoplastic bag having side panels and
a reclosable seal at one end and a slider for opening and closing
the reclosable seal, the holding device comprising: a support
surface; a pair of elongate holding members each having a proximal
portion adjacent the support surface and a distal portion wherein
the holding members define a channel; the channel having a first
section for receiving the slider and a second section for receiving
a portion of the bag, the channel further having a slot formed by
the distal portions of the holding members wherein the slot has a
width sufficient to allow the side panels of the thermoplastic bag
to enter the slot but prevent passage of the bag portion through
the slot.
2. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the bag portion comprises
closure strips.
3. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the bag portion comprises
rails.
4. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the bag portion comprises
end stops.
5. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the first section has a
portion that interferes with the slider.
6. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the first section
includes a recessed portion in which the slider is disposed.
7. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the recessed portion is
defined by an upstanding retaining member that interferes with
withdrawal of the slider from the recessed portion.
8. The holding device of claim 1, wherein at least one of the
holding members includes a portion that interferes with the bag
portion.
9. The holding device of claim 1, wherein each of the holding
members includes a portion that interferes with the bag
portion.
10. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the holding members
include recessed portions at opposite ends thereof for receiving
the slider.
11. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the first section
further includes a ramp extending from the support surface toward
the distal end of the holding members and partially blocking the
first section.
12. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the support surface
defines a first plane and the slot and channel define a second
plane normal to the first plane.
13. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the support surface
defines a first plane and the slot and channel define a second
plane parallel to the first plane.
14. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the support surface
further comprises first and second sections, the first section
having first and second ends, the holding members being adjacent to
the first end and the second section extending from first end
normal to the first section.
15. The holding device of claim 1, wherein the slot has a
longitudinal extent defining a line and wherein the support surface
defines a plane that is transverse to the line.
16. A holding device for a thermoplastic bag having side panels and
a reclosable seal at one end thereof, the reclosable seal
comprising a pair of opposed interlocking closure strips and a
slider for opening and closing the closure strips, the holding
device comprising: a support surface; a pair of elongate holding
members each having a proximal portion adjacent the support surface
and a distal portion wherein the holding members define a channel;
the channel having a first section for receiving and enclosing a
portion of the slider and a second section for receiving only the
closure strips but not the slider, the channel further
communicating with a slot formed by the distal portions of the
holding members wherein the slot has a width sufficient to allow
the side panels of the thermoplastic bag to enter the slot but
prevent passage of the closure strips through the slot.
17. The holding device of claim 16, wherein there is a first
section at both ends of the channel.
18. The holding device of claim 16, wherein there is a first
section at only one end of the channel.
19. The holding device of claim 16, wherein the first section
includes at least one retaining member.
20. The holding device of claim 16, wherein the first section does
not include a retaining member.
21. The holding device of claim 16, wherein the length of the first
section is less than the length of the slider.
22. The holding device of claim 16, wherein the support surface
includes means for supporting the holding device.
23. The holding device of claim 22, wherein the supporting means is
an adhesive strip attached to the side of the support surface
opposite the holding members.
24. The holding device of claim 22, wherein the supporting means is
a clip.
25. The holding device of claim 16, wherein the support surface has
peripheral clips.
26. The holding device of claim 25, wherein the clips are spaced to
interfit with two parallel rods of a rack.
27. The holding device of claim 16, wherein the first section of
the channel has at least one open side.
28. The holding device of claim 16, wherein an interference member
is placed between the first and second sections of the channel.
29. A holding device for a thermoplastic bag having side panels, a
reclosable seal at one end thereof and a slider for opening and
closing the reclosable seal, the holding device comprising: a
support surface; and a pair of elongate holding members each having
a distal portion wherein the holding members define a channel and
at least one of the holding members is disposed adjacent the
support surface; the channel including first and second sections,
the first section having dimensions for receiving at least a
portion of the slider and being wider than the second section and
the channel further including a slot defined by the distal portions
of the holding members, the width of the slot being narrower than
the width of the second section of the channel.
30. The holding device of claim 29, wherein there is a first
section at both ends of the channel.
31. The holding device of claim 29, wherein there is a first
section at only one end of the channel.
32. The holding device of claim 29, wherein the first section
includes at least one retaining member.
33. The holding device of claim 29, wherein the first section does
not include a retaining member.
34. The holding device of claim 29, wherein the length of the first
section is less than the length of the slider.
35. The holding device of claim 29, wherein the support surface
includes means for supporting the holding device.
36. The holding device of claim 35, wherein the supporting means is
an adhesive strip attached to the side of the support surface
opposite the first and second holding members.
37. The holding device of claim 35, wherein the supporting means is
a clip.
38. The holding device of claim 29, wherein the support surface has
peripheral clips.
39. The holding device of claim 39, wherein the clips are spaced to
interfit with two parallel rods of a rack.
40. The holding device of claim 29, wherein the first section of
the channel has at least one open side.
41. The holding device of claim 29, wherein an interfering member
is disposed between the first and second sections of the
channel.
42. The holding device of claim 29, wherein both of the holding
members are located adjacent the support surface.
43. The holding device of claim 29, wherein only one of the holding
members is located adjacent the support surface, and wherein the
holding device further includes a bridge connecting the holding
members.
44. A holding device for a reclosable thermoplastic slider bag,
wherein the slider bag includes a sealable end at which closure
strips are disposed for sealing the sealable end, the slider bag
further including a slider for closing the closure strips, the
width of the slider being wider than the width of the closure
strips, the holding device comprising: a support surface; a pair of
elongate holding members substantially parallel to one another and
integrally attached to the support surface, the holding members
defining a channel with a length and two ends, the channel being
open at each end with an open slot between the holding members
running the length of the channel, the slot being narrower than the
channel; and an interference member disposed adjacent the channel
for stopping the slider of a thermoplastic slider bag while
allowing the closure strips to pass therethrough.
45. The holding device of claim 44, wherein the interference member
defines an opening wider than the closure strips of the slider bag
and narrower than the slider of the slider bag.
46. The holding device of claim 44, wherein the interfering member
comprises at least one protrusion extending into the channel a
distance sufficient to prevent passage of the slider but to allow
passage of the closing strips.
47. A method of storing an item, the method comprising the steps
of: placing the item in a storage bag wherein the storage bag
includes a closure strip and a slider mounted for sliding movement
on the closure strip; providing a holding member supported by a
support surface wherein the holding member defines a channel, the
channel having a width larger than a first thickness of the bag at
a first portion thereof and wherein the channel includes a slot
having a width that is smaller than the first thickness but larger
than a second thickness of the bag at a second portion thereof; and
sliding the first portion of the storage bag into the channel such
that the slider contacts and is moved toward a closed position by
the holding member and such that the first portion of the storage
bag is in interfering relationship with the holding member.
48. The method of claim 47, wherein the step of sliding includes
the step of inserting the slider into a recess of the holding
member.
49. The method of claim 48, wherein the recess includes a first
recess portion that receives the slider when the slider is
initially inserted into the recess and a second recess portion
disposed below the first recess portion that receives the slider
after the slider is initially inserted into the recess.
50. The method of claim 49, wherein the second portion of the
recess is disposed adjacent a locking member that interferes with
removal of the slider from the recess when the slider is disposed
in the second portion of the recess.
51. The method of claim 48, wherein the support surface comprises a
horizontal surface.
52. The method of claim 48, wherein the support surface comprises a
vertical surface.
53. The method of claim 48, including the further step of securing
the holding member to the support surface.
54. The method of claim 53, wherein the step of securing comprises
the step of adhering the holding member to the support surface.
55. The method of claim 53, wherein the step of securing comprises
the step of fastening the holding member to the support
surface.
56. The method of claim 48, wherein the support surface comprises a
wire rack.
57. The method of claim 56, including the further step of securing
the holding member to the wire rack.
58. The method of claim 57, wherein the holding member includes a
supporting member and wherein the step of securing the mounting
member comprises the step of interfitting a portion of the wire
rack with the supporting member.
59. The method of claim 48, wherein the support surface comprises a
shelf surface.
60. The method of claim 48, wherein the closure strip is disposed
in a horizontal orientation when the first portion of the bag is
slid into the channel.
61. The method of claim 48, wherein the closure strip is disposed
in a vertical orientation when the first portion of the bag is slid
into the channel.
62. The method of claim 48, wherein the closure strip is disposed
in other than a vertical and horizontal orientation when the first
portion of the bag is slid into the channel.
63. The method of claim 48, including the further step of placing a
further item in a further storage bag substantially identical to
the first-named storage bag, providing a further holding member
substantially identical to and adjacent the first-named holding
member and sliding a first portion of the further storage bag into
a channel of the further holding member such that a slider of the
further storage bag contacts and is moved toward a closed position
by the holding member and such that the first portion of the
further storage bag is in interfering relationship with the further
holding member.
64. The method of claim 63, wherein the first-named storage bag is
disposed in overlying relationship atop the further storage
bag.
65. The method of claim 63, wherein the first-named storage bag is
disposed in side-by-side relationship next to the further storage
bag.
66. A holding device for a thermoplastic bag having side panels and
a reclosable seal at one end thereof, the reclosable seal
comprising a pair of opposed interlocking closure strips, a slider
for opening and closing the closure strips and a protruding end
stop, the holding device comprising: a support surface; a pair of
elongate holding members each having a proximal portion adjacent
the support surface and a distal portion wherein the holding
members define a channel, the channel having a first section for
receiving and enclosing a portion of the slider, the channel
further having a slot formed by the distal portions of the holding
members wherein the slot has a width sufficient to allow the
closure strips of the thermoplastic bag to enter the slot but
prevent passage of an end stop through the slot.
67. The holding device of claim 66, wherein at least one of the
holding members includes a portion that interferes with the end
stop.
