U.S. patent application number 11/759166 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-11 for food ingredients bag holder.
Invention is credited to Carmen Albert.
Application Number | 20080302924 11/759166 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40094968 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080302924 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Albert; Carmen |
December 11, 2008 |
FOOD INGREDIENTS BAG HOLDER
Abstract
The invention generally describes a method an apparatus for
supporting a flexible plastic bag in an open position to facilitate
filing the bag. More particularly, the invention provides a bag
support comprising an adjustable bag support member configured to
receive a bag and a first and second vertical support assembly
coupled to the adjustable bag support member for adjusting the
height of said assembly. The bag support places a plastic bag in an
open position to facilitate the introduction of liquids and/or
solids to the interior of the bag.
Inventors: |
Albert; Carmen; (Edwards,
CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOLME ROBERTS & OWEN, LLP
299 SOUTH MAIN, SUITE 1800
SALT LAKE CITY
UT
84111
US
|
Family ID: |
40094968 |
Appl. No.: |
11/759166 |
Filed: |
June 6, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
248/99 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 67/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/99 |
International
Class: |
B65B 67/12 20060101
B65B067/12 |
Claims
1. A bag support comprising: an adjustable bag support member
configured to receive varying sized bags, said adjustable bag
support member comprising, an outer support member having a hollow
interior and a first and second outer support member end portion,
said outer support member having a first plurality of adjustment
holes disposed on the surface of the outer support member on said
first outer support member end portion, said outer support member
having a second plurality of adjustment holes disposed on the
surface of the outer support member on said second outer support
member end portion, and an inner support member having a first and
second inner support member end portion, said first and second
inner support member end portions being configured to mate with the
hollow interior of said first and second outer support member end
portions, said inner support member having a first adjustment
button disposed on a surface of said first inner support member end
portion sized to fit and engage one of said first plurality of
adjustment holes, said inner support member having a second
adjustment button disposed on a surface of said second inner
support member end portion sized to fit and engage one of said
second plurality of adjustment holes, a first vertical support
assembly coupled to said adjustable bag support member, said first
vertical support assembly having a first vertical support member
pivotally coupled to said adjustable bag support member and a first
vertical base member coupled to said first vertical support member,
wherein said first vertical support member and said first vertical
base member are configured to vary the height of said first
vertical support assembly, and wherein said first vertical support
assembly is inwardly collapsible towards said adjustable bag
support member; and a second vertical support assembly coupled to
said adjustable bag support member, said second vertical support
assembly having a second vertical support member pivotally coupled
to said adjustable bag support and a second vertical base member
coupled to said second vertical support member, wherein said second
vertical support member and said second vertical base member are
configured to vary the height of said second vertical support
assembly, and wherein said second vertical support assembly is
inwardly collapsible towards said adjustable bag support
member.
2. The bag support member of claim 1, wherein said first vertical
support member has a hollow interior and first and second vertical
support member end portions, said first vertical support member
pivotally coupled to said adjustable bag support at said first
vertical support member end portion, said first vertical support
member having a third plurality of adjustment holes disposed on the
surface of said first vertical support member on said second
vertical support member end portion, wherein said first vertical
base member has first and second base member end portions, said
first vertical base member having a third adjustment button
disposed on a surface of said second base member end portion sized
to fit and engage one of said third plurality of adjustment holes
of said first vertical support member.
3. The bag support member of claim 2, wherein said second vertical
support member has a hollow interior and third and fourth vertical
support member end portions, said second vertical support member
pivotally coupled to said adjustable bag support at said third
vertical support member end portion, said second vertical support
member having a fourth plurality of adjustment holes disposed on
said fourth vertical support member end portion, wherein said
second vertical base member has third and fourth base member end
portions, said second vertical base member having a fourth
adjustment button disposed on said fourth base member end portion
sized to fit and engage one of said fourth plurality of adjustment
holes of said second vertical support member.
4. A bag support comprising: an adjustable bag support member
configured to receive a bag, said bag support member having a means
for selectively adjusting the size of said support to accommodate
an opening to varying sized bags; a first vertical support assembly
pivotally coupled to said adjustable bag support member, said first
vertical support assembly having a first means for adjusting the
height of said assembly, wherein said first vertical support
assembly is inwardly collapsible towards said adjustable bag
support member; and a second vertical support assembly pivotally
coupled to said adjustable bag support member, said second vertical
support assembly having a second means for adjusting the height of
said assembly, wherein said second vertical support assembly is
inwardly collapsible towards said adjustable bag support
member.