68. The holding device of claim 66, wherein each of the holding
members includes a portion that interferes with the end stop.
69. A holding device for a thermoplastic bag having side panels and
a reclosable seal at one end thereof, the reclosable seal
comprising a pair of opposed interlocking closure strips and a
slider for opening and closing the closure strips, the holding
device comprising: a support surface; a pair of elongate holding
members each having a proximal portion adjacent the support surface
and a distal portion wherein the holding members define a channel,
the channel having a first section for receiving and enclosing a
portion of the slider, the channel further having a slot formed by
the distal portions of the holding members wherein the slot has a
width sufficient to allow the closure strips of the thermoplastic
bag to enter the slot but prevent passage of the slider through the
slot.
70. The holding device of claim 69, wherein at least one of the
holding members includes a portion that interferes with the
slider.
71. The holding device of claim 69, wherein each of the holding
members includes a portion that interferes with the slider.
72. A method of supporting a thermoplastic storage bag wherein the
bag includes a closure strip, an end stop at an end of the closure
strip, a slider disposed on the closure strip and a rail
maintaining the slider on the closure strip, the method comprising
the steps of: providing a holder having a support member and a pair
of walls coupled to the support member and defining a channel
therebetween wherein at least one of the walls includes an
interfering portion; inserting the bag into the channel such that
the slider contacts a portion of the holder and is displaced from
an initial position; and releasing the bag such that at least one
of the closure strip, the rail, the end stop and the slider
interferes with the interfering portion to support the bag in the
holder.
73. The method of claim 72, wherein the closure strip includes a
rail and wherein the step of releasing includes the step of causing
the rail to rest on the interfering portion.
74. The method of claim 72, wherein the step of releasing includes
the step of causing the end stop to rest on the interfering
portion.
75. The method of claim 72, wherein the step of releasing includes
the step of causing the slider to rest on the interfering
portion.
76. The method of claim 72, wherein the interfering portion
comprises at least one member carried by at least one of the
walls.
77. The method of claim 76, wherein the walls include a portion
defining a recess for receiving the slider.
78. The method of claim 76, wherein each of the walls carries an
interfering portion.
79. A method of supporting a thermoplastic bag, wherein the bag
includes closure strips and a slider disposed on the closure strips
for opening and closing the strips, the method comprising the steps
of: providing a holder having a support member and a pair of walls
coupled to the support member and defining a channel therebetween;
inserting a reclosable thermoplastic bag into the holder so that
the slider is received in the channel and the bag is supported by
the holder; and exerting a force on the bag to move the bag in
relation to the slider, whereby the slider is maintained in a
substantially stationary position and the closure strips pass
through the slider.
80. The method of claim 79, wherein the step of exerting results in
opening of the bag.
81. The method of claim 79, wherein the step of exerting results in
closing of the bag.
82. The method of claim 79, wherein the thermoplastic bag comprises
a slidertype bag selected from the group consisting of a
Ziploc.RTM. with Easy Zipper bag, a Hefty OneZip.RTM. bag, a
Glad.RTM. Clicklock bag, a Presto.RTM. SureSeal bag and a bag
manufactured by Pliant Corporation.
83. A method of moving a slider of a thermoplastic bag, the method
comprising the steps of: contacting the slider with a holding
device; applying a first force to the thermoplastic bag in a first
direction; and applying a second force to the holding device in a
second direction so that the thermoplstic bag moves relative to the
holding device and the slider.
84. The method of claim 83, wherein the first force is applied by a
user's hand.
85. The method of claim 84, wherein the holding device is attached
by supporting means to a surface.
86. The method of claim 85 wherein the supporting means comprises
an adhesive strip.
87. The method of claim 85 wherein the supporting means comprises
screws.
88. The method of claim 83 wherein the second force is applied by a
user's hand.
89. A method of moving a slider of a thermoplastic bag, the method
comprising the steps of: contacting the slider with a holding
device; anchoring the holding device; gripping the bag; and moving
the gripped bag relative to the holding device and the slider.
90. The method of claim 89, wherein the slider is moved to an
opened position.
91. The method of claim 89 wherein the slider is moved toward a
closed position.
92. The method of claim 89 wherein the step of anchoring is
accomplished by attaching the holding device to a surface by a
supporting means.
93. The method of claim 92 wherein the supporting means comprises
an adhesive strip.
94. The method of claim 92 wherein the supporting means comprises
screws.
95. The method of claim 92 wherein the step of moving is
accomplished by force applied by a user's hand.
96. The method of claim 89 wherein the step of anchoring is
accomplished by force applied by a user's hand.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to reclosable thermoplastic
slider bags, and more particularly, to a method and device for
holding reclosable thermoplastic slider bags.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] The use of thermoplastic bags for the storage of items is
well known. Such bags are used to store a variety of articles, from
food to general household items including everything from craft
supplies to children's toys. Generally, such bags can be
characterized by the presence or absence of integral resealing
apparatus. Bags that do not include any integral resealing
apparatus typically require a separate sealing member, such as a
wire twist-tie, to seal the bag. Often, this separate sealing
member is lost or is not readily available to a user, and hence,
the bag is sometimes simply folded over or the bag walls are tied
into a knot. In the former case, the bag is usually not properly
sealed and in the latter case the subsequent untying of the bag can
be problematic or impossible as a practical matter. Bags that
include integral resealing apparatus overcome these problems but
have other potential disadvantages, particularly those bags that
require a user to pinch and run his finger and thumb over closure
strips of the bag. Specifically, when sealing such a bag, the user
may not be able to readily determine whether the bag has been fully
closed.
[0003] Slider bags have been developed that allow a user to more
easily close a thermoplastic storage bag having integral resealing
apparatus. Such a bag includes a slider mounted for movement on
closure strips wherein the slider includes members that close the
bag when the slider is moved toward a first position and which open
the bag when the slider is moved toward a second position. Such an
arrangement facilitates the determination by the user of the
open/closed status of the bag.
[0004] Regardless of the bag type, a bag that is not sealed readily
allows the contents of the bag to spill out unless the bag is
carefully arranged and handled. In addition, many different types
and shapes of articles are often stored in such bags, causing the
bags to be irregularly and/or differently shaped. When such bags
are placed together in a confined space, such as a cupboard,
cabinet, drawer, shelf, refrigerator or the like, a disorganized
condition can develop, preventing a user from easily locating a
particular bag. Further, as a user is attempting to locate a
particular bag, the bags may be jostled, thereby causing one or
more bags to fall off a supporting surface to the floor, resulting
in breakage of the bag and/or the articles stored therein and/or
spilling of contents. Also, the bags are usually placed on top of
one another, leading to an inefficient use of space. Still further,
when bags are stacked on top of each other in an unconfined
location, the bags tend to slide out of the stacked configuration
and into a disorganized state. Bags stacked on top also tend to
conceal the contents of the bags below thus defeating the advantage
of utilizing a clear plastic for easy identification of the
articles within the bags.
[0005] Attempts have been made to address the foregoing problems
through the use of rack systems that suspend one or more storage
bags each from an open end thereof, thereby allowing the remainder
of each bag to hang freely below the rack regardless of the
contents of the bag.
[0006] Lemke, U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,949 discloses a clamping hanger
for food bags. The hanger is used in conjunction with a snack bag,
such as a potato chip bag, where one end of the bag is open and has
no integral closing device. The clamping hanger includes a clamping
member defining a slit that has a width narrower than the combined
thicknesses of the walls of the snack bag. A user slides the open
end of the bag into the slit and the bag is frictionally retained
therein.
[0007] Nocek et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,787,522 discloses a bag
storage device. The device is designed for use with a non-slider
type reclosable bag having interlocking profiles that have a
greater thickness than the combined thicknesses of the side panels
of the bag. The storage device comprises a member defining a slot
that is narrower than the thickness of the interlocked profiles but
wide enough that it will freely receive the combined thicknesses of
the side panels of the bag. Furthermore, the slot has a length that
is substantially as long as the bag. When the bag is inserted into
the slot such that the profiles are disposed above the slot, the
profiles engage the portions of the member forming the slot and
support the bag. Similarly, Baglio, U.S. Pat. No. 4,854,530
discloses a hanger system for non-slider type reclosable bags
including a holding device having a plurality of pairs of spaced
rails or fingers. The rails or fingers of each pair are spaced
apart to define a slot having a width less than the thickness of
interlocking profiles of the bags but greater than the combined
thicknesses of side panels of the bags. Each of a number of bags
may be slid into a corresponding slot with the profiles of the bag
above the slot such that the profiles are brought into contact with
the rails or fingers and are supported thereby. Single or multiple
bags may be so supported.
[0008] Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,957 discloses storage systems
for non-slider type reclosable bags. The patent discloses a variety
of rack systems for use with reclosable plastic bags including
interlocking profiles presenting a thickness greater than the
combined thickness of the side panels of the bag. All of the rack
storage systems disclosed in the patent utilize a slot having a
width less than the thickness of the interlocking profiles but
greater than the combined thicknesses of the side panels of the
bag. The rack systems disclosed include cylindrical, vertical and
horizontal systems, all including a plurality of slots for holding
multiple bags.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, a holding
device for a thermoplastic bag having side panels and a reclosable
seal at one end and a slider for opening and closing the reclosable
seal includes a support surface and a pair of elongate holding
members each having a proximal portion adjacent the support surface
and a distal portion wherein the holding members define a channel.
The channel has a first section for receiving the slider and a
second section for receiving a portion of the bag. The channel
further includes a slot formed by the distal portions of the
holding members wherein the slot has a width sufficient to allow
the side panels of the thermoplastic bag to enter the slot but
prevent passage of the bag portion through the slot.
[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
holding device for a thermoplastic bag comprises a support surface
and a pair of elongate holding members each having a proximal
portion adjacent the support surface and a distal portion wherein
the holding members define a channel. The channel has a first
section for receiving and enclosing a portion of a slider of the
thermoplastic bag and a second section for receiving only closure
strips of the bag but not the slider. The channel communicates with
a slot formed by the distal portions of the holding members wherein
the slot has a width sufficient to allow side panels of the
thermoplastic bag to enter the slot but prevent passage of the
closure strips through the slot.
[0011] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a
holding device comprises a support surface and a pair of elongate
holding members each having a distal portion wherein the holding
members define a channel. At least one of the holding members is
disposed adjacent the support surface. The channel includes first
and second sections, wherein the first section has dimensions for
receiving at least a portion of a slider of a thermoplastic bag and
is wider than the second section. The channel further comprises a
slot defined by the distal portions of the holding members, the
width of the slot being narrower than the width of the second
section of the channel.
[0012] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention, a holding device for a reclosable thermoplastic slider
bag includes a support surface and a pair of elongate holding
members substantially parallel to one another and integrally
attached to the support surface. The holding members define a
channel having a length and two ends wherein the channel is open at
each end with an open slot between the holding members running the
length of the channel and wherein the slot is narrower than the
channel. An interference member is disposed adjacent the channel
for stopping a slider of a thermoplastic slider bag while allowing
closure strips of the bag to pass therethrough.
[0013] In accordance with a further aspect of the present
invention, a method of storing an item comprises the steps of
placing the item in a storage bag wherein the storage bag includes
a closure strip and a slider mounted for sliding movement on the
closure strip, and providing a holding member supported by a
support surface wherein the holding member defines a channel. The
channel has a width larger than a first thickness of the bag at a
first portion thereof and further includes a slot having a width
smaller than the first thickness but larger than a second thickness
of the bag at a second portion thereof. The method further includes
the step of sliding the first portion of the storage bag into the
channel such that the slider contacts and is moved toward a closed
position by the holding member and such that the first portion of
the storage bag is in interfering relationship with the holding
member.
[0014] In accordance with a still further aspect of the present
invention, a holding device for a thermoplastic bag comprises a
support surface and a pair of elongate holding members each having
a proximal portion adjacent the support surface and a distal
portion wherein the holding members define a channel. The channel
has a first section for receiving and enclosing a portion of the
slider and a slot formed by the distal portions of the holding
members wherein the slot has a width sufficient to allow closure
strips of the thermoplastic bag to enter the slot but prevent
passage of an end stop through the slot.
[0015] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a
holding device for a thermoplastic bag having side panels and a
reclosable seal at one end thereof, wherein the reclosable seal
comprises a pair of opposed interlocking closure strips and a
slider for opening and closing the closure strips, includes a
support surface and a pair of elongate holding members each having
a proximal portion adjacent the support surface and a distal
portion. The holding members define a channel having a first
section for receiving and enclosing a portion of the slider and a
slot formed by the distal portions of the holding members. The slot
has a width sufficient to allow the closure strips of the
thermoplastic bag to enter the slot but prevent passage of the
slider through the slot.
[0016] A still further aspect of the present invention comprises a
method of supporting a thermoplastic storage bag wherein the bag
includes a closure strip, an end stop at an end of the closure
strip, a slider disposed on the closure strip, and a rail
maintaining the slider on the closure strip. The method includes
the steps of providing a holder having a support member and a pair
of walls coupled to the support member and defining a channel
therebetween wherein at least one of the walls includes an
interfering portion; inserting the bag into the channel such that
the slider contacts a portion of the holder and is displaced from
an initial position, and releasing the bag such that at least one
of the closure strip, the rail, the end stop and the slider
interferes with the interfering portion to support the bag in the
holder.
[0017] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a
method of supporting a thermoplastic bag includes the steps of
providing a holder having a support member and a pair of walls
coupled to the support member and defining a channel therebetween,
inserting a reclosable thermoplastic bag into the holder so that a
slider of the bag is received in the channel and the bag is
supported by the holder and exerting a force on the bag to move the
bag in relation to the slider, whereby the slider is maintained in
a substantially stationary position and the closure strips pass
through the slider.
[0018] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
invention, a method of moving a slider of a thermoplastic bag
includes the steps of contacting the slider with a holding device,
applying a first force to the thermoplastic bag in a first
direction, and applying a second force to the holding device in a
second direction so that the thermoplastic bag moves relative to
the holding device and the slider.
[0019] According to a still further aspect of the present
invention, a method of moving a slider of a thermoplastic bag
includes the steps of contacting the slider with a holding device,
anchoring the holding device, gripping the bag, and moving the
gripped bag relative to the holding device and the slider.
[0020] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed
description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a bidirectional holding
device with a slider bag inserted therein such that the bag is in
the closed position;
[0022] FIG. 2 is an elevational bottom view of the holding device
of FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 3 is an elevational end view of the holding device of
FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 3a is a sectional view of the holding device of FIG. 1
taken generally along the line 3a -3a;
[0025] FIG. 3b is a sectional view of the holding device of FIG. 1
taken generally along the line 3b 3b;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the holding device of FIG. 1
taken generally along the line 4-4;
[0027] FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a unidirectional holding
device with a slider bag inserted therein such that the bag is in
the closed position;
[0028] FIG. 5a is an isometric view of a further embodiment of a
holding device according to the present invention similar to FIG. 5
taken from the bottom and left rear side of the device;
[0029] FIG. 5b is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 5a
taken from the top and right rear side thereof;
[0030] FIG. 5c is a plan view of the holding device of FIGS. 5a and
5b;
[0031] FIG. 5d is a bottom elevational view of the holding device
of FIGS. 5a and 5b;
[0032] FIG. 5e is an elevational end view of the holding device of
FIG. 5a;
[0033] FIG. 5f is an elevational view of end of the holding device
opposite the view end shown in FIG. 5e;
[0034] FIG. 5g is a sectional view of the holding device taken
generally along the lines 5g5gof FIG. 5;
[0035] FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 but without
retaining members;
[0036] FIG. 7 is an elevational end view of the holding device of
FIG. 6;
[0037] FIG. 8 is an elevational end view of the holding device of
FIG. 6 with a slider bag inserted;
[0038] FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4 with a slider bag
partially inserted;
[0039] FIG. 10 is an elevational bottom view of a further
embodiment of the invention;
[0040] FIG. 11 is an elevational end view of the device of FIG.
10;
[0041] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 10 taken
generally along the line 12-12
[0042] FIG. 12a is a view similar to that of FIG. 12 showing an
alternative embodiment of the device;
[0043] FIG. 12b is a view similar to that of FIG. 12 showing an
alternative embodiment of the device;
[0044] FIG. 12c is a sectional view of the holding device of FIG.
12b taken generally along the line 12c1 2c;
[0045] FIG. 12d a view similar to that of FIG. 12c showing
alternatively shaped interference members;
[0046] FIG. 13 is a plan view of a further embodiment of the
holding device;
[0047] FIG. 14 is an elevational bottom view of the holding device
of FIG. 13;
[0048] FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the holding device of FIG. 14
taken generally along the line 15-15;
[0049] FIG. 16 is a trimetric view of the holding device of FIG. 13
in a rack storage system;
[0050] FIG. 17 is an elevational view of a further embodiment of
the holding device of FIG. 7 with first sections shorter than the
slider;
[0051] FIG. 17a is an end elevational view of the holding device of
FIG. 17 including detents;
[0052] FIG. 17b is a sectional view of the holding device of FIG.
17a taken generally along the line 17b17b;
[0053] FIG. 18 is a plan view of a further embodiment of the
invention;
[0054] FIG. 1 8a is an elevational bottom view of the holding
device of claim 18;
[0055] FIG. 1 8b is an elevational end view of the holding device
of claim 18;
[0056] FIG. 19 is an isometric view of a holding device of the
invention with a hanging clip attached to the support member;
[0057] FIG. 20 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of the
present invention;
[0058] FIG. 21 is an elevational end view of the holding device of
FIG. 20;
[0059] FIG. 22 is a side elevational view of the holding device of
FIG. 20 showing a slider bag inserted into the device;
[0060] FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken generally along the line
23-23 in FIG. 22;
[0061] FIG. 24 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of the
present invention showing a slider bag about to be inserted into
the device;
[0062] FIG. 25 is an isometric view of the device of FIG. 24
showing a slider bag inserted into the device and partly
closed;
[0063] FIG. 26 is an enlarged partial view of FIG. 25 showing the
detail of the slider bag being inserted into the device and partly
closed;
[0064] FIG. 27 is a simplified sectional view taken generally along
the line 23-23 in FIG. 25;
[0065] FIG. 28 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of the
present invention;
[0066] FIG. 29 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0067] FIG. 30 is an isometric view of yet another embodiment of
the present invention;
[0068] FIG. 31 is an elevational bottom view of the holding device
of FIG. 30;
[0069] FIG. 32 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 31 taken
generally along the line 32-32 in FIG. 31;
[0070] FIG. 33 is a view similar to that of FIG. 31 showing a
slider bag being supported;
[0071] FIG. 34 is an isometric view of a still further embodiment
of the present invention;
[0072] FIG. 35 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 34 taken
generally along the line 35-35 in FIG. 34 and showing a slider bag
being supported;
[0073] FIG. 36 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of the
present invention and showing a slider bag being supported;
[0074] FIG. 37 is a sectional view of the device of FIG. 36 taken
generally along the line 37-37 in FIG. 36;
[0075] FIG. 38 is an isometric view of an additional embodiment of
the present invention;
[0076] FIG. 39 is an isometric view of yet another embodiment of
the present invention;
[0077] FIG. 40 is an elevational view of the device of FIG. 39,
partly in section and taken generally along the line 40-40 in FIG.