5. The bag support of claim 4, further comprising a first base
member pivotally coupled to said first vertical support assembly
and a second base member pivotally coupled to said second vertical
support assembly.
6. The bag support of claim 4, wherein said adjustable bag support
further comprises: an outer support member having a hollow interior
and a first and second outer support member end portion, said outer
support member having a first plurality of adjustment holes
disposed on the surface of the outer support member on said first
outer support member end portion, said outer support member having
a second plurality of adjustment holes disposed on the surface of
the outer support member on said second outer support member end
portion; and an inner support member having a first and second
inner support member end portion, said first and second inner
support member end portions being configured to mate with the
hollow interior of said first and second outer support member end
portions, said inner support member having a first adjustment
button disposed on a surface of said first inner support member end
portion sized to fit and engage one of said plurality of adjustment
holes, said inner support member having a second adjustment button
disposed on a surface of said second inner support member end
portion sized to fit and engage one of said second plurality of
adjustment holes.
7. The bag support of claim 6, wherein said outer support member is
approximately semi-circular in shape and said inner support member
is approximately semi-circular in shape.
8. The bag support of claim 6, wherein said outer support member is
approximately u-shaped and said inner support member is
approximately u-shaped such that the combination creates an
approximate rectangular shape when said outer support member is
engaged with said inner support member.
9. The bag support of claim 4, wherein said first vertical support
assembly further comprises a first vertical support member
pivotally coupled to said adjustable bag support member and a first
vertical base member coupled to said first vertical support member,
wherein said first vertical support member and said first vertical
base member are configured to vary the height of said first
vertical support assembly; and wherein said second first vertical
support assembly further comprises a second vertical support member
pivotally coupled to said adjustable bag support member and a
second vertical base member coupled to said second vertical support
member, wherein said second vertical support member and said second
vertical base member are configured to vary the height of said
second vertical support assembly.
10. The bag support member of claim 9, wherein said first vertical
support member has a hollow interior and first and second vertical
support member end portions, said first vertical support member
pivotally coupled to said adjustable bag support at said first end,
said first vertical support member having a first plurality of
adjustment holes disposed on the surface of said first vertical
support member on said second vertical support member end portion,
wherein said first vertical base member has first and second base
member end portions, said first vertical base member having a first
adjustment button disposed on the surface of the said second base
member end portion sized to fit and engage one of said first
plurality of adjustment holes of said first vertical support
member.
11. The bag support member of claim 10, wherein said second
vertical support member has a hollow interior and a first and
second support member end portion, said second vertical support
member pivotally coupled to said adjustable bag support at said
first end, said second vertical support member having a second
plurality of adjustment holes disposed on a surface of said second
vertical support member end portion, wherein said second vertical
base member has a first and second base member end portion, said
second base member having a second adjustment button disposed on
the surface of said second vertical base member end portion sized
to fit and engage one of said plurality of adjustment holes on the
surface of said second vertical support member.
12. A bag support comprising: an adjustable bag support member
configured to receive varying sized bags, said adjustable bag
support member comprising, an inner support member having a first
and second inner support member end portion, and an outer support
member having a hollow interior and a first and second outer
support member end portion, said outer support member being adapted
to receive at least a portion of said first and second inner
support member end portions, said outer support member configured
to move relative to said inner support member to vary the size of
said adjustable bag support member so as to receive said varying
sized bags; a first vertical support assembly coupled to said
adjustable bag support member, said first vertical support assembly
having a first vertical support member pivotally coupled to said
adjustable bag support and a first vertical base member coupled to
said first vertical support member, wherein said first vertical
support member and said first vertical base member are configured
to vary the height of said first vertical support assembly, and
wherein said first vertical support assembly is inwardly
collapsible towards said adjustable bag support member; and a
second vertical support assembly coupled to said adjustable bag
support member, said second vertical support assembly having a
second vertical support member pivotally coupled to said adjustable
bag support member and a second vertical base member coupled to
said second vertical support member, wherein said second vertical
support member and said second vertical base member are configured
to vary the height of said second vertical support assembly, and
wherein said second vertical support assembly is inwardly
collapsible towards said adjustable bag support member.