39;
[0078] FIG. 41 is a view similar to that of FIG. 35 showing an
alternative embodiment;
[0079] FIG. 42 is an isometric view of still another embodiment of
the present invention;
[0080] FIGS. 43-46 are isometric views of the embodiment of FIGS.
24-27 in conjunction with slider-type bags manufactured and/or sold
by various companies;
[0081] FIG. 47 is an elevational view of a plurality of holding
devices according to the present invention arranged in a horizontal
orientation on a vertical support surface;
[0082] FIG. 48 is an isometric view of a further embodiment of the
present invention wherein the support surface comprises a
refrigerator shelf;
[0083] FIG. 49 is an isometric view of an additional embodiment of
the present invention;
[0084] FIG. 49a is an elevational end view of the holding device of
FIG. 49;
[0085] FIG. 50 is a side elevational view of the holding device as
seen generally along the view lines 50-50 of FIG. 49;
[0086] FIG. 51 is an isometric view of a device similar to the
device shown in FIG. 49 but having screw holes for attachment to a
surface;
[0087] FIG. 52 is an isometric view of yet another embodiment of
the present invention;
[0088] FIG. 52a is an elevational side view of the holding device
of FIG. 52; and
[0089] FIG. 53 is an elevational view of a further embodiment of
the present invention..
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0090] In the following description, reference numerals that differ
only in the hundredths digit denote like structures or elements in
the various embodiments.
[0091] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, a holding device 20 includes a
support member 21 with a first side 22. The holding device 20 is to
be used with a reclosable thermoplastic slider bag 50 as seen in
FIG. 9. The slider bag 50 comprises walls or side panels 52, which
together with a bottom and side seals define a bag with one
openable end 54. The openable end 54 has a pair of closure strips
56, which are opened by a user sliding a slider 58 from one end of
the strips 56 to the other and reclosed by sliding the slider 58
back to the one end.
[0092] Two opposing elongate walls or holding members 23, 24 extend
from the first side 22 of the support member 21. The holding
members 23, 24 are preferably (although not necessarily) mirror
images of each other and each has a proximal portion 33, a distal
portion 34 and two ends 35. The holding members 23, 24 define a
channel 36 therebetween.
[0093] In the preferred embodiment, the holding members are shaped
such that the channel 36 includes a first section 25 at each end 35
of the holding members 23, 24 and a second section 26 narrower than
and located between the first sections 25. The dimensions of the
first sections 25 are sufficiently large so that a slider 58 of the
type typically used on slider bags can be inserted into either of
the first sections 25 as seen in FIGS. 3a and 8. The first sections
25 and the second section 26 are connected by necks 27, which
narrow from each first section 25 to the second section 26. Each
neck 27 is defined by at least one surface 40 of the holding
members 23, 24 that interferes with passage of the slider through
the second section 26 but which does not interfere with passage of
the closure strips through the section 26 (hereinafter, the
surface(s) 40 may be considered as forming a part of an
interference member). Optionally, walls define one or more recesses
29 in the distal portion(s) of one or more of the first sections
25. The purpose of the recess 29 is to reduce or eliminate any
potential stress that may be exerted on the slider 58 should a
heavy object be placed in the slider bag 50. In the preferred
embodiment, the first sections 25 are at least as long as the
length of slider 58 so that the slider 58 can be placed completely
inside either of the first sections 25. The second section 26 has a
width preferably larger than the width of the closure strips 56 of
the slider bag 50, and also preferably has a dimension (height or
width or a combination of the two) that is smaller than a
comparable dimension (or dimensions) of the slider 58 so that the
desired interfering relationship is obtained. For example, because
the slider 58 in the illustrated embodiment has a height slightly
larger than the height of the closure strips 56, the desired
interfering relationship is obtained by designing the second
section 26 of the illustrated embodiment to be narrower than the
width of slider 58. However, in other embodiments, the interference
member can take a wide variety of forms such as shown in FIGS. 12c
and 12d. Even though FIGS. 1-4 show a narrowing of both the
external and internal surfaces of the walls or holding members 23
and 24, the shapes of the external surfaces are not important to
the functioning of the device and may be of any desired form.
[0094] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the respective distal portions 34 of
the holding members 23, 24 further define a slot 30 that is in
direct communication with channel 36. The slot 30 is sized such
that the slot 30 is narrower than the second section 26 of the
channel 36 but wider than the combined thicknesses of the side
panels 52 of the slider bag 50. At least a portion of the slot 30
is also preferably narrower than the width of a portion of the
closure strips or a portion of another protruding structure, such
as rails, ribs, and end stops of typical slider bags sold in the
market. Examples of commercial slider bags that may be used with
any of the embodiments disclosed herein include: Ziploc.RTM. with
Easy Zipper (shown in detail in FIG. 9, and diagrammatically shown
in FIGS. 17, 17b and 23-26), Hefty OneZip.RTM. (shown in FIGS. 33,
35, 40, 41 and 43), Glad.RTM. Clicklock (shown in FIG. 44),
Presto.RTM. SureSeal (shown in FIG. 45), slider bags manufactured
by Pliant Corporation (shown in FIG. 46) or other companies .
[0095] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the holding members
23, 24 defining the first sections 25 further includes at least one
retaining member 28 and tapered surfaces defining an angled mouth
32. The angled mouth 32 provides a larger area to make it easier
for a user to slide the slider bag 50 into the slot 30. Preferably,
each retaining member 28 comprises a protrusion extending from a
respective distal portion 34 into the first section 25. The
distance between the top of the retaining members 28 and the first
side 22 is greater than the height of the slider 58.
[0096] The holding device 20 also includes a double-sided adhesive
tape strip 38 located on a side 42 of the support member 21
opposite the first side 22. The adhesive tape strip 38 allows the
holding device 20 to be adhered to a vertical wall or under a
horizontal surface, such as a shelf (not shown), which allows the
user of the holding device to hang a filled slider bag 50 with the
holding device 20. As noted previously, in certain other
embodiments, the adhesive strip can be placed on other surfaces of
the holding device 20, such as a flat surface on one of the holding
members 23 or 24. Suitable adhesive strips are Removable Foam Tape
4658F or 4492W available from 3M Corporation.
[0097] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, fastening slots 37 are an alternative
method of attaching the holding device 20 to a surface. The
fastening slots 37 are included within each end of the support
member 21. A user can drive a shank of a nail or screw (not shown
in FIGS. 1-4, but illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 6 by the
reference number 39) through the fastening slots 37 into the
surface to which the holding device 20 is to be attached.
Alternatively, other types of adhesive such as silicone adhesives,
epoxy adhesives, and the like, or other fastening devices, could be
used to secure the holding device 20 to a surface.
[0098] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 9, after the holding device 20
has been mounted onto a surface (not shown), a user inserts one end
of the slider bag 50 at which the slider 58 is positioned into one
of the first sections 25. While this is typically done with the
slider 58 positioned on the closure strips in a fully open
position, it is more generally possible for a user to insert a an
open or closed slider bag 50 into the holding device 20, with the
slider positioned at a leading or trailing end (or any intermediate
position) of the closure strips 56. In the illustrated embodiment,
as the open slider bag 50 is inserted into the recess 32, the
slider 58 is simultaneously inserted into the first portion 25 and
passes over the retaining member 28 and thereafter comes into
contact with the surface(s) 40 defining the neck 27. The user then
grips the side panels 52 of the slider bag 50 below the holding
device 20 and pushes, pulls or otherwise moves the slider bag 50
toward the end of the holding device 20 opposite where the slider
bag 50 was inserted. This causes the closure strips 56 to pass
through the neck 27 into second section 26. Because the neck 27 is
narrower than the width of the slider 58, the slider 58 cannot move
past the neck 27 and the closure strips 56 are closed by sliding
through the slider 58 in response to the force exerted by the user
on the side panels 52. As the user continues to move the bag 50
through the holding device 20, the slider 58 eventually reaches the
trailing end of the closure strips 56 to completely close the
slider bag 50. Because at least a portion of the slot 30 is
narrower than the thickness of the closure strips 56, at least a
portion of the closure strips 56 is supported by the surfaces
defining the slot 30.
[0099] For those slider bags 50 that are longer than the holding
device 20, there is a portion of the closing strips 56 that is not
supported by the holding device 20. In this case the interfering
contact between the slot 30 and that portion of the closing strips
56 in direct contact with the slot 30 should be sufficient to fully
support the slider bag 50. In any event, as seen in FIG. 8, the
slider 58 and the closure strips 56 are supported by the distal
portions 34 of the holding members 23, 24 while the side panels 52
freely hang through the slot 30. As also shown in FIG. 8, the
support member 21 lies in a first plane 67. The walls 52 of the bag
50 lie in a second plane 69 normal to the first plane 67.
[0100] To open the slider bag 50 and remove it from the holding
device 20, the user grasps the side panels 52 of the slider bag 50
on the side of the slider bag 50 near the slider 58 and moves the
slider bag 50 opposite the direction of insertion described above.
The end of the slider 58 opposite the end disposed in the neck
portion 27 then comes into contact with the retaining member 28,
whereupon the retaining member 28 interferes with continued
movement of the slider 58. As further force is applied by the user,
the closure strips 56 pass through the now-stationary slider 58 and
are opened. Preferably, once the closure strips 56 are entirely
open, but at any time during or even before the initiation of bag
opening, the slider bag 50 can be lifted so that the slider 58
moves out of interfering contact with the retaining member 28 and
thus the entire slider bag 50 can be easily removed from the
holding device 20 with the slider 58 in any position.
[0101] An advantage of the bidirectional device as shown in FIG. I
is that the user can insert a slider bag 50 in either end and
achieve the same functionality.
[0102] As shown in FIG. 5, a further embodiment of the present
invention is unidirectional in the sense that it has one first
section 25 located at one end 35a of the holding device 20, thereby
encouraging a user to insert the slider bag 50 only at that end
35a. However, a user who inserts an open slider bag 50 into the end
opposite the first section 25 can still close and support the
slider bag 50. In this case, the slider 58 is eventually disposed
at a location completely outside of the holding device 20, the
slider 58 having been blocked by an end 35b opposite the end
35a.
[0103] FIGS. 5A-5F illustrate another embodiment of a holding
device 20 according to the present invention similar to embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 5. The device 20 includes a support member 21
with a first side 22. Two opposing elongate walls or holding
members 23, 24 extend from the first side 22 of the support member
21. The holding members 23, 24 are preferably (although not
necessarily) mirror images of each other and each has a proximal
portion 33, a distal portion 34 and two ends 35a, 35b. The holding
members 23, 24 define a channel 36 therebetween.
[0104] In the illustrated embodiment, the holding members 23, 24
are shaped such that the channel 36 includes a first section 25 at
the end 35a of the holding members 23, 24 and a second section 26
narrower than the first section 25 and extending from the first
section 25 to the end 35b. The dimensions of the first section 25
are sufficiently large so that a slider 58 can be inserted into the
first section 25, as in the previous embodiments. The first section
25 and the second section 26 are connected by a neck 27, which
narrows from the first section 25 to the second section 26. The
neck 27 is defined by at least one surface 40 of the holding
members 23, 24 that interferes with passage of the slider 58
through the second section 26 but which does not interfere with
passage of the closure strips through the section 26 (hereinafter,
the surface(s) 40 may be considered as forming a part of an
interference member). Optionally, walls define one or more recesses
29 in the distal portion(s) of the first section 25. As in the
embodiments described above, the purpose of the recess 29 is to
reduce or eliminate any potential stress that may be exerted on the
slider 58 should a heavy object be placed in the slider bag 50. As
also described above, the first section 25 is preferably at least
as long as the length of slider 58 so that the slider 58 can be
placed completely inside the first section 25. The second section
26 has a width preferably larger than the width of the closure
strips 56 of the slider bag 50, and also preferably has a dimension
(height or width or a combination of the two) that is smaller than
a comparable dimension (or dimensions) of the slider 58 so that the
desired interfering relationship is obtained, as is described
hereinabove in connection with the preceding embodiments. For
example, in the embodiment of FIGS. 5a-5f, the desired interfering
relationship is obtained by causing the second section 26 to be
narrower than the width of the slider 58.
[0105] As seen in FIGS. 5, 5a and 5d-5f, the respective distal
portions 34 of the holding members 23, 24 further define a slot 30
that is in direct communication with the channel 36. The slot 30 is
sized such that the slot 30 is narrower than the second section 26
of the channel 36 but wider than the combined thicknesses of the
side panels 52 of the slider bag 50. At least a portion of the slot
30 is also preferably narrower than the width of a portion of the
closure strips or a portion of another protruding structure, such
as rails, ribs, and end stops of typical slider bags sold in the
market.
[0106] Referring now to FIGS. 5a, 5d and 5e, each of the holding
members 23, 24 defining the first section 25 further includes at
least one platform 62. The angled mouth 32 provides a larger area
to make it easier for a user to slide the slider bag 50 into the
slot 30. Preferably, each platform 62 comprises a protrusion
extending from a respective distal portion 34 into the first
section 25. The distance between the top of the platform 62 and the
first side 22 is greater than the height of the slider 58. Each of
the platform 62 includes a retaining member 28, as seen in FIG.
5a.
[0107] Referring now to FIGS. 5c, 5d, Se and 5g, the holding device
20 further includes a ramp 45 disposed in the first section 25 of
the channel 36. The ramp 45 extends from the support member 21 into
the first section 25 and partially blocks the first section 25. The
ramp is angled from a point in the first section 25 to a point
closer to the section 26 where the ramp 45 terminates. The ramp 45
thus directs the inserted edge of the slider bag 50 toward the
distal ends 34 of the holding members 23, 24 when the slider bag 50
is inserted.
[0108] The holding device 20 may be mounted to any surface as
described in connection with any of the embodiments disclosed
herein. For example, a double-sided adhesive tape strip 38 may be
disposed on a side 42 of the support member 21 opposite the first
side 22. The adhesive tape strip 38 allows the holding device 20 to
be adhered to a vertical wall or under a horizontal surface, such
as a shelf (not shown), which allows the user of the holding device
to hang a filled slider bag 50 with the holding device 20. As noted
previously, the adhesive strip may comprise Removable Foam Tape
4492W available from 3M Corporation.
[0109] As shown in FIGS. 5a-5d, fastening holes 64 are an
alternative method of attaching the holding device 20 to a surface.
The fastening holes 64 are included within each end of the support
member 21. A user can drive a shank of a nail or screw (not shown
in FIGS. 5a-5d) through the fastening holes 64 into the surface to
which the holding device 20 is to be attached. Alternatively, as
noted above, other types of adhesive such as silicone adhesives,
epoxy adhesives, and the like, or other fastening devices, could be
used to secure the holding device 64 to a surface.
[0110] The support member 21 includes downturned marginal flanges
66a, 66b forming side retainers or clips 68a, 68b that may be used
to support the holding device 20 in the fashion described
hereinafter in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 16.
[0111] Once the holding device 20 has been mounted onto a surface,
a user inserts one end of the slider bag 50 at which the slider 58
is positioned into the first section 25. While this is typically
done with the slider 58 positioned on the closure strips in a fully
open position, it is more generally possible for a user to insert
an open or closed slider bag 50 into the holding device 20, with
the slider positioned at a leading or trailing end (or any
intermediate position) of the closure strips 56. In the embodiment
shown in FIGS. 5a-5f, as the open slider bag 50 is inserted into
the recess 32, the slider 58 is simultaneously inserted into the
first portion 25 and passes over the platform 62 and thereafter
comes into contact with the surface(s) 40 defining the neck 27.
Alternatively, as the open slider bag is inserted into the first
portion 25, the edge of the slider bag 50 inserted into the holding
device 20 comes into contact with the ramp 45 and is directed
toward the distal ends 34 of the holding members 23,24. The slider
then comes in contact with the surfaces(s) 40 defining the neck
27.
[0112] The user then grips the side panels 52 of the slider bag 50
below the holding device 20 and pushes, pulls or otherwise moves
the slider bag 50 toward the end of the holding device 20 opposite
where the slider bag 50 was inserted. This causes the closure
strips 56 to pass through the neck 27 into second section 26.
Because the neck 27 is narrower than the width of the slider 58,
the slider 58 cannot move past the neck 27 and the closure strips
56 are closed by sliding through the slider 58 in response to the
force exerted by the user on the side panels 52. As the user
continues to move the bag 50 through the holding device 20, the
slider 58 eventually reaches the trailing end of the closure strips
56 to completely close the slider bag 50. Because at least a
portion of the slot 30 is narrower than the thickness of the
closure strips 56, at least a portion of the closure strips 56 is
supported by the surfaces defining the slot 30.
[0113] For those slider bags 50 that are longer than the holding
device 20, there is a portion of the closure strips 56 that is not
supported by the holding device 20. In this case the interfering
contact between the slot 30 and that portion of the closing strips
56 in direct contact with the slot 30 should be sufficient to fully
support the slider bag 50. In any event, the slider 58 and the
closure strips 56 are supported by the distal portions 34 of the
holding members 23, 24 while the side panels 52 freely hang through
the slot 30.
[0114] To open the slider bag 50 and remove it from the holding
device 20, the user grasps the side panels 52 of the slider bag 50
on the side of the slider bag 50 near the slider 58 and moves the
slider bag 50 opposite the direction of insertion described above.
The end of the slider 58 opposite the end disposed in the neck
portion 27 then comes into contact with the retaining members 28 of
the platforms 62, whereupon the retaining members 28 interfere with
continued movement of the slider 58. As further force is applied by
the user, the closure strips 56 pass through the now-stationary
slider 58 and are opened. Preferably, once the closure strips 56
are entirely open, but at any time during or even before the
initiation of bag opening, the slider bag 50 can be lifted so that
the slider 58 moves out of interfering contact with the retaining
members 28 and thus the entire slider bag 50 can be easily removed
from the holding device 20 with the slider 58 in any position. The
platforms 62 support one end of the bag 50 via the slider 58 so
that the user has a free hand to easily access the contents of the
bag 50 without spillage of the contents.
[0115] FIGS. 6 and 7 show another embodiment of the present
invention wherein the retaining members 28 are not present. In this
embodiment, the holding device 20 includes all other aspects of the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1 that enable the holding device 20 to
assist in closing the slider bag 50 and supporting same but this
embodiment does not assist in the opening of the slider bag 50 when
the slider bag 50 is removed from the holding device 20. A user
inserts the slider bag 50 into the holding device 20 in exactly the
same way as described above with reference to the device of FIG. 1
to achieve closure of the slider bag 50. However, when the slider
bag 50 is removed from the holding device 20, the user simply pulls
the bag straight out of the holding device 20 in the direction
opposite the direction of insertion without any relative movement
of the slider 58 and the closure strips 56.
[0116] Referring now to FIGS. 10-12, a further embodiment of the
invention is shown. A holding device 120 comprises a support member
121, mirror image holding members 123, 124 and one or more slider
interference member(s) each in the form of a vertically extending
block or wall 131. Each of the holding members 123, 124 has a
proximal portion 133, a distal portion 134, and two ends 135 and
the holding members 123, 124 define a generally oval shaped channel
136 therebetween. The proximal portions 133 of the holding members
123, 124 are attached to the support member 121 and define a slot
130 that is in communication with the channel 136 between the
distal portions 134. The slot 130 is wider then the combined
thicknesses of the side panels 52 but narrower than the closure
strips 56. The channel 136 comprises two first sections 125 and a
second section 126 therebetween, the second section 126 being
defined in part by the slider block or wall 131.