13. The bag support of claim 12, wherein said adjustable bag
support further comprises: an outer support member having a hollow
interior and a first and second outer support member end portion,
said outer support member having a first plurality of adjustment
holes disposed on the surface of the outer support member on said
first outer support member end portion, said outer support member
having a second plurality of adjustment holes disposed on the
surface of the outer support member on said second outer support
member end portion; and an inner support member having a first and
second inner support member end portion, said first and second
inner support member end portions being configured to mate with the
hollow interior of said first and second outer support member end
portions, said inner support member having a first adjustment
button disposed on a surface of said first inner support member end
portion sized to fit and engage one of said plurality of adjustment
holes, said inner support member having a second adjustment button
disposed on a surface of said second inner support member end
portion sized to fit and engage one of said second plurality of
adjustment holes.
14. The bag support member of claim 12, wherein said first vertical
support member has a hollow interior and first and second vertical
support member end portions, said first vertical support member
pivotally coupled to said adjustable bag support member at said
first vertical support member end portion, said first vertical
support member having a first plurality of adjustment holes
disposed on the surface of said first vertical support member on
said second vertical support member end portion, wherein said first
vertical base member has first and second base member end portions,
said first vertical base member having a first adjustment button
disposed on the surface of said second base member end portion
sized to fit and engage one of said first plurality of adjustment
holes of said first vertical support member.
15. The bag support member of claim 14, wherein said second
vertical support member has a hollow interior and a first and
second support member end portion, said second vertical support
member pivotally coupled to said adjustable bag support at said
first end, said second vertical support member having a second
plurality of adjustment holes disposed on a surface of said second
vertical support member end portion, wherein said second vertical
base member has a first and second base member end portion, said
second base member having a second adjustment button disposed on
the surface of said second vertical base member end portion sized
to fit and engage one of said plurality of adjustment holes on the
surface of said second vertical support member.
16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of said adjustable bag
support member, first vertical support assembly and a second
vertical support assembly are made from aluminum.
17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of said adjustable bag
support member, first vertical support assembly and a second
vertical support assembly are made from stainless steel.
18. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein each of said adjustable bag
support member, first vertical support assembly and a second
vertical support assembly are made from plastic.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention pertains to a food storage bag holding device
for supporting a flexible plastic bag in an open position to
facilitate filling the bag.
[0003] 2. The Relevant Technology
[0004] Resealable plastic bags such as Ziploc.RTM. bags are often
used to store food in a refrigerator or freezer. Such bags offer a
low cost alternative to Tupperware.RTM. or other costly food
storage systems. Since such bags are disposable, no clean up is
required after use. Resealable bags come in several shapes and
sizes making a number of volumes ranging from sandwich, pint,
quart, one gallon, two gallon and larger. Resealable plastic bags
offer an alternative to rigid storage containers, however, the
flexibility provides a significant challenge when filling the bag
with fluids or other granular items.
[0005] It is therefore desirable to provide a bag support that
places a plastic bag in an open position to facilitate the
introduction of liquids and/or solids to the interior of the bag.
It is further desirable that such a bag holder have a minimal
number of pieces and support a varying number of shapes and
sizes.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention pertains generally to a bag support for
supporting a resealable plastic bag. The bag support of the present
invention generally comprises an outer support ring approximately
shaped in a semi-circle arrangement with at least two ends. The
outer support ring further comprises a hollow interior having a
plurality of ring adjustment holes. The outer support ring has a
support ring hinge coupled to an edge of the outer support
ring.
[0007] Continuing, the bag support also has an inner support ring
shaped approximately in a semi-circle arrangement with at least two
ends. The inner support ring generally has an outer diameter
smaller than the inner diameter of the outer support ring, hence
allowing each end of the inner support ring to fit into a portion
of each end of the outer support ring to form a full circle. The
inner support ring has a ring adjustment button sized to fit into
one of the ring adjustment holes. The inner support ring further
has a second support ring hinge coupled to an edge of the inner
support ring.