[0117] The slider block or wall 131 in the illustrated embodiment
of FIG. 12 is located centrally in the channel 136. The channel 136
is large enough to accommodate the slider 58 so that the slider 58
can be moved therein until the slider 58 contacts the slider block
or wall 131, at which point the slider is restrained against
further movement therein. In an alternate embodiment as shown in
FIG. 12a, a slider block or wall 171 spans a larger portion of the
channel 136 and can be located off center in the channel 136, as
shown, or centered in the same fashion as slider block or wall 131.
As in the case of the element 131, the slider block or wall 171
defines the second section 126 that has dimensions large enough to
allow the closure strips 56 to pass but small enough that the
slider 58 cannot pass.
[0118] Referring to FIGS. 12b, 12c, a still further embodiment of
the holding device is shown. In this embodiment, the width of the
channel 136 is constant throughout the entire length of the holding
device except for the presence of one or more slider interference
member(s) (here shown as being two in number) each in the form of a
vertically extending block or wall 160. The interference members
160 prevent the slider 58 from passing farther than the
interference members into the channel 136, but at the same time
allow the closure strips 56 to pass through the entire length of
the channel 136.
[0119] FIG. 12d shows alternative interference members 162 that
differ from the interference members 160 only in terms of shape.
Also, a single pair of interference members 162 can be used, if
desired, as opposed to the spaced pairs illustrated in FIGS. 12b
and 12c.
[0120] Referring now to FIGS. 13-16, other embodiments of the
invention are shown. A holding device 220 comprises a support
member 221 and mirror image holding members 223, 224. The support
member 221 includes side edges 240 and end edges 242. As seen in
FIG. 16, the support member 221 further includes supporting means
or member in the form of side clips 244 and end clips 246
projecting from the side edges 240 and end edges 242, respectively,
in the same direction as the holding members 223, 224. The side and
end clips 244, 246 are used to support the holding device 220 in a
wire rack system 300 such as that used in a refrigerator or a
closet shelf system. The embodiment of FIGS. 13-15 is substantially
identical to that of FIG. 16, except that an alternative means is
provided for supporting the holding device 220. In this embodiment,
the support surface includes screw holes 260 for affixing the
holding device 220 to a surface utilizing screws or similar
fasteners (not shown).
[0121] In the embodiments of FIGS. 13-16, the holding members are
functionally the same as the design as seen and described in
relation to FIG. 1, but with several additional features.
Specifically, as in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the two mirror image
holding members 223, 224 define a channel 236 and distal portions
234 of the holding members 223 and 224 define a slot 230. The slot
230 has two screw clearance bores 262 disposed directly beneath
screw holes 260 to allow wood screws or similar fasteners (not
shown) to pass between the holding members 223, 224 and into a
support surface such as a shelf or wall (not shown). Bridging
portions 266 extend from the support member 221 into the channel
236 between and in contact with the holding members 223, 224. The
bridging portions 266 strengthen the holding device 220.
Furthermore, the holding members 223, 224 include external support
ribs 264 that further strengthen the holding device 220. First
sections 225, second section 226 and neck 227 perform the same
functions as shown in FIG. 1.
[0122] The side clips 244 in the embodiment of FIG. 16 can either
be continuous or discontinuous. The side clips 244 may also include
a series of inwardly directed marginal lips or other retention
apparatus 280. These lips or other apparatus 280 clip over the rods
in the wire rack to fasten the holding device to the rack. The
holding device 220 is dimensioned such that the clips 244 just fit
over two adjacent rods 290 of a wire rack having the greatest
anticipated spacing between adjacent rods and is held in place by
interference of the lips 280 with the rods on each side of the
holding device 220. For narrower rack systems where the rods 290
are spaced more closely together, one of the rods 290 may be
engaged by one of the lips 280 on one side of the device and the
adjacent rod 290 may be engaged by walls defining at least one
indentation 278 in a side wall 279 of the proximal portion of the
holding member 224. One of the end clips 246 may also be clipped
over an end rod 292 as shown to firmly hold the holding device 220
from sliding along the rods 290 when a user inserts the slider bag
50 into the device.
[0123] In a still further embodiment of a holding device 320 as
shown in FIG. 17, the lengths of first sections 325 can be shorter
than the length of the slider 58. During use of this embodiment,
the slider 58 is not completely enclosed within the first sections
325 but is still held in place by holding members 323, 324 defining
the first section 325 and the slider 58 is prevented from passing
into a second section 326 at a neck 327. Thus, the holding device
320 assists in closing the slider bag 50 when inserted. All other
features of this embodiment are similar to those shown in FIG.
1.
[0124] A modification of this embodiment, seen in FIG. 17a, further
includes one or more bosses or detents 370 extending into a recess
332 from the holding members 323, 324. The bosses or detents 370
comprise an alternative to the retaining members 28 as shown in
FIG. 1. Specifically, the detents 370 are separated from one
another by a distance sufficient to allow the slider 58 to move
into the space therebetween and to thereafter present sufficient
frictional resistance to movement of the slider to hold the slider
58 in place when the slider bag 50 is being pulled out of the
holding device 320. Referring next to FIG. 17b, a slider 58 that
may be used with such an embodiment rather than the slider
disclosed in the previous FIGS. preferably includes grooves 59
partially or fully narrowing the width of the slider 58 along a
portion of the length of the slider 58. When the user inserts the
slider 58 into the recess 332, the user must exert pressure to
force the front edge of the slider 58 past the detent 370. Once
past the detent 370, the front edge of the slider 58 then comes in
contact with the surfaces defining the neck 327 and is stopped. As
the slider bag 50 continues to be pulled by the user the closure
strips 56 pass through the slider 58 until the bag reaches the
closed position. The groove 59 of the slider 58 is then preferably
(although not necessarily) disposed so that the detent 370 is not
in frictional contact with the slider 58. To remove the slider bag
50 from the holding device 320 the user pulls the slider bag 50 in
a direction opposite from the direction of insertion. The slider 58
then comes in contact with the detent 370 and is stopped. The user
continues to pull the bag in the same direction and the closure
strips 56 pass through the slider 58 until the bag reaches the open
position. The user thereafter pulls the slider 58 past the detent
370 to fully remove the slider bag from the holding device 320.
[0125] As should be evident from the foregoing, the detent 370 may
have a shape complementary to one or more portions of the slider,
or the design of one of the detent 370 and the slider 58 can be
selected in dependence upon the shape of the other, so that the
detent 370 and the slider 58 can cooperate in an advantageous
manner.
[0126] Referring now to FIGS. 18, 18a, and 18b, a further
embodiment of the invention is seen. The holding device 420
includes a support member 421 and holding members 423, 424. The
holding members 423, 424 further comprise proximal and distal
portions 433, 434 and are attached to the support member 421 at the
proximal portion 432 and form a channel 436 therebetween. The
channel 436 is open at least at one end and has dimensions larger
than the slider 58 of the slider bag 50. The channel 436 further
includes a slot 430 in communication with the channel 436 defined
by the distal portions 434 of the holding members 423, 424; the
slot 430 having a width narrower than the slider 58 but wider than
the combined thicknesses of the side panels 52. The holding members
423, 424 also comprise at least one blocking member or wall 468.
The blocking member or wall 468 is disposed in the channel 436 and
is of a dimension to interfere with the passage of the slider 58
while allowing the closure strips 56 to pass by or between blocking
members 468. While this embodiment shows two blocking members 468,
one located at each end of the device, other embodiments may only
include one blocking member 468 located at a suitable point within
the channel 436.
[0127] FIGS. 20-23 show a still further embodiment of the present
invention. In this embodiment, the open or closed slider bag 50 is
slid into a holding device 520, which has been attached by
double-sided adhesive tape 538 to a shelf or other suitable surface
502. The holding device 520 has holding members 523 and 524 that
depend from a support member 521. The holding members 523 and 524
define a recess 525 to receive the slider 58. In this embodiment,
the device also includes an interference member in the form of one
or more flanges 568 carried by one or both of the holding members
523, 524 that hold the slider 58 and in turn support the slider bag
50. To further hold the slider bag in place, the device also may
include one or more retaining members 528 carried at either or both
ends of the flanges 568. In the illustrated embodiment the
retaining members 528 comprise upstanding protrusions that are
sized and spaced so that the slider 58 of the closed slider bag 50
can be inserted into the recess 525 over the retaining members 528
and is held therebetween. The retaining members 528 prevent removal
of the slider 58 from the recess 525 until the slider has been
lifted over the retaining members 528.
[0128] If desired, an optional end wall (not shown) may be provided
at one end of the device 520 to prevent the slider 58 from being
removed through the one end as or after it has been inserted. Since
the sole purpose of back wall is to prevent the slider from exiting
the device 520 at the one end, any blocking or barrier member that
interferes with the passage of the slider can be used. As should be
evident from the foregoing the embodiment of FIGS. 20-23 supports
the slider 58 in turn to support the bag 50.
[0129] In FIGS. 39 and 40, an embodiment similar to that of FIGS.