[0008] In another embodiment, a bag support is disclosed having an
adjustable bag support member configured to receive varying sized
bags. In general, the bag support member comprises an outer support
member having a hollow interior and a first and second outer
support member end portion. The outer support member has a number
of adjustment holes disposed on the surface of the outer support
member on the first outer support member end portion and a number
of adjustment holes disposed on the surface of the outer support
member on the second outer support member end portion.
[0009] Continuing, the bag support member also comprises an inner
support member having a first and second inner support member end
portion. The first and second inner support member end portions are
configured to mate with the hollow interior of the first and second
outer support member end portions. The inner support member has a
first adjustment button disposed on a surface of the first inner
support member end portion that is sized to fit and engage one of
the adjustment holes. The inner support member has a second
adjustment button disposed on a surface of the second inner support
member end portion sized to fit and engage a different adjustment
hole.
[0010] Continuing, the bag support has a first vertical support
assembly coupled to the adjustable bag support member. The first
vertical support assembly has a first vertical support member
pivotally coupled to the adjustable bag support and a first
vertical base member coupled to the first vertical support member.
The first vertical support member and the first vertical base
member are configured to vary the height of the first vertical
support assembly. The bag support also has a second vertical
support assembly coupled to the adjustable bag support member. The
second vertical support assembly has a second vertical support
member pivotally coupled to the adjustable bag support and a second
vertical base member coupled to the second vertical support member.
The second vertical support member and the second vertical base
member are configured to vary the height of the second vertical
support assembly.
[0011] Other aspects of the present invention will become readily
apparent after reading the detailed description in conjunction with
the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and
not limitation in the Figures of the accompanying drawings, in
which like references indicate similar elements and in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a side view of a food ingredients bag holder
supporting a flexible plastic bag;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a top view of a food ingredients bag when
disassembled and in a storage position;
[0015] FIG. 3 shows a top view of an adjustable bag support
member;
[0016] FIG. 4 is an expanded view of a section of an adjustable bag
support member;
[0017] FIG. 5 is an expanded view of a resealable plastic bag
supported by a food ingredients bag holder; and
[0018] FIG. 6 is an expanded view of a section of an adjustable
vertical support member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] In the following description, numerous specific details are
set forth, such as examples of specific cooking pan sizes etc., in
order to provide an understanding of the present invention. It will
be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present
invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other
instances, well known components or methods have not been described
in detail but rather in a block diagram in order to avoid
unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. Thus, the specific
details set forth are merely exemplary. The specific details may be
varied from and still be contemplated to be within the spirit and
scope of the present invention.
[0020] Reference to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that
a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in
connection with the embodiment is included in at least one
embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase "in one
embodiment" in various places in the specification are not
necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
[0021] Whereas many alterations and modifications of the present
invention will become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the
art after having read the foregoing description, it is to be
understood that any particular embodiment shown and described by
way of illustration is in no way intended to be considered
limiting. Therefore, references to details of various embodiments
are not intended to limit the scope of the claims which in
themselves recite only those features regarded as the
invention.
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a food ingredients bag holder supporting
one particular size of a flexible plastic bag. Food ingredients bag
holder 100 provides a support structure for supporting resealable
plastic bags, such as Ziploc.RTM. bags, in an open position. A
support structure in accordance with the present invention places a
resealable bag in an open position for placing food and ingredients
directly into the bag without the user holding the bag open with
his/her hands--i.e., a hands-free operation. Resealable bags may be
used to marinate food such as meat, chicken, fish or vegetables
before cooking. Since mixing several ingredients together in a
resealable plastic bag can prove cumbersome, the marinade
ingredients are typically mixed together in a separate container,
such as a mixing bowl or the like, and then transferred to the bag
for flavoring. Bag holder 100 may be used to mix ingredients for a
marinade directly in a resealable flexible bag, thereby eliminating
the need to mix ingredients in a separate container and then
transfer the mixture to a bag. Bag holder 100 generally comprises
an adjustable bag support member 10, a first and second adjustable
vertical support assemblies 31 and 41 and a first and second
support base member 50 and 60.