20-23 is shown. In this embodiment, a series of channels 550 that
are preferably (although not necessarily) parallel to one another
pass through the holding device 552 at an angle relative to the
horizontal. Each of the channels 550 has a first section 525 and a
second section 526. The first section 525 is large enough to
accommodate the slider 58. In one embodiment, the second section
526 is narrower than first section 525 so that the slider 58 is
retained within the first section 525. Alternatively, an
interference member similar to that shown in other embodiments can
divide the first and second sections. The holding device 550 can
include any number of parallel channels 552. In addition, the
holding device 550 can be attached to a shelf 560 by inserting an
end of the shelf 560 into a slot 558 as shown or by any of the
other attaching methods described in this specification. The
holding device 550 can be used to close and support the slider bag
50 via the slider 58 as described in connection with other
embodiments disclosed herein.
[0130] The embodiment of FIGS. 39 and 40 has the advantage that the
weight of articles stored in the bag tends to assist in the closing
of the bag. This can facilitate use of the bag, both by persons
unaffected by a physical disability and those with limited manual
dexterity. Another advantage is that the bag will tend to close on
its own if released before full closure has been achieved. Thus,
the user has some assurance that bag has been fully closed even if
it is questionable whether the user has moved the slider to the
fully closed position.
[0131] In FIGS. 24-29, three further embodiments of the holding
device of the present invention are shown. In these embodiments,
the holding devices are close-only devices in that they can be used
to close and support the slider bag, but not to assist in the
opening of the slider bag. Each of the devices shown in FIGS. 24-29
has a support member 621 and depending holding members 623 and 624.
In the device shown in FIGS. 24-27, a channel 636 formed by holding
members 623 and 624 has a uniform cross section along the entire
length of the channel 636. Distal portions 634 of the holding
members 623 and 624 define a slot 630 that has similar dimensions
and characteristics of the slots in other holding devices as
previously described. At each end of the channel 636 is one or more
interference member(s) 627. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS.
24-27, the interference member 627 comprises the ends of the
holding members 623 and 624. As shown in earlier embodiments, the
interference member can alternatively take a number of different
shapes and/or may comprise protrusions that narrow the channel 636
only at the end(s) of the holding device. Like previous
embodiments, the interference member 627 prevents the passage of
the slider 58 along the device while at the same time allowing the
transit or passage of the closure strips 56 through the holding
device.
[0132] In both FIGS. 28 and 29, the holding device has a first
section 625. However, the first section 625 in FIG. 28 is bounded
by a single surface 688 closest to the slot 630. In FIG. 29, the
first section 625 is bounded on two sides by surfaces 688 and 689.
The surface 688 may be reinforced by optional reinforcing members
in the form of gussets or webs 690.
[0133] FIGS. 30-33 illustrate a holding device for slider bags that
supports certain slider bags that include one or more protruding
end stops in the form of clips or deformed end portions 760. This
holding device includes a support member 721 secured by an adhesive
strip 738 to any desired support surface and holding members 723
and 724 that define a recess 794. The recess 794 is large enough to
receive the protruding end stop 760 and is also in communication
with a slot 792. The width of the slot 792 is such that both the
closure strips 56 and the bag side panels 52 can pass through the
slot 792, but the protruding end stops 760 cannot. Each of the
distal portions 734 of the holding members 723 and 724 has an
interfering member in the form of a ledge or flange 796 that
supports the protruding end stop 760 and each of the ledges 796
includes an upstanding projection or protrusion 798 at the open end
of the device. The protrusions 798 are sized such that the end stop
760 can be inserted into the recess 794 over the protrusions 798,
but the end stop 760 is held in place to prevent accidental removal
from the holding device. The holding device includes a rear wall
770 that prevents the protruding end stop 760 and bag from exiting
the device in that direction. As should be evident from the
foregoing, the device illustrated in FIGS. 30-33, supports the bag
via the end stop 760.
[0134] FIGS. 34 and 35 show a device similar to those shown in
FIGS. 24-29. In this embodiment, the channel 636 is sized so that a
protruding end stop 660 can pass through the device but the slider
58 cannot pass therethrough. Also, FIG. 34 shows a hanger 699 as an
alternate attachment device for the holding device. FIG. 35 shows
the device holding the slider bag by closure strips 56 with the
slider 58 in the closed position.
[0135] An alternative interior structure is shown in FIG. 41. In
this embodiment, a channel 650 is longer than the length of a bag
to be supported. The channel 650 also includes a recessed section
652 that is at least as long as most standard sized slider bags 50.
The slider bag 50 is inserted into the channel 650 and the entire
top portion of the slider bag 50 is placed within the channel 650.
The recess 652 is sufficiently deep so that the slot 630 formed by
the distal portions 634 of the holding members 623 and 624 can
support the slider 58 and the closure strips 56. One or more walls
defining the recess 652 can also act as a locking member and
provide enough resistance to the removal of the slider 58 so that
slider 58 is moved along the top of the closure strips 56 and the
slider bag 50 is opened as the slider bag 50 is removed from the
recess 652.
[0136] FIGS. 36 and 37 show a further embodiment of the slider bag
holding device that uses two similar cams 810 that rotate about an
off center axis 812 to hold a slider bag 50. The cams 810 are
supported by a rod 814 or similar shaft about which cams 810 can
rotate. As shown, the rods 814 pass through the cams 810 such that
the cams 810 rotate in an eccentric fashion. The rods 814 are
attached to a support member 821 that in turn can be attached to
any suitable or desired surface. Also, the cross-sectional shape of
the cams 810 is such that when the cams 810 rotate about the rods
814, the cams come together and put added pressure on the slider
bag 50. If desired, the cams 810 can be spring biased. The action
of the cams 810 on one or more portions of the bags including the
bag walls, the closure strips 56 and the slider 58 act to support
the slider bag 50.
[0137] The bag 50 is removed from the holding device of FIGS. 36
and 37 by counter-rotating one or both of the cams 810 to release
the bag 50 therefrom. This counter-rotation can be effected by the
user manually displacing one or both of the cams 810.
Alternatively, the bag 50 may be removed by the user displacing the
bag upwardly as seen in FIGS. 36 and 37 and simultaneously moving
the bag 50 outwardly to a position free of the cams 810.
[0138] FIG. 38 shows a further embodiment of the invention with
three support rods 950 attached to a support member 921. The rods
950 are cylindrical in shape and have a halfcircular cross section
with a flat side. The spacing of rods 950 forms a slot 930 into
which a slider bag 50 can be inserted such that the slider 58
and/or the closure strips 56 are disposed below the slot 930
adjacent the flat surfaces of two neighboring rods 950. The walls
of the bag 50 pass over one of the rods 950 and through a slot 930
between the next pair of rods 950, except in the case of an end rod
952, where there is no further rod adjacent thereto. The article(s)
stored in the bags 50 are thus conveniently positioned below the
rods 950. The bags 50 with the articles therein are easily removed
from the rods 950 by pulling the bags 50 along the axial direction
of the rods 950.
[0139] Referring now to FIG. 19, another embodiment of the
invention is shown. In this embodiment the means for supporting a
holding device 1020 comprises two hanging clips 1072 that allow the
holding device 1020 to be hung from a support structure, such as a
rod of a wire rack, a coat hanger, or the like (not shown). While
the hanging clips 1072 are shown as being molded into the top of
holding device 1020, alternative clipping devices known to those
skilled in the art can be substituted for clips 1072 and may be
secured in any suitable fashion to the top or other surface of the
holding device 1020. These alternative clips can either be fixedly
attached or rotatably attached to the holding device 1020. In
addition, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, proximal portions
1033 of the holding members 1023 and 1024 are flush with the edges
of the support member 1021. The flat side surfaces of holding
members 1023 and 1024 allow for an alternate location for an
adhesive strip that may be used to mount the holding device 1020 to
a support surface, such as a vertical wall.
[0140] FIG. 42 shows a still further embodiment of the present
invention that incorporates multiple holding devices that are
secured together or integrally formed to obtain a ganged structure.
In this embodiment, a holding device 1120 includes three holding
substructures 1144 carried by a single support member 1121. In the
illustrated embodiment each of the substructures 1144 has a shape
generally as described above with respect to FIGS. 1-4, although
the holding devices may take any of the forms shown and described
herein. Each substructure 1144 has mirror image holding members
1123 and 1124 that depend from a first side 1122 of the support
member 1121. Each of the holding members 1123 and 1124 has a
proximal portion 1133, a distal portion 1134, and two ends 1135.
Each pair of holding members 1123 and 1124 defines a channel 1136
therebetween. Each channel 1136 includes a slot 1130 defined by the
distal portions 1134 of the holding members 1123 and 1124. Each
channel 1136 also has two first sections 1125 and a second section
(not shown, but identical to the second section 26 described above)
separated by necks 1127. Each substructure 1144 also includes two
retaining members 1128 at each end 1135. The support member 1121
also includes multiple fastening holes 1137 through which a user
can attach the holding device 1120 to a desired surface (not shown)
using a fastener such as a screw or nail (not shown).
[0141] In operation, a user may insert one or more slider-type bags
into one or more of the channels 1136 in the fashion described
above so that the bags are supported by the holding device 1120.
Thereafter the sliders of the bags may contact and be restrained
against significant movement by the retaining members 1128 so that
each bag may be readily opened simply by moving the bag relative to
the holding device 1120. After the interior of the bag has been
accessed the user may simply move the bag in the opposite
direction, thereby causing the slider to engage one of the ends
1135 so that the bag is closed.
[0142] FIGS. 43-46 illustrate a Hefty OneZip.RTM. bag 1200, a
Glad.RTM. Clicklock bag 1202, a Presto.RTM. SureSeal bag 1204 and a
slider-type bag 1206 manufactured by Pliant Corporation,
respectively, in conjunction with the holding device 621 of FIGS.
24-27. As noted above, any of such bags may alternatively be used
in conjunction with any of the embodiments disclosed herein,
provided that the various elements of the holding device are
dimensioned to cooperate with one or more of the bag structures as
described herein to support the bag.