[0023] In one embodiment, adjustable bag support member 10 is a
circular ring that lies generally in a common plane when in an
assembled position. The first and second adjustable vertical
support assemblies 31A and 41A include vertical support members and
vertical base members. For example, first and second vertical
support members 30, 40 are each coupled to opposite ends of
adjustable bag support member 10 respectively. In the illustrated
embodiment, vertical support member 30 is coupled to a first end of
support member 10 by a first support hinge 14. Hinge 14 may be a
T-device inserted into adjustable bag support member 10 that is
configured to receive vertical support member 30. Hinge 14 is
configured to allow and provide the pivot point for vertical
support member 30 to pivot about an axis and fold inward so that it
may lay approximately co-planer to support member 10 when bag
holder 100 is not in use. Any pivoting device that couples vertical
support member 30 to adjustable bag support member 10 may be used.
On the approximate opposite end of support member 10, vertical
support member 40 is coupled to the ring using a second support
hinge 12. Support hinge 12 is also configured to allow and provide
the pivot point for vertical support member 40 to fold inwards and
in approximately the same plane as support member 10 when bag
holder 100 is not in use. At the approximate bottom of each
vertical support member 30, 40 is a support base assembly 31, 41
that couples to the first and second vertical support members 30,
40 to provide overall support to bag holder 100.
[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, each support base assembly
31, 41 comprises a vertical base member 32, 42 and an approximately
circular shaped ring 50, 60 that extends out from the corresponding
vertical support member toward the interior of adjustable bag
support member 10. That is, support base assembly 31 comprises
vertical base member 32 and base member 50. Also, support base
assembly 41 comprises vertical base member 42 and base member 60.
In the embodiment as shown, each support base has a 2.5 to 3 inch
diameter; however, any suitable diameter may be used that provides
a stable base for bag holder 100. A suitable material for each
support base assembly 31, 41 is aluminum, however, any material may
be used for the manufacture of the support base assemblies 31, 41
such as stainless steel and plastic to name a few. In other
embodiments, support bases 50, 60 may be elliptical, square or
rectangle in shape. Support base assemblies 31, 41 may comprise
three or more legs, such as a tripod, as a means for supporting bag
holder 100. The overall shape is not limiting to the present
invention, it is purely a design choice that does not impact the
scope and spirit of the present invention. The support base shall
be of a suitable construction and configuration to support the bag
holder assembly including the addition of any food stuffs to the
bag.
[0025] As show in FIG. 1, support base member 50 is pivotally
coupled to vertical base member 32 by means of a base support hinge
55. Support hinge 55 allows support base member 50 to fold upward
and approximately co-planer to vertical base member 32 when bag
holder 100 is not in use. Similarly, support base member 60 is
coupled to vertical base member 42 by means of a base support hinge
65 so as to allow support base member 60 to fold upward and
approximately co-planer with vertical base member 42.
[0026] Support hinges 12, 14, 55 and 65 allow bag holder 100 to be
stored in a flat generally co-planer arrangement, with minimal
height, when not in use. In a typical arrangement, when bag holder
100 is assembled and fully expanded, it may have a diameter of up
to and including 12 inches and a height of approximately 12 inches
to support a two gallon resealable bag. Typically, the height can
range from 11/2 inches up to 24 inches and the diameter may range
from 2 inches up to 16 inches. One skilled in the art can
appreciate that the approximate height and diameter of bag holder
100 may be increased or decreased depending upon the size and shape
of the resealable bag. However, when bag holder 100 is not in use
and disassembled, it-may have a diameter of six inches with a
height of one inch, allowing it to take up a small amount of
storage space, in one embodiment. Again, the disassembled size may
vary considerably depending upon the intended size of the
resealable bag and the thickness of the material used for the bag
holder. Accordingly, the typical stored diameter may range from one
inch up to twelve inches and the stored height may range from
one-half inch to one inch. FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of food
ingredients bag holder 100 in a stored, disassembled position.
[0027] In the illustrated embodiment, adjustable bag support member
10 is an adjustable member, configured to change the diameter of
the ring to fit the size of the resealable plastic bag. Adjustable
bag support member 10 is shown having a ring shape, however, one
skilled in the art will appreciate that any shape may be used
without departing from the intended scope and spirit of the present
invention. Adjustable bag support member 10 has a plurality of
first ring adjustment holes 20, 21, 22, 23, etc. and second
adjustment holes 24, 25, 26, 27, etc. that are generally on
opposite sides of ring 10. In operation, a user adjusts the holes
to mate with the adjustment button (not shown) to allow the size of
adjustable bag support member 10 to approximately match the size of
the opening of the plastic bag. Six adjustment holes, on a side,
are shown in FIG. 1, however, any number of adjustment holes may be
used to adjust the ring 10 to the proper size of the opening of the
resealable bag, in embodiments of the present invention. First and
second support assemblies 31A and 41A are also adjustable.
Adjustments of first and second assemblies 31A and 41A change the
height of bag holder 100 to accommodate the height of the
resealable plastic bag. Vertical base member 32 has a plurality of
adjustment holes 35, 36, 37, etc. that operate to change the height
of vertical support assembly 31A. Vertical base member 42 also has
a plurality of adjustment holes 45, 46, 47, etc. that, when used in
a combination with a support member button (not shown) change the
height of vertical support assembly 41A. Four adjustment holes are
shown on the vertical base members; however, any number of
adjustment holes may be used in embodiments of the present
invention.
[0028] Resealable plastic bag 70 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as a
dotted line. In operation, plastic bag 70 is inserted within
adjustable bag support member 10 and the top of plastic bag 70 is
folded over and around adjustable bag support member 10. Plastic
bag 70 remains wrapped around adjustable bag support member 10. The
size of adjustable bag support member 10 is adjusted to closely
match the size of the opening of bag 70 and the height of first and
second vertical support member assemblies 31 and 41 are adjusted to
closely match the height of bag 70. For example, if plastic bag 70
is a one gallon sized bag, its diameter may be approximately 10
inches and its height may be approximately 10 inches. Adjustable
bag support member 10 is adjusted using the plurality of ring
adjustment holes 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 so that the
diameter of the support ring is at least 10 inches. Once bag 70 is
inserted into the opening of adjustable bag support member 10 and
folded over and around the ring, its overall height may have
decreased because of the fold. For example, the height of the fold
may have been one inch, resulting in the bag height decreasing to
nine inches. Hence, vertical support member assemblies 31A and 41A
should be adjusted to a height of nine inches or less. In a
preferred embodiment, the bottom of bag 70 should be resting on the
ground and not hanging above it. This provides additional support
to bag 70 when heavy foods or ingredients are placed inside.
[0029] FIG. 2 shows a top view of a food ingredients bag holder in
a stored, disassembled position. In one embodiment so as to
facilitate a compact storage arrangement, food ingredients bag
holder 100 collapses so that all parts of the holder are located
within the interior of adjustable bag support member 10. Support
hinges 12 and 14 are pivotally configured to fold first and second
vertical support members 30 and 40 to the interior area of
adjustable bag support member 10. Base support hinges 55 and 65
provide a means for pivoting base members 50 and 60 to the interior
area of adjustable bag support member 10. In one embodiment,
adjustable bag support member 10 has a minimum diameter of six
inches and each vertical support member 30 and 40 has a minimum
height of five inches. Hence, when vertical support members 30 and
40 are folded inside ring 10, their height does not exceed the
diameter of ring 10. Each support base member 50, 60 shall have a
diameter sized to fit within the interior circumference of
adjustable bag support member 10. The material thickness of each of
the support ring, vertical support members and support base members
are typically 0.25 to 0.5 inches. The range of thickness provides
the disassembled bag holder 100 with a desirable vertical footprint
of one inch or less.
[0030] FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of an adjustable bag support
member 10. The illustrated adjustable bag support member 10 is
comprised of two separate support members 15, 17, each shaped in
approximately a half circle in the illustrated embodiment. Outer
support member 15 is adapted to be combined with inner support
member 17 to form the adjustable bag support member 10. Outer
support member 15 is a hollow member shaped approximately in a half
circle. Opposing ends 101, 102 of outer support member 15 have a
number of first ring adjustment holes 20, 21, 22, 23 and second
ring adjustment holes 24, 25, 26, 27. Ring adjustment holes are a
plurality of holes cut on the side of outer support member 15 at
each opposing end 101, 102 respectively. Inner support member 17 is
a hollow tube shaped approximately in a half circle. Inner support
member 17 may also be a solid tube shaped in a half circle. In the
example shown, the outer diameter of inner support member 17 is
slightly smaller than the inner diameter of outer support member 15
thereby permitting the ends 103, 104 of inner support member 17 to
slide through the two openings 16, 18 and inside the hollow
interior of outer support member 15. Inserting inner support member
17 partially into outer support member 15 completes the complete
shape of the adjustable bag support member 10. Inner support member
17 has an adjustment button 19, 26 on each end 103, 104 of the
tube. Inserting adjustment buttons 19 and 26 into first and second
adjustment holes locks inner support member 17 into place with
outer support member 15. The configuration and operation of
adjustment buttons 19, 26 and first and second adjustment holes are
described in more detail with respect to FIG. 4.