[0143] Furthermore, depending upon the exact application and the
type of items to be held by the slider bags, one or more single or
ganged holding devices can alternatively be attached to a wall or
other vertical surface such that each holding device is disposed in
a horizontal or non-horizontal plane. For example, as seen in FIG.
47, a plurality of holding devices 1210a, 1210b and 1210c, each
similar or identical to one of the embodiments disclosed herein,
are mounted in a horizontal arrangement on a vertical support
surface 1212 by any suitable means, such as double-sided tape. In
this example, a slider bag 1214 is held by the holding device 1210a
in the same manner as described above, but instead of hanging
straight down from the holding device, the side panels of the
slider bag fold over and rest on one of the distal portions of the
holding member. Other bags (for example, the bag 1216 illustrated
in dashed lines) may be similarly held by the holding devices 1210b
and 1210c, so that the bags overlap in a shingled
configuration.
[0144] Referring now to FIG. 48 another embodiment of the present
invention is shown. In this embodiment the support member 1321 is a
refrigerator shelf and the holding device 1320 is an integral part
of the support member 1321. The holding members 1323, 1324 extend
from a first side 1322 of the support member 1321 and are otherwise
identical in form and operation to the holding members described in
relation to FIG. 1. This, of course, is simply one example of the
type of shelf the present invention could be integral with. This
embodiment could also be formed into pantry, closet or cabinet
shelves or from the underside of hanging cabinets in exactly the
same manner described above.
[0145] Referring now to FIGS. 49-52, further embodiments of the
current invention are shown. These embodiments are similar to the
embodiments shown in FIGS. 39 and 40 except that the first section
1425 is large enough to receive and encompass the entire slider 58
of the bag 50. Furthermore, the first and second holding members
1423, 1424 have retaining members 1428 in the mouth 1432 similar to
the retaining member described in relation to FIG. 4. In the
embodiments shown in FIGS. 49-51 the holding device 1420 includes a
support member 1421 parallel to the first and second holding
members 1423, 1424 and attached to first holding member 1423. In
the embodiment shown in FIG. 49 this attachment is accomplished by
a first bridge member 1447 that connects the support member 1421 to
the first holding member 1423. It should be understood that this
attachment can occur at any point on the first holding member 1423.
In other embodiments, for example as shown in FIG. 51, the support
surface 1421 can simply be integral with the first holding member
1423. The first and second holding members are then connected by a
second bridge member 1449 as shown in FIG. 50. Furthermore, as seen
in FIG. 52, the attachment can be made to both holding members
1423, 1424, as described in relation to FIG. 1.
[0146] In FIG. 49, the holding device 1420 includes a magnet 1451
attached by an adhesive, or other known attachment means, to the
side 1442 of the support member 1421 opposite the holding members
1423, 1424. The magnet 1451 can then be attached to a refrigerator
or other metal surface. The embodiment shown in FIG. 51 utilizes
fastening holes or slots 1437a, 1437b in the support member 1421. A
user can drive a shank of a fastener l439 through the fastening
holes or slots 1437a, 1437b and into a surface to secure the
holding device 1420. Each of the holding members 1423, 1424 has a
cut-out portion 1453 that allows the user access to the fastening
slot or slot 1437a. Preferably, although not necessarily, in both
the embodiments shown in FIG. 49 and FIG. 50, once the holding
device 1420 is secured, either by a magnet 1451 or fastener 1439
respectively, a bag (not shown) is inserted into the device 1420
such that the bag walls hang parallel to the surface to which the
holding device 1420 is secured. FIG. 49a further illustrates that
the support member 1421 lies in a first plane 1467. When a bag (not
shown) is inserted into the device 1420 and is supported thereby,
the walls of the bag lie in a second plane 1469 parallel to the
first plane 1467. Stated in another way, the second plane 1469 is
defined by a channel 1436 and a slot 1430 of the device 1420 and is
parallel to the first plane 1467.
[0147] In FIG. 52 a holding device 1420 having three of the pairs
of holding members 1423, 1424 similar to the pairs shown in FIGS.
49 and 51 and capable of holding three bags is shown. The holding
device 1420 is secured by fasteners 1439 driven through fastening
slots or holes 1437 in the support member 1421 and into a surface.
Similar to the holding device described in relation to FIG. 1, each
of the sets of holding members 1423, 1424 has a distal end 1434
that defines a slot 1430. As seen in FIG. 52a, the slot has a
longitudinal extent that defines a line 1473. The support member
1421 defines a plane 1467 that is transverse to the line 1473.
[0148] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 49-52 have all the advantages
of the embodiments of FIGS. 39 and 40 plus the additional benefit
of assisting the user in opening the bag 50 when the bag is moved
in the direction of the retaining member 1428 while the slider 58
of the bag 50 is held within the first section 1425 by the
interference thereof with the interference member 1428. This
provides even greater assistance to persons with limited manual
dexterity.
[0149] In FIG. 53 yet another embodiment is shown. The holding
device 1520 is similar to the holding device 20 of FIG. 1 except
that the support member 1521 is adapted to hang from a side of a
shelf 1555 of a refrigerator, cabinet, pantry, closet, etc. The
support member 1521 includes a first portion 1557 and a second
portion 1559. The holding members 1523, 1524 extend from a first
side 1522 of the first portion 1557 near or at one end of the
portion 1557. The second portion 1559 also extends from the first
side 1522 of the first portion 1557 at or near an end of the
portion 1557 opposite the holding members 1523, 1524. In operation,
the second portion 1559 rests on the shelf 1555 and the first
portion 1557 and the holding member 1523, 1524 extend below the
shelf 1555. The side 1542 of the first portion 1557 opposite the
holding members 1523, 1524 contacts a side wall 1561 of the
refrigerator cabinet, pantry, closet, etc. A bag 50 hangs from the
members 1523, 1524 in the fashion noted with respect to any of the
embodiments described above and extends downwardly from the holding
device 1520 and along the side wall 156. This embodiment allows the
efficient use of space that has, in the past, been under utilized
in the refrigerator, cabinet, pantry, closet, etc.
Industrial Applicability
[0150] In each of the embodiments disclosed herein a method of
moving a slider of a thermoplastic bag includes the steps of
contacting the slider with a holding device, applying a first force
to the thermoplastic bag in a first direction, and applying a
second force to the holding device in a second direction so that
the thermoplastic bag moves relative to the holding device and the
slider. The first force may be applied by a user's hand or another
force transmission element. The second force may be exerted by a
user's hand or the holding device may be secured to a stationary or
movable object, and the force may comprise a resisting or anchoring
force exerted by the object.
[0151] As should be evident, one may use single or ganged multiple
holding devices that are secured to a vertical support surface, a
horizontal support surface or a non-horizontal and non-vertical
support surface in any configuration and/or orientation desired by
the user so that the bags are maintained in a desired arrangement
including side by side, overlapping (i. e., the shingled
arrangement) and cascading (i. e., an arrangement where the bags
are disposed one above the other but not touching).
[0152] The holding devices of the present invention can be made
from most any rigid material such as plastics, glass, metal, wood
and similar substances. The only important features of the
materials of construction are that they be relatively rigid, be
inexpensive, and can be readily formed into a desired shape.
Suitable plastic materials include polypropylene, polyethylene,
styrene, nylon and a wide variety of other similar homopolymers and
copolymer materials. Typically the holding device is molded as a
single piece; however a multi-part construction could be utilized
without deviating from the present invention. Any suitable molding
technique can be used to form these devices, including injection
molding, and thermoforming. Additionally, the holding devices can
be formed in multiple parts that are snapped or pressed together
during manufacture and assembly. Another well known manufacturing
method utilizes the flexible nature of thin areas of the molded
parts and folds and snaps a single flatly molded part into the
three dimensional holding devices as shown.
[0153] While the present invention has been described as supporting
a bag via closure strips, an end stop or a slider, it should be
understood that the bag could instead be supported via other
portions of the slider bags 56 that are wider than the combined
thicknesses of the slider bag walls or side panels 52. These
portions include various types of ribs or rails that may be added
to the extension of the closure strips or to at least one of the
side panels 52 of the slider bag. One example of this structure
comprises the rails 660 illustrated in FIG. 27 that maintain the
slider 58 on the closure strips 56. Generally, these structures are
located between the closure strips and the bottom of the slider
bag, although they may be disposed between the closure strips and
the top of the bag. Also, instead of being supported by one of the
closure strips, the end stop, the slider or another portion, the
bag may be supported via combinations of these structures, if
desired. That is, the holder may include multiple interfering
portions that simultaneously interfere with multiple bag portions
described above such that the multiple bag portions rest thereon so
that the bag is supported.
[0154] The above-described embodiments allow a user to address a
variety of home storage problems. First, the holding devices enable
a user to store and organize reclosable bags to fully utilize
available storage space. For example, in a refrigerator, closet,
pantry or the like the present invention allows a user to hang bags
from the underside of a shelf, thus freeing up the shelf surface
space for the storage of other items. This type of use also ensures
that the bags are clearly in view and always in the same location,
thus increasing the likelihood that any perishable food will be
utilized before spoilage occurs.
[0155] Another advantage of the present invention is to ensure a
complete seal of the bag that is being used. In certain embodiments
the slider is held in place while the bag is slid into the device,
and hence the user is able to ensure that the bag is completely
sealed and the contents will remain safely and securely within the
bag. This advantage is especially useful in relation to food
storage since the food within the bag will remain fresh longer if
it is sealed from the surrounding environment. This type of use
also gives the advantage that users with diminished manual
dexterity are more easily able to utilize reclosable bags.
[0156] Numerous modifications to the present invention will be
apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing
description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as
illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling
those skilled in the art to make and use the invention and to teach
the best mode of carrying out same. The exclusive rights to all
modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims
are reserved.
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