[0031] In other embodiments, adjustable bag support member 10 may
be another shape such as elliptical or rectangular with rounded
edges. The corresponding resulting shapes may necessitate that
inner support member 17 and outer support member 15 be of a
different shape than the half circle illustrated in FIG. 3. One
skilled in the art can appreciate that other shapes may be utilized
for support member 10 that support a resealable plastic bag so that
the bag's open end may wrap around support member 10 and provide an
opening into the bag's interior.
[0032] FIG. 4 shows an expanded view of a section 105 of the
adjustable bag support member 10 from a food ingredients bag holder
100 shown in FIG. 4. More specifically, this figure illustrates a
section of adjustable bag support member 10 having one end of inner
support member 17 fitting inside outer support member 15. The end
104 of inner support member 17 is adapted to slide into opening 16
of outer support member 15 and outer support member 15 is adapted
to receive at least a portion of the end 104 of inner support
member 17 in the hollow interior of outer support member 15. Outer
support member 15 has a plurality of adjustment holes. The tube end
23 associated with end section 104 of inner tube 17 is illustrated
inside the hollow interior of end 101 of outer support member
15.
[0033] In FIG. 4, adjustment button 19 is positioned inside the
adjustment hole 24 of outer support member 15. Typically,
adjustment button 19 is a half spherical shaped button having a
diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of each adjustment
hole. Any shape may be used that permits adjustment button 19 to
snuggly fit inside any of adjustment holes yet protrude above the
surface of the hole to prevent slippage. The combination of the
adjustment button 19 and an adjustment hole locks inner tube 15 and
outer tube 17 in place. Adjustment button 19 has an outward
pressure keeping constant force on the button in order to keep its
spherical top above the surface of the surface of the outer support
member 15 surrounding the adjustment hole where it is positioned.
In the illustrated embodiment, a spring (not shown) exerts a
constant upward pressure on adjustment button 19, however, other
mechanical means may be utilized to exert a constant upward
pressure on adjustment button 19. Adjustment button 19 is typically
manufactured from a light weight but solid material such as
aluminum. However, one skilled in the art may utilize any material
that provides similar characteristics such as being light weight,
sturdy and washable.
[0034] In operation, the diameter of adjustable bag support member
10 is adjusted by pressing down on adjustment button 19 until the
top of the button's spherical surface is below the surface of the
surface of the outer tube surrounding the adjustment hole it was
positioned within. Once the button is completely below the surface,
the inner support member 17 may slide into or out of outer support
member 15, thereby increasing or decreasing the diameter of
adjustable bag support member 10. Depressing adjustment button 19
and sliding inner support member 17 in a direction out of outer
support member 15 results in adjustment button 19 resting against
the interior wall of outer support member 15 between, for example,
adjustment hole 24 and adjustment hole 25. This resulting movement
and position of adjustment of button 19 is due to the upwards
pressure being exerted from a spring or other mechanism (not shown)
providing such a pressure. Once adjustment button 19 reaches the
opening of adjustment hole 24, the upward pressure of the button
forces the button upwards and through the hole, locking it into
place. If a user wishes for further adjustment, the depressing and
moving of adjustment button 19 may be repeated until the adjustment
button 19 is fitted within the desired adjustment hole
corresponding to the desired diameter of the adjustable bag support
member 10. This process may also be repeated on the outer ring end
102 and inner ring end 103 (not shown in FIG. 4) of adjustable bag
support member 10.
[0035] 3] FIG. 5 is an expanded view of a resealable plastic bag
supported by a food ingredients bag holder. Resealable plastic bag
88 is shown with its top folded down and around a support ring (not
shown). Most resealable plastic bags have about one inch at the top
of the bag where the sealing device resides as well as additional
thickness for strength around the seal. This one-inch area is the
preferred area to fold around adjustable bag support member 10. In
the illustrated example, upper rear edge 80 of bag 88 is shown with
the bag's open interior 81. The front edge of bag 88 has an upper
front edge 82 and lower front edge 84. Seal 83 is also shown
between upper and lower front edges 82 and 84. Vertical support
member 32 is coupled to a visible portion of support base member
50.
[0036] FIG. 6 is an expanded view of a section of the vertical
support assembly 41A. In particular, FIG. 6 illustrates the
vertical support member 40 in combination with the vertical base
member 42 from a food ingredients bag holder 100. This figure shows
a section of vertical support member 40 where one end 90 of an
inner tube 49 (e.g., from vertical base member 42) is adapted and
configured to fit inside an end 91 of outer tube 44 (e.g., from
vertical support member 40). As with adjustable bag support member
10 described above, each vertical support assembly comprises two
individual pieces of tubing 49, 44 where one piece fits inside the
other to allow for adjustment between corresponding vertical
support members and vertical base members to achieve overall height
adjustment of adjustable vertical support assemblies 41A or 31A. In
the illustrated section of vertical support assembly 41A, outer
tube 44 is a straight hollow tube which has a plurality of
adjustment holes 45, 46, 47. Adjustment holes 45, 46, 47 are cut
from a side surface of outer tube 44 and adapted to receive an
adjustment button 43. The end 91 of outer tube 44 couples with
adjustable bag support member 10 (not shown) via a hinge (not
shown). Since outer tube 44 is hollow, end 91 is associated with
opening 46. Inner tube 49 may also be a hollow tube, in one
embodiment, with an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner
diameter of outer tube 44; however, inner tube 41 may be
manufactured of a solid material, in another embodiment. The size
difference between the inner tube 49 and outer tube 44 allows inner
tube 49 to slide through opening 46 and rest inside outer tube 44.
The tube end 90 of inner tube 49 is illustrated in FIG. 6 between
the adjustment hole 46 and the adjustment hole 45 of outer tube 44.
In a preferred embodiment, inner tube 49 and outer tube 44 are made
from a light weight but solid material such as aluminum. However,
one skilled in the art may utilize any material that provides
similar characteristics such as being light weight, sturdy and
washable.
[0037] Towards tube end 90 of inner tube 49 is adjustment button 43
positioned inside the middle of adjustment hole 46 of outer tube
44. Adjustment button 43 is a half spherical shaped button having a
diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of each adjustment
hole. The size difference between the adjustment button 43 and the
plurality of adjustment holes permits adjustment button 43 to fit
inside each adjustment hole yet protrude above the surface of the
hole to prevent slippage. Adjustment button 43 is similar in both
construction and function to buttons 19 and 26 described above.
Accordingly, the description for adjustment buttons 19 and 26
applies to adjustment button 43 and should be considered equivalent
for all purposes.
[0038] The height of adjustable vertical support assembly 41A and
therefore the height of the food ingredients bag holder 100,
adjusts by pressing inward on adjustment button 43 until the top of
the button is below the surface of the outer tube 44 surrounding
the hole. Once the button is completely below the surface, the
inner tube 49 may be slid further into or out of outer tube 44.
Once adjustment button 43 reaches the opening of an adjustment
hole, for example, adjustment hole 45, the outward pressure of the
spring on the button 43 forces it outwards and through the hole 45,
thereby locking it into place. For further height adjustment, the
above process may be repeated until the adjustment button 43 is
fitted within the desired adjustment hole. This height adjustment
process may also be repeated on the opposite adjustable vertical
support assembly 31A with corresponding adjustment holes and
buttons.
[0039] Whereas many alterations and modifications of the present
invention will no doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary
skill in the art after having read the foregoing description, it is
to be understood that any particular embodiment shown and described
by way of illustration is in no way intended to be considered
limiting. Therefore, references to details of various embodiments
are not intended to limit the scope of the claims which in
themselves recite only those features regarded as the
invention.
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